Council on Aging, April 5, 2018

Meeting date: 
Thursday, April 5, 2018

Town Of Holden

MASSACHUSETTS

HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Conference Room – Senior Center

 

Present:           Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Maureen Locke, Wayne Howard, Eric Johansen,

Rebecca Tornblom, Stephanie Bacon, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.

            The Meeting was called to order by Sue Sullivan at 8:00 a.m.

The Minutes from the March 1, 2018 meeting were approved and accepted.

 

F.H.C.O.A. REPORT

            The Friends Faye reported the account balances as follows:

                        Commerce Bank                                                                   $17,089.05

                        Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.)                          $2,852.61

                        Leominster Credit Union C.D.                                               $24,206.46

                        LCU Trip Account                                                                  $7,411.75

           

            The newly elected Friends’ officers are as follows:

                                    Cynthia Stark              -           President

                                    Wayne Howard           -           Vice President

                                    Geri Sawyer                -           Secretary

                                    Helen Holmes             -           Treasurer

            Paula Grady               -           Assistant Treasurer

                                    Sue Donaldson           -           Director 2018-2019

                                    Joan Nichols               -           Director 2018-2019

                                    Sue Enman                 -           Director 2018-2019

                                    Paula Grady               -           Director 2019-2020

                                    David Ellis                   -           Director 2019-2020

                                   Valeda Schmucki         -           Director 2019-2020

                                   Nancy Howe                 -           Director 2020-2021

           Winnie Hanson            -           Director 2020-2021

           Marcia Sherbourne      -           Director 2020-2021

           Helen Holmes              -           Membership

           Faye Ellis                     -           Nominating Committee

          Marcia Sherbourne       -          Nominating Committee

 

Faye reported that Wayne’s daughter, Suzanne, is working on setting up a webpage and Facebook page for the Friends.  It is basically ready to go, and Louise will let the council members know when it is up.  Suzanne has offered to be web administrator for as long as needed.  The cost to set up the webpage was $165.00 for five (5) years.

            A Fifty ($50.00) Dollar donation was made in memory of Geri Bilodeau to the Worcester Animal Shelter.

            The annual Senior Dinner Dance at Wachusett High School will take place on April 26th.  The Friends have paid for one-half of the cost in the past, and will do so again this year, but will approach the other towns to request payment for their share of the bill.

            The button battery collection box has been set up in the lobby, which is being run by Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. through the Planning & Development office.  They are also looking for other collection sites.

            The Morning Glory Café took in $3,266.98 last year.

 

HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT ~ Jim Robinson

Jim was not in attendance.

The HELP AT H.O.M.E. committee met on Tuesday.  One of the concerns they have is giving out more money.  The board is trying to figure out how to get the word out.  They will be meeting with Paula Earley and Cindy Smith.  They are also planning to set up a meeting with the school nurse at Mountview Middle School.  Louise suggested they contact the head nurse for the district.  She has her contact information, if they would like it.

                                                            

BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Richard Mansfield

            No representation.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau

APRIL EVENTS

Wednesday, April 41:00 p.m.“Lucky Strike-When the Americans Came to Our Village … During World War II thousands of American Airmen were sent to Great Britain to help in the liberation of Nazi occupied Europe.  Some of the survivors made their way to Sweden where they caused a sensation, looking like film stars and giving chewing gum to children. They taught the girls to do the jitterbug and many friendships were created. Jan Mark, a Holden resident, will give a talk on this subject and show a portion of the film.  Reservations are needed and can be made by calling        508-210-5570. 

Monday, April 9 … 10:30-12:30 … Free Legal Clinic …Attorney Arthur Bergeron from the firm Mirick O’Connell will be here to offer free 15 minute appointments to answer your legal questions.  Appointments are required.  No walk-ins.  To schedule your appointment, please call 508-210-5570.

Monday, April 9 … 1:00 p.m. … Concert from the New England Banjo Orchestra … Introducing for the first time at our Senior Center, the New England Banjo Orchestra!  They come highly recommended and will put on an enjoyable and unique show for you. To reserve your seat, please call 508-210-5570.

Wednesday, April 18 … 12:00 p.m. … Sue’s Potato Bar … Back by popular demand we will offer for your enjoyment a baked potato bar with a multitude of toppings to choose from.  Sue has offered this yummy lunch several times in the past, and it’s always a huge hit!  Reservations will be accepted through Friday, April 13 at 12:30 p.m. Please make your reservation by calling Sue at 508-210-5578 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m

Wednesday, April 18 … 1:00 p.m. … Zentangle … Zentangle is guided doodling under the supervision of certified teacher, Mary Shepherd. This artistic activity is foolproof, fun and relaxing. You can't go wrong!  Class size is limited so register now by calling 508-210-5570 and bring a friend! We are offering this class free of charge.

Thursday, April 1910:00 a.m. … Book Discussion GroupThe book discussion group will be reading The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn.

Thursday, April 19 … 12:00 p.m. …  Bring a Grandchild to Lunch … Back by popular demand is our Bring a Grandchild to Lunch!!  This year the staff will cook lunch for this event.  On the menu will be pasta and meatballs, bread, milk, water or coffee with ice cream for dessert.  After lunch, folk singer, Margaret McCandless will be here to entertain with a concert and sing-a-long geared toward the children.  Reservations are REQUIRED and will be accepted through Tuesday, April 17 or until we reach capacity.  To make your reservation, please call 508-210-5570. 

Wednesday, April 25 … 12:00 p.m. … Volunteer Recognition … The Holden Council on Aging will be honoring our Volunteers on Wednesday, April 25 at 12:00 p.m. at a luncheon catered by Toupin’s Catering. If you have volunteered at the Senior Center from January 1-December 31, 2017 in any capacity, such as but not limited to:  Meals on Wheels Drivers; Meal Site Volunteers; Outreach Volunteers (friendly visitors, book express, food pantry); Pen Pals; Office Workers; COA or Friends Board Members; if you volunteer at big events for either the Senior Center or the Friends; if you run games or fill any other volunteer position, you are cordially invited to attend.  To make your reservation, please call Maureen at 508-210-5570 by 12:00 Noon on Friday, April 20

Thursday, April 26 … 5:00 p.m. … Annual Senior Dinner/Dance … You are cordially invited to the Annual Senior Citizen Dinner Dance on Thursday, April 26 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Wachusett Regional High School. The event is free and open to elders from the Wachusett towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling. The dance is sponsored by the Wachusett Mountaineer Volunteer Students and in part by the Friends of the Holden Council on Aging.  To attend, you only have to sign up by calling the Holden Senior Center at 508-210-5570. (Do not call the high school!)  Don’t delay!  Seating is limited!!  Deadline for registration is Friday, April 20 or until capacity is reached. There is plenty of parking in the side lot on the side of the building by the gym entrance.  The theme of this year’s dance is “Under the Sea!!”

BUDGET HEARING

Our budget hearing which was held last month went well.  A few minor questions, but all in all met with the Finance Committee’s approval.

 

NUMBERS FROM MARCH

Ron Rosenstock - 37

Legal Presentation – 12

After 3 times being “snowed out,” we decided not to do the Corned Beef and Cabbage home cooked meal, however we did have 60 people registered.

 

OLD BUSINESS

            None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

            None.

 

CITIZENS ADDRESS

             None.

 

ADJOURNMENT

It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 a.m. 

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Maureen Buffone