Prestige

The walls of the Iowa City Parks Department lobby and offices are lined with intricate quilts that use colorful fabrics to depict the city’s parks and environments. The artist behind the quilts is the department’s director, Juli Seydell Johnson.

More than ever, senior citizens are falling victim to scams. One Iowa fraud educator says that’s because artificial intelligence, or AI, has made the process of conning someone easier and more efficient.

The University of Iowa Senior College offers 10-14 courses each semester, taught by emeritus and current UI faculty members as well as experts from the community. The classes typically meet for four two-hour sessions, either on Zoom or in person, at locations around the Iowa City area.

Bridge to Opportunities for Older Adults, also known at Cedar Rapids 55-Plus on Facebook, has brought together hundreds of adults throughout the community to engage in fun activities and education.

Since completing Master Gardener training, Beula Dvorak, 77, has volunteered hundreds of hours educating the public about gardening and working in public garden spaces, and oversees the care of about 20 community gardens located throughout Linn County.

Prestige is a biannual special section dedicated to Iowans 55+. Each section includes stories, resources and real perspectives about life in Iowa for older adults that cover a range of issues.

An open area in his garage was the unexpected catalyst that turned John Kadlec into a local metal artist. The 71-year-old retiree personifies the concept of someone else’s trash being his treasure.

As life progresses, hard times may leave seniors feeling isolated or struggling to make sense of their unique experiences. Sharing stories, experiences and opinions can improve emotional, mental and physical well-being. Legacy life stories are a way for seniors to do just that — reap the benefits of reflection — and Sandy Bruns is here to help.

Thanks to a local program that matches older adults with college students, Nancy Lanning is not only getting out on the town but has also formed a meaningful friendship.

When Steve West helped found the Iowa City New Horizons Band in 1995, he hoped that someday he’d be able to join the group. Nearly 30 years later, the band for older adults is still going strong, and West finally joined as a musician, playing bass clarinet.