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JUNE at the

Claire Teague Senior Center

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JUNE 2022

Please enjoy the new lawn chairs in the front and back of the senior center.
 
 
 
 
 
It is a beautiful place to sit and chat and just watch the wildlife.
 
EVENTS 
Guest Performer, Willie Nininger
 Tuesday, June 7th
 Join us for lunch and enjoy singer/guitarist  ~Willie Nininger
who will be starting at 11 am.
Lunch is served at 11:30 am.
Menu:  Tuna Salad Sandwich, soup and asparagus.

Call us by noon the day before to reserve a lunch (413) 528-1881.

 
Barbara’s Breakfast for Lunch! 
Join us on:
 
Wed., June 8th
@ 11:30 am ~ $2.00 / person.
Please call by noon the day before
for reservations at 413-528-1881.
 
COOK OUT with
S'mores prepared by         
Great Barrington Fire Department

Mark your calendars on
Wednesday, June 22nd
11:30 –12:30 pm
 
Join us for hamburgers, hot dogs, beans and salad followed by members of the Fire Department preparing us s'mores.
Call 528-1881 to make a reservation.

Socrates Café

 Mondays ~ 10:00-11:30 am

Each participant picks a  philosophical topic to be viewed on You Tube followed by a discussion.

 
 
WWII : To Remember
 

A once-a- week talk with discussion to be hosted by David Rutstein in June on Thursdays (beginning on June 9th  ~ 10 -11:00 A.M.
 
  Week 1.  Why was there a Second World War and 
could it have been prevented
  Week 2.  Sitzkrieg (phony war) & blitzkrieg -1939-40
  Week 3. Barbarossa (Invasion of Russia)
  Week 4. Genocide of the “untermenschen”
  Week 5. Pearl Harbor

 
 Future sessions to be announced
    Please sign up for this class at the Senior Center or call 413-528-1881.  There needs to be a minimum of eight people
registered for a class.
 

 
Geer Village
is sponsoring a
FREE Box Lunch
Followed by a 30 min Balance Class


Where: Claire Teague Senior Center
When: Tue; June 21st
Time: 11:30 am 
Call 528-1881 to make your reservation.
 
Bee Keeping Part 2
with Skip Del Vaglio

 
Skip will be at the senior center on
Thursday, June 9th at 12:00 pm
following lunch. 

Skip will talk about bee diseases - this should be very interesting given the problems
  we have been having with the bee population
and how important they are.  
 Grief Support Group
 Friday, June 3rd and June 17th
at 1:00 pm

 All ages and circumstances are welcome. Collette Plaquet will now be facilitating a group twice a month now on the first and third Friday of each month.  Please let us know if you will be joining us.  528-1881
Trip to Hancock Shaker Village

Includes picnic lunch, guided tour or
self-guided, transportation (first come first serve- 12 seats available) quick stop at Bartlett’s Orchard on the return ride.
Wednesday, July 6th
Departs from the Senior Center 10:30am      Returning 3:00pm
Cost: $ 15 per person
Prior to the trip we will be showing a video on Shaker History on Thursday June 23rd at 12:30.
 
SHINE is by appointment only. If you need assistance with your health insurance information,
please call ahead (413) 528-1881 or call (413) 499-0524.
Vaccination/Booster/Covid Testing Information
 
For information -  call these numbers:
           (855) 262-5465 or 211 or
CHP Mobile Van at (413)  528-0457

 
INSTRUCTION/HELP

Rotary Club is offering to install air conditioners for those in need!!

The Great Barrington Rotary club is excited to announce our FREE AIR CONDITIONER INSTALLATION initiative for those in need.
For some, lifting heavy air conditioners into the window is strenuous and dangerous. We have the grit and the (heart) muscle to get the job done.
Contact us at Service.gbRotary@gmail.com . One of our club members will get you on the schedule to have your A/C brought from your storage and placed in your window. Limit 3 A/C's per household. At this time this is only being offered in the Great Barrington area.   If you do not have access to a computer you can call the senior center and we will contact them for you.
 
********************************
Do you have another service project idea that the Great Barrington Rotary might be a good fit for?
Please get in touch, as we are always looking to serve the community.
 
We have a large selection of donated “depends” type products free for the taking.  
If you know someone that might be in need, please pass this on. You can drop in between 8:00-3:30. 

TAX Filing Seminar
Have questions about HOW, WHY or IF you should file.  Many people have asked about how to file for a
stimulus payment they may have missed or tax amendments. 
Ron Terry who manages the AARP TAX Prep Program here at the Claire Teague Senior Center as well as
several other COA’s will be on hand to answer those questions
Tuesday, June 14th from 9:00-11:00 am. 
Please call to reserve a seat at 413-528-1881.
Attorney Barry from the
Mass Bar Association
will be offering a ZOOM presentation
 Thursday June 16th at 1:00 pm. 
The topic will be protecting assets from nursing home care needs.   The large T.V. will be set up and ready to watch in the dining room after lunch.   Please let us know if you plan on attending.
· Do you own an i-phone?
· Are you trying to figure out how to use it?


Doug Wilber will be here every third Thursday of the month @  1 pm
(To offer his help)
~ When scheduling an appointment to meet with Doug, please make sure you have any and all passwords (and any other pertinent information) to bring with you.

For an appointment, please call us at
(413) 528-1881. 
File for Life Magnet ~
That holds your prescription medication list for emergency personnel is available
at the senior center...
Compliments of the GB Police Department.
Ron Terry’s Tech Tips


on Tuesdays 
12-2 pm

 
EXERCISE CLASSES 
IN PERSON CLASSES AT CLAIRE TEAGUE SENIOR CENTER 
 
Tap with Carolyn Calandro 
 
 ~  Mondays 
2:00 to 3:00 Mixed beginner/ intermediate 
3:00 Open Class
~  Fridays 
1:00 to 2:00 refresher for beginners with some tap experience
2:00 to 3:00 for intermediate/advanced
~  $5 per person per class
********************

  ********************
“Gentle Chair Yoga”
with Crystal Sheehan 

on THU at 12:00 pm  $ 2/person per class  

Strength Training with Christine Faber on TUE at  3:30 –4:30 pm ~  $3/person per class 
 
Tai Chi with Christine Faber ~  FRI  at 9:00 am ~  $3 per person per class
Spring Tune Up w Aleta (Rainbow) ~
FRI at 10 am  $ 3/class

 
CARD GAMES :  (new players are welcome)

 ~  Bridge TUESDAYS at 12:00 pm
 

~  Pitch on  WEDNESDAYS at 12:00 pm    


~  Bingo on TUESDAYS at 12:30 pm (refreshments included)  
ART CLASSES 

 
Painting by Eunice Agar
  • Sketching w Eunice Agar
      Wednesdays at 10:00 am ~ Come and join Eunice as she teaches drawing and painting.
$5 per person/class
  • Decorative Painting w Liz Macchi ~             Wednesdays 2 pm-4 pm 
$ 5 / class plus supplies. 
  • Vera’s Painting Class on Thursdays at 10:30 am
 
All levels are welcome to join these groups!
 
OTHER CLASSES/GROUPS /EVENTS
Caregivers Support Group

 
On the third Wednesday 
of each month at  1:00 pm
facilitated by Elder Services
of Berkshire County.
We are adding an additional meeting called "Let's Talk" on the
first Wednesday of each month also at 1 pm.
 
 
Visit our new website, 
GreatBarringtonSeniors.org!

Great Barrington COA        Transportation Policy

 
Welcome to the Great Barrington Council on Aging Transportation Program located at the Claire Teague Senior Center.   Transportation is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm for senior citizens age 55 and over and also the disabled. 
Reservations and Cancellations:
 Appointments must be made 48 hours in advance by calling the senior center at (413) 528-1881.   Please make a reservation each time you need a ride, we cannot guarantee standing reservations and medical appointments are a priority. It is very important that you try to book your appointments before 2 pm. We cannot guarantee a return ride after 3:00 pm.  We will do our very best to accommodate everyone.


 Please let us know as soon as possible if you are cancelling a ride.
Same Day Booking: 
If space and drivers are available you will be offered a ride.
Rider Fees:

 The charge for transportation locally is  $3.50 one way and $7.00 round trip for Gt Barrington/ Housatonic residents traveling within the town of Great Barrington/Housatonic. Rides to the Claire Teague Senior Center for a congregate meal or an activity are $3.50 round trip.
There is no charge for a spouse or caregiver to accompany a rider.
No person will be turned away for a ride if they cannot afford the fare.
Tips/Donations: 
Drivers cannot accept tips.    You are welcome to make a donation to the Gt Barrington COA Transportation Program which will be used to fund future outings.
Out of Town: 
We will transport to Pittsfield for medical appointments only; if we have an available van and driver, the cost is $15.00 per person round trip.
Multiple Stops:
You must make advance reservations for multiple stops with the exception of the pharmacy after medical appointments.   The GBCOA reserves the right to limit the number of extra stops per client given time and availability. 
Riders are required to wear seat belts.  During COVID - Masks are required at all times on the van.
Unsafe and or disruptive behavior may result in loss of van privileges.
Seniors needing personal assistance require family or volunteers to accompany them on van.
SNOW DAYS:    
Snow day cancellations will be announced on WSBS.  Typically if the schools are closed ~ so will transportation.    If you have a ride scheduled that day, staff will give you a call as well. 
  
Foot Nurse by appointment only ~

On Monday, June 13th

Call for appointments at
(413) 528- 1881. 
Brown Bag for Elders


Don't forget to pick up your
Brown Bag on June 8th


Pick up will be @ Claire Teague Senior Center
We’re looking for more volunteers to help us
with Brown Bag .



What is Brown Bag??
 Food for Elders program provides a free bag of healthy groceries to eligible seniors once a month at local senior centers and community organizations. The food items are specifically selected to meet seniors’ special dietary requirements to help them stay healthy and active.
Where is it?
The Claire Teague Senior Center is a distribution site for the monthly Brown Bag.
917 Main Street in Great Barrington
How to receive it?
If you are interested in receiving a bag~
You can pick up an application at the senior center by calling 528-1881 or
Print the application off their website   https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/brown-bag-food-for-elders/ and mail it to:
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
PO Box 160
Hatfield, MA 01038
Call the food bank to request an application 413 247 9738. “The food that we distribute comes from a number of different sources, including the state government (MEFAP), the federal government (TEFAP), local farms, our own Food Bank farm, retail and wholesale food businesses, community organizations, and individual donations”.
 
Senior news on town warrant
by Vivian Orlowski


6 Facts about Senior Tax Deferral
on the Town Meeting Warrant

The evenings of June 6 and June 9 have been reserved for Great Barrington’s 2022 Town Meeting. Those who attend will decide on Warrant Article #28 "Senior Tax Deferral Program Amendments." The purpose of these amendments is to enable senior residents to remain in their homes and neighborhoods. Here are six key facts:
1. There is no cost to the town and no cost to taxpayers to extend this Senior Tax Deferral safety net as an option for long-time older residents. The town earns interest on the postponed payment and benefits from having more stable neighborhoods.
2. It's a secure process: Long-time senior residents, age 65 or older with qualifying incomes, can apply to the Assessor to postpone that year's property tax payment. The seniors must provide the Town with secure collateral to ensure payment. The seniors can pay their deferred taxes plus interest at any time, but must pay the taxes plus interest when the house is sold or the owner passes away.
3. Massachusetts state law already offers a Senior Tax Deferral program. However, the law dates back to the 1970s, when they set qualifying yearly income at $20,000 and interest charged at 8%. Since then, more than 100 towns and cities in Massachusetts have voted to update their regulations. These towns and cities raised qualifying incomes (many to $40,000 and some to $90,000) and reduced interest rates (many to 4% and some as low as 0% to 2%).
4. Our Selectboard approved updates in 2021 for long-term senior residents with up to $40,000 annual income and with 5% annual interest when payments are due. Now, Town Meeting will make the final decision to amend the state law.
5. This year's Town Meeting’s updates will serve as a one-year trial period. How? Each year the Selectboard gets to review income and interest levels for the Senior Tax Deferral program and can make changes, if needed, in 2023.
6. In 2021, many Great Barrington committees reviewed and approved Senior Tax Deferral: Council on Aging, Finance Committee, Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, Selectboard & Planning Board Housing Subcommittee as well as the Selectboard. The Berkshire Eagle wrote a supportive editorial: “Our Opinion: Regional growth shouldn’t leave anyone behind.”
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Prepared by Vivian Orlowski who has lived in Great Barrington for more than 30 years and has served on the Town’s Master Plan Committee, Economic Development Committee and Agricultural Commission (as Chair since 2015). Vivian also volunteered for Construct’s Advocacy Committee and as coordinator of the Southern Berkshire Interfaith Clergy Association.

THE DAILY LUNCH

 

Check out the JUNE lunch menu HERE.

A $ 3 lunch donation is requested for guests 60 or over.
 

Call us at (413) 528-1881.

Connie J
Susan B
Serena G
Constance F
Carolyn C
June H
Louis T
Diane H
Margaret M
June B
Eileen C
 
 
Larraine L
Joan F
Sally H
Elaine T
Joan P
Suzanne D
Barbara W
Pat L
Marilyn F
Peggy W
Donna B
 

 
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Great Barrington Senior Center · 917 Main St · Great Barrington, MA 01230-2028 · USA

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