Senior News

By Diane Kittelson, Pope County Senior Services Consultant/Coordinator 

Hello, seniors! With 2025 well under way, we reflect on all the wonderful opportunities we had to connect in 2024. The Pope County Council on Aging led those efforts, hosting their annual parties: the 4th of July celebration and the Halloween party. In addition to organizing the parties, they stayed busy in between preparing hundreds of grab bags, which were sold during Waterama and the Pope County Fair Kraft Shack.

Cyrus, Lowry and Farwell continue to hold monthly meetings as they have been for many years, Villard restarted in January and Starbuck will begin in April of 2025. We extend our thanks to everyone who attends these meetings and contributes to the enjoyable food and fellowship.

Pope County also has the Triad, a partnership between law enforcement, senior citizens and community groups, all working toward the shared goal of “Keeping Seniors Safe.” For the first time since 2018, in 2024 we held the Triad Senior Expo, education and informational event for older adults. This event was made possible thanks to the support of numerous businesses, and organizations: American Solutions for Business, Clyde Machines Inc., Eagle Bank, Glenwood Fire Department, Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council, Lakeside Ballroom, Lowry Fire Department, Lowry Lions, Lundblad Brothers Excavating, Minnewaska Rotary, Operation Round-Up, Pope County Council on Aging, Shirley’s Treats & Eats, Sons of the Lowry American Legion, Starbuck Fire Department Auxiliary, Tom’s Market and Villard Fire Department. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the planning committee; Dodie Johnsrud, Joanna Curry, Micheal Claunch, Shelley Svec, Susan McDowell, and our law enforcement, the event was a huge success.

Triad sponsors monthly Coffee with a Cop meetings held monthly throughout the county. These meetings offer safety tips and education on varying topics for older adults while giving them time to get to know their local law enforcement. The 2025 Coffee with a Cop schedule will be available at our first meeting of the year on Saturday March 29, at the Pope County Community Expo, we will be in the cafeteria of the Minnewaska High School from 9-10 a.m. Please stop by for a cup of coffee to visit with us and meet our local law enforcement.

Caregiver support group is held on the second Thursday of the month and fourth Tuesday of the month, both at 2 p.m at Western Prairie Human Services. A new group respite program called Memory Makers will start in April 2025 at Glenwood United Parish Church. This is for older adults with chronic health conditions or dementia/Alzheimer’s to give their caregivers a much-needed break. Participants must be registered; more information is available by contacting Diane.

We hope to see you all through the year at one of the many monthly meetings and annual parties. Stay Safe Seniors! Call Diane, for more information and resources for older adults and caregiver/dementia supports in Pope, Grant & Traverse Counties 320-424-0018.