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The Spirit of Bellingham

 

40 Blackstone Street ● Bellingham, MA 02019 ● Phone: 508-966-0398 ● Fax: 508-966-5843

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8am-4pm ● Friday 8am-3pm

Josie Dutil, Executive Director ● This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ● www.bellinghamma.org

 

Free Wi-Fi

 

Just about 53 years ago, Bill and Barbara went on a blind date in California. They were together for one week, and decided to get married.

"And they thought it wouldn’t last," noted Bill Eltzroth with a knowing grin.

Bill was in the U.S. Navy, stationed aboard a tanker ship on the west coast. He was born in Indiana. Barbara was born in Bellingham and was visiting California.

Bill: "Being married is a 24/7 job. We have learned to agree to disagree about some things. We’ve had our ups and downs."

Barbara: "Activities together are good. But you need separate activities, too." So, among other things, she spends time as an organist at a local Bellingham church.

Both serve on the board of Bellingham Elder Services Group (BESG) – Bill as President and Barbara as a member of the Board of Directors. "We’re pretty much on the same page about the Senior Center," says Bill.

— continued on page two

 

Council on Aging Newsletter

July 2018

 

JULY SPOTLIGHT: Bill & Barbara Eltzroth

BESG Pres and Board Member work well together

 

Avoid becoming a victim of a new Medicare card scam.

Please see page eight.

 

‘Tis the season for these guys to walk among us. They like young and old, human and animal. Some things to do to protect yourself are on page four.

July 2018 Senior Center: (508) 966-0398 Page 2

Celebrate!

Bill & Barbara Eltzroth (cont’d. from page one)

BESG is a tax-exempt, fund-raising organization formed to help support the Senior Center beyond the municipal budget. It currently has more than one thousand members. Bill is going into his fourth year as president; Barbara has been on the board since 2009 and pulled Bill into the organi-zation. "He didn’t think he was a ‘senior’ and was reluctant to get involved," explains Barbara.

"A man couldn’t ask for a better board than the one we have… it is a working board… everybody pitches in," says Bill. BESG puts on trips to locations including Maine and Pennsylvania to visit in-teresting places to shop, eat, and sight-see. They also run the popular trips to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.

Each month, BESG hosts a Birthday Celebration (which often attracts 60 and more seniors; see photo above, left). Folks, 90 and older, with a birthday in that month are invited to the luncheon free of charge. A few attendees over the years have hit the 100-year-old mark, or more.

BESG members pay dues of $5 per year. Along with generous individual cash and other donations throughout the year, the total contribution to the Senior Center is substantial. The COA which actu-ally runs the Center is funded by the Town of Bellingham, and also receives money from the state and grants from various organizations.

Bill spent much of his working life driving tanker trucks and hauling chemicals across the eastern U.S. Barbara spent 37 years working at different banks in Bellingham and grew up near the Baptist church in the center of town.

They’re planning a vacation to the Bahamas in November (Bill’s favorite spot; Barbara’s is Las Ve-gas). Over the years, they’re rented motor homes, flew and cruised by ship to visit interesting spots. "We’ve done a lot," says Bill, "If we had the money, then we went."

BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

BESG members Jeannette and Vernon Gross. Join us the last Thursday of every month for the Birthday Celebration Lunch.

Let’s celebrate the arrival of the new Ex-ecutive Director of the Senior Center!

Josie Dutil comes to us from the Hockomock Area YMCA where she was the Director of Health and Wellness in Franklin.

Her first day at the Sen-ior Center was June 18. Drop in… introduce yourself… wish her well!

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Summer treat. Oh, deer.

Council on Aging

Our mission is to provide support and leadership to our senior community through advocacy and by implementing educational, nutritional, recreational and wellness programs to meet their needs.

508-966-0398 ● Our next public Board Meeting will be held on, Tuesday, September 11.

COA Officers and Board Members

Chair: Kay Page, Vice-Chair: Betty Willey, Treasurer: Tina Tyler, Board Member: Tsune Roberts

HAPPY JULY 4th!

Summer is here, the 4th is upon us, everyone is making plans for vacations and we at the

Senior Center are welcoming our new Executive Director, Josie Dutil (see photo on page two). It is really good to have a director in place and we are looking forward to getting to know her and working with her! Welcome Josie!

Plans are being made for golf lessons for the woman's golf league and we are eager for the fun and camaraderie to begin. If you are interested, please sign up at the front desk at the Senior Center.

The COA Board will not be meeting in July and August----be back in September!

Once again we ask you to keep the Craft Fair (Nov.3) in mind when cleaning out attics, garages or basements. We have a "like new room" and can use items. We cannot accept clothing, shoes, sheets, blankets or appliances. Please call the Senior Center and make arrange-ments to bring the items.

Remember, the COA is the eyes and ears of the senior community. If you have any suggestions or comments, please call the Center and leave a message.

Have a fun, safe summer!!

Thank you,

Kay Page, Chair

WATERGATE SALAD

1 CAN (20 oz.) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

1 PKG (3/4 oz.) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding

1 CUP JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows

1/2 CUP chopped Planters Pecans

1+1/2 Cups thawed Cool Whip Topping

Combine first four ingredients in a large bowl

Stir in Cool Whip

Refrigerate 1 hour.

ENJOY! (Our thanks to Betty Willey for this summertime recipe.)

Idiot Sighting

"I live in a semi-rural area.

We recently had a new neigh-bor call the local town adminis-trative office to request the re-moval of the DEER CROSS-ING sign on our road.

The reason: Too many deer are being hit by cars. I don’t think this is a good place for them to be crossing."

July 2018 Senior Center: (508) 966-0398 Page 4

Things to do in July… and a word about ticks.

MOHEGAN SUN

Thursday, July 19, 7:45am—5pm

Bring your lucky charm and climb aboard for this day trip which includes a chance to win a free trip. $22 per person includes food and one free bet. Sign up at the front desk before July 9.

BACKYARD BIRDERS

Thursday, July 19, 10:30am

Back by popular demand, Frank and Leslie return to the Senior Center to talk about birding and answer your questions.

WEDNESDAY LUNCHES

Every Wednesday, beginning 7/11, through August

Stop by the Senior Center and join us for lunch! Noon to 1pm. $2 gets you an entrée and bever-age. Menu will vary and will include chili, "Dynamites", lasagna, American Chop Suey, and more. Please sign up at the front desk on Monday for the Wednesday lunch.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Wear a hat outdoors and light colored clothing so ticks can easily be spotted.

Use insect repellants.

Check skin and clothing for ticks daily.

Immediately remove ticks using fine-tipped tweezers.

Wash and dry clothes using the "hot" settings to kill any ticks present.

If you develop symptoms of diseases spread from the bites of ticks

(or mosquitos), please seek medical attention promptly.

CLASSICS FIVE JAZZ QUINTET

Tuesday, July 31, 7pm

The Classics Five Jazz Quintet was founded three years ago with the sole purpose of playing the best music of the American Songbook stylis-tically with jazz improvisation. $7 per person; please sign up by Monday, 7/23.

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Mark Your Calendar

August 16

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

All aboard! Rail and Sail in Essex, CT, to see beau-tiful countryside by train and boat as you cruise the Connecticut River. 9am—5pm. $90 per person.

September 20

Casino Trip to Foxwoods

And then there’s Foxwoods! Bus leaves at 7:45am and returns at 5pm. $22 per person.

October 11

Foliage Turkey Train Tour

Enjoy a scenic drive to Meredith, NH, and then board the Winnipesaukee Turkey Train through the countryside and enjoy a full turkey dinner. 9:30am—7:30pm $89 per person.

November 9

"JESUS"

Three days and two nights in the Amish countryside of Pennsylvania, plus an amazing production of "Jesus." Call for details.

Call the Center for more info: (508) 966-0398

Looking ahead...

Activities

CANDLEPIN BOWLING

Join the fun every Tuesday at the Ryan Center on Route 109 in Millis. 9am

$9 and the bowling shoes are free.

WOMEN’S WISDOM GROUP

Thursdays, 7/5 & 7/19 at 1pm

Come and discuss life issues pertinent to your well-being. Share experiences. Meet new friends.

MEN’S GROUP

Wednesdays at 10am ● Free

Join us for coffee and conversation.

Senior Center: (508) 966-0398

SENIOR SAFE

Thursday, July 19 at 10am

Brad Kwatcher, Safe Coordinator for the Bellingham Fire Department, will be at the Senior Center to discuss issues related to the safety of town elders. Future topics will include hoarding and fall prevention.

ANGELA WEST CONCERT

NEW DATE: Tuesday, July 24 ● 7pm ● $5

Famed country and western singer Angela West comes to the Senior Center for a concert. More than just C&W, she offers a full range of styles and likes to include audience members in the singing. Reserve your spot today.

MONDAYS — Chair Exercise

10:30 am with Beth Coehlo $3

This class is great for those looking for a basic fit-ness class to improve endurance, vitality, range of motion, increased circulation, and strength.

WEDNESDAYS — Motion to Music FREE

11:30 a.m. This fitness class will get you bopping to some fun music from the fifties and sixties right up through today’s favorites. Various dances and moves are taught though this is a low-impact class with lots of laughs included. The class includes those that have walkers and canes who can exercise sitting while the others are the conga line.

THURSDAYS — Yogalates

10:00 am with Kay Thomas $5

This class is offered to a wide range of yoga enthusi-asts. Stretching, strengthening, and improving body alignment are incorporated. Pilates focuses on core stability to maintain a balanced and aligned body that looks fit, feels revitalized, and moves with ease.

July 2018 Senior Center: (508) 966-0398 Page 6

Bill Eltzroth, President ● Jim Fitzpatrick, Vice President ● Susan Wilkins, Secretary ●

Ray Conklin, Treasurer ● Jeanne LeBlanc, Assistant Treasurer ● Gail Milgram, Sunshine Lady ●

Board Members: Bill Barrette, John Hogan, Louis LeBlanc, Barbara Eltzroth, Tom Donnelly,

Eva Gamache & Rita Tetrault

The BESG office is located at the Municipal Center. Please call either the Senior Center at

508-966-0398 or the Town Hall at 508-657-2715 for specific dates and times.

BESG News & Events

Greetings!

First of all, I would like to thank everybody who selflessly helps the BESG with all the projects we have going on. We had our yard sale last month, and thanks again to all the volunteers who donated and helped out. We’re planning now for the fall yard sale… please keep us in mind for donations!

At our board meeting, we held elections of officers for the upcoming year. I was again elected President and want to thank everybody for their support and confidence in me. Jim Fitzpatrick was elected VP; Susan Wilkins, secretary; Ray Conklin, treasurer; Jeannie LaBlanc, assistant treasurer; and Gail Milgram, sunshine lady.

Everyone enjoyed the cookout last month and we look forward to our lunch and meeting on July 10th (baked, stuffed chicken breast is on the menu) and the monthly birthday party on July 26th (boneless spare ribs). Please sign up early so we have an accurate headcount for our caterers.

BESG recently made donations to the Quilters for materials they need and to Franklin Rehab for furnishing the cakes for our birthday parties over the past few years.

"Welcome!" to the new executive director of the Senior Center – Josie Dutil. We will have a "meet and greet" soon so please watch for the date and time. We have had two Red Sox tickets donated to us so take a chance on winning them at the Front Desk. They’re for the afternoon of July 15th, they are box seats, and they are worth $156 each. Drawing 7/10 at the luncheon.

Thanks for putting up with me! Join us... use the form below… BESG is the "Heart and Soul" of the senior community.

Bill Eltzroth, President BESG

MEMBERSHIP DUES/DONATIONS FORM

Name __________________________________ Address _____________________________________________

Town __________________________________ State/Zip ___________________________________________

Phone _________________________________ EMAIL: _____________________________________________

Annual Membership Dues: $5. For non-Bellingham residents: $6.50.

Donations are gratefully accepted and will be acknowledged in the monthly newsletter. If you’re making a donation, then please describe it below:

Bring this form and your check to the front desk at the Senior Center or mail to 40 Blackstone St, Bellingham, MA 02019. Thank You!

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Outreach by Sheila

Are you aware that we are probably the last generation to have manners? Who know how to engage in face-to-face conversation with good diction and vocabulary?

Have you tried to engage your grandchildren in any meaningful discussions lately? When you can get them to take their faces out of their phones, they may not know how to have a meaningful discussion with you.

One of my dad’s favorite expressions was "we suffer from improvements". Don’t we ever! Just think, when you were growing up you learned proper table manners, how to eat properly, how to engage others in polite conversation, how to use your voice properly when speaking, and most importantly, not to speak without thinking first. Today, it is all so different. Our grandchildren need to learn how to effectively communicate and behave with us, and we have to learn to relate to them effectively.

To that end, we have engaged in more intergenerational programs. If you came to the Senior Prom last month, you learned how special these teens are. This intergenerational program provides fun for both sets of seniors. We look forward to having more programs that will encourage communication between the generations. The upcoming Strawberry and Blueberry Festivals are opportunities for you to bring your grandchildren to share the occasion.

And in September, we’re planning "A Very Cool Walk in Nature." Here’s another multi-generational event to include your grandchildren, create a journal and share observations about your time together.

We have an opportunity at this juncture to expand the programs that the Center offers. Your input in the growth of our center programming is very valuable.

Enjoy your summer! Stay cool and comfortable and remember, if it is a very hot day and you do not have AC, come to the cool Senior Center… bring your lunch and relax.

SHINE

The SHINE (Serving the Health In-surance Needs of Everyone) Program pro-vides free health insurance information and counseling to all Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. People who have Medicare or who are about to be-come eligible for Medicare, can meet with a counselor to learn about benefits and options available. A counselor will review programs that help people with limited income to pay health care costs.

Jean Roy is the SHINE counselor for the Bellingham Senior Center and ready to help you. She will be available to meet with you on Wednesdays: 7/11 and 7/25, at noon. Contact the Senior Center at (508) 966-0398 to schedule an appoint-ment.

VA NEWS: Vets scammed

VA LOANS SCAM: Offers to refinance VA loans at extremely low rates.

UPDATE YOUR FILE SCAM: An imposter, claiming to be from a government agency, attempts to get a veteran's person-al information to "update their file" so they can maintain their benefits.

SECRET VETERAN BENEFITS SCAM: Veterans are told they qualify for "secret" government programs or benefits that offer thousands of dollars -- but first, they attempt to collect personal information or a fee.

PENSION POACHING SCAM: Scammers often offer veterans lump sum payments up front, in exchange for signing over all their future monthly benefit checks.

AID AND ATTENDANCE SCAM: Veterans (or family mem-bers) receive an offer to move their assets into a living trust so that they can qualify for financial assisted-living benefits.

Veterans Service Officer Bob Greenhalgh 774-292-2437

July 2018 Senior Center: (508) 966-0398 Page 8

Services

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC

Mon., July 2 at 10am-12pm ● Free

Bellingham’s Public Health Nurse will be taking free blood pressure readings at the Senior Center. No appointment is necessary.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Thurs., July 5 & July 26 at 11:15am ● Free

Join with others who have experienced a similar loss. Funded by a state grant Administered by Massachusetts Association for Councils on Aging and Senior Center Directors. Please call 508-966-0398 to sign up.

LEGAL CONSULTATIONS

Wed., July 18, 2-4pm ● Free

Attorney Daniel T. Doyle is available by appointment for free legal consultations. To schedule your free 15-minute consultation, sign up at the front desk or call the Senior Center at 508-966-0398.

SAFE NEEDLE DISPOSAL OPTIONS

You may use the large collection container stationed inside near the front door of the Senior Center. Needles, syringes and sharps MUST BE IN A STURDY CONTAINER that is water and puncture proof (such as a coffee can or smaller bleach or detergent bottle) and marked with the universal biohazard warning symbol. Please, No Plastic Bags or Loose Needles! See the front desk if you require a container.

SUPPORTIVE DAY PROGRAM

Mon.-Wed. from 9am - 3pm ● $35/day

Members can spend as little as one, or up to three days per week, in this program. Healthy 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 Program Coordinator, Olivia Mathieu, at 508-657-2711, with any questions.

A free trial day is available.

Thank you...

Please remember to sign up at the front desk, or call 508-966-0398. The Senior Center makes decisions regarding the scheduling of programs and services based on the number of attendees who have signed up.

Avoid Becoming a Victim of a New

Medicare Card Scam

By April of next year, everyone eligible will have a new Medicare card. The plan is to reduce erroneous and fraudulent claims by randomly generating new card numbers.

In the meantime, scammers are plac-ing phone calls to folks telling them that they need a temporary Medicare card until their new one arrives in the mail.

First of all, no one from Medicare will call you on the phone about this. Secondly, you DO NOT NEED a temporary card.

To report a scam, contact the Massa-chusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program at 800-892-0890. You can visit www.medicare.gov to check on the latest up-dates and distribution of new Medicare cards.

… to the Bellingham Housing Authority for its continuing contributions to the welfare of Belling-ham’s seniors.

… to Panera Bread, Whole Foods, BJ’s and Food Pantry for generously providing baked goods to the Senior Center .

… to our newsletter advertisers for their continu-ing support of our monthly publication.

… to Sheila Ronkin for her donation in memory of Nancy Delfino.

… to the Corriveau family for sponsoring the third annual Veteran’s Tribute Dinner. About 100 attend-ed and $1,675 was raised for veterans.

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Monday	Tuesday		Wednesday	Thursday		Friday
2 8am-4pm: Billiards 9:00am: Knitters/Quilters 9:30am: Chair Volleyball 10am-12pm: Blood Pressure Clinic 10:30am: Chair Exercise 1pm: Poker 1pm: Conv. Italian	3 8am - 4pm: Billiards 8am: Guitar 9am Bowling at Ryan Center 10am: Basic Yoga 1pm: Pitch 1:30pm The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes		4 HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! SENIOR CENTER WILL BE CLOSED.	5 8am-4pm: Billiards 10am: Yogalates 10:30am TRIAD 11:15am: Bereavement Support 1pm: Women’s Wisdom Group 1pm: Mahjong		6 8am - 12pm: Billiards 9am: Cribbage 9:30am: Zumba/Core 12pm: Canasta 1pm: Tai Chi
9 8am-4pm: Billiards 9:00am: Knitters/Quilters 9:30am: Chair Volleyball 10:30am: Chair Exercise 1pm: Poker 1pm: Conv. Italian	10 8am - 4pm: Billiards 8am: Guitar 9am Bowling at Ryan Center 10am: Basic Yoga 12pm: BESG Lunch/Meeting 1pm: Pitch 1:30pm The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes		11 9am: Bridge 9am-noon: SHINE 10am: Men’s Group 10am: Wire Wrap Jewelery 10:30am Chorus 11:30am: Motion to Music 1pm-4pm: Billiards 1pm: Bingo 1-3:30pm Art Anyone Can Paint "Ebb Tide"	12 8am-4pm: Billiards 10am: Yogalates 10:30am: Highlights of the 1960s - Deaths of RFK and MLK. 1pm: Mahjong		13 8am - 12pm: Billiards 9am: Cribbage 9:30am: Zumba/Core 12pm: Canasta 1:30pm: Tai Chi
16 8am-4pm: Billiards 9:00am: Knitters/Quilters 9:30am Chair Volleyball 10:30am: Chair Exercise 1pm: Poker 1pm: Conv. Italian	17 8am - 4pm: Billiards 8am: Guitar 9am Bowling at Ryan Center 1pm: Pitch 1:30pm The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes		18 9am: Bridge 10am: Men’s Group 10:30am Chorus 11:30am: Motion to Music 1pm: Bingo 1-3:30pm Art Anyone Can Paint "Ebb Tide" 2pm-4pm Legal Consultations 1pm-4pm: Billiards	19 7:45am Trip to Mohegan Sun 8am-4pm: Billiards 10am Senior SAFE 10am: Yogalates 10-:30am Backyard Birders 11:15am: Bereavement Support 1pm: Women’s Wisdom Group 1pm: Mahjong		20 8am - 12pm: Billiards 9am: Cribbage 9:30am: Zumba/Core 12pm: Canasta 1:30pm: Tai Chi
23 8am-4pm: Billiards 9:00am: Knitters/Quilters 9:30am: Chair Volleyball 10:30am: Chair Exercise 1pm: Poker 1pm: Conv. Italian	24 8am - 4pm: Billiards 8am: Guitar 9am Bowling 10am: Basic Yoga 11:30am—1:30pm Lunch Bunch 1pm: Pitch 1:30pm The Barbarian Empires of the Steppes 7pm Angela West Concert (New date)		25 9am: Bridge 9am-noon: SHINE 10am: Men’s Group 10am: Wire Wrap Jewelery 10:30am Chorus 11:30am: Motion to Music 1pm-4pm: Billiards 1pm: Bingo	26 8am-4pm: Billiards 10am: Yogalates 11:15am: Bereavement Support 12pm: BESG Birthday Party 1pm: Mahjong		27 8am - 12pm: Billiards 9am: Cribbage 9:30am: Zumba/Core 12pm: Canasta 1:30pm: Tai Chi
30 8am-4pm: Billiards 9:00am: Knitters/Quilters 9:30am: Chair Volleyball 10:30am: Chair Exercise 1pm: Poker 1pm: Conv. Italian		31 8am - 4pm: Billiards 8am: Guitar 9am Bowling at Ryan 10am: Basic Yoga 1pm: Pitch 1:30pm The Barbarian Empires 7pm: Classics Five Jazz Quintet			NEW PROGRAMS ARE IN BOLD.