HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Conference Room – Senior Center
Present: Rick Mansfield, Faye Ellis, Maureen Locke, Rebecca Tornblom, Marilyn Burnham, Jacqueline Kelly, Jim Robinson, Louise Charbonneau, Maureen Buffone.
The Minutes from the May 2, 2013 meeting were approved and accepted.
F.H.C.O.A. REPORT
Faye reported the account balances as of May 6, 2013 as follows:
Commerce Bank $13,645.50
Leominster Credit Union (furnishings acct.) $4,046.02
Leominster Credit Union C.D. $23,650.95
LCU Trip Account $4,064.65
The Friends have organized a committee that will meet this summer to discuss ideas on giving more back to the seniors. Clare has asked for help funding some of our programs. The Friends have purchased a software program to run the newsletter labels according to new regulations from the post office. The Friends voted to pay for the program, as it is cheaper than hiring a mailing company. It also will not take away from the seniors that enjoy getting together to work on the newsletters.
HELP AT H.O.M.E. REPORT ~ Jim Robinson
Jim reported that he has no new financial information. They are still in very good shape.
BOARD OF ELDER SERVICES REPORT ~ Richard Mansfield
Rick did not get to last month’s Elder Services meeting. Elder Services is still doing marketing and is looking at new logos. Their new location is great, and everyone is now in one (1) building. The House Ways and Means budget has been released, and a $60,000.00 donation has been received by Elder Services for the nutrition program. Rick distributed an outline of Elder Services’ programs.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT ~ Louise Charbonneau
Louise outlined June’s events as follows:
Thursday, June 6 ~ Pen Pal Party at Mayo School; Movie - “Ramona & Beezus”
Monday, June 10 ~ First Ladies Part Two; Bereavement Support Group
Tuesday, June 11 ~ Lunch with Chief Sherrill
Thursday, June 13 ~ Book Discussion Group - Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan; Movie - “The Italian Job”
Monday, June 17 ~ Fathers’ Day Coffee and Donuts
Thursday, June 20 ~ Movie - “American Experience: RFK”
Thursday, June 27 ~ Movie - “A Mile in His Shoes”
Louise thanked the Professional Firefighters of Holden for sponsoring the delicious and lively lunch held on May 17th. Everyone, including the staff and the firefighters, themselves, had a wonderful time.
In response to feedback we have received, we will be starting a new format to our Bereavement Group. Beginning on Tuesday, July 9, we will offer a group for Widows and Widowers which will require registration in order to participate. The time of the group will be decided based on the needs of the majority of registered participants. The group will meet once each month for 6 months. Having this new format for the group will allow for a deeper level of support and discussion among participants as well as opportunities to learn more about how to become more resilient as they grieve. To enroll in the group, clients are asked to call facilitator Carol Recchion at 774-258-1468 by Thursday, June 27. Those other than widows or widowers who have suffered a loss are encouraged to contact Carol, and she
will provide referrals to appropriate groups for support.
Because the Senior Center needs to be open for Holden Days, which will be held on Saturday, August, 24 from 9:00-3:00, the Friends have decided to hold an indoor flea market on Holden Days. Tables/spaces will be $20.00 each. If you have things you’d like to get rid of, how better than a table in our air conditioned building! Please be aware that whatever you do not sell, you must take home with you, as we have no storage space available. Payment must be received at the time you register.
We are now offering our blood pressure clinics every Tuesday. We have two new volunteer nurses: Margaret Regele and Nancy Owens. We are grateful they are enabling us to offer this expanded service.
We decided to skip the Strawberry Festival this year. Over the last few years our numbers for this event have diminished, and the Firefighters served Strawberry Shortcake in May. We will revisit the idea next year.
Enjoy a "cool" presentation by Gregg Sculthorpe from HPD, called THE LAST GREAT RACE ON EARTH, commonly known as the Iditarod. Gregg, along with his brother and father, had a trip to Anchorage, Alaska a few years ago to witness this event. The presentation will feature lots of photos and stories of their adventure. The program will be held Monday, July 15 at 1:00 p.m. This program is free and open to all, with refreshments.
Back by popular demand, Two Old Friends will present a lively performance on Wednesday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. featuring banjo, guitar, mandolin, concertina, and bodran. Plaintive ballads, foot-stomping tunes, traditional Irish tunes and story telling make this an event for everyone. The concert will be followed by a summer social. Free, open to all, and air conditioned! Reservations required.
We will be holding our Annual Picnic this year on Thursday, August 15 at noon. If you’d like to attend or offer a helping hand, please let Maureen or myself know via phone or e-mail.
We would like to thank the Holden Womens Club for partially funding the Ken Lelen Concert and the Holden Cultural Council for subsidizing the Ruth Harcovitz Concert.
MAY STATISTICS
Ken Lelen Concert – 49
Ruth Harcovitz Concert – 44
Legal Presentation – 40
Firefighters Luncheon – 113
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Marilyn Burnham attended the board training at the Paxton Senior Center. Emmett Schmarsow from EOEA was the facilitator. Marilyn said it reinforced how lucky we are here.
CITIZENS ADDRESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. at the Holden Senior Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Buffone
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