Solon Senior Advocates – 319-430-8655 – Sandy Hanson, [email protected]
Solon Senior Support – 319-624-2773 – Jill Weetman, [email protected]
Solon Senior Dining – 319-624-2251 – Marcy Olson
Solon Food Pantry – 319-321-5232 – Elaine Claude
Representatives from the Senior Groups of Solon have been meeting monthly since August to discuss challenges and collaborate to best serve the needs of Solon-area older adults. Current City Council member Cole Gabriel is serving as a liaison between the group and the Council. City Council member Lauren Whitehead has been assisting the group in an advisory role.
As a result of the meetings, Jill Weetman, President of Solon Senior Support, and Cindy Jensen, Solon Senior Transportation Coordinator, spoke to the City Council during Citizen Speak time. Jill highlighted the high number of older adults served by Senior Advocates, Senior Dining, Senior Support, Senior Transportation, the Food Pantry, and JCPC (Solon Pickleball group).
Cindy presented four requests for the City Council from the Senior Groups:
1. Dedicated space for older adults and the Food Pantry- groups are currently utilizing the Solon United Methodist Church (SUMC) / Family Life Center, the Solon Public Library, and the Solon Community Center. The Pantry is currently housed in the basement of the SUMC, which is not ADA accessible and not able to grow to meet the needs of Solon citizens.
2. Funding for a new Senior Fitness program in conjunction with the Solon Recreation Department and funding for liability insurance for volunteer Senior Transportation drivers and Senior Support volunteers.
3. A Senior Liaison who would report to the City Council quarterly regarding needs of older adults. 4.
A “seat at the table” when planning starts for a proposed new Community Center.
Important note about Free Friday Lunch
The November and December Free Friday Lunches will be replaced with a FREE Holiday Meal in December. The December Solon Senior News will have the date, time, and place.
Euchre and Bingo
Fridays, 12:30 p.m. at the Solon Methodist Church.
Coffee and snack at 2:00 p.m.
More Bingo players are needed and welcome!
Solon Public Library
The Solon Public Library has Tech Talk every third Thursday of the month, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
You can take your devices and questions in for the library staff and they can assist you.
The next Tech Talk is Thursday, Nov. 20.
Did you know that Solon Senior Support volunteers will deliver library books/materials to your home and pick them up when you are done using them? Call the Library at 319-624-2678 for more information or to set up a delivery.
The Library is on the web at www.solon.lib.ia.us.
Solon Food Pantry
Location – Lower level of the Solon United Methodist Church, 122 N. West St.
Entrance is in the back (East) side of the church.
Hours – Donations: 8:30-10:00 a.m. Mondays. A donation box is located outside the Pantry door for after-hours donations. Clients: 2:00-6:00 p.m. Mondays.
Contact: Elaine Claude, Pantry Manager, 319-321-5232 or email [email protected]
Mailing address – PO Box 582, Solon, Iowa 52333
Solon Parks & Recreation
It’s getting cold outside! Time to lace up your sneakers and head to the Community Center on Thursday mornings for a cup of coffee and an indoor walk!
Did you know, if you walk from the lobby to the auditorium and back eight times, you will have completed one mile?
Don’t lose that progress you’ve made over the summer and fall- come on over to the Community Center and continue those healthy habits! Don’t want to walk? No problem! We’ve got coffee, tea, hot chocolate and treats just waiting for you!
Thursday Senior Social – 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. every Thursday.
Walking, coffee, crafting, and conversations.
Call 319-624-2499 for more information.
Free Monday Matinee
Speaking of cold temperatures, our first FREE Monday Matinee will be Monday, Dec. 1, and it’s “White Christmas!” What better way to get in the Christmas Spirit than with Bing, Danny, Rosemary, and Vera-Ellen?
Influenza and COVID-19 immunizations
Older adults who get vaccinated are more likely to avoid serious disease, stay out of the hospital, and have a lower risk of death from these illnesses. If you have questions about vaccinations, please discuss with your healthcare provider. Solon Towncrest also has an online sign up available at https://solontowncrest.medmeapp.com/schedule/activity-groups/us-immunization-injection. If you need assistance with signing up, call Solon Towncrest at 319-624-2239.
News from Johnson County
Residents of unincorporated Johnson County and the small cities of Hills, Lone Tree, Oxford, Shueyville, Solon and Swisher are eligible for no-cost home energy audits. The audit team can accommodate residents’ schedules for the home visits. To sign up for a free audit, visit the Green Iowa AmeriCorps application form at https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSetULq9GQWhsr…/viewform, or call the team at 319-339-5399.
Johnson County Livable Community posts a terrific newsletter each month! Check their website for more valuable information. https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov › department-of-livable_community.
Medicare open enrollment deadline is December 7
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7.
This is your yearly opportunity to review and make changes to your Medicare coverage. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s a good idea to compare options to ensure you’re getting the best coverage and value for your needs in 2026. Need help navigating your choices? Make an appointment with a SHIIP Counselor through the Iowa City Senior Center at this link: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/65509790/?categories[]=SHIP%3A%20Open%20Enrollment&fiels%3A12655715=Website.
Directory for Older Adults
Solon Senior Support has created a Directory for Older Adults with local services and activities.
For the directory go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/14YjTPLn0iPeKSoyTAyjeg_ykzU4oAOkcqcGloYk594/edit?tab=t.0.
For the new, updated (10/25) brochure go to www.canva.com/design/DAG3A9pRQE8/5yNvg4b-1N4nUiDFnfyGQ/edit.
Need assistance with leaves?
Our high school volunteer group can earn Silver Cord hours by helping! Call Jill at 319-624-2773 and we will set up a time to lend a hand.
Senior Support Volunteers Meeting
Solon Senior Support volunteers usually meet the first Monday of each month, 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Solon Public Library. Come learn more about us! This month’s meeting has been moved to Monday, Nov. 17 (7:00-8:00 p.m.) due to meeting room availability.
Solon Senior Transport
Let our volunteer drivers transport you to and from medically related appointments!
An enrollment form and a detailed brochure will be sent upon request. Once enrolled, the senior may call for a ride to a specific appointment. Requests for rides should be scheduled several days prior to the appointment date. All volunteer drivers are self-insured.
Call Cindy Jensen, 319-360-3279.
Chair Yoga
Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at the Solon Public Library.
Come join the FREE class and feel stronger, more balanced and flexible. Don’t forget to come early for coffee on Wednesdays. Everyone can benefit from chair yoga, come try it out!
Zumba
Zumba meets Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Solon Community Center gymnasium. The class is taught by the fantastic Rebecca Donovan and is only $1. Bring a water bottle and be ready to have some fun!
Indoor Pickleball!
Did you know we have indoor Pickleball in Solon?
The Solon United Methodist Church-Family Life Center (131 N. West St.) has three indoor courts used by the Johnson County Pickleball Club (JCPC) from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Fridays, and 9:30-11:00 a.m. Sundays.
Want to join JCPC or just come try it out and see if you like it? Walk-in fee is $5, JCPC membership is $15/year, and the yearly court fee is $100. Courts may also be rented for private groups by calling the church at 319-624-2288 for rates and scheduling. Contact Doug Tuetken at 563-608-4483 for more information. Newcomers and walk-ins are always welcome and lessons are held on Sunday mornings.