Healthier Seniors in Collinwood 2015
Last month in the Observer it was reported that Michel Hodges and Linda Zolten-Wood had received a grant from Collinwood 2015, an initiative blending arts and health activities to improve the health of our community. Michel and Linda have been working with the seniors at the Paul Alandt Lakeshore Rose Center for Aging Well. Their series of 6 programs is half way done and all involved are very happy with the results.
Each week Michel has led the seniors in 5 Elements Tai Chai along with other seated exercises done to the beat of everyone's favorite Motown tunes. Following exercise, Michel has presented health talks about medication side effects and how to deal with them, tips for improving your appetite and ideas to increase good nutrition using simple recipes like adding powdered flavored jello to yogurt. Participants have shared their experiences with these topics so a lot of great information has been shared.
Linda has tended to the art side by having participants decorate markers used in the raised bed vegetable garden, painted buckets to hold the overflow that didn't fit in the raised bed and organized a field trip to Cavotta's Garden Center. Fourteen of the center's seniors traveled to Cavotta's where they got to meet the resident goats, roosters and chickens and learned about water conservation from Jessica Ferrato of the Sierra Club. Thanks to Angela Cavotta for donating the plantings in the raised bed garden and to all of our speakers/presenters! Thanks also to Collinwood 2015 sponsors Northeast Shores and The Kresge Foundation.
Programs for August include:
Wed August 5, 10–11:30 Get Hep Swing Dance!
Swing dance lesson by Valerie Salstrom Director of Get Hep Swing.
Kai Wingo, Director of Kultured Mushroom Farm will demo raising mushrooms and provide tastings of her recipes.
Wed August 12, 10–11:30 Potluck Party for registered seniors; Creative crafts & healthy celebrating!
After lunch (1pm) – Tasting with Kevin Scheuring, Spice Hound & Director of Coit Road Farmer’s Market.
Wed Aug 26, 10–11:30 Community Outreach Potluck Party
Senior’s families and neighbors harvest their garden vegetables and enjoy potluck recipes using healthy ingredients with live local music and creative craft projects. Anastasia Pantsios – local herb specialist will help with herb selection, Vegan chef Melvin Price will offer tastings with herb recipes.
After lunch, painting pots for herbs for everyone to take home (with Doug Wood - live music).
Tentative Schedule: May be subject to changes.
Register FREE at: Paul Alandt Lakeshore Rose Center for Aging Well
16600 Lakeshore Blvd. Cleveland OH 44110
(216) 481.0631
Hope you can join us!
Michel Hodges
Michel and Linda are long time Collinwood residents and are thrilled to have a hand in improving our already terrific neighborhood!