Senior Center News, April 19, 2024

North Central Senior Center

April 22-26

Menu

Monday, April 22 — Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, dessert

Tuesday, April 23 — Turkey ala king, chicken rice, veggies, fruit, dessert

Wednesday, April 24 — Chicken, rice, veggies, fruit, dessert

Thursday, April 25 — Hot ham and cheese sandwich, jojo’s, veggies, dessert

Friday, April 26 — Soup, chef’s choice, dessert

Important: We will continue to prepare meals for the Rudyard Senior Center until someone is hired. We will also continue with Meals on Wheels. Please be kind, we are going to try to find all the MOW families and make sure everyone gets their meal. Addresses are a little more rural than we are used to, but we will be doing our best.

Orientation for new board members: There will be an orientation meeting for selected members of the board May 7 at noon. The meeting will be held right here at the Senior Center.

News from our gift shop: Spring has arrived. New items are added to the shelves often. New this week, packs of pillow forms, 12”x12”, perfect for that craft project. Vases ready for spring flowers. You can find the following items in the gift shop: handmade fishing flies, picture frames, knick knacks, yarn, trinket boxes, glassware, handmade lap blankets and more. Puzzles 50 cents each, all occasion cards 25 cents each. Donations welcome. Gently used knick knacks and yarn are always appreciated. No clothes please. Shop hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

Appendix pain: The appendix is a finger-like pouch that branches off from your large intestine. No one knows for sure what the appendix does or why it’s there. But when something goes wrong, it can be dangerous. We know that people do just fine without an appendix. Some suggest that your appendix may help your body’s disease defenses, or immune system. The most common symptom is pain in your belly, some other appendicitis symptoms are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or a fever. If you have any of these symptoms along with pain, you should get to your doctor right away. The sooner appendicitis is caught the better. Sometimes all you may need is an antibiotic. But if there is a burst appendix, then you will need surgery and antibiotics. Now we have a new way to prevent infections from a perforated appendix. The technique is called photodynamic therapy or PDT. It uses laser light and a light-reactive dye. When they are put together it sterilizes the abdomen. It has already been shown that the technique is working on humans with internal infections.

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.

We will be adding a new activity: Beginning April 11, we will be presenting Stepping On Classes, Spring Edition. These classes will be presented Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Hope to see you all there.

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.

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. 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: 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 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.

North Central Senior Center April activities

Tuesday, April 23 — Musical performance by Brad Taylor, 10 a.m. to noon

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

Wednesday, April 24 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly —  TOPS —  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 25 — Music by Gene Allen and Friends, 10 a.m. to noon

Pinochle, 12:30-3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 30 —  Harp or piano musical performance by Mary Stevens, 10 a.m. to noon

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

Wednesday, May 1 — Take Off Pounds Sensibly —  TOPS —  9-10 a.m., weigh-in 8:30-9 a.m.

Coffee Club 10-11:30 a.m.