Mayor Susan M. Kay

May 2010 

SUMMER PROGRAMS HEAT POLICY:  Because there is no air conditioning in the gym, if the temperature is predicted to be 85 degrees or more, all programs in the gym are cancelled. New England weather is unpredictable and it is sometimes a difficult decision as to whether to cancel an activity.  If in doubt, please call the programs hotline after 9:00 a.m. at 781-682-3822.  All classrooms are air-conditioned, so the policy does NOT apply to those activities scheduled in those rooms.

ALLERTON HOUSE ASSISTED LIVING AT CENTRAL PARK IN WEYMOUTH WILL HOST TWO SUMMER COOKOUTS!

 The staff at Central Park will welcome you with great food, entertainment, trivia games and prizes!  Dress in your favorite Patriotic-Red/White/Blue colors and celebrate summer in Weymouth.
This is the 3rd Year that Allerton House at Central Park has hosted these great events.
 
Allerton House at Central Park offers many engaging and intriguing enrichment activities, designed to promote a sense of fulfillment and wellbeing. At Allerton House you may enjoy gardening or painting, or join a book or walking club or join in on their Wii game!  Entertainment and cultural activities are plentiful.

Mark you calendar and join the fun!
Date~ Tuesday, July 20th   Raindate: Wednesday, July 21st

Or

Date~ Tuesday, August 24th  Raindate: Wednesday,  August 25th

Location ~ Allerton House at Central Park
                       43 School House Road- Weymouth
1:00-3:00PM

So that more seniors have an opportunity to attend, please choose only one date.
Reservations are limited to the first 75 per cookout, so sign-up early.
Call Weymouth Elder Services @ 781-682-6140 to reserve your spot.

ALLERTON HOUSE AT CENTRAL PARK ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY INVITES YOU TO FREE CONCERTS ON THE COURTYARD
43 School House Road, Weymouth

Thursday, June 24th  4-6 p.m.  Paul Weller Quartet
Thursday, July 22nd  4-6:30 p.m.  Family Fun Day with the O’Reilly’s Band
(Bring the kids, pony rides, games & more)
Thursday, August 26 4:30-6:30 p.m.  The Singing Trooper Dan Clark

Bring a friend and a chair or blanket!

“THE PLACE”

A Senior Center,
Whipple is the name,
A full calendar program,
From Book Club to games.
Lunches and breakfasts,
Sprinkled through the dates,
And a word to the wise,
Don’t sign up late.
Movies, knitting, music,
Not forgetting poker too,
Added special events,
To mention a few.
From 9 to 4,
The best part of the day,
And like food at a cookout,
You get to have it your way.

  Admiral L.R. Duck

WEYMOUTH CELEBRATES THE FOURTH OF JULY
Saturday, July 3rd at Wessagusset (George Lane) Beach starting at 5:00 p.m. with food, musical entertainment, kiddie rides and more!  Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.  Free transportation available by shuttle bus from Whipple Senior Center – Family entertainment all evening!

WHITMAN’S POND ASSOCIATION FISHING FESTIVAL SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

The Whitman's Pond Association Fishing Festival will be held on July 17, 2010 at the Lorraine Larrabee Boat Ramp on Middle Street, East Weymouth.  Please bring sunglasses, sun tan lotion and blanket or folding chair to sit on. Fishing poles are provided by Mass Wildlife Anglers Education Program. The worms will be provided by The Whitman's Pond Association. There will be food and drinks for sale at the event.
If you would like to volunteer for this fun event, please call Mark Sullivan at 781-820-2672.

PROGRAM NOTES:
No Band July and August
No Water-based oils July
No Choral Group July and August
No movies July and August
Olde Kids on the Block return in October
No line dancing July and August
No woodcarving July and August
No Book Club July and August
No table tennis July and August
Friends luncheons will resume in September

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Many thanks to Harbormaster Paul Milone for coming to the Whipple Senior Center to issue free beach stickers to those Weymouth residents 65+.  The line was non-stop and   101 beach stickers were given out.

Some of you have asked about your MBTA Senior “Charlie Card” renewal.  The MBTA will be here again on September 17 from 12:30-3:30.  This is a great convenience because you don’t have to go to Boston to renew your card.  Mark your calendar and, of course, we will remind you of this date in the September newsletter.

We now have six brand new computers in the computer room!  Thanks to a combination of municipal funding, and a generous donation from the Friends of the Council on Aging, we now have a state-of-the-art computer room.  We will continue to offer basic computer classes and hope, in the future, to expand those classes.  All seniors are welcome to drop in over the summer and use the computer room. 

I wish to express my thanks to Camille, Sue DeChristoforo, and Andrea Gil for their excellent work in organizing the Annual Volunteer Luncheon.  We received many positive comments that people really enjoyed it this year. 

Also, I wish to thank The Atrium at Faxon Woods for the fabulous omelet station breakfast and to Sunrise Assisted Living for The Weymouth Day Luncheon during the month of June.  We certainly are being well fed!

Coming in the fall – senior tap dancing lessons!  What next?

Susan Barnes

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO SENIORS

Please call 781-682-6140 to make an appointment for all services marked with *

Volunteer Help With Small Tasks –  (BOSS) Benevolent Organizations of the South Shore – Call 781-910-3399. 
Quincy Community Action Programs – Reverse Mortgage Counseling – Deidre Hall:  617-479-8181 Ext. 315.
*William Cratty, MSF, CPA offers free 30 minute financial advice once a month. 
*Attorney Michael O’Neil - the first Friday of the month for a free twenty minute consultation. 
*Free hearing evaluation and consultation John Klefeker, Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist once a month
*Attorney Alexis Levitt - the third Tuesday of the month.  She will provide a free thirty minute consultation on all elder law issues, with a particular focus on Health Care Proxies, and Durable Power of Attorney.
*SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) A Shine representative is here every Tuesday morning to assist you with your health insurance options.  No charge.
*Chair Massage with Christine Galluzzo -  second Monday of the month.  Fee:  $10 for fifteen minutes.
*Foot Care offered once a month. By registered nurse.  Cost: $28.
*Handyman – For small home repairs. Reasonable rates.

Weymouth Health Department B12 Clinics every Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:30 by appointment.  Fee: $5.  You must bring your prescription with you. Tetanus shots and pneumonia shots available also by appointment for a fee of $5.  Call Health Department at 781-340-5008 to schedule an appointment.

Please note:  Professionals are kind enough to provide these services to Weymouth seniors.  Please respect their valuable time by keeping your appointment!

VOLUNTEERS – VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE

“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals.  To that end each of us must work for his own improvement and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.”
Marie Curie (1867-1934)  Chemist and Physicist

The annual volunteer appreciation luncheon was held at Lantana in Randolph last month where many of our volunteers and their guests were treated to a delicious turkey dinner.  Mayor Sue Kay and Sue Barnes, Director, joined me in thanking the volunteers for all they do to keep Elder Services thriving.  Television newscaster Randy Price of Channel 5, was a very entertaining guest speaker who had some humorous interaction with the seniors.  With the difficult financial situation most communities are dealing with, volunteers are more important than ever.  We are fortunate to have 191 dedicated men and women who give of their time and talent on a regular basis.  On behalf of all the seniors who benefit from your help, I thank you.

The pen pal luncheon/ice cream party was great fun as usual.  Seniors who corresponded with 4th graders during the school year spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Wessagusset School meeting their pen pals for the first time. The Parent Council generously treated the seniors to a yummy lunch and the Friends of the Council on Aging provided funds for the ice cream and toppings. The students’ musical performance was a wonderful conclusion to a wonderful party.

 A big thank you to teachers Ms. Roberts, Ms. Ellis, Ms. Godbout and Ms Kelly, and the students and seniors who made this intergenerational program so successful. Once again, John Peruzzi took some great photos that day.  Be sure to look for them on display in our lobby.  Thank you, John.  Looking forward to having everyone participate again next year.

Happy Birthday wishes to volunteers celebrating birthdays this month – Sue Abbott, 15; Larry Cassese, 5; Phil Dentino, 6; Jean Devine, 11; Marion Devine, 18; Barry Drew, 26; Mary Fallon, 10; Kathleen Harte, 16; Rebecca Hatton, 28; Joyce Jung, 14; Jeanette Knight, 7; Elizabeth Metcalf, 2; Rayann Nute, 26; Mary Pawlowski, 7; Pat Peters, 15;  Helen Pilioglos, 28; Muriel Savoy-Moloney, 19; Pat Telford, 31; Irving Walling, 7; Kay Walsh, 7

Happy, relaxing and safe summer to all our seniors – especially the hard-working volunteers.

Our volunteers are the BEST!
Camille Collins
Coordinator of Volunteers
The volunteer program is funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant.

FRIENDS TRIPS

Twin River, Lincoln Rhode Island – Tuesday, July 6, 2010  $23 pp (includes taxes and gratuities)  Departs:  9:45 a.m.  Returns 5:00 p.m.  Tour includes:  $7 food voucher, $10 bonus play

Gambling Getaway – Sun., 7/25 (2 days/1 night) Departs TBA $149 ppdo - $209 single
Day each at Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun – Lodging:  Comfort Inn, Mystic, Ct.  Evening dinner and entertainment (2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 continental breakfast)

Finger Lakes, NY Sunday 8/8 – (4 days – 3 nights) $569l d ppdo - $749 single
3 nights at Double Tree Hotel, Syracuse, NY – 7 meals includes a dinner cruise on the lake – William Seward Home – Sonnenberg Gardens – New York & Salt Museums – Erie Canal – Syracuse Tour – Vineyards – Skaneateles

Rail & Sail Thursday, 9/16 $89.95 Departs TBA – 1/1/2 hour railroad excursion cruise on “The M/S Mount Washington” on Lake Winnipesaukee with entertainment and luncheon buffet – View the White Mountains

Washington D.C. & Historic Virginia 9/30 (6 days, 5 nights) $899 ppdo; $1189 single
Hotels:  Courtyard by Marriot – Washington D.D.  Riding tour (patriotic monument stops)  Guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg, VA, Busch Gardens & Jamestown Festival Park, Norfolk, Virgina Beach & Quantico, VA  Visit National Marine Corps Museum. Return via Chesapeake Bay bridge/Tunnel & Lewes Ferry to Cape May, NJ

Fall Foliage Day Trip Tuesday, October 5.  Includes:

• A visit to Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchedon, MA.  Short informational tour of the cheese-making process along with a cheese tasting.  Retail store and gift shop on premises.

• Lunch at J.P. Stephen’s (formerly Lilly’s on the Pond).   Restaurant built over 200 years ago.  It housed a grist mill and forge before becoming a restaurant in 1952.

• Guided tour and visit to the Cathedral of the Pines located in the hills of Rindge, N.H. and offers breathtaking vistas of Mt. Monadnock.

• Visit to Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA.  Farm stand and store full of country goodness and charm.  Gift of the Red Apple’s delicious apple dumplings to take home.  Also, if interested, a 30 minute hayride for only $2.  Price:  $69.95 pp includes all of the above.  Choice of roast top sirloin-bake scrod or sautéed apple walnut breast of chicken   Meal also includes appetizer, potato, vegetable, dessert, coffee/tea. 

Checks payable to:  Friends Trips, P.O. Box 890221, Weymouth, MA  02189 
For more information, call Paul Leslie, Trip Coordinator at 781-335-0886

FROM BERNADETTE IN THE OUTREACH OFFICE

As part of healthcare reform passed by Congress, those who reach the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “donut hole” will receive a $250 rebate to help pay for prescription drugs. Your drug plan will contact Medicare and a check will be sent to you directly during the next quarter. This means, depending on when you hit the donut hole, it could be up to 3 months until you get the check.

There is no application process or phone calls associated with the issuance of this check!

Any contacts regarding the check could be a scam.  Call the Weymouth Police Department 781-335-7806. It should also be reported to Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.

MassEDP offers new freedom to people with disabilities.  MassEDP provides specialized telephone equipment to people with a permanent disability for little or no cost. They offer a choice of equipment for people who are deaf/hard of hearing, have speech difficulties, blind/low vision, memory impairments and problems with mobility. The eligibility requirements are:

1) You must be a Massachusetts resident.
2) A Massachusetts licensed physician or medical specialist must verify a permanent disability.
3) You must have a residential phone service in your home (cellular phone service does not apply).

Farmer’s Market Coupons will be available mid-July.  To qualify, you must be eligible for SSI, Food Stamps or Mass Health.  If you are not on any of these programs call the numbers below for income eligibility. You must sign and attest to the fact that you are on one of these programs or are income eligible.  The coupons will be distributed through the Outreach Office.  Please call prior to coming to get the coupons to ensure an outreach worker is available to assist you.  Call either Andrea at 781-682-3817 or Bernadette at
781-682-3816.  If you are unable to come to the Center, arrangements can be made to sign a proxy form and have someone else pick them up for you. Weymouth residents will be given priority.  Non-residents should check with their own town Council on Aging.

TRANSPORTATION –Call Steve at 781-331-3921

7/1 BINGO
7/6 HANOVER MALL
7/7 SHAWS
7/8 BINGO
7/13 SILVER CITY GALLERIA
7/14 SHAWS
7/15 BINGO
7/19 WAL-MART / ABINGTON
7/20 ALLERTON HOUSE COOKOUT 
7/21 SHAWS
7/22 BINGO
7/27 KINGSTON MALL
7/28 SHAWS
7/29 BINGO

Transportation is also provided by van to medical appointments within Weymouth, surrounding towns, and Boston medical facilities. Donations for rides are essential if we are to maintain this valuable service.

The Transportation program is partially funded by a Community Development Block Grant, Title 111B Grant of The Older Americans Act and a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.