Senior Center News, Oct. 6, 2023

North Central Senior Center

Oct. 9-13

Menu

Monday, Oct. 9 — Center closed for Columbus Day

Tuesday, Oct. 10 — Pork chops, mashed potatoes, veggies, rolls, apple pie

Wednesday, Oct. 11 — Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert

Thursday, Oct. 12 — Cheese burgers, fries, carrots, fruit

Friday, Oct. 13 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: Thank you to those who have donated items to the gift shop. Donations help make it an interesting place to shop. New items are added often. Yarn donations are needed again. ’Tis the season when our seniors are making items for Christmas and yarn is our most-often-requested item. Items currently in the gift shop include handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings, winter hats and fishing flies as well as various knick-knacks. Collectable items include dolls, Avon bottles, trinket boxes, Mr. Peanut anniversary jars. Greeting cards for all occasions are just 25 cents each. Our gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All Shoppers welcome.

Get your flu shots: Flu Shot Clinic with Susan Somers from the health department will be open at the North Central Senior Center, located at 2 Second St. W., Oct. 10, 2023. Time: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please bring your insurance cards.

Open enrollment will begin Oct. 16. Please pick up a pre-enrollment form from the senior center and schedule your appointment with Lorrie or Marcie. Open enrollment ends Dec. 7. It is advisable to ensure your medications will be covered in 2024 to at least have the ladies make sure everything will be covered. Please feel free to make an appointment; the number is 406-265-5464.

Commodities: slots are available, if interested stop by the senior center and request an application. For commodities there is an income restriction. Bring income verification and picture ID.

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? 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 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.

Silver Sneakers membership: The Hill County Council 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 Havre 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.