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Tonawanda Senior Citizens Center April 2010 Newsletter
Center Hours The center is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Call us anytime at 692-7029. We have a health maintenance room with several pieces of exercise equipment for use by seniors 55 years of age and older. This room is open daily until 3:30pm. The downstairs game room, featuring three beautiful billiard tables, is open daily until 3:45pm. We also have a TV room downstairs where the computer is kept for your use.
Monthly Newsletter Can you help the City Go Green and save money? If you have an internet e-mail address at home, we can send you the newsletter by e-mail. Call Karen at the Parks Office at 505-1172 or e-mail her at kisloski@ci.tonawanda.ny.us
Center Closed The Center will be closed on Friday, April 2nd for observance of Good Friday. We will re-open on Monday, April 5th.
Special Activities at the Center this Month
Dinner Meeting This month's dinner is on Monday, April 26th. Bingo begins at 4:00pm ,followed by a Roast Pork dinner served at 5:00pm and the meeting at 6:15. Following the meeting Timothy Demler will explain features of a bagpipe and demonstrate some music for us. Reservations are required for dinner and tickets must be purchased by Friday, April 23rd. Cost is $6.00 and all members are welcome to attend the meeting and program.
Erie County Legislator Kevin Hardwick Legislator Kevin Hardwick will visit the Center on Thursday, April 8th from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Drop in to say hello. Light refreshments will be served.
AARP Driving Class Would you like to save 10% on your car insurance? This class offered by A.A.R.P will help you to learn how to improve your driving skills and drive safer. Upon completion of this course , you will be able to get a discount of 10% for the next three years on your liability insurance. The classes will be at the center on Wednesday, June 16th and Friday, June 18th and Wednesday, September 8th and Friday the 10th . The classes are held from 8:00am to 12:00pm each day. Members must attend both days in order to receive credit.The fee is now $12.00 for A.A.R.P members and $14.00 for non members. The fee must be paid by check or money order, made payable to A.A.R.P. Cash will NOT be accepted. To register for this program call the Center at 692-7029.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield If you have any questions regarding your health coverage, a representative will be here Tuesday, April 20th from 1pm-2pm.
Health Insurance Info, Counseling and Assistance Program (HICAP) This program is sponsored by the Erie County Dept. of Senior Services. Call the Center to make an appointment with the representative. If you are going to be 65 soon, you should ask questions about three months before your birthday. Anyone may make an appointment if you have questions regarding current coverage or comparing other coverage available. A representative will be here Tuesday, April 20th at 1pm or call the office for an appointment.
E.P.I.C. New York’s Senior Prescription Plan Do you need help paying for your prescription drugs? If you are a NYS senior 65 years of age or older, EPIC may be able to help you save 90% of the cost of your prescriptions. NEW- Beginning March 2010, EPIC will start issuing new cards for members. This will apply to members who just recently recertified or joined in February, so if you just received a new EPIC card, you will be getting a new one issued and that will be the one that is effective.The new cards will no longer have your social security number as the ID. Show your new card to your pharmacy. If you fail to do this, your EPIC will not be active. When you receive your new card you should destroy your old one immediately. To enroll in EPIC, seniors must have annual incomes under $35,000 if single, or under $50,000 if married. Seniors with a Medicaid spend-down plan are eligible, but those with full Medicaid benefits are not. Seniors with moderate incomes pay a low quarterly fee and participate in the Fee Plan. Those with higher incomes participate in the Deductible Plan and must meet an annual deductible. Members who pay a fee or those who have met their deductible, pay a co-payment at the pharmacy when purchasing prescriptions. By using EPIC and Medicare drug coverage together, seniors not only save more on prescription drugs, but have better coverage.Confused? A representative will be at the center on Wednesday, April 7th, May 25th, and June 15th from 12:30-2:00 pm or call the toll-free EPIC Hotline at 1-800-332-3742 (TTY 1-800-290-9138). Their website is:http://www.nyhealth.gov/health_care/epic/
Services at the Center
Attorney Mark Saltarelli will be at the center on Thursday, April 8th at 10:30am. This is a free service with no appointment necessary.
Pharmacist Walgreens pharmacist Andy Montante will be at the center on Tuesday, April 20th at 1:00pm.
Blood Pressure Screening Fire Department personnel provide this free service. This month, stop by on Thursday, April 1st from 11:00-11:30am.
Reading & Puzzles We have a small library of books and jigsaw puzzles available for your use. These items may be taken out at anytime without a time limit for return. Donations are always welcome.
Cell Phone You either hate them or love them, but the reality is that more people have them than you know. What am I talking about? A cell phone of course. In this day and age the cell phone is pretty common and although they can be a nuisance, they have proven to be something that is very useful and provides safety to those who have one. There is a way to receive a free cell phone with free minutes monthly. There are no strings attached, you just have to qualify. You may qualify if you participate in any of the following government programs:
You CANNOT be receiving the Lifeline discount on your current phone service. The two companies that are participating are: Safelink Wireless (Trac Phone) 1-800-977-3768 and Assurance Wireless (Virgin Mobile) 1-800-321-5880. You can call them for any questions or more information.
SPRINGTIME Spring, we enjoy the blossoming flowers. Pleasing aromas in spring are comforting. Rain showers help the flowers grow. Ideal time of the year. Nature is all around us. Good time to start a garden Time to plant vegetable and flower seeds. Inch by inch, we watch the garden grow. More April showers will come our way. Each little bud bursts into a bloom.
Advice from A Tree Stand tall and proud. Sink your roots into the earth. Be content with your natural beauty. Go out on a limb. Drink plenty of water. Remember your roots. Enjoy the view.
Concerts In The Church St. Francis of Assisi, on Broad Street in the City of Tonawanda presents the "Concert in the Church Series". The concerts are open to the public and there is no admission fee. The schedule is as follows:
" Erie County Wind Ensemble"- professional musicians from the WNY area under the direction of John Maguda.
Adult Morning Swim- at THS
Lap Swim & Water Aerobics Water Aerobics is a group-led activity at the Tonawanda High School pool. Certified Life-guard is Ethan Bachman. Session 2 : Monday/Wednesday/ Friday. March 31- May 28 ( 20 sessions)7:15am- 8:00am THS pool Cost: $33.00 resident$29.70 senior resident $38.00 non-resident $34.20 senior non-resident Please call or stop in the Continuing Education office at the Tonawanda High School to register. The daytime phone number is 213-4799 from 8am-4pm or night number is 695-5501 from 6pm-9pm Mondays- Fridays.
Park Permits Park Reservations are now available in the parks office (DPW building), at 150 Fillmore Ave. Many dates fill up quickly so come and get yours soon. Large shelters at Veterans Park are $50.00 for residents, and $100.00 for non-residents. Small shelters are $25.00 for residents, and $40.00 for non-residents. We also have Eastern Park available for rental. The cost is $75.00 for residents or $150.00 for non-residents. For more information please call 505-1172.
Instructional Classes & Recreation Floor Yoga Bring a mat for this class on Thursday, April 1st at 1:00pm. For only $12.00, to be paid at the first class, you can come and enjoy!
New!! Wii Bowling League Now on Friday’s Beginning on Friday, April 9th at 11:00am to 12:30 pm we are starting a Wii bowling league. The league will run for 10 weeks starting Friday, April 9th through Friday, June 11th. Any-one interested in joining can call the office or stop by on Friday to come and watch the fun. If you are unable to attend Friday mornings feel free to come to the Center any time to play. The system is available to use any time and is easy to start-up.
Bowling It‟s not too late to join. Come bowl with us at 1:30 pm every Tuesday at Manor Lanes. All members are welcome to join anytime.
Beginners Line Dancing - Marion Schultz Classes for this program are held on Monday mornings at 9:35am and there is no fee for this class. Come and join us anytime!
Advanced Line Dancing - Marion Schultz Now, you have the basics, learn some new steps. There is no fee for this class and we meet at 10:00 am Monday mornings.
Ceramic Class All materials are supplied at no charge. Why not join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:00am and make a ceramic piece?
Craft Class Join us every Thursday in April at 10:00am. Come and make some wonderful spring crafts. The more people, the more fun! Materials are supplied for you.
Regular Programs
Happy Notes - Tuesdays at 10:35am9 Ball Singles Billiards - Thursdays at 1:00pmLadies Billiards - Fridays at 1:00pmMen's Billiards - Wednesdays at 1:00pm8 Ball Singles Billiards - Mondays at 1:00pmProgressive Pinochle - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 1:00pmProgressive Euchre - Thursdays at 1:00pm
Travel Club Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 8th at 10am at the Senior Center. On April 22nd a trip to Shea‟s in downtown Buffalo has been scheduled. We will see "Jersey Boys" and have lunch afterwards at The Pearl Street Grill. Cost is $128.50. Also, June 22-24 we will be traveling to Lancaster, PA to see 2 shows: "Joseph" and "Palms of David." Cost is $349.00. For more information call: Ann Gray at 693-3757
Member Updates
In Memoriam Donald Butterworth Virginia O'Connor Sue Ann Gorman Norma Frech Marie Wood
Sunshine Secretary If anyone knows of a member who is shut-in at home, resides in a nursing home, or is in the hospital, please call the office. These members are remembered with cards for the Holidays.
2010 Census:
To Define Who We Are As A Nation What : The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States.Who: All U.S. residents must be counted- both citizens and non citizens.When: You will receive your questionnaire in March 2010 either by U.S. mail or hand delivery. Some people in remote areas will be counted in person.Why : The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years to count the population and determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.How: Households should complete and mail back their questionnaires upon receipt. Households that do not respond may receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census takers will visit households that do not return questionnaires to take a count in person.The Importance of Census Data E very year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data. Census data are used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, new housing developments and other community facilities. Census data determine boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Census Questionnaire: Easy, Important and Safe With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Households are asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual's responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. Key Dates:
April 1 May- July 2010 December 31 For more information about the 2010 Census, go to: 2010census.gov
April Calendar 1st 9:30 Ton Homemakers 10:00 Brothers Keeper 10:00 Crafts 11:00 Blood Pressure 1:00 Euchre, 9 Ball 1:00 Floor Yoga
2nd Closed
5th 9:35 Beg. Line Dance 10:00 Adv. Line Dance 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 8 Ball Tourney
6th 9:35 Bargemen 10:35 Happy Notes 1:30 Bowling
7th 10:00 Ceramics 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 Men’s Billiards EPIC 12:30- 2:00 TAXES 10am-3pm
8th 9:30 Ton Homemakers 10:00 Brothers Keeper 10:00 Travel Club 10:00 Crafts 1:00 Euchre, 9 Ball 1:00 Floor Yoga Kevin Hardwick 9-12 Attorney 10:30am
9th 11:00 Wii Bowling 1:00 Ladies Billiards 1:00 Prog. Pinochle
12th 9:35 Beg. Line Dance 10:00 Adv. Line Dance 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 8 Ball Tourney
13th 9:35 Bargemen 10:35 Happy Notes 1:30 Bowling
14th 10:00 Ceramics 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 Men’s Billiards TAXES 10am-3pm
15th 9:30 Ton Homemakers 10:00 Brothers Keeper 10:00 Crafts 10:00 Travel Club 1:00 Euchre, 9 Ball 1:00 Floor Yoga
16th 11:00 Wii Bowling 1:00 Ladies Billiards 1:00 Prog. Pinochle
19th 9:35 Beg. Line Dance 10:00 Adv. Line Dance 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 8 Ball Tourney
20th 9:35 Bargemen 10:35 Happy Notes 1:00 Pharmacist 1:30 Bowling HICAP 1pm-2pm BC &BS 1pm-2pm
21st 10:00 Ceramics 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 Men’s Billiards
22nd 9:30 Ton Homemakers 10:00 Brothers Keeper 10:00 Crafts 1:00 Euchre, 9 Ball 1:00 Floor Yoga
23rd 11:00 Wii Bowling 1:00 Ladies Billiards 1:00 Prog. Pinochle
26th 9:35 Beg. Line Dance 10:00 Adv. Line Dance 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 8 Ball Tourney Bingo/Dinner/Meeting 4pm, 5pm, 6:15pm
27th 9:35 Bargemen 10:35 Happy Notes 1:30 Bowling
28th 10:00 Ceramics 1:00 Pinochle 1:00 Men’s Billiards
29th 9:30 Ton Homemakers 10:00 Brothers Keeper 10:00 Crafts 1:00 Euchre, 9 Ball 1:00 Floor Yoga
30th 11:00 Wii Bowling 1:00 Ladies Billiards 1:00 Prog. Pinochle
April 2010 Dates To Celebrate
We Wish Everyone a Happy Easter!
Vial of Life People find themselves in emergencies that make it difficult to think straight. At these times, all emergency personnel who are trying to help you need to know many things about you. The Vial of life is designed to speak for you when you can‟t speak for yourself. The vial contains important medical information that can assist emergency personnel in administering the proper medical treatment. It is FREE, so all it will cost you is a little time. Information and forms for this program are available at the Center.
Internet A computer with internet access has been installed in the downstairs TV room. The computer can be used by any senior, anytime that the center is open. Guidelines for use are posted. If you have never used the internet before, let Doreen know and we will make arrangements to teach you how to "surf the net".
Income Tax Time Don‟t forget, April 15th is the last day to file your taxes! The Tax Preparers will be at the Center April 7th and April 14th from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments are necessary. You may call the office or stop in to set up an appointment. Listed below is a check list of what information you will need to bring with you: Social security cards, 2009 tax return copies, this year's W-2 forms and pension statements, interest and dividend income statements, state refund received if taxable, social security income received form (SSA), unemployment income, self employment income and expenses, lottery/gambling income/losses, alimony income/paid, stock transactions, income from K-1 forms, IRA contributions, new motor vehicle sales tax and real estate taxes paid. Any further questions, please feel free to call the Office.
Community Information
Community Fair This is the 7th Annual Fair and will be held at Tonawanda High School at Fletcher and Hinds Streets on Saturday, April 10th from 10am-2pm. The Fair is a free all-ages event, open to the public, featuring information tables and demonstrations from local agencies, businesses, organizations, community groups, and school groups. The event also includes refreshment sales and children's activities.
American Legion Band Pops Concert The American Legion Post 264 Band will per-form at the Riviera Theatre on Sunday, April 11th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Tickets are available at the Center or at the American Legion at 60 Main St.
Great American Clean- Up On Saturday, April 17th help make a difference in the City of Tonawanda by volunteering to "Clean-Up". If you want to join an existing event, we have groups assigned to Niawanda Park, City Hall, Gateway Harbor and the Long Homestead. If you want to do your own event, we need help in Veterans Park, Millstream Pond, Clinton Park, Eastern Park, Ives Soccer Fields or any playground or recreational area. Times are flexible, but 9-11:30am would be great. Lunch will be provided following the clean-up and even a few raffle prizes will be given away. Please contact Karen @ 505-1172, Linda @ 505-1024 or Mandy @ 695-8658 by April 9th. Thank you.
Community Project In conjunction with the Auxiliary group of the American Legion Post 264, we are collecting cut out manufacturers coupons which the Post sends to a central distribution Center. They in turn send them where military families are, which they can use at the base. If you would like to participate in this program you can drop off the coupons at the center. The Auxiliary group of Post 264 thanks you for taking the time to support our service men and their families.
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