River Forest Township, Library Team Up to Celebrate Seniors All Year Long

River Forest Township and the River Forest Public Library are partnering to honor and serve local seniors citizens through a series of six free monthly events to be held in River Forest from June through November.
 
The initiative is called “Celebrating Seniors All Year Long,” as the township and library hope to build on the momentum of the Fourth Annual Celebrating Seniors Week, which was in May. 
 
The first event is an Evening Piano Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12th at the library, 735 Lathrop Avenue.
 
Local musician James Callen will be performing popular hits from musicals of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. The next two events will also be held at the library, while the venue shifts from September through November to the River Forest Community Center at 8020 Madison Street.
 
“The program series is something special that the township and the library can do for seniors from River Forest, Oak Park and the surrounding communities,” said River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan. She noted that while the events are targeted to seniors, all are welcome to attend. 
 
The township and library share a common mission of serving senior citizens, so this is a very natural partnership, added Sloan. The township is also supporting the library’s Computer Learning Lab for seniors, held throughout the year at the library.
 
“We are always exploring ways to serve residents in a thoughtful and cost-effective manner,” said Sloan. “We look forward to doing all we can to make these events a success, and to identify other ways to team up with not only the library, but other local entities as we move forward.”
 
Other free monthly events include:
 
*Thursday, July 24th, at 7 p.m.: Chicago’s Movers and Shakers.
 
A PowerPoint presentation by teacher, docent, tour guide and historian Hy Speck brings to life some of the “movers and shakers” who have helped define and left a deep imprint on Chicago. Those characters include The Colonel, Bertha, Ada and Minna, “The Everleigh Sisters” and Hizzoner.
 
*Tuesday, Aug. 5th, at 10:30 a.m.: Healthy Aging and Brain Fitness.
 
People who are more active with a healthy lifestyle and nutritional choices are less likely to have problems with memory as they get older. Learn tips on how to keep your mind sharp and find out about new research studies.
 
Light refreshments will be served. Please contact the library to sign up for this program.
 
*Monday, Sept. 8th, at 10:30 a.m.: “I Never Thought I Could...”
 
The series shifts to the River Forest Community Center with a workshop that celebrates the courageous, smart and outrageous moments in our lifetimes.
 
River Forest resident and professional workshop leader Chris Hauri will guide attendees on a journey through their past, remembering and sharing the times we surprised ourselves with bravery and strength. The session should leave you a little happier and proud of who you are and what you have achieved.
 
*Wednesday, Oct. 15th, at 2 p.m.: “Healthy Cooking for Improving Diabetes”
 
The West Suburban Medical Center’s Center for Diabetes and Nutrition Education comes to the Community Center to share how to make healthy dips and snacks to curb your hunger while keeping your blood sugar steady and stable.
 
*Monday, Nov. 10th, at 10 a.m.: Silver Sneakers Sample
 
With exercises that can be done sitting or standing, attendees who come to the Community Center will get a taste of what happens at the Silver Sneakers class at the West Cook YMCA in Oak Park. At the same time, they will learn more about the important role fitness plays as we age.
 
Along with its assessor’s office, the township’s focus is working with agencies that deliver human services through a variety of programs related to youth, seniors and mental health. 
 
To learn more about these programs, or any of the other programs or services provided by River Forest Township, please call 708-366-2029 or visit www.RiverForestTownship.org. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/RiverForestTownship; on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RFTownship.