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Director's Column

Traffic In the Brain, Dementia Program

by | Sep 25, 2026 | Fall Programs

9-25-2026

After last week’s cliff hanger, I have to admit this is likely the second in a trilogy. However, I promise this is not simply a place marker to make money and hold off the grand finale. First of all, we don’t make money off of our programming, and second of all, programming never ends. On to Traffic In the Brain.

Jake Sawyers is the Dementia Care Specialist at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Walworth County. Patrons of the East Troy Intergenerational Community Center might best recognize him as he works with Memory Cafés and their monthly Death Café. Sawyers has now developed a seminar called Traffic In the Brain. The description below is taken from his original email.

Traffic in the Brain uses a relatable highway metaphor to explain how dementia disrupts the brain’s communication pathways, creating “traffic jams” that appear as memory loss, confusion, and slowed thinking. The presentation highlights different causes of dementia, the role of medications as “traffic controllers,” and the importance of lifestyle, communication, and planning to support safer, smoother journeys for individuals and caregivers. It offers an empowering, easy‑to‑grasp way to understand dementia and promote community awareness.

We will hold this program at the Community Center on Wednesday, October 7th at 3:30pm. Entrance to the parking lot is off of Division Street, which is also where Door #7 is located.

Miss Maria’s continuing programs for the fall include Teen Star Books on October 1st when middle and high school age patrons are given new books to explore, Kitchen Quest on October 9th for 8–14-year-old patrons are given new foods to explore, and Halloween Art Attack on October 10th. Registration a week in advance is required for the food and art programs.

The ETCSD has minimal number of inservice days this school year, which is when we have scheduled special afternoon programs. We will continue to schedule monthly Family Movie afternoons and just hope preschoolers and their caregivers and the young at heart welcome them. The first one is Monday, October 12th at 1:00pm. The movie is perfect for October as it takes place during the Day of the Dead. The main character learns why his family does not support his dreams of becoming a musician. Stop in for the movie and popcorn and leave signing a tune.

That doesn’t take us even halfway through October so please forgive me if my trilogy ends up a five-week series. October is extremely busy at the ETLPL.

Reading Now: Runaway Groomsman by Meghan Quinn

Listening to Now: A Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

Tami Bartoli

Tami Bartoli

Library Director

Interests – Reading, community, and being a dance mom (not like on tv).
Favorite books – Currently recommending Joy Ellis series Jackman & Evans: police procedural set in the English fens.

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