North Central Senior Citizens Center, Sept. 26-30

Menu

Monday, Sept. 26 — Pork tips, buttered noodles, Riviera vegetables, cookies

Tuesday, Sept. 27 — Salad, meat loaf, au gratin potatoes, green beans, cake

Wednesday, Sept. 28 — Philly steak, sandwich, tator tots, brownies

Thursday, Sept. 29 — Beef with onions, rice, vegetables, coffee cake

Friday, Sept. 30 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Keeping up with the pandemic: Sept. 19, 20 new cases of COVID-19, total number is 5,648, active 6, no active hospitalizations, no active 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.

Maintaining your muscles: You have heard exercise can help you live a longer, healthier life. Well it’s very true. Endurance exercise also called cardiovascular exercise, increase your breathing and heart rate and keep your heart and lungs in good shape which helps prevent many chronic diseases. But maintaining flexibility, balance, and strength are also important. Stretching gives you more freedom of movement and makes daily activities more comfortable. It can slow down the progression of age-related muscle loss or prevent it. And it keeps your bones healthy. The need for strength training increases as you get older. It can help you stay in your home environment longer and live independently. It has also been found to do good things for your mental health also. They are studying the effects of strength training on anxiety, depression, and related conditions. Whatever you choose to do, start gradually and build up. Exercising will bring you many health related benefits.

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 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: 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. 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 a.m. — 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 a.m. to noon — Michael Stevenson will play popular piano pieces from famous “Musicals” after Rodgers & Hammerstein period.

Thursday, Sept. 29, 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.

“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.