Senior Center News, July 14, 2023

North Central Senior Center

July 17-21

Menu

Monday, July 17 — Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, corn, dessert

Tuesday, July 18 — Beef ribs and noodles, peas, Jell-O

Wednesday, July 19 — Chicken strips, mac & cheese, veggies, pudding

Thursday, July 20 — Taco Tator Tot casserole, dessert

Friday, July 21 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: Need a gift for a summer birthday or just because? Visit our gift shop to find wall hangings, knick knack art glass and much more all priced just right. Special — All candles/candle holders are 50% off the price marked. New this week-— Collectables: Avon bottles.

Still available — Chain necklaces and beautiful small trinket boxes. Need a card? All occasions are available, just 25 cents each. The gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations of yarn are always appreciated.

Protect your eyes from sun damage: Most of us know that too much sun can cause sunburn and skin damage. But did you know that the sun’s ultra violet — UV — rays can also harm your eyes? Several eye problems have been linked to UV light as well. These include cataracts, which are cloudy areas in the eye’s lens. Cataracts can make vision blurry, hazy or less colorful. Wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat is a safe and easy way to protect eyes from UV light. To protect your eyes from sun damage, choose sunglasses that block at least 99% of both UVA and UVB rays. These might also be marked with a UV400 rating. You can check your local weather forecast for the UV index, which shows the intensity of UV rays. Even on cloudy days, the UV index can be high and potentially harmful to eyes. Always watch out for your eyes, especially during the summer months. And remember to keep current with your eye checkups.

Bingo: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome, fun for all. All of the money is paid out.

Pinochle: Come join your friends in playing pinochle Thursdays at 1 p.m.

Would you like to be a volunteer at the senior center? Right now we are looking for a volunteer to answer phones at the front desk. 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 265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Transportation is now being handled by the North Central Montana Transit. 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 a few select openings. 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.

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.

July activities at North Central Senior Center

Daily — Pool in the back room. Monday through Friday 1-3 p.m. The group is expanding and looking for players.

Monday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Foot Care Clinic — A Plus Healthcare’s licensed nurse, Jan, 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 price is $37.

Tuesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m. to noon — BJ’s Geetar Oakie — Brad Taylor will play pop and country mix on guitar with back up accompaniment. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, July 18, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo, $1 a card for the afternoon. Pays 100 percent of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, July 19, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the senior center. Drop-ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Wednesday, July 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Brown Bag Lunch at Pepin Park for seniors. Bring your own “brown bag” lunch. Drinks will be provided. Bring a joke written or by memory. We will have a “circle of laughs” while enjoying beautiful Pepin Park. Meet at Horseshoe Area, Fifth Street side. Call Senior Center at 265-5464 to sign up.

Thursday, July 20, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays — This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities

Tuesday, July 25, 11 a.m to noon — Mary Stevens will play harp or keyboard music varieties. Free and open to the community

Tuesday, July 25, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo, $1 a card for the afternoon. Pays 100 percent of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, July 26, 10 a.m to noon — The ROC Band from Chinook, Roger, Dave and Brad, will start your day with real old Country hits and favorites. Music concert is free and open to the community.

Wednesday, July 26, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the senior center. Drop-ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Thursday, July 27, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays — This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities.