Bellingham COA Announces October News and Events

TOP 5 “MUST SEE” PROGRAMS

• Alzheimer’s Effective Communication Strategies—Tues., October 3, at 4 pm
• Hot Topic: Healthcare Debate—Tues., Oct. 10, at 3 pm
• Musician Dan Hart—Thurs., Oct. 12, at 2 pm
• Russian Icons—Tues., Oct. 17, at 1:30 pm
• Halloween Party & Witches Presentation by Patricia Perry, Tues., Oct. 31 at 1:30 pm
Free Spotlight Event—SHINE Open Enrollment Presentations. Learn about the 2018 changes being made to Medicare—Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 9:30 am, and Thursday, Oct. 19, at 4 pm.

A LETTER FROM CAROLYN ROYCROFT, DIRECTOR

Hello Everyone,
I hope you’re all enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. We’re so lucky to live in New England during this pastoral season; the leaves are changing colors, the air is cool and crisp, football season is in full swing, and there are so many exciting events happening at the Senior Center!
Firstly, I hope everybody plans on attending this month’s Hot Topics with Larry Lowenthal on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 3 pm. He will discuss the healthcare debate. This is a free program!
On Thursday, October 12, at 2 pm, there will be a performance by musician Dan Hart. Dan plays a wide range of music from the 1920s to 70s. This is a free event!
Lastly, join us on Tuesday, October 31, for a spooktacular Halloween party! There will be desserts and beverages at 1:30pm followed by a performance on Witches by historical interpreter Patricia Perry, at 2pm. Halloween costumes are optional! This is a free event!
Please remember to sign up in advance for all programs at the front desk or by calling 508-966-0398. Also, please note that the Senior Center will begin its winter hours on Tuesday, October 31.
                        Sincerely,
                        Carolyn Roycroft

Bellingham Senior Center Fall Fair—Saturday, November 4, 9 am to 3 pm, at the Senior Center; featuring handmade crafts, food, baked goods, raffles, gift room and music by Polka Paul. Come enjoy the day with us. Donations are still being accepted and can be dropped off at the Senior Center.

Thank you---The following individuals made a monetary donation to the Bellingham COA Senior Center:
Mary C. Burr in memory of Howard Burr, Sr.;  Mary F. Patrick and family in memory of Kenneth Bogan; Richard S. & Denise Blair, Donna H. Donahue and Lawrence M. Chiccarelli, Gail M. Drysdale, E.T.& L. Corp., David Zazza and Lorraine P. Dennis in memory of Duke Farese.

Please note that the Senior Center will begin operating under its winter hours beginning on Tuesday, October 31. The Center will close at 4 pm on Tuesdays throughout the winter months. This will impact Tuesday evening programming, so please check the calendar to see which programs have been impacted.

CULTURAL & LEARNING PROGRAMMING

• Hot Topics: The Healthcare Debate—Tuesday, October 10, at 3 pm; $5. Larry Lowenthal will discuss the current healthcare debate.
• Musician Dan Hart—Thursday, October 12, at 2pm; free. Enjoy music by singer/guitarist Dan Heart, who plays a variety of music from the 1920s to the 70s!
• Russian Icons—Tuesday, October 17 at 1:30 pm; free. Enjoy an educational slide presentation on the history of Russian Icons with Dennis Sardella, Docent at the Museum of Russian Icons.
• Painting with Darrell—Wednesday, October 4, 11, 18 & 25, at 1 pm; $25 per person per painting. Darrell Crow will help experienced and beginner artists create a beautiful painting. Attend as many classes as needed until you’re finished.
• How to Make a Fleece Blanket—Thursday, Oct-ober 19, at 1 pm; free. Participants must bring two 2-yard pieces of fleece or a large kit to create their blanket.
• Halloween Party & “Witches” Presentation—Tuesday, October 31, at 1:30 pm; free. A Halloween Party with desserts and a performance about Witches by historical interpreter Patricia Perry.Costumes optional!
• Joy of Learning— Tuesday, October 3, 10, 17 and 24, at 6 pm; October 31* at 1:30pm; free. (*Note new time.) This educational and informational program explores the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire.

For all programs please be sure to sign up at the front desk or call 508-966-0398 to reserve your space today.

HEALTHY AGING PROGRAMMING

• ZENTANGLE—Tuesday, October 10, at 6:30 pm; $10 per person; supplies will be provided. Learn the relaxing and creative art of Zentangle. This will be the last class until spring. Partially sponsored by the Harvard/Pilgrim Foundation.
• EASY EXERCISE—Tuesday, October 3, 10, 17 & 24, at 4:30 pm; $5 for seniors (age 65+) and $10 for non-seniors. An exercise program to alleviate pain and discomfort from joint stiffness, injuries, and illness; it incorporates healing exercises from yoga, qigong and tai chi. The last class until the spring will be held on October 24.
• ALZHEIMER’S: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES—Tuesday, October 3, at 4 pm; free. Join us to explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s.
• WIRE WRAP JEWELRY CLASS—Tuesday, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, at 10 am; $10 per person. Attractive pieces made with gold or silver-plated wire. The class helps with manual dexterity for people with arthritis. Partially sponsored by the Harvard/Pilgrim Foundation.

DAILY PROGRAMMING

—Paid Programming—

• CHAIR EXERCISE—Mondays & Fridays at 10:30 am; $3 per class
• WIRE WRAP JEWELRY MAKING—Tuesdays, at 10 am; $10 per class
• BASIC YOGA—Tuesdays at 10:30 am; $3 per class
• ART WITH DARRELL—Wednesdays, at 1pm; $25 per painting
• YOGALATES—Thursdays, at 10 am; $5 per class
• ZUMBA/CORE—Fridays, at 9:30 am; $3 per class
• TAI CHI—Tuesdays at 5:45 pm; 10-class series for $150 or $17 per class drop-in fee. The last Tuesday evening class until spring will be held on October 24. Also on Fridays, at 1 pm; $5 for seniors (65+) and $10 for non-seniors.
• LINE DANCING—Beginners: Mondays, 1 pm, $2 per class; Advanced: Mondays, at 2 pm, $2 per class

    Please be sure to sign up at the front desk or call 508-966-0398 to reserve your space today.

—Free Programming—

• BILLIARD ROOM HOURS—Mon., 8 am-4 pm; Tues., 8 am-7 pm; Wed. & Thurs., 1 pm-4 pm; and Fri., 8am-12 pm.
• CHAIR VOLLEYBALL—Mondays, at 9:30 am
• POKER—Mondays, at 1 pm
• GUITAR—Tuesdays, at 8 am
• PITCH—Tuesdays, at 1 pm
• BRIDGE—Wednesdays at 9 am
• CHORUS—Wednesdays, at 10 am
• MOTION TO MUSIC—Wednesdays, at 11 am
• BINGO—Wednesdays, at 1 pm
• MAHJONG—Thursdays, at 1 pm
• CRIBBAGE—Fridays, at 9 am
• CANASTA—Fridays, at 12 pm

For all programs please be sure to sign up at the front desk or call 508-966-0398 to reserve your space today.

GROUPS & CLUBS

• QUILTERS & KNITTERS—Mondays,  9:30 am; free
• CONVERSATIONAL ITALIAN—Mondays, at             1:30pm; free
• MEN’S GROUP—Wednesdays, 10 am; free. Join         us for coffee, conversation and a joke or two.
• POOL LEAGUE—Thursdays, at 9 am-12 pm; free
• BELLINGHAM TRAVELING POOL TEAM—Matches are played on Thursdays, 10 am–12:30 pm, and take place through mid-November in Holliston, Framingham, Natick, Needham and Norwood. If you’re interested stop by the front desk or call 508-966-0398 to join.
• THE ANNUAL GIVING TREE—Join the Quilters and Knitters on Monday mornings to knit and crochet items for their Giving Tree. Those who would like to make items at home and donate them for the tree are welcome to do so.

    Our groups always welcome new members.
 

ELDER SERVICE GROUP NEWS & EVENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS—The Bellingham Elder Service Group (BESG) wishes to thank Virginia Rubrigi for her memorial for Aldo Rubrigi and John Brown, Jr. The BESG would like to thank Oakland Grove Healthcare Center for providing our dessert for the BESG lunch.

• BESG OCTOBER LUNCHEON—Tuesday, October 3, at 12 pm; $7 members and $10 non-members & late sign-ups. Turkey dinner catered by Mickey G. Please sign up before September 29.
• RED APPLE FARM & LABELLE WINERY TOUR w/ LUNCH AT THE OLD MILL RESTAURANT—Tuesday, October 24, at 8:30 am; $86 per person. Cider tasting and dumplings at Red Apple Farm followed by lunch at the Old Mill Restaurant. The day ends with a tour and wine tasting at LaBelle Winery.
• COA HOSTED BIRTHDAY PARTY SPONSORED BY THE BESG—Thursday, October 26, at 12 pm; $9 per person. Chicken Pot Pie catered by Mickey G.
• FALL CRAFT FAIR—Saturday, November 4, 9AM-3PM at the Senior Center. Featuring handmade crafts, food, baked goods, raffles, gift room; music by Polka Paul. Come enjoy the day. Donations are still being accepted and can be dropped off at the Senior Center.
• HAM & BEAN DINNER—Saturday, November 11,  5PM; $10 per person and $5 for children age 10 and under.
• MOHEGAN SUN TRIP—Thursday, November 16, 7:45 am–5 pm; $22 per person.
• CHRISTMAS TRIP TO LANCASTER, PA—December 8, 9 &10; single, $599; double, $439; triple $419. Visits to the Sight & Sound Theater for a presentation of “The Miracle of Christmas” and the National Christmas Center Family Attraction and Museum. Depart Friday AM and return Sunday PM.

Stop by the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398 to reserve your spot today! Our trips are open not only to seniors, but to anyone. Please think about joining us and supporting us. Information is available at the Senior Center.

SERVICES

• S.H.I.N.E.—October 3, 10, 17, 24, 25 & 31, at 9 am–12 pm; free. In Bellingham, SHINE representatives Judy and Leland Katz provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling on all aspects of health insurance to anyone on Medicare. By appointment only. Call 508-966-0398 and ask for a S.H.I.N.E. appointment at the Bellingham Senior Center.
• FLU SHOT CLINIC—DATE & TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED; free. Sign up at the front desk or call 508-966-0398.
• BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC—Monday, October 2, at 10 am–12 pm; free.
• Bellingham’s Public Health Nurse will be taking free blood pressure readings at the Senior Center. Sign up at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398.
• TRIAD—Thursday, October 5, at 11 am–12pm;   free. Sponsored by the District Attorney’s Office.This program explains what is going on within the senior community of Norfolk County and covers topics such as fraud and scam prevention. Sign up at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398.
• RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE—Saturday, October 7, at 9 am–2 pm; free. Donate blood to help those in need. One unit of blood can help three people! Open to everybody. Call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) to sign up. Walk-ins welcome.
• FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP—Tuesday, October 17, at 5–7 pm; free. Financial Advisor Gerald Loftin will discuss financial planning for retirement. Additional workshop dates to be determined. Sign up at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398. Gerald will also be at the Senior Center on Thursday, October 19, 10 am–12 pm for his free 30-minute financial consultation appointments. Call to sign up.
• BEAUTY SERVICES—Monday, October 23 , 9 am –12 pm. Men’s and women’s haircuts (no manicures). Please come with freshly washed hair. Sign up at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398.
• LEGAL CONSULTATIONS—Wednesday, October 25,  2–4 pm; free. Attorney Daniel T. Doyle is available by appointment for legal consultations. To schedule an appointment, sign up at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398.
• SUPPORTIVE DAY PROGRAM—Mondays–Fridays, 9 am–3 pm; $35/day. Members can spend one to five days per week in this program. Healthful snacks and lunch are included. Enjoyment, conversation and gentle exercise are part of each day. Transportation is available at no additional cost for residents. Please call the Supportive Day Program Coordinator, Olivia Mathieu, at 508-657-2711, with any questions.
• SAFE NEEDLE DISPOSAL OPTIONS—A large collection container is stationed at the inside front door of the Senior Center in which you may dispose of your needles, syringes and sharps. Items should be in a designated container marked with the universal biohazard warning symbol or in a sturdy container that is water- and puncture-proof, such as a coffee can or smaller bleach or detergent bottle.
• BELLINGHAM PROPERTY TAX WORK OFF PROGRAM—Earn up to $1,000 off your property taxes while helping the town of Bellingham. For more info, please call Nancy Champney at 508-657-2707.
• RMV NEAR ME—Senior citizens can receive assistance processing routine RMV transactions online with help from Senior Center Assistant Director Lisa Mottola. Please call Lisa at 508-657-2708 to schedule an appointment.
• GATRA TRANSPORTATION —If you are at least 60 years of age or a younger disabled resident, we provide rides both in town and within up to 10 miles in the surrounding area. For more information or to schedule a ride, call the Senior Center at 508-657-2709.
• BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP—Thursday, October 5 & 19, at 11:15 am; free. Join with others who have experienced a similar loss. This group is funded by a state grant administered by Massachusetts Association for Councils on Aging and Senior Center Directors. Please call the Center at 508-966-0398 and give your name and information.