Partnerships with area businesses and a focus on wellness are just a few of the changes new director Lisa Sokol has brought to the Orion Senior Center.
Sokol was recently named director after serving as interim director for the past several months.
Prior to coming to the senior center, she worked for Lake Orion Schools for 30 years as a teacher, principal and director of the CERC.
She said her experience in the schools has transferred well to her new position.
‘With the community networking, I already knew a lot of people,? said Sokol. ‘I’m a candidate for the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce’s board and we’ve really been working doing partnerships with area businesses at the center.?
So far, the senior center has partnerships with Great Lakes Athletic Club, Palazzo di Bocce, Henry Ford OptimEyes and the Shivamukti Yoga Center, all in Lake Orion.
In January, the center will begin partnerships with Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s in Rochester, as well as Lucky’s and Lake Orion Health Foods locally.
‘We’re looking at how we can create a healthier living lifestyle for seniors,? said Sokol. ‘We’re working with the health department by bringing speakers in, and we’re doing a wellness series with seminars in November.?
Seminars in November include ‘Prevent Falls in Your Home,? at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 16; and a Mobile Nurse Clinic, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., on Nov. 18.
‘We’re looking at how we can create a healthier lifestyle for seniors,? said Sokol.
The senior center offers an Alzheimer’s and Dementia support group, meeting on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. Sokol has received training through the Alzheimer’s Association.
The center also offers a Meals on Wheels program, as well as a lunch program served at the center on Monday-Friday.
One day’s advance notice is required if someone would like to have lunch at the center.
To sign up for lunch, call 693-7709.
For Meals on Wheels, which is also Monday-Friday, call (248) 608-0264.
Since she started working at the center, Sokol has seen membership increase at least three-fold, going from 125 to over 500.
‘I think part of that is new programs, and also people coming back who haven’t attended for a while,? she said.
‘The most important thing to me is to have this be a place they want to come to with their friends, where they can explore hobbies and have fun.?
The senior center has a very active group of crocheters and knitters, ‘Krazy Kool Knitters &Krocheters: K4’s Group,? meeting on Mondays, 1-3 p.m. for classes, and 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Thursdays for group meetings.
The K4 group has donated 48 afghans, 90 hats, 15 preemie hats, 29 scarves and eight shawls, some to Orion homebound seniors and also to the Baldwin Avenue United Methodist Church, FISH, Orion Head Start, St. Joseph Hospital and Bortz Health Care Center.
‘We have been partnering with a lot of early childhood programs, like Pee Wee Patch, Head Start and Paint Creek Elementary,? Sokol said.
The senior center hosts a Red Hat Society group, which currently has 55 members. The center sponsors trips to the casinos once a month, as well as holiday trips.
In December, seniors can go to on a Christmas walk at Meadowbrook Hall and have lunch at Macaroni Grill on Dec. 7. On Dec. 14, a Lighted Holiday Tour is planned, which is a free tour of holiday lights in Orion and Oxford. NOTA will provide transportation.
On Dec. 18, the center will travel to Flint for the Holiday Pops (featuring the Flint Symphony Orchestra), and on Dec. 21, seniors can enjoy ‘A Christmas Carol? at Meadowbrook Theatre.
Registration for trips must be done in person at the center.
The senior center is currently looking for a programmer, and Sokol said interviews should be done this month with someone hired by December.
Currently, Linda Jezuit, who is doing an internship at the center through Oakland Community College, and Elaine Schefke are sharing programming responsibilities.
The center is always looking for volunteers, and spotlights them in the senior center newsletter.
In the Nov./Dec. newsletter, Irene Atwood, front desk volunteer, is in the ‘Spotlight.?
The center also has volunteer instructors for classes such as Spanish and computers. Computer classes are free of charge, beginner to advanced, and are open to anyone.
The center has four computers in their on-site branch of the Orion Township Library, as well as an extensive collection of large print books, and books on tape/CD.
The senior center will host Santa Claus after the Dec. 3 Christmas Parade, and will have walks through the historic Union Church.
Volunteers will be selling ornaments to help raise money for Downtown Lake Orion.