May 2014 Announcements – Bedford Council on Aging

Submitted by the Bedford Council on Aging

Entrance to the Council on Aging at the back of Bedford's Town Center - Image (c) Town of Bedford
Entrance to the Council on Aging at the back of Bedford’s Town Center – Image (c) Town of Bedford

Events at the Council on Aging during May, 2014.

Thursday May 1 at 11:15 AM
Fairy Homes & Gardens
Everyone loves fairies. They spark our imagination. Ethereal wings…flights of fancy…shimmering iridescent creatures… Where do they live? What do they do? What do they eat? We’ve searched worldwide and found artists who have made wonderful homes and gardens for the fairies and other wee people. Some are just doorways into fairy abodes; some are castles; and others are garden homes. These artists have helped answer some of our questions and provided fantastic homes and delightful gardens for fairies to live or just to visit for a while. Our Fairy Homes & Gardens book will be out in late 2014. You can get a head start now in this wonderful and charming 45 minute slide illustrated lecture at the Bedford Council on Aging. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Monday May 5 at 5:30 PM
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Señores and señoritas! Grab your sombreros and come celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Bedford Council on Aging on Monday May 5 at 5:30 PM. A festive dinner will be sponsored by BrightView Concord River. All are welcome! Please call (781) 275-6825 to reserve your spot!

Tuesday May 6 at 12:00 PM
Newbury Court Luncheon
Please be our guests on Tuesday, May 6th at Noon and enjoy a gourmet lunch catered by Newbury Court Retirement Community of Concord. Jane Taylor, Bedford resident and New Resident Liaison at Newbury Court, will be there to greet you and serve lunch. Lunch is complimentary. Space is limited so please reserve your spot in advance by calling the Bedford Council on Aging at (781)275-6825.

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Beginning Tuesday May 6 at 1:45 PM
“The Ultimate Hand II” Workshop
Do your hands hurt? This workshop is for painful, stiff hands and fingers. Learn self-care techniques to manage hand pain and improve movement. This 4-week workshop will begin on May 6 and will meet on Tuesdays from 1:45- 2:45 PM. Each session is $19 (Members of Osteofitness $15). Several sessions may be needed to experience the full benefits. Please bring your favorite lotion and remove as much jewelry as comfortable. Please register in advance by calling the Bedford Council on Aging at (781) 275-6825. Beverley Ikier is the hand therapist for many of Boston’s professional musicians, as well as students of music at BU’s College of Fine Arts.

Wednesday May 7 at 12:15 PM
The Many Faces of Fiber
Fiber goes by many names and it serves several purposes in our bodies. Peg Mikkola, RD, of Minuteman Senior Services will be at the Bedford Café on Wednesday May 7 at 12:15 pm to discuss the types of fiber, recommendations and sources of dietary fiber. Lunch is available prior to the talk at 11:45 AM by reservation only. Please call (781) 275-8542 to reserve a meal.

Thursday May 8 at 9:30-11:30 AM
Managing Your Future Through Downsizing
Rightsizing the home is still one of the significant ways that people can stabilize their finances in retirement. Reducing maintenance costs and freeing up capital are very effective tools. This seminar sponsored by Lester Gardner, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, will help provide you with some information to help you in the decision making process. Other presenters include a financial group, loan officer, and an attorney. Light refreshments will be served and coupons for some local vendors will be available. Please register by calling the Bedford Council  on Aging at (781) 275-6825.

Thursday May 8 at 2:00 PM
Living With Widows 8 (or XP?)
With the advent of Microsoft dropping support and updates for Windows XP, many people still using that PC operating system are faced with understanding what that means for them. If the answer is to buy a new computer, the PC you buy (or have bought recently) will be using Windows 8 and other new Microsoft software products. On Thursday, May 8 at 2:00 PM at the Bedford Council on Aging, Leo Cierpial will explain your options and get you started in the right direction if you become a new Windows 8 user. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for individual help sessions. Send email to [email protected] if you have a question.

Wednesday May 14 at 10:00 AM
Underground Railroad Quilts: Code to Freedom
Secret messages in the form of quilt patterns helped slaves escape the bonds of captivity in the Southern states before and during the American Civil War. Slaves could not read or write; it was illegal to teach a slave to do so. Codes, therefore, were important to the slaves’ existence and their route to freedom, which eventually became known as the Underground Railroad. Some forms of dance, spirituals, code words and phrases, and memorized symbols all allowed the slaves to communicate with each other on a level their white owners could not interpret. Lisa Honka, Community Sales Director from BrightView Concord River, and talented quilter Joan Lavasser will share with you some of the history and symbolism of the quilt patterns on Wednesday May 14 at 10:00 AM. Joan will have some of her quilts on hand to show. Please call the Bedford Council on Aging at (781) 275-6825 to register!

Wednesday May 14 at 1:00 PM
Choosing Peace of Mind and Control for the Long Term: Housing Options
Attorney Dale J. Tamburro in cooperation with the Bedford Senior Center, will present a seminar about Housing Options, Long Term Care Insurance, and Reverse Mortgages and Trusts for Seniors on May 14, 2014 with special guest speakers Scott Cohen, LUTC and Alex Gottfried, Reverse Mortgage Consultant. The presentation will begin at 1:00 PM at the Center, FREE of charge. Sign up at the Center is a MUST.

In addition to any questions you may have for the Speakers, they will also cover the following major topics during this session:

  • Remaining Home or NOT?
  • Staying Home Benefits and Disadvantages Issues
  • Irrevocable Trust to Protect from Nursing Home and other Creditors
  • Reverse Mortgages in detail
  • Downsizing in General
  • Renting, children move in with you
  • Assisted Living Facilities or Continued Care Communities basics
  • Long Term Care Insurance: Home, Assisted Living and Nursing Home
  • Long Term Care Insurance and Life Insurance Hybrid

And if we have time:

  • Creative Asset Protection if you want to move in with someone else

Dale will also be offering three 45-minute individual consultations that day beginning at 9:00 AM. Please call the Bedford Council on Aging at (781) 275-6825 to register for the seminar or to make an individual appointment.

Thursday May 15 at 11:00 AM
Hypertension- Know Your Numbers!
Everybody needs to know their blood pressure numbers. An estimated 78 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. Hypertension is considered to be a silent killer because someone that has high blood pressure may not show any symptoms. Understand how your medication works and learn how lifestyle modification can help you reach your treatment goal with less medication. Joyce Cheng, the Community Health Nurse of Bedford Board of Health will lead a discussion on Hypertension on Thursday May 15 at 11 AM. You will learn what you can do to maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce the long term damage of the disease.

Monday May 19 at 7:00 PM
Living with Food Sensitivities
Do you live with headaches, eczema, acne, upset stomach or intestinal difficulties? This could be the result of food allergies. Join Laura Coulter on Monday May 19 at 7:00 PM to learn the answers to the following questions: What are food sensitivities vs. allergies? What are some possible symptoms? How do you know if you are sensitive? You will also learn about some new medical research, strategies for ordering out (favorite restaurants), easy cooking (how to substitute) and recipes. Please register in advance by calling the Bedford Council on Aging at (781) 275-6825. Laura Coulter is a teacher and mind body practitioner who has lived with food allergies her whole life. The birth of her children educated her as to symptom free living, baking and skin care that were allergen free.

Wednesday May 21 at 5:30 PM
How to Remember Not to Forget
You are invited to join Joan Houlihan, Executive Director of Atria Woodbriar Assisted Living in Falmouth, for a “cheery, fun, interactive event”! Noted author of the book “How to Remember Not to Forget”, Joan brings her years of experience in health-care management and adult education to this wonderful collection of insightful observations, humorous situations, and sensible solutions to everyday concerns about your memory. Not only will you learn the latest on day-to-day memory, but Joan will also give you “homework” to keep you sharp! A light meal will be sponsored by Atria Longmeadow Place of Burlington. RSVP is required as space is limited! Please call the Bedford Council on Aging at (781) 275-6825.

Thursday May 22 at 1:00 PM
Trail Walk
Join Alissa for the first of our Trail Walk series! We’ll kick things off by exploring one of Bedford’s hidden gems, Fawn Lake Conservation Area. We’ll explore our local flora and fauna while getting some fresh air and exercise! This will be a ½ -1 mile walk with some uneven ground. Please wear appropriate footwear. We will meet at the Fawn Lake parking area on Sweetwater Ave. on Thursday May 22 at 1:00 PM. Please call the Bedford Council on Aging at (781) 275-6825 to register by May 21.

Wednesday May 28
at 7:00 PM
Opera by 3
Silver-Ebony-Ivory Trio presents a delightful program of original pieces and transcriptions of favorite arias and ensembles from famous operas composed by George Bizet, W.A. Mozart, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, and others at the Bedford Council on Aging.
♪ Carol Hunt Epple, flute, is principal flute of the Kammerwerke Double Wind Quintet, and performs regularly at First Parish in Bedford, and at other churches and venues.
♪ Elizabeth Connors, clarinet, is a music teacher by training. A graduate of the University of Lowell and The New England Conservatory of Music, she has performed with large ensembles as well as in chamber music venues throughout New England.
♪ Bradford Conner, piano, has been Music Director at First Parish (Bedford) since 2005. He performs regularly with Carol Epple and Elizabeth Connors in a repertoire from classical to contemporary. Conner also collaborates with baritone Benjamin Sears in the United States and Europe. LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED. PLEASE RSVP BY CALLING (781) 275-6825. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Bedford Council on Aging Trips

  • Explore Boston – Wednesday May 21 ($65) Explore the City of Boston like never before with critically acclaimed actor, teacher and historian Stephen Collins. Experience a fully narrated 100 minute tour by a professionally licensed guide that includes the historical, literary, and architectural treasures of “Beantown”. A few of the sites encompassed in the tour include the USS Constitution, the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, the State House, Longfellow Bridge, Trinity Church, Cambridge, and Copley Square. Enjoy an authentic Italian lunch at Salvatore’s on the Waterfront. The bus will depart at 10:00 am and will return at about 3:00 pm.
  • Newport Flower Show – Saturday June 28 ($75) This year’s Newport Flower Show is themed “Journey: Grand Vistas”. It features breathtaking floral displays in the glorious oceanfront setting of Rosecliff Mansion! Rosecliff provides an ideal canvas for this annual spectacular! Bring your appetite for a lunch buffet at the popular Atlantic Beach Club. The bus will depart at 8 am and will return at about 4:30 pm. Sign up begins May 1.
  • Menopause the Musical – Tuesday June 24 ($55) This hilarious musical parody staged to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for over 10 years! Set in a department store, four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra on sale, come to find they have more to share than ever imagined…The bus will depart promptly at 1:00 PM and will return at about 5:30 PM. Due to reservation requirements, we will need payment in full by May 31.
  • Mohegan Sun & Lobster Boil – Thursday July 24 ($75) Escape to Mohegan Sun Casino, the magical place of 150,000 square feet of non-stop excitement! Try your luck at your choice of nearly 3,000 state-of-the-art slot machines or one of 170 table games! Not a gambler? Explore the many shops or visit the Day Spa! Then we are off to George’s of Galilee for a traditional lobster boil! Enjoy RI clam chowder and clam cakes, garden salad and your choice of steamed 1.25 lb lobster or 12oz char-grilled rib eye! Both served with potato, corn, beverage and watermelon for dessert! This trip includes 5 hours at the Casino, $15 food voucher, $15 free bet, and the lobster boil. Your deluxe motorcoach will depart at 7:15 AM and will return at about 7:00 PM. Sign up begins May 1. Full payment and meal choice due upon reservation.
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