MARCH 2010 ABINGTON COUNCIL

ON AGING

441 Summer Street, Abington, MA 02351

781-982-214

Office Hours: Monday - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Co-Directors:

Suzanne Djusberg & David Klein

information: COADirector@Abingtonmass.com. Volume 7.3

COUNCIL ON AGING

• George Whit ing, Chairman

• Marie Brown, Vice Chair

• Karen DiLorenzo

• Joe Iacobucci

• El izabeth Keefe

• Bi l l Kendal l

• Larry Keough

• Jack Libby

• Betty Sl inger

• Maureen Wal l

• Ann Welch

Senior Center Staf f :

• Suzanne Djusberg & David Kle in—Co-Directors

• Norma Clark -Outreach Co-ordinator

• Jean Connel l , Maureen Wal l , & Ar lene Spauld ing—Activ i ty Coordinators

• Cheryl Cohen—Food Coor-d inator

• John Freese—Custodian

1. Let’s Eat Out - Review

2. Senior Services Listing

3. Fr. of Ab. Srs. Fund

4. Updates

5. Outreach News

6. Menu - Meals & Activities

7. What’s New— March Events

8. More Sr. Services

Let’s Eat Out (in NORTH ABINGTON) - by Betty Slinger

It’s Friday evening. You want to eat out, but locally. You don’t want “gourmet” cuisine but you do want something filling, tasty and, better yet, not pricey. North Abington center offers you some choices. Stop in between 4 to 8 pm Friday at Morrell’s Country Kitchen for the Fish and Chips special, $4.99 for several sizable pieces of crispy, lightly crusted fried fish, French fries, and a healthy serving of crunchy, homestyle coleslaw. Other specials are listed on a white board, while the full menu offering a variety of choices, includ-ing breakfast, is also available. Plaid tier curtains, maple tables and chairs, suitable lighting, and craft-type wall art lend a comfortable country theme to the room. In-cluding the lunch counter, the dining area seats approximately 50. People often meet friends here on a Friday evening for shared conversation and laughs while dining to-gether, without breaking the bank. FYI, a 10% discount is offered to seniors during lunch hours, and don’t all seniors appreciate a discount? Yes!! Peter Morrell, owner/chef for 12 years, is an Abington resident who last year opened a second Abington restaurant (seasonal) located at Strawberry Valley Golf Course. A few doors from Morrell’s is Abington House of Pizza offering an extensive menu, for take-out or eat in, of pizzas, subs, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, seafood or specialty dinners, and salads. They’re open until 11 pm Fridays. Being a storefront type of restaurant, the decor is utilitarian with several small tables set off in an area flank ed by some vine-like greenery and a tank or two of colorful tropical fish. The large plate glass window provides a clear view of downtown North Avenue on a Fri-day night for traffic and people watchers. The generous-sized, delicious Greek salad, which includes the usual veggies, a whole sliced egg, plentiful feta cheese, choice of dressing, and a piece of Syrian bread ($5.10) is one of my warm weather favorite meals. Jog across the street (use the crosswalk—Friday night traffic) and behold North’s “been around forever” hometown restaurant, Martin’s Bakery. Some years ago it was both a bakery and restaurant but the baked goods cases have long been replaced with some older, well-used booths. Now it’s all restaurant, open until 7 pm except Sundays. Fred Villa, the head chef/owner, can frequently be spotted preparing meals in the rear kitchen area that’s partially open to the lunch counter and tables. Martins may remind you of an old time diner, you know the kind, furnished with tired tables and chairs, sprung seating in booths, no particular decor, but serving good sized help-ings of hearty food, with posted specials and a menu offering choices to satisfy most appetites. Prices are reasonable. You can order from the breakfast menu all day. Breakfast and lunch hours offer a scaled-down version of a Cheers ambiance in that everyone knows your name, or almost. During those hours people seem to flock into Martins filling it with the cheerful hum of conversation and laughter. (continued p.4)

Its Tax Time Again

Bud Wheaton and Greg Doyon are available for appoint-ments.Bud is available Tuesdays, and Greg available Thurs-days. Appointments are made between 9:00am to 2:00pm.

Please call 781-982-2145 to schedule an appointment. Don’t’ forget to ask about the Circuit Breaker Program.

HEALTH AND ASSISTANCE

Walk-In Health Screening for Blood Pressure, Sugar Testing, Nu-trition and Weight Counseling & Medication Instruction are held as follows: Leavitt Terrace, first Tues. 9 to 12, Abington Sr. Ctr., last Thurs. 11 to 12:30, Blanchard Gardens, second Thurs. 10 to 11, Chestnut Glen, second Thurs.10:30 to 12, Stop & Shop, last

Thurs. 2 to 4. All Seniors Are Welcome At ALL Sessions Free Hearing Screenings and Hearing Aid Checks are held the

first Tuesday of each month at the Senior Center with John Klefe-ker. Call for appt. 781-982-2145.

SENIOR TRANSPORTATION—Call 781-982-2145

Council on Aging Van is door-to-door service to medical ap-pointments, bank, hairdresser, pharmacy, library, grocery shop-ping, $3 round trip. Call the COA at 781-982-2145 to book rides in advance. Dial-A-BAT vehicles travel a bit further out, to Brock-ton and the Bridgewaters between 9:30 and 4:30 and to Boston Mon & Wed-BAT rides must be booked thru the COA. Fees vary. Door-to-door-pay driver.Thursday Morning Shopping Van. We will be using our trusty van to get you to either the Hanover Mall or another mall. We will pick you up at either Chestnut Glen or Shaw Ave around 9:15. We will pick you up at the mall at 12:30 getting you home around 1 or 1:15. Cost for trip is $3.00. Each week we will alternate between malls. I hope this works for every-one so give us feedback if you use the van.

SENIOR NUTRITION—Call 781-982-2145

Meals on Wheels delivered to homebound Seniors, lunchtime Mon-Fri, $3.00 per meal. Our wonderful volunteers deliver nutri-tious meals right to your kitchen table. A referral is needed from your doctor, visiting nurse, social worker or case worker. Senior Lunches: Tuesdays at 11:30. Thurs. at 11:30. Price is $3.00. Call the Center at 781-982-2145 to make your reservation by Friday of the previous week. VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES-FREE For Appointment or Connection Call 781-982-2145

Elder Law Clinic founded by Atty. George Whiting held at the COA on the 3rd.Monday morning monthly. Meet confidentially-Atty. Whiting will address questions & offer general guidance.

FRIENDS OF ABINGTON SENIORS - MEMBERSHIP & DONATIONS

The Friends of Abington Seniors and would like to thank both past and present members for their support and con-tributions. JUNE 2009 starts a new membership year with dues of $5.00 payable now and good until JUNE 2010.

Please make checks payable to “Friends of Abington Seniors” and mail to P.O. Box 2035, Abington, MA 02351. With many thanks to families selecting “Friends of Abington Seniors” for memorial gifts

Friends of Abington Seniors Membership for 2009-2010: $5.00 per person or $100 for lifetime membership.

Please send donations to our New Address: P.O. Box 2035, Abington, MA 02351 Name_______________________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________________ In Memory Of ________________________________________________________________________________ Send Acknowledgement To ____________________________________________________________________

THE BIRTHDAY GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING Do you have a birthday coming ?? Can’t think of anything you want or need ??

Suggest a donation in your name to the Friends of Abington Seniors

In Memoriam:

• In Memory of Robert Sanna, by Apolinaria Sanna • In Memory of Edward J. Kiernan, by Muriel Kiernan • In Memory of Donald Monts, by Teresa Monts • In Memory of Nancy Walsh, by William E. Walsh • In Memory of Bronia Wieliczki by John Wieliczki

• In Memory of Bronia Wieliczki by Ann M. Reilly

Memberships and Donations :

Patrick & Mary O’Shaughnessy, Victor Perella, Elizabeth M. McNamara, John & Barbara Reeves, Francesco & Carla Melandri, Muriel Tormto, Donald R. Oliver, Teresa B. Monts, Muriel Kiernan, Frances & Eileen Leary, Winifred P. Walsh, Peter Walsh, Eleanor M. Pettine, Edith Doughty, and John Wieliczki.

Abington Veterans Services Joe Colantoni, Director 781-982-0056 Warning: Veterans, Surviving Spouse.

If you are receiving any type of benefit from the Department of Veterans affairs and you receive a telephone call from a person claiming to be a representative from the department of veterans affairs and ask for your social security number or any other personal information, Please do not give out this or any other informa-tion, because they do not telephone for this information. The will ask by mail, if you have any questions please feel free to call me. I have had several calls from veterans and spouse that they are receiving these call in Abington. Until next time, God Bless and for the love of freedom I remain, Joe

Volunteers are ALL VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE. The Volunteer Drivers for the MEALS On Wheels Program not only deliver food to the homebound, but they also help put the meals together. If you happen to see them in your

neighborhood please smile and wave, if only for a “Thanks you”. It can make a persons day! Our Volunteers Drivers are:

Valarie Barry, Jim Carr, Chuck Collins, Dean Collins, Kathy Corcoran, Joanne Curtis, Greg Doyon, Marge Edson, Rita Estey, David Evans, Joe & Pat Greene, Paul Hackett, Eleanor Howe, Mary Lambert, Nancy Lechtonen, Jack Libby,

Rita Soper, Barbara Tower, and Eric Wilson.

Local Census Office Accepting Applicants for Temporary Employment to Support U.S. Census Bureau's Goal of a Complete Count

U.S. Census Bureau’s Waltham Local 2010 Census Office is recruiting applicants for temporary, good-paying jobs with flexi-ble hours to help ensure the 2010 Census is a success. The Waltham Office serves an area that includes Abington, Avon, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Hanson, Quincy, Rockland, Stoughton, Walpole , West Bridge-water, Weymouth, and Whitman. Specifically, census takers, also known as enumerators, are needed to conduct in-person interviews with community residents who do not return census questionnaires. These positions need to be filled by individuals with flexible schedules as work may occur in evenings and on weekends. Some positions may involve shift work. All temporary census employees must be able to attend training, for which they will be compensated. Most training sessions are held during the day on weekdays; occasionally, a session may be held in the evening or on weekends. Job applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, be able to pass a background check, and complete a 30-minute, multiple-choice, employment test that measures knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a variety of census jobs. In most cases, workers will also be required to possess a valid driver's license and have use of a vehicle. U.S. citizenship is required to work for the 2010 Census except in rare occasions when no qualified U.S. citizens are available. We are seeking bilingual applicants throughout the district. Qualified applicants are encouraged to call -866-861-2010 to schedule an appointment to take the employment test and submit an application. TTY Callers should use 1-800-877-8339. More information, including a practice test, is available at www.2010censusjobs.gov. The U.S. Census Bureau’s goal is to count everyone, once and in the right place.

Let’s Eat Out (in NORTH ABINGTON) - Continued from Page 1

Another dining choice might be the Depot, which offers more upscale culinary efforts with respective pricing from a fairly extensive menu, although pizza and take-out are available. The decor is quite interesting, built around a restored railroad de-pot theme including aged local historical photos and artifacts. This particular depot has an interesting past history. Check the Dyer Library (an Abington treasure) for details. Upon entering you’ll see a long bar featuring several TV screens and to one side a wide stairway leading to an upper level meeting room. Dining areas are off to each side of the entrance. An excep-tional feature of dining at the Depot is the opportunity to experience the unusual happening of a whistle and horn-blowing locomotive pulling a string of railroad cars roaring by within several feet of the building. Thousands of pounds of grinding metal speeding over the tracks causes anything in proximity to vibrate, to experience a trembling. Between the low growling rumble, horn blasts, and vibration, you cannot help but feel that sense of immense power as the train quickly rushes on to its next stop. Not many restaurants offer something so unique. Last, but not least there are The Cellar Tavern and The Abington Townhouse. These establishments aren’t usually thought of in the restaurant sense, at least by the early supper crowd but, in addition to liquid refreshments, they do serve food. The Cellar Tavern offers pizza and various nightly specials (eat-in pizza is only $2.00 on Sundays and Mondays and it’s good!) along with entertainment and karaoke some evenings. Both establishments offer good fellowship, and the proprie-tors are pleased to have new customers come through the doors. Feeling adventuresome? Give them a try. Take a night away from the stove, and let one of our local N. Abington center restaurants do the cooking. Take-out or eat in, you won’t be sorry!

OUTREACH SHINE WITH NORMA

Did you know that in the year 2010, there are 131,000 Centenarians (100-year olds), and by 2050, it is estimated there will be 834,000 centenarians, (those born in 1950)...according to a Harvard Medical School report, “Living to 100: What’s the Secret?” Has this been a long, cold winter for you? Do you feel the need to do something other than think-ing about how awful the weather is? Then YOUR Senior Center is the place to go!!! Com alone or bring a friend or two. Among other things, you can play cribbage, learn computers, do a quilted wall hanging, knit or crochet, exercise (classes—or at your leisure in our “State of the Art” Exer-cise room). You can also take a Yoga class, play Bingo, shoot pool, play board games or cards, do puzzles, watch TV, play WII or just do nothing! You can come to lunch on Tuesdays and Thurs-days for $3.00, visit our branch of the Abington Library, get your taxes done, or see the Outreach worker— (for that one, appointments are good!). What does the Outreach worker do? She reaches out—to all Abington seniors hopefully to connect with them with services to meet their needs, or just to keep in touch…. Many services are available to you if you meet the income eligibility guidelines, which are different for every government program. For example, if your income is less then $1,239 a month as an individual, or $1,660 for a couple, and your assets are less than $6,600 or $9,910 respectively (assets do not include your house or car, just CD’s, IRA’s etc...money in the bank—or under the mattress), the State will help pay the $96.40 per month that you pay for Medicare. We have volunteers to help with Fuel Assistance, Income Taxes, SNAP (Food Stamps), or legal advice. We have some magic phone numbers to help you get in touch with Medicare, MassHealth, Social Secu-rity, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tufts, AARP, and Town Hall to apply for tax rebates if you are a homeowner, a widow, over 70, a Veteran, etc…. Also, visit our bulletin board and our pamphlet collection for information on all kinds of things—We’re here for you—come see us! And don’t forget the Abington Senior Citizen Association which is a social group that meets here at the Senior Center on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM. They are a lively group of all ages (over 59 1/2) and they do lots of different things!

Town Meeting Reminder April 5th is the Town Meeting with a 2nd Town Meeting scheduled for May 24th.

Why is this important? There are going to be several Articles on the Town Meeting Warrant that have to do with FUNDING for the COA and the Senior Center. Please go to both Town Meetings and vote YES for these Articles. If you care about the services at the Senior Center and the COA, please voice your support for getting the COA back on the town’s budget and

asking the town to take care of the utilities for the Senior Center!!!

.

MON TUE WED THU FRI

1 2 Lunch: 11:30 Meat-loaf, Mashed Potatoes, broccoli , dessert

3 4 LUNCH: 11:30– Sausage Links, Mashed Potato, gravy, peas, dessert

5

8 9 Lunch: 11:30 Chicken Stew, variety of sandwiches, dessert

10 11LUNCH: 11:30– Baked pork patty, mashed potato, gravy, peas dessert

12

15

16 Lunch: 11:30 Mulligan Beef Stew, Irish bread, jell cubes, whipped cream

17 18 LUNCH 11:30 –Chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese sandwich, pretzel, dessert

19

22

23 Lunch: 11:30 Chicken casserole, carrots, cranberry

24

25 LUNCH—11:30 Asian Chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli, dessert

26

29 30 Lunch: 11:30 Egg Casserole, bacon/ham, bagels potatoes, dessert

31 The COA is pleased to have an Optomitrist coming for FREE screenings on April 7th—late morning!

March 2010 Lunch & Activities

MON TUE WED THU FRI

1 Bingo– 12:30 pm

2 Cribbage 9:00

12 :30 Working out with Wendy Arthritic Exer-cise

3 Computer Class 10 am

Quilted Wall Hang-ing Class-11:00

4 Shopping van: 9:00 am 12:30 Strengthen with Sharon Arthritis Class

5 Cribbage: 9:00 am Yoga-10:30

8Bingo– 12::30 pm 9 Cribbage 9:00

12 :30 Working out with Wendy Arthritic Exer-cise

10 10 am Computer Class

Quilted Wall Hang-ing Class-11:00

11 Shopping van: 9:00 am

12:30 Strengthen with Sharon Arthritis Exer-cise Class

12Cribbage: 9:00 am Yoga-10:30

15 Bingo– 12:30 pm

16 Cribbage 9:00 am

12 :30 Working out with Wendy Arthritic Exer-cise

17 9:00 COA/FOAS Computer Class 10 am 12:30 Senior Citizens Association Meeting

Quilted Wall Hang-

18 Shopping van: 9:00 am

12:30 Strengthen with Sharon Arthritis Exer-cise Class

19 Cribbage: 9:00 am

Yoga-10:30

22 Bingo– 12:30 pm

23 Cribbage: 9:00 am

24 Computer Class 10 am 11:00 Quilted Wall Hanging Class

25 Shopping van: 9:00 am

12:30 Strengthen with Sharon Arthritis Class

26 Cribbage: 9:00 am

Yoga-10:30

29 Bingo– 12:30 pm

30 Eye Screnings—Late Morning

Cribbage 9:00 am

12 :30 Working out with Wendy Arthritic

31 The COA is pleased to have an Optomitrist from the Nielson Eye Center coming for FREE screenings on April 7th!

What’s New & Thank You’s

On Sunday afternoon, March 21, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will step off at 1 p.m. from St. Patrick's Square (Bailey's Garage) and continue down Washington St. to Adams St. onto Rte. 139 through N. Abington center to finally disperse at New England Art. The parade will include bagpipe bands, drum and bu-gle corps, high school bands, floats, horses, various civic groups, etc. Our own Jack Libby will be driving the shamrock bedecked COA van peopled with waving golden agers happily acknowledg-ing the cheers of the crowd, while other seniors will be walking along beside it handing out candy. Near the end of the parade, St. Patrick himself (Jack Bailey) will be astride his decorated, open air chariot (bed of the pickup) as he dispenses blessings over the cheering crowd of onlookers. It's a fun time for every-

Thank you to the Abington Cultural Council for awarding this presentation of A.R. Gurneys’s Love Letters.

We would also like to thank the Massachusetts Cultural Council for supporting community based project in the

arts, science and humanities. The performers Lynn McKinney Lydick and Richard Clark did a fantastic job.

KNITTING & CROCHET GROUP Anyone wishing to form a knitting & Crochet Group, please join Mari and

Jean on Wednesdays at 10:00am.

Lets get healthy, both in body and spirit.

Yoga is invigoration in relaxa-tion.

Classes are Fridays at 10:30.

Thank you to Susan Emery for creating “Cookies for a Cause”. It was a huge success. Also a big

thanks to the judges Linda Martell & Dottie!

Get Fit—Join Work

out With Wendy on

Tuesday’s at 12:30

ECC Relay for Life Team Fundraiser Armchair Tour of Hawaii and Luau March 7, Doors Open 4:00pm at the Senior Center—$18.00 per person

CAREFREE CAPERS is hosting a Travel Show March 28 from 2:00pm

Come enjoy a relaxing afternoon enjoy-ing slides of trip destinations.

For more information

Miscellaneous

Line Dance Schedule- Dancing with Dot Dunham at St. Bridget’s Parish Hall on Friday afternoons at 1 PM to 2:30PM. Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 9, 16, 23, 30. Donation is $3.00. Dot can be reached at 781-293-7727. ARE YOU O.K. ??? Is a free program sure to increase a Senior’s sense of security. The program is sponsored by the Sheriff’s Department along with the Council on Aging. For further information, please contact the Outreach Coordinator at the COA. The Senior Center Branch of the Abington Public Library is open on Tuesdays between 11:30 and 12:30. Come and check out a new book or video or return and reserve your old books. Please note new library hours. Senior Citizen’s Association is a Social Club, for Abington residents over 59 1/2 years old, singles and couples, which meets on the 2nd. Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. A different and varied program is offered each meeting. Cost is $10 to join and the renewal amount $10 to each year. Walking Club WOW (Walking on Wednesday-seasonally) meets every Wednesday at 9:00 am at Reilly Field Track next to the Library. Join us when you can, no matter your speed. Call the office (781-982-2145) for info or to sign up. By the way, the Walking Club needs a new coordinator. Anyone ??? Senior Center at Massasoit– Call 508-588-9100 Arthritis Aquatics (M-W-F), Senior Chorus (T), Yoga for Seniors (F), History Reading Group and Senior Net Computer Classes for age 50+. Support Groups– Open to the Public– No Charge Bereavement Group, Abington, meets once a month at the Library, 1st Th., 6:30 pm; Norma Kent Counseling Center, covered by Medicare, sliding fee, 781-871-2051; Alzheimer's Support, Colony House, 277 Washington St., monthly, 4th Mon, 5-6 pm and in Brockton at the Emmanuel House Assisted Living, 25 E. Nilsson St; Better Breathers, Brockton Hospital assembly room, last Tues, 2-3:15 pm; Caregivers Support, Rock-land COA, 394 Union St, 4th.Mon, 1 pm; Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren, Brockton, 1st Fri, 10-2, 508-586-1667 (children welcome). Food Pantry—St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry is open on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the old Friary Convent at St. Bridget's.