COA April 2008 "Evergreen" Newsletter
TOWN ELECTIONS
Tuesday
April 8, 2008
Polls open:
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Vote for candidates for
Town offices on April 8.
Some of the candidates were at the Senior Center on March 19.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Westport High School
Auditorium
Vote on the Town budgets and warrant articles.
AEROBIC EXERCISE -- Space is available in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday morning classes which start at 8:45 a.m. Stop in and sign up!
BINGO--1st and 3rd Tuesdays
Tuesdays, March 4 and 18, 2008
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
DRAWING CLASS--Space is available in the Thursday morning class which starts at 9:30 a.m. Stop in and see some of the works of art in progress.
POOL TABLES are available in the lower-level of the Senior Center from 9:00 a.m. -- 3:30 p.m. Gather a few players and enjoy a friendly game!
T’AI CHI – BASICS -- Space is available in the Friday afternoon Basics class which starts at 1:30 p.m. Call the Center, or stop in to observe a class!
FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192
Westport, MA 02790
“Contributing membership” should be a “MUST” for all who want the Center to stay around for future senior citizens; people in Westport are turning 60 years of age every day.
We hope you will continue to make a difference by continuing your support--there were over 500 members in FY2008--July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008.
Other future, fund-raisers include:
WESTPORT POINT HOUSE TOUR
Wednesday, June 25, 2008.
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GARDENING WORKSHOP
April 18 & 19
Friday & Saturday
E V E N T C A N C E L L E D
CARL BISSONNETTE
Country, Bluegrass, Pop
Appearing at the
Westport Senior Center
Wednesday, April 30, 12:00 noon
The historical character of William Shakespeare will be brought to life in a performance by Richard Clark on
Friday, May 2, 2008
12:30 p.m.
Westport Senior Center.
For a number of years, Mr. Clark has focused on presenting a series of one-person shows for community audiences throughout New England.
“Come and share some of the most memorable moments in dramatic literature. Laugh with the fools, cry with the afflicted, dream with the poets. Don’t miss the essence of the world’s greatest wordsmith.”
Call the COA in advance for seating reservations--508-636-1026.
TOWARDS PREVENTION
· Stay sociable as you age; maintain and increase your network of friends and acquaintances. {Westport Senior Center}
· Keep in contact with old friends and neighbors if you move in with a relative or change to a new address. {Westport Senior Center}
· Develop a “buddy system” with a friend outside the home. Plan for at least a weekly contact and share openly with this person. {Senior Social Day Program}
· Ask friends to visit you at home; even a brief visit can allow observations of your well-being. {Friendly Visitor Program}
· Accept new opportunities for activities. They can bring new friends. {Westport Senior Center}
· Participate in community activities as long as you are able. {Westport Senior Center}
· Volunteer or become a member or officer of an organization. Participate regularly. {Friends of the Westport Council on Aging}
·
SENIOR SOCIAL DAY
Effective March 17, 2008, the cost of attending the day program will be $35. Scholarships are available.
AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM
Volunteer tax-aide, Jean Clapin, will be at the Senior Center on Thursdays through April 10. Please call Mr. Clapin at 508-672-5683.
ECONOMIC STIMULUS PAYMENT
If you only want to file for the economic stimulus payment, stop by the Library or the Senior Center for a copy of 1040A form and instructions. You should file as soon as possible, but no later than October 15, 2008 to take advantage of the stimulus payment for 2008.
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
Persons 70 or older may receive an exemption if they own and prove current occupancy of the home and occupancy for the past five years and have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least the ten preceding years. Clause 41 was an early response to needs for assistance for qualified persons. Clauses 41B and 41C are alternatives for cities/towns to accept by Town Meeting/city council vote. If a city/town accepts 41B or 41C, the Clause most recently accepted establishes eligibility. If a city/town has not accepted 41B or 41C, Clause 41 prevails. Contact Assessor’s office--508-636-1012.
WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING
“EVERGREEN” NEWSLETTER
The “Evergreen” newsletter is distributed to area businesses and town buildings each month to keep the community informed. Thank you to area businesses, whose advertisements make the 1,400 copies available each month; and thank you to the volunteers who distribute them throughout the town--Barbara, Beverly, Claudette, Muriel, and Vic.
DIGITAL TELEVISION
In 2009, Standard TV signals will cease. How will YOU be affected?
On February 17, 2009, standard broadcast television signals in the U.S. will end, and TV sets that rely on an antenna will no longer receive signals.
Some people may need to purchase a DTV converter box in order to continue watching broadcast television, such as those who have televisions that use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna for TV reception.
Between January 2008 and March 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is running the coupon program. For more information, visit the NTIA website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov, or
call 1-888-388-2009.
You do not need a converter if: your TV is hooked up to cable or satellite service, or you have recently bought a TV and it has a built in digital tuner.
SENIOR AIDES PROGRAM
Coastline elderly Services is eager to assist the 55+ residents in our communities to overcome barriers and secure employment in the Senior Aides Program.
“A study by DYG, Inc., a major national research firm, found that employers have positive attitudes toward older workers and an appreciation of their ‘work ethic’ which includes a commitment to quality, loyalty, a dedication to the company, as well as punctuality.” --Working Age
CENTER CLOSING POLICY—When Westport Community Schools close because of unsafe weather conditions or emergencies, it is the policy of the COA to cancel all scheduled classes, programs, meals, and transportation. The COA office usually remains open. Listen to your local radio or TV station for school closing information—such as, Channel 10 TV.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL to the network of services available to Westport residents, 60 years of age and over. WCOA is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The SHINE Program (SERVING THE HEALTH INFORMATION NEEDS OF ELDERS)--information about Medicare, supplements, MassHealth. Phone consultations and office appointments.
TRANSPORTATION for Westport’s elders, and handicapped persons of all ages, Monday - Friday, to area appointments scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. When you make your doctor’s appointment, call us for a ride. Please have the exact doctor’s name, street address, and telephone number when you call.
MIND Drawing Knitting Quilting
AND Poetry Writing Watercolor
BODY
FITNESS Aerobics, Osteoporosis Prevention, T’ai Chi
PROGRAMS Call for space availability and fees-508-636-1026.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis--1st Thursday
There will be no group meetings in April or May, 2008.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea--3rd Tuesday
-- BOOKS ON TAPE--VIDEO MAGNIFIER
Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Transportation is available to Westport residents.
CHAIR MASSAGE BY KAREN--1st Tuesday
Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
This is a complimentary service—no charge.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINICS
Tuesday, April 1st, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
The Essex Group (formerly Brandon Woods) will conduct a blood pressure clinic.
Tuesday, April 15th, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Westport Town Nurse blood pressure clinic.
FUN, FUN, FUN!
That’s what we did on St. Patrick’s Day at the Senior Center. First, we had a scrumptious corned beef and cabbage luncheon, followed by music and dancing with Marc Deschenes.
Funds for the musical program were provided by a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by the Westport Cultural Council.
WHAT DOES THE COA MEAN TO YOU?
In recognizing the work that staff and volunteers do at the Westport Councils on Aging, here are some comments that reflect the sentiments of many who benefit from our services:
“We are so grateful for the service the COA staff has provided us over the years. The staff has always been there to handle inquiries in a very timely and efficient fashion.”
“You provide a valuable service and it is appreciated.”
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