CELEBRATING HEALTHY AND PURPOSEFUL AGING

Guests:  Laura Heisler, Dir. of Programming, WARF and Dir. of Outreach, Morgridge Institute for Research; Kristen Pickett, Assistant Professor and Debbie Bebeau, Clinical Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Department, UW-Madison

What is it you don’t know about healthy aging? The University of Wisconsin-Madison has discovered answers to what it takes to live healthy, happy, and purposeful lives across the lifespan, and they are inviting the community to a free event on Saturday, October 10, at the Discovery Building Town Center so you can experience firsthand what UW has learned about how you can be your best self at any age. This “Celebrating Healthy and Purposeful Aging” event is made possible by John and Tashia Morgridge who have chosen this way to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

On this program, Laura Heisler, Kristen Pickett, and Debbie Bebeau share highlights of the Event's activities.  From recognizing falls prevention as a key to purposeful and healthy aging to using tango dancing and glass blowing as activities to help people with Parkinson’s disease, you will be exposed to many creative ways to bring new joy, purpose and healthy living to your everyday activities.

From 10 am to noon is a family-focused time - Saturday Science for school-age children and adults; 1-5 pm features Healthy Aging Across the Lifespan.  For a full schedule of events and more information, including transportation options, go to discovery.wisc.edu.

GIO'S GARDEN GROWS

Guests:   Ron Giordan, father of Gio and one of the founders of Gio's Garden; Val Madsen, Executive Director and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist



Gio's Garden began as a seed of frustration from parents of children with special needs that grew into a respite care home in Middleton, Wisconsin in 2009. Named after Giovanni Giordan, a boy who at one time suffered from more than 80 seizures a day and had three brain surgeries, Gio’s Garden is continuing to expand its free services to children 0-6 years old and their families.

On this program, Ron Giordan, father of Gio, and Val Madsen tell the story of Gio and describe the breadth of special services his circumstances has inspired. For more information about Gio’s Garden and to register for Gio’s Garden Gala, Saturday evening, October 24, at Monona Terrace, go to giosgarden.org.

MAKING KIDS "STARS" IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Guests:   Kristel Renn, Youth Development Director at STAR Credit Union;  Kelsey Johnson, STAR member



Empowering young people to create the future they want is the philosophy behind STAR (Save to Achieve Results) Credit Union, the only kids-chartered credit union in the world.  Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, STAR CU is financed entirely by Summit Credit Union and is the brainchild of Summit CEO, Kim Sponem.  Housed in the Boys and Girls Club, members under the age of 18 can open a savings account with a minimum deposit of 25 cents and participate in financial literacy classes.

On this program, Kristel Renn describes how at risk kids are learning about money management and saving for their future through their hands-on experience with a financial institution. Longtime member Kelsey Johnson, who is now in seventh grade and one of STAR’s exceptional savers, shares how having a savings account and being involved with the credit union operations have inspired her to plan for college and perhaps a career in the financial industry or teaching. 

 For more information, go to saveatstar.com.

VOICES FOR RECOVERY

Guests:  Shelly Dutch, founder and director and Chuck Callender, practice manager - Connections Counseling.  Also board members - Recovery Foundation

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month. With the growing heroin and prescription drug epidemic in Dane County and throughout the country as well as the long existing alcohol abuse problem - all of which impact individuals, families, community life and the work environment - recovery from substance abuse is gaining much-needed emphasis.

On this program, Shelly Dutch and Chuck Callender describe the growth of services available and the emerging evidence-based treatments that are working to return individuals to productive, purposeful lives. They are both also volunteer board members of the Recovery Foundation.

On Monday, September 21, the Recovery Foundation and Rosecrance Health Network are sponsoring a Voices for Recovery luncheon at the Marriott Madison West to build public outreach, education and awareness.  For more information and to register, go to www.RecoveryFoundation.net.

SAFER, SMARTER SENIORS: BECOME A PARTNER IN PREVENTION

Guests:  Mary Stamstad, RSVP Dane County and State Triad Coordinator;  Beverly Maddress, Citizen Advocate, Triad;  Lori Wirth, Madison Fire Department, and Kimberly Hazen, Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin

What you don’t know can hurt you. To provide seniors with the knowledge they need to feel safer and more secure in their communities, RSVP’s Dane County and State TRIAD programs will present a Crime Prevention and Safety Conference & Expo on Friday, September 18, at the American Family Center.  On this program, Mary Stamstad, Beverly Maddrell, Lori Wirth and Kimberly Hazen share highlights of topics to be covered at the all-day Conference including hoarding, financial management, identity theft and adult bullying.

For more information on the Conference or TRIAD, go to rsvpdane.org or triadofwisconsin.org, or contact Mary Stamstad at mstamstad@rsvpdane.org. Phone 608-441-7897.