SENIOR SCENE (Monthly Newsletter)
WESTBOROUGH COUNCIL ON AGING
JANUARY 2024 EDITION
This is an ON-LINE version of the CURRENT MONTH NEWSLETTER with information from a copy of SENIOR SCENE
SENIOR/VETERAN
PROPERTY TAX WORK PROGRAM
Volunteer 125 hours to earn an $1875 credit on your FY’24 property tax bill
You must be the owner/occupant of the home as your primary residence
You must be aged 60+ or a Veteran of any age
Volunteer positions are available in municipal offices and
school buildings
Applications are available beginning Tuesday, January 16 at the Senior Center, the Assessor’s Office, Veteran’s Office and on the Town website
Applications are due back to the Senior Center by Friday, February 2
IT WILL BE WINTER….SOMEDAY!
As I write this, it is 50 degrees out, we’ve just had many inches of rain and the forecast for Christmas weekend is 50’s and sunshine…..not really your usual December weather! However, at some point, it will snow and it will get icy and it will get cold!! Please keep in mind that if there is no school in Westborough due to a storm, there are no activities at the Senior Center, no Mini-bus or Volunteer transportation and no Meals on Wheels. If we hear that a storm is coming, we may change grocery shopping days or call and ask you to change an appointment. We will make every effort to be in the office, unless all town buildings are closed. We can listen to your messages remotely. We will always try to help in any way we can.
Several people have called to see if we know of people who do plowing or shoveling. We do not have that kind of information available and really can’t recommend anyone.
When in doubt, stay home!! If you have a question, call the Senior Center before venturing out. We want everyone to be safe during the icy, snowy, cold months.
ASIAN OUTREACH PROGRAM
OPEN TO ALL SENIORS
FRIDAY 1/19 AT 10:00 AM – CELEBRATION OF 2024!
It’s not too late to make resolutions for the new year! Come join us for a fun social gathering to celebrate 2024 New Year on January 19th from 10am to 12pm at the Senior Center. Programs include light exercises, new year themed games and prizes. Refreshments will be served.
Sign up must be made by noon on Wednesday January 17.
FRIDAY 1/12 and 1/26 from 10 am to 12 pm – HONG KONG MAHJONG GAME
Coming in February …
Movie, Making Chinese Lanterns & Celebration of the Lunar New Year (The Year of the Dragon!)
Details TBA. Stay tuned.
WESTBOROUGH AMERICAN LEGION POST 0163 MONTHLY MEETING
THURSDAY JANUARY 18 AT 10:00 AM
WESTBOROUGH SENIOR CENTER
ALL VETERANS ARE WELCOME
Transportation is available
LIGHT CARDIO ON MONDAYS
MONDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 AM
There will be a new exercise class offering on Monday mornings at 9:30 a.m. The class starts with light cardio and is followed by breathing and stretches and ends with laughter yoga and relaxation. It incorporates interval training to help improve cardiovascular fitness. Deep breathing exercises are meant to relax the mind and body and open up the lungs.
Laughter yoga improves mood, reduces stress and strengthens the immune system. This low-intensity fun class was designed to meet the anatomical, physiological and psychological needs of Seniors.
Come and try it out! Each class will be $5.00.
Transportation is available.
THANK YOU
The Westborough Senior Center Supporters would like to express our sincere gratitude for all of the help received leading up to and during our last two events. The Holiday Fair and Breakfast with Santa were both great successes!
Thank you to everyone who was there to set up, work, clean up, bake, make phone calls, make craft items, knit & crochet, and donate both cash and items to sell.
Thank you to all of the local businesses who contributed to this year’s silent auction and donated meals as we set up.
Thank you also to the ever-supportive Senior Center Staff who, as always, went above and beyond to help us.
Thank you to all who supported the Senior Center by attending and shopping. We look forward to you joining us again soon.
CLASSICAL INDIAN DANCE
MONDAY JANUARY 29 AT 2:30 PM
Please come and join us for a Classical Indian Dance presentation by student Sharanya Baradwaj on Monday afternoon, January 29, at 2:30 p.m.
Sharanya will talk about the dances and their meaning and will talk about the culture of India.
There is no charge and transportation is available. Come and enjoy this lovely program.. Light refreshments will be served.
FUEL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
The SMOC Fuel Assistance program is now accepting new applications. If you are a single person with yearly income below $42,412 or a two person household with income below $55,462, you may be eligible for assistance with your heating bills this winter.
Call the Senior Center and we will send you an application packet. When you have gathered all of the necessary documentation, call back and we will schedule an appointment to complete the application process.
SPANISH I CLASS BEGINS
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10 AT 12:30 PM
Carmen will begin her Spanish I class on Wednesday, January 10, at 12:30 p.m. If you were a previous student, waiting for this class, here it is! This eight week session will run through February 28.
Cost is $50.00 for the session and $7.00 if you are paying weekly. Sign up today!
PHOTO RESTORATION
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 17 AT 1:00 PM
Do you have old photos or video tapes laying around?? Would you like to have them digitized for future generations?
Call to make an appointment on Wednesday, January 17, with Mark Swirsky. Mark will take your old video tapes, cassette tapes and slides, 8mm and 16mm movie film and transfer them to a disk or thumb drive. He will also restore old photographs. We have a price list in the office. If you want to check it out.
Call today for an appointment time. The work is completed quickly and
returned to the Senior Center where you can pick up your finished product.
NEWS FOR YOU
COME HAVE LUNCH ON FRIDAY
FRIDAY at Noon
The menu looks great for lunches on Friday this month. Won’t you join us? No shopping, no cooking, no dishes…..sounds tempting! Reservations must be made by 10:00 a.m. the day before. A $3.00 donation is requested.
· 1/5– Beef Pot Roast w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Carrots, Wheat Roll, Tapioca Pudding
· 1/12– Teriyaki Salmon, Lo Mein Noodles, Asian Blend Veggies, Wheat Bread, Mandarin Oranges
· 1/19– Meatloaf, Mushroom Gravy, Cheesy Potatoes, Riviera Blend, Wheat Bread, Apple Raisin Compote
· 1/26– Stuffed Shells w/Tomato Sauce, Chicken Meatball, Cauliflower, Tossed Salad, Wheat Bread, Pears
All meals include 1% milk and margarine.
Call 508-355-3000 to make your reservation.
Transportation is available.
BAGELS WITH THE SELECT BOARD
TUESDAY JANUARY 16 AT 9:30 AM
A member of the Select Board will be at the Senior Center on Tuesday, January 16, at 9:30 a.m. Come and enjoy a fresh bagel and a cup of coffee and some conversation.
There is no charge and all are welcome. There have been some very lively discussions and everyone has learned from each of us.
Transportation is available. Please call and let us know if you are coming so we have enough bagels!!
GRAB’N GO LUNCHES
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10 AND 24 AT NOON
1/10– Italian Grinder
1/24– Ham and Swiss Cheese
Lunch is served with chips, pickle, cookie and a bottle of water.
Cost is $5.00* and reservations MUST be made by noon the day before.
* please note change in price. We’ve kept it as was for as long as we could, We hope this will not deter you from continuing to participate.
SOUP FOR THE SOUL
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10 AND 24 AT NOON
It’s time to bring back Soup for the Soul!! Join us on Thursday, January 25, at noon for a hot bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup, conversation
and fun.
There is no charge and transportation is available. This is a very informal lunch.
Please let us know you are coming by Friday, January 19, so we can plan for enough soup.
JANUARY BIRTHDAY LUNCH
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31 AT 12:00 NOON
Come celebrate your birthday with us!!
Salad, Pizza, Birthday cake and Ice Cream
Free for Birthday Babies!
Others $4.00
Reservations by noon the day before
Transportation is available
LIBRARY TRIVIA
FRIDAY JANUARY 12 AT 12:30 PM
At the Senior Center
Presented by Maureen Amyot Library Director & Jeanine Mindrum Library Trustee
Q and A Session
Prizes
AND THERE'S MORE
WESTBOROUGH SENIOR CENTER PRESENTS
SATURDAY SUNSHINE, JANUARY 13 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM
An Adult Respite Program – A program for Westborough Seniors with Memory Loss and Respite for their Caregivers.
Saturday Sunshine provides a structured, quality time for your loved one with memory loss. Professional staff will provide lunch and engaging activities for those who require some supervision.
You must register for each date by the previous Wednesday prior to program. Please contact Stephanie Keane, LICSW or Alma DeManche at 508-366-3000 to register and for more information.
SUNSHINE CAFÉ
THURSDAY JANUARY 18 AT 1:00 PM
At the Westborough Senior Center
Caregivers/Partners bring your loved ones with memory changes to enjoy a sing-a-long with Nancy Gage
There is no cost to attend
RSVP’s are recommended to 508-366-3000
Westborough transportation is available
COMING IN FEBRUARY
COMPUTER HELP
INCOME TAX HELP
CHINESE NEW YEAR
SHOPPING MALL TRIP
SOUP FOR THE SOUL
SADIE HAWKINS DAY