Bellingham COA Announces September News & Events
Aug 29, 2014 10:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson
TRIAD Program–On Thursday, Sept. 4, 11 am, TRIAD invites you to join Joseph J. Canavan, Director of the Triad Division of the Norfolk Co. Sheriff’s Office and guest speaker John J. O’Connor, Jr., practicing attorney and retired U.S. Secret Service agent who served his 22-year career not only providing protective services, but also supervising and investigating a host of financial crimes, including counterfeiting, securities fraud, bank fraud and commercial/real estate fraud. He will offer his expert advice on various aspects of current identity theft scams. Find out more about other TRIAD Programs: the Yellow Dot ID, the Senior ID card, and Are U OK? Receive a free File of Life. Please call to register.
Fall for Fitness–During September, local seniors are invited to stop by the senior center and take a complimentary exercise class as a guest of the COA. Eligible classes include Basic Yoga, Chair Exercise, Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Combo Fitness, Yogalates, Basic Yoga, and Zumba/Core.
These activities normally cost $3—$5 per class and run ongoing as scheduled on the center’s monthly calendar. Meet our great instructors, try out one or all of our regular offerings, and enjoy the health and wellness benefits that an improved level of fitness can add to your life. Stop by the front desk or call for more information today.
Don’t Ignore Your Medicare Mail–If you have a Medicare prescription drug or advantage plan (HMO or PPO), you should receive information from them by the end of Sept. It’s important to understand and save this information because it explains the changes in your plan for 2015. During the annual open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) you will have a chance to change your plan for next year. Information about next year’s changes will be shared by our SHINE Counselors, Judy and Lee Katz, so plan to join us on Tuesday Oct. 28, 9:30–11:30 am.
Annual Craft Fair—The Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 9am–3pm. Our gift table at the Fair has always been a huge success and we are asking that if you have any new items to donate for our table, we will be happy to accept them at the senior center. Thanks in advance for your help.
Senior Center Month Celebration—On Thursday, Sept. 11, 4–6pm, the Bellingham senior center will celebrate the month with a panel discussion about the “power of stories.” The panel will consist of members of the Bellingham senior center. There will be a discussion, after which guests will be able to add their own stories and/or questions.
Pizza, dessert, and coffee, tea, and soda will be served. Please call 508-966-0398 to sign up by Sept. 10. A $2 suggested donation will be asked to reserve your place. All proceeds to be donated to the statewide (MCOA) senior center charity campaign to fight Alzheimer’s Disease, which will culminate in the Walk Against Alzheimer’s Disease in Worcester on Sept. 28.
Easy Walks–On Thursday, Sept. 18, 10:30am,and Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6pm, Marjorie Turner will introduce her book Easy Walks, including a slide show of what the walks actually look like. Her book includes the towns around Bellingham/Blackstone Valley. Lunch ($1) is available at 11:30. Sign up at the front desk, and make your lunch choice at the same time.
Monthly Birthday Party–Thursday, Sept. 25, 12pm. A pot roast buffet for $7/pp by Bossy’s Catering will be served. Event always includes birthday cake and ice cream, and everyone with a Sept. birthday will receive a gift. Reservations must be accompanied by payment; no refund for cancellations after Sept. 23. All residents 90+ are invited free, with a reservation, during their birthday month.
Annual COA Breakfast–All Bellingham residents at least 60 years of age are welcome to sign up for the yearly fall breakfast to be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, 9–11am. The menu includes juice, coffee, tea, eggs, pancakes, ham, sausage, and mini-muffins. This event is made possible by a generous gift from Evelyn & Bill Cummings and our many COA volunteers. Call 508-966-0398 for reservations or to request a ride.
COA News–The next COA meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1 pm. Learn more about the services and programs available here. Refreshments are served and an attendance prize is awarded.
The COA board and senior center staff congratulate the center’s quilters for their donation this year of quilts to benefit Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang (children cancer survivors). We are asking at this time that donations of cotton material be dropped off for this group’s ongoing dedicated commitment to this charity.
The COA invites all members (residents at least 60 years old) to try out the ongoing free programs, such as open art studio, motion to music, chair volleyball, guitar lessons, chorus, quilting, knitting, bridge, mahjong, canasta, digital camera lessons, and billiards.
Autumn Leaves Dinner Dance–Join us at the Medway VFW, 123 Holliston St., on Sept. 15, 11:30 am, for a sit-down roast pork dinner; $17pp. Sign up at the senior center or call 508-966-0398. This event is limited to the first 225 sign ups. (No refund for cancellations after Sept. 12.)
Bellingham in the 1800s–Join Marcia Crooks from Bellingham’s Historical Commission on Monday, Sept. 22, 11 am, for another segment in a terrific series about the history of Bellingham. This program is free and rides are available; call to sign up.
CORRECTIONS: There were two errors in Teri Borseti’s article on the last history chat: (1) Gordon Curtis and his brothers dug out a spring and it formed a pond, not Silver Lake; (2) Jeanne Kempton said that her grandfather, not her father, owned the store (Thayer’s).
Influenza Preparedness–Join Nurse Sarah on Thursday, Sept. 18, 10:30–11:30am, for a talk about hand washing and influenza preparedness. Sign-up in advance is encouraged; rides are available.
Strategies to Help Secure Your Future–Attend the five sessions of “Retirement: Strategies to Help Secure Your Future” to be held at the senior center on Tuesdays, 6–7:30 pm, on Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7. Whether you plan to retire 20 years from now or have just recently retired, the information you learn in this helpful class can deliver rewards throughout your lifetime. All attendees will receive a handy reference binder packed with reliable and trusted material. Presenter: Gerald Loftin, J.D., CFP®, AIF®, of Proficient Wealth Counselors, LLC.
DEA Ninth National Drug Take Back Day–Saturday, Sept. 27, 10am–2pm, at the senior center, to help people safely dispose of unwanted/unused prescription drugs and remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets. For more information, call Bellingham Police Det. John E. McLaughlin, 508-966-1212. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease– Alzheimer’s Disease is not a normal part of aging. On Tuesday, Oct. 7, 9:30–11am, the Alzheimer’s Association will provide information about the disease and related dementias, the benefits of early detection, causes and risk factors, treatment and services offered at the senior center. Call 1-800-272-3900 to sign up in advance.
Programs for Night Owls (Call 508-966-0398 for more info/to register.)
Fall for Fitness–During September, local seniors are invited to stop by the senior center and take a complimentary exercise class as a guest of the COA. Eligible classes include Basic Yoga, Chair Exercise, Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Combo Fitness, Yogalates, Basic Yoga, and Zumba/Core.
These activities normally cost $3—$5 per class and run ongoing as scheduled on the center’s monthly calendar. Meet our great instructors, try out one or all of our regular offerings, and enjoy the health and wellness benefits that an improved level of fitness can add to your life. Stop by the front desk or call for more information today.
Don’t Ignore Your Medicare Mail–If you have a Medicare prescription drug or advantage plan (HMO or PPO), you should receive information from them by the end of Sept. It’s important to understand and save this information because it explains the changes in your plan for 2015. During the annual open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) you will have a chance to change your plan for next year. Information about next year’s changes will be shared by our SHINE Counselors, Judy and Lee Katz, so plan to join us on Tuesday Oct. 28, 9:30–11:30 am.
Annual Craft Fair—The Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 9am–3pm. Our gift table at the Fair has always been a huge success and we are asking that if you have any new items to donate for our table, we will be happy to accept them at the senior center. Thanks in advance for your help.
Senior Center Month Celebration—On Thursday, Sept. 11, 4–6pm, the Bellingham senior center will celebrate the month with a panel discussion about the “power of stories.” The panel will consist of members of the Bellingham senior center. There will be a discussion, after which guests will be able to add their own stories and/or questions.
Pizza, dessert, and coffee, tea, and soda will be served. Please call 508-966-0398 to sign up by Sept. 10. A $2 suggested donation will be asked to reserve your place. All proceeds to be donated to the statewide (MCOA) senior center charity campaign to fight Alzheimer’s Disease, which will culminate in the Walk Against Alzheimer’s Disease in Worcester on Sept. 28.
Easy Walks–On Thursday, Sept. 18, 10:30am,and Tuesday, Sept. 23, 6pm, Marjorie Turner will introduce her book Easy Walks, including a slide show of what the walks actually look like. Her book includes the towns around Bellingham/Blackstone Valley. Lunch ($1) is available at 11:30. Sign up at the front desk, and make your lunch choice at the same time.
Monthly Birthday Party–Thursday, Sept. 25, 12pm. A pot roast buffet for $7/pp by Bossy’s Catering will be served. Event always includes birthday cake and ice cream, and everyone with a Sept. birthday will receive a gift. Reservations must be accompanied by payment; no refund for cancellations after Sept. 23. All residents 90+ are invited free, with a reservation, during their birthday month.
Annual COA Breakfast–All Bellingham residents at least 60 years of age are welcome to sign up for the yearly fall breakfast to be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, 9–11am. The menu includes juice, coffee, tea, eggs, pancakes, ham, sausage, and mini-muffins. This event is made possible by a generous gift from Evelyn & Bill Cummings and our many COA volunteers. Call 508-966-0398 for reservations or to request a ride.
COA News–The next COA meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1 pm. Learn more about the services and programs available here. Refreshments are served and an attendance prize is awarded.
The COA board and senior center staff congratulate the center’s quilters for their donation this year of quilts to benefit Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang (children cancer survivors). We are asking at this time that donations of cotton material be dropped off for this group’s ongoing dedicated commitment to this charity.
The COA invites all members (residents at least 60 years old) to try out the ongoing free programs, such as open art studio, motion to music, chair volleyball, guitar lessons, chorus, quilting, knitting, bridge, mahjong, canasta, digital camera lessons, and billiards.
Autumn Leaves Dinner Dance–Join us at the Medway VFW, 123 Holliston St., on Sept. 15, 11:30 am, for a sit-down roast pork dinner; $17pp. Sign up at the senior center or call 508-966-0398. This event is limited to the first 225 sign ups. (No refund for cancellations after Sept. 12.)
Bellingham in the 1800s–Join Marcia Crooks from Bellingham’s Historical Commission on Monday, Sept. 22, 11 am, for another segment in a terrific series about the history of Bellingham. This program is free and rides are available; call to sign up.
CORRECTIONS: There were two errors in Teri Borseti’s article on the last history chat: (1) Gordon Curtis and his brothers dug out a spring and it formed a pond, not Silver Lake; (2) Jeanne Kempton said that her grandfather, not her father, owned the store (Thayer’s).
Influenza Preparedness–Join Nurse Sarah on Thursday, Sept. 18, 10:30–11:30am, for a talk about hand washing and influenza preparedness. Sign-up in advance is encouraged; rides are available.
Strategies to Help Secure Your Future–Attend the five sessions of “Retirement: Strategies to Help Secure Your Future” to be held at the senior center on Tuesdays, 6–7:30 pm, on Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7. Whether you plan to retire 20 years from now or have just recently retired, the information you learn in this helpful class can deliver rewards throughout your lifetime. All attendees will receive a handy reference binder packed with reliable and trusted material. Presenter: Gerald Loftin, J.D., CFP®, AIF®, of Proficient Wealth Counselors, LLC.
DEA Ninth National Drug Take Back Day–Saturday, Sept. 27, 10am–2pm, at the senior center, to help people safely dispose of unwanted/unused prescription drugs and remove potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets. For more information, call Bellingham Police Det. John E. McLaughlin, 508-966-1212. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease– Alzheimer’s Disease is not a normal part of aging. On Tuesday, Oct. 7, 9:30–11am, the Alzheimer’s Association will provide information about the disease and related dementias, the benefits of early detection, causes and risk factors, treatment and services offered at the senior center. Call 1-800-272-3900 to sign up in advance.
Programs for Night Owls (Call 508-966-0398 for more info/to register.)
- Tue, Sept. 9: Cooking for One, 5 pm
- Tue, Sept. 9 & 23: Genealogy Workshops with Toni Picariello, 6:30–8pm.
- Yoga w/Susan Winters: Tuesdays, in Sept., 5:30–7pm; 90 min. class, $5.
- Tai Chi w/Jean Donnelly: Tuesdays in Sept., 7:15-8:15 pm. $5 for seniors per class; $10 for younger members. (Also on Fridays, 1 pm, same fee).
- Tuesday, Sept. 16: Movie, Veronica Mars, 6–8 pm. Free movie, free popcorn. Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica gets pulled back to her hometown, an ex-boyfriend with baggage, and an unraveling murder mystery. PG13 (108 min.)
