Council on Aging conference Friday

By Audrey LaFave
ESCANABA — The Delta County Council on Aging is putting on a U.P. Regional Conference 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Friday at Danforth Place.

Bill Lemire, the chairman of the council, said the presentation will focus on several topics including stress and family caregiving, Alzheimer’s, compulsive gambling, long-term care and adult day care.

“I’m very proud of how we have performed over the years,” said LeMire. “Each year we draw over 125 people.”

Marc D. Tall of the Radio Results Network said the conference is sponsored by the Menominee-Delta Schoolcraft Community Action Agency, U.P. Area Agency on Aging/UPCAP, Upper Peninsula State Bank and the Community Foundation of Delta County.

“Our expenses have to be covered so we get sponsors,” said Tall. “We want to bring people a good program every year.”

LeMire said the council on aging’s job is to open up the life of seniors more and more to help to evaluate and enrich their lives.

“We see what has to be done and knock the job down and get it done,” said LeMire.

Tall agreed. He said the main objective is to try to promote healthful seniors in the local community.

“We’re putting this on for one reason — to help our neighbors,” said Tall. “I think this will be our best year ever.”

To register for the presentation, call Community Action at (906) 786-7080 or the Escanaba Senior Center. Registration can be requested in person or by phone. There is a $4 cover charge at the door, and each attendee receives a goodie bag, breakfast, lunch and the chance to win eight door prizes - $25 gas cards.

Speakers at the event include Mary Brintnall-Peterson, Program Specialist on Aging, of the University of Wisconsin Extension, Mary Bunin and Randy Dagneault of the Community Action Agency, Caron Salo and Dick Langley of the YMCA of Delta COunty, George Carahan, Mark Bomberg of UPCAP, and a U.P. State Bank representative. Lunch will be served at noon and evaluations and door prizes will be presented at the end of the banquet.