Senior Center News. Aug. 4, 2023

North Central Senior Center

Aug. 7-11

Menu

Monday, Aug. 7 — Bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich, fries, fruit cocktail

Tuesday, Aug. 8 — Roast pork, mashed potatoes with gravy, rolls, veggies, salad, dessert

Wednesday, Aug. 9 — Polish dogs, beans, scalloped potatoes, pudding

Thursday, Aug. 10 — Philly sandwich, Tator Tots, fruit

Friday, Aug. 11 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert.

News from our gift shop: Visit the gift shop to find wall hangings, knick knacks handmade necklaces, beautiful small trinket boxes and much more — priced to sell. New this week: A large supply of yarn has been added to the gift shop. A collectable doll collection has also been added. 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 are appreciated — no clothes, please.

More good moves: Your everyday habits can impact inflammation. Put these on your priority list. 1. Be active — during exercise your muscles release beneficial compounds that decrease overall inflammation. Twenty minutes of walking on a treadmill was enough to prompt your body’s calming response. 2. Brush and floss — Gum disease is your body’s inflammatory response to an overgrowth of bacteria in your month. Brushing and flossing regularly help prevent many problems. Gum disease can increase your risk of a heart attack, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Brush twice daily, floss at least once, and see your dentist once or twice a year, more often if you have signs of gun disease. 3. Manage stress levels — constant stress can cause inflammation in large part by putting your body in a constant fight-or flight mode. When stress hits, try get a good night sleep. Exercise and mediation can also be powerful to help your systems restore themselves and not be so vulnerable.

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 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.

August Activities Havre Senior Center

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. 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 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.

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 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. 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 a.m. 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.