By Teresa Carr
Adams County Senior Council
The wait is over, pictures and videos from our Adams County Senior Citizens Day event on May 14, 2026 are now posted on our Facebook page! What an event! Smiles, laughter, dancing, singing along, and lunch with cookies and either root beer or cream soda floats for dessert were all part of the day. Many people took group pictures with the backdrops and balloon arches. Several vendors and guests dressed in the “Sock Hop” theme. Thank you to everyone who made this event extra special, the sponsor/vendors, Mark Tolle for being our Emcee and singing for us, The Party Starters who danced and partied right along with us, for all the guests who attended and those who got up to dance, for the Blair Carmen Show and his daughter Naomi who really rocked the joint, and to all those behind the scenes who helped set up, decorate and keep things moving throughout the day.
Six ways to safeguard your prescription drugs – and your loved ones:
1. Keep all medicines and over-the-counter items—especially cough syrup, sleep aids, and motion sickness medicine—locked up, or move them to a place where they won’t be easily found.
2. Sort through all your medicines and get rid of old or unused ones. The label will tell you how to dispose of them. Before you put them in the trash, mix them with something that tastes bad, like cat litter or old coffee grounds, and then put them in a sealed bag or old container and place it in the trash. (Most medicine should not be flushed because it gets into creeks and rivers.) Ask the pharmacy or police department about “drug take-back” programs for an even safer method of disposal.
3. Keep track of your medicines on a regular basis (weekly), especially opioids or other pain killers, including how many pills you should have.
4. Check around your home for old medicines. Purses, coat pockets, kitchen cupboards, bureau drawers, and hall closets are common places to find old medicines.
5. If you take prescriptions with you when staying in someone else’s home, quietly ask your host or another trusted adult to lock them up or find a secure place to store them. Suitcases and purses are not safe places to keep powerful prescriptions.
6. Keep the Poison Help number handy in case of emergencies: (800) 222-1222.
Get Set for a Healthy Summer – In most parts of the United States, the beautiful colors and temperate weather of summer are a welcome break from the cold grey of winter. But warm weather can lead to serious health risks. Start planning now to avoid some of the health risks summer can bring by following these tips:
• Keep cool. Make sure your home’s air conditioner or climate control system is working properly. If you do not have climate control, think about public places where you can go to comfortably spend time on hot days. Some examples include local senior centers, libraries, shopping malls and movie theaters.
• Stay indoors. Plan your summer activities so that you are indoors during the hottest part of the day. Run your errands early in the morning or at dusk when the temperatures drop slightly.
• Cover up. When you do need to go outside, protect yourself from the sun by wearing plenty of sunscreen, and invest now in a comfortable, wide-brimmed hat.
• Stay hydrated. Make sure you have a supply of water and plenty of ice in your home. And if you are going out, take a bottle of water with you.
• Breathe easy. Spend less time outdoors on humid days, especially if you are allergic to pollen or live in an area where there is a lot of air pollution.
• Stay informed. Throughout the summer, follow your local weather reports to find out when your community is experiencing severe heat and humidity.
Just A Thought: “Only the pursuit of happiness is guaranteed. The rest is up to you.” ~David T. Fagan