Senior Center News, Thursday June 13, 2023

North Central Senior Center

June 17-21, 2024

Menu

Menu subject to change

Monday, June 17, 2024 — Fish sandwich-on-a-bun, cheese and tarter sauce; jojo’s; green beans, pear

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 — Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, peas, Carrots, Pudding

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 — Beef, rice, onion, green beans/tomato; fruit cocktail; frosted cake

Thursday, June 20, 2024 — Personal pan pizza, corn, pears, lime Jell-O

Friday, June 21, 2024 — Tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, corn, pears, rice crispy

Important: We will continue to prepare meals for the Rudyard 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.

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.

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.

New game week: Join us here at the North Central Senior Center for some new games on Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. We will be offering dominos, Yahtzee, cribbage, solitaire, Uno.

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.

Taking care of your voice: Most people have a distinctive voice. We can usually recognize people by their voice even if we can’t see them. Many people don’t think much about their own voice until something goes wrong. Signs of voice problems can include having a hoarse or raspy voice or an achy throat. It may feel hard to talk. Or your voice may suddenly sound deeper. Another sign of trouble is repeated clearing of your throat. Or you may lose your ability to hit high notes while singing. Voice problems can arise if you’ve been talking a lot or loudly. Teachers are especially at risk. Voice trouble can also arise from colds or other infections that affect breathing. Acid reflux, or heartburn, can sometimes harm the voice, too. A more serious cause is cancer in the throat specifically in the larynx, or voice box. Most difficulties can improve by treating the underlying cause. Surgery or behavioral treatments are sometimes needed. The good news is that you can take steps to protect your voice and avoid many problems. It helps to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Use a humidifier in your home, especially if you live in a dry climate. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. And don’t smoke.

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 still 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.

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.