Senior LifeStyle with Eileen O’Brien

As we have all come to believe, January is the month of new beginnings and the ending of old rituals or habits which may no longer be productive in our lives.  A proverb that comes to mind dealing with this idea is: “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year!” -Vern McLellan.

Lots of folks jump on the gym, diet, weight loss, or the media unplug train. This occurs only to result in buyer’s remorse, also known as “guilt” when March rolls around. 

So let’s see if we can avoid the guilt, discover new interests along the way, and experience fulfillment and happiness for ourselves and possibly others. 

Now to our second proverb, “The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you are the pilot!” -Michael Altshuler

SENIOR CLUBS: We are very blessed in Rockland County to have many senior clubs available to those of a certain age – anywhere from 55 to 100 plus! But not all Senior Clubs are created equal in terms of your particular needs and desires. Let’s review some of the questions you should be asking yourself before you discover the perfect senior club for you!

What is the most convenient day, time and length for you to attend meetings regularly? 

How convenient is the drive to and from the club for you? 

Is there sufficient and convenient parking or public transportation drop off?

Are club meetings weekly, bi-weekly, monthly? 

Is the club sponsored by the Town, the County, a Religious organization or is it more Culturally aligned?

Age range of the membership might be something you wish to consider.

Is the club membership mostly couples, singles – both males and females? 

Do the meetings meet your needs for socialization, intellectual stimulation, comfort, and just plain fun? 

Are club trips interesting to you in terms of new experiences, increase in knowledge, shared memories or is it the same old same old trips to the casinos, all you can eat buffet, and the sinking feeling that you lost more to the one armed bandits  than you can afford? 

Have you done your research with friends and neighbors regarding their experiences, both positive and negative, with clubs they are involved in? 

Now comes the third proverb, often repeated by my late Dad, John Patrick O’Brien, “Trust but verify!” I can’t think of a single Senior Club in our section of the planet that doesn’t welcome potential members visiting once, twice, thrice or maybe a fourth time to see if the senior shoe fits! You know that shoe that’s comfy, makes you feel good about yourself, and that you want to jump into the first thing in the day! No buyers regret, no guilt… And lo and behold, you’ve found your perfect match and it’s only March!                                                                                                                         

NON-PROFITS: No one needs me to remind them about how fortunate the folks of Rockland are to have the number of meaningful and necessary organizations available to us to make life sweeter for us, those we love, and those who will come after us. While those in “our golden years” can’t be involved in everything, we can choose to continue to give back and be involved in something. If you’re involved with a group, continue that involvement, but remember this is a new year and you might just want to spread your wealth in terms of time, talent, money or all three to a new group!  

Over the past year, CIVIC  ASSOCIATIONS have caught my attention. Now for regular readers of this column, you will remember how impressed I was with the program of essays about Veterans authored by the youngsters of Nanuet presented by the “NANUET CIVIC ASSOCIATION” in November. I truly don’t know how this organization  accomplishes all they do, given the needs, desires and priorities of the diverse group of residents and businesses they represent. Street fairs, cultural celebrations, holiday gatherings, this group quietly and expertly handles it all!

Now the next Civic Association which might be flying under your radar but you really should know about is the “HERITAGE OF WEST NYACK CIVIC ASSOCIATION.” 

Now in case you haven’t visited the West Nyack hamlet recently, get ready for the surprise of your life! The revitalization project is well underway. Hey, it only took twenty years of dogged efforts to literally get this project on dry land. This Civic Association brings you the Strawberry Festival, Fall Fest, Tree Lighting and my all time favorite annual beautification project spear headed by this group… The dedication baskets hung in the front of the West Nyack Post Office!  In spring and fall, decorative baskets of colorful flowers and in winter, festive  holiday kissing balls beautify the Post Office. Community members can purchase a basket for dedication to friends, family members (living or deceased), and community organizations. Full disclosure, I have purchased three for the winter season! It makes an ordinary trip to the West Nyack Post Office  a remembrance of all we have to be grateful for. Now before I forget, this is the same group that are the stewards of the Vanderbilt-Budke-Traphagen House, two of the many historical jewels that call Clarkstown Home.

Now while I’m on the subject of historical jewels, I would be remiss if I didn’t do a shout out to the “CONGER’S CIVIC ASSOCIATION,” advocates and protectors  of the Conger’s Train Station and champions of all matters of neighborhood importance and improvement. This group continues to put out, in this writer’s opinion, the best newsletter  in the County. As a member of this organization, Conger’s Civic will mail their informative and vital missive to you – Yes, you read that right! – A copy that you can digest over that morning cup of coffee before you leave your house to conquer the world.

And, now a new find for MY personal investigation for the new year… Drum roll! 

The “CENTRAL NYACK CIVIC ASSOCIATION!” As far as I can tell this is the first Civic Association  that is involved with a garden! This new garden, which is located at the end of West Broadway and Gillis Avenue, will provide residents with the three “C’s”… Community Health, Connection, and Continuity to our agricultural roots. Not a bad goal for 2026!

Now,  the fourth and final proverb for this month is from a very wise man known to all…… “The beginning is the most important of the work!” – Plato

So get going!