T h e S e n i o r C e n t e rA newsletter from the Ashfield, Buckland, and Shelburne Councils on Aging

seniorwise

July- August 2013

Jackie, our wonderful outreach worker and transportation coordinator, has been working at the Senior Center for fifteen years. Most of you all know her infectious laugh, collection of silly hats and sincere caring nature. Her job was origi-nally funded for just 10 hours per week and grew through the years, as responsibilities were added, to her current 35 hours per week. Jackie makes referrals for services from other agencies and commu-nity members, visits elders in their homes, assists with fuel assistance applications and coordinates rides for our contract with FRTA as well as scheduling volunteer drivers and a million other helpful duties. She is a vital part of the staff here, as-sisting with daily

This spring, the Buckland Council on Aging reinstituted

a program initiated at the Senior Center and took it on the road. We began

a series of Conversa-tion Cafés designed to bring people together to discuss topics of mutual interest.

Mary Lyon Church kindly allowed us to use its social hall for the events—a com-fortable, accessible

space with tables we could move around to accommodate the exchange of ideas, an excellent kitchen workspace and convenient parking. In March, when the conversation centered on emergency preparedness, we were joined by

Buckland Emergency Management Director Arthur Henry Phillips and Larry Bernier, a full-time firefighter and EMT with the Shelburne Falls Fire District. In April, TRIAD Officer Jim Carpenter led an eye-opening talk on scams, and how to avoid being victimized. Both Conversa-tion Cafés took place mid-day—many people brought brown-bag lunches and we served soup and desserts—and both were well attended by folks from not only Buckland but also neigh-boring communities. On an early evening in May the Café was co-hosted by the COAs of Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne. The topic was “Suddenly I’m a senior. Now what?” and changing the time (in-stead of 12:30 to 2:00 it was from 5:30 to 7 p.m.) meant people who couldn’t come to daytime gatherings were able to attend this one. Munch-ing on hors d’oeurves and desserts, friends and neighbors between the ages of 50-plus and 90-

You’re invited to a Conversation Café

functions of the Center, special events and in-formative programs. In her years here, she has worked with five different directors and served

as Interim Director three times. As much as she loves her work, all of you and Shelburne Falls, Jackie’s heart is happiest at the beach so we are happy for her that she has made a big life decision to move east to Cape Cod. Jackie will be sorely missed and we hope you can wish her well as she embarks on the next phase of her life. An in-formal, drop-in farewell to Jackie is planned for Tuesday, July 30 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Center. Come join us if you can. Thank you, Jackie, thank you!

Jackie “Bonehead” Stan-ford climbs a ladder to clean ceiling fans while Eric Tem-ple gets a chuckle. “Other related duties…eh, Jackie?”

continued on page 2

Hats Off To Jackie Stanford!

MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of the West County Consortium of Councils on Aging is to to facilitate the work of local Councils on Aging in developing local support networks that enrich the lives of aging citizens in the towns we serve.

CONSORTIUM BOARDEllen Eller, BucklandBarbara Kuhns, AshfieldMarcia Klein, AshfieldJoanne Soroka, BucklandEric Temple, BucklandSue Pratt, BucklandPenny Spearance, ShelburneFranklin Wickland, AshfieldChris Myers, ShelburneSue Bishop, ShelburneSylvia Smith, ShelburneGail Ojala, Shelburne

STAFFCathleen Buntin, Director Jackie Stanford, Outreach & Transportation CoordinatorLeanne Dowd, Activities CoordinatorRobert Szafran & Paul Cetto, Van DriversHugh Knox, Meal Site ManagerDot Lyman, Volunteer Coordinator

NEWSLETTERSeniorWise is produced by Senior Center Staff. Content contributions are welcome.Layout & design by Diana Hardina,Upstream Advertising & Graphicsdianahardina.com / 413.625.9921 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .THE SENIOR CENTER7 MAIN STREETSHELBURNE FALLS, MA 01370413.625.2502sfsrctr@crocker.comtownofshelburne.com/seniorcenter

l Office or home visits by appointment. Please call Jackie at 625-2502.

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something talked about making the most of “seniority.” And everyone agreed: No mat-ter how old and achy we may feel on any given day, we choose to use our experience, knowledge and “free time” to get involved. We prefer to be “off our rockers,” putting our individual talents and skills to work in our communities. The Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne COAs planned an Ice Cream Social for June, with music by Small Change, as a perfect way to spend a summer evening and a fitting end to this Café season…but not the Café series. Although we won’t hold another COA pro-gram until autumn, we will be going through the list of topics suggested by seniors we’ve met so we can plan the next round of Con-versation Cafés in Buckland, Ashfield and/or Shelburne. You’ll receive automated phone-call invitations to them and we hope you’ll join us.Until then, thank you to our Senior Center staff and volunteers for inspiring and contrib-uting their time and energy to the Conversa-tion Cafés, to Mary Lyon Church for the use of the social hall, and to the Friends of West County Seniors for their partial financial sup-port.Questions? Call Ellen Eller, 625-9933 (Buck-land COA); Penny Spearance, 625-9639

Conversation Cafécontinued from page 1

Thank You – DonationsDonations are gratefully accepted at any time. You can remember a loved one by designating funds for a memorial account or donate to the gift account. The Town of Shelburne created a gift account to accept donations specifically for the Senior Center and its programs and services. Donations may be made to Town of Shelburne, Senior Center Gift Account and de-livered to the Senior Center at 7 Main Street, Shelburne Falls. Your support is greatly ap-preciated as the Center continues and expands its mission and scope of services to the older adults of our community.Thank you to our recent donors: Don and Car-ol Paye, Janet Eaton and a special thanks to Doris Perry for her support for our luncheons with Alan Young, entertainment and writing workshops.

Our spring Watercolor Painting Class taught by Kim Sebrey pose with samples of their work.

(Shelburne COA) or Wayne Wickland, 628-4407 (Ashfield COA).

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upcoming eventsl Office or home visits by appointment. Please call Jackie at 625-2502.

services

servies continued on page 4

Wish List We are doing some orga-nizing and spring cleaning around the Center. If you have any of these items in good working condition, we would happily acceptdonations!• Canister vacuum cleaner• Storage cabinet (wood or metal) with doors• Hanging indoor plants• Ceramic Soup bowls• Metal teaspoons and soup spoons • Wooden corner desk• Energy efficient dehumidi-fier• DVD player

SHINE Medicare Insurance Free AssistanceYou can receive confidential information about your Health Insurance options from a SHINE representative by making an appoint-ment between 9:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. on Wednesdays: July 10 or August 14. Call 625-2502 to make an appointment. This is a free service.You may also call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636), then press or say “3.” Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A volunteer will call you back as soon as possible.For assistance from a Medicare customer ser-vice representative 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

TransportationThe Senior Center offers a Van Transportation program for seniors 60+ covering nine towns in West County, funded by the FRTA: Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Haw-ley, Heath, Rowe and Shelburne. Rides are pro-vided only in Franklin County, plus a monthly shopping trip to WALMART in Hadley. Rides are prioritized as follows: medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other shopping. Rides to Senior Center activities and congregate meals will be provided as the schedule and funding permits. We are not able to provide transporta-tion to and from employment or education nor for ongoing medical trips such as dialysis or physical therapy. Please call 625-2502 to make an appointment several days in advance. Please call Jackie for information about reservations and fees.FRTA provides trips to the Big Y in Greenfield on Tuesdays. Call the FRTA at 774-2262 x163.

Home-Delivered Meals “Meals on Wheels” are available for se-

niors in West County up to seven days per week. Please call Franklin County Home Care at 773-7702 for information and reg-istration.

Congregate MealsMeals open to all seniors of all towns are served at the Senior Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. by FCHCC. Reservations must be made be-fore 11:00 a.m. one meal site day in advance by calling Hugh at 625-6266. $2 donation suggested. Printed menus are available at the Center, or go to www.fchcc.org/menus/menu.htm.

OutreachJackie Stanford, Outreach Coordinator, is available for confidential office or home visits by appointment to Ashfield, Buckland, and Shelburne residents. She will assist you with any questions you may have for ser-vices for yourself or someone you know, including fuel assistance, home health care, food programs and transportation. Please call her at 625-2502.

Home Repair ProgramThrough this program, a handyman volun-teer is available to do minor home repairs for seniors, such as replacing broken win-dows, small plumbing and electrical jobs, and other repairs. This is a free service, available for residents of Ashfield, Buck-land and Shelburne, but the senior is expect-ed to purchase all needed parts and materi-als. Voluntary donations are accepted. This program is funded by a Title III grant from Franklin County Home Care and the Mas-sachusetts EOEA. If you have a project or are a handyman/woman who is interested in helping, please call Jackie at 625-2502.

Our Wii bowling team kept possession of the trophy for another year following the an-nual tournament. Team mem-bers (left to right) are: Linda Thompson, Deb Brinkman, Cay Clark, Fran Eldred and Lorraine Dyer. Congrats!

page 4Veterans Services at the Senior Center Every first Tuesday of the month, Leo Par-ent, Jr. or Mark Fitzpatrick of Veterans’ Ser-vices will be holding office hours from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center. Of-fice hours on all other Tuesdays of the month will remain in the Selectmen’s meeting room at Shelburne Town Hall from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Please call Mr. Parent or Mr. Fitz-patrick at their Montague office at 863-3205 to schedule an appointment. This service is open to all.

Food ProgramsThe West County Emergency Food Pantry, a pro-gram of Community Action, is held at the Center on the third and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 4:00-5:30 p.m. for low-income individuals and families from West County. Please call the Center For Self Reliance at 773-5029 for information and registration. The Brown Bag program is a bag of groceries spe-cifically for low-income adults who are 55 years and older (or younger with documented disability) and is distributed on the third Wednesday of the month at the Center at noon. A $3.00 donation is requested per month. To apply for the monthly bag of grocer-ies, call the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts at 1-800-247-9632.

Tai Chi for ArthritisThe movements of this easy form of Tai Chi are designed to relieve joint discomfort and stiff-ness. You will learn the principles of the ancient ho-listic wellness practice of Tai Chi and a simple Tai Chi format of twelve moves that are specif-ically designed to improve flexibility, stability, balance, circulation and energy. The program is led by Certified Instructor Deborah Yaffee.

wellness

Tuesdays: 4:00–5:00 pm. Cost is $6.00 per class, or $48.00 per eight-week session. You may register at the class. Join anytime or just come and try a class. There will be no Tai Chi classes in August.

Foot ClinicFoot clinic appointments are offered at the Senior Center every month by Kip Moeller, R.N. Each foot clinic appointment takes 30 min-utes and costs $25.00 To make an appoint-ment call the center at 625-2502 and for home visits ($35) call Kip at 624-5190. Our next appointment dates are Mondays: July 8, 22 and August 19 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Please call for availability.

Osteo Fitness- RSVP of Hampshire & Franklin Counties Osteoporosis Exercise Program sponsors a self-paced, low-impact, osteoporosis exercise class. It is an ongoing program held on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at the Center led by our trained instruc-tors. Exercises, designed to strengthen bones and improve balance, can be done sitting or standing and may include hand and ankle weights. The class is free. A new class be-gan in Ashfield this past fall on Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Corner. It is led by Jane Wagener, Helen Boyden, and Leah Teece. Registration is ongoing and can be done at the class.

Fourth Tuesday Walk-in Wellness Coun-seling with Regional Public Health Nurse Walk in for one-on-one health counseling with Regional Public Health Nurse Lisa White BS, RN on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10:30 – noon. Whether you are coping with a new diagnosis, living with on-going health issues, or just want more information about health and wellness, the nurse is here to help. During days when she is on-site, the nurse can take your blood pres- Wellness, continued on page 5

Ashfield C o u n c i l On AgingMonthly Lun-cheons are held on the first Thurs-day of the month. The group will not meet in July but will meet on August 1 for a picnic. The loca-tion will be an-nounced. All are welcome. Con-tact Charlotte Clement at 625-6270 if you plan to attend or for more informa-tion.

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special events

sure, check your blood glucose and also collect sharps/needles and supply you with a safe collection box. Mercury thermom-eter exchange is available, too. These nursing services are provided through Buckland and Shelburne’s mem-bership in the Cooperative Public Health Service health district based at the Frank-lin Regional Council of Governments. For more information contact Lisa at 413-665-1400 x 114.

Gentle YogaClasses are currently held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays are led by Larry Baird, and Thursdays are led by Noel Abbott. For each class we ask you to register by the month. The fee for Ashfield, Buckland, and Shelburne residents is $15.00 per month for once per week and $25.00 per month for twice per week (payable by the month). Non-member residents please add $10.00/month. Come try one out. No obligation!

Summer Soups and Salads with Alan Young- Wednesday, July 17 at 11:30. Join us at the Senior Center for a great summer luncheon featuring some healthy, refresh-ing cold soups and salads just in time for the heat of the summer. Following lunch we will be entertained by Carol Pedigree with her “Hats off to America” one woman show. Carol will perform songs from the 1920’s through the 1950’s in vintage gowns, hats and boas. This will be a dynamic show with audience participation. The cost of the lunch and show is just $2 thanks to a gener-ous donor. Please call to reserve your space by July 15.

Annual Picnic – Don’t miss this wonderful annual event on Thursday, August 15 at the Buckland Recreation Area Pavilion. En-joy a delicious BBQ served by the Kiwanis Club at Noon. This year the Falltown String Band will entertain us starting at 10:30 a.m. Falltown String Band has been performing around the Pioneer Valley and beyond for over 25 years, playing folk, country, Ameri-can standards, blues and old time. With a wide and varied repertoire this band will provide great entertainment for our picnic. Please make a reservation for the BBQ and request transportation if needed. Adults 60 years and older from Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne and their guests have priority registration until August 8 then the picnic is open to all residents (pending seat availabil-ity). Cost is just $4.00 thanks to the gener-osity of the Kiwanis Club and donors to the Senior Center gift fund.

“Cats” the Musical! – Travel by deluxe coach to Beverly, MA North Shore Mu-sic Theatre on Wednesday, August 21 to see one of the world’s best known and best loved musicals. Every seat has great viewing at this “theatre in the round”, one of the few remaining in the country which is also air conditioned. The performers are top notch from Broadway and costumes are fabulous. You will dine at the scenic Dan-versport Yacht Club in their beautiful chan-delier adorned banquet hall. Choose your entrée: boneless breast of chicken or fresh baked scrod. This fabulous day trip includes round trip motor coach (Travel Kuz), driver gratuity, lunch and your theatre tickets for $120! To reserve your seat(s) please call or stop by the Senior Center with your non-refundable (but transferable) $25 deposit. Seats are assigned on the bus according to deposit received date. Balances are due be-fore July 10. The coach departs in front of

Bed & Breakfast

2 Charlemont RoadP.O. Box 222Buckland, Ma 01338www.birdsnestbnb.comemail: birdsnestbnb1797@yahoo.com 413-625-9523

Bird’s Nest

“Meet Your

Neighbor”Monday, July 29 at 1:00 Meet Irene Baird of Buckland at the Senior Center. Irene Baird has over 18 years experience hand drumming with West African Roots. She has studied and played on 3 continents and says drumming is a way to build community, relax, focus, and enjoy spend-ing time with others as you have a conversa-tion through drumming. Irene and her husband Larry will bring 10 of their drums to the Senior Center and teach us how to move our hands on the drums. Come and experience something new as Irene and Larry teach us to drum togeth-er. This program is free and open to all.

Wellness, continued from page 4

special eventscontinued from page 5

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the Senior Center at 8:00 a.m. and returns there at approximately 8:30 p.m. Comfort stops are made enroute.

Fun Friday AdventuresQuinnetuckut Cruise- Friday July 26. Vans depart from the Senior Center at 10:30. The Quinnetukut II, Northfield Mountain’s 44-seat riverboat, has been cruising the Connecticut River for nearly a quarter of a century. The “QII” makes 12-mile round trips through the enchant-ing French King Gorge, and on to histor-ic Barton Cove — home to nesting bald eagles and the site of a former dinosaur track quarry. An on-board interpreter nar-rates each cruise, offering information on the culture, habitats, and natural history of this spectacular stretch of river. We’ll arrive at the dock at the Riverview Picnic area in Northfield and have a picnic before boarding. You can bring your own lunch or order a box lunch when you reserve your space. The cost is $10 for the cruise, $4 for the van and $10.75 for a delicious box lunch from Hager’s Farm Market which includes a deli sandwich, pickle, chips or a side salad, seasonal fruit, dessert and a beverage. Register by July 11.

Zoar Outdoor Float Trip- Friday, Au-gust 9. Let’s celebrate the dog days of summer with a Fun Float Trip down the Deerfield River in a raft. We’ll head to Zoar Outdoor from the Senior Center at 3:00 for a 4 hour float. The rafting trip will showcase the beauty of the lower Deerfield River as it meanders through farmland and the rolling Berkshire foothills along the historic Mohawk Trail. A professional

river guide provides insight into the natu-ral and cultural history of the area. We will stop along the way for a light supper served riverside. Rafters will paddle along with the guide or may ride in the center of the boat if needed. All rafters must be able to get in and out of the raft with minimal assistance. The cost of the float trip which includes supper is $60 per person with full payment for the trip due by 7/31.

Our Hilltown Harmony Choir gave a public performance during Riverfest. Thanks to all our singers, Director Shelley Roberts and accompanist Amy Roberts-Crawford for sharing your talent and joy!

Polly Bartlett led us on an interesting and scenic hike to High Ledges.We enjoyed the view just in time before a rainstorm arrived.

Anne Mislak, who touched up our exhibit area wall during clean up day is one of over 100 volunteers who contrib-ute their time with the Se-nior Center. Volunteers were honored recently at an event with some tasty food, music and accolades (Marion Tay-lor and Martha Davenport below.)

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calendaritem descriptions

Lasting friendships have formed at the Senior Center. Clockwise from top left - Linda Thomp-son, Bob MacGregor, Lorraine Dyer and Dor-othy MacGregor enjoy the crabapple blossoms by the front entrance.

Water Fitness Classes - Sarah Clarke will return to lead you in this fun exercise class held in the Buckland Recreation Area pool. Participants are not required to be swimmers and can exercise in the shallow side of the pool. Classes will be held in two sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Session I: July 9-August 1, Session II: August 6-29. Classes are open to adults from all towns and are funded in part from donations that have been made to the Se-nior Center gift account.There is a nominal fee of $15 per session for adults 60 years and older from Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne and $20 for all other participants. Please pre-register through the Senior Center.

Summer Writing Workshop- The Senior Center will offer a four part writing work-shop Mondays from 2-3:30 p.m. on August 5, 12, 19 and 26. Take a break from the hot afternoon sun and spend some enjoyable time writing in the cool of the Senior Center. Amy Grieger, a lifelong writer and student of Ge-nie Zeiger, will lead the workshop. Each week she will provide a prompt, time to write and a time to share writing. Participants are free to write in response to the prompt or write on a topic of their choosing. There is no charge for this workshop thanks to a generous donor. The worshops are limited to 8 participants so sign up early. Ashfield, Buckland and Shel-burne residents 60+ years have priority until July 29.

Men’s Night - Come meet other West County senior men for dinner and conversation on the second Wednesday of the month from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the Senior Center’s main hall. Those attending share a light dinner and dessert. This program is led by volunteers. Please call for scheduled speaker or field trip details for July 10 and August 14.

Painting Workshops- The Senior Center will offer 2 painting workshops over the summer for watercolor painters at the beginner (some painting experience) to intermediate level. Kim Sebrey, instructor for the beginner wa-tercolor class in the spring will return to pro-vide her painting skills and teaching guidance for these workshops on Thursdays: July 25 and August 22 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Kim will pick a theme for each 3 hour class with paper, brushes and paints provided. The cost per workshop is $10 with a limit of 12 par-ticipants. Please sign up in advance for one or both workshops. Residents of Ashfield, Buck-land and Shelburne, ages 60+ years have pri-ority registration until one week prior to the start of class. (All others pay $15)

Knitting ClubOur knitting club is busy learning and shar-ing … and laughing! The group is led by Alan Young on Thursdays: from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Knit for yourself or knit for various lo-cal agencies whose members could benefit from some warm scarves or hats…all in our air conditioned comfortable space! Scrapbooking Come make a set of creative and colorful birthday cards complete with envelopes with the help of Carrie Holmes, Creative Memories consultant, on (date to be announced) from 10-12 at the Center. Carrie will provide in-struction and supplies. If you wish, additional supplies can be ordered. You may also bring your own project to work on with Carrie. This program is free thanks to funding from the Se-nior Center gift account. Please call to regis-ter.

Steve Damon “Movin’ To The Music” - Steve Damon, owner of “A Natural Music School,” will both entertain and engage us on Thursday, August 8 from10:45-11:30 a.m. Join in the laughter, song and music of various folk tunes and “dances” in the main hall of our air-conditioned Center. Free and open to all.

The Senior Center7 Main Street

Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

32I would like to express a thank you to the Friends of West County Seniors. This 501C non-profit group formerly known as Shelburne Senior Center, Inc. was or-ganized and recognized by the State in 1981.Through the years and by the efforts of hard working volunteers, the organiza-tion raised funds through special event programming such as the annual Holiday Fair and raffle, bake and plant sales. As the Senior Center grew its services, the Friends were there to provide financial support for equipment, supplies, and spe-cial entertainment beyond the Center’s budget from the member towns and spe-cial grants. The time and support given by these volunteers was also invaluable, always being ready to lend a hand at ac-tivities and events. Last year, the group expanded its service area, revised its by-laws and re-named itself “Friends of West County Seniors, Inc.” The group continued to allocate your donations to help fund some of the operational costs

of the Center such as paper, internet costs, newspaper subscriptions and spe-cial programs. We are thankful for that support and are able to inform you that the three Towns of Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne will once again cover these operational costs starting in July and Senior Center programs are funded through the Senior Center gift account.The Friends are now offering their own programs as well as taking requests for funding for senior programming in ten local towns. Thanks to all of your dona-tions, the group now has a solid fund of approximately $30,000. They meet to allocate these funds at the Greenfield Co-Operative Bank community room on the first Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. The July 2nd meeting has additional pro-posed by-law amendment changes and officer elections on the agenda. Please join them if you would like to have input on decisions about programs and find out how your donations are allocated.

Cathy Buntin, Director

Thank You to the Friends of West County Seniors

Prsrt StdU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit no. 183Greenfield, MA

01301