Senior Happenings Dedicated to Tolland s Senior Citizens

MAY 2018 Senior Happenings Dedicated to Tolland s Senior Citizens Tolland Senior Center 674 Tolland Stage Rd. Tolland, CT 06084 Mailing Address: 21 Tolland Green Phone: 860-870-3730 Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Dial-A-Ride Program 860-870-7940 Tolland Farmers Market will be operating on The Country Butcher property at 1032 Tolland Stage Road Starting May 5th (every Saturday) 9 am 12 pm The newsletter is located at the following website location: https://www.tolland.org/senior-services/pages/senior-center-newsletter-calendars Hi Folks, If you were at our Variety Show this year, you will agree with me when I say Wow!! From all reports, it was one of our best! Now, how do we top this one? Thank you to our wonderful performers. Thank you to all who came and supported us. Thank you to all who worked behind the scenes, selling tickets, spreading the word to friends and family. Thank you, Chris and Frank for video recording. And, to the THS lighting and sound, and back stage you did a phenomenal job! Thank you to our Director, Bev Bellody, for her support throughout the years. All I can say is Next year, watch out! I want to thank Stu for such a great job in getting our dart board up on the wall downstairs. It s a nice addition to many of the activities that take place here. Thanks, Stu. Irene and Bill successfully hosted another AARP class last Saturday. They are tireless in this, and we want them to know how much we appreciate all they do. Also, every season Irene changes our Shadow Box in our entry way. It s so colorful and creative. Thanks, Irene. We love your work! I want to encourage all of you to attend the Friday luncheons at 10:30 a.m. at Tolland High School. The Culinary Class once again will open their dining program to all seniors to come and break bread together. Your support and encouragement is greatly appreciated. (See page 2 for more information.) Ole Tolland Jammies keeps growing and growing. We now have a steady 6 performers, and 15 showed up to listen and beat on the djembe/tambourine/ maracas last Monday. What fun!! I d like to express our deepest appreciation to Joe and Wayne for their most generous contribution to this program. Shakespeare said If music be the food of love, play on. If you used to play an instrument and it s gathering dust right now, wipe it off and bring it in. Bring some of your favorite songs, too! We meet every other Monday at 1:30 p.m. on the lower level. I want to acknowledge the wonderful demonstration given by Pat for Seniors With Thyme. Everyone took home their masterpiece of eggplant parmesan and I m sure it was so enjoyable. We have something special coming in May and June. Sign up early, because there is limited space for this program. -Fran

Health and Wellness Exercise: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Line Dancing: Thursdays at 1:30 pm Foot Care Thursday, May 31st (please call 860-870-3730 for an appointment) $29.00 fee Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Monday, May 21st from 10 am 11:00 am Lunch Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:00 noon, $4.00 per lunch Thinking of You!! Prudence S. Bernice B. Irene D. Sheila C. Gerri T. Marian F. Ellen P. A special hello to all our friends at Fox Hill, Vernon Manor and Woodlake. The Tolland High School Culinary Program has started up the Tolland Café again. Seniors who sign up in advance can enjoy a 3 course meal prepared by the culinary students. The cost is $7 per person and the sign up is limited to 24 people per lunch. The schedule is: May 4, 10, 17, 24, and June 1. Sign in at the main office upon arrival. Customers will arrive and be seated from 10:30-10:40 am. Reservations must be made in advance by the Monday before the event. Contact Sandy Cimino at Tolland High School (860-870-6818 ext. 10093) to reserve a seat. The lunch menu is posted at the Senior Center. 2

A Note About Outreach Activities Rebecca Ellert, Elderly Outreach Caseworker Greetings and Happy Spring.finally! With the warm weather finally here, everyone might want to take advantage of the passes that are available from the Tolland Public Library for Museums and Cultural Institutions in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Here is a partial list of what they have to offer: Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford-purchase one admission, get one free. (thewadsworth.org) Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, Mystic, CT. $5 off for up to 4 people. (mysticaquarium.org) Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI. $3 discounted admission for any combination of 4 adults, seniors, and/or children. Prices vary according to season and does not include the zoo s dinosaur exhibit. (rwpzoo.org) Children s Museum, West Hartford, CT. One free touring admission with every paid admission. (thechildrensmuseumct.org) Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford, CT. One adult or two children free with purchase of one adult admission. (marktwainhouse.org) Lutz Children s Museum, Manchester, CT. Free admission for up to 6 people. (lutzmuseum.org) USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown, MA Free admission for parties of 9 or fewer people. One pass per party. Please note this is not the ship which is operated by a different organization. (ussconstitutionmuseum.org) Connecticut State Parks & Forests Pass, Waives vehicle entrance fees for one vehicle carrying fewer than 12 passengers. Valid for 2 adults and 4 children at Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull, and Gillette Castle State Parks. (ct.gov/deep/stateparks) Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA. $2 off regular admission to all four museums. Maximum of 4 visitors per day. (springfieldmuseums.org) Connecticut Trolley Museum, East Windsor, CT. Free admission for 2 adults and 4 children. (ct-trolley.org) Please check the library s website for more information and additional passes. Enjoy! Rebecca 3

Need Help With Food? Find Out If You Are Eligible for (formerly known as Food Stamps) Did you know you may qualify for SNAP even if: you own a home you are working full or part-time you have retirement income you have a car you are living with others You may qualify if you meet these SNAP income guidelines: Household Size/ Maximum Monthly Income Guidelines for SNAP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 $1,832 $2,470 $3,108 $3,747 $4,385 $5,023 higher Foodshare will be offering SNAP eligibility screening and application assistance at Bev s Corner, Union Church, 3 Elm Street, Rockville, CT From 9:00 am 11:30 am on the following Mondays: May 7 June 4 From 12:30 pm 3:30 pm on the following Mondays: May 21 June 18 (Please bring a photo ID, proof of address, and recent pay stubs for anyone working in the household.) FOODSHARE MOBILE FOOD PANTRY The FoodShare Mobile Food Pantry is available in Tolland on alternate Thursdays, 9-9:30 a.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the United Congregational Church of Tolland, 45 Tolland Green. Preregistration and identification are not required. For more information about FoodShare, residents may contact FOODSHARE at (860) 286-9999 or the UCC office at (860) 875-4160, or visit the FOODSHARE website, www.foodshare.org. For the next few months, distribution at the Tolland site will be on the following dates: Winter dates are: May 10 & 24 June 7 & 21 Residents participating in the program must bring their own bags. 4

May Birthdays... Happy Birthday!! Wayne R. 5/2 Pat C. 5/23 Irene S. 5/6 Louise S. 5/23 Peg A. 5/8 Sandra S. 5/26 Diana T. 5/9 Carol I. 5/26 Andreas S. 5/11 Marion M. 5/27 Sunny N. 5/11 Alexandra T. 5/27 Barbara L. 5/17 Peter P. 5/28 Juanita N. 5/17 Louise P. 5/29 Tomi K. 5/18 BIRTHDAY PARTY It is typically held on the last Thursday of the month at noon. Here are the guidelines to participate: By Reservation Only-we cannot accept walk-ins Put your name on the sign up sheet by the Tuesday before the event and payment is required at that time ($4) If you need to cancel, please call 860-870-3730. The Birthday Party Lunch is May 31st 5

MAY 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY *********** Please see activity times below *********** 1 KNITTING GROUP 2 PING PONG MEN S BILLIARDS CRAFTS CARDS 3 QUILTING DOMINOES LINE DANCING 4 PAINTING BILLIARDS: MEN & WOMEN 5 Farmers Market begins 9 am-12 pm 1032 Tolland Turnpike 6 7 CHORUS SOCIAL OLE JAMMIES 8 KNITTING GROUP 9 PING PONG MEN S BILLIARDS CRAFTS CARDS DRUM CIRCLE 10 QUILTING DOMINOES LINE DANCING 11 PAINTING BILLIARDS: MEN & WOMEN 12 Farmers Market 9 am-12 pm 1032 Tolland Turnpike 13 14 CHORUS SOCIAL 15 KNITTING GROUP 16 PING PONG MEN S BILLIARDS CRAFTS CARDS 17 QUILTING DOMINOES LINE DANCING SENIORS WITH THYME 18 PAINTING BILLIARDS: MEN & WOMEN 19 Farmers Market 9 am-12 pm 1032 Tolland Turnpike 20 21 CHORUS SOCIAL OLE JAMMIES BOOK CLUB BLOOD PRESSURE 10 :00 11:00am 22 KNITTING GROUP 23 PING PONG MEN S BILLIARDS CRAFTS CARDS DRUM CIRCLE 24 QUILTING DOMINOES LINE DANCING 25 PAINTING BILLIARDS: MEN & WOMEN 26 Farmers Market 9 am-12 pm 1032 Tolland Turnpike 27 Memorial Day Parade & Service 1 pm Tolland Green 28 CLOSED 29 KNITTING GROUP 30 NO PING PONG MEN S BILLIARDS CRAFTS CARDS 31 QUILTING DOMINOES LINE DANCING Birthday Party 12 pm FOOT CARE (CALL FOR APPT.) ALL PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR Billiards Book Club Cards Chorus 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Dominoes 12:30 p.m. Drum Circle 1:30 p.m. Exercise 9:00 a.m. Knitting Group 9:30 a.m. Line Dancing (beginners) 6 1:00 p.m. Lunch Ole Jammies Painting Ping Pong Quilting Group 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Senior Center Trips for 2018 All trips are subject to change Contact the Senior Center to make a reservation (860-870-3730). May 6th July 10th October 18th The Full Monty- Warner Theater All You Can Eat Lobster- Delany House Oktoberfest Kruckers, Pomona, NY December 2nd Stageloft Theater/Lunch at Salem Cross Inn Christmas Survival Senior Center Overnight Trip for 2018 All trips are subject to change See page 9 for details. Contact the Senior Center to make a reservation (860-870-3730). June 18th - 20th The Fabulous Finger Lakes Canandaigua, NY Senior Center Book Club Selections May 21, 2018 LOOK BACK by Lisa Scottoline Book Club meets the fourth Monday of the month at 1:00pm Date may change if Monday is a holiday (please check calendar) Book Club will not meet in June, July, August and December 7

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Town of Tolland Tax Relief Programs The Tolland Tax Assessor s office is currently accepting applications for tax relief for senior citizens or permanently disabled homeowners from February 1, 2018 through May 15, 2018. There are three separate programs available: Homeowner Aid for the Elderly and Disabled Program (Circuit Breaker) is a State program which requires homeowners to be 65 years of age as of December 31, 2017 or permanently disabled. You must also have been a resident of Connecticut for at least one year. Your 2017 income, including Social Security, cannot exceed $43,000 if married or $35,300 if unmarried. Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens (Ordinance 25) is a local tax deferment program Local Tax Relief Program for Permanently Disabled and Senior Residents (Ordinance 60) is a tax freeze program. The application period for all three programs is through May 15, 2018. All applications must be accompanied with proof of 2017 income. For an application or more information, please call the Tolland Assessor s office at 871-3650. RENTER S REBATE PROGRAM-Tolland Human Services will be accepting Renter s Rebate applications from April 1, 2018 to October 1, 2018. This incomebased program provides a one-time payment to renters based on the rent and utilities paid in 2017. Recipient or spouse must be 65 years of age or older, or be 50 years of age or older and the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of the renter s death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief provided such spouse was domiciled with such renter at the time of the renters death, or 18 years of age or older and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. Must meet a one year state residency requirement. Applicants need to provide proof of income and expenses for 2017. Household Income Guidelines Single/widowed applicants - under $35,300 Married applicants - under $43,000 To schedule an appointment, please contact Rebecca Ellert at 860-870-3726. 10

Senior Center Activities Billiards - men meet on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Women and men meet every Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open tables for women and men as long as there is no conflict with another activity. Birthday Party Lunch - held once a month to celebrate all those who have had a birthday during that month. This special event is by reservation only and is held at 12:00 p.m. un less otherwise noted, and the cost is $4.00 Book Club - book discussion is held on the fourth Monday of the month, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Cards - join us for a game of cards every Wednesday, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Chorus - the Note-ables meet every Monday morning, 10:00-11:30 a.m. Crafts - every Wednesday morning, 10:00-11:30 a.m. - You may bring a craft of your own choice, such as knitting, crocheting, etc. or you may participate in making center pieces for our Birthday Party Lunches. Dominoes - held every Thursday, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Drumming held on the second & fourth Wednesday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Exercise - Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00-10:00 a.m. - This is a stretch and balance, low-impact class Intergenerational Programs - programs that include the young people in Tolland Knitting Group - work on knitting projects on Tuesday mornings, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Line Dancing Thursday afternoons, 1:30 to 2:30 pm Lunch Box Cafe - every Monday and Wednesday at 12:00 noon, lunch is served. The cost Is $4.00 per meal and the menu varies. Ole Jammies every other Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Painting Water color painting class every Friday 9:30 a.m. Ping Pong - come over to the Senior Center for a game on Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Quilting Group - meets on Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Seniors with Thyme - learn how to prepare different foods, held monthly at 10:30 a.m. Social - every Monday at 11:30 a.m. - Join us and share a special visit with one another All Programs are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the Director. Any questions? Please call the Senior Center at 860-870-3730. 11

Tolland Human Services Department Senior Center Director: Fran Weigand, 860-870-3725 Elderly Outreach Caseworker: Rebecca Ellert, 860-870-3726 Newsletter Editors: Fran Weigand, Rebecca Ellert Human Services Director: Beverly Bellody, 860-871-3611 Assistant Director of Human Services: Nancy Dunn, 860-871-3612 Human Services Case Manager: Stephanie Mansell, 860-871-3615 Human Services Administrative Assistant: Bridget Joy, 860-871-3648 Please visit us on the Tolland website at www.tolland.org The Town of Tolland is An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. HOCKANUM VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL DIAL-A-RIDE PROGRAM 860-870-7940 Dial-A-Ride services are available to Tolland residents who are at least 60 years of age or disabled adults (18 to 60 years of age). Transportation is provided between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays. This program will provide transportation to locations in Vernon, Ellington and Tolland for medical appointments, shopping, social and recreational activities. For medical appointments only, they also go to Manchester on Mondays and Thursdays and South Windsor on the first and third Tuesday. New service offered on Saturdays to the Manchester mall area for shopping, please call for available Saturdays and to make a reservation. Medical reservations should be made well in advance. All other reservations should be made at least one week in advance of the appointment. A $2.00 donation will be applied when boarding the van on each trip. Round trip costs $4.00. You must have the exact amount as the drivers will not have change. To make reservations, call 860-870-7940; Monday - Thursday between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch Monday-Thursday 12:30-1:30 pm). 12