Cooking classes: Chef Ken Bosse will be conducting some pre-holiday cooking classes at the Citizens Center. The classes will begin Oct. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
He will teach a few techniques for enhancing your holiday menu and provide some great recipes. Participants will learn some great ways to create a gourmet cooking style that is easy and fun.
Bosse has been a chef for more than 40 years, having started his career at the Red Tavern Restaurant in Methuen. Classes are $5 and will be limited to eight to 10 participants.
Trip to country fair: Join the Haverhill Recreation Department and Haverhill Council on Aging for a trip to the Big E Eastern States Exposition trip in Springfield on Oct. 1.
This trip provides a great opportunity to spend the day with your children and grandchildren and experience an old-fashioned country fair. The Big E is New England's largest state fair and hosts more than a million visitors each year. The cost is $35 per person.
Medicare information: Medicare members for 2012 must be aware of the new date to make changes to their coverage.
New dates for enrollment are Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. People with questions are asked to contact the Council on Aging at 978-374-2390, ext.19, to make an appointment with the SHINE counselor.
Trip to holiday Pops show: Holiday Pops tickets are almost sold out.
Tickets are $85. The show is Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. In order to get the best seats, the Council on Aging must order and pay early. Anyone who is interested is asked to call 978-374-2390.
Diabetes workshop: The Council on Aging will host a free workshop on managing diabetes this fall.
The six-week program will be presented by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley from Oct. 5 through Nov. 9. An introductory session will be presented on Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Citizens Center. Registration is by calling the Council on Aging.
Book 'Townie' discussed: Beth Galloway of the Haverhill Public Library will lead a group discussion of local author Andre Dubus' memoir "Townie '' — a coming of age story about growing up in Haverhill and Newburyport.
The discussion will be at the Citizen Center Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. Participants are asked to contact the Council on Aging before the event.
Tax help for elders: Did you know there are several tax saving opportunities to assist senior citizens with property taxes? Veterans, blind persons, elderly, and hardship deferrals are obtained by application to the assessors office at City Hall.
Newsletter volunteers needed: Each month, the Council on Aging distributes more than 2,000 copies of its newsletter "The Voice" throughout the city.
The council on Aging needs volunteers to collate newsletters and deliver them to specific locations. Anyone interested in helping is asked to call 978-374-2390, ext. 16.
Golf clinic offered: The Council on Aging's golf clinic is in full swing. The clinic is at Garrison Golf Center, 660 Hilldale Ave. No sign-up is required.
Bingo games: The Oxford at 689 Main St. invites all bingo players of all ages to join them on the last Wednesday of every month. Coffee and dessert is served. Reservations are by calling the Council on Aging.
Handmade clothes for sale: The Council on Aging has a showcase of handmade clothes for sale. The next time you need a special gift for a baby, consider shopping our sweater sets and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.
Healthy eating: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program that provides financial assistance to senior citizens and others who cannot cover the costs of a healthy diet. The Council on Aging office has applications.
Insurance advice: If you have any issues or questions regarding your health insurance, you can contact a SHINE counselor. Appointments can be made by calling 978-374-2390 X19.
Rides for elders: The Merrimack Valley Transportation offers a program called EZ Trans for people who are at least 60 years old or disabled.
EZ Tran is a shared ride service intended to accommodate those who cannot use the MVRTA fixed route bus system. Communities serviced by EZ Trans include Andover, Amesbury, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newburyport and North Andover. Rides are also available to Lahey Clinic in Peabody and several Boston hospitals. Special services require a 21-day application period. Details are available by calling the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority at 978-469-6878.
Train ticket discounts: People who are at least 65 years old are eligible for a 50 percent discount on the commuter train to Boston. More information about the MBTA Senior/TAP program is available from Kathy Bresnahan at the Council on Aging.
Volunteers needed: The Council on Aging needs volunteers to assist with the Brown Bag program, which is held on the first Tuesday of every month. Volunteers are needed for about three hours, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There is also a need for drivers to provide transportation to doctor and hospital appointments through the NEET program. Many seniors are no longer able to drive and have difficulty getting to appointments to area hospitals and doctors. If you can give a few hours a month to assist, contact Kathy Fairchild at NEET (Northern Essex Elder Transportation) 978-388-7474. Several additional volunteer opportunities are also available.
Bowling league: A new bowling group meets on Mondays at 11 a.m. at the newly renovated All Saints Bowling Center at 26 Broadway.
New exercise class: Zumba Gold has become one of our most popular classes. Instructor Stephanie Smith has classes every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Citizens Center and the cost is $5 per week.
Yoga classes: Yoga is offered twice a week at the Citizens Center. On Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., Flyn Costello leads a one-hour class for people of all ages. On Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Mary Van Abs offers a 90-minute gentle senior yoga class. The cost is $5 for a one-hour class and $7.50 for a 90-minute class.
Piano classes: Instructor Helen Hamilton offers private beginner lessons at the Citizens Center on Mondays. Cost is $12.
Bingo games:Bingo is played at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., every Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m., and Super Bingo is played Mondays only.
Variety of activities: The Citizens Center offers yoga, tai chi, Zumba Gold, bridge, chess club, 45 tournaments, whist, art classes, mahjong, ESL classes, citizenship classes, conversational Spanish classes, woodcarving, bingo, and other activities. Information is available on the city of Haverhill website and you will be amazed to learn what you are missing! We look forward to meeting you soon.
Trips
Sept. 13: Road to the Scottish Highlands - $80
Sept. 24-26: Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills with Niagara Falls and peak foliage - $499 per person
Sept. 30: Fall Foliage Train Ride - $100
Oct. 1: Big E country fair- $35
Oct. 13: Miss Saigon @ Ogunquit Playhouse & lunch at Warrens - $128
Oct. 13-21: Southern California and Las Vegas - $2,399
Oct. 22: Portland Food and Wine Festival - $90
Nov. 8: Neil Diamond Tribute Show at Three Rivers - $60
Nov. 15: Andrews Sisters Tribute Show at Newport Grand Casino - $64
Nov. 17: Pre-Holiday Bingo Marathon at Whites of Westport - $55
Nov. 18-20: White Mountain Hotel - $359
Nov. 27-28: Holiday Magic - $299 per person double occupancy
Nov. 30: Catch the Christmas Spirit, Castleton - $67 or $42
Dec. 7: Holiday Lights - $73
Dec. 8: Holiday Pops - $85
Feb. 8-18: Golden Oldies Cruise - Starting at $1,099
March 17-25: Tropical Costa Rica -$2,299
Details on all trips and activities are available by calling 978-374-2390 and speaking with contacting Kathy Bresnahan at ext. 11 or Rita LaBella at ext. 16, or at kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.
The Council on Aging newsletter "The Voice'' has a complete listing of activities and trips. "The Voice'' is available for viewing at www.ci.haverhill.ma.us or by sending your email address to rlabella@cityofhaverhill.com to receive a copy via email.
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