THU      05/01 The WALKING PROGRAM will resume on Thursday, May 1^st at 9:00am.  It will be held at Rocky Neck State Park on Thursday mornings and the Boardwalk on Tuesday mornings.  Call the C.O.A. office for more details.  Please note you will need a Charter Oak Pass after Memorial Day to enter Rocky Neck without charge. 

FRI        05/02         BINGO will be held on every Friday except for the 16^th during the month of May.

SAT       05/03         ID THEFT PREVENTION SHREDDER DAY hosted by the East Lyme P.B.A  at the Community Center Parking Lot from 8:00am to 12:00pm – Free shredding and disposal of old paper documents – Bring in a cardboard box – Items can be picked up – Call the C.O.A. office for more details.

TUE       05/06         One-on-One INTERNET instruction at 10:15am.  Cost is $10.00 - $12.00 for non-residents.  Call to register.

TUE       05/06         SOUP IS ON – COME ON DOWN at 12:30pm and join Diane Schuler of the Senior Nutrition Awareness Program and Phyllis Cappuccio of End Hunger, CT to learn about making a nutritious and inexpensive soup.  Learn fun facts about how to lower your grocery bills,  Call to register beginning May 1^st.  

FRI        05/09         DANCE at the Community Center from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.  Admission fee is $9.00 which includes light refreshments.  The Illusions Band will be playing.  Tickets sold at the door only beginning at 6:30pm.

MON     05/12 Come watch a “new” MOVIE and enjoy snacks for a donation of $1.00.  This month will be “No Reservations” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart.  The movie starts at 1:00pm.

MON     05/12 COMMISSION ON AGING monthly meeting starting at 7:00pm.  The public is welcome.

TUE      05/13 &       The Senior Center will co-sponsor a AARP SAFETY DRIVER PROGRAM in the East Lyme Public Library

WED     05/14 from 9:15am to 1:15pm.  The cost is $10.00pp.  Registration begins May 1^st.

TUE      05/13 “PACK YOUR BAG” for a free medicine consultation with our local CVS Pharmacist at 1:00pm.  Bring all of your prescriptions and over the counter medications in their original containers.  Call the C.O.A. office to receive your appointment time. 

WED     05/14 The EAST LYME SENIOR ART SHOW will be judged.  If you would like to enter, please have your piece in by Tuesday, May 13^th.  Call the Senior Center for details about the entries.

WED     05/14 Come join us for the Senior Center’s BOOK DISCUSSION Group to be held from 2:00pm to 3:00.  The book to be read will be “Body Surfing” written by Anita Shreve.

THU      05/15 30 minutes sessions of HEALING TOUCH will be available beginning at 1:00pm and running until 3:00pm.  The session fee will be $8.00 for residents - $10.00 for non-residents.  Call the C.O.A. office to register.

FRI       05/16          SENIOR EXPO 2008 will be held at the Dayton Arena located on the Connecticut College Campus in New London from 9:30am to 12:30pm.  If you need a ride, please call the C.O.A. office.

FRI       05/16          Please note there will be NO SENIOR NUTRITION LUNCH served today.

FRI       05/16          There will be a SPECIAL TEA at the Senior Center to honor our town’s citizens who are 90 or over.  The Tea will be held at 2:00pm and feature tea sandwiches and pastries.  Cost is $2.00.  If you are 90 or over by May 16^th or you know someone who is 90 or over, please contact the C.O.A. office for more details.  Call to register ASAP.

FRI        05/16         INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED QUILTERS group meets the third Friday evening of every month at the Senior Center from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.  Bring your own sewing supplies and sewing machine.  Learn new techniques and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow quilters.  $2.00pp donation for coffee supplies and a dish to share.  Call the C.O.A. office for more details.

MON     05/19 Join Attorney Jeff McNamara at 1:00pm to get help in completing the LIVING WILL FORMS.  Please call the C.O.A. office to register for this program or to get the living will forms.

TUE      05/20 BIRTHDAY BASH to celebrate our May birthdays.

MON     05/26 Please note the Senior Center will be CLOSED due to the Memorial Day holiday.

TUE      05/27 Christopher Antoszek from CVS/pharmacy will be at the Senior Center on Tuesday, May 27^th at 12:30pm to discuss the SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HIGH AND LOW BLOOD SUGAR.  He will also discuss the importance of monitoring your glucose levels and provide tips on how to maintain a consistent blood sugar level.  Call the COA office to register beginning May 1^st. 

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ANNUAL EAST LYME

The East Lyme Senior Art Show will be held on Wednesday, May 14^th to prepare for the Regional Art Show held at the Annual Senior Expo.  All those artists that are over 60 years or older are encouraged to participate.  Your work must have been completed within two (2) years and the entries must be framed.  Please bring you entries to the Senior Center for judging beginning Friday, May 2^nd but before 4:30pm Tuesday, May 13^th.  

 

These are the following categories:

1.      Painting

1. Oil
2. Acrylic
3. Watercolor, Pen & Ink

2.      Drawing

1. Pastel
2. Charcoal
3. Pen, Ink or Pencil

3.      Photography

1. Color/Black & White

Minimum size is 8 X 10

4.      Sculpture

5.      Collage

The winners in each category will have their work entered in the Senior Expo Regional Art Show that will be held at the Dayton Arena located at Connecticut College on May 16^th.  All entrants must be prepared to have their work(s) on display at the Senior Center for several weeks. 

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AARP TAX-AIDE

The Tax Advisors are scheduled to be at the Senior Center until April 11^th for assistance with tax returns.  However, at this point, all appointments are full.  The Senior Center will make another day available so you will have to call to inquire about the date.  Additionally, there might be cancellations so you can call and leave your name on a waiting list.  Calls regarding appointments must be made to the C.O.A. office.  Taxpayers are asked to bring Personal Identification – Copies of 2006 Federal and Connecticut tax returns – 2007 Federal and Connecticut tax preparation booklets – and all 2007 income reports that have been received (SSA-1099 forms, all 1099 forms, W-2 forms, Unemployment compensation forms, all other forms that indicate Federal and/or Connecticut income taxes were paid in 2006, and documentation showing original cost of sold assets).

 SPEAKING OF TAX RETURNS - YOU NEED TO FILE ONE IN ORDER TO GET THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS REBATE

Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending Economic Stimulus Payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of qualifying income and file a 2007 federal tax return. The IRS will take care of the rest.  If you do not normally file a tax return, you MUST file one this year in order to get the rebate.  The 1040A IRS form is available on the internet at www.irs.gov or the C.O.A. office has copies.  In order to learn how to file out this form, the Senior Center will have an informational session on Monday, April 7^th at 1:00pm.  You must bring your Social Security SSA-1099 document to this session in order to complete the 1040A.  In addition, if you would like to have the rebate direct deposited into your checking account, you must bring a blank check so that the routing number and the account number can be obtained and listed on the 1040A. 

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ID THEFT PREVENTION SHREDDER DAY

FREE TO EAST LYME RESIDENTS

The East Lyme Police Benevolent Association in cooperation with the Senior Center will provide a great service to the community.  On Saturday, May 3^rd from 8:00am to 12:00pm, they will have a BULK SHREDDER at the Community Center parking lot available for your use to destroy your old paperwork.  Bring any items you wish to have shred and disposed of in banker type boxes – these items include papers, checks, deeds, bills, old tax documents, etc.  If you need assistance getting your old paperwork to the Community Center, call the C.O.A. office and we can arrange a pick up of your old documents.  You cannot beat that deal!

 

DANCE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER

The Senior Center will be hosting a Dance on Friday, May 9^th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.  The dance will be held in the Community Center.  There will be an admission fee of $9.00 per person and the tickets will be sold at the door beginning at 6:30pm.  Be sure to come early, as this will be a popular night to be out!  The group that will be playing is The Illusions, a band from the Norwich area that is quite well known.  They play popular dance songs from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.  There will be light refreshments available.  If you are 50 or above and like to dance or enjoy listening to music, you will want to come.  This dance is open to the public.  Refreshments are included in the admission price.

 

ARE YOU 90 OR OVER?

THE SENIOR CENTER WANTS TO HONOR YOU!

May is Older Americans Month and the Senior Center and the Commission on Aging Board would like to host a special event to commemorate our Oldest Americans.  The Senior Center is hosting a Special Tea to honor our town’s nonagenarians (or those folks who are 90 and over).   The Center is looking to identify those town citizens that will be 90 or over as of May 16^th.  If you are one of those people or you know one of those people, please contact the C.O.A. office for details.  Each nonagenarian will be allowed to bring 2 guests and there will be no charge for the honoree or their guests. 

 

If you are not 90 or over but would like to join us in celebrating the longevity of our fellow Americans, please call the C.O.A. office to register.  We want as many people as possible at the Center to celebrate the lives of these people that have lived through the past 90+ years.  The tea will be held on Friday, May 16^th at 2:00pm.  The cost will be $2.00.  Bridebrook Health & Rehab Center will be providing the delicious tea sandwiches and pastries.  Crescent Point of Niantic will be providing the beautiful corsages and boutonničres. 

 

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ENERGY ASSISTANCE FOR THE FALL/WINTER SEASON

Applications for the Energy Assistance Program will be taken in the C.O.A. office for the current heating season.  An appointment is necessary – call 739-5859.  Please call for information about what documents are required for the completion of this application.  Applications will also be taken in TVCCA’s New London office and appointments are required there as well.  You can obtain one by calling 889-1365.

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SENIOR & DISABLED HOMEOWNERS’ TAX BENEFIT

The State of Connecticut offers a state run senior & disabled tax benefit known as the Circuit Breaker.  This program is for eligible real estate taxpayers within the Town of East Lyme.  In order to be eligible you must have reached the age of 65 prior to December 31, 2007 or be deemed disabled through Social Security.  The benefit you are applying for will be for a credit on the taxes due on your primary residence in East Lyme. Under the law, Social Security income MUST be declared under this program and requires you to provide information regarding all income received during 2007.  The new income limit, INCLUDING Social Security, is $36,500 for married couples and $29,800 for single persons.

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PROJECT HOME SHARE

Help for Seniors as a Safe Affordable Housing Option

Bringing Home Providers and Home Seekers Safely Together

 

Project Home Share is looking for Home Providers who have space to spare in their homes and can offer to a potential live-in roommate a private bedroom, shared use of the common areas of the house and a chance to live in a home rather than an apartment in exchange for a modest household contribution, well below current apartment prices.  In exchange for services such as yard work, light housekeeping, errands or other jobs, a Home Provider may desire little to no household contribution.  The most important aspect of Project Home Share is companionship and security for both the Home Provider and the Home Seeker.

 

Home Providers interested in more information about sharing their homes should call to arrange an interview to determine their needs and interests.  This program is available in East Lyme as well as other the fifty-five towns located in the service area of Senior Resources.  One person in each home share arrangement must be age 60 or over; however, younger people are encouraged to inquire.  Senior Resources serves people regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, place of birth, or national origin.  Please call Senior Resource – Agency on Aging and ask to speak to the Home Share coordinator at 1-800-690-6998 or 860-887-3561 or visit our website at www.seniorresourcesec.org.

 

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Must be an East Lyme resident

 2008 SENIOR CENTER TRIPS

 

April 9^th                   New York City – On Your Own – Considerable Walking

Share with Waterford Senior Services – Trip fee $35.00pp

April 27^th                 “Annie Get Your Gun” at the Thomaston Opera House in Thomaston, CT

Share with Waterford Senior Services – Trip fee $73.00pp

May 13^th                  Exploring Chinatown in New York City – Considerable Walking

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – Trip fee $67.00pp

May 19^th                  Royal Highland Regiment of Canada - The Black Watch – Springfield, MA

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – Trip fee $73.00pp.

May 27^th                  Cornerstone Production of “Sweeter Than Sunshine” at Mystic Village/Mohegan Sun Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

June                       Greenport, LI – Winery Tour & Shopping

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

                             “Over the River and Through the Woods” at the Newport Playhouse in Newport, RI

                             Must be an East Lyme Resident – More details to follow

                             Walking Tour of Historic Boston with Tour of Fenway Park in Boston, MA

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

July                        Trip to Providence, RI and Water Fire

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

August 14^th              Bobby Vinton at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, CT

Must be an East Lyme resident – More details to follow

August                    Trip to Tanglewood

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

September 23^rd        “Celtic Spring Fiddle & Dance Band” at the Garde Theater/Foxwoods Casino

Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

September 27^th        Shopping Trip to Kittery, ME

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

October 25^th             Pumpkin Festival in Keane, NH

Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

October 27^th             “As Time Goes By” – 20 Piece Orchestra at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, CT

                             Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

November               Cornerstone Productions of “The Nutty Cracker Christmas Sweet” at the Mystic Village Mohegan Sun Casino – Share with Waterford Senior Services – More details to follow

December 2^nd           “Holiday Spectacular” at Chez Josef in Agawam, MA

Must be an East Lyme Resident – More details to follow

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Open to Non-Residents if there is availability (a surcharge will be added for non-residents)

Wednesday, May 14^th – Spring has sprung so it is time to go to Lenny & Joe’s restaurant with shopping afterwards at the Westbrook Mall.  Trip fee is $2.75.  Registration begins May 1^st.  Departure time is 11:15am – return time is approximately 3:30pm

 

Wednesday, May 28^th –  Back by popular demand – a trip to the Evergreen Walk Mall in South Windsor.  Trip fee is $3.25.  Registration begins May 1^st.  Departure time is 10:15am - return time is approximately 3:30pm.

Open to any person 55+

must be an East Lyme Resident

Thursday, June 19^th - Put in your day calendar a trip the Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant to see “Over the River and Through the Woods” for a delightful lunch, a play, and then a cabaret show!  All this in one day trip.  Registration begins April 1^st.  Trip fee is $64.00

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DAY TRIPS

Open to any person 55+

Tuesday, May 13^th – Trip to NYC for a tour of Chinatown.  Trip fee is $67.00.  Registrations now being taken. Departure time is 8:00am.  There is considerable amount of walking on this tour.

Monday, May 19^th – Trip to Springfield, MA for a performance by The Royal Highland Regiment of Canada – The Black Watch – Trip fee is $73.00.  Registrations now being taken.

Tuesday, May 27^th – Trip to The Mystic Theater for a Cornerstone Production of “Sweeter Than Sunshine” plus a morning trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino.  Trip fee is $45.00.  Registrations now begin taken.

Tuesday, June 17^th – Trip to Long Island, NY for a tour of the Ospry Dominion Winery, with lunch and shopping in Greenport.  Trip fee is $80.00.  Registration for East Lyme residents begins April 1^st – Registration for non-residents begins April 15^th.

Friday, June 27^th – Trip to Boston for a tour of the historic sights including Fenway Park with lunch in Little Italy.  Trip fee is $80.00.  Registration for East Lyme residents begins April 1^st – Registration for non-residents begins April 15^th. 

Sunday, August 3^rd – Trip to Tanglewood to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra featuring the famed cellist, Yo-Yo Ma – lunch included.  Trip fee is $96.00.  Registrations for East Lyme residents begins June 1^st – all others begins on June 16^th.

 

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Open to any person 55+

May 1-4 – Trip to Washington DC and Baltimore, MD – FDR Memorial, The Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, city tour of Baltimore.  $579.00pp double occupancy.  $50.00 due at registration.  Registrations now being taken.  Walking involved with this tour.

August 11-14 – Trip to Niagara Falls, Canada – Guided Tour of Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake town and ride on the Maid of the Mist.  $595pp double occupancy.  $150.00 due at registration.  Registration for East Lyme residents to begin March 3^rd – Registration for non-residents to begin April 1^st.  Walking involved with this tour.  Must have a valid passport. 

September 9-11 – Join us for a Moose Safari in Maine – sunrise canoe adventure – twilight moose safari are the highlights of this adventure trip.  $475pp double occupancy.  $50 due at registration.  Registration for East Lyme residents to begin April 1^st – non-residents begins April 15^th.  This is a soft adventure trip – not recommended for persons with walking or other types of mobility problems.. 

August 17-24 – Bermuda Cruise on the Norwegian Dream – Sail roundtrip from Boston – Docks in St. George’s for 4 days – Escorted by Richard Denno “Mr. Bermuda” – 8 days, 7 nights – Prices range from $1356.00pp to $1646.00pp.  $350.00 due at registration.

November 9-19 – Panama Canal Cruise on the MS Zuiderdam – Sailing from Fort Lauderdale – 11 days, 10 nights – Prices range from $2481.00pp to $3558.00pp.  $600.00 due at registration.

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