Senior Center Announces May News and Events
Apr 29, 2021 06:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson
Bellingham Senior Center
Diabetes Prevention
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program are currently enrolling for spring classes. These classes will be offered in both a virtual, and an in-person environment. The virtual classes will meet via either Zoom or conference call; the in-person classes will meet at the YMCA and will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) protocols for group gatherings/meetings. Previous classes resulted in an average weight loss among participants of 7% or more, during the year-long program.
BIRDERS NEWSLETTER—If you’re interested in birds—or want to be—then here’s an easy and interesting way to join in. Frank McMahon and Leslie Glover, who ran the popular Backyard Birders program at the Senior Center before COVID-19, now offer daily e-mails. They cover all kinds of birds, including crows, goldfinches, sparrows, starlings and woodpeckers. Also addressed are subjects about bird activity, such as bird-feeder dominance, nesting behavior and migration patterns. At the moment, 28 people are receiving the daily emails. If you’d like to know more, or become the 29th, then email Frank at [email protected].
LUNCH PROGRAM—The lunch program will continue through June thanks to a grant the COA received. Lunches are $2.00 for Bellingham seniors ($8 for seniors from out of town) and are available three days a week. Call the Center at 508-966-0398 to reserve your lunch.
SENIOR SAFE—Fireman Brad Kwatcher returns to the Center with Senior Safe on Monday, May 3, at 12 PM. Call ahead since space is very limited.
MEDICAID MYTHS — Attorney Paula Nedder presents Five Myths About Medicaid and Nursing Home Coverage on Thursday, May 6, at 4pm. via Zoom.To participate, email [email protected] for the link.
Note: Please see clarification regarding Nedder’s last program on page 15.
COA BOARD MEETING—Tuesday, May 11, 11:30am—12:30pm. The meeting will be held in person. David Dunbar is our new board member.
SHINE — You can make a telephone appointment to speak with SHINE representative Jean Roy, who will be available on May 12 and May 26. Appointments are 45 minutes long and are scheduled between 9am and 12 PM. Please reserve your appointment by calling 508-966-0398 or emailing Jean at [email protected].
BOOK CLUB — For May, the book club will read and discuss Trial by Fire by Scott James. This book is about the nightclub fire in Rhode Island and it has gotten great reviews. Join us for the discussion via Zoom on Tuesday, May 25, at 6 PM.
COA DRIVE-BY-LUNCHES — Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 11:30—12:30 PM. They are provided by Dinner and Company Catering. Please reserve your lunch by calling the Senior Center. (Cost for non-Bellingham residents is $8.)
BESG DRIVE-BY-BBQ — Thursdays, 4—6 PM, at the Senior Center. Bellingham Elder Service Group (BESG) brings back these popular weekly meals beginning Thursday, May 13. “I have been looking forward to starting our Drive-by-BBQ and have missed seeing you all!” said BESG President Bill Eltzroth. “Please mark your calendars because we will light up the BBQ and serve some great meals.”
OTHER REOPENINGS
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program are currently enrolling for spring classes. These classes will be offered in both a virtual, and an in-person environment. The virtual classes will meet via either Zoom or conference call; the in-person classes will meet at the YMCA and will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) protocols for group gatherings/meetings. Previous classes resulted in an average weight loss among participants of 7% or more, during the year-long program.
This program is designed to support adults with prediabetes in reducing their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. This is accomplished through 25 sessions that follow a CDCP-approved curriculum. In a welcoming, small-group environment, participants work together with a Y-USA trained Lifestyle Coach to learn about eating more healthfully and increasing their physical activity. This program may be covered by Medicare Part B and some Medicare Advantage Providers.
To enroll in a class, please email Program Coordinator Donna Higgins at [email protected] or call 508-643-5271 to be screened for eligibility and have questions answered. Research by the National Institutes of Health has shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by 71% in adults over age 60.
BIRDERS NEWSLETTER—If you’re interested in birds—or want to be—then here’s an easy and interesting way to join in. Frank McMahon and Leslie Glover, who ran the popular Backyard Birders program at the Senior Center before COVID-19, now offer daily e-mails. They cover all kinds of birds, including crows, goldfinches, sparrows, starlings and woodpeckers. Also addressed are subjects about bird activity, such as bird-feeder dominance, nesting behavior and migration patterns. At the moment, 28 people are receiving the daily emails. If you’d like to know more, or become the 29th, then email Frank at [email protected].
LUNCH PROGRAM—The lunch program will continue through June thanks to a grant the COA received. Lunches are $2.00 for Bellingham seniors ($8 for seniors from out of town) and are available three days a week. Call the Center at 508-966-0398 to reserve your lunch.
SENIOR SAFE—Fireman Brad Kwatcher returns to the Center with Senior Safe on Monday, May 3, at 12 PM. Call ahead since space is very limited.
MEDICAID MYTHS — Attorney Paula Nedder presents Five Myths About Medicaid and Nursing Home Coverage on Thursday, May 6, at 4pm. via Zoom.To participate, email [email protected] for the link.
Note: Please see clarification regarding Nedder’s last program on page 15.
COA BOARD MEETING—Tuesday, May 11, 11:30am—12:30pm. The meeting will be held in person. David Dunbar is our new board member.
SHINE — You can make a telephone appointment to speak with SHINE representative Jean Roy, who will be available on May 12 and May 26. Appointments are 45 minutes long and are scheduled between 9am and 12 PM. Please reserve your appointment by calling 508-966-0398 or emailing Jean at [email protected].
BOOK CLUB — For May, the book club will read and discuss Trial by Fire by Scott James. This book is about the nightclub fire in Rhode Island and it has gotten great reviews. Join us for the discussion via Zoom on Tuesday, May 25, at 6 PM.
COA DRIVE-BY-LUNCHES — Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 11:30—12:30 PM. They are provided by Dinner and Company Catering. Please reserve your lunch by calling the Senior Center. (Cost for non-Bellingham residents is $8.)
BESG DRIVE-BY-BBQ — Thursdays, 4—6 PM, at the Senior Center. Bellingham Elder Service Group (BESG) brings back these popular weekly meals beginning Thursday, May 13. “I have been looking forward to starting our Drive-by-BBQ and have missed seeing you all!” said BESG President Bill Eltzroth. “Please mark your calendars because we will light up the BBQ and serve some great meals.”
Menu items will be similar to last year’s: hot dog—$5 or two for $7; hamburger—$6 or two for $9; cheeseburger—$6 or two for $9; add a hot dog to a burger or cheeseburger for $2; specialty sandwich, $7. All meals come with chips, drink and dessert.
Please make reservations on the Tuesday before the BBQ by calling the Senior Center at 508-966-0398. Please mention any additional items you’d like to see on our menu in the future.OTHER REOPENINGS
Small-scale bingo and billiards are back this month. For bingo, we can accommodate 24 people in the room—each with their own TV tray—to ensure safe spacing. Three sessions per week will be held on Wednesdays, 12:30—1:30pm and 2:30—3:30pm, and Thursdays, 12:30—1:30pm. Billiards will be available daily in two sessions: 8—11:30AM and 12:30—4PM. Four people only per session.
