Senior Center News, July 28, 2023

North Central Senior Center

July 31 to Aug. 4

Menu

Monday, July 31 — Beef brisket, baked potato, corn, dessert

Tuesday, Aug. 1 — Lemon chicken, brown rice, veggies, apple pie

Wednesday, Aug.. 2 — Spaghetti, garlic toast, salad, pudding

Thursday, Aug. 3 — Lasagna, garlic toast, salad, green beans, dessert

Friday, Aug. 4 — 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.

Clearing the air: When you think of pollution, outdoor air probably comes to mind. But the quality of the air inside matters too. A few simple steps will help ensure the air in your home is as clean as it can be. Don’t welcome pollutants into your home. Taking off shoes at the front door can reduce the allergens and germs tracked in. Get to know your heating and air-conditioning system. To get the best results, pay attention to the filters. First, replace them at least every six months. Second, use the right kind of filter. The higher the number, the more particles a filter removes from the air. Go as high as your system can handle. Also if your system has a setting that runs the fan even if the AC or heat is off, think about turning it on so the air constantly recirculates through the filter. Remember to open a window from time to time. Even a few minutes of fresh air can improve indoor air quality. Opening a window increases airflow, moving pollution out. On high ozone days, though, keep windows closed. You can also consider a portable air cleaner. When they first hit the market, stand-alone air filters got mixed reviews, but they have dramatically improved since then and can be a worthwhile investment. A high-quality air cleaner can be expensive. But they’re worthwhile and especially helpful for people with respiratory conditions.

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 406-265-5464 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 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.

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

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.

August Activities Havre Senior Center

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

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the Havre senior center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome. Meet new people and socialize.

Thursday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m to 1 p.m. — Senior Pot Luck Lunch at Pepin Park. We are having a Pot Luck Lunch. If you can provide a favorite outside-eating-dish sign up with your name and phone number. We need a variety of 6-8 side dishes depending upon the attendance. If you can’t provide a dish you can still attend. Drinks and utensils provided. Cornhole Game for prizes. Meet at Pepin Park, Horseshoe Area, Fifth Street side. Call the senior center 406-265-5464 to sign up. Call Heather with any questions about what to bring or any other questions 406-265-5464. If you like, bring a lawn chair!

Thursday, Aug. 3, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 11 to noon — Mary Stevens will play harp or keyboard music varieties. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1 - 3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 10 - 11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the Havre senior center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome. Meet new people and socialize.

Thursday, Aug. 10, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

Tuesday, Aug. 15, 10:30 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.

Wednesday, Aug. 16, 10 - 11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the Havre senior center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome. Meet new people and socialize.

Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m. — Gene Allen & Friends are performing at Havre Town Square tonight. Free and open to the community. Bring a chair and a hat!

Thursday, Aug. 17, 12:30 - 3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

Friday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m. to noon — Free blood pressure clinic, new schedule:first and third Fridays of every month, Janice Holt, RN, will take blood pressures and provide hypertension health information. Monitoring your blood pressure regularly is part of your healthy lifestyle. The next blood pressure clinic is Sept 1.

Tuesday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will play harp or keyboard music varieties. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the Havre senior center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome. Meet new people and socialize.

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 10:30 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, Aug. 29, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members age 18 and older.

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

Wednesday, Aug. 30, 10 to noon — Gene Allen & Friends performing country favorites at the Senior Center on guitars, mandolin, flutes and accordion. Start your day with music! Free and open to the community.

Thursday, Aug. 31, 10-11 a.m. — NEW — Chair Yoga with professional instructor Bonnie Williamson. You are invited to participate in simple gentle yoga positions/stretching while sitting on a chair. Come learn movements which can improve your strength, balance and range of motion. For seniors and free to seniors.

Thursday, Aug. 31, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.