The Haverhill Council on Aging will distribute farmers’ market coupons to qualified low-income senior citizens from Haverhill, Groveland Georgetown, Rowley and Boxford on Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. Qualified seniors must be 60 years or older and be eligible for Supplemental Social Security Income, Section 8 Housing, or fuel/energy assistance. Photo ID and proof of eligibility are required: SSI Card, Section 8 Voucher, or Fuel/Energy Assistance letter from agency stating qualification for program. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the COA at 978-374-2390 or kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com to confirm details.
Watch for an announcement that Dick LeBlonde and Haverhill’s Brightside will be doing a cleanup at the Route 110 park on River Street. Many volunteers will be needed to work on this community project.
The 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 Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. to explain how Prescription Advantage can help fill the gap in your Medicare prescription drug coverage. Call 978-374-2390 for more information.
Woodcarving instructor Fred Arakelian, will resume his class on Aug. 3.
The Council on Aging and The Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union are sponsoring a “Community Help Day” on Sept. 13. Interested people are asked to contact Joel Berg at 978-374-2390, ext. 38.
A free ice cream social will be held at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., on Aug.13 at noon. All Haverhill senior citizens are invited to attend, but reservations are required.
A presentation on “Healthy Eating for One” will be held at the Citizens Center on August 13 at 10:30 a.m. This event is free for all senior citizens and reservations are suggested.
The Haverhill Council on Aging is planning a trip to Atlantic City Nov. 7 to 9. This trip includes accommodations at the deluxe Resorts Hotel and Casino, motor coach 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.
Join the Council on Aging at Northern Essex Community College for the annual lobster or chicken luncheon on Aug 16. at noon. This event will be in the Hartleb Technology Center on the College campus. Lunch will be provided by Broadway Caterers. Tickets are $25 per person.
The Council on Aging is pleased to announce two new opportunities for senior citizens. A representative from Activmed will be at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide free cholesterol screenings. Screenings will be done in the nurses office. A representative from Methuen Village will be at the Citizens Center on Aug. 13 at 10:30 to provide a program titled Healthy Eating for One.
Haverhill’s Brightside is reorganizing and needs help. Many wonderful programs are in progress, including Bloomfest, Adopt-A-Park, community gardens, and cleanups. Interested people are encouraged to become involved to help to beautify the city. More information is available from Elaine Barker at 978-372-3861.
The Council on Aging woodcarving class is held on Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
A new Cribbage group has been formed at the Citizens Center on Wednesdays from 9 to 11:00 a.m.
Dominoes “Mexican Train” will be played at the Citizens Center on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Interested people are asked to contact the Council on Aging at 978-374-2390. The 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 Council on Aging is offering on-going art classes with Cara Smoley. Classes will be held every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Students should bring a 9-by-12 Bristol drawing pad, 2B pencil, and kneaded eraser. 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.
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 healthful diet. Applications are available at the Council on Aging office.
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 compliment the Thursday Zumba Gold class, which is held at 9:30 a.m. The 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.
There are several tax-saving opportunities to assist senior citizens with property taxes. Veterans, blind people, elderly, and hardship deferrals are obtained by application to the assessors office at City Hall.
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.
If you have any issues or questions regarding your health insurance, be sure to contact one of the Council on Aging’s SHINE counselors. Appointments can be made by calling 978-374-2390, ext.19.
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 t Kathy Bresnahan at the Council on Aging.
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.
The Council on Aging’s bowling group meets on Mondays at 11 a.m. at All Saints Bowling Center at 26 Broadway.
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. The cost is $5 for a one-hour class and $7.50 for a 90-minute hour class.
Piano instructor Helen Hamilton is offering private beginner lessons at the Citizens Center on Mondays. Cost is $12.
