“ The van is available for transportation to this event. East Bridgewater Council on Aging February 2015 East Bridgewater Council on Aging 355 Plymouth Street E. Bridgewater, MA 02333 Phone: 508-378-1610 Fax: 508-378-1611 Hours: Monday 8 am—6 pm Tuesday-Thursday 8 am—4 pm Friday 8 am—12 pm Council on Aging Staff: Nancy G. Hill Director S.H.I.N.E. Counselor (By appointment only) Susan L. Prendergast Activities Coordinator Newsletter Editor ur g yo n! n i r B ldre dchi n a r G Volume 39 Number 6 The Council on Aging presents….. The 6th Annual Intergenerational Winter Party!! Thursday, February 19th 11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. Pizza Party! Entertainment by... Jack Ryan, Magician Grandchildren are welcome and encouraged! Don’t want to bring the grandchildren? Come on your own! Pizza and fun for everyone! SIGN-UPS FOR EAST BRIDGEWATER SENIORS WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd. Out-of-town seniors may sign up beginning Monday, February 9th. Seating is limited! So that there is enough pizza for all, reservations must be made and paid for by Friday, February 13th. Cost: $3.00 per person / $15.00 family maximum The van is available for seniors needing transportation to this event. Please call the COA if you need a ride. Kelley A. Long Client Services Coordinator S.H.I.N.E. Counselor (By appointment only) Jack Sullivan Gerry Voss Van Drivers Council on Aging Members: Thank you! Many thanks to Repubic Services for their generous monetary donation to the COA in December which was used to put on a fabulous New Year’s Eve-Eve Party on December 30th. We had a delicious Italian Buffet from Johnny Macaroni’s and great entertainment provided by Roger Tincknell. A fantastic time was had by all. Thank you Republic Services! Robert P. DiFazio Chair Robert Ringuette Treasurer Beverly A. Fanning Denise Clifford Susan Muir Secretary Eileen McNulty Helen Bomar Virginia Yafrate Jul Homer Associate Member Please contact Dianne Kennedy-Warkel, Rental Coordinator for The Center at Sachem Rock, if you are interested in renting the facility. You may leave a message for Dianne by calling the COA at (508) 378-1610. In this issue: Upcoming Events Movie Days/February office schedule 3 4 Calendar of Events Circuit Breaker Info/Comp. Workshops/Fuel Assistance 5 6 Senior Lunch Menu 7 Community Events 8 2 EBCOA Office: 508-378-1610 East Bridgewater Council on Aging Mission Statement: The East Bridgewater Council on Aging serves older persons, disabled persons of all ages and their caregivers, and others in need of services and referrals. Programs that enhance dignity, support independence and encourage general wellness are developed, coordinated and promoted to meet the needs of these individuals. Rescheduled! New England Burials at Sea LLC Presents…. Ash Scatterings and Full Body Burials at Sea Monday, February 9th 1:00—2:15 p.m. (followed by Q&A) New England Burials At Sea LLC is the largest east coast provider for customized ash scattering memorials and full body burials at sea events in the USA. Based in Marshfield Hills, MA, the company operates year round from Maine to Miami and on the east and west coast serving all faiths with personalized and affordable services. Recommended and approved by most funeral homes. Properly insured, USCG licensed, uses over fifty one different vessels for up to 400 people (some vintage yachts dating back to 1935) that are clean & current with the latest safety gear. Attorney Lee Gifford from Haufler Law Associates will also be on hand to answer any legal questions you may have regarding burials at sea. As seen in the Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal, WCVB-TV5 program Chronicle, NESN News, SHOWTIME, Wall Street Journal, FOX News, Mother Jones, WIRED Magazine and more. Please call the COA to sign up and/or if you need a ride. Valentine’s Day Party! Tuesday, February 10th 12:00 p.m. $2.50 (donation for lunch) Join us for a delicious lunch of Baked Chicken Quarter with Supreme Sauce, Whipped Potatoes, Green Beans & Waxed Beans, Whole Wheat Bread & Brownie. After lunch, we are sure to be thoroughly entertained, once again, by Tom Madden. Tom performed at our Ice Cream Social back in July and he was also one of the very talented members of the band Java Jive from our Christmas Party in December. Join us for what is sure to be a great afternoon! Call the COA to sign up and/or if you need a ride. ** If you are signed up for this event and find that you cannot make it, please call the COA to let us know. There is a waiting list. S.H.I.N.E. COUNSELORS AVAILABLE Monday—Friday @ The Center Please call the COA for an appointment The Health Benefits of Chocolate Monday, February 23rd 10:30am—11:30am Sweet news about chocolate! Calling all “chocoholics”! Chocolate may lower cholesterol levels, prevent memory decline, reduce heart disease risk and prevent stroke. Learn more about the potential health benefits of chocolate, the history of chocolate and enjoy some chocolate samples courtesy of Fedele’s Chocolates! Presented by Hilary Troia, Director of Community Relations, Home Instead Senior Care and Fedele’s Chocolates. Please call the COA to sign-up for this presentation. Will you be the next Jeopardy Champion? Jeopardy!! Thursday, February 26th at 10:30am Exercise your brain a little and have some fun in the process. Join us for a game of Jeopardy sponsored by Sachem Center for Health and Rehabilitation. Why not stick around for lunch? Lunch is served at noon. See the menu on Page 7 to see what’s cooking! Call the COA to sign up for lunch and Jeopardy. NaviCare Presentation Thursday, February 12th @ 1:00 p.m. What can NaviCare HMO SNP or NaviCare SCO do for me? Does a one-package insurance plan seem too good to be true? Medical coverage, prescription coverage and social services combined into one—with no plan premium and no copayments? Well, it does exist—NaviCare Provides it all! NaviCare could be right for you if you are 65 or older, live in the plan’s service area and have MassHealth Standard and Medicare, or just MassHealth standard. Please join us to lean how you can benefit from our very special program. There will be a drawing after the presentation. Presented by Olivia Botelho, Outreach Coordinator of Fallon Community Health Plan. Please call the COA to sign up. 3 EBCOA Office: 508-378-1610 New Clinic Hours Crystal Condon, R.N., will be at The Center on Mondays from 9:00am—11:30am and Wednesdays from 10:30am—1:00pm. Crystal will provide seniors with blood pressure and blood sugar screenings and answer your general health questions. So, when you’re here for Coffee Hour, Whist, Lunch, Line Dancing, Crocheting, Computer Workshops, Mah Jongg or Zumba, stop by for a screening! No appointment necessary Matter of Balance ~8 Week Program~ Thursday, March 5th—Thursday, April 30th 1:30pm—3:30pm This program is geared to older adults who experience the fear of falling. This program will meet weekly for two hours over the course of an eight week period. It will cover the following themes: Setting realistic goals for increasing activity; Changing the environment to reduce the risk of falling; and Exercising to increase strength and balance. For more information, please contact Donna-Marie Forand (Health Living Programs) at Old Colony Elder Services 508 -584-1561. Please call the COA to sign up and/or if you need a ride. CPR—Monday, March 23rd @ 10:00am First Aid—Monday, March 30th @ 10:00am The Council on Aging will be holding an American Heart Association CPR and/or First Aid class open to citizens of the community. Come learn and receive Heartsaver level certification for CPR and/or First Aid. Learn how to perform CPR and use an AED, what to do if someone is choking, how to respond to other emergencies such as, controlling bleeding, recognizing heart attacks, seizures and other sudden illnesses. Make sure you and your family have the skills and confidence to act in an emergency until help arrives. The CPR class will run approximately 3 hours. We will break at noon for those who would like to sign up for lunch. The class will continue after lunch. Participants will leave certified in CPR. There is an $8 charge for the CPR certification card. Class instruction provided by Lt. Keith McCartney of the East Bridgewater Fire Department. Call the COA to sign up for either or both classes. 2014 INCOME TAX PREPARATION FOR SENIORS February 3, 10, 17 & 24 March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, April 7 & 14 8:20 a.m.—11:40 a.m. ~ By appointment only ~ Call the EBCOA to schedule an appointment Joe Benson from Joseph Benson Tax Services will, again, be preparing taxes for seniors at the East Bridgewater Council on Aging on Tuesdays (by appointment) for a fee of $25. Joe has been preparing taxes on the South Shore since 1999 and provides trusted, professional, and courteous service to every client. Feel free to call Joe @ 781-588-5764 to set up an alternate day/time for your convenience. IPad Workshop Wednesday, March 4th 10:00-12:00 Did you get an IPad for Christmas? Do you wonder what to do with it sometimes? Now is you chance to get those questions answered! Join Jackie Pinto for an IPad workshop! Bring your own IPad! Sign up today! Call the COA to sign up for this workshop. Class size is limited to 15 VETERANS SCAM ALERT! A Veteran was recently called by someone identifying themselves as calling from the "Veterans Choice Card," asking for a current credit card number to "reserve funds" for an upcoming appointment. Please note and advise Veterans that the VA never initiates contact with Veterans by telephone, email, or text message, or through social media channels, to request personal or financial information, including credit card, debit card or prepaid card information, social security numbers, PINs, passwords or similar confidential information for banks or other financial accounts. Scammers may be aggressive and claim that that YOU the Veteran may lose benefits if YOU do not provide the information. They may contact YOU, the Veteran, multiple times. They may spoof a VA number on caller ID to make it appear that it's the VA calling. Regardless, always remember that the VA never initiates contact with Veterans by telephone, email, or text message, or through social media channels, to request personal or financial information. If YOU, as a veteran, get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the VA asking for personal or financial information, YOU should hang up and call your primary care clinic directly if you have questions about your care & to report the incident. State Representative Geoffrey G. Diehl will be at the Town Hall on Monday, February 23rd at 5:00pm6:00pm. The Representative looks forward to hearing from you and relaying your concerns to Beacon Hill. For an appointment at the district office located at 529 Washington Street, Whitman, please feel free to contact the Representative directly @ 1-617-722-2425 ext. 6326. EBCOA Office: 508-378-1610 4 If I Stay (PG-13) 2014 Thursday, February 5th @ 1:00 pm Mia Hall (Chloë Grace Moretz) thought the hardest decision she would ever face would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow a different path to be with the love of her life, Adam (Jamie Blackley). But what should have been a carefree family drive changes everything in an instant, and now her own life hangs in the balance. Caught between life and death for one revealing day, Mia has only one decision left, which will not only decide her future but her ultimate fate. "If I Stay" is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic elements and some sexual material. 1 hr. 46 min. The Hundred Foot Journey (PG) 2014 Thursday, February 23rd @ 1:00 pm The famous chef at a three-star French restaurant reluctantly begins mentoring an Indian boy whose family owns a rival establishment in the neighborhood. Rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic elements, some violence, language and some sensuality. 2 hr. 2 min. Until Daylight Savings Time begins, we will show all movies at 1:00 pm. Please call the office if you would like to attend either movie and/or need a ride. Office Hours The EBCOA office will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of President’s Day. Dial-a-Bat will not be running that day, as well. Please remember to schedule your Dial-a-BAT rides by 10:00 a.m. on the preceding business day. Wednesday Van Trips: (Pick ups begin at 8:30 am on all Wednesday trips.) The van will no longer stop for lunch Wacky Wednesday~ 2/4 Walmart/Halifax ~ 2/11 *National Wholesale Warehouse ~ 2/18 Hanover Mall ~ 2/25 *National Wholesale Warehouse opened in November and is located in Weymouth. Great value and savings on everything from household items, clothing, groceries, and more. Friends of Seniors The Friends of Seniors will meet on Thursday, February 12th @ 9:00am at The Center. All are welcome. The Elaine Sullivan William Tardie Jack Sullivan Isabelle Kirshkaln February 4 February 11 February 20 February 27 If you would like to be included in our monthly birthday listing, please contact the COA office with your name and birthday. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Monday, February 9th (Second Monday of the Month for February only) 3:00pm—4:00pm @ The Center (Please note new time.) Walking Club has hung up their sneakers for the winter. As soon as weather conditions allow, they’ll be back! Senior Citizens Club The Senior Citizens Club will not be meeting in January and February. See you all in March!! Be sure to follow us on FACEBOOK ~ search for “East Bridgewater Council on Aging” and click “Like” at top of page. EBCOA Office: 508-378-1610 Monday Tuesday FEBRUARY 2015 Wednesday 5 Thursday Friday Podiatry Clinic 2 8:00am — 1:00pm Call Dr. Derosier for an appt. 508-946-1444 Coffee Hour 9am Clinic 9:00-11:30 Whist 10am Senior Lunch 12pm Melodians 1pm Food Pantry @ St. John’s 3:00-6:00pm Tax Prep 8:20 3 (by appt.) Chair Yoga 9am Errand Van 9am Back Alley Bridge 10:30 Left, Right, Center 10:30 Senior Lunch 12pm Busy Hands 1pm Wacky Wednesday 4 @ Trucchi’s 8:30am Line Dancing 10am Crocheting 10am Clinic 10:30-1:00 Comp. Workshop 10-1pm Mah Jongg 12pm Zumba Gold 1pm Shopper’s Van 5 Pick-ups begin @ 8:15am S.A.L.T. Council 9:30 Yoga 10am Senior Lunch 12pm Movie: If I Stay 1pm Tai Chi/Chi Kung 1:30pm Bowling Coffee Hour 9am 9 Clinic 9:00-11:30 Whist 10am Senior Lunch 12pm N.E. Burials at Sea 1pm Bereavement Group 3pm Selectmen’s Mtg 6:30pm Tax Prep 8:20 10 (by appt.) Chair Yoga 9am Errand Van 9am Back Alley Bridge 10:30 Left, Right, Center 10:30 Valentine’s Party 12pm Busy Hands 1pm Walmart/Halifax 11 Line Dancing 10am Crocheting 10am Clinic 10:30-1:00 Comp. Workshop 10-1pm Mah Jongg 12pm Food Pantry @ Union Cong. 12:30-2:00pm Zumba Gold 1pm Shopper’s Van 12 Pick-ups begin @ 8:15am Friends of Seniors 9am Yoga 10am Senior Lunch 12pm NaviCare Presentation 1pm Tai Chi/Chi Kung 1:30pm Bowling 9am 13 @ Viking Cribbage 8:30am Crisfit 10am 8:20 17 (by appt.) Chair Yoga 9am Errand Van 9am Back Alley Bridge 10:30 Left, Right, Center 10:30 Senior Lunch 12pm Busy Hands 1pm National Wholesale 18 Warehouse 8:30am Line Dancing 10am Crocheting 10am Clinic 10:30-1:00 Comp. Workshop 10-1pm Mah Jongg 12pm Zumba Gold 1pm Shopper’s Van 19 Pick-ups begin @ 8:15am Yoga 10am Winter Party 11am No Senior Lunch 12pm Tai Chi/Chi Kung 1:30pm Bowling 9am 20 @ Viking Cribbage 8:30am Crisfit 10am Tax Prep 8:20 24 (by appt.) Chair Yoga 9am Errand Van 9am Back Alley Bridge 10:30 Left, Right, Center 10:30 Senior Lunch 12pm Busy Hands 1pm Hanover Mall 25 Line Dancing 10am Crocheting 10am Clinic 10:30-1:00 Comp. Workshop 10-1pm Mah Jongg 12pm Zumba Gold 1pm Shopper’s Van 26 Pick-ups begin @ 8:15am Yoga 10am Jeopardy! 10:30 Senior Lunch 12pm Movie: The Hundred Foot Journey 1pm No Tai Chi/Chi Kung Bowling 9am 27 @ Viking Cribbage 8:30am Crisfit 10am 16 Tax Prep Holiday Office Closed @ Viking Cribbage Crisfit 9am 6 8:30am 10am Food Pantry @ St. John’s 3:00-4:30pm Coffee Hour 9am 23 Clinic 9:00-11:30 Whist 10am Health Benefits of Chocolate 10:30 Senior Lunch 12pm Rep. Diehl @ Town Hall 5:00-6:00 Selectmen’s Mtg 6:30pm Inclement Weather Policy On days that school is cancelled, all activities at the EBCOA are cancelled and the Senior Luncheon is also cancelled. The COA staff will make every reasonable attempt to come to the office during severe weather conditions, however, the COA Office will close if the Town Hall closes. Food Pantry @ 28 Union Cong. 9:30-11 United Methodist Church 54 North Central Street Wed., Feb. 11th—Community Meal @ 5:30pm (This meal is provided by Sachem Nursing & Rehabilitation Center) Wed. Feb. 25th—Community Meal @ 5:30pm The dinners are free but donations are graciously accepted. All are Welcome 6 EBCOA Office: 508-378-1610 ~New Workshop starting in February~ PCs for the Novice This workshop is for people who consider themselves a Novice in the PC world. The course has five modules. Take only the Modules that you want. Bring your Laptop or Tablet. Module 1—PC overview Module 2—How to get help on your device and on Microsoft's web site Module 3—How to use input devices Module 4—Storing your Data Module 5—Managing your data. Workshops are 45 minutes long and will have no more than three participants in a session. Please contact the COA to sign up for the course of your choice. Fuel Assistance & S.N.A.P. Appointments The EBCOA is assisting residents of any age with fuel assistance applications. Contact Kelley Long at the EBCOA for an appointment and for a list of documentation needed. Fuel Assistance ends on April 30, 2015. S.N.A.P. (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) applications can be filed at any time. Please contact Kelley Long at the EBCOA for an appointment or with any questions you may have. COMPUTER WORKSHOPS By Richard Stanton ~ Wednesdays at The Center ~ 10:00-11:00; 11:00-12:00; 12:00-1:00 Workshops are 45 minutes long and will have no more than three participants in a session. We ask that you only sign up for one session per day to allow room for others to participate. Please call the COA to sign up for the course of your choice. PC (Personal Computer) Fundamentals: Become familiar with Windows on a personal computer. Start the PC, start an application, practice with mouse, then shut down PC. Advanced PC Use: Increase understanding of Windows. Path and Folder use, Single and Multi select in the windows explorer, Use Drag and Drop, perform backup. Internet Basics: Safe Browsing, Navigation and Handling of E-Mail, Use an attachment, Search the Web. Advanced Internet: Get started with a Browser, Choose and register with on-line service provided, Create and Send E-Mail. Basics of Budgeting with Excel/Calc: Start excel or Calc; Open and Edit using existing workbook, save changes. Budget with Excel/Calc Advanced Features: Edit Basic Budget using advanced features. Basics of Digital Photos on the PC: Learn to retrieve, organize, edit and Print Digital Photos. Advanced Digital Photo Management: Editing Photos—retrieve photos using Pact Bridge. iTunes for Digital Music/Video: Use iTunes to retrieve and organize your music. Create your own CD or download play-lists to your MP3 player. Editing MP3 Files: Download free editing software to edit MP3 music. Add and Remove Software: Find, download and install free software. Remove unwanted programs. Ease of Access: Improve computer access for physically challenged. Online Education: Find computer based Learning CourseWare and take a lesson. Senior Homeowners & Renters! YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR CASH or CREDIT FROM THE STATE IF YOU PAY RENT OR PROPERTY TAXES The Massachusetts “CIRCUIT BREAKER” TAX PROGRAM is for persons 65 or over whose property taxes (or 25% of rent) exceed 10% of their annual income and who meet other qualifying criteria. You may be eligible even if you receive a property tax exemption through your city/town. If you meet certain requirements, you may be eligible for the refundable tax credit or “Circuit Breaker” now and for the past three years - even if you did not file Massachusetts state income tax forms. You may file for the 2014 tax year beginning in January 2015 and may file retroactively for the last 3 years. The maximum credit you may receive for tax year 2014 is $1050, 2013 is $1030, 2012 is $1000 and for 2011 is $980. Seniors must meet the following guidelines to qualify for the refund or credit 1. Age 65 or over by the end of the tax year for which you are filing 2. Income: includes Social Security, and other income not ordinarily taxed in Massachusetts Income for tax year: 2011 2012 2013___2014_ Single 52,000 53,000 55,000 56,000 Head of household 65,000 67,000 69,000 70,000 Married, filing jointly 78,000 80,000 82,000 84,000 3. Residency: Own or rent residential property in Massachusetts (primary residence) Subsidized renters are not eligible. 4. Assessed valuation of home (must not be greater than) For tax year: 2011—$729,000; 2012—$705,000; 2013—$700,000; 2014—$691,000 5. 10% rule: For Owners: Amount by which property tax (plus 50% of water and sewer fees when not in property tax bill) exceeds 10% income, up to the maximum. For Renters: Amount by which 25% of annual rental payments exceed 10% of total income, up to the maximum. The law assumes that 25% of rent goes toward property tax. Even if you don’t normally file with the state, if you meet the above criteria you are most likely due a “refund” check/tax credit from the Dept. of Revenue. If you have an accountant, ask him/her for help with this year and /or previous years. *Deadline for 2011 filing is April 15, 2015. Call the Mass. Department of Revenue for more information and/or forms for the past 3 years. Mass. Dept. of Revenue – Customer Service: 1-617-887-6367 or online at https://wfb.dor.state.ma.us/webfile/wsi/ EBCOA Office: 508-378-1610 Senior Lunches at The Center Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 12:00 pm $2.50 (suggested donation) All meals are served to you —not buffet style Please call the COA with your reservations, for the week, by the previous Tuesday @ 4:00 pm. Transportation will be provided on Tuesdays only. The COA is no longer able to provide van transportation on Mondays. If the van is available for a special event being held on a Monday, it will be noted in the newsletter. If you wish to take Dial-a-Bat to or from the COA, please call us at least 24 hours in advance so that we may schedule a ride for you. We apologize for any inconvenience. 7 8 East Bridgewater Council on Aging Newsletter ~ FEBRUARY 2015 Quilt Raffle! The Anne Kenneally Hynes Memorial Scholarship Committee is proud and humbled to have received a beautiful handmade quilt, sewn with love, which will be raffled in the Spring to benefit the scholarship fund. The sewers, some of whom are former staff members of EBHS, have expressed their feelings and other details better than we ever could. Please see their statement to the right of the photo. Tickets are available from Ginny O’Kelly (508-801-9582), Beth Hayes (774-281-0057), or by contacting the committee at [email protected]. Tickets are also available at the EBJSHS from Carrie Tucker, Jen LeMoine and Julia Sheehan. Ticket price: 1 for $2 or 3 for $5 Quilt measures 105” x 58” Ties That Bind From antiquity, the knot has symbolized bonds of respect, affection, and love. This quilt, Lover’s Knot, we feel is an apt metaphor for the many ways in which Anne was bound to her family, her friends, her colleagues, and her community. The blue of East Bridgewater High School represents Anne’s intellect and calm grace, the yellow her wisdom and good advice. The quilt is made of 100% cotton fabric, thread and batting. It was hand cut, machine pieced and machine quilted. The binding is hand sewn. The sewers and the quilter are also bound together in friendship and affection for Anne Hynes and all that she has meant to the East Bridgewater community. Pictured above (left to right) are Karen Hansen, Linda Smith, Helen Sawyer, Ann Marek & Janice Zellen. They are each holding a quilt that they made and donated to the V.A. Hospital in Brockton. They meet at the COA on Wednesdays with the Crocheting group. Disclaimer: References to any person, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the East Bridgewater Council on Aging or any of its employees. The East Bridgewater Council on Aging neither assumes any liability nor endorses ANY specific products or services provided by public or private organizations. All soliciting for advertisers for this publication was done by the printing company. The cost of mailing this newsletter is partially funded by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in Boston, Mass. To the home of: RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED East Bridgewater Council on Aging 355 Plymouth Street East Bridgewater, MA 02333 Phone: 508-378-1610 Fax: 508-378-1611 Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Permit No. 1 East Bridgewater, MA
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