Welcome to our New Year!!

Here it is February and we have our first fundraiser. Join us Friday, February 11th from 3 – 4 PM for a Soup’er Bowl Warm Up Stew dinner. This meal will be a take and heat dinner. Meal will include: homemade stew, dinner roll, cookie and a $3.00 coupon to Fifth Quarter!!

We would like to thank Interim Healthcare, TNT Catering and 5th Quarter for helping sponsor our meal.

Friday, February 11 @ 3 PM
VSC Drive Thru
$6/person
**Please RSVP by Friday, February 4 by calling 608-845-7471

Please bring exact change (cash or check). Change will not be available. Extra contributions are appreciated.

Stay tuned for our next event!

Pat Eggen, President

New Year Brings Changes!

2022 rings in the new year with some changes to our Board of Directors. Welcome to our new members and a very big thank you to the outgoing members for your service. The Officers and members for the upcoming year are:

President Pat Eggen
Vice President Linda Kaiser
Secretary Jan Viney
Treasurer Roxane Spitzer
Members Alyce Kocal, Nancy Mendoza & Rich Bartlett

Some of the events we have planned for the year include a “Soup’er Bowl Warm Up Stew” drive-thru dinner on February 11, a Spring event at Culver’s, possibly a Saturday Brat Sale at Miller’s, a silent auction and a craft show in late Fall. Watch the Chronicle for details for our Board fundraising events.

I would like to thank all the seniors who have made my years as President a most enjoyable one!

Outgoing President, Linda Kaiser

Happy Holidays to you all!

2021 has been a good year for our Senior Center. The Board of Directors has supported our center in many ways. I recently reflected on what we, the Board have done this year. Here are just a few of our contributions…

• We purchased re-useable serving dishes/carrying bags for Meals On Wheels Program – $3,500
• We provided free monthly lunches in February, March, April and May – $907
• We purchased a new treadmill – $3,790
• We provided pizza for an outdoor concert – $120
• We helped with décor and purchased flowers for the hanging pots – $100

Did You Know?
• The Board pays for the Friends of Verona Website – $520 per year
• At the beginning of each year, the Board gives designated funds for entertainment and food which is in addition to what the City provides in the Senior Center’s budget. In 2021, we have paid $1,685 for entertainers who come to the Senior Center.
• We paid for half the cost, $1,000 towards the Pig Roast.

We are looking forward to an exciting 2022. If you want to become a part of the decision-making process and help your Senior Center, come join the Board of Directors!

Linda Kaiser

Board of Directors President

All are welcome!

Friends of Verona Senior Center Board Meeting

Wednesday, November 17 at  9 AM

Yippee…Thanksgiving is here!!  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday…..good food, time with family and company and we don’t have to buy any presents!!

If you are someone who wants to get a head start on holiday shopping, we want to remind you to use our AmazonSmile account for online ordering. 

The Friends of Verona Senior Center Board receives money back for purchases made through our account.  For more information check out the AmazonSmile box below.

In addition, if you are looking to make a difference in your community, we ask that you consider becoming a Board member.  It is one of the best ways to support our local Senior Center!

Linda Kaiser, 

President,  Board of Directors

Happy October Seniors! The Pig Roast was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who participated and to those who gave donations. Even though this was a free community event, we collected $500 in donations! Every dollar donated allows the Senior Center to continue to offer wonderful programs in our community.

We have exciting news! The Board recently voted to fund new reusable food containers and bags for our Home Delivered Meals Nutrition Program!! This will continue improving our Senior Center’s “going green” efforts. The Fitchburg Senior Center has been successfully using these containers for the last 10 years and they work extremely well. Thanks to your generous donations to our center, we can continue to support such wonderful initiatives. We appreciate your continued support.

Starting in October, the Board of Directors is making giving even easier! Automatic donations are a great way to give to your favorite organization without the hassle of writing a check or initiating a debit/credit card transaction. After a few simple steps, money can be donated to VSC through your bank to help support our programming. If you are interested in automatic donations to our center, please contact any Board member for more information.

Be well everyone!

Linda Kaiser, President

Attention Early Holiday Shoppers!!

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Verona Senior Center every time you shop on Amazon, at no additional cost to you. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know….the same products, same prices, same service.

For more information, please contact the VSC Board of Directors.

Step 1 – Visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-1374614
Step 2 – Purchase your products.
Step 3 – VSC receives 0.5% donation of all eligible purchases!
Step 4 – Spread the word. ANYONE shopping on AmazonSmile can support the Senior Center!!

Thanks to all our AmazonSmile purchasers.

The Verona Senior Center has received $17 this month.

                                    Happy September!

WOW!  It was awesome to see all of you who attended the Pig Roast in August!  It was tons of fun and we hope you enjoyed it.

We are hoping to plan a fundraiser for October and will keep you posted on that. 

Again, we ask that you consider becoming a Board member. It is one of the best ways to support your Senior Center.

Linda Kaiser, President

Board of Directors

Looking for an easy way to support the Verona Senior Center? Look no further! AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Verona Senior Center every time you shop on Amazon, at no additional cost to you.  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.  AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know….the same products, same prices, same service.

Step 1 – Visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-1374614

Step 2 – Purchase your products.

Step 3 – VSC receives 0.5% donation of all eligible purchases!

For more information, please contact the VSC Board of Directors.

Hello,

This month I want to answer a question that has come up recently….“What does the Board fund at our Senior Center?” The purpose of the Board of Directors is to support the social, recreational, educational events and programs for our seniors, undertake fund raising activities on behalf of the Senior Center and to advocate for local, county, state and federal support for programs and services which meet the needs of older adults. Through the generous contributions of all of you, the Board is able to assist the Senior Center in various ways.

Here are items we have paid for this year:

• New treadmill – $3,797

• Pizza for concert – $120

• Flowers for hanging pots – $100

• Free lunch for members in February, March, April, May – $907

• Friends of Verona website – $130

At the beginning of each year, the Board gives designated funds to the staff for entertainment and food which is in addition to what the City of Verona provides the Senior Center for their operating budget. For example, in 2021 the Board designated $550 for music and presentations, and $1,000 is being contributed to the upcoming pig roast. I hope this helps you understand what we represent, what we have done and will continue to do. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Now the Board needs to ask for your assistance – but not with money!

We need Board members!!! As those of you know who have served in the past, we cannot continue to ask the same people to keep doing the same job year after year!! Become a part of the decision making process, help your Senior Center and join the Board of Directors!

Thank you,

Linda Kaiser
Board of Directors President

SUMMER IS HERE!

Thank you to all who attended the concert and enjoyed pizza with us in June.

On July 22 from 5 – 6 PM, we will be having “Brats with the Board.”  Brats will be $1 per brat. Cookies and beverage are complimentary.

Register by calling the Senior Center to reserve your spot!

Linda Kaiser, President
Board of Directors

Hello Seniors!

The Board has been doing quite a few lunches this year, so we are taking a break and looking at other opportunities for fundraising. We will sponsoring an outside concert sometime this summer and are continuing to think of ideas.

Thank you to all who participated in our lunches and generously donated. Thank you too, to all the various donations we have received over the past months. To date we have raised $1,324!

Hang in there and never give up the things that make you smile!

Linda Kaiser, President
Board of Director

Upcoming lunch fundraisers!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! We appreciate all of your support for our fundraiser lunch on February 24. We will be having another lunch fundraiser on March, 17 – St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s not corned beef and cabbage! We will be having brats and hot dogs….thinking of summertime! Please see page 7 for more details on this event. Hope to see you then!

Save the dates!

Mark your calendars with the following dates for upcoming Board Lunch Fundraisers:

April 16th & May 5th. We will let you know what food will be served as the dates are closer.

May 5th: Join us for a free walking taco lunch to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. 

Stay healthy, safe and smile as often as you can….even with your mask on!!

Linda Kaiser, President
Friends of Verona Senior Center

A new treadmill is here!!

It was brought to the Board’s attention that a new treadmill is something our seniors have indicated is needed – and we agree. Of course, as with everything we do, contributions to help with the cost of this purchase would be most appreciated. If you are interested in making a donation, please complete the contribution form located on page 27 in the Chronicle or drop off a contribution at the Senior Center.

Thank you for all your support. Be sure to watch for future Board sponsored events featuring some delicious meals!!

Linda Kaiser, President – Friends of Verona Senior Center Board

Thank you & Happy New Year

Hello, Verona Seniors! New Year – New Hopes!!  We have had one heck of an interesting year, right?  The pandemic really set everyone on the edge and kept us from doing all the “normal” things we’ve always done.  And, as much as we didn’t like it, we buckled down, masked up and washed hands (over and over and over)!

The Board of Directors is so very pleased to tell you that in the year 2020, the Board has deposited a total of $4,248!! How awesome!  You have supported our drive thru lunches, no bake – bake sale and pie and hot cider to name a few, and, of course, regular donations!   During our COVID months (March thru December) the deposits were $3,437.  WOW! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Your Board is proud to work with such wonderful members who support their Senior Center so strongly.  We will be having more fundraisers coming in 2021, so watch the Chronicle as we proceed into the new year.  Stay healthy, safe and smile as often as you can!

Linda Kaiser, President – Friends of Verona Senior Center

Zoom Board Meeting

Everyone is invited!

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

If you would like to join, please email Linda Kaiser at: plentyoshoes@yahoo.com for more information.

A Message from the Board

Updated 4/24/2020

Wow, What I Took for Granted

5/1/2020 Chronicle

The world as we knew it has changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus. My personal life has changed and it is amazing the things we took for granted that have either changed or temporarily disappeared. The simple things of going to the store, movie, golfing, and meeting friends at the senior center are on hold. Many people are working from home. Kids can’t go to school and play with friends. No sports on TV. Even the shows we watch on TV are ending earlier this year because they canceled filming. Heck, even family gatherings aren’t acceptable. These are all things we took for granted.

Yes, things will come back once this pandemic is over. But with any major situation, all things won’t come back as they were. Probably more people will work from home in the future. Interestingly, I wonder if there will be more online schooling. Will business travel change? I’m sure there will be a better system implemented to monitor world health conditions.

Since I am quarantined and have a lot of time on my hands, I’ve taken this time to write my book on “12 Stepping Stones of Leadership.”

This coincides with the blog site I have on leadership, teamwork, valueship, and health/hope. (www.urjustanumber.com)

Leadership is like parenting as there really isn’t a manual on it. I believe my 40 years of experience is worth sharing with others.

I am always looking for others to write articles for the site. Your experience is priceless to others. I view experience as the path carved out in the woods. Most people that take a walk in the woods stay on a path. That path was created by the experience of the people that previously hiked. So, if you would like to write an article for the blog site, you can email me at jim@urjustanumber. Everyone has a health/hope story to share with others. Let others know that there is hope for any situation.

Remember, what you might take for granted can help someone that has never experienced what they are going through.

– Jim Zelem (Board President)

Board Message 5/1/2020

How can we improve our Senior Center as a place of interest, fun, learning & caring?

We want the people who enjoy our center and those of the Verona community to be a part of its future, so we are inviting you to bring your excitement, enthusiasm and ideas as a member of the Friends of Verona Senior Center Board of Directors!!

For additional information, please feel free to contact the President of the Board at 203-314-6301 or zman353@gmail.com

A Message from the Board

updated 2/16/2020

The Friends of the Verona Senior Center Board has some plans for 2020 to share with you!

In our February 2020 board meeting we will discuss the following:

• What needs to be done to get a computer and desk/table for it for the patrons of the Senior Center.
• Develop a plan to raise the necessary funds for a commercial treadmill. It will be in the amount of $5,000.

Presently we have two goals for 2020:

• Purchase a computer and tablet for patron usage. This will be bought by April 1, 2020.
• Created a specific fund raiser to raise the necessary funds to purchase a treadmill

We will be providing monthly updates as to how we are doing with our goals and if we add additional goals. If you would like to recommend anything to the board, please feel free to contact any member on the board.

Please Join the Board for Coffee on Wednesday, April 8 at 8:30 AM!

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updated 8/20/2019

Seniors—The Board of Directors Needs your Help!

Next Board Meeting is Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 9:30 AM 

We want your Senior Center to offer the programs and activities that most interest our members. As a member of the Board of Directors, you are able to share your ideas and suggestions and assist in “making things happen.”

Our Board meetings are once a month from 9:30 to 11:00 am. You would need to give some time to assist with Board functions during the year. We are an active, fun Board and welcome new faces.

If you are interested, please give your name and phone number to the receptionist at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 845-7471 with that information. One of our Board members will call you to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Please consider joining our Board and contributing to one of the best Senior Centers around!

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