Coffee Break provides education, laughs, friendship

By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Above & Beyond Home Health and Hospice and Jones County Extension and Outreach are partnering together to offer the community the community free Coffee Breaks.

     “It’s important for other businesses to see the possibilities,” said Andrea Chapman with Above & Beyond. “It’s so beneficial to partner together, and to see the outcome when different groups work together.

     “You share the load and it’s way more fun!”

     “It makes the event run smoother,” added Nanci Null with Jones County Extension.

     After working together earlier this fall for a memory garden workshop, Null had the idea to keep the partnership going. After a brainstorming session to determine other possibilities they could collectively offer the community, Coffee Breaks seemed like a great fit.

     Null said Above & Beyond’s Sit & Get Fit senior exercise class already meets at the Berndes Center on the second Monday of every month, so why not bank off of that group?

     “That helped us decide the date and time,” she said, with coffee breaks being held the second Monday at 9 a.m.

     With a captive audience coming to the Jones County Youth Development Center from Sit & Get Fit, and others from the community, the Coffee Breaks have been off to a great start.

     “It’s a light-hearted learning environment,” said Null.

     Chapman said the goal is to bring people of all ages in and provide an educational component.

     Dec. 11 will be the third Coffee Break session. Previous topics included guidance and tips for operating a smartphone and healthy eating and ways to stay fit.

     “The education part helps meet the needs of the community,” said Null. “We want to find out what they desire to learn, offering them information about different facets of the community. We’ve heard from some great speakers with valuable information.”

     The smartphone session, led by Connie Brehm with EchoVision in Monticello, was organized per request from a Coffee Break attendee.

     “It’s not about a sales pitch,” said Chapman.

     The Dec. 11 Coffee Break is titled “Holidays Made Simple.” Those in attendance will learn about gift-giving/white elephant games, organizing a holiday meal, and take part in a craft. Null will even provide information about how to do the craft at home with your loved ones over the holidays.

     “The games we’re teaching are not age sensitive,” explained Null, meaning they can be played with multiple generations. “It’s about finding fun things to do with your family.”

     Chapman and Null are working on future Coffee Break topics, but want to encourage both men and women to take part.

     “We want to know what topics the men might be interested in,” said Chapman.

     They also want to see and hear from those in attendance as far their talents that could be shared with the greater group.

     “This could be an opportunity for them to share what they can do,” encouraged Chapman.

     “Perhaps they could show the younger generation what they know,” added Null.

     The first 15 minutes of Coffee Break allows everyone time to show up, grab a cup of coffee and a treat and socialize with others. Then, the program begins around 9:15 a.m. until about 10 a.m. If time allows or if people have questions, they stick around longer.

     “There’s always conversation afterwards,” said Chapman. “It’s about giving people time to visit and socialize.”

     Null said it’s great to see those who do attend getting out and about and mingling.

     “This is such a positive environment,” she said. “It’s helps with one’s health and mental wellbeing.”

     Above & Beyond and the Extension plan to continue to offer Coffee Breaks as long as they are well attended. In the event that school is canceled during the winter for bad weather, Coffee Breaks will also be canceled to keep people from having to travel on the roads.

     “Just come as you are,” said Chapman, “for some learning, laughs and stories.”

     The next Coffee Break is Monday, Dec. 11, at 9 a.m. in the meeting room at the Youth Development Center. The event is free and open to the public. You do not need to RSVP.

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