Senior Center News, Sept. 16, 2022

North Central Senior Citizens Center

Sept. 19-23

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Monday, Sept. 19 — Swedish meatballs, rice, beets, fruit

Tuesday, Sept. 20 — Applesauce, roast pork, mashed potatoes with gravy, sunshine carrots, rolls

Wednesday, Sept. 21 — Chicken broccoli casserole, garlic cheddar biscuits, salad, cookies

Thursday, Sept. 22 — Polish sausage, sauerkraut, potato supreme, pudding

Friday, Sept. 23 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Sept. 12, 16 new cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,628, active 4, no active hospitalizations, no hospitalizations discharged, total deaths 74. Right now, community transmission is slowing down, but we should all be careful out in big crowds and wearing masks and social distancing is up to each one of us. Fall is the time for flu shots and possibly another COVID 19 vaccination.

Winter is the prime cold and flu season: You are more likely to be indoors and closer to others when it’s colder outside. Weather plays a big role in the spread of viruses. Experts are concerned that flu and COVID-19 cases may increase and overlap in the winter. Flu cases usually start to increase around October and peak between December and February. There’s a very important way to fight viruses. Get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. They are safe and effective ways to protect yourself and those around you. Don’t forget the kids. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. And clean and disinfect surfaces and objects often. Masks continue to be an important tool for stopping the spread of respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19. With the pandemic still ongoing, it’s really important that people wear masks. Try to avoid crowded indoor situations when possible.

News from our gift shop: Come visit our senior citizens gift shop, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unique gifts and handmade items are available. Handmade slippers, towel sets, fishing flies, and jewelry can be found. New items added often. New items this week include a costume jewelry table and fall decorations and table centerpieces. New art glass items can also be found in the gift shop. Donations of new or gently used items and yarn are always welcome.

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 406-265-5464 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 the 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: 406-259-2558 (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

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. 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 amounts paid in.

Thursday, Sept. 22, 11 to noon — Michael Stevenson will play familiar and dynamic movie themes piano pieces for your entertainment.

NEW Thursday, Sept. 22, 1-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays — Eva Jo Burrington is calling on area pinochle players and her family members to join the seriously fun players for Pinochle Thursdays at the Havre senior center. The card tables are set up and ready for the game.

NEW Friday, Sept. 23, 10-11:45 a.m. — Ilo McKay will play piano favorites for your listening enjoyment.

CANCELLED 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, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Foot Care Clinic — A Plus Healthcare’s 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 406-265-4776. The cost is $37.

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.

NEW Wednesday, Sept. 28, 10:45-11:45 am. — Nerds of Notes, Havre barber shop quartet, will entertain with their dazzling harmony to your favorite past-time hits. Come listen and enjoy before lunch.

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.