55+ Connections: Week of 9/4/23

This is the 55+ Connections weekly update. If you would like to sign up to get more updates from the city go to northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe. 

55+ Connections Lunch 

Friday, September 8 

11:30 AM 

North Liberty Rec Center – Classrooms 3 & 4 

Our usual second Friday caterer has to take a break, so we have Hy Vee again this week and they will be bringing fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable (but all meals are subject to change). Librarian Kellee Forkenbrock will be back with more chair yoga so if you missed out last time, or want a refresher, be sure to stay after lunch this week! Registration for lunch just $5 and is required for all who attend. Participants must register before noon on Thursday, September 7th. Call the Rec Center to register (319)626-5716 or go online to your RecDesk Account and register yourself.  

North Liberty Events from the Senior Center 

Wednesdays, September 6 – October 25 

Ranshaw House – 515 Community Dr, North Liberty 

• Death Café, 12-1 PM – A Death Café is a safe place for people to talk about death in order to make the most of life. New people are encouraged to join anytime. This is not a bereavement support group or grief counseling session. For more information o nthe purpose of this group, visit deathcafe.com or contact Michelle Buhman at 319-356-5222. This is open to people of all ages. 
• Practical Planning for End of Life, 1-2 PM – This discussion group will answer general questions about end-of-life planning. We will also cover a specific topic each week in our discussion, such as starting an end-of-life conversation with important people in my life, burial options, designing a death plan, responding to a diagnosis of a terminal disease, and creating my celebration of life (religious, spiritual, or otherwise!). 
• Caregiving Support Group, 2-3 PM – This ongoing, drop-in group will provide a space for sharing resources and support related to caregiving, with a focus on self-care. While the topic of grief may come up, this is not a grief support group. People may attend regularly or as they are able. This is a hybrid group, so participation via Zoom is an option.  

Cy-Hawk Watch Party at Colony Acres  

Saturday, September 9 

1:30 PM (Kick off at 2:30 PM) 

Colony Acres Family Farm – 1150 Front St NE, North Liberty 

Sport your favorite black, gold or cardinal attire and watch the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones face-off in the annual rivalry football game. The game is taking place in Ames, but we’re throwing a party at North Liberty’s Colony Acres Family Farm. Entry is free as well as many activities for kids. No outside food allowed but, there will be food and drink available for purchase. There will also be a live performances from the Iowa Brass Band, as well Ambition Baton and Dance and prize drawings! Learn all the details here. 

Cemetery Walk & Stories 

Sunday, September 10 

Tours at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM 

Oak Hill Cemetery – Coralville 

Take a historic tour of personalities who are buried in Coralville’s Oak Hill Cemetery. Visit the gravesites of former Coralville residents, community leaders, business people, and interesting characters. Coralville cemetery volunteers will “attempt to reveal information” at each site. Each walk begins with a “Coralville cemetery history enlightenment,” and ends with a look into the future. This event is presented by Lensing Funeral Home, Johnson County Historical Society, and the Coralville 150 committee. 

Healthy Aging Fair  

Friday, September 22 

9 AM – 12 PM 

Kirkwood Regional Center – 2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville 

There will be over 30 resource displays highlighting services for older adults, Tai Chi Demonstrations, flu shots (bring insurance card), health screenings, fitness screenings, medication education by a pharmacist, distracted driving simulator,  and light refreshments.