Senior Center News, Sept. 2, 2022

North Central Senior

Citizens Center

Sept. 5-9

Menu

Monday, Sept. 5 — Closed — Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday, Sept. 6 — Salad, spaghetti with meat sauce, bread sticks, green beans, cake

Wednesday, Sept. 7 — Oven-baked fish, rice pilaf, peas, coffee cake

Thursday, Sept. 8 — Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cookies

Friday, Sept. 9 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Aug. 29, 37 new cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,569, eight active, one active hospitalization, no hospitalizations discharged, total deaths 74. Right now, community transmission is trending up again and we should all be wearing masks and social distancing is a good idea. As of now we are 78% vaccinated in Hill County, and are doing better.

The North Central Senior Citizens Center and Havre seniors extend a warm and grateful thank you to Michael Stevenson for entertaining us with his wide range of music selections and dynamic playing, to Mary Stevens for her lovely and tranquil harp selections and pleasing key board pieces and to Brad Taylor, BJs Geetar & Oakie for the fun guitar music and melodies. We appreciate your commitment and participation. Thank you.

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

The 53rd Annual Governor’s Conference on Aging, 2022, Will be held at the Copper King Hotel and Convention Center in Butte Oct. 4 and 5. The mission is to offer information and education to our older citizens, their families and caregivers. They cover topics relevant to all people who are dealing with aging and disability issues. People of all ages gather together, they learn more about one another and increase their understanding of the problems and emotional stress that we all face as we care for our most vulnerable members. We are hosting a Centenarian Luncheon at noon Oct. 4 at Copper King Hotel. Are you, or do you know a Centenarian in your community? If so, we would like to hear about them. Please call us at 406-265-5464. This year, the Conference will be live-streamed across Montana. If you are interested in attending the Conference call us at the Havre senior center or stop in and sign up. It will cost you nothing.

News from our gift shop: 50% off everything in the gift shop now through Sep. 9. Come visit our senior citizens gift shop Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Christmas in August”: Think gifts. It’s never too early to shop for bargains. Several collections are available and priced just right. “Precious Moments,” “Promise Bear Collection,” “Owl Collection,” “Bear Collection” and “Chicken Collection.” Handmade items include slippers, fishing flies, necklaces, scrubbies. Yarn and other craft items can be found. New items added often. The gift store is taking donations of new and gently used items and yarn.

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.

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.

Silver Sneakers Membership: The Hill County Council 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.

September Havre senior center activity calendar

“Aging is something that doesn’t matter — unless you are a cheese” — Billie Burke

Hill County-area seniors are warmly invited to come and enjoy coffee and conversation with your friends daily at the center until 3 p.m. Come on over!

Tuesday, Sept. 6 — 10:-11:45 a.m. BJ’s Geetar & Oakie — Excellent variety of instrumental music combinations of guitar backed by professionally recorded accompaniment. Music from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Tuesday, Sept. 6 — 1-3 p.m. Bingo — Pays 100% of amount paid in.

Thursday, Sept. 8 — 10:30-11:45 a.m. Hill County Conservation District, Emma Korntheuer, Montana Pollinator Presentation - An informative overview of Montana’s pollinators, importance of pollinators, and supporting pollinators in our own gardens and yards. This event is open to the community and free of charge. Come learn and grow your awareness of this critical part of nature.

Thursday, Sept. 8 — 5:30-7 p.m. Medicare 101 Presentation - If you’re close to turning 65 or will turn 65 in the next year or two, it is important we start talking about the future of your health coverage, or in other words, Medicare. You will learn about avoiding penalties if you do not enroll in a timely manner. The Havre senior center is hosting a Medicare 101 presentation Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is a free presentation to all those interested. Please call the Havre senior center at 406 -265-5464 to register with your first name. Look forward to seeing you there!

Tuesday, Sept. 13 — 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will entertain us with melodic pieces on the harp or keyboard. Please join us for a relaxing and inspirational musical venue.

Tuesday, Sept. 13 — 1-3 p.m. Bingo — Pays 100% of amount paid in.

Thursday, Sept. 15 — 11 a.m. to noon — Michael Stevenson — will play wonderful piano pieces by composers Rodgers & Hammerstein.

Tuesday, Sept. 20 — 10-11:45 a.m. — BJ’s Geetar & Oakie Brad Taylor will entertain with an excellent variety of instrumental music combinations of guitar backed by professionally recorded accompaniment. Music from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Tuesday, Sept. 20 — 1-3 p.m. Bingo — Pays 100% of amount paid in.

Thursday, Sept. 22 — 11 a.m. to noon — Michael Stevenson will play familiar and dynamic “Movie Themes” piano pieces for your entertainment.

Friday, Sept. 23 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Havre senior center car show, lunch and entertainment. Open to the community. More details to come. Mark your calendar for a fun day over at the Center.

Tuesday, Sept. 27 — 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will entertain us with melodic pieces on the harp or keyboard. Please join us for a relaxing and inspirational musical venue

Tuesday, Sept. 27 — 1-3 p.m. Bingo — Pays 100% of amount of dollars paid in.

Thursday, Sept. 29 — 11 to noon — Michael Stevenson will play popular piano pieces from famous “Musicals” after Rodgers & Hammerstein period.

“Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains” — Khalil Gibran.

People with any questions, comments or suggestions should not hesitate to contact Heather Winter, activities coordinator, North Central Senior Citizens Center, at 406-265-5464.