The Haverhill Rotary Club will be holding its annual Duck Race on Saturday, Sept. 10, from the Basiliere Bridge to the Crescent Yacht Club. Winner of the race will receive a 2011 Toyota Yaris donated by Rockingham Toyota, Honda, Scion of Salem, N.H. Duck Adoption Papers will be available from Kathy Bresnahan at the Council on Aging, 10 Welcome St. This is a great community event and fundraiser for Haverhill, and lots of fun for participants!!
Ruth's House has generously extended the deadline for coat and shoe vouchers until Aug. 31. If you are low income and in need of a coat or jacket from Kohl's or shoes from Red's Shoe Barn, please stop by the Council on Aging at 10 Welcome St., Haverhill from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Haverhill Council on Aging will have another great summer cookout at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome Street, on Thursday, July 21. Thanks to the generosity of The Oxford at 689 Main Street this fabulous cookout is free of charge for seniors. Reservations are required, so be sure to Call Kathy (ext. 11) or Rita (ext. 16) at 978-374-2390 if you would like to sign up.
Haverhill COA announces new trips: We will be traveling to see "Miss Saigon" at the Ogunquit Playhouse with lunch at Warren's in Kittery, Maine, on Oct. 13. On Oct. 6, we have planned a trip to Oktoberfest at Wright's Mill Farm in Canterbury, Conn. On Nov. 15, travelers will see a tribute to the Andrews Sisters while honoring WWII veterans. On Nov. 17, all bingo players will be interested in attending our Pre-holiday Bingo Marathon at White's of Westport. We are also planning to see the Big City Country Music Jamboree at Old Sturbridge Village on Oct. 27. Call Kathy or Rita for details. These trips are all new and exciting additions to our schedule of events.
There is still room on our holiday trip to the White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, N.H., from Nov. 18-20. Celebrate the magic of the holidays at this beautiful resort and enjoy the splendor of the White Mountains. This trip offers spectacular entertainment, festive activities, gourmet dining and all the finest amenities, including first rate service and luxury accommodations. There will be an opportunity for shopping as well. Cost for this two-night motor coach adventure is $359 per person double occupancy. Contact Kathy or Rita for details.
Mark your calendars: The Haverhill Council on Aging will be hosting a very informative free workshop on managing diabetes this fall. This six-week program will be presented by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. An introductory session will be presented on Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Citizens Center.
Haverhill COA is planning a trip to Cabbage Island, Maine, on Thursday, Aug. 18, for a boat cruise and lobster lunch. This is a great day trip, and you will not want to miss out. Cost is $95 per person.
The movie cameras will be rolling in Haverhill when Andre Dubus' memoir "Townie" is filmed on location. To help acquaint us with the book, a coming of age story about growing up in Haverhill and Newburyport, Beth Galloway from the Haverhill Public Library will lead a discussion group at the Citizen Center on Thursday, Sept. 21. This best-selling memoir by local author Andre Dubus is sure to provide the foundation for a lively discussion. We hope you will pick up a copy of the book, download it onto your e-reader, or get it at a local library and join the fun on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. Please contact Kathy or Rita if you plan to participate.
We have tickets to the Monday, July 25th Lowell Spinners game at 7 p.m. This is a perfect intergenerational outing for grandparents and children, and seniors will receive a free hot dog and beverage. Contact the Council on Aging for details.
Tickets are now on sale for our lobster bake to be held on Thursday, Aug. 25, at NECC's Technology Center. Menu includes lobster, chicken, corn on the cob, chowder, baked potato and dessert. Join us for great food and entertainment. Tickets are $25.
Each month we distribute more than 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 X16.
You are invited: The First Baptist Church Open Hearts Ministries at 217 Main Street offers a free senior luncheon on the fourth Wednesday of each month at noon. Seniors are invited to drop in and enjoy.
The Haverhill COA Golf Clinic is in full swing. It's time to get out those golf clubs and hit a bucket of balls. Our Golf Clinic which is held at Garrison Golf Center, 660 Hilldale Avenue, Haverhill, at 10 a.m. Whether you are a novice or an experienced golfer, Ted Murphy looks forward to meeting you to teach you the fundamentals or help you to improve your game. No sign-up is required.
The Oxford at 689 Main Street invites all bingo players of all ages to join them on the last Wednesday of every month. Coffee and dessert is served. Call the COA to make a reservation.
For the novice artist we have several openings right now in our art class with Cara Smoley on Thursdays at noon at the Citizens Center. Cara comes fully qualified and has been teaching at the Citizens Center for several years.
A group of dedicated walkers have been taking advantage of the spring weather at the NECC track every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. Walkers meet at the Tech Center parking lot, can walk at their own pace and get a valuable cardio workout. Contact Charlene Boucher for details at 978-556-3825. There is no charge for this activity.
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.
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.
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 X19.
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 Trans 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 3 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.
Yoga is offered twice a week at the Citizens Center: Tuesday evenings at 6:30 FlynCostello leads a one hour yoga class for people of all ages. On Tuesday afternoons at 1. Mary Van Abs offers a 1 ¬ hour 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 1:00, 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, 45 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.
2011 Trips
July 8 - Duets @ Venezia Restaurant - $66
July 18-20 - Red Sox /Philadelphia -$2,099
July 20 - Zorvino -$50 w/trans, $40 w/o trans
August 12-22 - Alaskan Cruise and Seattle Red Sox -Start at $2699
August 18 - Cabbage Island - $95
August 21-22 - Tanglewood -$310
August 25 - NECCO Lobster Lunch - $25
August 29 - Sept. 5 - Pacific Northwest & California - $2,299
September 13 - Road to the Scottish Highlands - $80.00
Sept 13-19 South Dakota/The Badlands and The Black Hills - $1,899
Sept 24-26 - Patriots vs Buffalo Bills with Niagara Falls and peak foliage - $499 pp
September 30 - Fall Foliage Train Ride - $100
October 6 - Octoberfest at Wright's Mill Farm in Canterbury, CT - $77
October 13 - Miss Saigon @ Ogunquit Playhouse & lunch at Warrens - $128.SClBSClB
October 13-21 - Southern California & Las Vegas — $2,399
October 22 - Portland Food and Wine Festival - $90
Nov. 8 - Neil Diamond Tribute Show at Three Rivers - $60.00
Nov. 15 - Andrews Sisters Tribute Show at Newport Grand Casino - $64
Nov. 17 - 2011 - Pre-Holiday Bingo Marathon at Whites of Westport - $55
Nov. 18-20 - White Mountain Hotel - $359
Nov. 27-28 - Holiday Magic - $299 pp double
Nov. 30 - Catch the Christmas Spirit - Castleton — $67 of $42
Dec. 7 - Holiday Lights - $73
2012
February 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 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 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.
• • •
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com.
