Bolton Senior Center
Prime Time: Online
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Wednesday, February 17, 2021 |
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Keep In Touch! (860) 647-9196
Director: Carrie Concatelli, MSW
Administrative Assistants: Karen Frost & Pam Wentworth
Program Coordinator: Stephanie Crane
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Director’s Note
Dear Senior Center Friends,
It seems like in the last few weeks our call volume has tripled. This is a great problem to have, because we sure love hearing from you! But we are definitely noticing a few frequently asked questions so I wanted to address them here.
We have been asked if the Bolton Senior Center has the vaccine here. We do not and we do not have any indication that we will in the future. Many of you hear of other Senior Centers who do, but those sites are part of other health districts who have chosen to set it up their clinics at those locations. There are many clinic locations in this area and more continue to be added.
Our health district is Eastern Highlands and the clinic is in Mansfield. Many of you have opted to be on our on call list in case of last minute doses. We do not get offered this all the time, but we have had a few lucky participants get this opportunity! To be part of the on call list, you need to have your email on a device you can bring with you and be willing and able to drive to Mansfield with 30 minutes notice.
We continue to try to help as many people as we can to navigate either the online or telephone vaccine system. Please continue to be patient, as sometimes there aren’t as much availability for appointments, but that can change quickly, so keep trying! Yes, we do provide transportation to vaccine appointments if you are not comfortable driving to the location you select.
Many of you have been kind enough to mention if you have already been able to schedule an appointment or are choosing to decline. While this is purely optional, we do appreciate those of you who are willing to disclose this information. This helps us know who may still need some help and this allows us to focus our efforts a bit more. If you are willing to share this, please call or email any time and we will mark it down on our list. And if you are struggling, please reach out as well, we may be able to help you troubleshoot or point you in a new direction.
Finally, many of you know that we usually post closures related to the school schedule. However, the school schedule is quite different this year with remote learning. We always have staff working during all business days. In the event the weather is severe, you may see a posting for Bolton Town Office closure on TV. This simply means we are working from home to allow Town staff to safely clear the pavement and walkways. Just leave us a voicemail or email and we will get back to you! Here is one exception – please keep in mind there are Town holidays that are observed. We got a quite a few calls on Presidents Day and our offices were closed. We will gladly give you a call back the next day!
Otherwise, all of us at Bolton Senior Center say hello! And we wish you a good rest of the week!
Stay Safe,
Carrie
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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! |
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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.
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Free Zumba for seniors every Monday at 5:30 pm: email marle99us@gmail.com
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Covid-19 Vaccine Update
Yes, Connecticut is now offering vaccines for anyone age 65 and older! There are still many ways to schedule an appointment.
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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.
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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.
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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 65+ who would like help getting to their appointment. Please call 860-647-9196 to schedule transportation.
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AARP Tax Aide
Bolton Senior Center is happy to host the AARP FREE Tax Preparation Program. However, please note that all appointments will be contact-less this year. To schedule an appointment, please call Bolton Senior Center at 860-647-9196. We are scheduling appointments now for March. Staff will assist you in scheduling an appointment date. All intake forms and instructions will be mailed to you and you will be given specific drop-off instructions. You will need to be available by telephone on the morning of your appointment. Strict precautions will be in place to assure all documents remain secure and confidential and you will review and approve your return before it is submitted. For more information or to schedule call 860-647-9196.
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.
Beware of Eversource Scams
If you receive a phone call telling you that you owe money on your electric bill and will be shut-off, it is a scam! Eversource will never call you if you owe money. You would receive a written notification. If you are having difficulty paying your electric bill, please call our department at 860-647-9196.
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Midwinter Mates
We hope you are enjoying chatting with your Midwinter Mate! Stephanie will be checking in with you during the last week of February to see how it is going!
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Your Pen Pal letter was sent out last week! If you did not receive your letter yet, yours is coming soon! A few of the second graders are remote learning and their letters are a little delayed!
Please send your replies back to the senior center at 104 Notch Road, Bolton CT 06043!
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Virtual Zoom Bingo- March |
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The next Bingo event will be Thursday, March 4 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 1 to participate!
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Send us your Winter Storm Stories!
Did you walk to school, up a hill, in a snowstorm, both ways!?
Some of you have reached out to us about some of the crazy winter storms you have lived through in your lives! Send us some of your most interesting stories for a chance to have it highlighted in the newsletter!
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Trivia Night will be on Thursday, March 18. 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.
Upcoming Events at the Library for Grandkids!
Looking for something to do with the grandkids? Join Bentley Memorial Library for these virtual events. To register and receive the Zoom link, call 860-646-7349 or email bmlprograms@biblio.org
Residents and non-residents welcome.
Friendship Storytime and Crafts
Thursdays, Feb 18 and 25 - 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Each week will have a special focus, all around the idea of friendship.
Pajama Storytime
Feb 25 - 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Get in your cozy pajamas and hunker down in a comfy spot for Pajama Storytime featuring winter stories.
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Unlock Ancient Stories with DNA! |
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Do you LOVE making lasagna, and want to share some with friends or family who may be in need? Are you in need of meals but don’t want to bother your loved ones?
Lasagna Love’s mission is to Feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities.
You can:
Sign up to volunteer:
If you love to cook and have been looking for a way to help those who are struggling as a result of the pandemic.
Sponsor a lasagna chef:
Lasagna Mamas across the country are cooking for families in need in their communities. Help them reach even more families with a monthly sponsorship, or one time donation.
Request a meal delivery:
Parents everywhere have been affected by the pandemic. Lost income, lost childcare, lost sanity – They are here to help!
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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.
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Have a great week!
-The Bolton Senior & Social Services Staff
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