The Georgetown Senior Center is at the First Congregational Church on Andover Street. For more information about programs, call the Council on Aging office at 978-352-5726.
Comiskey to speak Sept. 6
Discussing local history, Chris Comiskey, president of the Georgetown Historical Society, will be the guest speaker at the Men’s Breakfast Thursday, Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m. at Trestle Way. With great appreciation, the Council on Aging thanks Crosby’s Markets for their sponsorship and the Georgetown Housing Authority for their partnership in offering the monthly program. To make reservations, call the office.
ESMV case manager Sept. 10
Case manager Jen Cook of Elder Services of Merrimack Valley, Inc. (ESMV) will be available to answer questions regarding programs and services available through ESMV Monday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. To schedule an appointment, call the office.
SHINE office hours Sept. 10
SHINE counselor Jerry Goldberg will be available to answer health insurance questions Monday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. To schedule an appointment, call the office.
Blood pressure clinic Sept. 11
Public health nurse Pam Lara will be available to take blood pressure, heart assessments and to discuss medication information with elders Tuesday, Sept. 11, 10-11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. The clinic will return to its regular schedule Wednesday, Oct. 3, 10-11 a.m.
Rockin’ Ron Toleos Sept. 12
Celebrate National Senior Center Week with Rockin’ Ron Toleos Wednesday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Georgetown Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Provided by Ashland Farm of North Andover. Refreshments will be served. To sign up for the event, call the office.
Scam and Fraud Prevention Sept. 18
The Georgetown Municipal Light Department will present a program on Scams and Fraud Prevention along with safety and energy conservation Tuesday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Unfortunately, many scams target utilities as a way to illegally gain Social Security information from elders. The program will include information on staying safe from scams and fraud. The program will also include safety regarding indoor and outdoor electricity. Conservation and ways to save money related to utility costs will also be discussed. Door prizes will be presented and an ice cream social will follow the event. To make reservations, call the office.
‘Julia Childs’ Sept. 24
An educational and entertaining live performance with a look at the life of well-known and beloved chef and cookbook author Julia Childs will be performed Monday, Sept. 24, at the Trestle Way Community Building. This program is supported by a grant from the Georgetown Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The program is offered free to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The Delvena Theater Company was founded in 1992. The company was nominated for five Independent Reviewers of New England awards.
Sept. birthday party Sept. 26
Join us on Wednesday, September 26, 11:30 a.m., to send best wishes to our friends who were born in September as the COA hosts the monthly birthday at the First Congregational Church. September birthday celebrants will receive a free lunch (everyone else is $2). To make reservations, call the office by Tuesday, Sept. 18.
September van trips
The September COA van schedule includes: Thursday, Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m. to Super Walmart in Salem, N.H.; Tuesday, Sept. 11, Newburyport, 9:30 a.m.; Thursday, Sept. 13, 10:30 a.m. to Kittery, Maine; Tuesday, Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. to Rowley; Thursday, Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m. to Plaistow, N.H.; Tuesday, Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m. to Seabrook; and Thursday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. to Haverhill. Suggested donation is $2 round trip. Reservations can be made two days in advance by calling the office.
Perley Pal Readers this fall
The Council on Aging and Georgetown School Department announce the continuation of the Perley Pal Readers program this fall. Now in its fifth year, the intergenerational guest reader program links Georgetown elders with early elementary classrooms at the Perley School. Although in its early stages of planning this year, interested elders are asked to donate approximately 1/2 hour each month to read. “I’m so looking forward to returning to the program,” one participant recently said. “The children were just wonderful and the teacher was just the greatest.” As the COA and Georgetown School Department plan the guest reader program at the Perley School, interested volunteers are asked to call the office.
Neet Fundraiser under way
The NEET (Northern Essex Elder Transport) Program is collecting used cellphones as a fundraiser for the volunteer driver elder medical transportation program. By partnering with Cellular Recycler, the National Council on Aging either recycles used cellphones for their metals or refurbishes the phones for use in developing countries. Funds raised by the local collection will benefit the NEET program. The fundraiser will continue through February. A collection box for used cellphones is available at the COA office.
Shared medical rides
The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) provides one day per week of shared medical transportation for MVRTA Special Services customers to Lahey Clinic in Peabody and several Boston hospitals. In Georgetown, a van will pick up and drop off clients on Monday at their homes. If you need a ride on another day, call the MVRTA’s Office of Special Services. At Lahey Clinic, customers should make medical appointments between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The van will depart Lahey Clinic no later than 3:30 p.m. Customers with medical appointments in Boston should make appointments between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The van will depart Boston no later than 3:30 p.m. Boston hospitals include Massachusetts General Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, Shriner’s Burn Institute, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Tufts New England Medical Center, Tufts Floating Hospital for Children, Beth Isreael/Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center and VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain. Rates are $8 cash one-way or $16 cash round trip. Reservations and applications will be necessary. Reservations may be made one to two weeks in advance by calling the MVRTA’s Office of Special Services at 978-469-6878, selecting Option 3. For further information, call the office.
Drivers for medical transportation
The COA is seeking additional volunteer drivers to provide medical transportation to local elders. Through Northern Essex Elder Transport, Inc. (N.E.E.T.), the COA provides local elders with rides to medical appointments. Staffed by volunteer drivers, a donation of 43 cents per mile is suggested to help support the program and defray the increased cost of gasoline for volunteer drivers. However, donations are only suggested and no one will be denied a ride if unable to give a donation.
Morning card games, cribbage
Drop in for a card game or cribbage game Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m., at the First Congregational Church. Coffee and snacks are served along with plenty of good fun.
Weekly exercise programs
In partnership with the Georgetown Housing Authority, the Georgetown COA offers weekly exercise programs at Trestle Way Community Room. Yoga classes are held at Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Strength Training classes are held at Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. A donation of $3 is suggested per class. An Indoor Walking Program Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30-5:30 p.m. will resume beginning Oct. 1 at the Penn Brook School.
