What's Up! Monday, May 5, 2014

Parks Fundraiser underway

A Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener Fundraiser to support River Greenway Repairs is underway to pay for River Greenway repairs from this past winter. Repairs include removal and replacement of deteriorated trail, resurfacing, damage posts from ice, removal of 80 dead trees and refurbishing signage along the trail. The total will be close to $108,000. 

From now until May 16 the Parks and Recreation Department will be take orders for Liquid Laundry soap and Fabric softener at the price of $35 for a five gallon bucket. For each bucket sold, $10 will go toward the Greenway repairs.

The soaps are the comparable equivalent to Tide (original scent; scent/dye free; April Fresh; with bleach; with fabreeze and all of those are also available for high efficiency machines) or Gain (original; with bleach; and special for high efficiency machines). 

There are also buckets of the equivalent to Downy fabric softener (blue April fresh; Free and sensitive; Lavender; and Green Mountain spring scent)

For more information on how to order call the park office at 824-6069.

Alzheimer’s Assoc. to offer series May 7

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter will host a three-part series, “Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle-Stage,” on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Part one will be held on May 7, part two on May 14 and part three on May 21. The program will be held at Aging and In-Home Services, located at 2927 Lake Ave. in Fort Wayne.

Attendees will learn about the relationship changes that occur in the middle stage. Ways to maximize safety, prepare for emergencies and access respite care will be discussed as well as effective ways to provide personal care and manage challenging behaviors. Attendees will also have a chance to hear from those directly affected by the disease. 

Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter is also hosting a “Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Basics” program on Tuesday, May 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Senior Center, located at 233 W. Main St.  

This program is designed to provide basic information about memory loss that everyone needs to know. Typical aging versus problematic memory changes, an overview of how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain, risk factors and information on obtaining a diagnosis will be covered.

There is no fee to attend the programs, but registration is requested by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900.

Sign up now for Summer Striders  

Summer Striders will be held on Wednesday nights: May 7 to June 25 from  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. First session will meet in City Hall. 

The eight-week program is tailored to help people meet their goals – whether it’s going from being a couch potato to walking regularly, or increasing from 3 miles to 6, or going from a 20 minute mile to a 15 minute mile. 

This program is geared to help motivate people to achieve walking goals while increasing knowledge of nutrition, injury prevention, shoe selection, training strategies, and so much more. 

The program is directed by a trained wellness coach and licensed health and physical educator. 

Registration is required. Reserve a space by contacting the parks department  at parks@ci.bluffton.in.us or 824-6069. 

Cost is $10 due the first night, children under 10 are free and maximum family price is $20.  Program participants must be healthy enough to participate in moderate physical activity. Bring a filled water bottle each time. For more information visit the blog: http://blufftonsummerstriders.blogspot.com/http://blufftonsummerstriders.blogspot.com

State Park Picnic and Nature Walk May 9

The Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion will be host a picnic and nature walk at Ouabache State Park for any senior age 55 and older on Friday, May 9 at 11 a.m.  The cost is $6 per person and includes a sack lunch and transportation. Members and non-Members are welcome to attend this event. 

Those attending will journey through the beautiful trails and scenery that Ouabache has to offer. 

Sign up by noon, Friday, May 2 at the Wellness Pavilion Front Desk. Payment is due at time of sign up and is non-refundable. 

For more information contact Sarah Conrad call 260-589-4496 or visit www.swissvillage.org.

Montpelier Bake and Plant Sale May 10

The Montpelier Friends of the Library will sponsor a Bake  and Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Farmers Market corner.