North Attleboro Council on Aging
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North Attleboro Council on Aging
204 Elm Street ♦ North Attleboro, MA 02760 ♦ Phone 508-699-0131
Newsletter September/October 2021
September is National Senior Center Month—an opportunity to showcase your senior center and
promote a positive image of aging. The National Council on Aging is committed to bringing more
senior centers into the conversation to enable us to learn from one another, tell our stories, and raise
our voices in advocacy efforts that frequently overlook us. This year, senior centers have shown a
great deal — probably more than ever imagined. Senior Center professionals shined a light on their
centers by showing the entire nation how vital we are to the health and well-being of a community.
Senior Centers became virtual classrooms overnight and, in so doing, provided continued means of
social engagement and activity during bleak times, turning the table on ageist stereotypes about old-
er adults and technology use. Staff and Volunteers spent countless hours of support to seniors by
delivering meals, providing support, and encouragement. Overnight seniors counted on Senior Cen-
ter staff to provide COVID-19 guidance, vaccine education, and vaccinations to our members. Sen-
ior Center staff & volunteers played an outsized role in addressing an issue that we all knew was im-
portant even before the pandemic: social isolation. Senior centers are opening again, but sad to say
that it will never be business as usual going forward.
As of today, August 24th there are no masks required for indoor programs. I do expect that will be
changing between now & when you receive this newsletter. If you do not come to the Senior Center
often, you may want to call before coming in to see what the mask policy is on the day you are com-
ing in. There will be masks available if you should need one. The tent will still be available should
seniors prefer to be outside and not wear a mask.
We have a new program schedule for both September & October so please read your newsletter
carefully. On September 15th (see page 5) we have a program sponsored by the North Attleboro
Cultural Commission. Jumpin Juba is a fun filled musical program so sign up early and enjoy the
show. On October 18th (see page 3) we have a Make Your Own Seasoning program where you will
make seasoning and take some home with you.
I want to congratulate all the JabberWalkers for another very successful year. They are having their
Annual Keep Moving Celebration and this year it will be at Borderland on September 21 st at 3:30
p.m.
This year they added Monday evening to their walking schedule, so if you still work or are busy dur-
ing the day, you can now walk on Monday evenings at 5:30. The JabberWalkers schedule for walks
is found on page 2 and information on the Annual Keep Moving Celebration is found on page 5.
Dianne Landry, senior center participant has offered to do a slide presentation she put together on
her and her husband’s 20-day trip to the Holy Land. Come on September 22 nd from 1:00-2:30 and
see this on our large screen TV.
Another new program being offered is Beach Volleyball Under the Tent on September 14 th at 28th at
9:30 a.m.
Please welcome Erin Medeiros newly hired Administrative Assistant for the Senior Center. She
started working here on Monday August 16 th so many of you have already met her. If you haven’t
met her yet, stop by the back office and say hello and introduce yourself to her. She comes with 5
years’ experience working at another Senior Center in Massachusetts.
Be Positive, Be Safe and Be Healthy,
Pam
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Falls Prevention classes
continue every Tuesday and Thursday from
1:00 – 2:00 with Dr. Erin Vecoli, PT, DPT from El-
liott Physical Therapy. Please call or email to
sign up.
Protect Yourself From Medicare Fraud!
Did you know that over $60 billion of our tax
dollars are lost to Medicare fraud each year?
Come meet Dennis Hohengasser, a
representative of the Massachusetts Senior
Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program, on Monday, “Drumming with Joan” Joan
October 25, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the North Badger, Human Services Coordinator for the NA
Attleborough Senior Center, 204 Elm Street, Board of Health will be here under the tent at 11:15
North Attleborough, MA 02760, and participate on Thursday, September 9th, September 23rd
in a discussion on how to prevent, detect, and October 7th and October 21st. This is a fun, inter-
report healthcare errors, fraud and abuse. We active fitness trend that combines music, drumming
all can have an active role in protecting and fitness. Again, please sign up in advance
Medicare for ourselves and future generations. as we only have 7 fitness balls, so class size is
limited.
This free information workshop will provide you
with the tools to become a more informed and
engaged health care consumer, including the Strength & Conditioning will continue with Linda
importance of protecting your Medicare number. each week on Monday and
Wednesday, and Fridays from 9:45-10:30.
Although new Medicare cards have random
numbers and no longer Social Security
numbers, you still need to be vigilant and
protect yourself from becoming victim to
deceptive marketing and medical identity theft.
For more information and to reserve your seat
please contact the North Attleborough Senior
Center, at 508-699-0131 or at
JBousquet@NAttleboro.com. NEW TO THE NORTH ATTLEBORO
If you cannot attend this workshop but have SENIOR CENTER!
questions about questionable healthcare bills, BEACH VOLLEYBALL UNDER THE TENT
Medicare Summary Notices, or other health TUESDAY’S SEPTEMBER 14TH AND 28TH
Insurance explanation of benefits statements, TIME: 9:30AM
please call the MA SMP Program office at
This is a trial. If successful, it may become a regular event.
800-892-0890.
Volleyball will be played under the tent, six to a side. Most
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol traditional volleyball rules are used but there are some
Program is funded in part by grant number unique ones that will be explained on site. One major rule
90MPPG0051 from the U.S. Department of change is you sit in a chair and are not allowed to get up
Health and Human Services’ Administration for
Community Living, Washington, DC. while the ball is in play. The ball, by the way, is a beach ball.
Come join us for some fun under the tent!!
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Lunches are still available at
the Senior Center. The meals are delivered
to the Senior Center Monday-Friday and
you would need to come to the Center September 2nd– Homeward Lane
and retrieve your meal by 9:00, Give us a September 6th– No Walk Holiday
call at 508-699-0131 if interested.
September 8th– Chorney
September 7th– Blackstone River
Holidays - We are closed on the September 9th– Martha’s Vineyard
following holidays: Monday,
September 13th– Mt. Hope Cemetery
September 6th for Labor Day and
September 14th-NA Fish Hatchery
October 11th for Columbus Day
September 16th– Swan Point
September– 20th– Riverfront Park
September 21st-Borderland
September 23rd– HS Loop West
Carry-Out Café has been put on hold as
September 27th-Wendy Pond
we need to obtain ServSafe Certification
before we can offer Jenn’s homecooked September 28th-Mt Hope Cemetery
meals. In the meantime, keep any eye on September 30th-Michelle’s Loop
our website and emails for any updates for
some fun Grab & Go meals that we hope to
offer in the coming months.
The JabberWalkers continue to meet
every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30
a.m. and now on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. (or
on Wednesday if we have a Monday
holiday). For updates, changes, and
meeting/parking information, please go
to our website: www.nattleboro.com/
council-on-aging
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Make your own seasoning MOVIES ARE BACK!!
th
Monday October 18 at 1:00 p.m. limited to 20 sen- SEPTEMBER 27TH AT 12:30PM– Queen Bees
iors. Must call and signup in advance.
Sick of the same old ? Looking to spice up your life? (Comedy)
From savory to spicy, come make your own mixed
seasoning packets using our fresh, organic spic-
OCTOBER 19th at 12:30PM– Mighty Orphans
es. Participants will create their own custom sea- (Drama)
soning mix to take home.
Join our Email list! Things are chang- Halloween Dollar Tree Bingo
ing so quickly these days and we want Wednesday, October 27th at 1:00p.m. this is a
to be able to get the word out to you quickly.
Please give us a call and give us your email ad-
FREE Bingo; win fun prizes but space is limited
dress. so please sign up in advance.
Call 508-699-0131 or email Jenn at
Chair Yoga continues weekly every jbousquet@nattleboro.com
Tuesday and Thursday at 9:45am with
instructor Lesley Fairbanks Wear your favorite Halloween shirt/attire if
you would like.
Ukulele – “The Elm
Street Strummers” are coming back to practice
and meet on the following Wednesdays, Sept, 1st,
8th, 15th, 22nd and September 29th and October
6th, 13th,20th, and 27th from 1:30-2:30.
Presentation on a trip to Israel in 2019
By Dianne Landry
When: September 22nd
Dawn McKetchnie will be back for a Paint Par-
ty. on Wednesday October 20th at 10:45am – Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm
12:15pm; Limited to 20 lucky people. Please
call The Senior Center to sign up at 508-669- Joe and I spent 20 days in the Holy Land with two
0131. fabulous guides. We went to Bethlehem in
December! We have so many memories that I made
a presentation. My husband took 1,500 pictures!
Partial funding for the printing
and distribution of this Don’t worry, I whittled it down to 300.
newsletter is supported by a Can’t wait!
grant from the Executive
Office of Elder Affairs.
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Dental Screening Clinic For Seniors!
When: Saturday September 18th
Time: 8:45am-1:00pm
Place: Community VNA, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, Ma.
Participants will:
Health Connector and Medicare Receive a diagnosis of dental problems from dentists
Be checked for oral cancer
If you are: Can you Are you
keep Health eligible to Be provided specialized denture cleanings (If applicable)
Connector continue
Plan after receiving tax Receive information on a low-cost dental program (for
enrolling in credits and low-income seniors at
Medicare? reduced
participating dental offices)
cost-sharing?
Currently No. Any tax
enrolled in a credits the
TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE APPOINTMENT,
Marketplace individual is
plan and receiving in the CALL: 774-203-1326
become plan will be
entitled to discontinued
NO
Premium-free once Part A
Part A coverage
begins,
resulting in
increase.
What are your next steps, now that you are
losing the Health Connector? Note from the Friends Group!!
REACH OUT TO SHINE! The Friends group would like to take this opportunity to
thank Christine Zurowski for her many years of arranging
Certified SHINE counselors offer free, our Senior Trips. It is a job that is much appreciated by all,
confidential counseling on all aspects of but seldom acknowledged. Her work was excellent. We
look forward to seeing you at the Center in the future.
health insurance to anyone on Medicare.
THANK YOU, Christine!!!
Call the Senior Center at 508 699 0121 for
telephone appointments. Some in-person
appointments may be available. Sandy Mann
President, Friends of NACOA
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Jumpin Juba—September 15th 1:00pm-2:00pm The Senior College at Bridgewater State University is
at the North Attleboro Senior Center open for Fall enrollment. This fall our growing Senior
College program offers 50 affordable, convenient,
Jumpin' Juba mixes regional blues and roots-y
rock styles from Chicago, Memphis, New Orle- stimulating, non-credit, short-term, courses for
ans. Steve Hurl's guitar playing draws from the mature learners (50+). For the low registration fee
roots-y string benders of the 1950s and 60s. of $85 per person, learners can enroll in as many
Bruce Ward's burly piano work is classic rhythm courses as they like. There is no course limit and no
& blues and boogie-woogie. Their latest CD of other expenses; but there will be plenty of
original music is called Slap Happy. conversation, fun, and community shared in these
virtual courses.
Courses are designed for adults in search of
unpressured learning free from term papers, tests,
or exams, and participation in class in purely
voluntary. Anyone can attend Senior College
regardless of your background, educational
experience, or age! Our 4- and 8-week courses meet
Sponsored by The North Attleboro Cultural weekly with many courses starting in September and
Council Grant. October. Courses are currently offered via Zoom, a
popular video conferencing platform that is easy to
use. BSU is here to help you learn more about Zoom
if you are new to the platform. We also record most
Jay M. Elias, Esq. General of our courses, so if you have missed a course or a
Counsel of Dyer-Lake will be here on class meeting, you can view it later at your own
convenience.
September 20th and October 4th at 1:00pm
for another Live and Learn. Please visit our website to learn more about our
courses and to register: https://www.bridgew.edu/
ccs/seniorcollege Or, learn more by viewing our I
nformation Sessions, you can view them all on our
ANNUAL KEEP MOVING CELEBRATION YouTube Channel by searching “BSU Senior College”
September 21st on YouTube.
Meet at the Senior Center at 3:00 pm to carpool to
Borderland. As long as you have one person in the Questions? Jennifer Reid, the Director of the Senior
car with a Massachusetts State Park pass, parking is College can be reached at 508.531.2570 or email
free. Otherwise it's $5.00. We'll walk as usual her if you have any questions
around the pond at 3:30 pm. At 4:30 pm, we'll sit at BSUSeniorCollege@bridgew.edu
the picnic tables for pizza (paid for by the Senior
Center) and complimentary dessert thanks to State
Representative Adam Scanlon who also plans to
attend. Bring your own liquid refreshments.
At 5:30 pm we'll be entertained by the
award-winning Unlikely Strummers. Rumor has it
that they will perform the world premier of a new
song composed by Tess Glode. Rain date is
Thursday, September 23. Everything free for
JabberWalkers. And you may bring a friend (who
may have to chip in for the pizza. ) And if that
isn't enough, Borderland Park Officials have invited
us to stick around for a special 8:30 pm walking tour
under the full moon.
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The North Attleborough Council on Aging is located at 204 Elm Street in North Attleborough
within the historic Howard Estate. The COA operates the North Attleborough Senior Center
which is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 - 12:00.
Board of Directors: Staff:
Julie Holt, Chairman Pamela Hunt, Executive Director
Sandi Burns, Vice Chairman Erin Medeiros, Administrative Asst.
Anne Lonzo, Secretary Julia Wheatley, Outreach Worker
Anne M McCormack Jennie Bousquet, Program Coordinator
Nancy Shevchuk Lisa Burgess, Meal Site Coordinator
Ross Hancock
Sandi Burns
NEW MISSION STATEMENT: Be a community resource by advocating and enriching
the lives of our seniors by providing services and activities that improve physical and
emotional health through recreation, nutrition, education, social interaction & volunteerism.
North Attleboro Council on Aging Presorted Standard
204 Elm Street U.S. Postage Paid
North Attleboro, MA 02760-3231 Permit #143
N. Attleboro, MA 02760-3231
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