Important notice: The May Senior Advocate Board meeting for Tuesday, May 20 at 5:45 p.m. at the Solon Methodist Church Fellowship Hall has been CANCELLED.
Looking forward to Kalona, and beyond!
In 2007 the Senior Advocates began organizing bus trips for seniors with our 12 passenger bus. That year we launched our annual Kalona trip featuring a Mennonite meal plus visiting museums in Cedar Rapids and Davenport, caught movies at the Bijou Theater in Mount Vernon, visited the Hoover Museum, Circa 21 Dinner Theater in Rock Island, Old Creamery Theater, Celebration Belle River Cruise while visiting Amana, McGregor and Muscatine.
In 2010 we engaged Windstar Lines 47 passenger bus for our trip to Breitbach’s restaurant thus able to include more seniors in a more accommodating journey. From 2009 to 2010 we took 29 trips with 347 people compared to 14 trips and 140 people in 2007 with our small passenger van. Over the years we have organized innumerable senior bus trips for hundreds of seniors.
Our most popular trip is our yearly trip to Kalona which started with a Mennonite Meal provided by Salina Bontrager and followed by visits to many Kalona area grocers and greenhouses. Salina provided meals for us for 16 years before retiring. Her meals were prepared from local foods and the menu stayed the same, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, veggie, homemade bread and spreads, salad and various pies. Unfortunately Salina passed away.
We searched for a replacement caterer with equally high culinary skills and found Ila J Miller with Hearth and Home on Juniper Avenue. She and her helpers will serve us again Thursday, May 15 in her homey dining area. The meal last year met very high regard and approval from our many long-time Kalona trippers!
The Advocate’s trip program is a major part of the Senior Advocate’s mission in encouraging seniors to ‘get out’ and share companionship, an excursion, a learning experience and to provide a bit of pleasure and joy in their lives.
Larry Swann has been selected as Senior of the Year
Each year a senior citizen is selected who has given of himself in service to the community through volunteerism, or in enhancing the well-being of others.
Larry will be honored at the Solon City Council Meeting Wednesday, May 7, in recognizing May as Older American’s Month. Please join us at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
An Open House will be held for Larry Thursday, May 22, at the Solon American Legion 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Larry will also ride in a convertible in the July 19 Beef Days Parade
In the past often two people received equal nominations and were honored together for their community service. This year Ivan Hasselbusch was also selected together with Larry Swann, Ivan’s passing precluded this.
2025 Solon Senior Advocate trips
Thursday, May 15 – Kalona
Illa Miller’s homecooked meal, Golden Delight Bakery, String Town Community Store, South West Valley Greenhouse (Perry Bender’s).
Leave SRNA (“Rec Park”) at 11:00 a.m.
Cost TBA
Wednesday, June 18 – Circa 21/Rock Island, “Chicago, the musical,” cost TBA
Thursday, July 10 – Newton art tour/Neal Smith’s Wildlife Buffalo Refuge, cost TBA
Restaurant Runs
Thursday, TBA
12:00 Noon, personal cars. Sign-up sheet Wednesdays at Senior Dining or call 319-430-8655.
Solon Senior Transport – Provides volunteer transportation for seniors to medical appointments. For information and to enroll please call Cindy Jensen at 319-360-3279.
Senior Advocates Board
Art Tellin 319-626-2816, Sandy Hanson 319-430-8655, Barry Byrne 319-354-8757, Cindy Jensen 319-360-3279, Larry Brecht 319-624-2925, Phyllis Fiala 319-331-7447, and Mark Hollinrake 319-551-2811.