Council on Aging, April 7, 2016
HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Susan Sullivan, Faye Ellis, Wayne Howard, Eric Johansen, Rebecca Tornblom,
Peter Lukes, Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
The Meeting was called to order by Sue Sullivan at 8:00 a.m.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as follows:
Commerce Bank $14,175.56
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $2,541.86
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $24,061.45
LCU Trip Account $4,979.04
The Friends decided at their March meeting to leave the CD where it is, as the interest rate is comparable to other financial institutions.
The Friends are working in conjunction with the 275th Anniversary Committee in planning a celebration on May 15th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for their 35th anniversary. Chuck Skillings will present a slide show of Holden’s history, long-time Holden residents will come in and reminisce, and a history of the Friends’ group will be presented. The Friends will also contact people who come in and do activities here (Joyce Gamache, blood pressure nurses, billiard players) and invite them to participate. Refreshments will also be served. The HCOA board members were asked if they would like to participate. Sue thinks it would be a good idea, although she is not available that day. Rick Mansfield will be asked if he can attend or write something that can be read.
Cindy Stark is the newly elected Friends’ president.
Paula Grady would like to keep the café running through the summer, so as not to lose its momentum.
Barbara Pearson will be receiving the Holden Grange Community Citizen Award on Monday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT - Jim Robinson
Jim reported that during the months of January and February, $2,000.00 was received in donations and $1,800.00 was disbursed among 5 families. The combined balance of the Help at H.O.M.E. and Welcome Aldrich accounts is $53,254.84. Jim said the disbursements have been more varied, which is helpful.
Karen Halley will be stepping down as chairperson of Help at H.O.M.E. and the Wachusett Food Pantry. It will be a transition year.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT - Richard Mansfield
No representation. No report.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau
APRIL PROGRAMS
Wednesday, April 6 … 1:00 p.m. A Visit to the Canyonlands
Thursdays in April … 10:00 a.m. Powerful Tools for Caregivers ~ 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a class designed to provide you-the family caregiver-with the skills you need to take care of yourself. You’ll learn to: 1) Reduce stress; 2) Improve self-confidence; 3) Balance your life; 4) Better communicate your feelings; 5) Increase ability to make tough decisions; 6) Locate helpful resources.
These classes continue into the first 2 Thursdays in May and is offered through Elder Services of Worcester Area. They will be facilitated by Deb Dowd-Foley.
Friday, April 8 … 10:30 a.m. Veterans’ Meeting
Tuesday, April 19 … Tour of Tatnuck Park … Holden Elders are invited to Tatnuck Park Assisted Living for a tour and lunch on Tuesday, April 19 at 12:30. Transportation is available round trip from the Senior Center. Elders may also may drive themselves. By attending you will be entered in a drawing to win a $25.00 gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. Registration is a must in order to attend. Reservations can be made by calling Tatnuck Park at 508-755-7277 by April 14. When registering, be certain to tell them if you require transportation.
Thursday, April 21 … 10:00 p.m. The Book Discussion Group will be discussing the book The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly.
Monday, April 25 … 1:00 p.m. The Silver Moon Gypsies who are a very talented group of ladies ranging in age from 61 to 82 will be here. This group of belly dancers believe that staying active and having fun are the keys to remaining forever young. They have performed at hundreds of events, at senior centers and senior residences over the years. The program is free and open to all. Please make your reservation by calling 508-210-5570.
Wednesday, April 27 … 11:00 a.m. Volunteer Recognition will be a home-cooked brunch catered by Toupin’s Catering. Those who have volunteered at the Senior Center from January 1-December 31, 2015 in any capacity. All of you are volunteers so if you’d like to attend, make your reservation, by either telling either Maureen or Louise today or call Maureen at 508-210-5570 by Wednesday, April 13. Reservations are required.
Thursday, April 28 … 5:00-8:00 p.m. … Annual Senior Prom … The annual Senior Prom sponsored by the WRHS Honor Society and Friends of HCOA will be held on Thursday, April 28 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the high school. This year’s theme will be “Cinderella: Have a Ball at the Dance.” To reserve a seat for this delightful dinner/dance, please call 508-210-5570. Reservations are REQUIRED and should be made by Thursday, April 21.
A big thank you to Maureen for keeping the home fires burning while Louise was away in March. By all reports, things went very smoothly. It means a lot to be able to go away and not have to worry at all about what may or may not be happening here.
HOLDEN SENIOR CENTER FUND THROUGH WORCESTER FOUNDATION
The Sjostedt Family, in memory of their mother, Florence, established the Holden Council on Aging/Senior Center Fund through the Worcester Community Foundation. The fund has reached the point where disbursements can made for items that benefit the Senior Center. The family wrote Louise a letter and included some things they wanted us to consider using the first disbursement on. The staff met yesterday and decided that we would take one of their suggestions and subsidize the cost of our home cooked meals and the cost of lunch for veterans after the Veterans Meeting each month.
NUMBERS FROM FEBRUARY AND MARCH
Family letters from Stephen Foster and Abby Kelly Foster – 37
What’s New in the Plant World w/Tina Bemis – 30
Irish Music with Ruth Harcovitz – 50
Home Cooked Meal - 34
OLD BUSINESS
The Needs Assessment is temporarily on hold, as Sue is taking care of her aging father. If her time does not free up, Sue will ask for someone else to fill in.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 a.m.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone