The Haverhill Council on Aging is planning a trip to Atlantic City from Nov. 7 to 9. This trip includes accommodations at the deluxe Resorts Hotel and Casino, motorcoach transportation, a $25 slot bonus and two dinner buffets. Cost for this trip is $179 per person, double occupancy. Contact Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella for additional information.
The Recreation Department and Council on Aging have tickets to the Lowell Spinners game on Monday, July 30, at 7 p.m. What a wonderful opportunity for Haverhill senior citizens to spend quality time enjoying wholesome entertainment with their children, grandchildren and in some cases even great-grandchildren! Grandparents will receive a complimentary hot dog and soda from the Lowell Spinners. Transportation is not included. Contact Kathy or Rita at the COA 978-374-2390 or kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com to obtain details.
Join the Council on Aging at Northern Essex Community College for our annual lobster or chicken luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 16, at noon. This event will take place in the Hartleb Technology Center on the College campus. Lunch provided by Broadway Caterers. Tickets are $25 per person.
The Council on Aging is pleased to announce two new opportunities for seniors: A representative from Activmed will be at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., on Monday, Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide free cholesterol screenings. Screenings will be done in the nurse's office. A representative from Methuen Village will be at the Citizens Center on Monday, Aug. 13, at 10:30 to provide a program titled Healthy Eating for One.
The Haverhill Council on Aging is hosting an important presentation on the benefits Prescription Advantage. A representative from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs will be at the Citizens Center on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. to explain how Prescription Advantage can help fill the gap in your Medicare prescription drug coverage. Contact Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390 for further information.
Haverhill's Brightside is reorganizing and needs your help! Many wonderful programs are in progress, including Bloomfest, Adopt-A-Park, community gardens and clean-ups. Interested people are encouraged to become involved help to beautify our city. For additional information contact Elaine Barker at 978-372-3861.
The Council on Aging is sponsoring a trip to Foster's Clam Bake on Tuesday, Aug. 21, for a twin lobster luncheon and American Bandstand show. Cost of this trip is $83 and includes motorcoach transportation.
Garrison Par Three Golf Clinic for Seniors is in full swing! Join Ted Murphy and learn some techniques to improve your game! If you are a beginner, Ted will help you to learn the game and provide you with some tips as you develop your swing. In any case, you will have a great time and get in a round of golf. Cost of the clinic is $10 per person.
The Council on Aging woodcarving class is held on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. It is lots of fun! Contact Kathy or Rita for additional information. No woodworking classes will be held in July.
A new Cribbage group has been formed and meets at the Citizens Center on Wednesdays from 9 until 11 a.m. on the balcony. Please stop by if you are interested.
Dominoes "Mexican Train" will be played at the Citizens Center on Thursdays at 10:30. If you are interested contact Kathy or Rita at the Council on Aging 978-374-2390. An instructor will teach novice players. This game sounds like it is lots of fun and easy to learn.
A Scrabble group has formed and meets at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Players meet in the Library in the basement level of the Citizens Center.
The Council on Aging is offering on-going art classes with Cara Smoley every Thursday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Students should bring a 9-by-12 inch Bristol drawing pad, 2B pencil and kneaded eraser. Ms. Smoley received a certificate in art at Cooper Union in New York City, and received her BFA from the University of Colorado. She is a seasoned art instructor and welcomes experienced through inexperienced students into her mixed-media classes.
Have you heard of SNAP? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program that provides financial assistance to seniors and others who cannot cover the costs of a healthful diet. We have applications at the Council on Aging office, and we will be happy to provide information and assistance to seniors.
Due to popular demand, the Haverhill Council on Aging announces a second weekly Zumba Gold class on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. This class will be a Zumba Gold Toning class and will incorporate light weights into the workout. This class will be taught by certified Zumba Gold instruction Stephanie Smith and will complement the Thursday Zumba Gold class, which is held at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $5 per class.
Penacook Place is hosting an Alzheimer's Family Support Group on the last Wednesday of the month from 6-7:00 p.m. The group will meet in the Conference Room at Penacook Place, 150 Water St. in Haverhill. Contact Barbara Stricsek at 978-374-0707 for additional information.
Did you know there are several tax saving opportunities to assist seniors with property taxes? Veterans, blind persons, elderly, and hardship deferrals are obtained by application to the Assessors Office at City Hall.
Did you know that we have a showcase of beautiful handmade articles for sale? The next time you need a special gift for a baby consider shopping our supply of sweater sets and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. They are beautiful!
Each month we distribute over 2,000 copies of our newsletter, "The Voice," throughout the City. We are always busy at the Council on Aging, and right now we are in need of volunteers to collate newsletters and deliver them to specific locations. If you would be interested in helping with this important task, please call Rita at 978-374-2390, Ext. 16.
If you have any issues or questions regarding your health insurance, be sure to contact one of our SHINE counselors. Appointments can be made by calling Wendy at 978-374-2390 Ext. 19.
The Merrimack Valley Transportation offers a program called EZ Trans for people who are at least 60 years old and people who are 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. Contact the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority at 978-469-6878 for details.
Did you know that people who are at least 65 years old are eligible for a 50 percent discount on the commuter train to Boston? If you would like to learn more about the MBTA Senior/TAP program, please contact Kathy Bresnahan at the Council on Aging.
Have you thought of volunteering to help area seniors? We are in need of volunteers to assist with our Brown Bag program, which is held on the first Tuesday of every month. Volunteers are needed for approximately three hours, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There is also a dramatic 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.
Stay in shape by joining our new bowling group, which meets on Mondays at 11 a.m.! Everyone loves the newly renovated All Saints Bowling Center at 26 Broadway in Haverhill, and we have an enthusiastic group. They would love to have more bowlers.
Zumba Gold has become one of our most popular classes! Instructor Stephanie Smith is a dynamic teacher, and she has her class dancing up a storm. Classes are held every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and the cost is $5 per week. This is offered as a drop-in class, so come to the Citizens Center and join the fun. Toning Zomba is offered every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Yoga is offered twice a week at the Citizens Center. Tuesday evenings at 6:30 Flyn Costello leads a one hour yoga class for people of all ages. On Tuesday afternoons at 1, Mary Van Abs offers a 90-minute gentle senior yoga class. Cost is $5 for a one-hour class and $7.50 for a l ¬ hour class.
Have you always wanted to learn to play the piano? Now is your chance. Piano instructor, Helen Hamilton, is offering private beginner lessons at the Citizens Center on Mondays. Cost is $12.
Everyone loves Monday's Super Bingo! Bingo is played at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., every Monday and Thursday at 1, and Super Bingo is played on Mondays only. There are many new friends to meet at bingo, and we welcome all players who are 60 and older or disabled.
The Citizens Center offers yoga, tai chi, Zumba Gold, bridge, chess club, 45s tournaments, whist, art classes, mahjong, ESL classes, citizenship classes, conversational Spanish classes, woodcarving, bingo, and so much more. Please check us out on the City of Haverhill website, and you will be amazed to learn what you are missing! We look forward to meeting you soon.
Details on all trips and activities are available by contacting Kathy Bresnahan (ext. 11) or Rita LaBella (ext. 16) at 978-374-2390 or kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.
Be sure to pick up a copy of our newsletter, The Voice, for a complete listing of our activities and trips. The Voice is available for viewing at http://www.ci.haverhill.ma.us or www.ci.haverhill.ma.us or you can send your email address to rlabella@cityofhaverhill.com to receive your copy via email. Rita LaBella and I would love to hear from you if you have any ideas, suggestions or questions regarding the Council on Aging.
Trips and excursions
2012
Aug. 21 - BOT - Twin Lobster Lunch and American Bandstand Show - $83
Oct. 3-15 - Collette Tours - Italian Lakes and Greek Islands - Starts at $1,699 pp d/o
Oct. 18 - Italian Festival - BOT - $69
Oct. 24 - Oh What a Night at Foxwoods - Palladin - Price TBA
Nov. 13- Kings of Country at Mohegan Sun - Nov 13 - $75
Nov. 26 to Dec. 3 - Collette Tours - Irish Splendor - $1,999
Dec. 1-3 - BOT - Patriots at Miami - Starts at $999 pp d/o
Dec. 9-10 - White Mountain Hotel and Resort - $215 pp d/o
2013
Feb. 4-22 - Australia and New Zealand - BOT - Price TBA
May 10-17 - Cruise to Bermuda - Grand American Tours Start at $92
