March 2016 - The Friends of the Templeton Elders

News for the 50+
March 2016
The Newsletter of the Recycled Youth of
Templeton & Phillipston
Senior Community Center & Food Pantry
1.978.894.2780
16 Senior Drive (off Bridge Street), Baldwinville, MA 01436
Upcoming Events
Call for reservations on the first of the
month, unless otherwise noted.
978-894-2780
COA Board Open House
Tuesday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center.
Check us out! Observe the monthly meeting of the COA
Board of Directors. Ask questions. Tours, refreshments.
St. Paddy’s Day Luncheon!
Tuesday, March 8, at noon at SCC. Corned Beef and Cabbage catered by Heywood Wakefield Commons. Irish
songs and blarney by Glenshane Folk Duo. ALMOST FULL!
Mechanics Hall Brown Bag Concert
Wednesday, March 9, at Mechanics Hall, Worcester
The U.S. Navy Band. Bring lunch. Pickup begins 9:30 a.m.
Out to Lunch?
Monday, March 21, Chopsticks, Leominster
(Chinese/Japanese Restaurant). Pick-up at 11 a.m.
Heroin and Opioid Epidemic
Thursday, March 24, at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center
Presented by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.
Submit Something to our Newsletter
We’re looking for your favorite jokes, poems or little
ditties that you would like to see in our newsletter. Get
them to Virginia, COA Activities Coordinator, and one will
be included in each monthly newsletter. See page 7.
FOOD PANTRY IS MOVING!!!!
The Templeton / Phillipston Food Pantry is moving
to new quarters at the rear of the Templeton Senior
Community Center, 16 Senior Dr., Baldwinville. In preparation for
the move, the food bank will be closed Feb. 23 and 25, and March
1, 3, 8 and 10. It will reopen at its new location Tuesday, March 15.
Message from Dianna
Irish
eyes are smiling … This
Irish girl is smiling because
spring is surely just around the corner. It
is time to start planning my gardens, and
my fingers are tingling with the anticipation of getting into the dirt.
I have been asked why it isn’t possible to
get a ride to a doctor’s appointment when
I need to go. Well, my response is don’t
forget that we provide a shared ride, on a
first come, first served basis. We make
every effort to accommodate as many people as possible, but sometimes we just
have to say no. If you call on Tuesday for
a ride to Leominster on the next Tuesday
and Matilda has already called for a ride
on the same Tuesday to go to Worcester at
the same time, we probably cannot help
you. Matilda will have to leave early for
her appointment and wait to be picked up,
and she is not capable of waiting for a
great deal of time. Unfortunately, we cannot tell you the details of the other person’s situation, so you have to take our
word that it just isn’t going to work. We
appreciate your understanding, patience,
and cooperation.
HAPPY ST. PADDY’S DAY!!!
Don’t forget to vote
Tuesday, March 1, in
the State Primary. Call
for the COA Van.
Pickup begins at 1:30
p.m. 978.894.2780.
March 2016
Page 2
Templeton / Phillipston
Food Pantry
Elderly & Family Services
Sue LaJoie, Elderly & Family Services 978.894.2780
elderly-familyservices@templeton1.org
16 Rear Senior Dr., Baldwinville, MA 01436
elderly-familyservices@templeton1.org
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Serving Templeton & Phillipston
CLOSED UNTIL MARCH 15
M
arch marks an exciting time for the Food Pantry. We will open the new Food Pantry Tuesday,
March 15 in the rear of the Templeton Senior Community Center, 16 Senior Dr., Baldwinville, off
Bridge Street. With the new food pantry also come
new income guidelines and applications. Everyone
must fill out a new application and must also have
applied to SNAP. Please call Sue Lajoie with any
questions at 978.894.2781.
Memorial Congregational Church will hold its annual
food drive to support the Food Pantry Saturday,
March19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please bring nonperishable food items to the church and join them for
free coffee and a muffin.
LITTLE KNOWN SOCIAL SECURITY
BENEFITS THAT WILL BE DISAPPEARING
Starting May 1, 2016, retirees will find that Congress has
closed certain loopholes that have allowed some retirees
to increase the amount they received from Social Security. If you turned 62 by Jan. 2, 2016, or are already of
retirement age you may be eligible for some of these
benefits. Some of these benefits are listed below:
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We appreciate your donations.
Price Chopper
Templeton, E. Templeton &
Baldwinville Post Offices
Memorial Congregational
Church
Narragansett Historical
Society of Templeton
The Lord’s Church
New Hope Bible Chapel
First Church of Templeton
Phillip & Lucille Harris
Brad & Glenna Lehtonen
Mary Alm
St. Vincent de Paul Church
The Stanley Family
The Bibeau Family
The Monteverde Family
The Guorulgia Family
The Gallant family
Pat Gale
Heart of a Hero Foundation,
Inc.
Stop & Shop
Market Basket
St. Martin’s Church
Sharon Manty
Gloria Jailbert
Phillip & Lucille Harris
Ed & Kathy King
Food Pantry Wish List
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Cereal
Juice
Canned Meat
Canned Pasta
Skillet Meals (Hamburger Helper)

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Filing for spousal benefits only. This entitles the
lesser paid spouse to a monthly payment equal to 50
percent of the other spouse’s benefit.
Spousal benefits available to everyone even if you
haven’t worked the 40 quarters necessary to qualify
for Social Security.
Retirees able to file and suspend their payments.
This allows the spouse to postpone their own benefits
and collect spousal benefits. By delaying, the spouse
can increase his or her payments.
To file and suspend with an option of collecting a
lump sum payment if you act no later than one month
before your 70th birthday.
Only having to be married for 1 year to collect
spousal benefits
Under certain conditions you can collect a piece of
your ex’s Social Security Benefits.
A dependent child of a parent on Social Security is
entitled to collect half of what the parent gets with no
penalty to the parent.
TENNIS ANYONE?
WANTED: A local woman is looking for a Senior Tennis Player. $5 for two-hour court time at Franklin
Pierce College, Rindge, N.H. Contact
connieracquette10@hotmail.com.
VALENTINE TREAT FROM BALDWINVILLE
SKILLED CARE
Thank
you to Baldwinville Skilled Nursing
and Rehabilitation Center for the two delicious cakes it
brought to the Senior Center as a Valentine treat! Yum!
March 2016
News From SHINE
Serving the Health Insurance Needs
of Everyone
For assistance regarding health insurance
questions & information, contact our Templeton
COA SHINE Counselor or call SHINE directly
at 1.800.243.4636,
press option 3. www.shinema.org.
NOTE: Beginning in March, SHINE appointments only can be scheduled at the Templeton
Senior Community Center on the second and
fourth Thursdays of each month between 9
a.m. and noon.
What is SHINE? The SHINE program
(Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. The SHINE program is administered by the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies,
social services, community-based agencies and
Councils on Aging.
TEMPLETON COMMUNITY TV 8
Check out Templeton Community Television,
Channel 8, to view past programs at the Senior
Community Center. Many of our programs are
videotaped for TV 8.
EMAIL OUR NEWSLETTER?
Want our newsletter via email? It’s faster and
saves the Senior Community Center some
money. Call us to be added to the list.
Senior Center Wish List
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Stamps
Coffee Cups w/Lids
Hot Chocolate
K Cups
Page 3
Friends of the Templeton Elders
H
ello Friends,
Thanks for all the prayers, cards and well wishes ... they
worked! I'm so glad to be back in operation! During the six
weeks I was recuperating, I tried not to get bored, so I made
Christmas presents and applied for a grant for our
kitchen! Wouldn't it be great if we completed it by the end
of the year!
Our two major fundraisers are coming up. Mark on your
calendar: Saturday, May 7, and Saturday, July 9. Start talking to your family and friends now about our Murder Mystery May 7 at the American Legion, Baldwinville, so you
can reserve tables by April 7! These are always so
much fun.
Then our big Mac N Cheese Festival on the Common in
Templeton Center July 9. What kind of entertainment
should we have? Music? Are we going to make things to
sell? This is our biggest fundraiser, and we want it to be a
great success … for YOU and YOUR senior center.
Why don't we get together for coffee/tea on Fridays in
March at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center to make plans? I
would really like to see a lot of friends there to participate.
We need you! Thanks!
Gail Noel, President
Meetings: Friends Social Hour: March 4, 11, 18 and 25 at
10 a.m. at Senior Community Center. Don’t forget to bring
your crock pot for the Senior Community Center’s monthly
Noon Potluck Friday, March 18!
Friends BOD: Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m., Senior
Community Center.
1:00
5:00
7
Pitch
Community
Supper *
Memorial Congregational Church
HDM Diced Chicken
MONDAY
1
Bingo
(Brown Bag
Concert)
Wood Carvers
MECHANICS
HALL*
Food Pantry CLOSD 9:30
9-1
10:30 Winchendon Lunch 9:30
Noon ST. PADDY’S DAY
(Lunch / Irish Music)
1:00 Coloration Crew
Nail & Reflexology 12:30
9-4
Bingo
12:30
Chicken Breast
Wood Carvers
9:30
9
Hot Dog
HDM
2
WEDNESDAY
HDM
8
Food Pantry CLOSED
New Craft Day*
Winchendon Lunch
Coloration Crew
COA BD OPEN HS
Voting State Primary
Jewelry Making*
HDM Turkey Breast
9-1
10:00
10:30
1:00
1:30
1:30
2:00
HDM Ckn White Bn Chili
TUESDAY
9-1
9-12
10:00
10:30
1:00
3
Food Pantry CLOSD
SHINE Appts.
Creative Stitchers
Winchendon Lunch
Cribbage
10
Creative Stitchers
Winchendon Lunch
Cribbage
Diner’s Club*
Food Pantry CLOSED
HDM Meatloaf
10:00
10:30
1:00
5:30
9-1
HDM Roast Pork
THURSDAY
Call Dianna at 978.894.2780 for the advertising size that suits your business.
More than 1,700 newsletters mailed monthly and over 200 newsletters sent electronically.
You are sure to grab attention for your business.
4
1:00
Line Dancing*
10:00 MARKET BASKET
10:00 Friends Social Hr
HDM Breaded Polluck
11
10:00 Friends Social Hr
1:00 Line Dancing*
HDM Lasagna Rolls
FRIDAY
Registration is necessary for all activities marked with an
asterisk. (*) Please remember to CALL in advance to
participate. This will help us to continue to plan great social
events and activities. Look for the asterisk (*).
Make Advertising in the Senior Community Center’s Newsletter your
New Year’s Resolution.
March 2016
HELP US HELP YOU
Movie Madness*
(Pixar’s Up!)
1:00
9-1
10:30
11:30
1:00
HDM
HDM
Food Pantry at SCC
Winchendon Lunch
RECIPE SWAP*
Coloration Crew
29
50 Pine Street ▪ Gardner, MA ▪ 978-632-8292
www.hwcommons.com
12:30
9:30
HDM
Food Pantry at SCC 9:30
Winchendon Lunch 12:30
Coloration Crew
7:00
Nail & Reflexology
22
Chicken Meatballs
HDM Salisbury Steak
9-4
9-1
10:30
1:00
15
Food Pantry at SCC 9:30
Computer Skills*
Winchendon Lunch 12:30
Coloration Crew
Jewelry Making*
6:30
Sliced Pork
To schedule a tour or for more information,
please call Lorna Stone at 978-632-8292.
Pitch
28
1:00
HDM Chicken a la King
11:00 OUT TO LUNCH*
Chopsticks
Leominster
(Chinese / Japanese)
Lunch 12:30 p.m.
1:00 Pitch
HDM
Book Club *
6:00
21
9-1
10:00
10:30
1:00
2-4
Pitch
1:00
HDM Beef Patty
HDM
HDM Chicken Breast
14
30
23
Bingo
Wood Carvers
Roast Turkey
Narragansett
Historical
Society
Wood Carvers
Bingo
Beef Stew
Friends BOD
Bingo
Wood Carvers
Chk & Rice Bake
16
9-1
10:00
10:30
11:30
1:00
6:00
HDM Broccoli Bake
18
24
HDM Rainbow Trout
25
Food Pantry at SCC
Creative Stitchers
Winchendon Lunch
Veterans Lunch
Cribbage
Vets Meeting, AL
31
Food Pantry at SCC 10:00 Friends Social Hr
SHINE Appts.
Creative Stitchers
Noon RODEO Club
Winchendon Lunch
JK Crossroads,
OPIOID
East Templeton
EPIDEMIC*
Cribbage
Chicken Breast
Food Pantry at SCC 10:00 Friends Social Hr
Creative Stitchers
Noon POTLUCK
LUNCH*
Winchendon Lunch
Cribbage
HDM Grilled Chicken
1:00
9-1
9-12
10:00
10:30
1:00
HDM
9-1
10:00
10:30
1:00
HDM Corned Beef Hash
17
March 2016
Templeton SCC Vans
SCC Van Dispatcher, Don LeBlanc
coadispatch@templeton1.org
Call 978.894.2787
Page 6
Featured Excursions
Reservations required for all events and excursions.
First call basis. Please call on the first of the month,
unless otherwise noted.
978.894.2780
COA Board to Hold Open House
Local Shopping Trips
Call by 12:30 p.m. at least a day prior to your
trip to make your reservation.
Transportation provided. Shared rides.
Monday- Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Medical Trips
Local, Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Out of Town, Monday -Friday:
by Appointment
Out of town medical appointments are taken
on a first come, first served basis. Please book
as early as possible.
Advertise HERE
978.894.2780
Your Full Color Advertisement
can be changed monthly.
Call today.
Ever wonder what the Templeton Council on Aging is all about?
Well, you’re invited to observe the board’s monthly meeting
Tuesday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Ask questions after the session. Stay for guided tours and refreshments.
Members always needed. Volunteers, too! We all have something
to offer to make our Senior Center as efficient as possible.
Mechanics Hall Brown Bag Concert
The U.S. Navy Band will perform Wednesday, March 9, at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, during the free noon Brown Bag Lunch
Concert Series. And you can be there! Bring your lunch. We expect the COA van to fill up fast! So register right away starting
March 1. No table reservations accepted for this popular con-
cert, so pickup begins at 9:30 a.m. Doors open 11:15 a.m.
Monthly Potluck Lunch
Friday, March 18, at noon—and the 3rd Friday of every
month! Call to join and share a dish, so we’ll know what
you’re bringing. Lots of fun!
OUT TO LUNCH?
Chopsticks (Chinese / Japanese) Restaurant, Leominster, Monday, March 21! A late celebration of the Chinese New Year.
Call to reserve a seat! Pick-up begins at 11 a.m.; lunch 12:30 p.m.
Heroin and Opioid Epidemic
Come to the SCC Thursday, March 24, at 1 p.m. when the
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office will provide IMPORTANT info on the current heroin / opioid epidemic in our
area. Learn how to protect your pills! Call to register!
Returning — Recipe Swap
Bring your favorite dish and the recipe to share, and join us Tuesday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m. at SCC. We’ll print copies of your
recipes for swapping. Call to let us know you’ll join in the fun.
Regularly Scheduled Trips
Memorial Congregational Church Supper, Baldwinville
Offered on the 1st Monday of the month is a free dinner and a
fun evening out with friends. March 7. Pick up begins at 4
p.m., serving continuously from 5-6 p.m. Call to reserve
transportation on COA Van. Donations welcome.
Winchendon Lunches - Lunch costs $3 a person. Pick up
begins at 10:30 a.m. to travel to our neighbor at the
Winchendon Senior Center for lunch. Offered every Tuesday
and Thursday unless otherwise noted.
March 2016
Arts & Crafts
Wood Carvers Club - Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. to 1
p.m. Varying levels of experience welcome.
Creative Stitchers - Thursdays 10 a.m. to noon.
Open to all.
Coloration Crew — Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Come
and relax with the newest craze, 3-D coloring!
New Craft Day — Join us Tuesday, March 1,
at 10 a.m. to make a colorful Easter Egg Wreath.
See sample in our lobby. Required supplies: two
pieces of cardboard each cut in a 12" circle — cut
out a 9" circle in the center of each; four dozen
plastic (iridescent) Easter eggs (Dollar Store); a
package of Easter grass; your choice of wide
ribbon (with wire) for bow; glue gun. Adorable
and easy! Call to register by Feb. 25, or call earlier
with questions. http://countryis.blogspot.com/p/
crafts.html.
Jewelry Making - Call to register. Come try a
new skill Tuesday, March 1 and March 15, from 24 p.m. No evenings. NOTE NEW TIME.
Cards & Games
Pitch –Mondays at 1 p.m. Join this new group.
Beginner’s welcome.
Cribbage - Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to this friendly game.
Golden Age Club Bingo - Wednesdays from
12:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the SCC. $5 a year to be a
member of the Golden Age Club. Bingo cards start
at 50 cents.
BILLIARDS – Any time!
JOKE. Q: Why will a train engineer never be
electrocuted?
A: Because he’s not a conductor!
Veterans Service Officer
John C. Caplis, Sgt. First Class, Retired
veteransservices@templeton1.org
Phone: 978.894.6971
Templeton Town Hall
Mon/Thurs/Fri 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Please join the Veteran’s Group for support and
monthly meals and meetings. Call John to join
Veteran’s Lunch. If you are in need of
transportation call the SCC at 978.894.2780.
Thursday, March 31
Vets’ Lunch, 11:30 a.m.– 1 p.m., SCC.
Vets’ Meeting, 6 p.m., American Legion Hall.
Page 7
On Going Events & Activities
Call 978.894.2780
To inquire or attend
any Activities or Trips
Social & Support
Line Dancing Class Friday, March 4 and 11, from 12:30 p.m., led by Don. Easy steps; fun; beginners welcome!
Book Club - Monday, March 14, at 6 p.m. Snacks.
Newcomers welcome. Call to attend. March book: “The
Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah.
Computer Skills - Come to our library, use the computers
and learn! This month, there is only one computer class on
Tuesday, March 15, at 10 a.m. Our topic will be System
Backups. Don’t forget to register in advance.
Diners Club - 1st Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Join
this group for dinner Thursday, March 3, at Southside Grille
& Margarita Factory, 242 West Broadway, Gardner. Ole!
RODEO Club - Please call to join our Retired Old Dames
for lunch Friday, March 25, at noon at JK Crossroads, East
Templeton. Please call to reserve a spot!
Veterans Lunch / Group - Lunch at the Senior Community
Center on the last Thursday of the month, March 31, at
11:30 a.m. All are also welcome to the Veterans Support
Group at the American Legion, March 31, at 6 p.m. Please
call John to attend.
Movie Madness with concession stand treats! Join us the
last Monday of the month, March 28, at 1 p.m. for
“Up!” (2009), a delightful computer-animated comedy
adventure from Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures. Seemlessly
melds stirring emotion and thrilling adventure into a classic
tale of letting go of the past and embracing the moment.
Potluck Lunch— Third Friday of the month. Join us for
potluck this month on Friday, March 18, at noon. Bring a
dish to share and sign up early at the reception desk at the
Senior Community Center. Don’t forget your pennies!
Golden Age Club - New annual members welcomed, $5
yearly dues. No meeting in March.
Parker House of Pizza
17 Pleasant Street, Gardner
978-632-9383
Reno’s Pizzeria
132A Patriots Road, E. Templeton
978-632-3200
Seniors 65+, bring this newsletter to Reno’s
to receive a 10% Senior Discount!
Friends of the Templeton Elders
PO Box 85
East Templeton, MA
01438
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 10
Templeton, MA
01468
Return Service Requested
Susannah Whipps Lee
Representative - 2nd Franklin District
Phone: 978-895-9606
Email: Susannah.WhippsLee@mahouse.gov
COA Board of Directors
COA Staff
Director
Dianna Morrison
coadirector@templeton1.org
Elderly & Family Services
Sue Lajoie
elderly-familyservices@templeton1.org
978.939.2781
Van Dispatch
Don LeBlanc 978.894.2787
coadispatch@templeton1.org
Activities Coordinator
Virginia Strahan
coaactivities@templeton1.org
Administrative Assistant
Pamela Landry
coabookkeeper@templeton1.org
Food Pantry
978.894.2780
elderly-familyservices
@templeton1.org
Custodian
Thomas Bosworth
Meals on Wheels Drivers
Russell Clark
Bob Goguen
Francis Couture
Van Drivers
Joe Arsenault
Bill Buckler
Francis Couture
Ron Lewis
Bob Goguen
Russell Clark
This newsletter is supported in part by the
Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
Chairman, Priscilla LeClerc
Vice Chairman, Carolyn Touchette
Secretary, Leona DeGrace
Members
Charlene Arsenault
Phyllis Dennis
Associate Members
Sandy Lafond
Gene Denis
Dot McKellick
Dan McKellick
Elisa Chouinard
Ann Marie Page
Linda Thompson
Pat Arsenault
Alan Vincent
Claudette Vincent
SNOW CANCELLATIONS
When School has been closed or
dismissed due to inclement weather, the
Senior Center will cancel all activities,
excursions, and COA Van transportation.