Yearly Spring Fling for seniors is Thursday in Worthington

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — Bringing seniors together from across the county for educational programs, entertainment and fun is the premise behind the annual Spring Fling for Seniors coming up on Thursday at the American Reformed Church, 1720 N. Burlington Ave., in Worthington.

The event, hosted by the Nobles County Senior Concerns Committee, will include workshops, entertainment, lunch and a keynote address by Dr. Thomas Hegarty of the Southwest Minnesota Radiation and Oncology Center. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Tuesday by calling District 518 Community Education at 376-6105.

This year’s theme is “Informed, Uplifted and Inspired.”

“It’s a day of fun,” said Joanne Bartosh, Nobles County RSVP coordinator. “We don’t usually focus on seniors when it comes to having some fun. It’s springtime and people are ready to get out with their friends. It’s a good day to bring them together, have some education, a meal and some entertainment — it’s just a one-stop shop.”

The event begins with registration from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Thursday; followed by the welcome and Hegarty’s address from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Hegarty will speak about the signs, symptoms and prevention of cancer.

At 9:45 a.m., the first of three break-out sessions will be offered. The sessions are 30 minutes in length, and four different topics will be offered.

Michelle Poppen, a registered dietician with Worthington Regional Hospital, will present a workshop on healthy eating, while Kathi Haberman, WRH education manager, will speak about caring for the caregiver and parish nursing programs.

Other workshop choices include “Medicine of Laughter,” by Rev. Arlen Foss, which talks about the spiritual and physical healing powers of laughter; and “Caution: What your doctor and pharmacist don’t know could hurt you,” by Medicine Shoppe pharmacist Jason Turner. Turner will explain how using multiple doctors and pharmacies, ordering medications over the Internet and from Canada or Mexico and using herbal remedies can impact a person’s overall health.

Lunch, served by Lutheran Social Services, will be served at 11:45 a.m., followed by an open forum with local leaders regarding senior concerns.

“The forum is a time for seniors to get their questions answered,” said Bartosh, adding that city and possibly county leaders will be on hand to respond to questions about a senior center, the sales tax levy, the sale of Worthington Regional Hospital and the new YMCA building project.

“We welcome constructive comments and questions,” said Bartosh. “It’s not a time to vent or complain.”

At 1 p.m., the Southwest Connection Quartet (formerly the Nobles Chordsmen) will provide entertainment, and door prizes and an evaluation will be conducted at 1:45 p.m. to wrap up the day’s activities.

Bartosh said attendees will receive a newly completed directory for senior services at the Spring Fling. The directory, last updated five years ago, includes vital information for seniors, from health services to housing, transportation, legal services, places to volunteer, educational opportunities and food service and delivery.

Tags: news, worthington, springfling, noblescountyseniorconcernscommittee, seniorcenter, rsvp, communitycenter