Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Hampton Senior Center, 3501 Kecoughtan Road September 11, 2023 Call to Order and Welcome Chair Linda Kindred opened the meeting by welcoming all in attendance and reminded all that the attendance sheet at the back of the room was to be signed upon arrival. She added that if anyone needed to be absent from future meetings to contact her directly at 757-776-2286. She noted that if anyone had questions, to ask them at the end of the meeting. Opening prayer was then offered. Roll call & Approval of August Minutes Present: Linda H Kindred-Chair, Lewis Dawley III- Vice Chair, Martha L. Clark, Tonya L. Grant, C’Faison Harris, Phyllis Porter, Cassandra Alston-Townsley Absent: Lynda Burke, Camilla Doctor City/Lead Agency Reps: Mayor Donnie Tuck, Councilman Chris Bowman, Susan Elswick (HPRLS), Shantel Hudgins (HPRLS), La-Netta Davis (PAA), Julie Savage (PACE), Phyllis Palin (Hampton Human Services), Ethel Heyward (Social Services) Guests: Marie St. Clair (HPRLS), Audrey Johnson, Georgia Scott Shantel Hudgins conducted the roll call; a quorum was present. The opportunity was given for the advisory board to review the August minutes. A motion to accept the August minutes as written was made, seconded, and unanimously approved. Opening Remarks C’Faison Harris spoke on the behalf of Director McCauley and gave some additional opening remarks and proceeded to discuss informative updates on special current and future events that are to occur in the city in the coming weeks/months. ❖ Congratulations to Bluebird Gap Farm in being recognized as Hampton’s 2nd Quarter winner of the Virginia Peninsula Clean Business Forum Award. The Forum is a partnership between Hampton (Hampton Clean City Commission), James City County (Clean County Commission), Newport 1  News (Public Works Recycling Office), and York County (York County Beautification Committee) where each recognizes their area businesses using best practices in environmental sustainability. Bluebird Gap Farm has been a free admission public park and zoo serving Hampton Roads for over 50 years. Its mission to “Cultivate a passion for the animals, environment, and community of Hampton through experience” drives Farm Manager Adam Newland and his team to provide great care to their animal residents and promote learning on a variety of ecological topics to the public. ❖ Crabtown Seafood Festival was a success on September 2nd where there were seafood vendors, nautical merchandise vendors, and educational bay exhibits were present on the downtown waterfront honoring Hampton’s history as a town built by seafood. Featured was entertainment by Ricky Micou Steel Drums, the H.M. Johnson Band, The Gentlemen & Their Lady, and 1st Generation Band, along with host K’Bana Blaq. ❖ In an effort to educate Hampton residents about the impact cigarette litter has on our environment, particularly our waterways, Clean City conducted three cigarette litter site scans as part of the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. Scans were done along Mellen Street in Phoebus, the City Hall Block, and the Buckroe Beach parking lots. Seven volunteers (including HCCC board members Chris Grady and April Receveur) participated in the scans and were able to collect more than 1300 cigarette and cigar ends. SCAC Board Member Phyllis Porter also participated in Clean City’s CLPP cigarette litter scan on August 26th. ❖ PRLS had its final Kickback Saturday of the Summer at West Hampton Community Center on September 2nd. This event was open to middle and high school students from 6 – 10 p.m. This free event fed students, gave them the opportunity to dance while listening to the sounds of a live dee-jay, play games on the G•Zone gaming bus, and enjoy activities from basketball to cards and arts and crafts. ❖ September 30, 10am-2pm: HPRLS Yard Sale in Hollywood at Westhampton Community Center ❖ October 1, 2pm-6pm: Tour De Fort, Fort Monroe Streets starting and ending at Oozlefinch Craft Brewery ❖ October 21 & 22, 10am-5pm Daily: Bluebird Gap Fall Festival at Bluebird Gap Farm ❖ December 8, 5pm-9pm: NEW! Downtown “Block Lighting” Party and Holly Days Market ❖ December 9, 5pm Step-Off: Return of the Holly Days Parade in Downtown Hampton ❖ December 16-25, 5pm-8pm (Nightly): Holiday Wonder Walk at Water Walk Trail near Hampton Coliseum 2  Presentation (HPRLS Community Centers, Neighborhood Centers, and Specialty Centers) C’Faison Harris closed out her remarks and Linda Kindred introduced Senior Recreation Professionals Susan Elswick and Marie St. Clair for the presentation. Susan thanked everyone in attendance for inviting her as the guest speaker for today’s SCAC meeting. She began her presentation by providing background information on how she pursued a degree in Human Services which led to her path of working with seniors through Parks and Recreation. Susan also provided information on the Hampton Senior Center. The Hampton Senior Center (HSC) originally began in a church in 1970 called the Happy House. In 1989, the Hampton Senior Center relocated to its new location on Kecoughtan road where it is still located as of today. During Fiscal Year 23 (FY23), the HSC approximately a total of 14,000 visitors that joined and participated in programs that were offered. Thirty-four (34) years later, the Hampton Senior Center brings in a variety of programs and events that are available to all seniors within the community. Marie began her part of the presentation by discussing how she began her career with HPRLS by starting as an intern within the Hampton Senior Center where it was an amazing experience to learn about the seniors and programs that are accessible. She proceeded with the presentation by sharing the programs that are offered throughout each of the community and neighborhood centers. The following programs that are available include: Location Class Date Time Hampton Senior Center Chair Exercise Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 11am-12pm Hampton Senior Center Line Dance Tuesday and Thursday 10am-11am Hampton Senior Center Walk Away the Pounds (AM) Monday-Friday 9am-10am West Hampton Community Center Spice of Life Lunch Bunch 3rd Friday of each month 12pm-1:30pm North Phoebus Community Center Yoga Rhythms Senior Fitness Monday and Friday 10am-11am Fort Monroe Community Center Pickleball Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Tues (8a-2p), Thurs (8a-2p & 5p-8p), Sat (8a-11a) Northampton Community Center Senior Fit Tuesday and Friday 11am-12pm Northampton Community Center Walkaway the Pounds Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1pm-2pm Northampton Community Center Line Dance Thursday 6pm-7:45pm Northampton Community Center Line Dance Tuesday and Wednesday 6pm-7:45pm Marie also detailed quilting classes that are available at Foxhill Neighborhood Center as well as a timeless models’ program for seniors that is held at Westhampton Community Center. HPRLS initiative is to keep seniors active within the community by offering a diverse collection of programs. Linda thanked Susan and Marie for a very informative presentation. Linda also shared a flyer on the behalf of Shaeron King (Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator) regarding volunteer opportunities for the programs that are being offered at the therapeutic recreation center. Marie and Susan concluded their presentation. Linda thanked the presenters for a very informative presentation. 3  Subcommittee Reports Mayor’s Town Hall Committee: Lewis Dawley III shared the following information: • It was confirmed that the Mayor’s Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for October 16th at 10am within the Hampton Senior Center. Hospitality Committee: Cassandra Alston-Townsley shared the following information: • The next hospitality committee meeting is scheduled for September 12th at 9am within the Hampton Senior Center. Senior Residential Housing Committee: Tonya Grant shared the following information: • The next senior housing residential meeting is scheduled for October 2nd at 9:30am within the Hampton Senior Center. Speaker’s Bureau Committee: C’Faison Harris shared the following information: • The next speaker’s bureau meeting is scheduled for October 2nd at 9:30am within the Hampton Senior Center. Annual Awards Committee: Linda Kindred shared the following information: • The nomination forms are available to nominate a senior for the Hampton Senior Citizenship of the Year Award. The nomination forms to be submitted to the Hampton Senior Center no later than November 1st. City/Lead Agency Updates PAA: La-Netta Davis shared the following information: • The Peninsula Task Force on Aging (PENTFA) is holding an Empowering Voices: Legislative Summit for Older Adults on September 28th at the Denbigh Community Center from 8:30am- 10:30am. For more information, please call (757)246-1911 or visit pentfa.org. Public Comment Linda gave an opportunity for visitors/guests to speak. Mayor Tuck shared that the upcoming Council Meeting is scheduled for September 13th. Mayor Tuck also shared that the Council Meetings will return to being held twice a month through October. The Council Meetings will be held once a month during October and November due to the holiday season. 4  Adjournment Linda closed the meeting by asking all to remember to be a ray of sunshine in someone’s cloud, adding that you may be the only person someone sees, and your smile or act of kindness will brighten someone’s day. The meeting adjourned at 11:05am. Minutes submitted by Shantel Hudgins, SCAC Recorder 5