Senior Newsletter
March 2010

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 March 2, 2010 at 12:30pm.
This month we will have Bingo Games at 25 cents per card. All seniors are welcome
Come and join the fun.
Refreshments will be served.
Also, enrollment of new members will be accepted and annual dues at $3.00 will be collected at this time.
Please bring ideas for future meetings.

Commission on Aging

The Commission on Aging’s next meeting will be held March 23, 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

Senior Nutrition Services is offering “Senior Dine Group Lunches” at the Painted Pony in Bethlehem, Ct.
This event will take place once a month on the third Thursday of each 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.

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.

Elenni’s Restaurant

Senior Nutrition Services is offering “Senior Dine Group Lunches” at Elenni’s Restaurant in Woodbury, Ct.
This event will take place once a month on the fourth Thursday of each 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.

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.

The Dine Card

New Opportunities of Waterbury is adding the Dine Card to their services. The Dine Card enables you to eat at designated restaurants throughout the state for $3.50 per person. You must register at the Middlebury Senior Center to get a card. For more information, stop in or call the center at 203-577-4166.

The Mediterranean Diet

March 16, 2010 at 12 noon, Judy Prager, Dietitian from Senior Nutrition Services, will be at the Middlebury Senior Center to explain why the Mediterranean Diet is so good for you and how you can adapt it into your lifestyle.

Be sure to attend.

TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS

Applications will be available at the Middlebury Senior Center office for the Elderly and Totally disabled homeowner and the Additional Veterans. To apply you must be a Middlebury resident at least 65 years of age or totally disabled. Tax return or proof of income is required.

To qualify for the Elderly Homeowners Tax Credit, the income guidelines for a single person are $32,300 and for a couple $39,500 for the year 2009

To qualify for the Totally Disabled Tax Credit, documentation of total disability must have been filed with the Assessor’s office prior to October 1. Income guidelines are $32,300 for single and $39,500, for married couples for the year 2009.

To qualify for Additional Veterans Program the income guidelines for singles are $32,300 and for a married couple $39,500 for the year 2008.

Your income includes your adjusted gross income and your Social Security.

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 ages 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.

VNA Presentation

There will be a “Preventing Falls & Ask the Nurse” presentation given by VNA Healthcare on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at the Middlebury Senior Center at 10:30am.
Did you know?
1 out of every 3 people will fall at home; you are 4 times as likely to fall within the 1st or 2nd week after a hospital discharge.

The primary reasons for falls include:

Balance Problems

Mobility Issues

Multiple Medications—seniors average 11 medications

Low Blood Pressure

Sensory Deficits

Home hazards

Questions to ask yourself, especially if you live alone:

If you were to fall tonight, can you get up without assistance?

If you were injured during the fall, how would you get help?

You do not want to miss this. Come to this 1 hour program to get answers to all your questions. Call the Senior Center for more information.

Very Interesting Discussion

Francis Barton Jr. Operations Manager from Nowak Products in Newington, CT will be speaking about:

Residential Energy Saving Programs and credits.

CL&P Billing information

How to choose an Electrical Supplier

And will be showing a video on “Living Green and Saving Green$”

Mr. Barton will be here on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 12:30pm. Be sure to attend this very informative program.

CODE RED

The Town of Middlebury will soon be instituting the CODE RED emergency communications network within the town. This will provide the town with a rapid method of communication, in the event of an unanticipated emergency, in a reverse 911 fashion. It may be used in such settings as hurricanes, severe heat or cold situations, Hazmat spills, biological threats and the like, to notify Middlebury residents of the potential threat and to provide instructions a to their continued safety.

Energy Assessments

The CL&P offers home energy solutions assessments for $75.00. For a limited time (until March 31, 2010), Wesson Energy are offering the same program for $25.00, due to the Obama stimulus programs.
They will send 2 highly-qualified technicians who will spend 2 ½ to 4 ½ hours, depending upon the characteristics of you home, assessing your home’s energy efficiency.

Major air leaks will be identified and sealed using door seals, door sweeps, caulking and foam.

Air ducts will be tested.

You will receive up to 14 compact fluorescent bulbs to install (this alone can be worth as much as $75.00.

They will measure flow rates from all faucets and showerheads and will offer to install aerators and low-flow showerheads, as well as hot water pipe insulation where appropriate.

You get a power meter (yours to keep and use) that you can attach to your appliances to determine how much power is being consumed.

They will also survey your appliances and tell you about the rebates that are offered for the purchased of new Energy Star appliances. These rebates will be doubled if the appliances are purchased within 45 days of the assessment.

Come to the Middlebury Senior Center to receive you $25.00 coupon; or call for any questions you may have.

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 classes

Yoga
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 $2.25

Adult 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, March 10, 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, March 1, 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, March 23rd 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 March 10th. 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
Homemade Ravioli 101

Middlebury Senior Center
Friday, March 26, 2010
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Are you curious about making “Homemade Ravioli” filled with ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, then join Chef Marianne De Silva as she shows us just how easy it is to make! While the ravioli is drying, we’ll create the best ever “Gilroy Garlic Festival’s” Garlic Bread that you’ve ever eaten. Then, serve our ravioli with a great tasting homemade Tomato Sauce and a slice of yummy garlic bread. If you want to make homemade ravioli for Easter, then join me at this great class -- it’s going to be fun!

If you haven’t taken a cooking class yet, come and join Marianne De Silva in another cooking adventure. See what it’s all about! Socialize with friends, get great recipes, fabulous tips and learn to make and get to savor this delicious meal at the conclusion of the class!

You don’t want to miss these classes. Sign-up now by calling the Middlebury Senior Center (203) 577-4166. Class limit 14 students. Cost is $12.00

March 6, 2010 is National Dentist Day.

To celebrate this day, the Middlebury Senior Center is presenting a special program donated by the National Dental Advisors to help seniors. The National Dental Advisors is expert in the field on senior dental health. Their mission is to help every Senior American become aware of the proper techniques to take care of their teeth and manage their oral health.

At your convenience, stop by the center to observe this program and get your gift bag, and enrollment forms for pharmacy discount cards, also donated by them.

We are open Monday thru Friday, 9am to 1pm.

CROCKPOT COOKING

March 4, 2010 … 12 noon

What’s cooking for dinner tonight?

Search your closet and your basement, you probably have an old one around somewhere, dust it off and learn to use it again.
Learn about the cost benefits, the nutritional benefits and the ease of using a crock pot, plus taste a great dish and get some new recipes.

Everyone participating will be entered into a raffle to win a brand new Crockpot.

This program will be taking place at the Middlebury Senior Center on Thursday March 4, 2010 at 11:00am. Please call the center at 203-577-4166 to reserve your seat in advance to be sure there is enough food.

Be sure to attend…..you may win a Crockpot.

Middlebury Senior Center
presents:

St. Patrick’s Day at the Aqua Turf

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Menu:
Irish Stew
Tossed Salad
Penne Pasta
Baked Scrod
Corned Beef & Cabbage
Buttered Carrots
Boiled Potatoes
Ice cream w/ Thin Mint Cookie

Entertainment by Mulligan & Co.
Come and enjoy the fun.
Call to reserve your seat. 203-577-4166
40.00 per person…all inclusive.

On March 22nd we will need volunteers to wrap daffodils for the American Cancer Society. Please call us to let us know if you are interested, 203-577-4166.
Anyone interested in purchasing daffodils to donate, please call the Senior Center to order. A bouquet of 10 flowers is $10.00.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Penny O’Connell will be again offering a free Lecture Series beginning on Wednesday, March 24th at 9:30am.
This Series will be on King Richard; don’t miss it.
Please call 203-577-4166 to reserve your seat.

If you’ve been to our Christmas and Valentine Parties then you remember Karen Wagner, the Broadway Cabaret Vocalist. If you enjoyed her at the parties then you will love to attend a Dinner and a Show at the Cherry Street Restaurant in Wallingford, CT on Sunday, March 21, 2010.
We will have a bus going to the 2:00 show. Ticket can be purchased at the Middlebury Senior Center office. The cost is $30.00 per person all inclusive. Call 203-577-4166 to reserve your seat on the bus. For those who do not need the bus, tickets are $25 which includes a fantastic dinner buffet with some of your favorite Italian specialties.

Keep your eye out for these coming events:
On Monday, April 19, 2010, we’re off to ELLIS ISLAND to see the Statue of Liberty & trace our family roots.

On Thursday May 27, 2010 it’s The Music of Barry Manilow at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville, CT.

On Thursday, August 12, 2010 we are going to the Aqua Turf where by popular demand we get to see Bobby Vinton.

Two exciting events in September;

The Magic of Mario Lanza at the Grand Oak Villa on Thursday September 23, 2010, performed with 3 premier tenors, a pianist, and a delightful humorist.

We are also offering a beautiful 7 night cruise to Bermuda, Hamilton & St George’s, from September 12 to 19, 2010, that’s 8 days and 7 nights on Holland America’s Veendam. Includes roundtrip transportation to the NY Pier. A great price for $869.00.

October 15-17, 2010 (Friday to Sunday), we are off to Washington DC to spend a few days of autumn in the Nation’s Capital. A trip you do not want to miss.

On Tuesday, November 9, 2010, we will be enjoying Three Tenors and a Diva (who have performed in New York’s Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and the famous LaScala), at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville, CT