SENIOR CENTER – 28 MEDWAY BRANCH ROAD – NORFOLK – MA - (508) 528-4430
The mission of the Norfolk Council on Aging is to serve as an advocate
to ensure that the town’s seniors have the opportunity
to live with independence, dignity and security.
February 2010
From the Director's Corner:
Happy Groundhog Day, February 2nd. The idea that animals can predict weather
has a long history, probably associated with the sowing of crops. Groundhogs were
plentiful in the colonies, and replaced the European animals in American tradition.
Hopefully Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow and we will have an early Spring.
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The Silver Set Gazette
February 2010
Activities for February
BINGO - Bingo is held every Monday at 1 p.m.
Donation is 60 cents per card. Callers are Lucy
Gifun, Marina Haley, Charlotte Howard, and Betty
Ray. Treasurer is Dot Callahan. All money is
returned as prizes. Note: No bingo February 16th .
MOVIE –Friday, February 12th at 1 p.m. “The
Star Chamber” Michael Douglas stars in this
spellbinding, intelligent thriller about the
consequences of taking the law into your own hands.
Root Beer floats are served.
BRIDGE – Bridge is played every Tuesday at 10
and Thursday at 1 p.m.
POETRY CLUB – If there is anyone interested in
starting up the poetry club again please call the
Senior Center. Richard Morris has agreed to lead
the club.
COMPUTERS- You can use the computers on
your own anytime.
CRIBBAGE - Come join us for cribbage on
Wednesdays and/or Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. –
12 noon at the Senior Center.
GAME DAY – Every Wednesday afternoon at
1:00 p.m. The Senior Center is now a proud
owner of a Wii. Come and try out your skills. We
have new games for our Wii.
HAIR CUTS – Thursday, February 11th at 9
a.m. will be the next time the hair dresser will be
at the Senior Center to cut and wash hair. Call for
an appointment. Price: $10.
KNITTING CLUB – Fridays at 10 a.m. The
members have named themselves the “Knitwits”.
Chemo caps are always needed. The new project
is Lap Robes for Nursing Homes. Call the Senior
Center if you need yarn.
POOL TABLE - The COA will be starting a
billiards “ladder” this year which will be open to
adults and seniors.
Interested? Call the Senior
Center for more information.
SCRABBLE - Every Thursday from 10 – 12 noon.
Join in on the good time and friendship. The group
plays other days also.
Strength Video’s – New video’s now available every
Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9 – 10 a.m.
“Easy Does It video is exactly as it describes itself and
is the perfect starting point for the person who is older
or is post illness, injury or surgery. These exercises
are simple, easy to understand and perform. Daily
usage of this program should allow the participant to
gradually and painlessly regain the strength and
flexibility necessary to resume an active and healthy
lifestyle.”
Tai-Chi – Yang Style-Instructor Paula Morrison
Instruction continues every Tuesday at 1 p.m. This is
for students who are advanced, beginners and those
who prefer chairs. The cost of the class is $2.00.
LIBRARY – Read at home program continues
with the cooperation of the Norfolk Library and the
Council on Aging. If you are homebound, books
will be delivered to your home. Call and ask for an
application if you are interested in this program.
We have a list of large print books that are
available at the library.
Walk Club – Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Betty
Ray is our certified instructor. Weather permitting
the group will walk around town.
YOGA – Monday at 11:30 a.m. - At every age,
yoga can provide you with health benefits and some
believe reverse the aging process. There is a fee of $2
per class.
February 2010
The Silver Set Gazette
TRIPS
Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Grocery Shopping at
Shaw’s Market in Franklin. On Tuesday, February
9th (Weather permitting) we will shop at the Market
Basket in Bellingham.
Please call the day before for all shopping trips
On Thursday, February 18th, 9:30 shopping at
Christmas Tree Shop in Foxboro. (Weather
Permitting) Call the Senior Center if you would like to
go.
Did you know the Betro Pharmacy in Walpole
provides free prescription delivery to any Norfolk
resident?
1(508) 668-0018
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Health Screening
Wednesday, February 10th
- Tonya Spagnuolo, a
licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist from Miracle-Ear
will be at the Center at 10 a.m. to provide minor
adjustments and cleaning of hearing aids.
Wednesday, February 17th
- The Walpole Area
Visiting Nurse Association will hold their clinic at 12:30
p.m. at the Senior Center. All seniors are welcome. If
you need a ride, please call the Senior Center.
Wednesday, February 24th - Dr. Cooper (podiatrist) is
scheduled to be at the Senior Center at 1 p.m. to cut
nails and treat corns & calluses. Please call the Senior
Center for an appointment. The fee is $30 for the Senior
Center and $50 for a home visit.
Gerry’s Place
Monday, February 8th . The menu for the month of February is either
Fish & Chips or Chicken Cacciatore. The price is $6.95. Your choice
includes salad, full course meal, dessert and all the coffee you can drink.
Call to sign up before February 4th . The bus will pick up at 10:45 a.m.
Check page 7 for future trips planned by our trip coordinator. Call Betty at 508 528-3246 for more
information on any trip.
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The Silver Set Gazette
February 2010
WHIST PARTY
February 19th – Starting at 1 p.m.
Massage
There will be a fee of $2.00, which will be used
for prizes. An optional door prize is 50 cents or
3 for $1.00. Mark your calendar. A whist party
will be held on the 3rd Friday this month.
Every game consists of four hands – and each
player deals a hand. A set of rules will be
available.
Breakfast at the Senior Center
Tuesday, February 9th
$1
Join us at 8 a.m. for a hot breakfast. Cold
cereal is also available. If you plan to attend,
please call before the close of day on the
Thursday before the breakfast. The “Friends”
of the Council on Aging subsidize this event.
Remember to sign up
Council on Aging Meetings
The Council on Aging meets on the 3rd Monday
of the month (unless otherwise posted) at the
Senior Center Lower Level. The next meeting is
February 22nd – 9:30 a.m.
All are welcome
OFFICE HOURS
State Senator Scott Brown will be holding office hours
throughout his district on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of
each month. Office hours provide constituents an
opportunity to stop in and voice any concerns they
may have to a member of his staff. No appointment is
necessary. Norfolk hours are 11-11:45 a.m. at the
Senior Center.
Michelle Cody, Certified Massage Therapist, will be
at the Senior Center on Tuesday, February 16th ,
from 1 to 3 p.m. to give massage therapy. A 15minute massage is $10 and 30 minute $20. These
are special rates for 65 and over. Under 65 regular
rates will be given upon request. Sign up is a must,
as health information forms must be filled out
beforehand. This program is held in the Health
Screening room.
Friends of the Norfolk Council on Aging
Well February is upon us. It’s a very busy month.
We have Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays, we
have Groundhog Day and of course we have
Valentine’s Day, the day of lovers. As the 17th
century French playwright Moliere wrote “To live
without loving is not really to live,” I’ve decided to
make the theme of this months Friends of the
Council on Aging meeting on February 16th , to be
the pursuit of Amour.
To that end we will combine aspects of three
holidays for our lovefest, Christmas, Groundhog
day and Valentine’s day.
We will get a woodchuck (that’s what a groundhog
really is) and put him in a cage and suspend him
from the ceiling like a mistletoe and anyone caught
underneath is fair game for kissing and for
becoming someone’s Valentine. Now I realize this
could be somewhat dicey but Norma and Ray have
come to the rescue. They have volunteered to put a
diaper on Mr. Woodchuck.
So Please come to the meeting and enjoy this
romantic interlude, this shameless outpouring of
raw passion. Let’s hope we don’t get raided.
Bill Crane, President
February 2010
The Silver Set Gazette
Manicures
Pamper Yourself
On Tuesday, February 9th starting at 12:30 p.m.
manicures will be given at the Senior Center. For
the price of $5.00 you will get your nails cut, filed,
and cleaned up. Polish will be an additional
$1.00. These are the rates for seniors only.
Book Club
The book club will participate in the Library’s
program “On the Same Page”. The book is In the
Heart of the Sea-The Tragedy of the Whaleship
Essex. An afternoon discussion will be held at the
Senior Center Wednesday, February 17th at 1
p.m. We will also participate in activities that
will be held during January and February at the
library. Transportation will be provided.
Income Tax Assistance
Income tax assistance again will be available for
seniors through the Tax-Aide program of the
AARP every Thursday starting February 11th .
Volunteer Counselors, trained in cooperation with
the IRS and State DOR, are knowledgeable about
federal and state returns. Appointments must be
made in advance by calling 508 528-4430. Seniors
must bring with them the federal and state forms
mailed to them, as well as all W-2’s and 1099
forms, plus copies of their 2008 completed federal
and state returns. In addition, seniors, 65 years and
older, must bring copies of the real estate bills,
water bills and copies of Mass tax exempt income
in order to complete the Senior “Circuit Breaker”
tax credit. Call the COA for an appointment!
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GATRA “Dial-A-Ride”
The
public
transportation
for
medical
appointments, hospital and social visits is here!
All Norfolk Seniors, and Norfolk residents under
60 with a disability, are eligible for the ride. All
you need to do is fill out an application and you
will be all set. Applications are available at
Hillcrest Village and the Senior Center. There is
also a brochure which will explain how the Dial-ARide works. Call the Senior Center for more
information.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday Boston
hospital trips are available from 9-1. Pick up from
appointments will start at 2 p.m. and again at 4
p.m. Wednesday transportation is available to
Worcester, Newton Wellesley and Lahey Clinic.
If you have any problems with this service please
call the Senior Center so we can address them.
Dinner/Friendship Club
For information about the February Dinner Club call
the Senior Center.
You can help prepare, set up, clean up or just eat.
Invite a friend and enjoy the friendship of all who
attend. Price is $10.00.
Coupons
We are still collecting coupons at the Senior
Center for our service men and women. There is
a box at the senior center for coupons. Thank you
Helen Marie Diamond for volunteering to be the
coordinator.
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The Silver Set Gazette
February 2010
Silver Screen Classics
Every Monday at 1 p.m. (excluding Holidays)
Showcase Cinema De Lux, Patriot Place
Patriot Place, Foxboro
Get Ready to Read @ the Library!
Enjoy your favorite classic movie plus a small
popcorn and soda for only $2.00. Seating is limited
to theatre capacity.
Fuel Assistance
Fuel assistance is a federally funded program that
assists income eligible households in paying home
heating costs. Once you are determined eligible, it
does not matter what type of fuel you use. Call the
Senior Center for more information or to make an
appointment with Outreach worker Chris Shaw.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day.. and Celebrate life!!
With Greg Curtis
Tuesday, February 16th
At the Senior Center
Lunch at 12 with show to follow
This program is supported in part by a grant from
the Norfolk Cultural Council, a local agency whish
is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council,
a state agency.
Greg Curtis will sing sensational standards,
Broadway numbers, and-of course-patriotic songs!
Don’t miss this inspiring event!
The Norfolk Public Library was recently
awarded a grant called “On the Same Page”.
The grant is federally funded through the
institute of Museum and Library Services and
distributed by the Massachusetts Board of
Library Commissioners. Launched in Seattle
and quickly picked up in Chicago and New
York, the concept of a community wide read-athon has attracted enthusiastic supporters
around the country and within Massachusetts.
According to Robin Glasser, Library Director
each town tailors its approach in a somewhat
different manner, but essentially is building a
community
of
readers
by
providing
opportunities for its citizenry to engage in
thoughtful discussion of the same book.
“We’re very excited that the Norfolk Public
Library was selected as one of the grant
recipients in this very competitive grant round,”
said Glasser. Plans are well under way to roll
out this program called “Norfolk Reads
Together” in January and February. “We hope
to involve all segments of the community
including adults, senior citizens, teens, school
children and families. We will have a variety
of programs, activities, and book discussions
centered around the award winning book In the
Heart of the Sea-The Tragedy of the Whaleship
Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. Philbrick also
wrote a student version of the book called
Revenge of the Whale. These books recount
the actual events on which the classic Moby
Dick is based. Many communities in coastal
Massachusetts were shaped by the whaling
economy of the nineteenth century and together
we’ll explore this period in history.”
February 2010
The Silver Set Gazette
New England Flower Show
Friday, March 26th - $20
Besides all the beautiful flowers: At 11 a.m.
there will be a demo on infused oils from
everyday plants and at 1 p.m. cooking with
herbs. If we have 20 people the price will be
less. Depart at 9:30 and return around 3:30
p.m.
The Music Cities
April 12- 19, 2010
Double $2,299.00
Featuring Branson, Memphis & Nashville. 3
nights at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in
Nashville.
Day 1: Get ready for a journey energized with
the sounds of Blues, Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll
and Soul. Thrill to an array of spectacular
shows and explore the vibrant cities of
Branson, Memphis and Nashville.
Day 2: With fantastic Doug Gabriel and his
guitar made out of a 1969 Thunderbird
muffler! Later an unforgettable performance
by Shoji Tabuchi and the night the energetic
Hughes Brothers Show entertains with
country hits.
Day 3: Full day of leisure and an evening of a
fun and energetic show.
Day 4: Travel southeast crossing the
Mississippi River en route to Memphis.
Day 5: Visit Graceland
Day 6: Tour RCA Studio B
Day 7: Sightseeing tour.
Day 8: Humming and smiling all the way
home.
Lots, Lots More!! Other highlights about this
trip can be found in a flyer at the Senior
Center
Page 7
Northern National Parks
Yellowstone, Grand Tetons & Craters of
the Moon National Parks
September 17-24, 2010
$1,999 Double- $2,440 Single- $1,969 Triple
Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City, Utah with a
tour of some of America’s most natural
treasures. Dinner included.
Day 2: Tour of Salt Lake City. Visit
Kennecott Copper Mine. Temple Square on
your own. Breakfast included.
Day 3: Idaho Falls your home for next 5
nights. Breakfast & Dinner included.
Day 4: Museum of Idaho. Town of Blackfoot
to the Idaho Potato Exp. Breakfast included.
Day 5: Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole.
Breakfast & Dinner included.
Day 6: Yellowstone Bear World – Craters of
the Moon. Breakfast & Dinner included.
Day 7: Yellowstone National Park and Old
Faithful. Breakfast included.
Day 8: Tour ends leaving you with many
wonderful memories. Breakfast included.
See a more detailed flyer at the Senior Center.
Thank you to the Foxboro Senior
Center for inviting us to a “Jack Frost Social”
It will be on Thursday, February 25 from 12-4
at the Lake View Pavilion. Cost $23 per
person. Payment was due January 29th. Call
to see if there are any openings left.
~ ~ ~ ~
Memorial
In Memory of Ruth E. Masison
From
Frank Lancellotti
~ ~ ~ ~