Karen is a retired teacher looking for a new career that enables her to use her experience in administration and the arts while continuing to work in social services.  She has program development, marketing, fundraising, and people management experience along with community ties primarily in the areas of education, theater and the arts.  We are excited to have her become part of the Senior Center team.

Karen will start her new position on May 28.

The coupon books will be distributed at enrollment sessions at Staunton Senior Center on Thurs., June 27, 10:00am – 2:00pm and at Waynesboro Senior Center on Fri., June 28, 10:00am- 2:00pm. The coupons are valid from July 1 – Nov 16, 2013.

To qualify for the program, individuals must be 60 years of age or older, live in Staunton, Augusta County, or Waynesboro, have a monthly income of no more than $1,436 (single) or $1,939 (couple), have transportation to one of the Farmer’s Markets, and be present to pick up the coupons. Individuals cannot be an immediate family member or live with a participating farm market vendor. Only one coupon book per eligible senior or two coupon books per eligible couple per Market Season will be permitted.

VPAS Outreach Coordinator, Debbie Branham will also be at the enrollment sessions to conduct eligibility pre-screening for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly known as Food Stamps for persons who are interested in extra help with groceries throughout the entire year.

• Chris Hoover—Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Services for Augusta County
• Raymond Watson—Disaster Relief Services Program Manager for American Red Cross
• Rebecca Joyce—Senior Planner for Central Shenandoah Planning District.

News Virginian General Manager, Anne McKenzie will be the moderator.  We’ll also have doorprizes. The forum is designed to be an interactive conversation between the presenters and the attendees.  It is open to people of all ages from the public.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Leader Training that was scheduled to begin May 9 in Waynesboro has been rescheduled for May 22, 23, 29, 30 2013 from 9:00am until 4:30pm. To get more information or register for Leader Training please call Joyce Nussbaum at 540-820-8567 or email joyce@vpas.info.

This free four-day training provides participants with the skills and certification necessary to be leaders in the You Can! Live Well, Virginia! Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) which is evidence based program developed and licensed by Stanford University. CDSMP leaders co-lead workshops which are held for 2 hours one time each week for six weeks and are designed help adults with chronic illnesses such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease learn ways to manage their condition and take charge of their life.

Anyone who would like to register or get more information should call Joyce Nussbaum at 540-820-8567 or email to:joyce@vpas.info.

• Click here for more information on the position.
• Click here for a full job description.

Among those plans was an Auction, which Brandy volunteered to coordinate and host at WSC as a fundraiser. With much hard work and very generous donors, the Absolute Awesome Auction on Friday, April 5 was a big success! To date, WSC has made a profit of over $4,000 with contributions continuing to come in.

Those that attended enjoyed a BBQ dinner prepared by the WSC kitchen staff, and then snagged some great deals on donated auction items. There was something for everyone from dinner gift certificates, to prints by P. Buckley Moss.

A special thank you to all who donated items to be auctioned, those who volunteered time to help plan and set up, and to the auctioneer Mark Craig who generously donated his time for the event.

We’re going to kick this off on April 8 at 12:30 with a talk by two couples from the area that decided to walk the entire Appalachian Trail in segments by doing that on their vacations for about nineteen years.  Jim and Judy McKinney and Ed Plunkett completed their goal in 2010.  They will be joined by Charlene Plunkett who hiked a large part of the trail, but did miss some segments due to some extenuating circumstances.  They will bring books, maps, and hiking gear to show, and will let questions from the audience drive their talk.  This program is open to the public.

Their example of achieving their goal through consistent work and breaking it down into manageable pieces, is the perfect way to motivate us on our new walking program.