Elizabethtown Area Senior Center

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, we’re welcoming October with a full calendar of festive fun and informative activities at the Senior Center! This month, it’s all treats and no tricks, as we combine opportunities to learn with plenty of seasonal delights.

Our learning sessions will include a Medicare Information Session with Sara, Fraud Awareness tips from Mid Penn Bank, and a nutrition program where we’ll create a healthy dinner using canned foods.

On the fun side, we’re kicking off our very first Travel Thursday, where we’ll virtually travel to Abingdon, VA, to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. We’ll also get crafty by making fall leaf garlands, and put our detective hats on to solve the thrilling Murder of a High Wizard mystery game. Our fall roundtable activities will bring out the best of the season, and we’re excited to offer breakfast from a food truck as a special treat.

And of course, October wouldn’t be complete without Halloween! Start working on your costumes now because we’ll end the month with a Halloween celebration, complete with a Costume Fashion Show!

It’s going to be a month full of fun, learning, and seasonal cheer. We look forward to sharing these special moments with you all!

Highlighted Activities for October

October is packed with exciting and enriching activities at the Senior Center! Here are some of the highlights you won’t want to miss:

October 1 – Chocolate Painting

Get creative with us as we make fun chocolate designs! A sweet way to start the month.

October 3 – Back Care Awareness Week

Learn tips and techniques to take care of your back and improve your overall health.

October 4 – Memory Challenge

Put your memory to the test! Through engaging stories and visuals, see how well you can remember the fine details.

October 9 – Canned Food Dinner

Join us in making a healthy dinner using canned foods, and share ideas on keeping canned meals nutritious.

October 10 – Travel Thursday

Our very first Travel Thursday! We’ll take a virtual trip to Abingdon, VA, to explore its fall foliage and culture.

October 15 – Fraud Awareness with Mid Penn Bank

Get informed on how to protect yourself from fraud with a helpful session led by Mid Penn Bank.

October 17 – National Pasta Day

Roll and shape various types of pasta with us as we celebrate National Pasta Day. A hands-on culinary experience!

October 18 – Elizabethtown Fair Setup & Bingo

We’ll be at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds to set up for our fundraiser on October 19. After we’re done, enjoy a fun morning of bingo.

October 23 – Murder of the High Wizard

Solve the mystery! Come ready to play a character or put on your detective hat to crack the case of the High Wizard’s murder.

October 25 – Noel’s Café Food Truck & Fall Fun

Noel’s Café Food Truck will be serving breakfast, followed by fun activities in the gym and fall-themed roundtable discussions.

October 28 – Pumpkin & Winter Squash Nutrition

Try various pumpkin and winter squash dishes while learning about their nutritional benefits.

October 31 – Halloween Bash

Come dressed in your costume for our Halloween celebration! Activities include Pumpkin Mummy Bowling, Monster Mash, and a Costume Fashion Show. Kids Center students will join us for trick-or-treating, so don’t forget to bring candy!

Get into the Halloween spirit with our Craft Club this month as we create adorable no-sew DIY Halloween plushies! Whether you're an experienced crafter or just getting started, this project is perfect for all skill levels. Each participant will have the opportunity to make and take home three unique plushies: a bat, a pumpkin, and a ghost. No sewing is required, so everyone can join in the fun and leave with spooky, cute creations to decorate for the season.

Join us for a relaxing and creative afternoon—we can’t wait to see your Halloween plushies!

Date: Wednesday, October 16
Time: 1:30-4 pm
Location: Senior Center

Travel Thursday: Exploring Abingdon, VA
Thursday, October 12 | 9:30 AM

This October, our Travel Thursday program will take us on a virtual journey to the charming town of Abingdon, VA, known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and delicious Appalachian cuisine. Together, we’ll explore the area’s beautiful fall foliage, with its stunning colors lining the many trails and hiking paths.

In addition to our virtual travels, we’ll get hands-on with a fun craft—creating a fall leaf garland to bring a touch of autumn into your home. We’ll also savor a taste of Appalachian food, rounding out this immersive experience in both culture and flavor.

Join us for a memorable afternoon as we celebrate the beauty and traditions of Abingdon!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our sub sale! We’re thrilled to announce that we sold an impressive 310 subs and raised $1,105 to support the Senior Center’s programs and activities. Your efforts truly make a difference, and we couldn’t have done it without you!

Just a reminder—if you placed an order, please pick up your subs on Tuesday, October 1, between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the Senior Center. We look forward to seeing you, and once again, thank you for your incredible support!

We’re excited to welcome Noel’s Café Food Truck to the Senior Center on October 25 for a delicious breakfast treat! To ensure everyone gets exactly what they’d like, we’re asking for advance sign-ups.

In addition to the food truck’s menu, we’ll have fresh fruit and baked goods available for everyone to enjoy throughout the morning.

Please sign up in advance and let us know your order so we can ensure the truck is prepared. Don’t miss out on this tasty start to your day!

During 2024, we have a monthly meeting of our Advisory Council. This month we had 9 representatives attend our meeting. We have 0 open seats.

In September the Advisory Co. met and discussed the following items:

- Fall Bazaar

• Doantion Request
• Baskets

- Fall Fest bingo

• Change of singage to create less comfusion and more

If you have any suggestions for the current year or next year please seek out a council member, Jess, Wayne or Julissa. The current members of Advisory Council are:

· Lee Salter

· Ann Salter

· Cindy Gish

· Vaughn Jennings

· Donald Mowbray

· Sandy Long

· Lois Lynn

· Mary Keener

· Cindy Rhan

- Lynda Bender

Afternoon Bingo: October Fun Awaits!

Join us for an exciting Afternoon Bingo on October 2! Doors open at 1:20 PM, with the first game starting promptly at 1:45 PM. We’ll enjoy two hours of bingo, including a 15-minute break for refreshments and socializing. The cost to participate is $10.

Prizes range from delicious snacks and nuts to fresh fruits, veggies, and puzzle books.

Don’t miss out—grab your bingo cards and get ready for an afternoon of fun and prizes!

Phone: (717) 367-7984

Email: seniorcenter@getintogears.org

Connect with us on Facebook: Search 'Elizabethtown Area Senior Center'

Jess Raush, Director

Julissa Rivera, Assistant Director

Wayne Bream, Activity Assistant

This program is funded, in part, under an Agreement with money allocated by the PA Dept. of Aging and the Lancaster Co. Office Of Aging. A community service of GEARS.