Senior Center News, March 15, 2024

North Central

Senior Center

March 18-22

Menu

Monday, March 18 — Breakfast wraps, fruit, dessert

Tuesday, March 19 — Beef Stroganoff, bread and Butter, Veggies, Dessert

Wednesday, March 20 — Stir fry, rice, fruit, dessert

Thursday, March 21 — Pulled pork, bun, potato salad, veggies, dessert

Friday, march 22 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

News from our gift shop — Spring is just around the corner. New items will be added often. Easter items are available new this week. Picture frames, yes we have some. The ice will be melting soon — fishing will be good with handmade fishing flies from the gift shop. Puzzles 50 cents, cards for all occasions 25 cents. Donations welcome, gently used knick knacks and yarn would be appreciated. No clothes, please. Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Let’s Color: The North Central Senior Center is hosting a Let’s Color Contest. If you are interested in competing for a ticket for congregate or home delivered meals? Submit your picture with your name, address & phone number on the back so no one can see who did the work. Return your work to the North Central Senior Center at 2 Second St. West in Havre. The picture to color is found on the back of the “2024 Reminders.” You will find it on the front desk at the North Central Senior Center.

Battling bites: Blocking mosquito-borne diseases. As the days grow warmer, summer fun beckons. Swimming sports, and picnics go hand in hand with warmer weather. But so do bug bites. Their bites aren’t just itchy and irritating, they can also spread disease. The list of illnesses carried by mosquitoes keeps growing. Some like malaria, are rarely seen in the US, others like dengue fever, are spreading in the Southern states. Others like West Nile virus, now pop up seasonally in most parts of the country as the temperatures get warmer. For decades, researchers have been trying to develop vaccines to protect people against mosquito-borne diseases. But most have not been as effective as hoped. If there could be fewer mosquitos to bite us, there could be fewer diseases. Scientists are now working on testing ways to make mosquitoes that can’t spread disease. They are looking for ways to disrupt their cycle. For now, we are still needing to use insect repellents when outdoors. Some places are spraying insecticides but it is only a temporary solution.

Taxes: Call the North Central Senior Center 406-265-5464 to have your name put on the call list to have your taxes done.

Foot clinic: Call 406-265-4776 to set up an appointment for our Foot Clinic. Appointments are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays.

Vaccinations and older adults: When fall arrives, many of us know it’s time to get the annual flu, or influenza, shot. It’s also a good time to consider what other vaccines or boosters to get to protect your health. Staying up-to-date on vaccines is especially important for older adults. Our immune system helps the body fight infection, but it gets weaker as we age. Vaccines help to strengthen the immune system. Other vaccines that are important to older adults include COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, and TDP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 65 and older. It protects against serious infections like pneumonia. TDP booster should be given every 10 years. Be sure to protect yourself by keeping your vaccines up to date. Talk with a health care provider about which ones you need and if they can be taken together.

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.

Bingo: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone 18 and older 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. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

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. For commodities there is an income restriction. You can sign up at the senior center, fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. Bring income verification and picture ID. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to senior center at 2 Second St. West in Havre 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 those seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line.

March activities at North Central Senior Center

Tuesday, March 19 — Harp or piano musical performance by Mary Stevens, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, March 20 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS — 9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, March 21 — Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26 — Musical performance by Brad Taylor, 10 a.m. to noon

Bingo 1-3 p.m., $1 per card, 100% payout

Wednesday, March 27 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS — 9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, March 28 — Music by Gene Allen and Friends, 10 a.m. to noon

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.