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THE SILVER SPIRIT

Barre/Hardwick Senior Center/Council on Aging Please note: Our mailing address is: 557 South Barre Road 40 Wes t Street, Suite 433 P-978-355-5004—F-978-355-5012 Barre, Massachusetts 01005 Eileen Clarkson, HS-BCP, CDP, MS, MPA—Director Notary Public, MCOA Certified Director, ServSafe Certified

Email-coa@townofbarre.com—Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/barre.coa

JUNE ~ 2020

Volume 3, Issue 6

Hours of Operation:

Monday –Friday 9:00—3:00

THE MISSION OF THE BARRE COUNCIL ON AGING The Mission of the Barre Council on Aging: Identify the needs of elders in the community. Educate the community and enlist the support and participation of all citizens to meet the needs of elders. Design, advocate, and/or imple-ment services to fill these needs, or coordinate existing services. Cooperate with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging and be cognizant of state and federal legis-lation and programs regarding elders.

Dear Barre and Hardwick Residents, As we go slowly to return to the ‘new’ normal, please remember to still keep distances, wear a mask, and wash your hands often. We will be one of the last places to reopen due to the population we serve, however, I am hopeful that it would be sooner rather than later. We will have to wait to see how other op-erations are going and if there is a new rise in cases once businesses start the process. We will have protocols in place before we reopen and the use of personal protective equip-ment (PPE’S) will need to be worn. We may start with one day a week or two. But we will certainly let you all know. I am wondering if you are interested in having virtual classes or programs. Please either email me or call to let me know what your interest is in and I will work on providing such, but I need to hear from you. Thank you to Stetson School Student Council for their Grant Award to the Senior Center!!! Please remember to return your emergency contact form, many of the folks in our system do not have that information and many of the phone numbers are incorrect. It only takes a minute and thank you to those that have done so already, it is appreciated. Happy Father’s Day, Flag Day, and 4th of July (hard to believe it is already here). Regards, Eileen, Director—774-764-8702

If you have lost your insurance due to the pandemic, you can apply for health insurance though the Connect-or I can walk you through the over-whelming application process. Call me if you need assistance.

Thank you to Chong Her for making masks that we were able to distribute to community members. It is tru-ly appreciated and much needed.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all of our Dad’s out their.

Thank you for your sharing and support as you

watched us grow. You are truly appreciated!!

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We ask that check on your neighbors to ensure they are okay. If they need assistance, we have folks willing to go shopping or pick up prescriptions for them. Just let us know.

COA Wish List: Individually wrapped candy, monetary donations, and yard tools of all types. Clean re-usable containers of all sizes

Representative Berth-

iaume’s office hours with

Donna will be Resuming

soon.

To all those Barre babies, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. Enjoy your day...Come to the Center and Celebrate with us on the last Thursday of each month at 12:00 for cake. There are of you over the age 80 and over the age of 90. Congratulations!!

Please check out our Web-Site Page on the Town’s Web-Site. Our site is http://www.townofbarre.com then click on Ser-vices and scroll to Senior Services. Like us https://www.facebook.com/barre.coa/

Information, Services and Resources

Please call us so that you can take advantage of these FREE services of-fered through the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation.

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently received approval from USDA to implement Pandemic-EBT, or P-EBT, in Massachusetts. We will be working quickly to implement this new program. P-EBT benefits are extra money to buy food for households with students who would have re-ceived free and reduced-priced school meals, but have been unable to do so, due school clo-sures. There are about 500,000 students in Mas-sachusetts that are eligible for this extra benefit. This benefit will supplement the more than 1,500 school meal sites that DESE has worked to set up with local school districts.

Lending Library- You are encour-aged to stop by the Senior Cen-ter to take ad-vantage of our

newly organized media room. We have many newer books & puzzles for you to enjoy. Please note: While we accept donations of books & puzzles, we kindly ask that books be in good condition & that puzzles are five hundred pieces or less with boxes intact & no missing pieces.

Happy Birthday to all

those Hardwick Babies

there are over the age of

80 for the month and over

90 . Congratulations! Join

us for Cake

on the last

Thursday of

each month.

Enjoy your

day!

Did you know?

If you live in Hardwick and need assis-

tance with shopping or prescription pick

up, please call us to receive assistance

with these errands.

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Information, Services and Resources

Who will get a P-EBT card? All Massachusetts families with school aged children who qualify for free or reduced price meals. P-EBT benefits are available to households regard-less of immigration status and are not considered in a pub-lic charge test. What is P-EBT? Pandemic - Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is additional food support for families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families will re-ceive $5.70 per child per day for every day school is closed.

Find out what we need to know to determine if you are eligible for emergency SNAP benefits. Emergency SNAP benefits are for SNAP applicants that need food assistance within 7 days. These benefits are typically issued for one month while applicants gather the verifications that the Department needs to approve a full SNAP application Overview of emergency SNAP benefits When you apply for SNAP benefits, case managers will screen you for SNAP eligibility and assess your household circumstances during the interview. Emergency SNAP benefits are issued if the applicant appears eligible and answers “yes” to one or more of the following questions:

• Does your income and money in the bank add up to less than your monthly housing expenses?

• Is your monthly income less than $150 and is your money in the bank $100 or less? Are you a migrant worker and is your money in the bank less than $100?

Jokes: — Tip-jar humor in our local coffee shop: “Afraid of Change? Leave It Here.” —Why is it a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your two cents in? Somebody’s making a penny. —I'm currently boycotting any company that sells items I can't afford. —I had my credit card stolen the other day but I didn't bother to report it because the thief spends less than my wife. —I stopped off at the super-market to buy my son-in-law his favorite pie, sour cream raisin. The box had the $15 price stamped on the top, which I thought would be tacky on a gift, so I asked the man behind the coun-ter for a marker to black out the price. Didn't work—you could still see the price through the ink. —"I know what to do," the man said. "I'll cover it up. "And with that, he slapped a sticker over the price that read "$2.98 Day Old." —I'm currently boycotting any company that sells items I can't afford. —A little boy asked his father, "Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?" Father replied, "I don't know son, I'm still paying." —Retirement is the time in your life when time is no longer money. —I won $3 million on the lottery this weekend so I decided to donate a quarter of it to charity. Now I have $2,999,999.75. —During an antiharassment seminar at work, I asked, "What's the difference between harass-ment and good-natured teasing?" A co-worker shouted, "A million dollars."

Many Expiring Licenses, Registrations, and Other Credentials Further Extended The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has implement-ed further extensions to the renewal timelines for expiring motor vehi-cle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional cre-dentials, and driver's licenses and learner's permits, including Com-mercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Permits (CDLs / CLPs). While the RMV previously announced extensions for most credentials, passenger plate registrations, and inspection stickers expired or expir-ing in March, April, and May, an additional extension has been ap-plied to those credentials, and an extension has been added to some credentials expiring in June, July, and August. These extensions replicate the ongoing measures the RMV has taken to reduce the need for customers to physically visit an RMV Service Center or one of its business partners’ facilities, allowing for "social-distancing" by decreasing non-essential travel and customer volume. Additional longer-term extensions will also allow the RMV to ensure "social-distancing" guidelines are met as demand for in-person service and renewals resumes during the Commonwealth’s reopening phases.

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Come join us for coffee each

morning starting at 9.00 am

and .50¢ asked per cup.

Be aware of stim-ulus scams that are taking place. Do not give out your information, remember: the IRS will not con-tact you by phone, email, or mail for your per-sonal information, do not give out your personal in-formation to any-

one you do not know and trust.

Join our Tai Chi group and learn

the relaxing benefits of this

strengthening and endurance tech-

nique. Every M-W-F at 1:00. Cost is

$5 for 3 classes. Slow gentle exer-

cise, standing or sitting. First class is FREE!!

Line Dancing—join us on

Monday’s from 11 to 12.

There is a do-

nation sugges-

tion of $3.00

per class or

$20.00 for 9

classes.

Art group -cost

is $20.00 for 5

classes with sup-

plies included.

Explore your ar-

tistic talent and see what you

can do, you may be sur-

prised. Space is limited….

There is a new benefit for folks that have children in school. It is called P-EBT and it is to reach out to fami-lies to receive a benefit of in the amount of $200—per student. Need help to apply, call me. If you already receive EBT, these benefits will be added to your card.

Events at the Senior Center

Foot Care for Seniors—Beyond a Pedicure—services provided by a po-

diatrist-trained foot care nurse, help with managing your toes nails, callus-

es, fungal conditions, ingrown nails, cracks or open skin, corns, dry skin,

fissures that may further lead to painful medical issues. First session to be

supplemented by senior center by $10.00, cost to you is $25.00 and

$25.00 after for each visit. Call for appointment the 2nd and 4th Thurs-

days.

Try something relaxing... Senior Chair based Yoga at the Barre Senior Cen-ter on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-10:00am $5.00 per class. Free class coupons available.

When the initial battles in the Revolu-tionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete inde-pendence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radi-

cal. Sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet “Common Sense,” published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

Effective Friday, March 27th, the RMV will be enforcing a strict no walk-in policy at its Service Centers open to the general public. The only transac-tions that will be processed at service centers are those that the RMV con-siders ‘essential’. Examples of ‘essential’ transactions include obtaining a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit to assist with the supply chain during the State of Emergency declaration, registering a newly purchased vehicle as your primary mode of transportation for em-ployment or obtaining medication and other necessary treatments, or transferring your license or registration from another state for residency requirements. Examples of ‘non-essential’ transactions include registering a motorcycle as a secondary mode of transportation, obtaining a REAL ID unless part of a new Mass ID issuance or out of state transfer of a driver’s license/ID, or registering a boat or utility trailer or camper for recreation purposes. Customers who need to complete 'essential' transactions are required to make an online reservation, and customers arriving without an appointment will be asked to leave and make one online to return at a future date. If you or someone you know is over the

age of 60 and does not wish to go to the store to shop, but would like to a hot meal, Meals on Wheels can help with this. Signing up is easy and you can call to set this up through Elders Services of Worcester at 508-756-1454 and ask for the nutrition program. Once you are set up, one of our wonderful volunteers will drop off your meal. Questions, call me.

Bingo—The first Monday of each month we will be hav-ing Bingo with prizes. Sponsored by

Navicare. Join in for some fun on at 1:30.

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Join Linda as she is offering a class that

incorporates both yoga and Pilates meth-

ods. This activity is geared toward folks

that are interested in improving their

health, wellness and core strength. Good,

lengthen and strengthen the body from

the core out. Bring your yoga mat and ball

if you have one. We will have mats and

weights to utilize. This

will take place every

Wednesday, starting at

5:00 pm. Cost is $5.00

per class.

Join us for pinochle every Wednesday starting 1:00. This is a fun game and folks can help you learn it. Stop by to check it out. FREE

Don’t forget to do you census!! go to my2020census.gov to do them on-line. It’s important for not only the Sen-ior Center, but other funding is based on the amount of folks in the commu-nity. Be Counted!!

Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for Bingo. Cards are $.50 each, limit of four (4) and on the last Tuesday of each

month is a SPECIAL Bingo, with a card being $2.00-limit one (1) card.

The B/P Clinic will be from 9.00-

11.00, the first Tuesday, stop by to

have yours checked and be sure to

have yours checked regularly. It

could save your life. Sponsored by VNA Care.

Council On Aging Board Members Stanley (Stan) Miknaitis-2021 ~Chair MaryAnn Watson-2022-Vice Chair Linda Payne—2020~Secretary Dede Charlton-2022 Gloria Castriotta-2018 Bernice Miller-2020 Patricia (Pat) Sirois-2022 Richard (Dick) Whippee-2022 Roger Currier—2020 Associate Board Members Sharron Chandler—-Brenda Rich—Sheila Davis—Amanda Meady Hardwick Council Members Gloria Judd Alice Paradis Stephanie Calvitto If you would like to join the board, please see the Director or call 978-355-5004

Events at the Senior Center

Do you enjoy crafts? Do you like to have conver-sations? Stop by on Fri-days at 10:00 for our Crafts and Conversation group. Bring your craft item, crocheting, knitting, or other item and sit and enjoy some coffee and

conversa-tion while working on your craft.

Computer Lessons—Do you want to know some-thing about a computer, tablet, cell phone, or oth-er device, stop by and see the director to learn about these electronic devices.

This is for all levels of learning, so please stop by and see what you can learn to do on your de-vice, or even if you do not have one, you can learn on ours. Any time—FREE

Be sure to BE COUNTED!! Do your census either on-line or by phone! Local and state funding de-pends on the census for grants and certain chapter funds. Go to 2020census.gov and complete yours to-day, don’t delay!! Need help, call me.

Join us on the FIRST Thursday of the month for Coffee with an Officer! Get to know your police department. Learn something new from them or

just hang out with them. Starting at 9:00 on

Join Jayne for a daily lunch and of course, dessert!, a two day notice is needed to reserve your seat! Call 978-355-5027

Senator Gobi’s office will be holding office hours to be back soon and if you have issues, stop in to talk with Lucas.

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Our Senior Buddies Group provides support for ex-tra programs, events, and entertainment. They pro-vide and raise funds to help supplement these events. If you would like to support our Senior Bud-dies Group, you can by volunteering. They also have other events they do, support their 50/50 raf-

fle, bake sales, and other fund raising events. Stop in to join the group and help out during events. And thank you for your support!

In Memory of Mike Simeone— Thank you to—Steve/Kim Franklin, Michael/Maureen Duffy, Nunzi/Ruth Maio, Lorene Skaza, Edward Riendeau, Angelina Jolly, Anthony Maio, Cathy Whigham, Stanley Miknai-tis, John/Mary Allen, Gary/Susan Simeone, Russell/Irene Webb, and The Palmieri Family for their re-cent donations to the Senior Center.

In Memorial or in Honor of Donations

Donation Amount $__________Date: _________ Please Print

Donor’s Name: ____________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ Please Circle: In Memory or In Honor

In honor of/In memory of: Name: __________________________________________ Both would be recognized in the Silver Spirit Newsletter. THANK YOU for your donation in Memory/Honor of your loved one!! Please make checks payable to: The Barre Council on Aging. Return to: Barre Senior Center 40 West Street, Suite 433 Barre, MA 01005

Funding Sources: BCOA receives funding by:

• Donations received through area business and individuals

• Donations received through the Senior Buddies organization

• Grants, the largest being an annual grant given by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in Boston where a dollar amount is given per senior in town

• Local tax dollars appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting

When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army—a unified colonial fighting force—with the hopes of more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Con-tinental Colors. For some, this flag, which was comprised of 13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the corner, was too similar to that of the British. George Washington soon realized that flying a flag that was even remotely close to the British flag was not a great confidence-builder for the revolutionary ef-fort, so he turned his efforts towards creating a new symbol of freedom for the soon-to-be fledgling na-tion. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confeder-ation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day. As you celebrate the anniversary of the Stars and Stripes, here are some fast facts about “Old Glory.” • Bernard Cigrand, a small -town Wisconsin teacher, originated the idea for an annual flag day, to be celebrated across the country every June 14, in 1885. That year, he led his school in the first formal observance of the holiday. Cigrand, who later changed careers and practiced dentistry in Illinois, continued to promote his concept and advocate respect for the flag throughout his life. +In the 1950s, when it seemed certain that Alaska would be admitted to the Union, designers began re-tooling the American flag to add a 49th star to the existing 48. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old Ohioan named Bob Heft student borrowed his mother’s sewing machine, disassembled his family’s 48-star flag and stitched on 50 stars in a proportional pattern. He handed in his creation to his history teacher for a class project, explaining that he expected Hawaii would soon achieve statehood as well. Heft also sent the flag to his congressman, Walter Moeller, who presented it to President Eisenhower after both new states joined the Union. Eisenhower selected Heft’s design, and on July 4, 1960, the president and the high school student stood together as the 50-star flag was raised for the first time. Heft’s teacher promptly changed his grade from a B- to an A.

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2020 JUNE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 2 3 4 5

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 11.00-Line Dancing- 11.45-Lunch-Checken Mornay 11.45-Senator Gobi’s Office hours 1:00 Tai Chi ($5) 1.30-SPECIAL BIN-GO

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-ART 9.00-Computer 9:00-Yoga ($5) 10.15-Bingo 11.45-Lunch-Meatload w/gravy 1.00-Scat-Cribbage

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 9.00-Quilting Group 11.45-Lunch-roast turkey/gravy 1:00—Barre COA Board Meeting—cancelled 1.00-Pinochle 1.00-Tai Chi ($5) 5:00-Pilates—$5.00

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Yoga ($5) 9.00--Coffee with Officer

10.15 Bingo 11.45-Lunch-macaroni & cheese 1.00-Scat

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 10.00-Crafts and Con-versation 11.45-Lunch-chicken cranberry salad

8 9 10 11 12

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 11.00-Line Dancing- 11.45-Lunch-pork rib-i-que 1:00 Tai Chi ($5)

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-ART 9.00-Computer 9:00-Yoga ($5) 10.15-Bingo 11.45-Lunch-swedish meatballs 1.00-Scat-Cribbage

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 9.00-Quilting Group 9.00-SHINE-by appoint-ment 11.45-Lunch-sloppy joe 1.00-Pinochle 1.00-Tai Chi ($5) 5:00-Pilates—$5.00

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 9.00-Yoga ($5) 9:00—Foot Care for Seniors-Call for appointment 9.30-Hardwick COA Board Meeting- 10.15 Bingo 11.00-Rep Berthiaume Office Hours 11.45-Lunch-chicken caccia-tore 12.30-Scat

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 10.00-Crafts and Con-versation 1.00-Tai Chi ($5) 11:45-Lunch-Fish w/crumb topping

15 16 17 18 19

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 11.00-Line Dancing-returns 11.45-Lunch-broccoli & cheese stuffed chicken 1:00 Tai Chi ($5)

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-ART 9.00-Computer 9:00-Yoga ($5) 10.15-Bingo 11:45-Lunch-Spaghetti/meatballs 1.00-Scat-Cribbage

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Quilting Group 11.45-Lunch-potato crunch fish 1.00-Pinochle 1.00-Tai Chi ($5) 5:00-Pilates—$5.00

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Yoga ($5) 10.15 Bingo 11.45-Lunch—baked ham 1.00-Scat

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 10.00-Crafts and Con-versation 11.45-Lunch-garlic herbed chicken 1.00-Tai Chi ($5)

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9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 11.00-Line Dancing-returns 11.45-Lunch-beef w/pepper/onion 1:00 Tai Chi ($5)

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-ART 9.00-Computer 9:00-Yoga ($5) 10.15-Special Bingo 11.45-Lunch-hot dog 1.00-Scat-Cribbage

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Quilting Group 11.45-Lunch-stuffed pepper casserole 1.00-Pinochle 1.00-Tai Chi ($5) 5:00-Pilates—$5.00

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Yoga ($5) 9:00—Foot Care for Seniors-Call for appointment

10.15 Bingo 11.45-Lunch—ranch chicken 1.00-Scat

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 10.00-Crafts and Con-versation 11.45-Lunch-braised beef 1.00-Tai Chi ($5)

29 30 July 1 2 3

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Computer 11.00-Line Dancing-returns 11.45-Lunch-chicken pesto 1:00 Tai Chi ($5)

9.00-Pool 9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-B/P Clinic 9.00-ART 9.00-Computer 9:00-Yoga ($5) 10.15-Bingo 11.45-Lunch-beef fajitas 1.00-Scat-Cribbage

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Quilting Group 11.45-Lunch- 1.00-Pinochle 1.00-Tai Chi ($5) 5:00-Pilates—$5.00

9.00-Coffee Hour 9.00-Pool 9.00-Computer 9.00-Yoga ($5) 10.15 Bingo 11.45-Lunch- 1:00-Scat

CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY HAPPY JULY

4TH, 2020

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Thank you to the Stetson School Student Council for the recent Grant Award to pay for several activities there at the center. I will begin to plan for the fall and hope to have a great turn out for the events. THANK~YOU for your award it is truly appreciated!!!

Barre Senior Center 40 West Street, Suite 433 557 South Barre Road Barre, MA 01005

NEWS FROM SHINE JUNE 2020 MEDICARE SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS FOR PARTS B, C & D

DUE TO COVID19 As a result of the current COVID 19 Emergency Medicare has announced a Special Enrollment Period for folks that had difficulty enrolling in Medicare Part B, C or D. This enrollment period is as follows: Medicare Part B the Special Enrollment, called Equitable Relief is for four months starting March 17

th and ending on

June 17th. The Medicare Part C & D Special Enrollment Period is for four months starting on March 1

st and

ending on June 30th. If you feel you are entitled to one of these Special Enrollments call SHINE to speak

with a counselor. IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Always remember that if you are turning 65 you should contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare. Medi-care eligibility has no connection to your eligibility for Social Security benefits. Also, coverage from the Health Connector does not exempt you from this requirement to enroll in Medicare, as you will lose your Health Connector subsidy when you turn 65. If you have any questions you should contact your SHINE re-gional office at 1-800-243-4636 Option #3.