July 15 "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" recital to benefit Omega House

Poster for the 8th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" recital to benefit Omega House. (Poster courtesy Omega House)

HOUGHTON -- The Omega House 8th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton.

Community vocalists and instrumentalists will join together for an evening of jazz, light opera, folk, blues and Broadway.

Performers take a curtain call at last year's (July 30, 2013) "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" Omega House benefit in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. Lara Neves, organizer for both 2013 and 2014 recitals, is at far right. This year's recital will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Houghton. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Lara Neves has planned the event again this year. She has lined up many talented local performers, including guitarist Steve Jones, Maple Sugar Folk, Noteworthy, and many other vocal solos, duets, and trios.

A $10 donation at the door is suggested to benefit Omega House -- a peaceful, homelike environment for terminally ill people. Omega House provides end-of-life care that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect and dignity. In cooperation with local hospice programs, Omega House provides residents with exceptional care and attention 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, please contact Carol Pfeffercorn at 906-482-4438 or visit www.omega-house.org.

Editor's Note: Click here to see videos from the 2013 "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" concert.

Portage Library to host Healthy Aging seminars

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library will host a four-week course on Wednesdays that will explore the end of life options that are available in the Keweenaw.

Beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 19, the Community Coalition on Grief and Bereavement will present "Healthy Aging: Continuing Life’s Journey by Tying Up Loose Ends." Each seminar will focus on a specific topic and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Participants can expect a supportive atmosphere, group discussions, and an opportunity for questions and answers.

On Sept. 19, family physician Thomas McConnon, MD, will speak about "Living Healthy." Dr. McConnon will review how people can choose a healthy life style to embrace the normal changes that people experience as they age. He will also discuss the physician/patient relationship with an emphasis on the need for good communication and planning.

The Sept. 26 seminar will focus on "Dying with Support," and will be presented by Ray Weglarz, the Development Director of Omega House. Weglarz will explain what the hospice movement is and the changes it has brought to health care. He will discuss how people can expect the possibility of dying pain-free and with support. Information about Omega House will be available.

On Oct. 3, a panel of local funeral directors will present "Decisions for the End of Life." Neil Ahola, Ron Antila, Jeff Dennis and Mark Dennis will discuss today’s funeral industry and give suggestions for pre-planning.

On Oct. 10, local Attorney and Certified Financial Planner Roger Helman, J.D., CFP, will present "Planning for the End of Life." Helman will explain decisions that need to be made and discuss the legal documents that are required.

All library programs are free and everyone is welcome. People can register and get more information by calling the library at 482-4570 or by emailing Nancy Beyers Wakeman at nlwakeman@gmail.com.