 We will be closed on
Monday, January 2nd
in observance of New Year Day and
Monday, January 16th
in observance of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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We have the space!
The Claire Teague Senior Center is looking for leaders, facilitators, authors, speakers, and crafters. If you have a passion, skill, or just want to lead some games, a music jam etc…and want to share your interest with the senior population;
we’d love to hear from you.
Please call Polly at 413 528-1881.
 
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 WINTER POLICIES ARE IN PLACE
For Senior Center programs, transportation or meals ~
call 528-1881 or listen to
WSBS (860 am/94.1 FM)
for any winter closures.
If you attend classes, please be sure the instructor has your contact information in the event of a winter closing. Typically if the Berkshire Regional School District is closed, the senior center will be as well.
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Laurel Lake Free Luncheon
Wednesday, January 18th
Macaroni and Cheese
Salad and Dessert
RSVP by Friday, January 13th by calling us at 413-528-1881
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Geer Village
is sponsoring a
FREE Box Lunch
Followed by a 30 min Balance Class
Where: Claire Teague Senior Center
When: Tue; January 24th
Time: 11:30 am
Call 528-1881 to make your reservation.
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Chef Bob Avery
will be preparing a wonderful
Pork Loin Luncheon
Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Applesauce
On Wednesday; January 25th at 11:30 am
Please make your reservation by
Monday, January 23rd by calling
413-528-1881 $3 per person
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Barbara’s Breakfast is taking a break for a few 'winter' months– We will announce her return lunches in
one of our upcoming newsletters.
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You are welcome to join
Polly Mann and Donald Padrick
at a string duet practice session
Thursday Jan 26th at 1:00 pm
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Teague Tappers
will perform following lunch on Friday, Jan 27
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BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC
IS BACK
Third Thursdays
10:00 am to 11:00 am
at the
Claire Teague Senior Center
917 Main Street
Great Barrington
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New in 2023
Starting in 2023 Medicare will cover at no cost to beneficiaries vaccines that have been approved for adults by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. Among the shots to be fully covered is the shingles vaccine, which currently requires cost-sharing for those on Part D.
Remember, you must have a part D plan for this benefit.
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Vaccination/Booster/Covid Testing Information
For information - call these numbers:
(855) 262-5465 or 211 or
CHP Mobile Van at (413) 528-0457
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Press Release—November , 2022
Free AARP Tax-Aide Program returns in February
Free tax return preparation will be offered again at the Great Barrington Claire Teague Senior Center every week starting in February and continuing through April 14th. The service is available to all but is intended for middle and low-income taxpayers with special attention to those aged 60 and older. Volunteers trained in cooperation with the IRS will assist in filing returns, either electronically or on paper. Taxpayers do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.
After contacting the Senior Center for an appointment a document package will be available for pickup by the taxpayer. The document package will contain a multi page Tax-Aide question form (13614-C). The package will also contain a checklist of required documentation to be supplied on the day of the appointment. All data pages in the document package must be completed before the first appointment . Tax returns may not be completed on the appointment day as in prior years.
Taxpayers are required to have the below listed documents when they arrive to get their returns started. If they don’t have all applicable documents, the return can’t be completed and a follow-up appointment may be scheduled. Taxpayers must provide their phone number so the tax team can discuss the return and resolve questions as needed.
Tax time will begin in February!
Scheduling times and dates will be announced in February’s newsletter.
Taxpayers must have an appointment.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
FOR EACH TAX RETURN
* Completed intake booklet 13614-C form (all pages) provided in the taxpayer document package
* A Social Security card (or SSA-1099 Social Security statement) and government issued ID for the taxpayer and all dependents to be claimed;
NOTE—Medicare cards will not be allowed for identification.
If filing a Massachusetts return and the taxpayer is over 65 also bring receipts for property tax paid in 2022 and water and sewer bills (homeowners) or rent (renters) paid in 2022.
· copies of your 2021 Federal and State tax returns;
· all documents showing 2022 wages, interest, dividends, and other income (W2s, 1099s, brokerage reports, Social Security, unemployment, self-employment, federal stimulus payments, etc.);
· records of any estimated tax paid;
· records of the original cost and date of purchase of any assets, such as stocks or a house, sold in 2022;
· records of the original cost, sales tax, and date of purchase of a new car or purchase of a first home in 2022;
· records of a foreclosure or cancellation of mortgage debt;
· records of educational costs or student loan payments;
· documentation of expenses if you wish to itemize deductions;
· records of child care expenses (provider’s name, address, SSN/EIN);
· proof of health insurance;
· health insurance coverage information for taxpayer, spouse and all dependents.
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The COA Board will be meeting
January 25th at 1:15 pm.
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We will have sand available again this year at the rear of the building.
Please bring a bucket to fill.
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SENIORS NEED YOU !
Volunteer in your community
You've got just what it takes to help your neighbors in need. Many older, low income taxpayers miss out on credits and deductions they've earned because they can't afford to pay for professional tax preparation. With the help of neighbors like you, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation and filing help to those who need it most. You can make a big difference in someone's life. We'll show you how.
We're looking for compassionate and friendly individuals to join our team of local volunteers for the 2022 tax season. Our volunteers receive training, IRS certification and continued support in a welcoming environment. And, as our current volunteers say, you'll not only learn new skills but also get that great feeling from helping someone else.
Apply at https://www.aarp.org/volunteer/programs/tax-aide/ (select the SUBMIT
AN INTEREST FORM button)
Or call 1-888-227-7669
For local information call 1-413-446-7483
Recent volunteers include: Engineer, Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, Student, Professor, Accountant, Military, Administration, Tax Preparer, Homemaker, Finance, Retired and more.
Sites include: Williamstown, North Adams, Adams, Dalton, Pittsfield, Lenox, Lee, Great Barrington
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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.
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Ron Terry's Tech Tips
Will be taking a break for
January and February
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· Do you own an i-phone?
· Are you trying to figure out how to use it?
Doug Wilber will be here on the
third Thursday
at 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.
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Senta Rafaela
SAGE MOVES
Mondays at 10 AM
When we have a holiday on a Monday, the class will take place on Tuesday at the same time!
Mondays at 10 am $3 per person
Sage moves w a Pilates flavor ~ flexibility, strength and balance ~ drop ins welcome.
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IN PERSON CLASSES AT CLAIRE TEAGUE SENIOR CENTER
Tap with Carolyn Calandro
~ Mondays
2:00 to 3:00 Intermediate
~ Fridays
1:00 to 2:00 Beginners or with some tap experience
2:00 to 3:00 for intermediate
~ $5 per person per class
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Move and Groove w Dee Foster
on TUE AND THU at 9:30 am
~ $3/person per class
********************
 Sage Moves with Senta
Mondays at 10 am
Sage moves w a Pilates flavor ~
flexibility, strength and balance
drop ins welcome
$3.00 per person
“Gentle Chair Yoga” UPDATE
with Crystal Sheehan
on THU 2:30-3:15 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
Yoga for the Young at Heart with
Aleta (Rainbow) ~
FRI at 10 am $ 3/class
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CARD GAMES : (new players are welcome)
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 ~ Bridge TUESDAYS at 12:00 pm
~ Pitch on WEDNESDAYS at 12:00 pm
~ Bingo on TUESDAYS at 12:30 pm (refreshments included)
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Painting by Eunice Agar
Drawing/Painting w Eunice Agar
Come and join Eunice on
Wednesdays at 10 am as she
teaches drawing and painting, $5 per class
Decorative Painting w Liz Macchi
Come and join Liz on Wednesdays 3 pm -5 pm
$ 5 / class plus supplies.
Vera’s Painting Class
on Thursdays at 10:30 am
All levels are welcome to join these groups!
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OTHER CLASSES/GROUPS /EVENTS
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Grief Support Group
Friday, January 6th & 20th
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
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Caregivers Support Group
On the third Wednesday
of each month at 1:00 pm
facilitated by Elder Services
of Berkshire County.
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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 60 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.
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.
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Foot Nurse by appointment only ~
On Monday, January 9th
Call for appointments at
(413) 528- 1881
Cost: $40
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Brown Bag for Elders
Don't forget to pick up your
Brown Bag on January 11th
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”.
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THE DAILY LUNCH
Check out the
JANUARY lunch menu here.
A $ 3 lunch donation is requested for guests 60 or over.
Call us at (413) 528-1881.
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Johanna B
Irving B
Joan R
Thomas G
George B
Caroline C
Marilyn S
Cettina M
Carol M
Barbara K
Vivian S
Don F
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Corrine B
Jean C
Clarice W
Roberta K
Jim S
Dean I
Martha W
Karen W
Theresa T
Richard N
Estella B
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