Senior Center News, Oct. 20, 2023

North Central Senior Center

Oct. 23-27

Menu

Monday, Oct. 23 — Hot dogs, mac and cheese, corn, dessert

Tuesday, Oct. 24 — Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes with gravy, veggies

Wednesday, Oct. 25 — Pork roast over noodles, peas, fruit

Thursday, Oct. 26 — Tater tot casserole, dessert

Friday, Oct. 27 — 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 and 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.

Winter is right around the corner.Have you started checking your home and vehicle for the cooler weather ahead? Get everything checked so you are safe and warm for the winter. Be sure to check your furnace and pick up a couple extra furnace filters. Make an appointment for an annual furnace cleaning and checkup and to make any repairs needed. Check windows for cold air leaks. Pick up some plastic covering at Walmart to help keep warm and comfy. It will make a difference in that heat bill that comes in every month. Put away all hoses and bag up leaves. Talk to the garage you take your car to and make appointment for oil change, tire check, battery and check and all fluids. Now we are ready for the weather ahead.

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.

Medicare open enrollment began Oct. 16. Please pick up a pre-enrollment form from the North Central 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 over 18 is welcome, fun for all. All of the money is paid out.

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

Silver Sneakers Membership: The Hill County Counsel on Aging which administers the North Central Senior Center wants to let everyone know we are unable to continue with Silver Sneakers Memberships at this time. If we are ever able to start up again we will let you know

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

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.

October activities at the North Central Senior Center

Daily Pool, 1-3 p.m., in the North Central Senior Center back room. All players and abilities welcome.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 10-11 a.m. — Stepping-On! Falls Prevention Program, sixth class. Feel free to attend one or all seven sessions.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 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, Oct. 24, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members ages 18 and older.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 10-11:30 a.m. — Coffee Club meets every Wednesday at the North Central Senior Center. Drop ins and newcomers welcome, meet new people and socialize.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 10-11 a.m. — Chair Yoga with Bonnie Williamson. Learn breathing techniques and gentle stretches to increase your vitality and mobility while being supported by the chair. Free and open to senior citizens.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 12:30-3 p.m. — Pinochle Thursdays. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the North Central Senior Center

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 10-11 a.m. — Stepping-On! falls Prevention Program, seventh and final class. Sponsored by Blaine County Health Department. Thank you, Mark and Laura.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to noon — Mary Stevens will play harp or keyboard music varieties. Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 1-3 p.m. — Bingo. $1 per card for the afternoon. Pays 100% of amount of money paid in. Open to community members ages 18 and older.