Wareham Senior Beacon –November 2008
Earth Thought:
“A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy.”
John Sawhill, Former President and CEO of the Nature Conservancy
The Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Autumn
Pictures:
Local grower, Paul Piscitelli, demonstrates harvest equipment.
A scene from this year’s cranberry harvest.
Cranberry Café bakers prepare tasty fall treats.
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November Highlights:
Flu Clinic
Living More With Less-
Alternative Holiday Giving
Men’s Luncheon
AT&T Cell Phone: 101 Encore
Nutrition Sense Makes Cents
Plymouth County Credit Program
Page two
Encore Cell Phone 101- Tuesday, November 25 at 1pm in Room 227
Lorna Ciavola and staff from AT&T will return to present a hands-on workshop to assist seniors in the use of cell technology. Cell phone basics include how to operate the phone, regulate volume/ring, voice mail, entering phone numbers, speed dial, battery charging and I.C.E.(incase of emergency) numbers, 911 calls, and hearing aid compatibility. Participants should bring their own cell phone and charger for individual assistance. Practice phones will also be available for participants who do not have cell phones. This is designed to be an informational workshop. If you missed this popular, free program in May, now is your chance to become techno savvy. Please sign up in Room #218.
Flu Clinic- Thursday, November 6 from 1:00-3:30pm
Sign up now for a free flu shot appointment in Room #218 in the Multi-Service Center. The flu shot registration form must be completed with a Medicare Card number for all seniors. The clinic will be held in the basement of the Town Hall.
Plymouth County Teacher’s Credit Union Program – Monday, November 10th in Room 3227
Plymouth County Teacher’s Credit Union is not just for teachers anymore! Wareham residents now may participate in the Credit Unions programs and services. Pamela Burns will be on hand to explain just how seniors may benefit from fuel assistance loans and other advantages. Sign up in Room #218 for this free, informational program.
Free Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors
Pick up your free preparedness guide and learn how to protect yourself and cope with an emergency or a disaster should it happen. This free booklet contains information you will need to follow the three important steps to keep you safe in the event an emergency or a disaster: Get a kit, Make a plan and Be informed. The American Red Cross and a group of Greater Rochester New York seniors partnered together to share this valuable information. Booklets are available in the COA office and in the Multi-Service Center.
Consider taking several booklets to share with homebound friends or neighbors.
Nutrition Sense Makes Cents - Tuesday, November 25th at 10:00am in the Cranberry Cafe
Sandee Fleet, from The Tremont Nursing Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, will present a nutrition program focused on eating well while stretching the food budget. Come and discover tips and recipes for tasty food that also saves you money.
Living More With Less: Alternative Gift Giving and Holiday Celebrations
Nov. 4th at 1pm in the Cafe
“ To live more simply is to live more purposefully and with a minimum of needless distraction, “ wrote author Duane Elgin. Alternative gift giving and holiday celebrations will be the topic of conversation on Tuesday, November 4th . The group will explore how to celebrate joyfully with less – wasting, eating, spending, and consumption of energy as well as how to give gifts that honor the earth. Participants are invited to share their wisdom and resources with each other.
“Senior Wisdom Tips”
Closing the gaps-look for places around the house where pipes and ducts penetrate walls or attic floors. These are chronic spots for heat loss, and they’re often easy to fix- just pack the gaps tightly with flexible insulation. Rolled towels can stop leaks under doors.
Holiday tips- Remember when family members used a napkin ring to hold their own reusable cloth napkin? Consider unearthing those old napkin rings and cloth napkins to use for this season. You’ll save on paper and have a very festive table. Consider switching to cloth for everyday and save even more.
Untarnished- Want to shine up the silverware for Thanksgiving without resorting to the petrochemicals in silver polish? Just boil a few strips of aluminum foil in a pan with baking soda and put the tableware in the simmering water. Presto- off comes the tarnish.
(Do you have additional tips to share? Please jot them down and give them to Jan in Room #208)
Sharing the Harvest for Seniors has been a wonderful program providing healthy, perishable fruits and vegetables for seniors from mid-June through mid-October. During peak weeks, more than 100 seniors received a share of the harvest. We appreciate the partnership between the South Shore Community Action Council and a partnership with local growers. Information on cooking and storing root vegetables is available in the Café. This program was funded by the state of Massachusetts.
Limited Tickets are available for two Tri-County Music Association presentations.
-Grainger, Gershwin & Gregson will be performed at the Old Rochester Regional High School on Sunday, February 1, 2009 at 3pm.
-Shall We Dance? will be performed at Tabor Academy on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3pm. Tickets are free to seniors and are available on a first come first served basis in Room #218.
Savvy Seniors
Lottery Scams – Tickets to Disaster
It’s tempting to respond to an offer to collect a large amount of money through sweepstakes, lottery or settlement that is assured to be already “yours.” All you need to do is send money in advance in order to collect.
IF YOU RECEIVE A TELEPHONE CALL, EMAIL, FAX OR LETTER NOTIFYING YOU OF YOUR WINNINGS, BE ON GUARD!
Lottery and sweepstakes scams come in many varieties and may originate from the U.S. or abroad, commonly from Spain, Jamaica, Africa, or Canada. The scam artists will try to convince you that you are a legitimate winner and, if you express doubts, will tell you that you would be a fool to pass up the opportunity. Take a pass! You may even receive a “real” check, or what appears to be a real check, with your name on it. This is most likely a scam. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Do not respond! Do not send money via wire service, personal check, or give out your bank account or credit card information. If you send money, the scammer will contact you again and ask for additional funds to cover unforeseen circumstances. Unscrupulous scammers have even said that additional fees were needed to cover the costs of storing the check because of a hurricane.
Be mindful of other kinds forms of fraud. Protect your identity, beware of investment opportunities that sound too good to be true, avoid charity scams – give wisely, and don’t get taken by an unscrupulous contractor. Make sure the contractor is registered with the state, has necessary permits and has a detailed, written contract for the job. Never pay too much money in advance (not more than 1/3 down).
If you suspect that you may have fallen prey to a scam or have questions, please contact the Attorney General’s office Elder Hotline at 1-888-243-5337.
Picture-
Line Dancers enjoy dancing for fun and exercise
We’re Going GREEN!
Bring your own mug to use for coffee/tea/water and save as many as 500 disposable paper or plastic cups a year.
* Paper cups will no longer be provided in the Café or at the congregate meal site. It’s good for the environment and saves money.
Men’s Luncheon
Wareham men will gather for lunch at 11:30am on Tuesday, November 18th in the Cranberry Café, Room 208 in the Multi-Service Center. Reservations for lunch must be made in advance with the nutrition program and will be served in the Cafe. The suggested donation is $2.00.
Low Vision Support Group meets on Monday, November 17th from 1:30-2:30pm.in the Cranberry Café Room 208. Visually impaired persons with glaucoma, diabetes, strokes, macular degeneration or other vision problems resulting in some loss of vision will benefit from this opportunity to receive information and support group. Non-sighted persons are also welcome to attend. Please sign up in Room #218.
The CCTV (closed circuit TV or reading machine) assists persons with low vision and is available for use in the Cranberry Café.
Rays of Sunshine group will meets Mondays from 9:30am-11:30am in the Cranberry Café to create seasonal remembrances for homebound seniors.
The Friend’s of Wareham’s Elderly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18tht at 10am in the Community Room. The Friend’s Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th at noon. Contact Paula Hatch at 508-295-0291 to send Sunshine cards to seniors needing get-well wishes, sympathy or other messages of encouragement.
Cup of the Bay Coffee is now being served daily in the Cranberry Cafe
Love the aroma of fresh ground coffee and the taste of coffee shop coffee? We grind and brew our very own Cup of the Bay coffee. Coffee (iced coffee too) and tea is available Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, beginning at 8:45am, Thursday at 9am and Friday at 9:30am in the Café. Please drop in and enjoy. A small donation will help cover costs.
Mug ‘N Muffin
9:00am - 10:00am
Drop in Thursdays for conversation and coffee or tea and the homemade muffin/scone, fruit, and crackers /cheese in the Cranberry Café. This is made possible by our wonderful team of faithful bakers. Thanks bakers!
GATRA Dial-A-Ride provides curb-to-curb transportation service for seniors and persons who qualify for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Call us at 508-291-3130 for questions, information or to schedule transportation. Please reserve transportation by noon the day before. Please be mindful of holidays. Free van passes are still available for persons who qualify.
Out of Town Transportation for Medical Appointments is now available until December 31st for eligible seniors needing emergency transportation assistance. Call Dial-A-Ride at 508-291-3130 for an application or for additional information.
Shopping Trips
Friday morning and afternoon shopping trips travel to Shaw’s or Stop and Shop. The cost is $1.25 each way or $10 for 10 ride passes. Please have exact change, as van drivers cannot make change.
Social Security assistance will be available on the third Wednesday of the month on the fifth level of the Multi-Service Center.
Transitional Assistance is available each Wednesday on the third level. Walk-ins are welcome.
Fuel Assistance begins on November 1, 2008 and continues through April 30, 2009. All applications are done by appointment only. Documentation proving identity, address, gross income, and most recent heating, electric and (Verizon only) telephone bills should be brought to the scheduled meeting. Homeowners must submit current mortgage statement, real estate tax bill and homeowners insurance. Renters need to submit a current copy of the signed lease Renters with Subsidized Housing Assistance and current income worksheet/tenant profile from the Housing Authority with lease contract. Call 508-291-3100 X 6502 to schedule an appointment.
S.H.I.N.E. (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) Counselor is available Friday mornings from 9am-noon by appointment only. Jean Purrier is the S.H.I.N.E. counselor for Wareham. Please call (508) 291-3130 to schedule an appointment.
Foot Care appointments are being scheduled for Wednesday, November 26th in the Health Clinic on the fifth level. The cost is $27 ($45 for in home visit.) Pedi-care cannot accept Medicare payments.
Immunizations (Pneumococcal, Tetanus, and Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D) are available at the Health Clinic each week at the Multi-Service Center now on Thursdays from 9-10am. The Health Clinic is located on level 5. Blood pressure checks and “Ask A Nurse” are available free of charge each week. Adult immunizations are available for a fee by appointment only by calling 1-800-631-3900.
Meals are served Monday through Friday at 11:30am (Thursday at 11:00am) in the Community Room for a suggested donation of $2.00. Come and try the new caterers, Lindley Food Services, and taste the new menu selections. Cheryl Johannessen is the Nutrition Manager. Please call her at 508-291-3100 X 6514 for a reservation. Volunteer route drivers are needed for Home Delivered Meals. Please contact Old Colony Elder Services or on-site nutrition program to volunteer.
Outreach Hours
Deborah Ramos, Outreach Coordinator, is available on Fridays. Please leave messages on her voice mail by calling 508-291-3100 X6534.
SERVE, the smart alternative to supermarket shopping, is at the Multi-Service Center each month. The next distribution day is Friday, November 21st from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Persons may sign up on Tuesday November 4th from, 4:00pm-4:30pm or Thursday, November 6th from9:30am-1:30pm in Room 218. . The family package is available for $25 (plus $1 for transportation). Participants volunteer 2 hours per month in the community or at the distribution site itself. Food stamp cards (EBT) will also be honored. Credit or debit cards may be used when placing an order on line by phoning SERVE. Stop in Room #218 for details.
ACTIVITIES and CLASSES
Reservations, tickets and payment for activities or events may be in Room # 218. (508-291-3100 X 3159)
Senior Boot Camp- M-F at 8:30- 9:15am. Fee: $2.00 per class
Aerobics – M,W,F at 9:30-10:45am. Fee: $3.00 per class
Senior Tai Chi –Fridays from 11am-11:45am. Fee $20/ 4 weeks
Line Dancing will be held on the first and fourth Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 9:30am-11:00am in Room 227. The cost for all line dancing classes will be $4.00 per class, payable at each class. Newcomers are welcome. Intermediate line dancing is now happening on Tuesdays from 9:30am-11:00am.
Square and Round Dance Classes- learn to square or round dance Fridays from 9:30am-11:30am. The first class is free. Additional classes cost $3.00 per week. Contact Betty at 508-295-1395 or Paul at 508-998-5937 for more information.
Sign up now for new classes/events beginning in November:
Computer Classes will resume with Mike in November. Please call 508-291-3159 for details.
Cribbage Players meet in the Cranberry Café, Room 208, Mondays at 10:00am. Newcomers are welcome.
Watercolor Painting - The 3 week class will meet Thursdays in November (except Thanksgiving Day) from 10:00am-noon. Kate Furler will teach the basics of painting with watercolor. Techniques are taught in the first hour of each session. Students do their own painting, with supervision, during the second hour of class. Participants are free to work on their own projects or to use the subjects provided for each painting session. Cost is $30 and must be paid for in advance. Class size is limited to 12 persons. Newcomers are welcome.
Picture of Anna Andrade
Anna Andrade Enjoys Senior Trip to the Apple Orchard
The Day Center
at Wareham Senior and Social Services
This adult supportive day program keeps seniors on the go; offering friends, activities and respite for caregivers Monday through Thursday at the Multi-Service Center. The program provides therapeutic and structured activities for persons with mild to moderate memory loss, medical issues needing support, depression, loss or isolation. Some of the activities include restaurant trips, picnics, pool, gentle yoga, life reminiscence workshops, baking, movies, travelogues, sing-a-longs, gardening, field trips and more. Continental breakfast, exercise, current events, conversation, creative activities, and healthy snacks are provided each day. Lunch and transportation (in Wareham) are included. Financial aid may be available for those who are eligible. Please call Day Center Director, Janet Smith-Rushton, at (508) 291-3100
X 6533 for more information about the program or to schedule a home visit.
Subscriptions to the Wareham Senior Beacon are available for $6.00 per year. Please send check made payable to the “Town of Wareham” to the Wareham Senior and Social Services, 48 Marion Road with your name, address, and phone number to receive your copy of the Beacon in the mail each month.
Highlights for December:
Japanese Cooking with Toshi – Dec. 1st
Men’s Luncheon- Dec. 2nd
Friend’s Christmas Party- Dec. 9th
Trip to Christmas Trees & Tea – Dec.
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