There is no fee for the festival and all exhibits are free. Classes are encouraged to bring a lunch and have a picnic on the lawn under one of the many shade trees. If children wish to bring spending money, there will be light concessions as well as small souvenirs of the festival available for sale. We continue to provide this festival free of charge because we believe it is important for the youth of today to have a hands-on opportunity to learn about how things were done “way back when.”

The Harvest Festival will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at both of our locations on Hoyt Street. We hope to see you there!

Pictured from left to right, John Stinchcomb, Speaker; Jennie Deese, 2011 Coca-Cola Helping Hands Award Recipient; Joe Cunningham, Athens Coca-Cola; and Mark Richt, head football coach at the University of Georgia

 ATHENS, Ga.— The University of Georgia Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc. held the 26^thAnnual Awards Presentation at the Athens Country Club on April 18, 2011.  Jennie Deese received the Coca-Cola Helping Hand Award for her service to the Athens community through the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA). The Coca-Cola Award is presented to those “in the spirit of giving back to our community for selfless service, altruism and extending a helping hand to others.”

Jennie has worked in aging programs for more than 30 years.  She started her career as the Director of Social Services for Humana Hospital/Augusta and then moved to Atlanta to serve as an Ombudsman for Atlanta Legal Aid for 16 years. In 2002, she was the Director of the State Georgia Cares program and is currently the President and CEO of the ACCA.

The mission of the Athens Community Council on Aging is to promote a lifetime of wellness through engagement, advocacy, education and support.  Founded in 1967 by local citizens, ACCA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and aims to maintain and enrich the lives of older persons with 14 programs in 12 Northeast Georgia counties. ACCA’s programs enable older persons to live independently at home and offer opportunities for employment, volunteerism, and other activities. ACCA is a resource for education, information, referral, counseling, and general assistance.

Athens Community Council on Aging - Celebrate Volunteers 2011

Volunteers make the biggest difference in an organization like Athens Community Council on Aging and we have the best volunteers in the world (at least that’s what we think).  On Tuesday, June 21, we celebrated all of our volunteers with a Fiesta here at the council in the beautiful Harris Room.  We had chips, salsa, punch, decorations, door prizes, and I believe there were a couple of pinatas floating around.   It was “hot, hot, hot” (literally) as our air conditioning went out  and was getting repaired as the festivities were happening.  All that being said, it was a lot of fun and we want to say thank you again for all of the wonderful volunteers of ACCA that keep all of programs going strong.  Our volunteer award winners for 2011 are Caryl Sundland – Inspiration Award Winner, Carol Kurtz – ACCA Volunteer of the Year, Ladies of Color (L.O.C.) – Community Service Award Winner, Jo Mercer – David Levine Founders Award, and Homer Hector – Marilyn Gorman Award

Project GRAD Visits ACCA

Residents at the Athens Community Council on Aging recently got a surprise visit from Project GRAD students from the Atlanta Public School System (APS) who were taking part in the University of Georgia Summer Institute which is conducted through the Office of Institutional Diversity.  The three-week program gives the students an opportunity to learn more about college life while attending classes each day, along with information sessions with UGA faculty and staff.  In addition, the students have the experience of living in dorms and touring the campus and community.  The students, who are rising high school juniors, were able to visit ACCA as part of their volunteer community service day.  In addition to realizing that the residents were an energetic, and fun bunch, evidenced by an impromptu dance competition which took place, the students also helped with arts and crafts activities while also playing games and conversing with the residents.

“This was a great opportunity for our students and they walked away from this experience with an entirely different view than what they initially had in mind,”  Volunteer service coordinator Renaldo Stover said. “This experience is something the students won’t forget and I think it will motivate them to continue to be positive and volunteer in their respective communities when they return home.”

Annette Barfield, Ms. Senior Athens 2011, right after being crowned.

Athens Community Council on Aging is thrilled to have recently crowned the first ever Ms. Senior Athens.  Ms. Senior Athens will represent the vivaciousness of aging gracefully, both physically and mentally.  If you haven’t heard, the new Ms. Senior Athens is Mrs. Annette Barfield and below is just a little information to get you acquainted with her.  Throughout the next year, Ms. Senior Athens is going to keep us busy at ACCA as we try and keep you all updated on all of her activities here in the Northeast Georgia area.  Stay tuned…

Husband: H.C. “Buddy” Barfield
Children: 3
Grandchildren: 4
Great-Grandchildren: 2
Hobbies: Travel, adventure, ballroom dancing, gardening, sports.

“Throughout my life I have striven to give back more than I have taken. A healthy life is much like a gift; one that is better when shared. I have been blessed to give a part of my life to my church, school children of the community and those in need through volunteer activities. I sincerely believe that my physical and emotional life and health is a direct result of my faith; my volunteer efforts are by the grace of God. A healthy lifestyle can be enhanced by walking, exercise and eating right, as well as by sharing your gift of life through volunteering for others who are not as fortunate. My position in life in Athens, Ga., has been enhanced by my gift of good health, my marriage, my family, my church, and the community. I feel I have an obligation to share my talents and give back to my community through my work at Athens Regional Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospice House. I am honored to be considered for Ms. Senior Athens and will work tirelessly to promote my lifetime of wellness by advocating engagement and support by example.”

-Annette Barfield, Ms. Senior Athens 2011, personal bio written for the pageant

Social Networking computer classes have started and are being taught by our own Claire Boozer.  Photography classes to begin soon and are being taught by our own Wayne Bellamy.  Next week we begin arts programming funded by the Grassroots Arts Program and Georgia Council for the Arts.  The multi-session program is entitled “Beyond the Figleaf:  Clothing as Wearable Art”.  The next afternoon tea is coming up on 2/13/10 for “Daddy’s and Daughters”.  We are excited to begin a new exercise program for persons with Parkinson’s disease next month.  The class will be taught by Katie Porter who is the NEGA AAA Wellness Coordinator.

New Power Yoga classes have been added to Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 pm.  Our own Dee Dee Gaines is instructing.  Everyone is welcome.  AARP will be here to conduct Defensive Driving courses in February and March.  AARP will also be providing tax filing assistance each Thursday beginning 2/11/10 from 9am – 1pm.  Several trips are around the corner for the spring.  Register now as they are filling up.

Health Fair w/ARMC coming 4/14/10.  The Mobile Mammography van will be on-site along with various other screenings and health related information.  We are currently in discussions with several other organizations in an effort to establish new partnerships, programming, and volunteer experiences.  Stay tuned…

Chris Hill, ACC Senior Center Director

Check some pictures and video on our website.  www.accaging.org

Thanks so much to all those that assisted with the Salvation Army Christmas Boxes.  All the help is greatly appreciated.  It went faster this year than ever before.  Thanks to the ACC Solid Waste crew that came to help!

Everything went smoothly and quickly.  Everyone was great.  Thanks again.

Chris Hill, Director Athens-Clarke County Senior Center

Well, it has been a great week so far at the Senior Center. Trip to St. Joseph’s Catholic School for some Christmas cheer on Tuesday, a wonderful health education session yesterday with Julie Buffalo from ARMC, and today a great breakfast made possible by our own Site Council, McDonald’s (Prince Ave) and Arby’s (W. Broad St.).

During our morning munchies, the participants were treated with the always uplifting musical styling’s of Zeke Turner.  He had the house rockin’.

Later today we get ready to wrap gifts for Be A Santa to Senior.  It should be busy and fun.

Still to come…Be a Santa gift distribution, Holiday Tea at the Depot, Salvation Army Christmas Box distribution, and a trip for the center participants to the Athens Country Club for a wonderful holiday meal provided by the Club staff.

What a month!  Happy Holidays!

Chris Hill, Director

Athens-Clarke County Senior Center

Today was a great day at the Senior Center.

Julie Buffalo, R.N. from Athens Regional taught a “Heart Healthy” class today, in which the Seniors loved!! They listened and made great comments during the session. Afterwards, Julie checked blood pressures while I went over one of her handouts that she brought on exercise entitled “Nine Reasons to Exercise.” We had a great discussion about the info on the handout, and I really believe the seniors were motivated to get moving again.

I think I was proved right because later on, once all of the clients had gone home, one called me back and told me how much she loved the info they received today from “Healthy Heart Class,” in fact she had already done her exercise for the afternoon having felt motivation from class earlier that day!

Yes, it’s truly never too late to learn or  to be motivated!

Sincerely,

June, Athens-Clarke County Senior Center Activities Director