CITY OF MERIDEN MARCH EVENTSLEPRECHAUN HUNT
Patsy the Leprechaun is at it again! To avoid being found, he has chosen four hiding spots this year. Clues to the four locations will be given on the Recreation Activity Line (630-4279) on the following dates: 3/6, 3/7, 3/8, & 3/9. Children are asked to identify the locations on paper and submit them to the Parks & Recreation office(460 Liberty Street) by 4:00PM on Thursday, March 15th. Entries can be mailed or delivered in person and should contain the child’s full name, address, phone, school, and grade. One winner will be selected by drawing to receive a special St. Patrick’s Day prize package. (Please note Patsy is not physically at the hiding spot locations.)
MASA REGISTRATION
Rules & roster forms for the 2007 Meriden Amateur Softball Association season are currently available at the Parks & Recreation office. The league registration meeting will be held Monday, March 5th at the Platt High School upstairs library from 6:00-7:00PM. This is the only opportunity teams will have to register for the 2007 MASA season.
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
The Meriden AOH will present the 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 24th at 2:00PM. The parade begins at the East Main Street/Parker Avenue intersection and concludes at the West Main Street/Bradley Avenue intersection.
INDOOR PUBLIC SWIM PROGRAM
The 2006-2007 Indoor Public Swim Program takes place at the Maloney HS pool on the following dates & times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-7:45PM and Saturdays & Sundays from 12:00-3:45PM.
All interested participants must possess a valid 2007 pool pass. Available for purchase at the Parks & Recreation office, passes cost $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children ages 17 & under. Potential recipients must come to the office in-person and bring proof of Meriden residency to receive a pass.
PARADE REMINDER
The 20th Annual “Daffodils on Parade” will take place on Saturday, April 28th. Groups, clubs, schools, businesses, or individuals wishing to march are asked to call the Recreation Division office at 630-4259 for an entry form. Creative participation is always welcome!
Mayor’s Corner - Meriden
Dear Friends,
Winter has finally arrived! I hope you had an opportunity to go sledding, hit the ski slopes, or make a snowman in your front yard. Thanks to all those who participated in Literacy Volunteers Scrabble Tournament at the beautiful Curtis Cultural Center. It was an evening of fund, good gamesmanship, and great camaraderie. Despite the record setting efforts of City Manager Larry Kendzior, Majority Leader Steve Zerio, Councilor George McGoldrick, and Council Whip Mike Rohde, Meriden lost in a close race to our friendly neighbor, Wallingford. Congratulations to Mayor Dickinson and all the Wallingford teams.
Thank you to all the participants for supporting Literacy Volunteers. By helping people learn how to read, we are helping make their lives better and more fulfilling. A special thank you goes to Staci Roy and the Curtis Center for providing a perfect venue for the Scrabble Tournament.
I am excited to hear about the new outside gardens coming to the Curtis Center. These new enhancements will greatly improve the property and allow the Curtis Center to offer a quality outside facility. Wedding guests will have the perfect outside backdrop for that unforgettable photo. I look forward to hearing music, smelling flowers and sampling tasty treats in the new gardens at the Curtis Center.
In closing, congratulations to the Maloney Spartans Boys Basketball team on their undefeated season. Meriden is very proud of you! Best of luck in the state playoffs. Bring us home a state championship!
Stay warm! Spring is on the way!
Sincerely,
Mark D. Benigni - Mayor
Wallingford Senior Center News and Events
MARCH INTO MAY CHALLENGE from March 4 – May 12, 2007
Have you been thinking about increasing your physical activity? March Into May is a 10-week physical activity program that is being promoted by the Wallingford, Cheshire, North Haven, Meriden, Southington and Woodbridge Senior Centers. Participants in the program will set goals based on their current levels of activity and keep track of their activity over the course of ten weeks. All members in our fitness classes will be encouraged to take part in this challenge and everyone else is urged to do the same. Sign up, and you will receive a packet with everything you need to “March into May.” In May, we’ll add up everyone’s minutes of physical activity, declare a winning senior center, and celebrate everyone’s participation at a party to be held at the Wallingford Senior Center! The challenge begins March 4 and ends May 12. Sign up today for the “health of it”!
NEW! PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP
Beginning April 27, a Parkinson Disease support group will meet on the fourth Friday of each month at 10:15 a.m., at the Senior Center. The group will be facilitated by Irene O’Brien, LCSW of the Visiting Nurse Assoc. of Wallingford. Sessions will include members sharing their difficulties living with Parkinson as well as speakers discussing treatments, medication management, nutrition and exercise. This support group is for people affected by the disease. Although caregivers are welcome to attend, care-giving will not be the primary focus of the group. To register, please call Irene O’Brien at the VNA at 269—1475.
BIRDS OF PREY PROGRAM on Wednesday, March 21, 7:00 p.m.
Get up close and personal with North American birds of prey at a program cosponsored by the Wallingford Land Trust and the Wallingford Senior Center on March 21, at 7:00 p.m., in the Great Room. Julie Collier of Wingmasters will present live raptors including an eagle, hawk, falcon and owl. This educational program is free and open to the public. Bring your family and friends!
VETERANS MEDAL CEREMONY
Friday, March 30, 1:00 p.m.
More than 40 members of the Wallingford Senior Center will be presented with the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal at a special ceremony on March 30. State Senator Len Fasano, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz, and Cathy Riccio of the Wallingford Veterans Service Center are expected to attend and award the medals. The families and friends of our distinguished veterans as well as senior center members are welcome to join us for this special occasion.
LITERARY COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Literary Committee is hoping to get more people interested in joining our group. Anyone who wishes to attend one of our meetings to see what we do is welcome! Also, we are still accepting poetry and prose from writers for a spring edition. All you secret poets and fiction-writers come forward and get your work published! Bring all contributions to the front desk and be sure your name is on your submission.
MOSES Y. BEACH PARTNERS
The response has been wonderful to requests for support of our community partnership program with Moses Y. Beach School teachers and students. Volunteers signed up to work with students in the classroom; to be pen pals with a second grade class; and to bake for our February Bake Sale. The proceeds of the January raffle were presented to Principal Kathryn Hile who was most appreciative of all your efforts. We will be forwarding the profits from our bake sale to the school as well. Thank you all for all your support. We can all be proud of our efforts on behalf of our community partner.
REDUCE YOUR STROKE RISK!
Friday, March 23, 10:30 a.m.
Stroke affects more than 750,000 Americans each year. Join us March 23 for a 30-minute presentation on stroke prevention. Learn about the warning signs of strokes and vascular disease, how to assess your own health risk factors, and discover ways to help reduce your stroke risk. Each participant will receive a workshop packet and life-saving information. Call 265-7753 to register to attend.
GOLF LEAGUE TO BEGIN 7TH SEASON
The Senior Center’s Coed Golf League will begin its seventh season on Tuesday, May 1, at 9:00 a.m. at Miner Hills Family Golf in Middletown. Play will be for ten weeks at a cost of $140.00 for Senior Center members and $145.00 for non-members. The fee includes a cookout at the course on week ten. Participation in the Golf League is on a first come, first served basis. Members may sign up beginning April 2. Non-members may sign up as of April 9. An informational meeting will be held at the Senior Center on Tuesday, April 24, at 9:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please call Howie Griesing at 265-0412.
SOCIAL SERVICES
MONEY MATTER$ WORKSHOP on Wednesday, March 21, 10:15 a.m.
We all know about bills and budgeting to pay monthly bills. This process can be tedious, worrisome and sometimes overwhelming, especially if the postman delivers more bills than there is money in the bank to cover the payments! MONEY MATTER$ workshop will review the basics of how to budget money and give you some tips on how to approach paying those ever-present bills. Learn how to make your money stretch further and conserve energy too! This workshop is sponsored by Yankee Gas. All participants will receive a free notebook filled with helpful worksheets to take home and use! Please register by calling 265-7753.
HELP WITH HEATING BILLS DEADLINE APPROACHING
May 1, 2007 is the last day that a household can apply to establish eligibility for Energy Assistance. Income limits for Wallingford residents age 60 and over are: $27,867.32 for a household of one; and $36,441.88 for a household of two. Liquid asset limit for homeowners: $10,000; non-homeowners $7,500. Applications are by appointment only. To find out more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 265—7753.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE NEWS FLASH !
March 15, 2007 is the deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries from Basic Benefits, Crisis Assistance or Safety Net Assistance. To request a fuel delivery, follow directions on the guideline notice you received when you made your application. Phone 235-0278 or 237-6957, Extension 21 or 22, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
HOMEOWNER TAX RELIEF PROGRAM
February 1 through May 15, 2007
Who should apply? People sixty-five years of age, or Totally Disabled as of December 31 preceding the application period. Applicants must own and reside, or hold Life-Use of property. Annual income (including Social Security) cannot exceed $28,800 in 2006 for a single individual or $35,300 in 2006 for married couples. Please call the Assessor’s Office at 294—2001 for more information.
Property Tax Deferral for the Elderly
February 1 through May 15, 2007
How does Property Tax Deferral Work? The tax on your property is postponed, to be collected at a future date.
Who qualifies for Property Tax Deferral? Any homeowner who is presently receiving benefits under the Elderly Homeowners Program qualifies for tax deferral. Please apply at the Assessor’s Office, or call 294-2001 for more information.
ELDER LAW ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS
Appointments are available to get free legal advice from Elder Law Attorney, Daniel Tully. Call 265-7753 today to reserve your appointment.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY WANTED!
Volunteers to help frail, elderly neighbors shop, get to medical appointments, provide family member respite
QUALIFICATIONS:
People with a warm, loving heart and one or two hours of time each week. No hands on care!
BENEFITS “4” YOU:
1. Feel great about yourself 3. Have fun!
2. Plan you own hours! 4. Meet new people!
Become an Interfaith Volunteer Care Giver! Attend a two-hour training session. To volunteer, or find out more about becoming an Interfaith Volunteer Care Giver, please call Marie Cunha at 265-7753.
LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP
Dr. Parke, Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist from the Low Vision Center at Masonic Healthcare Center, will be our guest speaker on Friday, March 16, at 10:15 a.m. New members always warmly
MAX E. MURAVNICK
MERIDEN SENIOR CITIZENS’ CENTER
The Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens’ Center is open to all Meriden residents age 60 and over. Membership is free of charge and new members may sign-up any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting a driver’s license or other proof of age. New members receive an information package about senior services and a coupon entitling them to one complimentary lunch in our Senior Community Café. Sign-up today and find out about all that is offered for Meriden seniors at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center!
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A special St. Patrick’s Day Celebration lunch will be served on Thursday, March 15 at 11:30 AM in our Senior Community Café. The menu will feature corned beef with boiled potato, cabbage, diced carrots, Irish soda bread and a cupcake with green icing for dessert. Entertainment will be provided by singer and keyboard player George Gandy. To make a reservation for this special St. Patrick’s Day luncheon call 235-8052 by Friday, March 9.
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The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will present a free one hour seminar at the Senior Center on “How to Create an Emergency Financial First Aide Kit” on Wednesday, March 14 at 10:30 AM. This program offers useful tools that will help individuals and families maintain financial stability in the event of an emergency. DEMHS staff will help seminar attendees develop the Emergency Financial Aid Kit and will also review Connecticut’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness.
People planning to attend this free informational program to help you be prepared in the event of an emergency are asked to sign-up by calling the Senior Center at 237-0066. At the time you sign-up you will receive a list of suggested items to bring to the class to assist you in completing your “Personal Financial First Aide Kit”.
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On Wednesday, March 21 representatives from Aetna will speak in Willene’s Place at 11:15 AM before lunch to explain the 2007 Aetna Medicare Plans. Aetna offers three Medicare HMO plans that include prescription drug coverage and other extra benefits. To learn more about health insurance available through Aetna for Medicare beneficiaries plan to attend this presentation on March 21 at 11:15 AM at the Senior Center.
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The “Move and Soothe” gentle movement class taught by Susan Sandel, Dance Movement Therapist, will resume on Tuesday afternoons in March from 12:30 to 1:30 PM on the lower level of the Senior Center, starting on Tuesday, March 6. The class will feature gentle movement set to music to stretch, relax and strengthen your body and, most of all, to have fun! Participants should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and sneakers or rubber-soled shoes. Ms. Sandel is an accomplished dance therapist and we are glad to welcome her back to the Senior Center in March for “Move & Soothe” classes each week at the Senior Center.
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The next session of the AARP Driver Safety Program at the Senior Center will be on Wednesday, April 25 and Friday, April 27 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Class participants will learn defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws and much more in this 8-hour course. Successful completion of the classroom course also entitles you to a discount on your automobile insurance premiums. The course fee is $10 and reservations for the class are now being accepted by calling the Senior Center at 237-0066. Additional AARP Driver Safety Classes this year at the Senior Center will be held on July 25 & 27 and November 7 & 9, 2007.
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For a complete listing of all Senior Center classes, activities, trips and meal menus, pick-up a copy of our newsletter available on the first of each month at the reception desk in the front lobby.
John F. Hogarth
Senior Center Director
February 23, 2007
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