1 Town of Bethlehem September & October 2021 Senior Services Newsletter Program Reservation Protocols on page 3 Sign-ups Begin on September 1st
Town of Bethlehem -Senior Services, 445 Delaware Ave., Rm 110, Delmar, NY 12054, 518-439-4955 ext. 1176 [email protected] www.townofbethlehem.org Your Senior Services Team! William Vail Elizabeth Mosier Peggy Osborne Alice Parker Jennifer Casale Joanne Kingston Matt Ecker Director Senior Services Senior Services Sr. Outreach Outreach Per Diem Per Diem Coordinator Coordinator Worker Worker Outreach Worker Outreach Worker
Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Welcome to the fall addition of the Senior Newsletter. Transportation Dear Senior Community, Reservation Hours
It has been wonderful getting to see you again at picnics, campfires, outings for ice Monday—Friday 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. cream, and outdoor theater. Within this newsletter you will again find many excit- ing opportunities for socialization and enrichment. Unfortunately, we are still living Appointment Hours Available Monday—Friday under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic which has recently worsened. During 8:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m. programs that we hold inside the Town Hall, all participants will be required to wear Suggested donations a face mask at all times regardless of vaccination status. The same guidance will For all Transportation needs continue to apply for any transportation provided $ 5.00 round trip in Bethlehem through our department. For all other programs, safety $10.00 round trip in Albany guidelines will be provided at the time of registration $15.00 round trip All other locals and again at confirmation as conditions may change. May you be happy, safe and well. Reservations for medical
Sincerely yours, appointments and/or social events. The Staff of Bethlehem Senior Services You must have a Client Information Form on file.
Service area ,17 mile radius A Word From The Town Supervisor from Bethlehem Town Hall.
For the first time in decades, Bethlehem will have a local referendum question on Curb to curb service. the back of November’s election ballot. This referendum regards whether or not we should take $2.9 million in state funds to undertake road and sidewalk changes to We do not provide make the eastern end of Delaware Avenue transportation to Ravena, safer for drivers, cyclists, and walkers Rensselaer, or Schenectady counties. alike. You can get a fact sheet about the referendum and our town-wide complete Ambulatory clients must streets safety initiatives from the Town’s be able to enter and exit Senior Services Dept. vehicles with little or no Assistance. Sincerely,
David VanLuven Must be able to sit upright during transport and be able to follow basic directions.
No lifting of clients and/or wheelchairs.
Wheelchair ramps and entranceways at your residence must meet code requirements.
Community - Engaged As We Age! Weekly Grocery Shopping and Shopping Trips 2
You must Wear a Mask Each person is assigned a run and time for shopping with no more than 4 passenger per run. Participants must go to the store on your assigned run and return on that run, switching of runs is not permitted. Grocery Shopping Reservations 518-439-5770 (as far in advance as possible). Wednesday Residents of Elsmere, Delmar, Slingerlands, North Bethlehem and Marie Rose Manor (Hannaford in Delaware Plaza, Price Chopper or ShopRite in Slingerlands)
September Shopping Schedule October Shopping Schedule Hannaford 1 Price Chopper or ShopRite 6 Price Chopper or ShopRite 8 Hannaford 13 Hannaford 15 Price Chopper 20 Price Chopper or ShopRite 22 Hannaford 27 Hannaford 29
Thursday Residents of Glenmont, Selkirk and South Bethlehem (Hannaford in Delaware Plaza or ShopRite in Slingerlands, Price Chopper in Glenmont)
September Shopping Schedule October Shopping Schedule Hannaford or ShopRite 2 Price Chopper or ShopRite 7 Price Chopper 9 Hannaford 14 Hannaford or ShopRite 16 Price Chopper or ShopRite 21 Price Chopper 23 Hannaford 28 Hannaford or ShopRite 30
Friday Residents of Good Samaritan Senior Apartments, Van Allen Senior Apartments (Hannaford in Delaware Plaza or ShopRite in Slingerlands, Price Chopper in Glenmont)
September Shopping Schedule October Shopping Schedule Hannaford or ShopRite 3 Hannaford or ShopRite 1 Price Chopper 10 Price Chopper 8 Hannaford or ShopRite 17 Hannaford or ShopRite 15 Price Chopper 24 Price Chopper 22 Hannaford or ShopRite 29
Town Hall Offices Are Closed Early Voting 2021
Monday, September 6th - Labor Day Bethlehem Lutheran Church 85 Elm Ave., Delmar Monday, October 11th - Columbus Day Transportation Available during our regular transportation hours
Saturday, October 23rd 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 24th 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 25th 12:00 p.m.. — 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 26th 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 27th 12:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 28th 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 29th 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 30th 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 31st 9:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Community - Engaged As We Age! 3 Programs and Events—Reservations Required for ALL programs. Signing up for Programs and Events, September 1st -Beginning at 9:00 a.m. Reservations are accepted only by phone Mask are required on all programs. All programs are subject to change due to the Pandemic.
Reservation Protocols Reservations and Cancellations 518-439-4955 x 1176. We require your contact information. We will call the day before to verify your attendance. If there is a cost, we require Separate Payment for each program due within7 days of registration. Payment is non-refundable. Cash or check (made payable to Town of Bethlehem, unless otherwise noted). All individuals should be able to walk to and from the event (unless they make arrangements in advance to accommodate a special need), be able to get in and out of our vehicles, and be able to use the restrooms inde-
pendently.
We strongly encourage individuals to sign up only for those programs that they can safely navigate. Please follow the guidelines below:
* Easy, short distances to walk, few stairs, small inclines ** Moderate, fair amount of walking, stairs, inclines, uneven ground. *** Difficult, long distances to walk, uneven ground, up and down hill. We strongly suggested that individuals with walkers, canes or wheelchairs not participate.
*** Walking Tour of Albany Rural Cemetery Monday Morning Rambles *** Lunch at Ted’s Fish Fry Program Time: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 7th Program Cost: Free Program Time: 11:00 a.m. Let’s hike! Wear a good pair of Donation: $5.00 at the door, Lunch on your own walking shoes or hiking boots, Join Bob Mulligan for a historic walk through the Al- bring a bottle of water, along with your love of the bany Rural Cemetery. We will visit multiple graves great outdoors. and hear the histories of the people buried there. Mondays: Wear sensible shoes for walking. September 13th—Albany Corning Preserve * Flower Camp September 20th—Cohoes Falls “Cheers to New Beginnings” October 4th—Pine Bush Preserve Bethlehem Town Hall, Auditorium October 18th—Hollyhock Hollow Thursday, September 9th Program Time: 1:00 p.m. NYS Museum and Lunch Program Cost: $10.00 Lunch out at the Iron Gate Cafe **
Campers will use a wine glass to create Thursday, September 16th an attractive accent piece for their home. Program Time: 10:00 a.m. All materials will be provided. Please consider giv- Program Cost: $5.00 donation to the museum, lunch on your own ing your program cost to the Pine Hollow Arboretum if you need to cancel. Please bring a small box or We will go on a tour of the NYS Museum and then container to carry your project safely home. have lunch at the Iron Gate Café. * Mediterranean Diet Don’t Get Scammed * Bethlehem Town Hall, Lunch at Athos Restaurant Bethlehem Town Hall Friday, September 10th Tuesday, September 21st Program Time: 10:30 a.m. Program Time: 2:00 p.m. Program Cost: Free Program Cost: Free, Lunch on your own
Lindsey Cumoletti MS, RDN, CDN is a Registered Have you received a letter from the IRS saying send Dietitian, who specializes in medi- money or you’ll be arrested? Have you gotten a call cal nutrition therapy for chronic from a grandchild in jail? These and more are diseases. Join Lindsey as she pre- scams, come listen to a representative from the sents an in depth look at the Medi- Bethlehem Police Department speak about scams terranean diet, and how it can ben- and how to avoid them. efit you.
Community - Engaged As We Age! 4 Programs and Events Reservations Required for ALL programs Mask are required on all programs. All programs are subject to change due to the Pandemic * Coffee and Conversation The Journey of Grief Library Programs Bethlehem Town Hall * Program Time: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 23rd Program Cost: Free Program Time: 11:00 am Program Cost: Free Friday, September 24th Dawn Collins: North American Music Will Hannah has been a bereavement counselor with
North American music is a contributions of Native the Community Hospice for 25 years. He will help Americans and Colonial people as they shared their us understand the painful hodgepodge of the grief traditions. The diversity of vocalizations, dances and experience with simplicity and kindness. Learn instruments enriched their culture, transmitted their some simple lessons of self-care that can be put to beliefs, strengthened them when weary, enlivened & use right away! Refreshments provided. soothed their spirits. Come and experience this mu- sic! Understanding your Ancestry DNA Test * Friday, October 1st Zoom Presentation-Lisa Doughert Music with Rick & Marilyn Monday, September 27th Time: 11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Musical duo "Rick and Marilyn" will perform for a fun afternoon. We will be guided through the fundamentals of DNA tests. Topics covered will include DNA ba- Friday, October 22nd sics, exactly what you can expect to get from an An- Ventfort Hall cestry test, the truth about DNA myths, and inter- Staff from Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age preting Ethnicity Estimates. Learn how to make the Museum will be here to tell us all about the unique most of your test by utilizing it as another tool to location. discover your family history!
Friday, October 29th Movie Night-Pale Rider Eerie Albany-A storytelling event * 553 Lawson Lake Rd., Feura Bush Join Discover Albany’s Maeve Wednesday, September 29th McEneny-Johnson as we unearth Program Time: 6:00 p.m. the capital city's storied past. Who Program Cost: Free-Wear your cowboy boots & hat
is the ghostly figure who lingers Do you like Westerns? Let’s go out past closing time at the historic Ol- to Lawson's Lake Lodge for a movie de English Pub? What mysteries lie night, we’ll enjoy the usual movie within the beautiful homes that line Ten Broeck Tri- treats and the movie “Pale Rider” angle? Can you explain the shadowy figures who starring Clint Eastwood. Special roam the Capitol halls at night? Uncover this and guest Delmar Desperado's will sing a more - if you DARE!” few cowboy songs before the movie. Friday, November 5th Historic Cherry Hill—“The Knapp Family Kinship Navigating your Ancestry DNA Test Results and Struggle for Autonomy” * Zoom Presentation– Lisa Daugherty Harriet Maria Elmendorf "Minnie" Knapp and her Monday, October 4th sister Jane Amelia Knapp came to Cherry Hill in Time: 11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
1854, shortly after the death of their mother, Jane. The results of your Ancestry DNA test are in! But They were raised as wards and servants in four Van what does all this mean? Navigating all the website Rensselaer households. What was the special rela- features that come with a DNA test can intimidating. tionship between the Knapp family and the Van We will look at a program designed to help you get Rensselaer’s of Cherry Hill? This presentation will the most from your Ancestry DNA experience! You explore their experiences, their enduring ties to one will learn how Ethnicity Estimates work, how to find another, and their mysterious connection to earlier and read your matches, and how to use the results to generations of the Van Rensselaer family, dating bring your family history re- back to time of enslavement. search to the next level! Friday, November 12—TBD
Community - Engaged As We Age! 5 Programs and Events Reservations Required for ALL programs Mask are required on all programs. All programs are subject to change due to the Pandemic
* Flower Camp “Fall in Love With Fall” Pick Your Own Pumpkin ** Bethlehem Town Hall, Auditorium Stanton’s Feura Farm Friday, October 8th 210 Onesquethaw Creek Rd. Program Time: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 23rd Program Cost: $10.00 Program Time: 12:00 p.m.
Program Cost: On your own Campers will create a floral arrange- ment celebrating the colors and festivi- Let’s enjoy a ride out in the ties of the season. All materials will be countryside, buy some cider do- provided. If you must cancel please nuts and apple cider, and maybe go on the hay wagon consider giving your program cost to for a ride to pick your own pumpkin. the Pine Hollow Arboretum. Please bring a small box or container to carry your project safely home.
* Knowledge is power! Bethlehem Town Hall SCARY Movie Night * Friday, October 15th 553 Lawson Lake Rd., Program Time: 1:00 p.m. Feura Bush Program Cost: Free Wednesday, October 27th Join Kristin Vivian, Provider Relations Specialist and Program Time: 6:00 p.m. Community Educator with The Eddy to discuss how Program Cost: Free
positive thoughts and attitudes can help to improve It’s almost Halloween, let’s go back out to Lawson's our overall health and wellness as we age in place. Lake Lodge for a scary movie (not gruesome or Refreshments provided. gory just a good spooky story). Dress up if you like and we’ll provide the movie treats. * Berne Roast Beef Dinner and Drive TAKE OUT ONLY Sunday, October 17th Program Time: 11:00 a.m. Program Cost: $14.00
Let’s go for a ride in the countryside, we will stop at the Berne Fire Department and pick up our to-go din- Roast Turkey Dinner and Drive * ners and then eat them at the TAKE OUT ONLY Octagon Barn in Knox. Sponsored by Knox Volunteer Fire Company & Fire Auxiliary Berne Fire Department * Memories-Bethlehem Senior Chorus Sunday, November 7th Claudia Summers, Director Program Time: 11:00 a.m. Bethlehem Library Lawn Program Cost: $12.00 Tuesday, October 19th Program Time: 2:00 p.m. Let’s go for a ride in the country- Program Cost: Free side, we will stop at the Knox Fire Department and pick up our to-go dinners and eat them at the Octa- Join Claudia for a concert of her original piano ar- gon Barn in Knox. rangements of some favorite Broadway melodies from the best musicals of the decades. Bring your chair and enjoy an afternoon of song.
Community - Engaged As We Age! 6 More Events and News you can use!
Want to learn how to play Mah Jongg? Bethlehem Town Hall Auditorium * * Join us on Thursdays from 12:00 445 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY p.m..—3:00 p.m. in the Bethlehem Thursdays Town Hall Auditorium and our in- 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. structors will teach you the game. Reservations Required, space is limited!
Do you enjoy playing games?. Join us for some fun Look out for scams! and conversations, bring your own games or use one * of our games! Participants must reside in the Town Check out these websites for financial topics and of Bethlehem and/or Bethlehem Central School Dis- scam warnings. We are also offering a talk on the trict. subject on September 21st at 2:00 p.m. see page 3 for details. Transportation is available on a limited basis for Town of Bethlehem residents only. Credit Cards, Mortgages, Insurance & Personal Fi- All participants must sign in at the Senior Services nance | MoneyGeek office. Mask are required in all areas of the build- https://www.forbes.com/sites/ ing. For reservation for the program and/or trans- dianahembree/2017/06/20/romance-scam-crimes-on- portation call senior services at 518-439-4955 ext. the-rise/?sh=75d37dc25ec1 1176.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ dianahembree/2017/07/30/linkedin-is-not-a-dating- Fall Craft Ideas! site/?sh=750acf494e89 37 Easy Crafts to Try This Season for Festive DIY Fall Decor | Better Homes & * Craft Gurus Gardens (bhg.com)
All Are Welcome! There are 100 DIY Fall Crafts to Make and Sell - Prudent Penny Pincher many different types of crafts, hand crafts, fabric art, drawing, 10 Stylish Fall Tablescapes to painting, and more. Why not Capture the Beauty of Fall | come and share your creative Overstock.com talents with us on a Tuesday afternoon.? Bring a snack or your lunch and your craft.
The group will meet from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: September 14th & 28th, and October 12th & 26th
Vanguard, in support of the Albany Symphony Or- chestra, seeks musical instruments in very good con- dition for donation to students who cannot afford to rent or buy an instrument. Your tax deductible dona- tions will enable hundreds of children to experience the joy of playing in their schools’ orchestras or bands. Contact Jill Rifkin, Chair, Instruments for Students, at 518-439-1843 or [email protected] Lunch at Tool’s On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:15 p.m. please join a group of seniors to socialize and share a meal. This is an informal get together.
Transportation is not offered for this outing as it is not a program hosted by Bethlehem Senior Ser- vices.
Community - Engaged As We Age! How can we assist you? 7 For more information on services or to make an appointment, please call 518-439-4955 x 1176, unless otherwise noted.
Outreach Workers Discussion & Support Groups Outreach workers are aware of the various programs Discussion Groups 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the and services available to you as you age. They are month from 10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Call for infor- trained to work with older adults and their families mation. regarding health insurance, housing concerns, health and income related programs and more! AARP Smart Driving Course Medicare Basics Online courses available only at this time. * Are you turning 65 this year? Website: www.aarpdriversafety.org Learn about the basics of Medi- care and EPIC (NYS Senior Pre- scription Plan). Classes will be held on September 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and October 27th from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Please call to make your reservation. Veterans FreshConnect Checks (Farmers Market Coupons)
Albany County Senior Legal Services The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Veterans Benefits Advisors with the New York This program is funded by Albany County Dept. for State Division of Veterans’ Services are offering Aging and staffed by Legal Aid Society of NENY, FreshConnect checks to Veteran’s and their immedi- Inc. Currently appointments are being handled via ate family members.
phone. To make an appointment, please call our Veterans Benefits Advisor, Bruce Pentland is availa- office. ble on the 4th Monday of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. by appointment only. He will be able to Medical Loan Closet help answer your questions regarding veterans affairs and/or distributing FreshConnect checks.
The Loan Closet offers some of the following items Recipients can use FreshConnect checks for fresh to borrow, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, produce and other food items at participating farmers canes and more. If you wish to donate items please markets throughout New York State. Farmers' Mar- call first to see if we have room to store them. 518- kets | Agriculture and Markets (ny.gov) 439-4955 x 1169. The FreshConnect “season” generally begins in July and runs until December.
Food Pantry and donations Each recipient receives a booklet of The food pantry is open for in person appointments FreshConnect checks worth a total of please contact: Outreach at 518-439- 4955 ext. 1175 $20.00. Only one booklet of checks per for details and to make your appointment. Contact- household. less appointments still available.
We respectfully ask that individuals and organiza- To Donate to Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc. tions contact us first before organizing food drives to see what is needed and if there is space to store the Mark in the memo line, Emergency Heating Fund, food. If you or your organization wish to contribute Transportation, Food Pantry, or Undesignated for programs please call 518-439-4955 ext. 1175.
Needed items: Tomato sauce, Make checks payable to: carrots, chili, sugar, brownie mix, Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc. 445 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054 crackers, paper towels, personal hy- giene products, cleaning supplies. Online at www.bethlehemseniorproject.org, Click the Fundraising “Read More” button. Click the “Donate” button, type in the amount, click payment choice. We appreciate all donations.
Community - Engaged As We Age! Town Recycling Events 8 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Free Medication Collection
Troy Resource Management Facility U.S. Department of Justice 3000 Main Street, Troy, NY Drug Enforcement Administration’s Saturday, October 30, 2021 National Take Back Initiative 8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. (rain or shine) Bethlehem Town Park Registration Required 261 Elm Avenue, Delmar Bethlehem Town Highway Depart- Saturday, October 23, 2021 ment has partnered with the City of 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. (rain or shine) Troy and the Town of East Green- Open to the public and anonymous bush to hold a household hazardous Waste Collection Day. To register Prevent old medicines from falling into the please email Dan Rain, Recycling Coordinator for the wrong hands where they can endanger human or Town of Bethlehem at [email protected] or community health. by phone at 518-439-4955 ext. 1510. You will need Flushing down the drain or otherwise im- to proved your name, address, phone number and the properly discarding meds can pollute drink- type of waste disposal you require. ing water and harm the environment. If disposing in original containers, remove iden- tifying information from the label. America Recycles Day! Accepted items include prescription and over the Bethlehem Central Middle School counter medications in pill, liquid and powder 332 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar form. Saturday, November 13, 2021 Controlled and non-controlled substances are 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectables and needles will NOT be accepted. For more infor- This event is co-sponsored by the Bethlehem Central mation on safe sharps disposal, visit the Town School District Green Team and the Delmar website. Farmer’s Market. Safe Disposal at Home Acceptable items: Clothing and Textile Place in plastic laundry detergent bottle or some Paper shredding/Bethlehem residents only, limit 3 rigid plastic sealable container. medium boxes Mix with cat litter, dirt, or something undesira- Books-hard and soft cover ble to ingest, add some water and shake to dis- solve meds. Transporting your papers to the Shredding Close cap tightly. Seal with tape if necessary. Event? If you are over the age of 60, Bethlehem Dispose of in household garbage. Senior Transportation may be able to help you with NEVER flush medications down the toilet or home pickup. For more information, and to pre- drains. arrange a pickup time of your papers, please call 518 NOTE: You can also return unwanted meds to -439-4955, X 1176, call before some pharmacies, and anonymously to the Troop G November 8th. State Police Headquarters 24/7. Info: 518-783-3211.
For more information on these events please contact the Bethlehem Highway Department 518-439-4955 x 1510
Community - Engaged As We Age!