Council on Aging, September 3, 2015

HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Conference Room – Senior Center

Present:  Susan Sullivan, Richard Mansfield, Faye Ellis, Marilyn Burnham, Wayne Howard,

Maureen Locke, Peter Lukes, Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.

From the Friends:  Marcia Sherbourne, Rita Brennan-Olson, Susan Enman.

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

The Minutes from the June 4, 2015 meeting were approved and accepted.

F.H.C.O.A. REPORT

            Faye reported the account balances as of April 2, 2015 as follows:

                        Commerce Bank                                                     $13,644.60

                        Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.)              $2,139.24

                        Leominster Credit Union C.D.                                   $24,061.45

                        LCU Trip Account                                                      $5,073.23

            Faye also reported that the Friends raised approximately $40.00 during Holden Days from the items sold in the kitchen that were provided by Sue Donaldson.

            Faye shared a thank you note that the Friends received from the Mayo School staff members involved in the pen pal program for the financial support that the Friends provided by paying for the school buses to transport the third grade students to the senior center in June for the end of year get together.  This year’s introductory pen pal party will be held at 2:00 on September 24th at the Mayo School.

            Rita told the board that she has challenged her neighbors to become involved in the pen pal program.

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

Jim submitted a financial report dated June 30, 2015 showing a combined balance of $44,312.99.  Donations received since July 1, 2014 total $14,655.65, and disbursements since July 1, 2014 total $12,377.28.  Most of the disbursements were for heating and utility bills.  The Help at H.O.M.E. committee will be meeting later this month.  The committee has been in existence for 7 years and the overall receipts during that time total approximately $135,000.00 and the disbursements total approximately $110,000.00.  Rick thanked the Help at H.O.M.E. committee for all of their hard work.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT - Louise Charbonneau

JULY PROGRAMS

Wed., July 15 …… Pizza Party w/homemade pizza

Thurs., July 16 ….. Book Discussion Group read and discussed The Husband’s Secret

                                    by Liane Moriarty

Mon., July 20 …… Wachusett Community Band Concert and Social

Wed., July 22 …… Celebrated National Blueberry & National Ice Cream month by providing

                                    a special homemade dessert for those who attended lunch

AUGUST PROGRAMS

Mon., Aug. 3 ……. Zentangle Class

Mon., Aug. 10 ….. Denholm’s…The Story of Worcester’s Premier Department Store

Wed., Aug. 12 ….. Annual Cook-Out

Thurs., Aug. 13 …  Book Discussion Group read and discussed The Girl on the Train by

                                    Paula Hawkins

SEPTEMBER PROGRAMS

Mon., Sept. 7 …... Senior Center closed in observance of Labor Day

Wed., Sept. 9 …... Home Cooked Lunch by members of Holden Grange 12:00

                   Our guests will be preparing delicious Beef Stew, Salad, Rolls, Apple Crisp and

       Beverage.  Cost of the lunch will be $4.00. 

Mon., Sept. 14 … Legal Clinic w/Attorney Arthur Bergeron 10:00-12:00

                              Fifteen minute appointments for free legal advice for Holden Elders.

Mon., Sept. 14 … Healthy Tips for Healthy Aging 1:00

Attorney Nick Kaltsas from The Senior Focus, and others will speak on some key subjects. Topics include choosing a skilled nursing facility, living with dizziness and balance disorders, and being organized and prepared for the future.

Thurs., Sept. 17 .. Benefits of Aquatic Physical Therapy 9:30 a.m.

Kim Barrow, MS, PTA, CSCS from Greendale Physical Therapy in Worcester will be    giving a lecture on all aspects of Aquatic Physical Therapy.  Most insurances will cover water therapy and more physicians are seeing the benefit of using water to rehabilitate various injuries.  Kim will bring the equipment she uses in the pool with her patients, providing demonstration and explanation of various techniques.  Water is a great medium to work in because it provides resistance, but also provides buoyancy, which makes a lot of the exercises easier to do in the water. 

Wed., Sept. 23 …. Flu Shot Clinic sponsored by Worcester VNA 1:00-3:30

If any of you would like to come and receive your flu shot, you’re more than welcome. Just a reminder - bring your insurance card.

Thurs., Sept. 24 … Book Discussion Group reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Thurs., Sept. 24 … Pen Pal Party at Mayo School 1:30-2:30

Mon., Sept. 28 …. Ken Lelen Concert 1:00

                              We will again welcome Ken Lelen with vocals and vintage guitars. 

Mon., Sept. 28 – Fri., Oct. 2 … Absolutely Amateur Photo Contest

We invite all of you to participate in our 2nd annual Absolutely Amateur Photo Contest.  Your photo must be brought to the Senior Center by 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25 with identification affixed to the back of the photo.  Photos will be on display and voted upon by participants from September 28 through October 2 at noon at which time judging will take place.  The contest is open to seniors 60 and older who are Holden residents or members of the Holden Senior Center.  Amateurs may submit up to 3 photos of nature, scenes and wildlife of the Wachusett area, sized from 3” x 5” to 11” x 14”, mounted or matted, NOT framed.  A copy of the rules can be picked up at the Senior Center, or if you give us your e-mail address, we can send them to you electronically.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS

Naomi is pleased to inform you that the transportation budget through the WRTA ended the fiscal year $700.00 under budget.

TRIP COORDINATION

Louise has handed the responsibility for coordinating the day trips we offer to Naomi.  It was previously handled by Paula with some assistance from Cindy.  This allows Paula and Cindy to concentrate solely on Outreach and also provides full-time staffing for questions/payments relative to trips.

FORMULA GRANT/ANNUAL REPORT

Both the Formula Grant and Annual Report respectively were completed and sent to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs by the deadlines set. 

Some of the things we are using our Formula Grant moneys for this year are: adding 4 hours salary per pay period for Paula; we are beginning a 2nd yoga class in October; subsidizing rides on the van to and from the senior center as well as medical rides; dues for professional organizations; conference fees, volunteer recognition, kitchen supplies, etc.  The total amount of the grant has increased to $32,256.00.

MCOA CONFERENCE

The MCOA Conference will be held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel from Wednesday, October 7 through Friday, October 9.  Louise has yet to register the staff, but will be doing so between now and next Monday.  If anyone would like to attend, please let either Maureen or Louise know such that we can register you as well.  Louise has Formula Grant moneys set aside for conference fees.  If you would like to read about the workshops, go to www.mcoaonline.com and click on Conference Booklet.

PUBLIC POWER WEEK LUNCH

The public power week lunch will be held on Thursday, October 1st at noon.  This year we are having marinated steak tips, butternut squash, rice pilaf and homemade jellyroll for dessert.  If you’d like to attend, please let Maureen or Louise know such that we can add you to the list – obviously seating is limited.

NUMBERS FROM JUNE

Dr. Karen Glickner – 36

HFD Lunch – 60

Jerry and Mabel Comedy Show – 31

Fathers’ Day Breakfast for Lunch - 49

NUMBERS FROM JULY

Wachusett Community Band Concert & Social- 47

Pizza Party - 34

NUMBERS FROM AUGUST

Denholm’s Program – 98

Annual Picnic – 96

Louise passed around an article from the Fifty Plus Advocate’s August issue. She sat with its author for about an hour several months ago. The mention of Holden is highlighted for you, although the whole article is interesting.  Louise stated that she thinks it shows us in a very favorable light.

Before Louise closed, she presented Rick with a little certificate in honor of his becoming an elder.

OLD BUSINESS

Rita brought in a sample of yesterday’s congregate lunch along with a sample of Oriol’s meal from yesterday to show the difference in appearance and content of the two meals.

Rita submitted her Interim Report dated September 3, 2015 for the Friends of the Holden Council on Aging-More than a Meal Working Group (a copy of which has been incorporated into these minutes).

NEW BUSINESS

None.

CITIZENS ADDRESS

Marcia asked the board what their purpose is.  There was input from several members explaining that the board is an advisory board for the Town of Holden.  The board does not make policy. 

Marcia inquired about the status of the needs assessment sub-committee.  This committee has not been able to meet this summer.

ADJOURNMENT

It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 1 at 8:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Maureen Buffone