EXETER — Sitting around a lunch table Wednesday, Ann Marie Drozda, of Wilkes-Barre, said she was with “friends.”
She and 12 others were at a Lunch and Learn seminar held in the community room of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind.
A tuna hoagie in front of her, Drozda said she comes to the lunchtime seminars because “it’s something to do” and she doesn’t like to sit at home.
The association brings in speakers monthly to help educate those with low vision or blindness to “relevant topics.” December’s meeting was based on nutrition, which Sara Peperno, president and CEO of the association, found ironic given the two most recent holidays — Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Because “nutrition is an important part of everyone’s health,” Bobbi Shendock was more than willing to speak about her topic. Shendock is the nutrition director for Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging.
“Hopefully people are interested,” Shendock said after her 35-minute presentation.
She also talked about nutrition at area Active Adult Centers, which she encouraged the 12 participants to use. “If they go, it’s a way to know they are getting one nutritious meal a day.”
Besides nutrition, Shendock also educated attendees on physical fitness at the agency centers. Though most programs are for those 60 years old and older, some programs are designed for 55 and older — most notably the PrimeTime Health programs, which are state sponsored.
“Sometimes you have to keep an open mind if you go,” she said, telling a tale about her joining the Pittston YMCA because she enjoys the water aerobics class.
Drozda has been coming to the monthly Lunch and Learn sessions for just about 10 years. For some presentations, she said she has been in a full room and other’s not-so-full.
“More people who are visually impaired should be here,” Drozda said.
At a back table, Michele Gilsky, of the Breslau section of Hanover Township, who is a self-admitted “lifer” of the association’s programs, said she comes to spend time with her friends, but also for the support.
“We talk about things we all can relate too,” Gilsky said.
Just because Gilsky may not need the topic being talked about that month, doesn’t mean she doesn’t attend. Gilsky said she “passes information along” to others who may need it.
Peperno agrees, noting the association puts on the Lunch and Learn sessions not only to educate the clients but to build socialization life skills.
“Vision loss can be isolating,” Peperno noted. “We give them the opportunity to create a network with similar needs to them.”
“Come once,” Gilsky said about the Exeter’s center, “you’ll never want to leave.”
