Seniors in Mariemont, Terrace Park, Fairfax and Madison Place have a busy August 2026 ahead, with MariElders scheduling a pontoon boat ride, a sculpture park trip and a community picnic that will honor the village's firefighters, police and administration.
The Mariemont Appreciation Picnic on Thursday, August 27, at noon is the month's centerpiece. The $10 lunch at MariElders, 6923 Madisonville Road, will recognize the village employees who serve the community year-round. The center's August newsletter urged members to "help us show the village firefighters, police and administration how much we appreciate their support year after year."
Executive Director Erin Rothfuss wrote in the newsletter that community "is at the heart of everything we do," crediting volunteers and neighbors for making the center a place where older adults can thrive.
Outings on the water and on the trail
The first big outing is a Tiki Pontoon Boat Ride on Tuesday, August 11, at 10:30 a.m. on the Ohio River. The cost is $32, and participants bring their own food and drinks.
Six days later, on Monday, August 17, a small group will head to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton. The trip departs MariElders at 10:15 a.m. and costs $15. Only six spots are available, so interested members should call ahead at (513) 271-5588. The 470-acre park features more than 60 outdoor sculptures and a gallery museum.
Other outings include Armchair Travels: Uzbekistan on Thursday, August 20, a lunch trip to the Uzbekistan Restaurant & Café in Blue Ash, and a Quarterly Walk & Lunch Out on Monday, August 31, starting at 1 p.m. at Fernbank Park with lunch afterward at Cabana on the River.
Energy assistance deadline approaching
MariElders is again partnering with the Ohio Department of Development to connect seniors with the Summer Energy Assistance Program, which runs through Wednesday, September 30. The program can help income-eligible households pay electric bills, purchase an air conditioner or fan or repair central air conditioning.
Households with a member age 60 or older who can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for their health may qualify. Gross income must be at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To apply in the Cincinnati area, residents must schedule an appointment with Community Action Agency at (513) 569-1840. Seniors with questions can also contact Rothfuss at (513) 271-5588 or [email protected]. The statewide hotline is (800) 282-0880.
August calendar at a glance
- Tuesday, August 4 — Book Club, 10 a.m. ("The Ferryman and His Wife" by Frode Grytten, led by Mandy Beecroft)
- Tuesday, August 11 — Tiki Pontoon Boat Ride, 10:30 a.m., $32
- Friday, August 14 — Members' Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
- Monday, August 17 — Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, departs 10:15 a.m., $15
- Thursday, August 20 — Armchair Travels: Uzbekistan, departs 11 a.m.
- Thursday, August 27 — Mariemont Appreciation Picnic, noon, $10
- Monday, August 31 — Walk & Lunch Out, 1 p.m., Fernbank Park
MariElders is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekly programming includes Balance and Strength classes, Chair Yoga with certified instructor Helene Everhart, Chair Volleyball at RG Cribbet Recreation Center in Fairfax, and Bingo led by Linda Swensson.
