worth noting this fall

You’ll want to know about these noteworthy events, happenings, as well as new businesses opening in and around Westchester, serving boomers and seniors:

GET YOUR FLEXIBILITY ON AT STRETCHLAB
Empty nester Dawn Rinaldi downsized when she moved to Rye from Northern Westchester. She also made another major life change at about that time: leaving an established Wall Street career to pursue her passion for wellness.

Now the owner of two StretchLab franchises, one in White Plains and the other in Mount Kisco, Rinaldi and her staff of trained “flexologists” help all ages – their data base shows clients ranging in age from 9 to in their 90s – improve their quality of life by lessening muscle and joint pains and improving range of motion. (See above photo for a peek at a StretchLab setting.)

So whether you are looking to play on the floor with your grandkids – and get up without help, improve your posture or simply stand without pain, StretchLab will put you on a wellness plan so you can complete the sentence, “I come so that I can…”

This one-on-one “assisted stretching” program is non-medical and many people start with StretchLab after they’ve completed physical therapy treatments elsewhere, understanding that the progress made in PT should continue, especially with all the ongoing lifestyle issues we have that cause aches and pains. Says Rinaldi, “StretchLab offers members the expert level assessment needed to stretch their way towards a longer and healthier life.”

Sessions are 30 to 60 minutes long, There are also small group classes where you can work with tools (foam rollers, straps, pressure balls, etc.) to improve your flexibility – all in an open, modern and friendly setting.

Located at 147 East Post Road in White Plains (914-400-2004) and at 17 South Moger in Mount Kisco (914-400-0334), you can find an offer for 50% off your first stretch session on the StretchLab ad on Page 13.

STILL INSPIRING AT 82
Don Fowley, a resident of The Osborn’s Sterling Park Independent Living community in Rye, swam 66 laps in July’s Swim Across America event at Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck, helping his team raise more than $43,000 to fund cancer research.

Fowley, a retired food industry executive, has participated in this event for the past 27 years to honor his first wife, Kathleen, who passed away from cancer more than 20 years ago. Said Fowley, “That’s why I swim.” The 82-year-old also shared, “I got to swim in front of my family, including three children and one granddaughter.”

Proceeds from this swim will support immunotherapy research at the Swim Across America Laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, pediatric oncology research at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and the patient services’ Cancer Support Team.

“Mr. Fowley’s athletic performance is a true inspiration to seniors everywhere,” remarked Matthew G. Anderson, The Osborn President and CEO. “He represents the spirit of The Osborn community – vibrant people living an upbeat, engaged lifestyle.”

GENERATIONS MEET UP AT EDGEHILL
Intergenerational programs bring seniors and children together to form fun, meaningful relationships. Older adults benefit from these interactions and so do the children, who can improve their communication skills, problem-solving, even reading scores – all while each generation bridges the age gap.
Every month, two generations can be found coming together, with a sense of purpose, at Edgehill Senior Living Community when the Children’s Learning Centers (CLC) of Fairfield County visits for the Come Play With Me program.

This long-standing program at Edgehill engages the seniors and the children in dancing, painting and creating art together. It also addresses the question, “How do we keep our youngest and oldest generations connected?”

Edgehill Senior Living Community is located in Stamford, CT and can be reached at 203-244-7698.

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CHELSEA AT GREENBURGH
Back in 2005, Diane Mandracchia left her job in the hotel/hospitality business to pursue more meaningful work. And that’s exactly what she found in a new career in senior living, which is also all about serving people and providing a great experience. Now executive director of the soon-to-be opened assisted living residence The Chelsea at Greenburgh, she is again working hard to deliver upscale, personalized service.
Says Diane, “Even though we’re part of a larger organization, we’re open to doing things in a different way and can focus on the specific needs of this market.” With that in mind, The Chelsea has developed three initiatives they believe will better serve their residents and the surrounding community.

First, environmental interests and sustainability will be supported by a relationship with the Greenburgh Nature Center, which will provide educational programs to The Chelsea’s residents and also lead their gardening efforts.

Second, The Chelsea will be implementing a specialized exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders through the nationally-recognized non-contact boxing program Rock Steady.

Additionally, explains Diane, there will be a high level of commitment to supporting the local community. Already, The Chelsea has hosted a First Responders event where they served over 250 meals.

The Chelsea at Greenburgh Welcome Center is open to visitors, as are model apartments, in anticipation of a Fall opening. To schedule a visit or for more information, call 914-275-0010.

COOKING FOR HEALTH IN THE CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Cooking for Health, a rotational weekly program helping seniors support their health through good nutrition and hands-on cooking, is held at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital’s Chef Peter X. Kelly Teaching Kitchen, and represents a collaboration between the Hospital, Feeding Westchester and the City of Peekskill.

“The health and well-being of the residents in our community is of utmost importance to us and we look forward to finding new ways to reach at-risk populations while continuing to provide high quality care to our patients,” explains Angela Gonzalez-Perez, MPA, Vice President of Operations at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital.

Community participants who are members of the City of Peekskill Senior Nutrition Program learn how to maximize their food budget while addressing nutritional concerns. Transportation to and from the Teaching Kitchen, originating from the Peekskill Senior Center, is provided by the City of Peekskill. For more information, contact Chef Jonathan Zamora at 914-734-4250 ext. 2 or JZamora@cityofpeekskill.com.

LIRIC OPEN HOUSE
The Learning in Retirement at Iona College annual open house will be held on Sunday, September 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Spellman Hall on the campus of Iona College in New Rochelle.

Celebrating its 27th year of engaging retirees in lifelong learning, LIRIC is a volunteer-run organization offering an expansive roster of classes. Recent classes have included The History of Medicine, Tai Chi, Playreading and Microsoft Excel, to name a few.

So if you’re looking to expand your mind, become more active and social, or simply more adept with your computer, consider becoming a part of the friendly LIRIC community.

For more details or if you cannot attend the open house, view their catalog online at www.iona.edu/LIRIC or call 914-633-2675.