senior

May 2020

SeniorWISE

A newsletter by the Senior Center Foundation, Inc. which supports The Senior Center 7 Main Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370Ashfield • Buckland • Shelburne

Message from the DirectorHello everyone!

I hope you are well and getting through this un-usual and trying time. Although the physical build-ing itself is closed, I and the staff here at The Se-nior Center have continued working and being available to you and our community. Work these days has become an orchestration of identifying changing needs and often being creative to find solutions. Thank you to all who are helping in so many ways. If you need any service or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. You’re the reason we’re here.

My role, as it has been throughout my almost 14 years here (7+ as Director), is like being a sym-phony conductor (though I am still waiting for my wish for any musical ability!). The caring and talented members of our staff, Board and Founda-tion members, town administrators, and numerous program and service volunteers have all worked in unison to create the beautiful harmony that we are known for here at The Senior Center.

Together in my time here, we have greatly ex-panded transportation services, doubled program participation and delivery of services, and made

strong progress towards meeting space and ser-vice needs for the future.

Though there is no perfect time for some chang-es, in mid-February my resignation and notice to retire were accepted by the Shelburne Select-board. Knowing The Center has such strong sup-port and incredible people serving in so many capacities, I feel I can now re-focus my time on my own family’s needs, with time to play (I love to hike, bike and ski!) and explore ways to sup-port the people I love…you!

The hiring process is well underway and I am diligently preparing for a smooth transition. Le-anne, Dot, Bob, Hugh, Gloria, Mike, Peter and Paul will remain familiar faces ready to help in whatever capacity is needed.West County is my home and will continue to be. My wish is that I will see you in social set-tings, in person, when we are able. We will get through all these times together. Many of you have taught all of US the meaning of hope and perseverance. The Symphony will play on!

My best to you always,Cathy Buntin

“Life is a relay race: You run your leg and then pass the baton.That’s how change happens. All I have is a dash of time to make a difference. I’m doing what I can, and hopefully I’ll inspire others to do the same.”

Viola Davis

My best to you always!Hello from (left to right) Bob, Leanne, Paul, Dot and Cathy Greetings also from Gloria, Hugh, Peter and Mike!

MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of the Senior Center and member Councils on Aging is to enrich the lives of residents in the community as they age by de-signing support networks, identi-fying and meeting their needs and interests, and providing services and programs in welcoming, re-spectful, and safe environments.

STAFFCathleen Buntin, Director Leanne Dowd,Outreach Coordinator Dot Lyman, Activities CoordinatorRobert Szafran Transportation Coordinator & Van Driver Paul Labelle, Van DriverPeter Otten, Van DriverMichael Shea, Van DriverHugh Knox, Meal Site ManagerGloria Fisher, Office Assistant

SENIOR CENTER BOARDDonna Liebl, Chair, Buckland Doug Field, Vice Chair, AshfieldEllen Eller, Secretary, BucklandSue Bishop, Treasurer, ShelburneNina Laurie, AshfieldWayne Wickland, AshfieldAnne Yuryan AshfieldSteve Zamojski, AshfieldJoanne Soroka, BucklandEric Temple, BucklandSylvia Smith, ShelburnePenny Spearance, ShelburneNancy Brewer, Shelburne

NEWSLETTERSeniorWise is produced bi-monthly. Content contributions are welcome.Layout & design by Diana HardinaThe Senior Center 413.625.2502sfsrctr@crocker.com

New Website!

the-senior-center.orgLike us on Facebook:

Shelburne Falls Senior CenterSee us on Instagram:

Sfsrctr

Transportation and TripsVan TransportationThe Senior Center continues to provide curb-to-curb Van Transportation for seniors 60+, by contract with the FRTA, for the nine towns in West County: Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Rowe and Shelburne. Priority is for (non-emergent) medi-cal rides and food shopping. Drivers are wear-ing masks and gloves, vans are sanitized often and ridership is limited to keep proper social distancing.Please call The Senior Center at 625-2502 to make an appointment at least 48 hours in ad-vance or for information about reservations and fees. A short application with a copy of a photo ID are needed to be pre-approved for ridership. Fares range from $.75-$2.25 each way with a $5 fare for WalMart (3rd Friday)Big Y shops (Tuesday or Thursday depending on town) are free.

FRTA arranges rides to out of county medi-cal appointments. Call the FRTA at 774-2262 x163 or go online for reservations and informa-tion about their current REVISED fixed route schedules between Charlemont and Greenfield with stops in Buckland and Shelburne.

Collecting theseDuring this time, we are collecting supplies as we can get them and distribute them.If you have any extra to share, you can drop off at the Center (call to arrange) or we can arrange a pickup from your home or business.

Items needed:For mask making: Cotton cloth, interfacing, HEPA filter bags (for vacuums), round or flat elastic, Pipe cleaners, thin wire or tops from cof-fee bags (the bendable wire strip)

Greeting cards: blank or “Thinking of You”, card size envelopes, stamps

Cleaning stuff: Hand soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.

Other places to make donations:Lifepath for Meals on Wheels and home care services, 101 Munson Street, Suite 201, Green-field, MA 01301Community Action for West County Food Pan-try, 393 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301Hilltown Food Pantry, First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 161, Ashfield, MA 01330

A very special thank you to the following people for donated goods or ser-vices for our seniors; Carol Kelshaw-teaAnne Judson-puzzlesSarah Davenport-health suppliesEileen Lively-meatMargaret Perry-scissorsNancy Hazen-puzzlesMarilyn O’Brien-games and puzzles Lisa Littwin-handmade cards and donation of stampsAnonymous-books,Nancy Brewer, Lois Bascom, Joanne Rideout, Mary Brooks, Doris Johnston, Barbara Schauer-Writing cards to keep in touch with our seniorsSue Kranz, Jody Stetson, Ann Gibson, Joanne Soroka, Joanie Greenfield, Jan-ice Howes, Jackie Salem - Hand sewn masks for seniors Phyllis Garland, Emily Crawford, Joanne Soroka, Kate Stevens, Helen Boyden -Volunteers delivering groceries and prescrip-tionsDonations in memory of Rita EganScott Ballard, Robert Drew and Cathy Roberts, Pat Lowell, Karen Herzog, Marion Scott.

Gift Fund DonationsBetty Manners & family Phyllis & Norman Garland Jr

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upcoming events

COVID-19 Information and ResourcesAs West County and the world battle the Coro-navirus, please stay safe.The most important things you can do is: stay home and if you need to go out, practice social distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a face cov-ering (we have some if you need one!), take pre-ventative steps by washing your hands frequent-ly, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and call your physician if feeling sick.The Senior Center can help you get groceries and medications. Please call if needed!For up to date information: cdc.gov/COVID19

Members of the Councils on Aging are ap-pointed by their Towns to look after the needs of elders in their Towns and to advise and support the Senior Center Director and staff in the work of the Senior Center. They review statistics on programming and help to create and review pro-posed budgets for the Consortium of Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne. The Senior Center Consortium Board of Directors meets monthly, with members attending various subcommittees as needed and the Chair serves as a liaison to the Senior Center Foundation. It is a very active group, involved in planning, working with con-sultants, holding public meetings and forums and helping in arranging social and educational events for both daytime and evening gather-ings.In ordinary times, Board members volunteer at the Senior Center, helping to organize, cook and serve meals, acting as volunteer chefs, baking and bringing desserts, doing dishes and clean-up, covering reception for the center, setting up tables and breaking down set-ups for programs, and helping to organize programs. Their work helps to expand and enhance programs offered at the Senior Center

During this pandemic, roles have shifted and most programs and all meetings at the Senior Center have had to be suspended. Some mem-bers are now working with Town Emergency Task Forces to help plan emergency activities and others are in touch with their fellow residents to assist with their needs. As individual elder needs are identified, COA members are referring those elders to the Outreach Worker at the Senior Cen-ter and to the Emergency Management people in the Towns to help resolve those needs. One Board member is mailing cards to homebound isolated elders, offering well wishes and support for their needs. Members of each Town COA are assisting in the hiring of the new Senior Center Director, being organized and directed by the Town of Shelburne. The Board Chair and other members check in with the staff at the Senior Center to offer encouragement as they continue vital van transportation, basic benefits applica-tions and renewal applications assistance, and other important help to elders during this time. The Board offers its best wishes for good health to all the elders of our Towns and will continue to assist them through the pandemic and the dif-ficult social isolation it requires.

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Registry of Motor Vehicles

Driver’s licenses, ID cards, and Learner’s Permits, in-cluding Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Permits (CDL/CLP) that have expired or are expiring between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020, have had a 60-day extension applied to the current expira-tion date and do not need to be renewed at this time. Cus-tomers holding a license or ID marked “Limited-Term” that expired between March 1 and April 30 should visit Mass.Gov/RMV for more information and to check the validity of their credential. CDL Medical Certificates that expire on or after March 1 until April 30 will be ex-tended until June 30 to pre-vent license downgrades and elective medical visits, as well as to alleviate demand on medical providers. Vehicle inspections dead-lines have been postponed as well. Any noncommer-cial vehicles with inspec-tion stickers which expired March 31 can be inspected by May 31. Those noncom-mercial vehicles with stick-ers that expire April 30 will have until June 30 to be in-spected.

An Update From the Board of Directors of The Senior Center From Donna Liebl, Board Chair

Ashfield – Go to the town’s home page ash-field.org OR Call Ashfield EMD George Steph-an at 413-628-4441 Ext. 9 or by email at emd@ashfield.org. Buckland - town.buckland.ma.us/home/news/local-covid-resources-buckland-residents OR Call 413-625-6330 ext. 7Shelburne -Townofshelburne.com/COVID-19 OR Call for specific COVID-19 questions the Shelburne Board of Health at 413-625-0300 ext. 8 OR dial 211

Hugh Knox, meal site manager for Lifepath, hands out one of the Grab and Go meals supplied on Wednesdays. Please call if interest-ed and for menus. Meals need to be ordered by Mondays at 3 p.m.

Participants in our knitting group check out fabrics for projects in February.We hope you are being pro-ductive and staying well!

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We could not do it without all of you!

Anderson, PollyBaird, IreneBaird, LarryBardwell,Greg-Shelburne PoliceBascom, BethBascom, DonBascom, LoisBeebe, NormanBenoit, LaurieBezio, Beth-Ashfield PoliceBezio, LarryBishop, SueBlatchford, ClaireBoyden, HelenBrewer, NancyBrooks, MaryButler, HeatherFrench, PollyBunk, PatButler, HeatherClement, CharlotteColman, JeremyCone, CarolConsolo, PaulaCrawford, EmilyCromack, TedDavis, ClintDownes, KateDyer, BelleEller, EllenField, DianneField, Doug Field, HowardFoster, AnnaFrench, PollyFuller, MarieGarland, PhyllisGore, Evie

Thank you to all our volunteersA very special heartfelt thank you from the Staff at the Senior Center to all our 100+ volunteers for your wealth of expertise and your countless hours of help. You are an integral part of all the services that the Senior Center offers. To be on the cautious side of making sure that all of you stay healthy in this time of crisis, the Center will forgo its yearly Volunteer Appreciation gathering. We do have a small token of our appreciation for all of you. Please stop by to get your gift and say hi to the staff when you feel comfortable doing that and when we are open again. If it is impossible for you to visit the Center, please let us know so we can get it to you. Again, thank you for all you do for our senior population.

Greenfield Savings BankHammond, NancyHerrera, PhyllisHerzog, KarenHicks, Jim-Buckland PoliceHodges, HelenJohnston, DorisJones, CarolJudd, JoeKarajanes-Gerry, PattyKelleher, PamKelshaw, CarolKnox, HughKnox, JoanLabanowski, PhyllisLaporte, LowellLiebl, DonnaLittwin, LisaLively, EileenMarchese, MatthewMauer BrianMcCusker, MikeMislak, AnneMy Guardian AngelNarkewicz, TerryOrcutt, SylviaWholey, DianthaOtten, EvaOtten, PeterPayne, MargaretPerry, JimPerry, MargaretPerry, MelaniePichette, Reba JeanPierce, JudyPike, ChrisPoland, DianePowling, WayneRamirez, HollyRastorfer, Renee

Rideout, JoanneRoberts, SueSattersfield, CarlSchauer, BarbaraSheehan, MargueriteSmith, SylviaSoroka, JoanneSpearance, PennyStryker, JaySweet, JudyTaylor, GordonTaylor, JohnTaylor, MarionTemple, EricThomas, CarolynThompson, LindaTopolski, Dr.TRIAD staffTurner, ZachUtton, ValerieVight, PatVillani, EllenWagener, JaneWagener, JimWalsh, JackieWarner, Richard, Dr.Warren, KayceWatts, BarbaraWheeler, CarolynWheeler, JohnWheeler, LaurieWhite, LisaWholey, DianthaWickland, WayneWilson, LyndaYaffee, DebYoung, AlanYoung, DiannaZamojski, LorraineZamojski, Steve

Joanne Soroka, one of our volunteer chefs and board members, prepares to serve some shrimp cocktail during one of our February luncheons.

Phyllis Garland delivers desserts.

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Lifepath Annual Walkathon Lifepath and Meals on Wheels

The Shelburne Falls Senior Center and our par-ticipants benefit from resources provided by LifePath our local Area Agency on Aging and Aging Services Access Point. Over the years we have had a team participate in their annual Walkathon, their biggest fundraiser of the year. Though the virtual event happened on Satur-day, May 2, to show your support, you may donate to LifePath in the following ways:• make an online gift at www.lifepathma.org and click the “Donate Now” button; or• mail your donation to: LifePath, 101 Munson Street, Suite 201, Greenfield, MA 01301If you’d like to credit your gift to our Walkath-on team, Food4All, give in honor or in memory of someone, or direct your giving to a specific program, write your wishes in the memo line of your check, or there are opportunities for those notes on the online giving form. THANK YOU!

When you feel nervous,

take a deep

breath and tell yourself “I can

do this.”

Thank you to our many card creators who have pro-vided cheery greetings we have sent out to almost 100 of our local seniors. Call if you would like to receive one or know someone who might like one!

Dianne Field and Christine Pike enjoy a laugh together last summer.

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Serving the community for

39 years.

Looking for some-thing to do?

Town Meetings and ElectionsTowns have rescheduled their annual town meetings to June. These could be tentative dates so check with your town for updated information!

Ashfield Town meeting and elections, Saturday, June 27

Buckland Town meeting Wednesday, June 10 and Town elections, Monday, June 8

Shelburne Town meeting Monday, June 15 and Town elections Tuesday, June 23

EARLY BALLOT APPLICATION (Enclosed in this newsletter)Enclosed in this newsletter is an application for early voting in your 2020 Municipal Election.Once received by your Town Clerks, you will be mailed a ballot for your town elections.Ballots need to be received prior to your town’s election day.

Complete and mail to:Ashfield Town Clerk, P.O. Box 560, Ashfield, MA 01330Buckland Town Clerk, 17 State Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370Shelburne Town Clerk, 51 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

If you have access to Falls Cable Channel 17, check out their daily listing on your tv or their website fallscable.com. We have provided re-cordings of our video exercise program, which alternate weekdays at 9 a.m. with the RSVP Bones and Balance class airing every Wednes-day at 9 a.m.If you would prefer a DVD of the class, give us a call and we will mail you one. Let’s keep moving!Also, thanks to Falls Cable and Dave Herrera, local musicians have shared their talents and recorded entertaining shows for you including our dear Tuesday pianist Christine Pike.

Visit the Senior Center’s webpage

the-senior-center.orgclick on the quick links on the right- which is frequently updated.“Things to know and do”• Kathy Steinem Seated Chair Dancing or call for a DVD! Enjoy a good laugh!•Watch Ellen Villani’s Comedy ShowThe Right Place!• Our 5 minute video all about the Senior Cen-ter filmed and produced by • Dave Fessenden for the Ashfield Film Fest

Alzheimer’s Association

The good news is that The Alzheimer’s Association is still fully operational and con-tinuing to help families each day. Their 24/7 Helpline is available at 1-800-272-3900 to anyone who needs to talk about the challenges of de-mentia during this time, and they can help address feel-ings of isolation, and link you to important resources that can help during this uncer-tain time. In addition they are now offering all their Educa-tional Programs and Support Groups virtually, learn more at: alzmassnh.org/virtual-pro-grams/

Sylvia Smith and Diana Hardina got a warm paraffin hand treatment to chase the dryness of winter hands away in January and February thanks to Jody Chaplin from State Street Salon.

CISA FARM SHARESAre you interested in a summer farm share through CISA?Please call and leave your name.Details on this year’s program were incomplete at press time.

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There are a multitude of educational and enjoyable events if you have cable tv or access to the internet (most of these are free; some ask for donations):

1. “Shakedown Stream” - a Grateful Dead concert series on YouTube, a week-ly stream of Grateful Dead concerts

2. HBO has made around 500 hours of free programming available, includ-ing shows like Veep, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and True Blood. Some of the 20 movies to watch include Arthur, Bridges of Madison County, Foget Paris, My Dog Skip, and Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase. There are also docu-mentaries like Elvis Presley: The Searcher, True Justice, and The Apollo. Go to HBOs website to stream these free programs, no account or sign in required.

3.Google Arts and Culture has a number of virtual art tours and museum exhibits from around the world (artsandculture.google.com). Art Galleries: Vir-tually visit the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC; the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy; Tate Galleries, UK; and more. Museums: British Museum, London; African American History and Culture, Washington, DC; Russia’s State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; and more.

4.. The National Theater at Home project, uploads full-length productions to its YouTube channel every Thursday at 7 p.m. Past productions have included Jane Eyre and One Man, Two Governors.

5.Operas, Plays, and Ballet: The Royal Opera House (YouTube); Metropoli-tan Opera, New York City (streams nightly at metopera.org).

6. Broadway shows: Andrew Lloyd Webber is offering free musicals to stream (YouTube channel “The Show Must Go On”). Watch a different show every week. Each show begins streaming on the channel at 2 p.m. and remains accessible for 48 hours. You can also stream other Broadway shows through Amazon and iTunes.

7. Cultural Sites: Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France; the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City; or The Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; and more, all on artsandculture.google.com.

8. The National Park Service is offering virtual tours of their parks atescapecampervans.com

9. Get out of the house and into nature – some state parks are open; go for a hike or go birdwatching. Go fishing.

Fun things to do while you’re practicing social distancing (Quarantine Fever)

Thank you!Don and Lois Bascom for all your contributions!

Senior Center Foundation, Inc.7 Main Street P.O. Box 464Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit 183

Greenfield MA

from the Senior Center Foundation

Cathy Buntin, Senior Center DirectorSylvia Smith, Expansion Committee ChairMargaret Payne, Senior Center Foundation President

the-senior-center.orgOur new website. Check it out!

Expansion Committee NewsBy Dan Pallotta, P-Three, Project Consultant

The Expansion committee like most sectors of the government has taken the recent pandemic seriously and is practicing social distancing. However, just prior to the pandemic shut down the committee sent a delegation to the Franklin Regional Council of Government to see what assistance they could provide. The Re-gional Council could provide assistance but it would take longer than moving forward with our own solution. At that meeting it became clear that the best path to a modern senior center was to create a Senior Services District which all three towns endorse and can take ownership in. This will (we hope) be put before the

voters in June, or early Fall, not only to move the long discussed project forward but because the creation of the district will not have a financial impact and the stride to moving forward is a movement to normalcy. The District Act has begun to be circulated and will be debated and amended until a final document is ready for the voters. We hope everyone remains safe during these trying times and we look forward to our next meeting.