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October 17, 2008

Senior Snippets, Oct. 16

Author reading: The Veterans Administration Office and Council on Aging will host an evening with Haverhill native John Katsaros, author of "Code Burgundy ¬­— The Long Escape," on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St. This program is free of charge. For more information or reservations, call Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Germ information presentation: The Haverhill Council on Aging and Penacook Place will host a presentation titled "Pass the Plate — Not the Germs" on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St., Room 22. Information on proper hand washing techniques, food storage and food cooking guidelines will be included. For more information, contact Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Trip to California: The Recreation Department and the Council on Aging are offering a 7-day, 6-night Baby Boomer Adventure Trip to California for a wine and rail discovery trip May 2 through 8. Cost is $2,050 per person, double occupancy, $1,950 triple occupancy, and $2,655 single occupancy. Optional travel insurance is available. For more information, call Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390 or email kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.

Digital television awareness day: Haverhill Community Television and the Council on Aging will sponsor a "DTV Awareness Day" on Monday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Haverhill Public Library. Representatives from HCTV and Comcast will present a step by step presentation of what the DTV transition means to you. Feb. 17, 2009 has been set as the deadline for the digital transition by Congress. After that date, most TV broadcasting will be digital. For more information, call Kathy Bresnahan at 978-374-2390 ext. 11.

Senior fall fashion show: The city's Council on Aging and Marshalls are planning a fashion show titled Fall Fashion Fling on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. Local seniors will model fall and winter fashions. Mary Moughan, former owner of River Road Fashions, will narrate. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Citizens Center. Light refreshments will be served. For information, contact Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390, or e-mail kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.

Seniors sought for talent show: Individuals 50 years old and older with a special talent are invited to audition for Northern Essex Community College's Life Long Learning second annual talent show on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. in the Technology Center on the Haverhill campus. Auditions are necessary to participate in the show. Talents may include singing, writing and reciting poetry, comedy, dancing or juggling. For an audition appointment or more information, call Charlene Boucher at 978-556-3825.

Safe driving lecture: Haverhill Council on Aging and the TRIAD Program present a lecture on Safe Driving for Elders on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the Citizen Center in Room 32. For information, contact Joel Berg on Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 2:30 p.m. at 978-374-2390, ext. 14.

Grant applications available: Griffin-White Foundation is accepting applications for funding of nonprofit elderly programs. Please request applications from Griffin-White Foundation, P.O. Box 6116, Haverhill, MA 01831.

Caregivers Home accepts referrals: Caregivers Home, a program that provides community-based housing options for elders and disabled adults in need of daily care and assistance, is accepting referrals in Haverhill. The Caregivers Home program pays family or nonfamily caregivers to care for an elder or adult disabled family member (over the age of 16) at home. Caregivers are reimbursed $10,000 to $18,000 per year for home-based care. The program participant and caregiver must live together in either the caregiver's or the participant's home. Care can also be provided by a nonfamily caregiver who is carefully screened and credentialed by Caregivers Home. A registered nurse and a care manager oversee each case through regular home visits, telephone contact and a Web-based case record system. For more information about the Caregivers Home program or to see if your family qualifies, call registered nurse Linda Morreale-Steele at 857-891-7432 or visit www.caregiverhomes.com.

Life Long Learning program trips

Peabody Essex Museum on Nov. 18. This trip includes a guided tour of the Ends of the Earth special exhibition, which features more than 50 works of polar vistas from the Arctic and Antarctic regions created by artist-explorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Cost is $65 and includes tour, transportation and lunch.

Lunch and showtime on Nov. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DiBurro's, featuring vocalist Sharon Zee, who has starred on and off Broadway, and her accompanist Ray Cavicchio. Guests can enjoy live music and line and ballroom dancing before lunch. Cost is $44 and includes lunch, entertainment, and meal gratuity. Transportation is not included.

The Beacon Resort Christmas Party on Dec. 6 in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Trip includes luncheon at Dad's Restaurant and the 2008 production of "A Legendary Christmas." Santa will also pay a visit with a gift for everyone. Cost is $60 and includes transportation, lunch and show.

Life Long Learning is a program of lectures, study groups, and trips for older adults. Admission is $1. All events takes place in the Technology Center at Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott Way, Haverhill. For more information or to register for any event or trip, contact Charlene Boucher, coordinator of Life Long Learning, at 978-556-3825 or cboucher@necc.mass.edu.

Council on Aging trips and events

Golf clinics: Haverhill Recreation Department and the Council on Aging will continue their weekly golf clinic with Ted Murphy at 10 a.m. at Murphy's Garrison Par 3 Golf Center, 660 Hilldale Ave. Cost is $10 per week. No preregistration required. For more information, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.

Trip to the White Mountain Hotel and Resort Nov. 2-3 with deluxe accommodations at the White Mountain Hotel and Resort, brunch, dinner, breakfast, transportation and one show. Use of all hotel amenities. Admission to the Wright Museum plus the Mount Washington Observatory Discovery Center and shopping at over 200 outlets. Golf can be arranged. Cost is $195 per person for double occupancy, $249 single and $185 triple. The bus will leave Haverhill at approximately 8 a.m. Checks should be payable to White Mountain Hotel.

Billboard's Best: Hear the greatest hits from the 1950s on Nov. 10 at Lantana's in Randolph. Cost is $65 per person.

Trip to the Boston Symphony Orchestra rehearsal on Thursday, Nov. 13. The program will include a Dvorak Cello Concerto and Beethoven Symphony No. 6 Pastoral. This trip is open to all age groups. The bus will leave Westgate at approximately 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $40 per person.

"The Holidays Meet Broadway in Song" show and lunch on Nov. 19 at DiBurro's, 887 Boston Road. Cost is $44 per person. Transportation not included.

Trip to Foxwoods and the Garde Arts Center in New London, Conn., for a morning of gambling and to see the Charlie Prose Holiday Road Show on Dec. 2. This trip includes reserved seating at the Garde Arts Center, $10 off any restaurant or a free all-you-can eat buffet at Foxwoods, $15 free Keno play and motorcoach transportation. Tickets are $85 per person.

Boar's Head "Groaning Board" dinner with Christmas celebration on Dec. 3 and 4 at the Williams Inn, Williamstown. Cost of this trip is $270 per person double occupancy, $260 triple and $310 single.

Trip to the famous Holiday Pops with Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall in Boston on Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $85 per person and must be purchased in advance.

Trip to the HukeLau in Chicopee on Dec. 12. This trip features two shows, a holiday meal, a riding tour of Bright Nights, New England's largest drive-through lighting display, and entertainment by recording artist John MacNally. Meal choice will be prime rib or baked stuffed chicken. The HuKeLau show includes dancers, soothing music, and colorful costumes. Cost is $70 per person including shows, meal, and transportation.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on Dec. 28 at the Wang Theatre at the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston for the 5 p.m. performance. Cost is $80 per person and includes the show, transportation and a bagged lunch.

New Year's Eve day party on Dec. 31 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers. Lunch will be served at noon and a show will be at 2 p.m. Cost is $65 per person.

For more information about trips, contact Kathy Bresnahan (ext. 11) or Rita (ext. 16) at Haverhill Council on Aging at 978-374-2390.

Ongoing

Creative Problem Solving through Journaling on Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 32 at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. Cost is $20 for six weeks. For more information, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.

Drawing and painting classes with Cara Smoley. Classes are held every Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., and are open to the public. Cost for the six-week series is $30. Participants must buy their own materials. New members need to bring three pencils, a kneaded eraser and a 9-by-10 Bristol Drawing Pad. Registration is required. To register, call 978-374-2390.

"Mr. Fix-it": A volunteer is available to come into the center on a monthly basis to fix small appliances and lamps, change watch batteries, etc., for seniors for a nominal fee. To sign up, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.

Bingo is played Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

Line dancing is Mondays and Wednesdays 9 to 11 a.m.

Bridge is played Wednesdays and Fridays 12 to 3 p.m.

Memoir writing is Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Evening yoga classes every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at the Citizen Center on the second floor, 10 Welcome St. Cost is $5 per session. For more information, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.

Newcomers group for seniors who have recently moved to Haverhill meets the first Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 22. If the first Monday is a holiday, coffee hour is held the second Monday. Longtime Haverhill seniors are also encouraged to participate. Refreshments will be served.

Vintage movies are shown Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in Room 45.

Wood shop is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Knitting circle is Mondays at 10 a.m.

Tai chi classes are Thursdays at 9 a.m.

Walkers meet Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m.

A discussion group meets Mondays at 1:30 p.m.

Blood pressure clinics every Tuesday in the nurse's office from 8 a.m. to noon.

Chair massages offered free for Haverhill seniors the first Tuesday of the month by licensed massage therapist Susan L. Plouffe. For reservations, call 978-274-2390.

SHINE counselors are available to offer confidential health insurance counseling for elders and their family members at no cost. For appointments, contact SHINE counselor Pat Paradis on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St.

Free cellular phones are available for qualifying seniors. Phones are programmed to call 911 in an emergency. For details, call Joel at 978-374-2390.

Electric wheelchairs available at no cost to seniors and permanently disabled citizens through the Three Wishes Inc. program. The power wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and cannot self-propel a manual wheelchair, and who meet guidelines. For information, call 800-823-5220 or www.threewishes2.com.

On-the-job training

The Senior Community Service Employment Program provides a paid, on-the-job training program that enables a participant to work 20 hours per week at a nonprofit organization or government agency training site in the community, and earn $7.50 per hour. The training site agrees to train the participant in a new skill that will enable him or her to pursue unsubsidized, full-time employment over time. For more information, call Ms. Jepson at Operation A.B.L.E., 888-470-2253, ext. 122.

Shredder available

The Haverhill Council on Aging and TRIAD have purchased a shredder for city seniors to use. The shredder will be available at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Room 30, every Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Papers that should be shredded to reduce the risk of identity theft include charge slips and charge bills, bank statements, financial records and all papers that contain Social Security numbers and account numbers. There is no charge for this service. For information, call Joel at 978-374-2390, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 2:30 p.m.

Senior Staying Healthy schedule

Haverhill Council on Aging revised its Senior Staying Healthy program schedule. Blood pressure clinics will now be held every Tuesday in the nurse's office at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is a walk-in clinic and first come, first served. The food clinic will be the second Thursday of each month, by appointment only. The blood pressure and foot clinics are provided by Home Health VNA and HomeCare Inc. For additional information, call Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Reduced-price condos

Community Action Inc. has applications available for low- to moderate-income residents over the age of 55 to buy new condominiums for the reduced price of $209,100 and $220,913. The two-bedroom condominiums are part of The Fairways development located off Newton Road. The maximum allowed annual income for a single person is $54,700, two-person household is $62,600, three-person household is $70,400, four-person household is $78,200. Applications are available in the Community Action Office, 145 Essex St. For information, call Richard Lynch at 978-373-1971.

Volunteers needed

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley needs volunteers to help with the distribution of food for the Brown-Bag Program on the first Tuesday of every month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteer activities primarily center around the production line, packing bags with nonperishable items and meat products. The program operates out of the Pentucket Lake School at 252 Concord St. For more information, call Janice Boyd at 800-892-0890, ext. 1321.

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