August 2026 Newsletter

Published on July 01, 2026

Download the August issue of our newsletter, The Buzz(PDF, 6MB)

A Message from the Office for the Aging Director

Dear Ulster County Older Adults!

Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer! Is it hot enough for you?? Hopefully everyone is trying to stay cool and hydrated!

We have Tai Chi starting in August here at the Hub again – call for details. Our programming continues, and will go on until the snow starts flying, then, as usual, we will calm down a bit but still have regular programming at the Hub.

I will reiterate our need for driving volunteers. We have many more folks seeking rides than we are able to accommodate. Drivers or folks willing to drive (you get paid mileage!) are few and far between. All of us, at some point, may need a ride to a doctor when we cannot drive ourselves home. Please consider becoming a driver, pick up a little extra money, help someone who will be very appreciative, and pay it forward! Become a volunteer for this program. We have to rely on each other when services are sparse, and in most counties, transportation is a challenge. It is no different here in Ulster County. Even a couple rides a week will help the congestion and serve more folks!

We will have a blood drive coming up in August – time and date to be determined, but especially looking for those of Hispanic origin, African-American/Black community members to give blood, as their blood types can help specific populations. Did you know that over 60% of the Hispanic population has type O blood, and that can be used for any transfusion, as a universal donor, and also have rare blood sub-types that can help specific cases? Also, Black Americans have a larger percentage of O type blood overall, and also specific rare blood subtypes that can help those with sickle cell anemia, which is a disease suffered by some Black Americans.

We will be having another Fall Festival at a local park, our usual our Human Services Expo (Trunk or Treat) in October and Holiday events!

Please check your email and Buzz for updates!

Stay cool, everyone!

Susan Koppenhaver, Director, Ulster County Office for the Aging