This column is provided by the Haverhill Council on Aging and features activities for senior citizens.
As a result of redistricting, state Rep. Linda Dean Campbell will represent Methuen and Haverhill starting in 2013. She is hosting a coffee hour Oct. 18th at 10 a.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Flu shots for Haverhill residents 6 months and older will be offered at the Citizens Center Mondays in October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please bring Medicare or insurance cards. For additional information, contact Mary Connolly, RN, at 978-374-2390, ext. 15.
The Council on Aging will host a presentation by Attorney Joshua England titled “Medicaid Traps for the Unwary” on Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. at the Citizens Center. England will provide information on legal and financial strategies that can help preserve your assets. He will also discuss basic principles of estate planning, including information on wills, trusts, asset transfers and probate.
The Council on Aging is offering a new holiday trip to Indian Head Resort’s “Legendary Christmas” program. It will depart on Dec. 5. The cost is $65 per person. Details are available by calling 978-374-2390.
The Council on Aging will host a senior knitting and craft fair Nov. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This fair will provide the perfect opportunity for knitters and crafters to sell their items and for holiday shoppers to buy hand-made items. Please call Kathy Bresnahan, ext. 11, or Rita LaBella, ext. 16, at 978-374-2390 if you are a senior citizen who would like to sell items.
The Council on Aging will offer a new line dancing class on Mondays at 11 a.m. beginning Oct. 15. Cost is $5 per person. Instructor Susan Tribble is a seasoned professional and works in many area senior centers. Students will learn new dances. Call 978-374-2390 for additional details or to register.
Volunteers to work at bingo are need at the Citizens Center Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 2:30 p.m. Please call 978-374-2390 to participate.
Enjoy some holiday spirit at the White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, N.H. The Council on Aging plans an overnight trip to this luxury hotel Dec. 9 and 10. It includes one-night accommodation, three meals, two holiday shows, and deluxe motor coach transportation. Cost is $225 per person, double occupancy.
A new community-based program titled “Phone Pals” provides a means of reducing isolation, victimization, and health concerns. Volunteers are asked to telephone senior citizens to provide reassurance and social support services. Contact Carol Corso at 603-425-3199 if you are interested in volunteering.
Active retirees may want to help out with gardening and pruning. The Garden Club has been planting and maintaining the gardens at City Hall and the Citizens Center. Much labor is required to maintain the beds, and the club is looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call Kathy Bresnahan.
Haverhill’s Brightside is reorganizing and is seeking the public’s help. Many programs are in progress, including Bloomfest, Adopt-A-Park, community gardens, and clean-ups. Interested people are encouraged to become involved. For additional information, contact Elaine Barker at 978-372-3861.
Seniors citizens can call 800-772-1213 to replace Medicare cards or make changes to addresses or phone numbers. Changes to direct deposit, proof of benefit amounts, Social Security card applications, field office locations, information messages, social security statements and other information can be obtained by calling this number.
Dominoes “Mexican Train” will be played at the Citizens Center on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Anyone who is interested can contact the Council on Aging at 978-374-2390. An instructor will teach novice players.
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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program which provides financial assistance to seniors and others who cannot cover the costs of a healthy diet. The Council on Aging office has applications.
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. The class will be taught by certified Zumba Gold instruction Stephanie Smith and will compliment the Thursday Zumba Gold class 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 to 7 p.m. The group will meet in the conference room at Penacook Place, 150 Water St. Contact Barbara Stricsek at 978-374-0707 for additional information.
Each month, the Council on Aging distributes more than 2,000 copies of its newsletter, “The Voice,” throughout Haverhill. The council needs volunteers to collate newsletters and deliver them to specific locations. If you would be interested in helping, please call 978-374-2390, ext. 16.
Anyone with questions regarding health insurance is asked to contact a Council on Aging SHINE counselor. Appointments can be made by calling 978-374-2390, ext. 19.
People who are 65 or older 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.
The Council on Aging bowling group meets on Mondays at 11 a.m. at the renovated All Saints Bowling Center, 26 Broadway.
Yoga is offered twice a week at the Citizens Center. 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. Cost is $5 for a one-hour class and $7.50 for a 90-minute class.
Piano instructor Helen Hamilton is offering private beginner lessons at the Citizens Center on Mondays. Cost is $12.
Bingo is played at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., every Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m. Super Bingo is played on Mondays only. Players 60 and older or disabled are welcome.
The Council on Aging offers the following trips:
Oct 24: Oh What a Night at Foxwoods, Palladin, price to be announced
Oct. 27: New York City day trip, Fox Tours, $69
Nov. 7 to 9: Atlantic City, $179 per person, double occupancy
Nov. 13: Kings of Country at Mohegan Sun, $75
Nov. 26 to Dec. 3: Collette Tours, Irish Splendor, $1,999
Nov. 28: Christmas in Stockbridge, Bloom Tours, $79
Dec. 1 to 3: Patriots at Miami football game, starts at $999 per person, double occupancy
Dec. 5: Indian Head, Legendary Christmas, $65
Dec. 9 and 10: White Mountain Hotel and Resort, $215 per person, double occupancy
Details on all trips and activities are available by contacting Kathy Bresnahan (ext. 11) or Rita LaBella (ext. 16) at 978-374-2390 or at kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.
