NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE WESTPORT CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES - Westport, CT

Volume 11, January 29, 2021

       21 Imperial Avenue
       Westport, CT 06880
          203.341.5099
   seniorcenter@westportct.gov

              NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE
         ​WESTPORT CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES
A Message from Director, Sue Pfister:

Dear Friends and Participants:

The WCSA continues to receive a countless number of calls from folks who
are struggling to schedule their COVID vaccination or who are wondering
when they will qualify to register for their vaccine. As of this writing, those
who are eligible in Phase 1a and Phase 1b are individuals who are 75 years of
age and older.
There continues to be a serious limitation on the number of vaccines the
Westport Weston Health District is receiving despite their requests for
increases. Please do not assume that you will get your shot in Westport. I
strongly encourage you to accept any appointment made available to you,
even if that means you may have to travel a bit. Please click here for the
latest press release from the Selectman’s Office regarding the COVID-19
vaccinations.
In the meantime, please continue to be safe and protect yourself by wearing
a mask (or two), practicing social distancing, washing your hands and
keeping your circle (pod) of family/friends small.
I know the day will come when we will once again be together!
With warm regards,

Sue

Here is the updated newsletter for
this week. It's organized with five
sections: News and Updates, which
includes a letter from Director, Sue

Pfister; New Calendar & Classes;
Special Events; Upcoming Programs;
and Community Resources. We
streamlined it with shorter articles
and provided links to the important
information about the topics or
events so you can scroll through your
areas of interest more easily. We
welcome your feedback and thoughts
on this format.

   THE NEW FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021 CALENDAR AND
         2021 WINTER CLASS LIST ARE HERE!
Registration for our Winter quarter is
on-going. Please note these recent
changes to the calendar:
The "What's New in the Romance
Department? Pre-Valentine's Day
Celebration" blog with Susan Wexler
and the WCSA Writers Workshop
participants has a new date:
Wednesday, February 10 from 7:00 to
8:30 pm.
​Check out the brand new February-
 March 2021 calendar, the January-
 February 2021 calendar, the Winter
 Class List, our YouTube Channel, the
 2021 Fitness Waiver, and other helpful
 documents and information here and on
 the WCSA website.

                           Exercise with Patty Kondub on TV Channel 79
                           Now on Fridays and Sundays in February!

                           Join Patty on Westport Public Access TV Channel
                           79 (Optimum) and Channel 6020 (Frontier) for a
                           workout to music with chair and standing
                           exercises, balance, brain building, memory
                           games and posture exercises. Weights or cans
                           and a pillow may be required. Every Friday from
                           10:00 to 11:00 AM and Sunday at 1:00 PM in the
                           month of February. Cost: Free
                           Note: Westport Public TV Access Channel 79
                           broadcasts to Westport households only. Out of

town seniors can watch Patty's program on the
Westport town website on Fridays at 10:00 am.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Friends Sunday Indoor Music Series

The Friends of the Westport Center for Senior
Activities and the WCSA have partnered with the
Westport Public Access Channel 79 to broadcast
recordings of the Friends' performances from the
last 4 months. Simply tune your TV to Westport
Public Access Channel 79 on Sundays at 1:00
p.m. to watch the last two recordings in this
series of these performances.
Irwin Lebish - January 31
For more information on the artists and the
schedule of their performances, please click
here.

Fridays With Friends WestPac Art Tour Video

We are pleased to announce that the Fridays
With Friends WestPac Art Tour Video is now
available to view on our YouTube Channel. To
watch this video featuring the amazing artwork
by some of Westport’s talented artists, please
click here.

Join us for BINGO on February 4!

The WCSA will continue to offer virtual BINGO
via Zoom. BINGO will meet the first and third
Thursday of the month from 1:15 - 2:00 pm. All
BINGO participants must register at least 48
hours in advance by calling the WCSA at 203-
341-5099. The WCSA is offering a special to-go
lunch for Westport residents for $8.00 per
person. A volunteer will deliver a lunch and 4
BINGO cards to your home by Noon on BINGO
day. Please call 203-341-5099 to reserve your
lunch at least 48 hours in advance. Menu:
Thursday, February 4: Turkey & cheddar wrap,

potato chips, Asian slaw, brownie, water.

A Special Conversation with Adrienne
Parkmond, Esq.

What are the challenges Black Americans face in
voting? What does voter suppression look like?
And what does it mean for our future to have the
first woman, and first woman of color, in the
second highest office in the land?
Date: Friday, February 5. Time: 2:00 to 3:00 pm.
This program requires pre-registration. To
register and get the Zoom link, please click
here.

NOTE NEW DATE! What's New In The Romance
Department?

The Westport Center for Senior Activities invites
the community, young and old, to attend a free
virtual event on Wednesday evening, February
10 at 7:00 pm in honor of Valentine’s Day. The
celebration, hosted by Susan Wexler, coincides
with the launch of her new blog "What’s New in
the Romance Department?" It will be an evening
in which members of the Center’s Writers
Workshop will share their captivating true life
stories of love and romance. Pre-registration is
required. No fee. To register, call us at 203 341-
5099, or register online at myactivecenter.com.

Chinese New Year Lunch & Watch Party on
Friday, February 12!

Join us as we celebrate the Year of the Ox. Enjoy
sweet and sour chicken, stir fried rice, broccoli,
steamed dumplings, fortune cookie, Valentine’s
treat, milk. Please order no later than
Wednesday, February 10. Meals may be picked
up between 11:00 and 12:30 pm. Cost: $8.00 per
meal. Then join the WCSA staff from 1:30 - 2:15
pm. on Zoom for a watch party of “Land of the
Giant Pandas”. (45 min.) Zoom Meeting ID: 889
7444 7789 Passcode: Watch

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

  Black History Month Documentaries
  This Week: "The 13th"

  February 1: “The 13th”: This film combines
  archival footage with testimony from activists
  and scholars. Director Ava DuVernay's
  examination of the U.S. prison system looks at
  how the country's history of racial inequality
  drives the high rate of incarceration in America.
  For the YouTube link to this documentary, please
  click here.

  Black History Month Art Lectures

  Join Lisa Arnold who will discuss two artists: Amy
  Sherald (1973-) famous for her portrait of
  Michelle Obama and modern style, and Romere
  Bearden (1911-1988) whose early work focused
  on unity and cooperation within the African-
  American community.
  Wednesday, February 3 and 17 from 3:15 to
  4:30 PM via Zoom. Cost: Free. For the Zoom
  link, please click here.

  WCSA Caregiver Support Group

  Terry Giegengack, MA, will lead the group twice
  a month on Zoom. She is a graduate of Fairfield
  University with a master's degree in counseling
  and continuing education. Wednesday, February
  3 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Pre-registration is
  required by contacting Holly Betts, MPS, RD, at
  203-341-5096 or via email at
  hbetts@westportct.gov. Donations are
  accepted.

  Celebrate Heart Healthy Month With Patty
  Kondub

  Join fitness instructor Patty Kondub with Fun
  Exercises for a Healthy Heart. In this video, Patty

will show you five different 10-minute exercise
activities for heart health. You will be able to mix
and match the best exercises for your physical
needs. Fun and fitness are guaranteed! Tuesday,
February 9 from 11:00 - Noon. No charge. Zoom
Meeting ID: 861 2447 5974 Passcode: Health

February is Heart Healthy Month

Join Program Manager and Registered Dietitian
Holly Betts, who will speak on How to Include
More Plant-Based Foods in Your Diet, and share
some easy plant-based recipes. Tuesday,
February 9 from 2:30 - 3:15 pm. No charge.
Zoom Meeting ID: 861 2447 5974 Passcode:
Health

WCSA "Shelf Awareness" Book Club

Our monthly book club, facilitated by Jill Meyer,
meets on the second Wednesday of the month.
This month's book selection is "My Life in
France" by Julia Child. The class is free, but
participants are required to get their own book.
Wednesday, February 10 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM
via Zoom. Pre-registration is required. Limit: 10
participants. Cost: Free.

Letting Go Of Stress

Let Go of Stress and Tension, is a NEW class with
Deirdre Ekholdt, LCSW. Stress and tension take a
toll on the body and mind, but you can learn to
let go and relax. In this class you will be guided
through proven stress techniques including
mindfulness, breathing and guided imagery to
experience a state of deep relaxation.
Wednesday, February 10, 1:30 - 2:30 pm. Pre-
registration is required. No charge.

Food Demo: Stuffed Winter Squash

February is National Heart Healthy Month! Join
   Registered Dietitian, Holly Betts for a
   demonstration on how to prepare stuffed winter
   squash. Thursday, February 11. Time: 2:30 -
   ​3:30 PM. Pre-registration is required. Cost: Free

   Fairfield University Egan School of Nursing and
   the WCSA Present: A Matter Of Balance

   Do you have concerns about falling? A Matter of
   Balance is an award-winning program designed
   to manage falls and increase activity levels. This
   is a free program and is not an exercise class.
   Tuesdays, February 16 through April 20 from
   10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Pre-registration is
   required. Zoom link will be provided upon
   registration. For more information about this
   event and how to register, please click here.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
   COVID-19 Connecticut Vaccine Update

   Connecticut is currently in Phase 1B of the
   vaccine distribution. Currently only those 75 and
   older are eligible to register to get the
   vaccine. For more information on registering for
   the vaccine, please click here. First Selectman,
   Jim Marpe, recently put out a press release with
   more info on the vaccines and where to get
   them. To view please click here.

           Free Virtual Tax Return Preparation
           From VirtualVITA!

           The Town of Westport has teamed up
           with VirtualVITA, the same local IRS
           certified volunteers that have been
           preparing our taxes for years, to help file
           your 2020 tax return remotely. You first
           need to register with VITA for tax prep.
           Click here to access directions for the
           virtual site and the documentation
           needed. You will be able to scan and

upload your ID's and tax documents to a
        secure portal. If you need assistance
        with this step, there will be limited on-
        site scanning sessions at the WCSA on:
        Tuesdays, February 2 through April 13
        from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and
        Thursdays, February 4 through April 15
        from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
        Please call 203-341-1071 to schedule a
        scanning appointment. For more
        information on the VITA Virtual Tax
        Program, please click here.

Update on COVID-19 Vaccines

Join members of the Stamford Senior Center on
Tuesday, February 2 at 7:15 PM via Zoom as
they host a presentation given by Dr. Joseph
Feuerstein, Director of Integrative Medicine at
Stamford Hospital, as he gives us the latest
updates on the COVID-19 vaccines. Cost: Free.
Pre-registration is required. Please contact the
Westport Center for Senior Activities at 203-
341-5099 to register for this event. For more
information, please click here. The Zoom link
will be emailed to you prior to the
presentation.

Jewish Senior Services Lecture Series

Jewish Senior Services announces free
educational webinars to raise awareness
of the challenges facing elders and families.
For the titles and descriptions for the upcoming
seminars, and how to register to receive the
zoom link, please click here.

        Please Be Aware! COVID-19 Vaccine
        Fraud On the Rise!

        For information on the latest COVID-19
        scams and alerts from The Federal
        Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
        Department of Health and Human

Services Office of Inspector General
        (HHS-OIG), and Centers for Medicare &
        Medicaid Services (CMS), please click
        here.

Hello Neighbor: Connecting Neighbors Across
Westport

Feeling disconnected, isolated or lonely? The
Department of Human Services (DHS) has
implemented a community partnership "Hello,
Neighbor" to inspire connection among residents
of all ages through phone calls. The
conversations are strictly friendly and social in
nature. Whether you are interested in making
calls or receiving calls, please click here for more
information.

The AARP Offers Virtual Events and Webinars
on Wednesdays!

For more information on AARP's Virtual Events
and Webinar Wednesdays and how to register
for events, please click here.

AARP Offers Virtual Smart Driver Course

For more information and to register for the
AARP Smart Driver online class, please click here.