SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER

(programs for elders 60 years of age and over)

As of Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July/August News & Events At The Westport Senior Center

An Inter-Generational Event

Tuesday evening, August 18th from 6:00-8:00 p.m., join us under-the-tent for an evening for the whole family. Bring your own picnic lunch, or purchase chicken gumbo, hot dogs, or hamburgers from us. The “Magnolia Cajun Band” will entertain.

Westport C.O.A. Annual Picnic

Wednesday, August 19, 12:00 noon

“Under the tent” at the Westport Senior Center will be our annual resident picnic for 60+ seniors. Enjoy the outdoor entertainment with George Cataldo, and the scrumptious hot dog and hamburger entrées. This annual event is hosted by the boards of the C.O.A., FWCOA, local merchants, and devoted helpers.

Reserve your seat for the picnic by 08/12/09. Transportation is available.

Farmers’ Market Coupons

If you are a 60+ Westport resident, eligible for SSI, Medicaid, Section 8 housing, food stamps, fuel assistance, or at 185% of the federal poverty level, you will receive $30.00 worth of coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at any of the local farmers’ markets.

Bring proof of eligibility on Thursday, July 16, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

to the Westport Senior Center.

First-come, first served. For additional information, call the Westport Council on Aging, 636-1026.

Walking/Hiking

The group began their first walking tour of Horseneck Beach on June 15 and will be working on having weekday and weekend events in the future. If you are interested in participating, please contact the C.O.A. at 508-636-1026.

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Legal Advice--Attorney Jennifer Heald will meet individuals for fifteen-minute appointments on the 3rd Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon--July 15 and August 19.at the Senior Center. Please call in advance, 508-636-1026.

Attorney Heald established her general civil practice in Westport handling civil matters including estate planning and landlord/tenant cases. As an Estate Planning attorney, she is able to give advice on Last Wills and Testaments, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Living Will Declarations, HIPAA Authorizations, and Declarations of Homesteads for clients. She can also provide legal assistance in probate administration.

ZUMBA is now being held three times a week--Mondays from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.; Thursdays from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., and 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

MASSAGES are now being held on the first Tuesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m. with Karen (2nd Tuesday for July). Massages with Heather will be held every Wednesday, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

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Friends of the Westport

Council on Aging, Inc.

P. O. Box N-192

Westport, MA 02790

The Friends of the Westport Council on Aging completed FY2009 with its Annual Meeting and Coffee Hour on June 15. The slate of officers was voted in the coming year, which begins in September, after taking the summer off to regroup.

· Peter Forrester was re-elected as President.

· Rosemary Lenrow was re-elected as Vice-President.

· Susan Knapp was re-elected as Secretary.

· Linda Olsen was elected as the new Treasurer replacing Thelma Sullivan who has held this post for many years.

· Lillian Barresi will continue spearheading the Membership drive for FY2010.

Volunteer Event Ice Cream Social

Please come and join us for ice cream, toppings, and a fun raffle! Thursday, August 20, 2:00 p.m. Volunteer invitations will be mailed in July.

“Healthy Eating for the Diabetic”

July 23 and August 20, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Join Karen Quinn-Costa, Family Nurse Practitioner, for two more informational sessions. Karen will review fundamental behavioral change essential for the successful control of individual blood sugar. How to select and apportion carbohydrates of particular interest into your personal diet will be emphasized.

“Food For Friends”

In September 2009, the WCOA plans to open a new and improved food pantry, called “Food for Friends,” made possible by a generous gift from the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging. The pantry, which will be available to Westport residents only, will be located downstairs next to the Volunteer Coordinator and Outreach office. Be on the lookout for specifics, such as opening date, days and hours of operation, registration process, etc., all of this will be publicized later this summer.

We are accepting donations of non-perishable foods (canned and packaged), especially fruits, vegetables, soups, beans, pasta, rice, tinned meats and fish, cereal, etc. and basic toiletries, such as toilet paper, Kleenex, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc. Donations can be dropped off at the Senior Center.

We are also actively recruiting volunteers to work the food pantry. Jobs will include stocking shelves, checking expiration dates, making up bags of food for each registered household, overseeing check-in, and assisting with registration of new clients. There will be a training, hopefully sometime in August, for all food pantry volunteers. The goal is to have at least three people working together each day we are open.

For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please contact Mary Ellen Gomes at 508-636-1026.

Heather Heath Reed, Chairman

WCOA Board of Directors

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Senior Center Closing Policy: If the Westport Community Schools announce closings due to weather emergencies, the Senior Center will close for classes, transportation, and other activities--the COA office may operate for routine administrative operations only.

Information And Referral to the network of services available to Westport residents, 60 years of age and over. WCOA is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The Shine Program (Serving The Health Information Needs Of Elders)--information about Medicare, supplements, MassHealth. Phone consultations and office appointments.

Transportation for Westport’s elders, and handicapped persons of all ages, Monday - Friday, to area appointments scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. When you make your doctor’s appointment, call us for a ride, ASAP. Please have the exact doctor’s name, street address, and telephone number when you call.

Mind Art Expressions – Bingo – Drawing – Games – Knitting – Quilting – Poetry – Writing - Watercolor

And Body Aerobics, Billiards, Chair Massage, Osteoporosis

Fitness Prevention, Reiki, T’ai Chi, Yogafit, Zumba

Programs: Call for space availability and fees: (508) 636-1026.

Caregiver Support Group w/ Phyllis—No Meetings This Summer.

Visual Impairment Support Group w/ Andrea-- No Meetings This Summer. Also Books On Tape--Video Magnifier

Chair Massage w/ Karen—Tuesday, July 14 / August 4, 2009, 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Chair Massage w/ Heather—Every Wednesday 9 to 11 a.m. (no session on August 19) noon to 2 p.m.

REIKI w/ Deborah--Mondays, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon. Fee schedule.

Blood Pressure Clinic w/Nurse Kathy

Tuesday, July 21 / August 18, 2009, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic w/ Nurse Pauline

Wednesday, July 22 / August 12, 2009, 11:00 – 12:00 noon

Podiatry Clinic at Dr. Spiri’s office in Somerset.

Thursday, July 2. Call the COA, (508) 636-1026.

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“Sing-a-long with Natalia”

12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 28 and August 25

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