Bellingham Senior Center: July News, Activities & Events
Jun 28, 2021 06:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson
Bellingham Senior Center
Celebrate America
On July 15, the Bellingham Elder Service Group will provide a tasty meal catered by Chef du Jour, entertainment, decorations, a huge holiday cake, and maybe a short speech or two (emphasis on “short”).Included on the Celebrate America menu will be BBQ chicken, potato or fruit salad, drink, and dessert. Reservations are required by Monday, July 12, and space is limited to 80 people. Fully-vaccinated diners don’t need to wear masks or to social distance. Indoor dining may be available. Call 508-966-0398 to reserve your spot. Cost is $7/pp.
“We love to see the smiles on everybody’s faces at these cookouts,” explained BESG President Bill Eltzroth.
Every Thursday, the BESG (with Bill at the grill) provides a cook-out from 4 to 6 pm. The menu varies, and the prices range from $5 to $9 per person. “My daughter, Mitzy, and I go shopping every Wednesday at BJ’s and Restaurant Depot,” said Eltzroth. “So far, we’ve never run out of food.”
BESG Annual Yard Sale
The Bellingham Elder Service Group’s (BESG’s) annual Yard Sale, cancelled last year because of the pandemic, is returning this year bigger and better! Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 18, 8AM–1PM. Admission is free.
“We’re now accepting donations,” reported BESG Board Member Eva Gamache. “If you’re organizing your house, and you see items you don’t want anymore, as long as they’re clean and functional, we want them.”
Simply bring your donations to the Senior Center at 40 Blackstone St. and leave them for storage; please call 508-966-0398 and notify us that you’re coming.
Craft Fair 2021
Another annual event cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic is the annual Craft Fair hosted by the Bellingham Council on Aging. The Craft Fair will return this year on Saturday, November 6. At this early date, the COA is looking for volunteers, vendors, and sponsors. “We’re eager to hear from people and businesses who want to pitch in and help,” said COA Chair Kay Page. “In 2019, the Craft Fair had about 500 visitors and 31 vendors,” noted Page. “Craft items on sale ranged in price from $10 to $40. We are all ready to celebrate this year!”At the upcoming Fair you will find antiques, jewelry, soaps, knitted items, and some great ideas for Christmas gifts. You will also enjoy music and entertainment from “Polka Paul,” food, and raffles. Polka Paul Belanger ‘makes our day,’” said Page. “You see people dancing and smiling.”
To find out more about being a vendor or volunteering to work in the kitchen, making gift baskets, selling raffle tickets or just helping out on the day of the Fair, please contact Kay Page by calling the Senior Center at 508-966-0398.
Senior Lunch Program
The lunch program will be discontinued in July and August; plans are to resume in September. “I do want to thank the restaurants for providing the delicious, nutritious meals and those that donated funds to the program to make this happen, said COA Chair Kay Page.From the Council on Aging
There will be no COA Board meeting in July. We will be back in August.COVID UPDATE — From the MA Councils on Aging (as of 6/10/21): 78% of Bellingham seniors 75 years plus are fully vaccinated, 88% have had one dose, 86% of those 65—74 have had both shots, and 95% have had one. If you haven’t gotten your vaccination yet, what are you waiting for?
Programs Gradually Resuming
Steadily and safely, the Senior Center is getting back to “normal,” with people coming back inside for group activities like bingo, billiards, and card games. Those who are vaccinated are not required to wear a masks; those who are not should mask up for your own protection. Billiards can be played weekdays, 8AM—4PM; bingo is offered at 1PM. Phone reservations are required, and Bellingham residents may do so seven days prior to the session they plan to attend. Card games are as follows: Poker, 1PM on Mondays; Pitch, 1PM on Tuesdays; Bridge, 8:30AM on Thursdays; Mahjong, 1PM on Thursdays; Cribbage, 9AM on Fridays; Canasta, 12 PM on Fridays. Chair Volleyball is held on Mondays at 9:30AM.Senior Safe is back with Lt. Brad Kwatcher in person at noon on Monday 7/19. This one’s about fall prevention. There will be more; check with the Center for the latest.
Insurance Q & AWilliam Bjerke of Fallon Health Insurance will be at the Senior Center on Thursday, July 22, from 11 AM to 12 PM, to answer your questions about Fallon Medicare PlusTM, the Medicare coverage offered by Fallon. Bierke will explain the program (whether you already have it or are looking to join). Reserve your spot by calling the Center at (508) 966-0398.
One-Stroke Calligraphy
Thousands around the world have applied one-stroke calligraphy and its healing effect to address all kinds of ailments and life challenges. Join us on Fridays at 2pm for a class with Grandmaster Teacher Hui Ling Lin. Classes are presented on Zoom and are free. For more information, please contact Mingming He at minitahe@ gmail.com or call the Senior Center.Need Transportation?
Call Leo Dalpe or Linda Drohan at 508-657-2709 for more information. Van drivers include Carl Malo, Kevin Knehr, Bob Dubois, Don Boucher, Paul Haggstrom, Michael Mullaney, Arthur Linnell, Ed Nugent, Bob Greenhalgh, and Jack Stuart.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JULY:
