Senior Center News, July 8, 2022

July North Central Senior Citizens Center activity calendar

“Wear your years with pride, like a badge of honor, for you have conquered. You have thrived. You have survived!”

Monday, July 11, 1-3 p.m.

Cards, cribbage and pinochle game tables for players. Come and play your favorite game with your friends. Meet new friends!

Tuesday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The barbershop quartet The Nerds of Notes will harmonize and sing popular songs

Tuesday, July 12, 1-3 p.m.

Bingo

Thursday, July 14, 10-2 p.m.

Great Northern Fair trip. Meet at the senior center at 9:45 a.m. and ride as a group to the fair! Seating on the bus is limited to 13 passengers; please reserve your spot and RSVP to Heather 406-265-5464

Monday, July 18, 11-11:30 a.m.

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce is recruiting volunteers. Several different opportunities from clerical work to providing directions and local information for visitors. Come to the Senior Center and meet Jessica Fagerbakke, the new Director of the Chamber, as she discusses volunteer opportunities

Tuesday, July 19, 11 a.m. to noon

Mary Stevens, harpist and keyboardist, will play lovely music for your wanting ears

Tuesday, July 19, 1-3 p.m.

Bingo

Thursday, July 21, 9-0:30 a.m.

A Walk in the Neighborhood — Starting at Senior Center we will walk through Second and Third avenue historical neighborhoods. Map and discussion of history and architectural styles used in home construction will ensue

Monday, July 25, 1-3 p.m.

Cards, cribbage and pinochle game tables for players. Come and play your favorite game with your friends. Meet new friends!

Tuesday, July 26, 1-3 p.m.

Bingo

Wednesday, July 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Foot Care Clinic — A Plus Healthcare. Jan Knudson, licensed nurse, will be at the Senior Center to provide medical pedicure and general nail care. Diabetic foot care assessment is provided. Appointments are made by calling A Plus Healthcare at 406-265-4776. The cost is $37.00

Thursday, July 28, 10:30-11:45 a.m.

For those who are interested in farming and grain production will be interested in this fascinating story by Holly Barker: “Of the 11 seed banks Vavilov established across the Soviet Union, the main collection in St. Petersburg still stands. It remains one of the largest repositories of seeds and planted crops anywhere in the world, 80 percent of which cannot be found elsewhere.” Come listen and follow along to “A Blight on Soviet Science.”

“When is this “old enough to know better” suppose to kick in?”

If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to call Heather Winter, activities coordinator, at 406-265-5464

———

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

July 11-15

Menu

Monday, July 11 — Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, beets, cookies

Tuesday, July 12 — Salad, roast pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli Normandy, rolls, cake

Wednesday, July 13 —Cheese burgers, macaroni salad, baked beans, dessert

Thursday, July 14 — Creamy Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, Riviera vegetables, pudding

Friday, July 15 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: June 27, 57 new cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,047, active 38, one active hospitalization, one hospitalization discharged, total deaths 74. Right now community transmission is trending up again and everyone should be wearing masks and social distancing is a good idea. As of now we are 77% vaccinated in Hill county, and are doing better.

Certain antioxidants may lower dementia risk: Antioxidants are found in vegetables and fruits. They help protect your cells from damage. Eating lots of produce can help lower your risk of heart disease and other health problems. A new study found that certain antioxidants may also reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Dementia harms your ability to remember, think, and make decisions. Studies have found several lifestyle factors that may help lower the risk of getting dementia. These include eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and socializing with others. Getting enough sleep and doing activities that challenge your brain may also help. Further studies are needed to test whether adding certain antioxidants to our diet can really help protect the brain from dementia. Our story continues.

Bingo: For a good time, come to bingo at the Havre senior center at 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

News from our gift shop: Spring has arrived in the gift shop we have some new and unique items. Handmade items available also — slippers, fishing flies, scrubbies, necklaces and kitchen towels. Greeting cards for all occasions only 25 cents each. All flower arrangements 50% off. Perfect for centerpieces, get-well gifts, etc. Hope to see you there.

Would you like to be a volunteer at the senior center? We are very thankful for the many volunteers who help us daily and also during our special events. If you have a little extra time, we could sure use your help. We are finding ourselves a little short on volunteers now that we have opened our doors after closing due to the pandemic. If you would like to share your time and talents, please give us a call at 406-265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Wanted: If you have any gently used knick-knacks (chachkis) you don’t need any more, we would be glad to take them off your hands. Call us at 265-5464 or stop down to see us. Thanks.

Transportation: Remember the senior center has reached an agreement with North Central Montana Transit to take over the transportation of our seniors. This change seems to be going very well. If you need a ride call 406-265-4762. They would appreciate a 24-hour notice for local rides and a 48-hour notice for Great Falls trips.

Scams: Scam calls are still widespread. Text messages and emails are also becoming popular. Do not respond to any of them. Do not even open them, just delete them. Medicare isn’t issuing gold cards. Talk to someone in the community before you consider a reverse mortgage.

Commodities: If you are interested in receiving commodities, we still have some open slots. You can sign up at the Senior Center, fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to Senior Center to pick them up.

Available COVID-19 testing in Hill County:

Northern Montana Health Care — Testing of contacts call 406-262-1570 for an appointment. Sick people 16 and under: Call 406-265-5408 for an appointment. Sick people 17 and over: call 406-262-1570 for an appointment.

Bullhook Community Health Center: Testing of contacts: register at this link: https://forms.gle/ark5xEKJDFaXZHZ97 .

Montana State University-Northern: Staff and students of MSU-Northern only: Call Student Health Services at 406-265-3599.

Havre Public Schools — Staff and students of Havre Public Schools only: Call Jeri Zorn at 406-390-2210.

Rocky Boy Health Center: Anyone who is eligible to receive services at Rocky Boy Health Center, or community members that live or work on the reservation: call 406-395-1712 for an appointment or with questions.

**Testing subject to change based on availability and demand.**

Silver Sneakers Membership: The Hill County Counsel on Aging, also known as the senior center, is excited to say we are working with Down Under Physical Fitness for the seniors and sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker memberships at Down Under. You may already be attending their Silver Sneaker program and still take advantage of this offer. The classes are at 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday and also 2 p.m. Wednesday. At this point in time, the Wednesday classes will be limited to 10 participants with all COVID-19 safety precautions in place. As a senior wishing to participate, contact Down Under at 406-265-4805 and request the Silver Sneaker membership being sponsored by the Hill county Senior Center. Please call Down Under at 406-265-4805 and schedule your time while requesting one of the memberships.

Important phone numbers

• Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

• Tumbleweed Runaway and Family Crisis Program: 259-2558 (local) 1-888-816-4702 (toll free)

• Friendship Line by Institute on Aging — The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warm-line for non-emergency emotional support calls. It is a 24-hour toll-free line and the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. Toll-Free Line: (800) 971-0016

• For seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line.