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River Forest Township
 

River Forest Township
Senior News

 

October 2025

 

Hi everyone,
Below is our Township Senior News for October, including our programming with the library. If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to me by responding to this email or by calling 708-366-2029 x 13.

Vernyle Steele, one of our dedicated mahjong players represented the Oak Park River Forest mahjong community at a Mahjong Tournament in Rosemont in September. She enjoyed her first tournament and had several wins. Congrats Vernyle!

Going forward this email will keep you up to date on Township events and activities. If you want information on other events, consider registering for Community Connect Mail (see bottom of email)

 

Township Programming at River Forest Community Center (8020 Madison St.):

 
  • Mondays: 9:30 -10:30 a.m. we offer Zumba Gold in the Dance Room on the 2nd floor. Call 708-725-9129 x 2 to register. Classes will take place through November 10 (and there will be no class on October 13) [There is a waiting list for the first session, but if you are interested in the next session sign up now]

  • Tuesdays: 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Beginning Chess in room 202

  • Thursdays: 1:00-3:00 p.m.: Mahjong in room 202

  • Pickleball will be offered once a month on Fridays, October through April. Please reach out to Betsy at bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com to register. Our first class will be on October 17 from 1:00- 3:00 p.m. (the next classes will be November 21, December 12, January 23, February 27, March 10 and April 10)

If there is other programming you would like to see the township provide, please reach out to me.

 

Other Township News:

 

October 2- November 20 (Thursdays) from 1:30-3:30 p.m.: A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls. For more information and to register, contact Yazmin Morales at the Programs Hotline for more information and to register. 708-725-9129, option 2. See flyer here.

See what benefits (ie. SNAP, RideFree Program, Medicaid and more) you are eligible for by calling 708-383-8060. Ask to schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor. Appointments will take place at the Oak Park Township Senior Services office (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) or over the phone. (If you have any Medicare questions ask to set up an appointment with a SHIP Counselor)

Learn about the SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) here. Remember October 15- December 7 is open enrollment if you need to make any changes to your plan and prescription drug coverage.

Oak Park Township Senior Services offers a lot of programming at their Center at 130 S. Oak Park Ave. See their calendar online here. (ie. plarning, art classes, educational talks/workshops, line dancing). Call the activities hotline at (708) 725-9129 to check availability and to register. See the Oak Park/River Forest Township September/October Newsletter here for program calendar and more.

North West Housing Partnership, our partner for the Home Repair and CAPABLE/ OAHMP programs, is able to help you age in place or stay in your home longer. Programs are for older adults of all income levels. Call (847) 969-0561 if you have small repairs that need to be done around your home or if you would like a home safety assessment.

Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services is seeking volunteers for Meal Delivery. Contact Mercedes Nash, Nutrition Site Supervisor at 708- 383-8060 x 134 or mnash@oakparktownship.org to learn more. They are also looking for Money Management Volunteers. See money management brochure here. Call 708-383-8060.

Veterans:

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) has expanded their Emergency Financial Assistance Program to better serve Veterans and their families. Reach out to their office to learn more at

312-433-6012.

 

River Forest Township Programming with River Forest Public Library: 

 

Programming is in person in the Barbara Hall Meeting Room at the Library (735 Lathrop Ave.) unless otherwise noted. No need to register, except for yoga and special events. (Register online or call the library at 708-366-5205) See Calendar here.

October 2 from 7:00- 8:00 p.m.: Craft and Chat: Candle-Making. (already full, but ask to be put on the waiting list).

October 6 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.: Coffee Monday with Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services Caregiver Support Specialist, Devon Andrews. Learn what is available to you as a caregiver.

October 9 from 7:00- 8:00 p.m.: River Forest Reads: Community Book Discussion. Come discuss the book The Great Gatsby with your local librarian. Register here.

October 11
from 2:00- 3:00 p.m.: Meditation Soundbath. Register here.

October 12
from 2:00-3:30 p.m.: River Forest Reads: The Roaring Twenties on Film. Dr. Annette Bochenek will discuss the early film industry through a multi-media presentation.

October 16 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.: River Forest Reads: Great Gatsby Movie Screening, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby.

October 19 from 2:00 -3:30 p.m.: River Forest Reads: Vintage Jazz Ensemble Concert.

October 24 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.: Film Lover Fridays: The Apartment with Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray.

Other Programming at the Library:

October 26 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.: Illinois’ Most Storied Cemeteries. John Kokoris will look at the graves of great Illinoisans.

Note: The library also has book clubs if you are interested (as does Oak Park Township as well as the Lifelong Learning program through the Park District of Oak Park) Don't forget you can borrow a "hotspot" from your local library, so you can get access to wi-fi when needed. (i.e. if you are traveling or don't have wi-fi at home this will give you access). Call your library for more information.

 

Community Connect

 

If you have information you want to share with others, or you want to learn what others in our surrounding communities are sharing, ask for Community Connect Mail to be delivered to your in-box. This is also a great way to connect with others with similar interests. Click this link or email communityconnectmail@gmail.com and share with anyone you think may want to receive Community Connect.

 

Fraud/Scam Information

 

Be careful of scammers or people trying to take advantage of you, whether they call or come to your door, including utility scammers. If you have any concerns, call your local police department and the Illinois Attorney General's Senior Citizen Consumer Fraud Helpline at 1-800-243-5377.

Frauds and Scams to watch out for: Click here.

See Crime Prevention Fraud/Scam Tips from the River Forest Police Department here.

Fraud tips from Byline Bank here.

Another resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 a toll-free service available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Visit AARP's webpage here).

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) provides help with utility bills. If you have any concerns about your bills, call 1-800-669-5556; Call 1-855-433-2700 for a Free Home Energy Assessment: An Energy Advisor will do a walk-through of your home and provide you with products to make your home more efficient.

 

Call me with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Betsy Burton Kelly

Senior Outreach Coordinator

River Forest Township

bkelly.rftownship@gmail.com

(708) 366-2029 x13

River Forest Township Senior Services

 
River Forest Township

River Forest Township
8020 Madison St.
River Forest
United States

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