Into Autumn
John Keats’ ode “To Autumn” celebrates the fleeting beauty of these months as a “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Truly this is a time to savor the weather, share our bounty with others, and take time to plant seeds for future feasts. In a nutshell, that’s what we at East Rock Creek Village are doing this month.
To begin, if you are reading this note on Sunday, October 1st, it may not be too late to come to our community picnic at Carter Barron in Rock Creek Park. We will be there between 3:30 and 6:30pm at Picnic Area #24 with plenty of free food and, I’m sure, having fun with ERCVers we know or are just meeting. I hope you can come join us!
In addition, we have an abundance of activities on offer throughout the month, some online via Zoom, some in person. Online you can come to our Open House and discussion on Thursday, October 12th, or, if you’d like a good chance to win prizes and have a laugh or three, come in costume (or not) to our spooky Halloween-themed online bingo game on Thursday, October 26th. Every Friday at 3:00pm you can stretch with friends at our chair yoga classes. Plus there is plenty of room for new participants in our latest StrongerMemory brain exercise group.
In person, you can join us for neighborhood walks on Mondays and Wednesdays amidst the falling leaves, or come to our Otago Fall Prevention classes every Tuesday and Thursday at the Shepherd Park Library. Or you can kick back with friends at our popular happy hour gathering at Olive Lounge on Thursday, October 19th. And don’t miss our field trip to the East Wing of the National Gallery at the end of the month. There is something for everyone to enjoy!
Do remember that October is the beginning of Medicare Open Enrollment. This is a good time to see what, if anything, you need to update or change. Please let us know if you need help sorting through your options. This is also an important time to get vaccinated. Getting your flu, RSV, and new COVID-19 shots now will help protect you through the winter months. We have masks and tests for those who need them, and volunteers who are ready to help you.
Let’s stay rooted even as cooler breezes begin to blow. I hope we’ll make this October one to remember by taking good care of ourselves and each other and celebrating our neighbors’ presence in our lives. East Rock Creek Village thrives when we all contribute and connect – as volunteers or simply as neighbors. I hope to see you this month, whether at our picnic today or at one of our upcoming activities.
–David Mackoff