| Town of Middlebury - Senior Center Newsletter |
News & Information
9:30 Knitting and Crocheting Class
9:30 Yoga
Sewing Class
Time: 09:30am - NA
Free Blood Pressure Screening done by the VNA
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Bridge Club
Time: 12:30pm - NA
Senior Newsletter
January 2010
Storm Alert
In the event of impending inclement winter weather, please be advised that the Senior Center does not follow the local schools in determining if the center will close.
Even though bus service may be cancelled, the center office will be open and programs may be held. The announcements aired will reflect the exact status of the Senior Center.
Announcement of closings can be seen on the following TV stations:
WTNH Channel 8/19
WVIT Channel 30
WFSB Channel 3Or on the following radio stations:
WTIC 1080 AM
WATR 1320 AM
WWCO 1240 AM
When senior Center Activities are cancelled, it includes ALL Activities for that day, including exercise, nutrition, card playing, billiards, computer classes, Pilates, art programs, yoga, sewing as well as AARP meetings.We do not make a pre-announcement when a storm is forthcoming. Wait until the day of your activity and listen to or watch the above mentioned channels or stations.
Probate Information
The Probate Court is commonly thought of as the means to distribute a person’s property after death. However, there are many functions of the Court which assist the living. Matters dealing with the custody, guardianship and adoption of minors, the appointment of conservators for adults who can no longer manage their affairs, applications for change of name and the processing of passport applications are all within the jurisdiction of the Probate Court.
Middlebury Social and Elderly Services offer this service on the third Tuesday of each month. Judge Thomas Brunnock will meet with you on a one to one basis to discuss matters of concern or probate issues. If you would like to make an appointment, please call the Senior Center at 203-577-4166.
AARP MONTHLY MEETING
The AARP Chapter 4960 will be holding its
monthly meeting on January 5, 2010
This month there’ll be Bingo games
Refreshments will be served
Members & non members are welcome..
Commission on Aging
The Commission on Aging’s next meeting will be held January 19, 2010 at 9:30am. All interested persons are welcome to attend.
Energy Assistance
Applications for the Energy Assistance Program for the heating season 2009/2010 are now being taken at the Middlebury Social Services office between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00 Monday through Friday.
In order to process your application, the following information is needed:
- Dates of birth and social security numbers for all household members.
- Verification of the gross income, from all sources, for all household members (tax forms are not acceptable).
- Current bank statements verifying liquid assets for all household members.
- Current electric or gas bill for utility heated households.
- Deliverable fuel vendor’s name for deliverable fuel heated households.
Eligibility for winter heating assistance is based on household size, gross income and liquid assets.
For more information call the Middlebury Social Service office at 203-577-4166.
Free Blood Pressure Screening
There is a free Blood Pressure Screening every Tuesday done by the VNA. The hours are 10:00am to 12:00pm. No appointment necessary.
The Painted Pony &
Elenni’s Family RestaurantSenior Nutrition Services is offering “Senior Dine Group Lunches” at the Painted Pony in Bethlehem, CT and Elenni’s in Woodbury CT.
On January 21, 2010, the Middlebury Senior Center began going to the Painted Pony Restaurant in Bethlehem, Ct. for lunch. This event will take place once a month on the third Thursday of that month.
Reservations must be made 2 weeks in advance by contacting the Center at 203-577-4166. All participants must be registered Senior Dine members with active cards.On January 28, 2010, the Middlebury Senior Center will begin going to Elenni’s Restaurant in Woodbury, Ct. for lunch. This event will take place once a month on the fourth Thursday of that month with the same rules as the Painted Pony.
The cost will be $6.00 per person without transportation. With transportation the cost will be $7.00. Money is payable to the Middlebury Senior Center in advance. This is for both events.
2010 Census….Be Careful Of Fraud
The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address, including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.
Most people won’t give out personal information over the phone, or to people that they do not know, however the Census is an “exception to the rule”, says the Better Business Bureau. Scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to pose as a government employee and solicit sensitive financial information from an individual that you would not usually disclose.
During the U.S. census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers, who impersonate Census workers to get access to banking and financial information. Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.
The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? Better Business Bureau, (BBB) offers the following advice:
- If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
- Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. Census workers will not ask for banking and financial information, nor will they solicit donations.
- Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams impersonating the Census.
Changes Are Coming for ConnPACE Members
There are some big changes coming to the ConnPACE Program. Income levels to qualify for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) have been brought up to those of ConnPACE.
To be on ConnPACE, your income, if single, must be under $2,092 pr month, and for a couple, under $2,817 pr month. There is no asset test.
ConnPACE members will receive additional benefits by qualifying for the MSP:
- The premium for Medicare Part B, which is $96.40, will be paid for.
- Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) premium will be paid for if you are enrolled in a Benchmark Plan (with a plan premium of under $34.57 per month for 2010).
- The cost for your Medicare covered Rx’s will drop to $2.50 for generic and $6.30 for brand name drugs for 2010.
- QMB provides you with a no-premium Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Policy. It will pay for your annual Part B deductible, hospital deductible and the part of Medicare approved services not paid for by Medicare (such as the 20% co-pay at the doctor’s office). It will do this at the Medicaid rate, which is lower than Medicare’s rates.
If you are on ConnPACE and the Medicare Savings Program, your will still continue to have NO deductible, and No Gap in coverage.
Right now the State of Connecticut can recover money from a person’s estate after the person’s death if they have received help from the Medicare Savings Program. The State WILL NO LONGER SEEK RECOVERY for benefits a person receives from this program ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010. ConnPACE WILL BE SENDING YOU A LETTER ADVISING YOU OF YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE Medicare Savings Program along with an application for the program.
2010 Medicare Cost Sharing
On October 16th, 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) released notices detailing the Medicare Part A & Part B premiums and deductibles for the calendar year 2010. Most Medicare beneficiaries will not see a Part B monthly premium increase as a result of a “hold harmless” provision in the current law. This provision prohibits Part B premiums from rising in any one year more than that year’s cost of living increase in Social Security benefits. People who are covered by the hold harmless provision will continue to pay Part B premiums of $96.40 per month in 2010. But this hold harmless protection does not apply to about one in four (or about 11 million) beneficiaries who:
- do not have their Part B premiums withheld from their Social Security checks, or
- pay a higher Part B premium surcharge based on high income, or
- are newly enrolled in Part B.
Medicare Cost Sharing 2010 is listed below
Hospital Deductible: $1,100 per spell of illness
Hospital Coinsurance:
- Days 0-60 $0
- Days 61-90 $275.00 / day
- Days 91-150: $550 / day
Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance
- Days 0-20: $0
- Days 21-100: $137.50 / day
Part A Premium (for voluntary enrollees only)
- With 30-39 quarters of Social Security coverage: $254 / month
- With 29 or fewer quarters of Social Security coverage: $461 / month
Part B
- Deductible: $155.00 / year
- Standard Premium: $110.50 / month
AARP.. CT Tax Aide
It’s that time of year again……Need Free Help with Your Taxes?????
Free income tax assistance is provided at the Middlebury Senior Center at 1172 Whittemore Rd, in Middlebury by the AARP Tax-Aide program for low to moderate income taxpayers of all ages, with special attention to those age 60 and older.
Call 203-577-4166 to obtain additional information or schedule an appointment with a certified AARP Tax-Aide counselor.
All taxpayers should have with them the following information:
- If married, both husband and wife should be present.
- Proof of identity (picture or other documentation).
- Social security number (Social Security Card or Benefit Statement-Form SSA – 1099) for taxpayer and all taxpayer’s dependents.
- Personal check, if available, with bank checking account & routing numbers.
- Copy of last year’s Federal and State tax returns.
- All income statements that apply to the taxpayers 2009 Federal and State income taxes.
Life Line Screening is coming to the Middlebury Senior Center.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Life Line Screening is the leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings in the US. Currently, in neighborhoods like ours, Life Line is screening approximately 1 million people each year, adding to the 6 million previously screened since their beginning in 1993. Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer in the United States of both men and women – and a leading cause of permanent disability.
Consider the facts: 4 out of 5 stroke victims had no apparent warning signs…..80% of strokes can be prevented. These screenings will be done on January 12, 2010, at the Middlebury Senior Center in the Shepardson Community Building on Whittemore Rd. Pre-registration is required. Please call 1-800-679-5192.
H1N1 Flu Shots
On Monday, January 11, 2010, The Town of Middlebury Health Dept. will be offering the H1N1 flu shots at 1:00pm at the Shepardson Community Building to anyone who would like one at no charge.
If you are allergic to eggs or eggs products, please do not take the flu shot.
Dial-A Ride Program
The Greater Waterbury Transit District (Dial a Ride) has been reinstated and will begin on Thursdays. All out of town rides must be planned on Thursdays as the mini bus will only be used in town.Pilates
The next new Pilates class will begin Monday, January 13th 10:30 to 11:30 am. The cost is $30.00 for eight classesYoga
The next new yoga class will begin Tuesday, February 2, 2010; & Thursday, February 11, 2010. Fee is $25.00 for 6 classes.Line Dancing
The next new line dancing class will begin Thursday, February 19, 2010 at 10:00 am. Fee is $30.00 for 10 classes.Billiards
Our billiard room is open daily. There is no charge to play.Sewing
Sewing classes are held every Tuesday at 9:30 am. The fee for this class is $1.00.
Knitting & Crocheting
Knitting & crocheting classes will be held every Tuesday at 10:00am. This class is free of charge.Mah-jongg
Mah-jongg is a Chinese game for four players that is played using 144 domino-like tiles. Middlebury has mah-jongg games every Monday at 10:30 am. The fee is $1.00.Bingo
Bingo parties continue every Monday at 12:30 pm. Anyone interested in having our lunch before bingo should give us a two day notice. Lunch donation is $2.25Adult Strengthening Classes
Jim Demeis, a Physical Therapist from Access Rehab will be returning to the Middlebury Senior Center to teach older adults strength training exercises on Friday afternoons from 12:30 to 1:30. Fee is also $3.00 per class.New Senior Center Service
Is your computer getting slow? Is it having erratic behavior or locking up? Would you like to learn how to install and use FREE virus protection? We can help!! Call the Senior Center at 203-577-4166 to make an appointment.Introduction to Computers
The Introduction to Computers class will begin on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 9:00 am. This 8 week course introduces the student to various application programs such as Data Base, Word Processing, File Management and Internet; also introduces the Computer Operating System. The fee for this course is $25.00 per person. Call 203-577-4166 to reserve your seat; only 7 students can attend for each class.Computer Fundamentals
Our next Computer Fundamentals class will be on Monday, January 4, 2010, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Carolyn Barbieri, instructor, will be giving another one of her very informative classes for those who would like to learn the computer. This is a 5 week course that shows the basic operations of the personal computer, i.e., mouse skills, paint, keyboard & word processing. Also includes one class of internet and e-mail. Fee for this course is $25. Please call 203-577-4166 to reserve your seat.Computers and Photography
This course is taught by Angelo Malagrino. He has much experience with computers and photography as he holds exhibits at many libraries across the Tribury area. There are many of his pictures at the Middlebury Senior Center. This is a 3 week class. It concentrates on taking photos from your digital camera and transferring them to software on your computer. You will learn how to change the appearance of your photos.
New classes will begin Tuesday, January 12th at 12:30pm.
You may sign up for this class by calling 203-577-4166. Course fee is $25.00.Free Hearing Screening
The Middlebury Senior Center and And-How Hearing sponsors a free hearing screening to all who wish them.
The screening date is January 20th. To make an appointment, please call 203-577-4166 or stop in at the Middlebury Senior Center. Screenings will begin at 9:00am and end at 11:30am and will be in 15 minute increments.
As reminder; a screening is a simple PASS/FAIL evaluation of a persons’ hearing. We will also clean existing hearing aids for all, using the same 15 minute allotment. Should you have any questions or to change a particular date, please call the And-How Hearing office at 203-754-2200.New Adventures in Cooking Classes
Authentic Flavors of Mexico
Friday, January 29, 2010
(Snow Date Friday, February 5, 2010)
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Do you love the flavors of Mexican food? Then you’re going to love this class! We’ll start off with a “Mexican Black Bean, Chicken and Corn Chowder”, a recipe favorite of mine that I’ve developed over the years. The chowder will be served with my favorite salad, a “Romaine Lettuce, Avocado and Tomato with Lime Vinaigrette” another original recipe of mine. Once you taste the Lime Vinaigrette -- you’ll put it on just about everything! Along with the chowder and salad we’ll make “Grandma’s Chipotle Cornbread” – one of the best you’ll ever taste. And, for dessert, these cute individual “Apple Enchilada’s” served with Sweetened Whipped Cream.
If you haven’t taken a cooking class yet, come and join Chef Marianne De Silva in another cooking adventure. See what it’s all about! Socialize with friends, laugh a lot, get new recipes, great tips and learn how to make and get to savor this complete meal at the conclusion of the class!
This will be a fun class. Sign up now by calling (203) 577-4166. Friday, January 29, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Snow date Friday, February 5, 2010. Cost is $12.00. Class is limited to 14 students -- hope to see you there!
Valentine / Patriotic LuncheonWednesday, February 17, 2010
Lunch At 11:45
Entertainment 12:00 - 1:00
$7.00 per personMenu: Choice of Chicken Marsala or Stuffed Filet of Sole
Wild rice pilaf
Green Beans, Multi grain rolls
Coffee & DessertEntertainment by Karen Wagner & Bob Mel
SIGN-UP AND JOIN IN THE FUN!
Call 203-577-4166Sign up deadline is February 12, 2010
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