Bolton Senior Center
Prime Time: Online
|
|
Keep In Touch! (860) 647-9196
Director: Carrie Concatelli, MSW
Administrative Assistants: Karen Frost & Pam Wentworth
Program Coordinator: Stephanie Crane
|
|
Director’s Note
Dear Senior Center Friends,
We know the saying: March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Well it sure did seem like a lion, because the wind this week sounded like a roar! In fact, the wind blowing through the cornfield near my house even sounds a bit like a train!
March is National Social Work Month. I have never been more proud to be a social worker. The past year has posed so many more challenges than I think any of us imagined, but I also found it to be a year of great creativity and inspiration. There are so many wonderful people who I get to meet, even if just on the phone right now. It is an honor to be in a position to serve the community.
There is something so inspiring about all of the amazing pursuits that have still occurred this year in spite of all the difficulties! For example, the Regional Lions Club is helping us this month with the Farm to Families Program. The Bolton Congregational Church recently collected items to help the homeless. Similarly, the Bentley Memorial Library had a very successful blanket collection. These are just a few of the many things that are happening all around us. If you stop and think about it, there is so much good in our community! These types of efforts wouldn’t thrive if it weren’t for the generosity of numerous individuals and families and the contributions of staff and volunteers. We all make up a part of the whole picture.
Stay Safe,
Carrie
|
|
Reminder: when approaching the Senior Center for any reason, please wear a mask! Even if you have been vaccinated, many people have not been yet. The CDC recommends wearing masks in public settings so you can protect not only yourself, but others around you! |
|
Senior Center Status
The Bolton Senior Center building remains closed to the public.
- Drop-off or pick-up items Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. only.
- The Food Pantry is available for pick-up and delivery: please call ahead.
- Transportation is available: please call ahead.
- Water Available! Plan ahead – Call us if you need some water to keep on hand!
- Energy Assistance is help paying for oil, propane, natural gas, pellets or electricity! Call ACCESS Community Access Agency at 860-450-7400 for more info. All Eversource customers are eligible for budget billing. Call 1-800-286-2828 to arrange. For more information or for assistance, call Bolton Social Services at 860-647-9196.
- Need delivery from Bentley Library? Tell Library staff when reserving your items.
- Borrow books or puzzles from the Senior Center! Call for more info.
-
Free Zumba for seniors every Monday at 5:30 pm: email marle99us@gmail.com
|
|
Covid-19 Vaccine Update
Yes, Connecticut is now offering vaccines for anyone age 55 and older! There are still many ways to schedule an appointment.
-
By Phone – Dial 877-918-2224. There are now extended hours to call. The phone option is available 12 hours a day 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-
Using VAMS (Vaccine Management System) – go to https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/onlinevaccine to start the process. Please note, you will receive an email with a link to continue. There is occasionally a delay in the receipt of this email. Then you will be asked additional information and need to enter a security code (provided to you by email) and create an account password to be able to schedule your appointment. If you have questions, please ask Senior Center staff.
- Through a healthcare provider’s website like Hartford Healthcare.
- CVS and Walgreens are now adding locations. Availability varies.
-
For additional locations, visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations and search by zip code.
Bolton Senior Center is providing transportation for anyone 60+ who would like help getting to their appointment. Please call 860-647-9196 to schedule transportation.
|
|
On-Call List Update
The Eastern Highlands Health District offers vaccine clinics in Mansfield. The Bolton Senior Center is maintaining an on-call list. Occasionally there are extra doses available at the end of the day. We will call participants on this list to offer those doses. This is not something that happens all of the time, but we have had several lucky participants who have been given this opportunity already.
What is the criteria to be included on the on call list?
- You must be in the age group that is currently included in the vaccine distribution. Right now, that is anyone ages 55+.
- You need to have access to an email address on a mobile device (either a phone or tablet) that you can bring with you. This will allow the Health District to properly sign you up.
- You need to be willing and able to drive to Mansfield with less than 30 minutes notice. You will be given directions to the location at the time of the phone call.
If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the Senior Center at 860-647-9196 or email seniorservices@boltonct.org with the best contact phone number. Please note: if you do not answer we move onto the next participant, but we will try you again the next time.
If you are currently on our list and have successfully scheduled an appointment, please let us know so we can keep our list updated and reach a participant in a very timely fashion. If you have any questions about this process, please let us know.
|
|
Homeowner Tax Assistance
There is property tax assistance available for income-eligible homeowners who are over the age of 65. The income limit for this program is $37,600 for individuals and $45,800 for couples. FOR NEW APPLICANTS ONLY, the application is due May 15, 2021. For more information and to apply, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 860-623-8878.
Have you participated in this program last year? From the Assessor’s Office: Due to the Governor’s Executive Order: any homeowner or veteran who is due to refile for the tax benefit programs this year have been excused from filing an application. You will be notified to refile in January 2023 to refile for the 2022 and 2023 Grand Lists instead. Next year, if there is a substantial change to your income, you will be allowed to refile then if you wish. You will receive your benefit on this year’s tax bill automatically.
|
|
AARP Smart Driver Online Course
AARP is again offering Smart driver online courses for those that need it! Click the button below for more information!
|
|
Midwinter Mates
Stephanie will be checking in with you again at the end of March!
|
|
Pen Pal Program
Please send your replies back to the senior center at 104 Notch Road, Bolton CT 06043!
|
|
Virtual Zoom Bingo- April! |
|
The next Bingo event will be Thursday, April 1st from 11 – 12 p.m. over Zoom with Stephanie!
Email Stephanie at scrane@boltonct.org with the subject line “Bolton Bingo” or call us at 860-647-9196 and we will arrange a contactless pick up or delivery to bring a stack of printed bingo cards to you, and we will email you the Zoom invite for the game! If you are not sure how to use Zoom, shoot Stephanie an email or give us a call at 860-647-9196, to arrange a time to help you set up Zoom and practice with you so you feel more comfortable!
No computer? No worries- you can also call in with a telephone number.
Register by Monday, March 29 to participate!
|
|
Save the date for a New Program: Craft-it Thursdays!
March date: Thursday March 25 @ 2 p.m.
Join Stephanie on the last Thursday of every month for Craft-it Thursday! We will coordinate a contactless pick up or delivery for you to receive the kit of the month beforehand, and you can join Stephanie on the zoom call to craft and socialize!
**Zoom call is optional, you may sign up for a craft kit to enjoy any way you would like!
More information to come next week in the newsletter about March’s Craft-it Thursday.
To register and receive the zoom link, or for more information, contact Stephanie at scrane@boltonct.org or call the senior center at (860) 647-9196
|
|
Cook with Shoprite Nutritionist SarahBeth!
Join Bentley Memorial library, Bolton Recreation Department, and Bolton Senior Center for a joint brunch program with Shoprite Nutritionist SarahBeth on Saturday, March 27th @ 10 a.m.
Bring the family together to cook brunch following along with SarahBeth virtually right from your kitchen over zoom! We will be learning how to make French Toast Roll ups!
When: Saturday, March 27th @ 10:00 a.m.
Where: Your Kitchen!
Who: your entire family
Click below to see the flyer!
|
|
Trivia Night will be on Thursday, March 18 @ 7p.m. Test your knowledge in this fun hour of Trivia. We’ll have four separate games, each with its own theme. Join us! To register or for more information, call 860-646-7349 or email bmlprograms@biblio.org.
This is a joint program with Bentley Memorial Library, Bolton Recreation Department, and Bolton Senior Center and Social Services.
|
|
Bloomin’ 4 Good Program
Bolton Food Pantry has been selected through the month of March to receive a $1 donation for every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold at the store located at 10 Pitkin Road, Vernon CT.
Look for the bouquets with the red circle sticker pictured here to make sure it is a Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet that will benefit your organization upon purchase
|
|
The Joy of Gardening
Join The Residence at South Windsor Farms to experience the joy of Gardening! The Residence at South Windsor Farms will be hosting a virtual horticultural lecture and planting demonstration on Thursday, March 11 from 3 - 4:00 p.m. They will provide you with all of the supplies you will need to follow along at home.
Please RSVP to reserve your gardening supplies and schedule a pick up time. They will then send you a link to join the event.
|
|
Let the Shenanigans Begin! |
|
Don’t be worried about your smartphone or TV spying on you. Your vacuum cleaner has been collecting dirt on you for years.
++++++++++++++++++
I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.
+++++++++++++++++++
I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.
+++++++++++++++++++
How many of us have looked around our family reunion and thought, “Well aren’t we just two clowns short of a circus?”
++++++++++++++++++
At what point can we just start using 2020 as profanity? As in: “That’s a load of 2020.” or “What in the 2020.” or “abso-2020-lutely.”
+++++++++++++++++++
We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
++++++++++++++++++
|
|
Dear March - Come in - (1320)
By: Emily Dickinson
Dear March - Come in -
How glad I am -
I hoped for you before -
Put down your Hat -
You must have walked -
How out of Breath you are -
Dear March, how are you, and the Rest -
Did you leave Nature well -
Oh March, Come right upstairs with me -
I have so much to tell -
I got your Letter, and the Birds -
The Maples never knew that you were coming -
I declare - how Red their Faces grew -
But March, forgive me -
And all those Hills you left for me to Hue -
There was no Purple suitable -
You took it all with you -
Who knocks? That April -
Lock the Door -
I will not be pursued -
He stayed away a Year to call
When I am occupied -
But trifles look so trivial
As soon as you have come
That blame is just as dear as Praise
And Praise as mere as Blame -
Have a great week!
-The Bolton Senior & Social Services Staff
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
