No. 4 Volume 46 August-September 2016 August 2016 SPECIAL SEMINAR ON LOCAL SCAMS FRIENDS ANNUAL UPDATE The Amherst Police Department, in partnership The Friends of the Amherst Senior Center is pleased with the Amherst Senior Center and Peoples United to announce that we raised $40,677.71 during FY16. Bank in Amherst, are sponsoring a “Fraud Seminar” Many of you made our fundraising efforts successful to be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, at 1:00 PM, in through your contributions to the Annual Drive, the Cen- Room 101 of the Bangs Community Center. sus envelopes, tag sales, bake sales, craft sales and by Identity theft, credit card fraud, and wire transfer fraud has been a growing problem in our community, and senior citizens voting for the Friends at the Annual Florence Savings are specifically targeted in these crimes. Identity Theft is a Bank Community Choice Awards. crime in which someone obtains the personal or financial infor- You may wonder how that money is used. Since the mation of another person for the purpose of assuming that per- Senior Center only receives $1,000 from the Town for son’s name or identity in order to make fraudulent transactions expenses, the Friends provides funds for all of the other or purchases. Credit Card Fraud is the theft or fraud committed expenditures needed, such as, office supplies, food sup- using a credit card or any similar payment mechanism as a plies for special events, coffee and condiments for our fraudulent source of funds in a transaction with the sole purpose lunch program, filtered water, convalescent equipment to obtain goods without paying, or obtaining unauthorized funds from an account. and repair of that equipment, and routine operations. We While the type of scam often differs, one similar characteristic pay for entertainers for the Musical Showcases and for is that the scam artist often uses wire transfers as the method to the printing and postage for about 4000 Senior Spirit steal the victim’s money. Many people erroneously believe that newsletters. In FY16 we also funded the Senior Health money sent via a wire transfer is safe and easily retrievable and Services nurse, Lisa White, to do outreach at the Ann this could not be further from the truth. In addition, if funds are Whalen Apartments and the Clark House. Due to the in- wired outside of the country, as is the case in the majority of creased need for these scams, the Amherst Police Department can do little to Social Workers, we provided funds so that our part-time recover the money. Some common scams include: social worker, Helen MacMellon, could increase her Auction Fraud Scam: Involves fraud/misrepresentation of a product advertised for sale through an Internet auction site or hours. We purchased desk furniture, office chairs and the non-delivery of products purchased through an Internet auc- contributed to the successful Lock Box program of the tion site. SALT Council. There is much that goes on behind the Lottery Scam: Randomly targets an email address and scenes at the Senior Center. We are indebted to you for advises a citizen that he/she has been selected as the winner helping to make our services and programs possible. Our of an International lottery. goal is to help elders maintain their health and independ- Nigerian Scam: Communication from individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials offers the BANGS PARKING STICKERS 1/2 PRICE recipient the “opportunity” to share in a percentage of millions of The Town of Amherst’s parking decals allow visitors to the dollars. Senior Center to park in the Boltwood Walk Garage (lot adjacent Grandchild in Trouble Scam: Grandparents receive a to the Senior Center) for an annual fee of $25. Because the distraught phone call from an individual they believe is their year is now half gone, it has been decided that the decals would grandchild. The supposed grandchild typically explains that they are travelling in Canada and have been arrested or involved in be sold for half price, $12.50 , for the remainder of the year. an auto accident and need the grandparent to wire money to Those who have not previously had a parking decal should bring post bail or pay for damages—usually amounting to a few with them the fee, their driver’s license and their automobile thousand dollars. registration. A few additional decal rules will be explained at the IRS Scam: Communication via telephone from individuals time of purchase. representing themselves as IRS agents demanding money immediately. COUNCIL ON AGING MEMBERS Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone said, “Each one of these Dan Clapp (Chair), Sue Dierks, John Magarian, Tim scams has been reported recently to the Amherst Police Depart- ment. It is a disgrace that these criminals target the senior Atteridge, Richard Kofler, Norma Hallock, Mary Hough, members of our community. Unfortunately, once the money has Etta Walsh, Elli Hein been transferred there are very few avenues of recovery. We hope that by educating the community, especially our senior Editors of THE SENIOR SPIRIT: population, that we will deter these scams from happening.” Nancy Hirsh Pagano, Karen Erman The Amherst Police Department urges people to report to them WEB SITE: www.amherstma.gov/seniorcenter if they have been defrauded out of any funds. For additional 70 Boltwood Walk in Amherst MA 01002 information please contact Captain Jennifer Gundersen at (413) 259-3060; 259-2413 (FAX) 259-3012 or via email at [email protected]. EMAIL: [email protected] Deadline for the next issue is September 5, 2016 Page 2 The Senior Spirit WHO ARE THE “FRIENDS”? You are invited to ... A fundraising corporation called “Friends of the Amherst Senior TWO MUSICAL SHOWCASE SPECIAL EVENTS Center” was established in 2007 to help support the Senior At the Bangs Community Center Center when Town budget cuts eliminated funding of all programs and services for elders. The ’Friends’ now raises FREE ADMISSION — FREE REFRESHMENTS money to provide for services, equipment, supplies, programs, BILL FOLEY and classes that benefit seniors in our community. It is a 501C-3 and all contributions are tax deductible. Friday, August 12th, 2 PM A native New Englander, Bill has been FRIENDS ANNUAL SOLICITATION performing music for over 30 years, the The Friends of the Amherst Senior Center’s 7th annual solicita- past eight of which have been spent tion and membership campaign is underway. The Senior Cen- ter, especially in these difficult times, relies on your help to keep bringing a unique, energetic and programs and services going. This year we will again need to expansive repertoire to seniors of all raise all program money through grants and donations. Any ages. Whether at assisted living and amount of money you can give is appreciated and needed! We nursing homes, senior centers or adult are always working to keep our elder “safety net” intact. day facilities, Bill has dedicated his time and energy to putting smiles on folks' faces, songs in their hearts, taps FY16 DONATIONS TO THE FRIENDS (7/1/15-6/30/16) in their toes and memories in their minds. With his guitar, $20,199.91 Thayer & Anita Greene, Debra & Frederick Wirth, Mary Jane harmonicas and sweet, soulful voice, Bill presents a Laus, Razoo Foundaton (Valley Gives Day) Amazon Smile, wonderful atypical mélange of tunes from the early 20th White Elephant Sale, Al Cohen & Dade Singapuri, Ron & Cincy century right up to the 1970's. From Brattleboro to Lashway, Barbara Ford, Claire Constable, Helen Reynolds, Boston, Portland to Providence and all points in between, Louise D’Alessandro, Florence Rosenstock, Strawberry Social, Bill has established himself as one of the Community Foundation of Western Mass., Jaymie Chernoff, most appealing and in demand performers Alicia & Tom Morton, Hampshire Community United Way around. "You must remember this....." (UMACCDesignations), Olivia Bernard, Razoo Foundation (Valley Gives Day) Johnny’s “Dine for Seniors”, Debra & Frederick Wirth DOUG SCHMOLZE Friday, September 16th, 2 PM 2016 ANNUAL FRIENDS CENSUS DONATION Singer and guitarist with a unique flair! $6,474.00 to date This show explores vintage songs from the John & Mildred Donahoe, Michele Barale, Kay F. Butler, Lisa “jazz age” 1920’s (Boom) and the 1930’s Raskin, Erik & Diane Kjeldsen, Cleve & Barbara Willis, (Bust). Composers such as Irving Berlin, George Mary McCarthy Gershwin and Harold Arlen (find out who he was) among others are represented. A power-point presentation JOY OF SONG—with Sara Snyder provides images to accompany each song or lyrics, Thursdays, August 18th & September enabling the audience to join in on some classic sing-a- 15th, 1-2 PM longs from the era. Ranging from pathos to humor, with Please join us for a fun, informal com- stories and historical anecdotes, the show has something munity singing hour. Join in on familiar for everyone and a few surprises. Doug studied composi- old songs, and enjoy the proven health tion and guitar at the Berklee School of Music and voice benefits of group singing. Lyrics will be with Frank Kelley. He performs at a variety of venues in provided. All abilities welcome – it’s the New England and beyond. For more information visit spirit that counts! www.dougschmolze.com. Sara is an experienced musician with an MA in World Music and a full-length CD. She has been leading group sings in a variety of places in Western Mass. This is the first of three sings “NAME THAT TUNE” funded by the Mass. Cultural Council. Sara has a repertoire of WITH STEVE DAMON more than 275 classic songs and she accompanies groups with an antique banjolele! Sing-along with Steve usually the 1st and 3rd Mondays year-round from 11-11:45 AM Amherst Senior Center Staff in the Large Activity Room.