Sixty Plus News
Vol 38 Number 5
Christine Clish, Editor
NOVEMBER 2011
Linda Salisbury, Typesetter
MISSION STATEMENT: The Townsend Council on Aging is committed to the continued growth and well
being of our senior citizens by providing programs, education, information and referral services with a goal of
helping seniors achieve the best quality of life possible.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Join us on Monday, November 21, for Mark Lynch’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner in the Meeting Hall at
5:30 PM. There will be turkey, dressing, gravy, potatoes, squash, etc. as well as dessert, tea and coffee.
Sign up is a must, call the Senior Center by Monday, November 14th.
Dinners will be delivered to shut-ins as well. If you are, or know of a shut-in who could benefit by
receiving a meal, call the Senior Center and give your/their name (s) and addresses. Mark’s goal is to
make a Thanksgiving dinner for every senior in the town of Townsend. Help make this goal by signing
up soon!
Note: Anyone wishing to volunteer to help with/deliver meals will be warmly welcomed! Anyone wishing
to donate food or money or raffle items, may do so by contacting the Senior Center. 978-597-1710
Please ask for Chris.
Cribbage Tournament
The Senior Center will hold another Cribbage Tournament for area cribbage players on Thursday,
November 3rd beginning at 9:00 AM. Cost to enter is $5.00 and fee will be distributed to the winners.
No need to sign up. Just drop in. For information call Linda at the Senior Center– 978-597-1710.
Adult Grieving and Healing Support Group
Karen Campbell from Nashoba Nursing and Hospice will begin a support group for those dealing with the loss of a loved one.
It will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:00PM. You do not need to sign up in advance or be a resident of
Townsend to attend. Anyone is welcome. This program will be held in the Media Room at the Townsend Senior Center. You
may call 1-800-698-3307 X320 for more info.
This Newsletter is on the New Senior Center website at www.townsend.ma.us/seniors
Townsend Senior Center
16 Dudley Road
Townsend, MA 01469
Townsend Council on Aging
Mon.-Thurs. 9:00-3:00
Fri. 9-2
(978) 597-1710
Christine Clish,Director
Linda Salisbury,Program Coord.
Donna Howard,Lead Van Driver
YOGA with Patsy Brightman…
Yoga will begin again on November 4th at
9:00 AM. A 1 -1/4 hour session is $5.00.
Patsy is a very qualified Yoga instructor
and is also a registered nurse so if you
have concerns about Yoga and any
health conditions she will be happy to talk
to you. Contact Linda and she will get you
in touch with Patsy.
Coming in December…..
Flower Arranging Workshop with Dixie from The
Bronze Bell on December 6th. Come and make a
flower arrangement with evergreens to brighten up
your home during the colder weather. Cost is
$15.00 for supplies and instruction. Please sign up
by December 1st. 978-597-1710. No experience
necessary...lots of fun!
ARTS & CRAFTS DEMONSTRATION…. On Monday, November 7th, Diane Blankenburg will
demonstrate how to do “Wet Felting”. It is a fascinating technique that can be used for many things.
Her beautiful vase made with this technique can be seen at the Senior Center. If there is interest she will
teach a class at a later date. Please sign up in advance. Demo is from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM.
NOVEMBER ARTS & CRAFTS
The Watercolor Class that began in October continues on Thursdays, November 3rd, 10th and
17th from 10:30-12:00. Watercolor Painting will also be held on Monday afternoons from 1:303:00 on November 14th, 21st, and 28th. This is not a beginners class but is open to anyone who
has taken a class with Linda previously. Names are being taken for another beginner’s class.
Please let Linda know if you are interested.
On Wednesday, November 16th, Donna Miller and Diane Blankenburg will have a workshop to
make Christmas cards. Class will be held from 10:30-12:00.
Linda will teach a two week class in Polymer Clay on November 22nd and 29th from 10:00-12:00.
Project will be beads and a pendant. Cost is $ 8.00 and includes everything to make a necklace.
Jewelry Making will be held on November 30th at 10:00AM. Project will be Christmas Wreath
earrings. Cost is $ 4.00 for a pair of earrings.
Please note registration dates for all classes. In fairness to all, arts and crafts class registration will always
begin on the 1st of each month. Those that are on the waiting lists will have 1st preference when that class is
repeated. Since teachers must purchase supplies in advance, deadlines for registration must be strictly
adhered to.
FOR YOUR HEALTH….
On Friday, November 18th at 12:30PM, McNabb Pharmacy will be sponsoring an informational program for
women only about “Mastectomy”. There is no charge. Just drop in.
BOWLING….We have Bowling Outings on
Tuesdays at 1:00 PM at Mason Bowling Alley
in Leominster. Meet at the Senior Center at
12:30 if you want to carpool. Cost is $1.75 per
string. Everyone welcome!
Elder Legal Services Hotline (age 60 and older)…
phone number is 617-603-1776. If you get voicemail,
please leave name, telephone number and town and
your call will be returned within 2 business days.
Thank you
Special thanks to Stewart’s Florist for providing the
carnations for our Birthday Party each month. Thank
you to Hannaford Market for the donations of baked
goods every Monday and Wednesday. Thank you to
the donor of the $10.00 Bingo prize for each monthly
raffle. Thank you to Jim Gerry of Plantscape
Technology who takes care of our plants.
The Senior Center will be closed on
Friday, November 11th in observance of
Veteran’s Day.
A Tribute to Our Veterans…
It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter, who has
given us freedom of the press.
It is the SOLDIER, not the poet, who has
given us freedom of speech.
It is the SOLDIER, not the campus
organizers, who has given us the freedom
to demonstrate.
It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the flag,
who serves the flag, and whose coffin is
draped by the flag.
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Amen.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
NEW PROGRAM…
Spanish Lessons
Bess Coleman, a retired teacher, will be
offering Spanish lessons on Tuesdays at
1:00 PM beginning November 1st. The class
will cover conversational Spanish, culture,
and history. Bess will be teaching from the
book, “Magic Key to Spanish”, which
students will need to purchase. There is no
charge for the lessons.
“A Veteran is someone who, at one point in
his life, wrote a check made payable to ‘The
United States of America’ for an amount up
to and including my life.”
Genealogy Club with Dwight Fitch and
Bill Hubbard will be held in Meeting Hall
B on November 18th at 10:30. Join
anytime, no need to sign up. No Charge.
Drop-in Programs.. No need to Register in
Advance.
Qi Gong, Chair Exercise, Rummikub, Zumba
Gold, Grief Counseling Support Group,
Bingo, Cribbage, Birthday Party, Bridge,
Meditation, Line Dancing, Genealogy, Yoga.
Please check the calendar for dates and
times for these programs.
TOWNSEND ECUMENICAL OUTREACH
FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
TEO is our local food assistance program for those
Townsend residents needing a helping hand. Did you
know that TEO has a monthly food distribution
program? It is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
To apply for assistance, call Laurie at 978-597-2549
and she will send you an application.
If you are interested in re-starting the Bead Club,
please contact Linda. This is an informal time of
making jewelry, trading beads and sharing info.
It would meet on Tuesday afternoons.
The Council on Aging Board meets at the Senior
Center on November 14th at 7:00 PM.
Free COMPUTER Lessons
A volunteer will be here on Thursdays from 1:30-3:00PM to
help seniors who have questions about the computer. Harley,
a high school student from Hollis, NH will be available for 30
minute private or semi- private lessons in the computer room.
You may also bring a laptop if you prefer. If you want to learn
how to use the computer, this is a great opportunity. Sign up
in advance is a must. Please call or drop in to sign up for a
specific time and date. Please call Linda if you have any
questions. There is no charge.
Thank you to those who donated fabric for our Quilting
group.
Blood Pressure & Make-up Flu Shots
November 2nd from 1:00-3:00 in the Meeting
Hall with Nashoba Nursing Service. Open to the
public. Please bring your insurance card.
Blood pressures will be taken.
The SHINE Counselor will be at the Senior Center on
November 7th. Please call Chris to schedule an
appointment. 978-597-1710
Newsletter Distribution
The newsletter can be picked up at the following locations….
Hannaford Market
Townsend House
McNabb’s Pharmacy
Cliff’s Cafe
Pete’s Barber Shop
Atwood Acres
Old Brick Store
Hobart Village
Central Plaza Pizza
Nashoba Hospital
Dr. Sprague’s
Apple Valley Care Ctr.
Dr. Draper’s
Dr. Asher’s
Town Hall
T.E.O. Bayberry Hill
Townsend Public Library
all town churches
ROAD RUNNER BUS SCHEDULE
MONDAYS: IN TOWN-SENIOR CENTER; PHARMACIES; BANKS; HARBOR MALL:
TOWNSEND DOCTOR/ DENTISTS; HAIRDRESSERS/BARBER; ETC.
TUESDAYS: SHOPPING DAY: WALMART (LUNENBURG); DOLLAR TREE; MARKET
BASKET
WEDNESDAYS: IN TOWN-SENIOR CENTER; PHARMACIES; BANKS; HARBOR MALL; TOWNSEND
DOCTORS/DENTISTS; HAIRDRESSERS/BARBER; ETC.
THURSDAYS: MEDICAL TRIPS TO PEPPERELL; GROTON; AYER
FRIDAYS: MEDICAL TRIP TO FITCHBURG; LEOMINSTER; LUNENBURG
MAKE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9:00 AND 11:00 A.M.
FARES: $1.25 ONE WAY WITHIN TOWNSEND; BUS CARD $22.50
$1.75 ONE WAY OUTSIDE TOWNSEND; BUS CARD $31.50
Birthday Party
Join us at 1:00 PM on November 17th for cake and ice cream to celebrate October birthdays.
Everyone is welcome, no matter when your birthday is. Carnations, donated by Stewart’s
Florist, will be given to those with a birthday in November.
IMPORTANT NOTICE….
Help Needed….
Reservations are a must for those
wishing to attend the Senior Lunch
Program on Mondays or Wednesdays.
Call by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for
Wednesday’s lunch and by 10:00 a.m.
Friday for the following Monday lunch.
The number to call is 978-597-1710
Thank you for your co-operation.
We are looking for a Meals on Wheels driver for
Mondays. Time commitment is about 1 hour per
month. If you would like to volunteer in the
capacity, please call the senior center at 978-5971710.
Note: The Registry no longer sends
notification of driving license expirations.
Please check your license.
The Senior Center will be closed on
Thursday, November 25th and
Friday, November 25th for the
Thanksgiving holiday.
Thursday Cribbage Program Results
Sept. 15: Terri Russell and Peter Salisbury-361/
High Hand: Ed Jette-24
Sept. 22: Marcia MacMaster-363/High Hand:
Yvonne St. Hilaire & Pauline Bolduc-17
Sept. 29: Ed Jette & Anne Foresman-363/High
Hand: Don Jones-24
October 6: Marcia MacMaster-359/High Hand: Don
Jones-24
Townsend Council on Aging
16 Dudley Road
Townsend, MA 01
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Mailing of this newsletter is made possible by a grant from
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News from SHINE November 2012
The Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7th!
Every year, Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage (managed care) plans may change their formularies (list of drugs covered),
premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. It’s important to review your options EVERY year to make sure you have the plan that works
best for you.
Some of the bigger changes to Medicare plans in our area for 2012 are:
Seven Medicare Part D plans are leaving and three new ones are entering. If you are a member of a drug plan that is leaving, you
need to make certain that you have a new drug plan for January 2012.
Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan (currently $14.80/month) will still have the lowest monthly premium of all the stand-alone drug
plans ($15.10/month in 2012).
Medigap Supplements will increase their monthly premiums slightly.
Two new Medicare Advantage plans will be added – a Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO and a Fallon HMO.
We have scheduled update meetings in the following communities if you would like to get more information; Templeton, Fitchburg,
Pepperell, Groton, Leominster, Barre, Rutland, Holden, Grafton, Auburn, West Brookfield, Sturbridge, Oxford, Northbridge,
Franklin, Uxbridge Millvile, Worcester, Shrewsbury and Milford. Contact the Senior Center nearest you to get more
information and reserve a seat.
You can now access our monthly SHINE chat line, sponsored by the Central Massachusetts Agency Aging, on the second
Tuesday of each month. To attend the SHINE Session, go to www.SeniorConnection.org and click on Connection for
Caregiver button. Then click on the Support Groups and Chat button. Create a username and password, log in and click on
SHINE.
If you need help on any aspect of your health insurance, SHINE offers free counseling at your local Senior Center or Council on
Aging. Call your Senior Center or COA and ask for a SHINE appointment. You can reach a SHINE volunteer by phone at 1-800-AGE
-INFO (1-800-243-4636) If you get the SHINE voice mail, leave your name and phone number and a counselor will call you back as
soon as possible. SHINE (Serving the Health Information of Elders) is coordinated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder
Affairs in partnership with the Friends of the Milford Senior Center, The Massachusetts Councils on Aging, and other local agencies