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Gathering Place provides outlet for seniors
By LINDA M. LINONIS
CANFIELD
The Rev. Rebecca Zielke explained Lord of Life Lutheran Church began the Gathering Place for seniors to do just that – get together, learn something, have lunch and socialize.
The project, which started in October 2013, is open to the community. Pastor Zielke said attendance varies from 20 to 40 people, depending on the speaker and program.
“It’s something to get people out of the house, and the program offers something informative,” she said.
After lunch, participants may socialize or play games or cards.
“It’s our way of serving the community,” Pastor Zielke said. Canfield doesn’t have a senior center.
On Monday, Scott Weamer, assistant police chief in Canfield, spoke to about 30 people on personal safety.
“The key is to be aware of your surroundings ... at home, church, out shopping,” he advised. He called it “situational awareness” no matter where you happen to be.
“Personal safety is an individual’s responsibility,” he said, noting by that he means “knowing what to do before police and other emergency personnel get there.”
Weamer asked participants to take the slogan of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to heart, “If you see something, say something.” He told participants if they see something suspicious, call police. “That’s what we’re here for.”
The police officer said he was “only scratching the surface” in his presentation. He said financial crimes and scams abound and often start in an unsolicited phone call.
He distributed a handout that focused on scams associated with Internal Revenue Service, grandparents, prizes and sweepstakes, email hacking and fake checks.
Because it is tax season, Weamer said IRS scams may occur. He said scammers try to trick people out of money or personal information.
“The IRS won’t call you about payment or threaten you with arrest,” he said.
The grandparents scam, he said, involves a call from a “grandchild” who needs money because of some type of trouble. “This usually involves wiring money,” he said, adding this is like sending cash and there is no protection for the sender. Weamer cautioned his audience not to react immediately to the distress but talk to other family members.
Weamer said criminals might find their targets on the Internet, where people post all kinds of family information on social media.
As for sweepstakes prizes involving sending a sum of money or fee to get a bigger cash prize – don’t do it. “Common sense should tell you that if it sounds too good to be true, it is,” he said.
Weamer told his audience that should they ever be in a place with an active shooter, they should try to evacuate first. If they end up in a room, barricade the door and if the gunman enters, throw whatever is available at the shooter and make noise.
“It’s hard to aim when bottles or whatever are coming at you,” Weamer said.
Participants offered comments on the Gathering Place.
“I come regularly because there are good and interesting programs,” said Peg Kelly of Canfield.
Bill and Darlene Disotell of Boardman attend the Gathering Place regularly.
“We’ve learned things in the programs,” Bill said.
Betty Dysert of Canfield and her husband, Chuck, church members, also were in attendance.
“It depends on the speaker,” she said of their attendance.
“I enjoy the fellowship,” said Rosemary Gnagy of Canfield, who said the Gathering Place fills the spot of a senior center.