Member Update

Janet Burnett is not suffering the cold winter blasts along with those of us who are not in Florida. Wish we could join her in her condo there!

Janet is still working as director of the Nature Center in Edwardsville, but she gets to go to Florida in the winter. Sounds like a pretty nice arrangement to have.

She will be busy this year with two weddings. Her daughter is getting married in June and her son in December. Sounds like a hectic and fun year coming up.

Member Update

Where haven't they been this year!

Charlotte and Al Crawford must have been gone more than home these past months. They have been to Europe, Africa, and many places in the United States.

They made a stop in Florida before taking a transatlantic cruise, and then went to Venice, the Austrian Alps, Frankfurt Germany, and Zurich.

Charlotte participated in the IEAFCS bus trip to Mackinaw Island, Michigan, and attended NEAFCS in Pittsburg, PA.They also made it to Colorado in time to see the fall colors.

A lengthy tour to Africa included stops in Botswana, Johannesburg, Soweto, Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Robben Island (where Mandela was imprisoned), and to Zimbabwe where they took the elephant ride shown in the photo.

The year ended with a Madrigal Dinner in Yosemite in California. Wow! I'm sure I left some things out also.

They had great visits with family and friends, and marked several items off their bucket list. Sounds like they are really enjoying life.

New Leadership for IEAFCS

Chelsey Byers is the current president of IEAFCS. Here is a little more information for those who don't know her.

She is the Family Life Educator for University of Illinois Extension, serving Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties. Her specialty is in aging issues with a focus on brain health and Alzheimer's/dementia. Chelsey provides community-based training and education on life issues affecting families, adults and individuals as they age. She works closely with community groups and organizations serving families, adults and seniors.

Chelsey was first hired as an Adult Life and Aging Educator for Kankakee County (2007-2011) and then served as a Family Life Educator for Grundy, Kankakee and Will Counties (2011-2012). As an integral part of the Family Life Team, she develops and teaches innovative programs on brain health, caregiving, grandparents raising grandkids, managing stress, maintaining balance in life and lifestory writing.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master's Degree in Gerontology from Eastern Illinois University.

Prior to her service with Extension, Chelsey  worked as a Professional Education Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter. In that role, she was responsible for curriculum development and education for healthcare workers, emergency responders, and family members about various aspects of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. She was actively involved in the planning of and presenting at regional and state conferences. Before getting her Master's Degree, Byers was an Activity Therapist on the Alzheimer's/Dementia Unit at the Illinois Veteran's Home in Manteno, IL.

Thanks to Chelsey for providing leadership to IEAFCS!