Georgetown senior activities

September 30, 2008 03:49 am

—

Van trip to Topsfield Fair Oct. 6: A special van trip is planned to the Topsfield Fair for Senior Citizen Day on Monday, Oct. 6. Senior admission to the fair is $7. COA van cost is $2 per participant. To make reservations, call 978-352-5726.

Visiting nurse Oct. 1: Visiting Nurse Judy Anderson will be available to take blood pressure, check blood glucose levels and discuss medical concerns with elders Wednesday, Oct. 1, 10-11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church.

Drop-In Support Group Oct. 1: Bereavement Field coordinator Lucille Bonnano will lead a Life Transitions Drop-In Support Group Wednesday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Available on a drop-in basis, she will discuss some of the transitions that arrive in life including retirement, loss of loved ones and caretaking. For further information, call the COA office at 978-352-5726.

Garden Club Craft program Oct. 7: The Georgetown Country Gardeners will lead a program creating floral baskets Wednesday, Oct. 7, 9:30 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. To make reservations, call the COA office at 978-352-5726.

Rebuilding Together program Oct. 7: With the next Annual Rebuilding Day scheduled Saturday, April 25, Rebuilding Together Greater Haverhill Program Manager Lynn Murphy will provide information regarding the program and application process Tuesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Applications for the home repair assistance program are due Saturday, Nov. 1.

Applicant eligibility includes:

Own and occupy your home for at least four years

Live in the Greater Haverhill area (Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, Boxford, Merrimac and Plaistow, N.H.)

Meet Federal HUD low-income guidelines (Call for information)

Are elderly, disabled, a family with young children

Experiencing hardship that may cause you to leave your home

Priority is given to homes that need safety and accessibility modifications. Other restrictions may apply. If you or someone you know needs help with home repairs, modifications, weatherization, painting or yard work, contact Lynn Murphy, program manager, PO Box 5161, Haverhill, MA 01835, 978-469-0800 or online at www.RebuildingTogetherHaverhill.org or email RTogether@verizon.net.

The Strummers to perform Oct. 8: Join us for a morning of good music and company when The Strummers return for a performance Wednesday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Funded by a grant from the Georgetown Cultural Council, the Haverhill-based group features guitars, banjo and piano music. Fall-related refreshments will be served. To assist in planning for the event, call 978-352-5726.

L'Italien to lead Heat Assistance Forum Oct. 14: Join Rep. Barbara L'Italien as she leads a Heat Assistance Forum for residents Tuesday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. John Condon of Community Action's Heating Assistance Program will be on hand to answer questions regarding fuel assistance programs as well as weatherization and utility discount programs. Suggestions and options for managing home heating costs will be discussed. L'Italien will also provide information regarding the state's "Circuit Breaker" tax credit program and Prescription Advantage. To assist with planning for the forum, call the COA office at 978-352-5726.

Intergenerational Reading Program: Scheduled to begin in October, 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. Interested elders would be asked to donate approximately an hour each month to read, play a game or participate in a classroom activity. 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.

Writing workshop Oct. 28: Scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church, the theme of this month's writing workshop is fun food thoughts and memories. For further information, call the COA office at 978- 352-5726.

Halloween/October Birthday Party Oct. 29: Celebrate Halloween and October birthdays at a Halloween/October birthday party Wednesday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. A "Trick or Treat" Buffet and fun activities will precede lunch and birthday cake. Birthday celebrants will receive a free lunch (everyone else is $2). Lunch reservations are required and can be made by calling 978-352-5726 by Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Decluttering workshop Nov. 12: Clutter. Whether it's in our garage or attic or strewn across our kitchen table and desks, few of us can say that we are not affected by clutter. Although it is sometimes difficult not to accrue clutter, there are tips and strategies that can help us manage the clutter of everyday life. Presented by case manager Kim Flowers of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, join us for a Decluttering Workshop Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. To assist in planning for the event, call 978-352-5726.

Author and World War II veteran John Katsaros to speak Nov. 19: Telling the story of how his plane was shot down over France during World War II, his capture by German Gestapo and his eventual escape through France, author John Katsaros of Haverhill will discuss his recently published book "Code Burgundy, The Long Escape" Wednesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Refreshments will be served. To assist in planning for the event, call 978-352-5726.

Elder Services seeks volunteers: Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley is seeking volunteers for the Friends in Deed program. Volunteers in the program help improve the daily lives of older adults in several ways such as companionship, food shopping, errands, outings and rides to medical appointments. Volunteers are provided with an orientation, training and ongoing support along with mileage reimbursement. For further information, call 800-892-0890, ext. 1445.

Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra free tickets: As they begin their 48th season at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover, the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra offers up to 10 free tickets for elders who would like to attend any one of the November, March or May concerts. On Sunday Nov. 9, harpist Emily Halpern Lewis is the featured soloist performing Ravel's "Introduction and Allegro for Harp and Orchestra." On March 1, soprano Susan Trout will sing "Wesendonck Songs" by Wagner. On Sunday, May 3, pianist Louis Stewart will perform Gershwin's "Concerto in F Major for Piano and Orchestra." For further information, call the COA at 978-352-5726.

MassMedLine prescription coverage: A public/private partnership between the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, MassMedLine is a free resource for all Massachusetts residents who have questions regarding their prescriptions or have trouble paying for them. MassMedLine works collaboratively with SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) and Prescription Advantage (Massachusetts prescription drug program) to assure understanding of the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. MassMedLine provides help determining eligibility for a variety of programs that assists with medication costs, and education and counseling about medications from licensed pharmacists. Call toll free at 866-633-1617 or visit www.massmedline.com