December opportunities for the 50+ crowd

Kathryn Almquiest, Diana Staley and Kathryn Hendlmyer at "Music, Morsel and More." Last year's price of admission was a family sized box of cereal for the Westlake Food Pantry. This year's "fee" is peanut butter and jelly.

Photo courtesy Westlake Community Services Dept.

December is the busiest month of the year for ATM withdrawals. With that in mind, if you are a retiree looking for some low- or no-cost opportunities this month, here are ideas highlighted from our December calendar at the Westlake Center for Community Services on 29694 Center Ridge Road. You don't have to be a Westlake resident to partake in the activities, but please RSVP to 440-899-3544 so that we hold a spot for you! To see the entire monthly newsletter and calendar of events, visit www.cityofwestlake.org/community-services, and/or stop by Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ask for a tour.

MUSIC, MORSEL AND MORE – Friday, Dec. 6. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., entertainment begins at 11:00, and lunch is at noon. Join Debbie Darling and David Strieter in a sing-along as they perform some of the most beloved holiday music. In her usual style, Debbie will intersperse interesting anecdotes about some of our favorite songs. Lunch includes soup, a sandwich, dessert, and coffee or tea. RSVP by Dec. 2. The cost is a donation of large jars of peanut butter and jelly for the Westlake Food Pantry.

MEMORY LANE TRIVIA – Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1:30 p.m. Our travelling trivia game will be hosted at the North Olmsted Senior Center this time. This is an interactive and mentally challenging game that has you competing with other teams from local west side senior centers to win prizes. Call to register your team (up to six) or ask to be placed on a team. A cocoa and cookie bar will be enjoyed by all. This month's trivia challenge will have a holiday theme. No cost.

NEWS & VIEWS – Wednesday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. Our expert instructor and group facilitator examines current and world events and facilitates a lively but friendly discussion about trending news topics. RSVP by Dec. 2. No cost.

AGING ALONE – Wednesday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. Don't be fooled by the name; this monthly program is about aging successfully, together! Taking a deliberate approach to wellness pays off. When we are purposeful about our health, we see increased longevity and, perhaps more importantly, an improved quality of life. Susan Uranker-Todd of Brookdale Senior Living will join us to explore being well on purpose. End the year with a wellness plan for 2020. RSVP by Dec. 3. No cost.

A NEW WEIGH OF LIFE – Tuesday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. Cooking at the holidays can seem so difficult when you are trying to stick to a wellness plan. At this time of year, it is so easy to let the wheels come off the bus and lose all of your good eating habits. We will discuss better ways to cook for the holidays and tips for you to stay on track while still enjoying all that the season has to offer. RSVP by Dec. 9. No cost.

CLEVELAND'S HOLIDAY TRADITIONS – Monday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m. From early settler traditions to department store palaces, Cleveland has always embraced the holiday season in a big way. Share your memories of Mr. Jingeling and department store windows while learning about some of the lesser known holiday traditions of Clevelanders both then and now. Presented by the Cleveland History Center. Light holiday refreshments will be served. RSVP by Dec. 13. No cost.

MERRY MONTH OF MOVIES – All showings begin at 9:30 a.m. In addition to our weekly Thursday movies, we thought it would be festive to add a weekly Hallmark holiday movie paired with a festive treat. RSVP one week in advance for each film.

  • "A Very Merry Mix-up" – Monday, Dec. 2. A woman goes to spend Christmas with her fiance's family but end up at the wrong house. She instantly bonds with the couple who live there and becomes attracted to their son.
  • "The Christmas Ornament" – Monday, Dec. 9. Kathy plans to avoid any holiday traditions that bring back memories of her late husband until she receives an ornament from a handsome shop owner. To move on from her loss, Kathy works for a balance between her memories and finding a future.
  • "Hitched for the Holidays" – Tuesday, Dec. 17. A man and a woman meet on a dating website and agree to pretend to be the other's betrothed during the Christmas holiday to fool their families.
  • "The Christmas Train" – Monday, Dec. 23. Based on the book by David Baldacci, a cynical journalist decides to take a train from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles for Christmas to get inspiration for a story in honor of his late father. He gets to know the other passengers and runs into an old flame while aboard.
  • "One Christmas" – Tuesday Dec. 24. A young man is set to visit his estranged father for Christmas in 1930 in New Orleans. Based on an autobiographical short story by Truman Capote.

Lydia Gadd

I am the Director of the Senior and Community Services Department for the City of Westlake. I am also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

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Volume 11, Issue 22, Posted 9:30 AM, 11.19.2019