Best wishes to all for a blessed Thanksgiving! It is my hope that there will be many memories made with friends and family who are gathering once again.

Buckham West is bursting with holiday events to talk about including our Christmas Pop-Up Shoppe, the Holiday Bake Sale and the annual Hometown Holiday. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming activities which are described below.

 

Pop-Up Shoppe

Our “Pop-Up Christmas Shoppe” opens Saturday, Nov. 26th with an incredible variety of items for purchase!  In our shop you will find brand new items including home décor, winter wear, toys, tools and jewelry. Plus, we have a host of handmade, artisan quality, items like scarves, jewelry, blankets, and custom artwork.  We have lots items for shoppers to purchase for themselves or to give as a gift.

This event is a fundraiser for Buckham West which is located at 19 Division St. W. The doors are open from 10 a.m. – 3pm on Saturday, Nov. 26th.  Then the shop will be open again on Monday, November 28th from 9am-4pm. The final day to shop will be Tuesday, November 29th from 9-am-noon. Don’t miss out!

 

Great Courses and a Bonus!

Beginning on Thursday, January 5th at 1:30 p.m., Buckham West will launch another Great Courses series titled “America in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era”. Great Courses is a series of college-level courses covering a wide range of topics.   This program is presented by experts in the field and will be facilitated locally by Bob Irby. This program will be a video viewing and discussion format held for 6 sessions. Registration is now being accepted.

Along with the winter series of Great Courses, we are also excited to be able to offer a bonus class on Thursday, December 8th at 1:30pm.  In our Great Courses Bonus Class, you will join others to summarize the 2022 classes.  There will also be a time to re-visit the recent program presented by Dr. Brian Libby. No sign up or cost is necessary for this Bonus Class.

 

Holiday Bake Sale

No time to do any holiday baking this year? Buckham West’s annual Holiday Bake Sale is scheduled for Monday, November 28th with doors open to the public for shopping between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

As we have done in the past, Buckham West members are requested to donate either baked goods or cash to support this event. Please have your baked goods delivered to the Center beginning at 8:00 a.m. on November 28th and those planning to donate cash can drop off money at their convenience.  We appreciate your support for this important annual fundraising event.

 

Santa Comes to the Buckham Center

The holiday season officially arrives at the Buckham Center with the annual Hometown Holiday celebration scheduled from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 1st. You will see the arrival of Santa, have a cookie and popcorn, enjoy special holiday music and participate in many family activities. This is a free event which is open to the entire community.  Mark your calendar, more details to come!

 

Year End Gifts

If you are someone who is considering options for your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution, please consider a gift to Buckham West!   A Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allows individuals age 70 1/2 or older to donate up to $100,000 per year directly from a qualifying IRA to charities such as Buckham West and pay no income tax on the distribution. Please consult your tax or financial professional about your personal situation.

 

Make and Take Painted Wood Snowman

This classic snowman celebrates winter in a fun way long after the Christmas holidays are done.  Joy Zimmerman will be the class instructor and has prepared a sample for you to see at Buckham West. Preregister by calling 332-7357 so that materials can be prepared; open to public; $6.00 fee includes all supplies except glue. (Bring your own glue or glue it at home.)  Class will be held on Wed, November 30th at 1:30 p.m.

 

Mental Health Post-Pandemic: Help for the Helpers

Are you a provider of long-term care services for older adults, for example working in adult foster care, adult day services, home care?  If you If it feels as if the people you are caring for have become more inflexible and impatient, it is possible that they are continuing to experience the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Older adults in particular have been more vulnerable to the physical and emotional harms associated with the pandemic. Isolation from family and friends and disruptions in care created issues with mental health and well-being, coping strategies, and perspectives.

Now, as care providers in this post-pandemic era, we may be looking at ways to process these potentially challenging situations while providing care.

This program will assist care providers:

  • To identify situations related to the mental health of clients
  • To learn ways to buffer these situations
  • And to focus on ways to take care of ourselves while caring for others

 

Presenter: Jane Buffie, MSW, LICSW has more than 30 years of diverse experience, especially in clinical social work.  She currently works with a team of mental health experts at Family Services Rochester where one of her special interests is working with older adults, including facilitating PEARLS – Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives.

This continuing educational session, scheduled for Thursday, December 15th at 1:30 p.m. at Buckham West, is free of charge. Please pre-register by calling 507-332-7357.

 

Senior Linkage Line

The Senior Linkage Line is a free, statewide service designed to help older adults and caregivers find answers and connect to the service and support they need.  One way to reach them for this advice is by calling them at 1-800-333-4233. But, we are happy to announce that beginning on January 11, 2023 the Senior Linkage Line (SLL) will have office hours in our building on the second Wednesday of each month. As a way to introduce Faribault’s older adults to the SLL staff member, Cea Grass, we have invited her to be here on Wed., Dec. 14 from 9:30-11:30am.

 

Reminders:

  • Buckham West membership renewals are now due for 2023. Cost is $40/person.
  • Another AARP Defensive Driving Class has been added for December. It is a four-hour refresher scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 12:30-4:30pm.
  • Thanks to those individuals who donated to Buckham West on Give to the Max Day. We appreciate your generosity!