Baby boomers and beyond

The Council on Aging will have a Halloween party Oct. 27, at noon at Northern Essex Community College Hartleb Technology Center.

Costumes are optional. Tickets are $10 and include a chicken lunch from the Chicken Connection restaurant. Tickets are available by calling at 978-374-2390, ext. 11 or ext. 16.

The council is planning two new trips for this fall.

One is a visit to the exhibit "Painting the American Landscape" on Nov. 2. The exhibit includes 45 landscapes of New England, New York and points west, and includes Thomas Cole's series "The Course of Empire.'' Cost for this trip is $32 per person. A bus will depart at 11 a.m.

The council also has a trip planned to New York City for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular Show featuring the Rockettes Nov. 27 to 28. This trip begins with a day at Mohegan Sun and includes a journey to the North Pole on board the "North Pole Express" for a presentation of "The Night Before Christmas." While in New York, travelers will have three hours of free time for shopping and lunch on Fifth Avenue. Cost of the trip is $299 per person, double occupancy. Three meals are included in this price.

A representative from the Essex County Sheriff's Department will be at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. to explain the benefits of the Homestead Act and provide information on filing a document called a Declaration of Homestead.

The form is filed at the Registry of Deeds in the county or district where the property is located, referencing the title/deed to the property. Reservations for this event are by calling 978-374-2390.

Watch for the announcement of the Council on Aging's electronic bingo board dedication.

The following local businesses have made financial contributions which enabled the council to buy a new bingo board: Pentucket Bank, Penacook Place, and the Oxford and Wingate of Haverhill. The council will recognize their efforts with a plaque and reception.

Due to popular demand, the Haverhill Council on Aging announces a second weekly Zumba Gold class on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

This 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. Cost is $5 per class.

This fall, the council will host a free workshop on managing diabetes.

This six-week program is presented by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley now through Nov. 9. Registration is by calling the Council on Aging.

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. More information is available from Barbara Stricsek at 978-374-0707.

The council plans a trip to the Andrews Sisters Tribute Show on Nov. 15.

Tickets are $64 per person and include transportation and an all-you-can-eat buffet. The show is a tribute to the Andrews Sisters who entertained millions of U.S. troops during World War II.

There are several tax-saving opportunities to help senior citizens with property taxes. Veterans, blind people, elderly, and hardship deferrals are available by applying 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 prepare newsletters and deliver them. Anyone interested in helping is asked to call 978-374-2390, ext.16.

The Oxford at 689 Main St. invites bingo players of all ages to join games there on the last Wednesday of every month.

Coffee and dessert is served. Reservations are by calling the Council on Aging.

The council has a showcase of handmade articles for sale. The next time you need a special gift for a baby, consider shopping the council's supply of sweater sets and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to senior citizens and others who cannot afford the cost of a healthy diet.

Applications for the program are available at the Council on Aging office, where senio0r citizens can receive information and help.

Anyone with issues or questions regarding their health insurance is encouraged to contact one of the Council on Aging's SHINE counselors.

Appointments can be made by calling 978-374-2390, ext. 19.

The Merrimack Valley Transportation program 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. More information is available from the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority at 978-469-6878.

Yoga is offered twice a week at the Citizens Center.

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., Flyn Costello leads a one-hour yoga class for people of all ages. 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.

Details on all trips and activities are available by calling 978-374-2390 and speaking with Kathy Bresnahan at ext. 11 or Rita LaBella at ext. 16, or at kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.

Upcoming trips

Oct. 13 to 21: Southern California and Las Vegas. $2,399

Nov. 8: Neil Diamond Tribute Show at Three Rivers. $60

Nov. 15: Andrews Sisters Tribute Show at Newport Grand Casino. $64

Nov. 17: Pre-holiday bingo marathon at Whites of Westport. $55

Nov. 18 to 20: White Mountain Hotel. $359

Nov. 27 and 28: Holiday Magic. $299 per person, double occupancy

Nov. 30: Catch the Christmas Spirit, Castleton. $67

Dec. 7: Holiday Lights. $73

Dec. 8: Holiday Pops. $85

Feb. 8 to 18: Golden Oldies Cruise. Starting at $1,099

March 17 to 25: Tropical Costa Rica. $2,299