Drop-In group to start Sept. 3: Bereavement Field Coordinator Lucille Bonanno will lead a Life Transitions Drop-in Group the first Wednesday of each month beginning Sept. 3, 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church. On a drop-in basis, Bonanno will be available to discuss some of the transitions that arrive in life, including retirement, grief and caregiving. For further information, call the COA office at 978-352-5726.
Visiting nurse available Sept. 3: Visiting Nurse Judy Anderson, R.N. will be available to take blood pressure, check blood glucose levels and discuss elder medical concerns Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church.
Men's Breakfast Sept. 4: Cheryl Gresek of Congrssman John Tierney's office will be the featured guest speaker at the COA's Men's Breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 4, 9:30 a.m. at the Trestle Way Community Building. With great appreciation, the Council on Aging thanks Crosby's Markets for their sponsorship and the Georgetown Housing Authority for their partnership in offering the monthly program. To assist with planning for the event, call 978-352-5726.
SHINE counselor available Sept. 8: A SHINE counselor will be available to discuss health insurance information Monday, Sept. 8, 9-11:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church.
Senior Center celebrates 15th anniversary Sept. 9: Arriving just in time for National Senior Center Week, the Georgetown Council on Aging celebrates 15 years of providing elder programs and services at the Georgetown Congregational Church this month. Coinciding with the national week of awareness for elder programs, a morning of special activities scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m., will celebrate the work given by volunteers and COA staff during the past 15 years. The Georgetown Council on Aging has been serving elders and their families since the 1970s, but a 1984 agreement with the First Congregational Church allowed the COA to offer morning programs and activities as well as a hot lunch program Mondays to Wednesdays. The COA provides a wide variety of craft, social, educational and health screening programs at the Andover Street church site, also known as the Georgetown Senior Center. Funded by a grant from the Georgetown Cultural Council, Rockin' Ron Toleos will start off the day with a music and fun at 10 a.m. Following Ron's performance, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres will be served before lunch. Following lunch, a special cake will be served as dessert. Reservations are required for lunch (cost $2). To assist with planning for the event, call 978-352-5726 by Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Monthly birthday party planned Sept. 16: The COA will celebrate September birthdays with a birthday party Tuesday, Sept. 16, 11:30 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Birthday celebrants will receive a free lunch (cost to others is $2). Cake and ice cream will be served. Reservations are required. To assist with planning, call 978-352-5726 by Tuesday, Sept. 9.
TRIAD program Sept. 17: The photo ID program will be administered on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 10-11:30 a.m. in the Trestle Way Community Building. We will also have File of Life magnets available. The sheriff's department will print up File of Life cards.
COA Friends informational meeting Sept. 22: Seeking to reorganize and revitalize a Friends of the Council on Aging group, the COA will host an informational meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m., at the Georgetown Peabody Library. Encouraging public support for the Council on Aging, a COA Friends group raises awareness for the COA mission of supporting elders in the community and allows fundraising for the COA that can enrich and expand the COA's regular budget. COA Friends groups are open to residents and nonresidents of all ages along with businesspeople within the community. For further information, call 978-352-5726.
Writing Workshop Sept. 23: Join us for a morning of fun with writing when director Colleen Ranshaw-Fiorello leads the monthly writing group Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. With apples as this month's theme, enjoy writing about memories of picking apples, favorite apple recipes, apple-related games or any memory related to apples and the fall. For further information, call 978-352-5726.
Memory Fitness Class Sept. 30: Tips and strategies designed to keep our brains agile and improve our memories will be on hand when Mary Fraelick BSN RN, community service director for Home Instead Senior Care, presents a Memory Fitness Class Tuesday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. Participants will learn about ways to exercise the brain and improve memory. They will also learn about the choices we make in our lives that can affect the aging of our brains. The interactive class includes mind exercises from the Aerobics of the Mind program by Marge Engleman, memory strategies from Dr. Gary Small from the UCLA Center on Aging and enjoyable games to help us think outside the box.
Intergenerational Reading Program: The Council on Aging and Georgetown School Department are at work on developing an intergenerational guest reader program that would link Georgetown elders with early elementary classrooms at the Perley School. Although in its early stages of planning, interested elders would be asked to donate time each month to read. In the near future, the COA and Georgetown School Department hope to offer additional intergenerational activities that could include invitations to schoolwide assemblies, participation in after-school activities along with intergenerational opportunities at the middle/high school. As the COA and Georgetown School Department plan the guest reader program at the Perley School, interested volunteers are asked to call the COA at 978-352-5726.
Doll-making group seeks volunteers: Sponsored by the Georgetown Council on Aging, a doll-making group creating hand-crafted dolls for sick children hospitalized in Massachusetts meets Mondays, 9:30 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Along with enjoying an opportunity to socialize, participants sew basic clothes for the hand-crafted clothes. Volunteers are needed to paint or embroider doll faces. Newcomers of all ages are welcome to join the group and to participate as often as their schedule permits.
Van trip to Topsfield Fair Oct. 6: A special van trip is planned to the Topsfield Fair for Senior Citizen Day on Oct. 6. Senior admission to the fair is $7. COA van cost is $2 per participant. To make reservations, call 978-352-5726.
