Marilyn and Denny Hansen have been selected to receive the Solon Senior Advocate 2024 Senior of the Year Award. May is National Older American’s Month and the Advocates have honored this observance since 2006 by choosing a person who has given back to the community in many ways.
As part of this May recognition, Mayor Dan O’Neil will read the Older American Proclamation at the May 1 City Council meeting. The Hansen’s will be awarded certificates at the ceremony and citizens are invited to attend.
An open house for the Hansen’s will be held at the Solon American Legion Wednesday, May 22 from 4-6:00 p.m. Traditionally, another honor for Senior of the Year recipients is riding in a convertible in the Beef Days Parade.
Marilyn and Denny were selected by the committee chaired by Pat Ikan, which is made up of past Senior of the Year recipients who process nominations in order to make each year’s selection. Twenty five recipients have been awarded the Senior of the Year Award: Jack Neuzil (2006), Wayne Croy (2007), Milt Hunt (2008), Pat Ikan (2009), Marie Kroul (2010), Bev Noska and Elaine Reynolds (2011), Anna McAtee (2012), Jean and Bob Stinocher (2013), Fred Bark and Rita Brannaman (2014), Don Erusha and Marv Stastny (2015), Larry and Marcy Olson (2016), Jeanne Erhart and Phyllis Fiala (2017), David Frisbie and Duane McAtee (2018), Sandy Hanson (2019), Judy Shulista (2020), Kris Brown (2021), Larry Meister (2022), and Don Ellis (2023).
New Director for Solon Community Pantry
The Solon Community Pantry has hired Elaine Claude as pantry manager starting February 1. Elaine has taken over all of the responsibilities of the pantry, overseeing volunteers, arranging food procurement from various sources, handling large food donations, managing monetary donations, and ensuring families are welcome and are able to make their food selections.
The pantry is currently open on Mondays, 9:00 -11:00 a.m. for donations and 2:00-6:00 p.m. for families. Volunteers assist the families and manage the supply of items.
The pantry was organized in 2012 by a pantry board with Melissa Reed, Crisis Center Manager, and Sarah Benson-Witry, Crisis Center Pantry Manager, who provided advice and structure. The Solon United Methodist Church has provided a home for the pantry in the lower level of the church. The pantry is under the Senior Advocates’ 501C3 status and is supported by monetary donations.
Important notice for in-house Senior Dining
The only in-house Friday meal will be the Meal and Movie with a catered meal from a local chef or restaurant. Cost $5.00. Call 319-430-8655 for reservations.
Movie & Meal (M&M)
Friday, May 31 in the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
This month’s movie – “Scrapper.” A British comedy film premiered at Sundance is about a 12-year-old girl living alone since her mother died stealing bikes to pay for food and pretending to Social Services she’s living with her uncle.
Proposed 2024 Trips
All trips leave from the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA) or “Rec Park,” call 319-430-8655 for reservations
Thursday, May 16 – Kalona, Illa Miller’s homecooked meal, Golden Delight Bakery, String Town Community Store, South West Valley Greenhouse (Perry Bender’s). Cost $65. Will leave the SRNA at 11:00 a.m.
Friday, June 14 – Bluff Lake/Maquoketa. Cost TBA, 15-passenger bus, leave SRNA at 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 15 – Kendrick’s Forest Products, Edgewood. Cost TBA
Tour of Kendrick Forrest Products, Iowa’s largest sawmill. Then we will tour their custom cabinet shop, Forever Cabinets by Kendrick (est. 2001), where you will see how cabinets are made for the home. Next you will see and learn how the Kendrick team used their desire to eliminate waste and create quality wood products, which led them to the start two additional companies in 2017, Kendrick Home and Shimlee. Your tour will end at The Market, a 6,500 sq ft showroom where they showcase their line of Forever Cabinets, as well as home decor, lighting, rugs, furnishings, kitchenware, clothing, and so much more.
Friday, October 18 – Breitbach’s Restaurant. Cost TBA. Leave SRNA at 9:15 a.m.
Restaurant Runs
Thursday, May 30 – Baxa’s/Sutliff. Noon dining, personal cars
Senior Advocates Board
Art Tellin 319-626-2816, John Lamantia 319-621-6887, Sandy Hanson 319-430-8655, Barry Byrne 319-354-8757, Larry Meister 319-624-2516, Don Burch 319-624-4054, Cindy Jensen 319-360-3279, Larry Brecht 319-624-2925, Ivan Hasselbusch 319-670-9105, Phyllis Fiala 319-331-7447, and Mark Hollinrake 319-551-2811.
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