July 28, 2005
It's time to order those popular SHASS pasties
This is one of those perfect "10" summer days. The warm sun, azure sky and whispering breeze beckon this writer to turn off her computer and head for the beach. Instead she settles for viewing the sparkling vista from her lofty perch as she types.
Anyway, on to the pasties (that's pasties with a short a).
It's that time of the year again when SHASS prepares for its homemade hearty pasties annual fundraiser. It was such a hit last year that SHASS is starting now to take orders.
"Hubbies and friends love them and so will you and the kids," said SHASS Director Jennifer Carver, who with the help of staff makes the pasties from a special authentic recipe. (Yes, we staff members get stuck with KP duty, which is agony for this writer who doesn't relish cooking let alone peeling and crying over onions!) But it's for a good cause, so make our work worth while and order those pasties! All proceeds will be utilized to provide services to area seniors.
Now is your chance to have fresh pasties at great prices and transfer them ready for baking right to your own fridge or freezer. You can order the traditional - ground beef and pork with carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, turnips and rutabagas in a flaky pastry crust, or chicken or vegetarian pasties. The rest of the ingredients are the same except for the meat.
SHASS is taking orders until Sept. 9. You can order 1 pasty for $3; 5 for $13 and 10 for $25. Pick up will be from 4-6 p.m, Sept. 16, at the Peace Lutheran Church, 06321 Blue Star Highway.
SHASS, a non-profit organization, serves the cities of South Haven and Bangor and the townships of South Haven, Bangor, Arlington, Geneva, Casco and Columbia.
Call SHASS at 637-3607 for more information or to place your order.
On a non-cooking matter, but we hope it will stick, is the schedule of our 2005-2006 board meetings, which are open to the public. All are on Wednesdays and take place at 4:30 p.m. Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will be at the Warren Senior Center, 540 Williams St.
17 August - Bangor Township Hall
21 September
19 October - Bangor City Hall
No meeting in November
7 December
18 January
15 February
15 March
19 April
17 May
21 June
Call 637-3607 for more information, and plan to attend!
Feel free to email us at shassinfo@i2k.com or check out our website at
www.shass.org
Enjoy!
Posted by Sandra at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2005
SHASS forms new support group
SHASS and Countryside Nursing and South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community are organizing a support group for those dealing with all types of care giving, not just Alzheimer's. The support group will be self-governing and run on a "self-help" model with the assistance of trained facilitators.
Often the needs of caregivers are overlooked even by the caregivers themselves. The Caregiver's Support Group will provide support and information with emphasis and tips to help caregivers take care of themselves first.
The group will meet the second Tuesday of each month to explore common difficulties and experiences in being primary caregivers. Support will be available from group members, community resources and experienced facilitators Francie Bakken and Ray Llorens.
Both facilitators have a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to the group. Francie Bakken recently moved to the area from Washington State and is employed at Countryside Nursing and South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven. She earned her masters degree in Communications with an emphasis in Gerontology.
Joint facilitator Ray Llorens has been volunteering for SHASS for 11 years. He regularly attends caregiver support training sessions at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
"The goal of this Caregiver Support Group is to empower its members with the tools necessary to make adjustments needed to continue a life of dignity and independence," said Llorens.
The first Caregiver Support Group will meet from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9 at the Warren Senior Center, 540 Williams St., South Haven. Meetings will be held at the Warren Senior Center on the second Tuesday of each month thereafter. For the first meeting, caregivers should bring their ideas for topics they want to see addressed at future meetings.
The Caregiver Support Group is sponsored by Countryside Nursng and South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community, and SHASS. For more information, or to sign up, call SHASS at 269-637-3607.
Make sure to check out our SHASS website at www.shass.org
Enjoy this sizzling summer!
Posted by Sandra at 03:22 PM | Comments (1)
July 01, 2005
SHASS celebrates summer, glowingly
July is a time to bask in the sun and enjoy those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer with friends and family. It's also a time of celebration - brilliant fire works and fizzing sparklers in honor of our nation's birthday.
SHASS staff members are basking in summer by celebrating the glowing success of recent fund raising activities and other events.
As of June 13, SHASS raised $240 over the $10,000 campaign goal in its "Give from the Heart" first annual campaign. We extend a big thank you to our 58 contributors. All the proceeds will be used for SHASS services and activities.
Our first annual Senior Day, held in Lawrence, was another success. Those who attended enjoyed the workshops and the vendor booths. They found the day to be fun and informative.
Another "hit" was the third annual Senior Variety Show, held on Flag Day at the Listiak Auditorium. The show, a celebration of America's flag, ended with the showstopper, "God Bless the USA," sung by senior Jim Harden. Our SHASS line dancers, the Trashy Women dancers got people tapping their toes - great energy! Minnie Pearl was her ususal fun self, played by Merna Llorens. And we had our first senior skit - a slice of life at the Warren Senior Center - written by Ray Llorens. Our guest performers, the Misfits, put smiles on faces with their special singing performance, and the Red Haven Red Hats brightened the stage with their unique fashion parade. They were also our friendly and cheerful ushers. We were pleased to have had both groups be a part of our show, which raised close to $900 after expenses - all proceeds for senior services and activities. We appreciated everyone who was involved from performers, to back stage crew, to our supportive sponsors. Thank you!
We've already set the date for next year's show - Friday, May 12 - so mark it on your calendar!
Now that summer is here, our next fund raiser coming up is the 2nd annual Pasties Sale. Remember they're prounounced "pasties" with a short a. If you say "pasties" with a long a, which many of us tend to do, you're referring to non-food related items. Our pasties sale was so popular last year we've decided to keep it going. It celebrates the bit of Yooper in all of us. Our director Jennifer Carver has an original U.P. recipe so the pasties are definitely "Yooper!" We offer three types: traditional, with ground beef & pork, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, turnips and rutabagas in a flaky pastry crust, chicken, or vegetarian. The chicken and vegetable pasties feature the same vegetables as in the beef pasties. This year we are skipping the baking part and selling pasties fresh unbaked, or unbaked and frozen. It took days to bake over 600 pasties last year so we're letting you bake your own this year.
You can order pasties between July 1 and September 9. Prices are: 1 for $3; 5 for $13 and 10 for $25. This writer ordered 10 veggie ones last year and enjoyed every one. They taste good on those cool frosty nights or when you're not in the mood to cook, which is most of the time for me. To order, call SHASS at 637-3607.
Under summer activities, we're planning a free tour at 1 p.m. on July 28, to our local Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum to learn more about the history of South Haven. So many times we can live in a community and know little of its history. Please call SHASS at 637-3607 to sign up!
If you want some diversion from the summer heat, SHASS is offering a Money Management Education Program. These sessions will be held at 1 p.m. on July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 at the Warren Senior Center, 540 Williams St. You will learn about budgeting, using credit, reducing expenses, saving money and preventing identity theft. To enroll for these free sessions, call 637-3607.
Under summer announcements, we now have a resource library in the computer lab at the Warren Senior Center. The library features helpful topics such as caregiver connecting, important resources for Alzheimer's disease and planning for care, financial and legal issues. Books range from using the Internet to Alzheimer's activities to caring for aging parents. The resource library is sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging, located in St. Joseph, Michigan. The library is designed for finding quick access to essential information and resources. You can check out books during SHASS business hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 637-3607 for more information.
Make sure to check out our SHASS website at www.shass.org
Take a few moments to browse the varied activities and services we offer to South Haven area seniors. SHASS serves the cities of Bangor, South Haven and the townships of Casco, Arlington, Columbia, Geneva, Bangor and South Haven. You can also email us for information at shassinfo@i2k.com
Have a safe, happy summer and stay cool!
Posted by Sandra at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)