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| WHIP CITY'S SENIOR NEWSLETTER |
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| SPECIAL EVENTS FOR MARCH 2010 | | The following activities are scheduled at the Westfield Senior Center. If you are interested in registering or need additional information, please feel free to visit us at 40 Main Street or call us at 562-6435. We are open daily from 8:30am-4:30pm. Monday through Friday.
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| THE IRISH MUSIC GUY IS BACK! | | Back by popular demand is Kevin Farley, The Irish Music Guy! Making his annual appearance with a show of great stories, bad jokes, instrumental razzle dazzle, and a vast compendium of fascinating trivia. Kevin plays a dozen instruments and knows over 750 Irish songs. Wear some green, sip Irish coffee, and join us at the Senior Center on Wednesday, March 3rd at 10 AM for a morning of Irish merriment! |
| UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF MEDICINE |  |
The monthly Understanding the Language of Medicine series was launched four years ago in an effort to make medical terminology, diagnoses, and treatment options more understandable to senior citizens. Throughout the year, a variety of presenters share their expertise on specific health-related topics. Handouts with basic information are always provided and questions from participants are encouraged during these informal informational sessions. The series is held on the first Thursday of the month from 10 to 11 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room.
Get Going! Understanding Physical Fitness in Everyday Life
In the next session of our Understanding the Language of Medicine series, "Get Going! Understanding Physical Fitness in Everyday Life," Dr. Melissa Roti, Assistant Professor in the Movement Science Department at Westfield State College and student, Julie Messinger from Dr. Roti's Health Aspects of Aging class will discuss all the wonderful health benefits of physical fitness and how to incorporate lifestyle activity into your daily life. Finding activities that balance convenience and enjoyment can help you reach your physical fitness and health goals. Several examples of lifestyle activities will be provided.
This month's session will be held on Thursday, March 4th from 10-11 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room. |
| THE LATEST FROM WESTFIELD STATE COLLEGE | | Rescheduled from February, please join us on Wednesday, March 10th right after lunch for a brief presentation on the latest "goings on" at Westfield State College. Staff and students will discuss the College/City partnership of the revitalization of the downtown area as well as some interesting and entertaining upcoming events on campus. We are fortunate to have the college as a local resource and should take advantage of all that it has to offer Westfield residents. |
| TALKING BOOKS | Our Talking Books read-aloud and discussion group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room. This group is open to anyone who would like to hear a classic short story read aloud, learn a bit about the story's author, and participate in what is often a lively follow-up discussion. Join Tina on Tuesday, March 23rd at 10 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room.
**March's selection "To Build a Fire" by Jack London is widely considered a prime example of a man versus nature conflict. Published in 1908 and regarded as a classic, the story is the tale of a man's trek across the Yukon Territory near Alaska in brutally cold conditions. Certain to inspire discussion and speculation. |
| YARN GIVE AWAY | | We will be holding a "Yarn Give-Away" on Wednesday, March 24th from 10 to 11 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room. Participants may choose from an assortment of colors. Priority will be given to those who participate in the Project Linus program. They may select their yarn at 9:45 AM on that day. Thank you to all who have donated yarn for this very worthwhile project. |
| SIDE BY SIDE SUPPORT GROUP | | Our "Side by Side" support group meets on the fourth Friday of the month and is open to any senior who is a little overwhelmed with the stresses of every day life. Whether you're dealing with health problems, the loss of close family members and friends, or caregiver responsibilities, the support of others, often "in the same boat," can be most helpful. Participants chat informally over coffee or tea and all discussions are strictly confidential. Please consider joining the group as a "regular" or a "drop-in." The "Side by Side" support group will meet on Friday, March 26th from 9:30 to 11 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room. |
| EARLY BIRD EXERCISE | | Exercise sessions at the Senior Center taught by Westfield State College students majoring in Movement Science under the direct supervision of Dr. Melissa Roti, will begin this month and continue during the month of April and into early May. The classes will be held on Mondays, March 29, April 5th, 12th, 26th, and May 3rd from 9 to 9:30 AM. In addition to the student instructors, other students will be available to provide individual assistance to seniors taking the class. There is no charge, but sign-ups are necessary. This program has been very successful in the past so we are thrilled to have a new group of students to lead the classes again this year. The course schedule is as follows: March 29--Flexibility Exercises; April 5--Strengthening Exercises; April 12--Aerobic Exercises; April 26--Balance Exercises; May 3--Mind/Body Exercises. |
| EVENING BINGO | | Yelena Abashina and members of the Source of Life Church in Holyoke will host an evening of Bingo at the Senior Center on Tuesday, March 30th from 6 to 8 PM. When Yelena was a student at Westfield High School, she helped to coordinate the very popular COPE Bingo program. Currently a student at the University of Massachusetts, Yelena is returning to our Senior Center with a new group of young Bingo volunteers. Bring a friend and join us for some "after hours" Senior Center fun! |
| AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE for Seniors | | Assistance with filing income tax returns is once again being provided by trained volunteers from AARP for area seniors at the Westfield Senior Center, 40 Main Street. Those interested in help with their taxes may call the Senior Center at 562-6435, to obtain an appointment. A list of the required documents will be provided when your appointment is made. |
| STAND UP AND BE COUNTED! |  |
The motto for the 2010 census is, "10 Questions in 10 Minutes to define who we are as a nation." The United States Constitution requires a national census once every ten years for the purpose of reapportioning the House of Representatives. In addition, census data play an important part in guiding funding for essential community services such as those offered through the Council on Aging. Households will receive a census form in March either by U.S. mail or by hand delivery. The census form should be completed immediately and mailed back. Census workers will visit households that do not return the forms to take a count in person. Census workers can be identified by a census badge and bag. One person should complete the form on behalf of every person in the residence, including relatives and non-relatives. Accurate representation and funding is especially important to older people and retirees because many of them rely on government, community, and social service programs. Without an accurate count, vital community services such as health care, transportation, and other assistance programs, may not be adequate. Help is available at the Senior Center for those older adults who need assistance to complete the census form. Please call in advance, 562-6435, to request the help of a staff member. |
| COMPANION PROGRAM--Volunteers Needed | Since 1989, The Westfield Council on Aging's Companionship Program has been there...Assisting with grocery shopping...Assisting with errands...Friendly visiting...And much needed rides to doctor's appointments.
The Companionship Program is presently in need of volunteers to assist homebound elders in Westfield with grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments and/or friendly visiting. It only takes two hours a week and a small stipend is awarded. There is no charge to seniors for the service.
If you have two free hours a week and would like to become a companion and improve the quality of life for an elder in Westfield, please contact Fran Aguda, Companionship Program Coordinator, at 562-6435. |
| SENIOR CENTER PARKING | | Please note that parking options for those attending programs at the Senior Center are either in the Stop & Shop parking lot or in the Municipal lot located behind the Bank of America. The only parking permitted in the Rocky's hardware Store lot is in the row furthest from the store. These spaces fill up quickly and Senior Center participants are not authorized to park anywhere else in the lot. Rocky's management has been most accommodating over the years, but their patrons come first and because space is limited, other vehicles will be towed. In addition, please note that the gate from Rocky's into the courtyard is generally locked for the safety of the residents of General Shepard. There is a drop-off space on Main Street directly in front of the Senior Center for those who cannot walk long distances. |
| NEW SENIOR CENTER PHONE SYSTEM | A new phone system has been installed at the Senior Center making it easier for outside callers to leave voicemail messages for individual Council on Aging/Senior Center staff members. The office staff will be taking fewer written messages and instead will be forwarding calls to voicemail for Karen, Fran, Sandra, Tina and the Travel Club.
Those calling the Senior Center will now use only the 562-6435 telephone number. Outside the regular hours of operation the following automated response will be heard: You have reached the Westfield Council on Aging/Senior Center. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We are currently unavailable to take your call. Please listen to the following options should you chose to leave a message. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.
Callers will then be prompted to individual staff voicemails to leave a message or a general message may be left on the main office line. |
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