Westport News

Tel.:  508–636–1026          - Fax:  508-636-1034

SEPTEMBER NEWS & EVENTS AT THE WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER

“FOOD PANTRY OPENS!!!”
The “Food for Friends” officially opens on Thursday, September 10^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Seventeen volunteers are trained and committed to help make our Pantry a caring and successful outreach to the Westport Community. Any Westport resident in need of food is welcome to come to the Pantry one time each month.  The amount of food will be determined by the number of people in the household. September is “Food for Friends Month” and we are encouraging everyone who comes to the Senior Center to please bring along a non-perishable food item for the pantry.  Suggested items are as follows: Canned meat such as tuna, ham or chicken; peanut butter, box of cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, Parmalette milk, canned fruit or canned vegetables. Thank you for working with us to help each other during these difficult times.

*****Westport COA - VIDEO Project*****
August was a very busy month!  On Tuesday, August 18^th the Council on Aging introduced the fantastic promotional video highlighting the role of the Westport Council on Aging in our community.  You will be able to view the video on the Town Website, on the Public Access Cable TV channels and a variety of other venues.   This video was made possible by grants from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust and the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging.  We would like to thank everyone who helped with this project and a special thank you to Heather Heath Reed, Chairman of the Council on Aging Board for the countless hours she put into making this video such a success. Come and watch the video here at the COA on Tuesday September 8^th at 1:00 p.m.!

August Highlights!!!
The Family Night featuring “Magnolia” the Cajun Band was a tremendous success.  If you missed it this year be sure to join us next year, just ask any of the 200 people who attended and they will tell you what an upbeat time was had by all.  Salty, one of our volunteers cooked up a batch of Jambalaya that brought real spice to the evening, on August 18^th.
 

The Annual Picnic was a time to renew old friendships on August 19th.  Thank goodness for the tent and the cool music by George Cataldo because it was the hottest day of the year.  As always, Lees Supermarket provided hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, beans and watermelon.  The Cozy Nook provided hot and cold drinks. George Maynard & Family, our grill masters celebrated 30 years of service to his friends as chef for the picnic.  To George and everyone that work so hard to make this event a success, Thank you!!

The Ice Cream Social to celebrate the over 100 volunteers took place on Thursday August 20^th.   The COA could not function without the help of these hard working volunteers and we had a great time.  Gary Duquette, “The Bad Ant” entertained the crowd with his easy listening style.

Having four events, the Video Premier, Family Event, Annual Picnic and Volunteer Appreciation all in the same week seemed like a good idea during the planning stage, but the hot weather made it much more difficult than we anticipated. The staff and volunteers of the COA never complained, they worked tirelessly and we are very blessed to have such a wonderful group of people to serve the elders of Westport.

My Life My Health – Session III
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Created by Stanford University
Beginning: Monday, October 5th 2009, 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Westport Council on Aging has been awarded a partnership with the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Council on Aging Association to implement My Life, My Health, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. If you have a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure, arthritis, heart problems, diabetes, or any other chronic illness or condition, this program is for you. This is an evidence-based program that promotes the empowerment of people with chronic conditions and their loved ones, to take control of their health, and to improve the quality of their lives.  Please call Toni Cormier, LSWA at the Westport Council on Aging for more details. 508-636-1026.

SENIOR CENTER CLOSING POLICY:   If the Westport Community Schools announce closings due to weather emergencies, the Senior Center will close for classes, transportation, and other activities--the COA office may operate for routine administrative operations only.

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.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis---1^st Thursday
Thursday, September 3, 2009, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
 Transportation is available for Westport residents.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/ Nurse Kathy
3^rd Tuesday of the month. September15, 2009 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.