Top of the Hill

T HE BRIDGEWATER OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS COLE-YEATON SENIOR CENTER 10 WALLY KRUEGER WAY, BRIDGEWATER, MA 02324 January 2014 PHONE: 508-697-0929 FAX: 508-697-0945 [email protected]

Director’s Notes: Happy New Year ! Where to find your copy of Top of the Hill I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday spending time with friends and family. I always look forward to receiving Christmas cards from Bridgewater Housing Authority far away friends and catching up with their news! As many of you High Pond Estates Clubhouse know, I now have 3 grandchildren with a 4th on the way in February! Stone Meadow Clubhouse We are so excited! Please feel free to stop in to the center anytime to Bridgewater Public Library keep warm. The Town Hall PLEASE NOTE: Hope to see you soon! Roche Bros. Supermarket All town offices will be closed Harbor One Credit Union Sincerely, Monday, January20th Priscos Market In observance of The Bridgewater Senior Center www.bridgewaterma.org Lorraine Carrozza Martin Luther King Jr. Day

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY

Join us February 12th at Noon

For lunch and Entertainment by Victor Sologaistoa $3.00 Donation

Please call 508-697-0929 to sign up

TIME FOR TAXES

AARP VOLUNTEER Available to do simple tax returns at No Charge for seniors and low income individuals beginning February 6th Thursdays Only, 9-2:30 Call 508-697-0929 to make your appointment JANUARY Page 2

HEALTH & ASSISTANCE

Z UMBA Basic Fitness Class with Instructor Lori Hunter Tuesdays @ 8:45am and Thursdays @ 9am $5.00 per class

Arthritis Foundation Exercise class by Wendy moore

Wednesdays & Fridays 9:00 ~ 10am For more information call: 1-774-222-5936

TRANSPORTATION Self Help Fuel Assistance TO The Fuel Assistance program runs from November 1st through April 30th. It provides assistance in paying for heating costs to over 10,000 house- MARKET BASKET holds annually in the Self Help service area. Eligibility for the program is Every Tuesday based on household’s gross income. And Wednesday

Please take note of the documents needed to apply: Trip to Walmart Picture ID for the head of household, Wednesday, Proof of Income (last 4 weeks) for everyone 18 and older, January 15th Social Security cards for everyone in the household, Space is limited Proof of housing costs : If you rent, Landlord’s name, address and phone Please call 508-697-0929 number. If you own, Mortgage statement, property taxes and To reserve your seat homeowner’s insurance Heating and Electric bills To apply Call Kathy Hayes, Outreach Coordinator 508-697-Please make sure you have all documents when you call to schedule an appointment.

--BRIDGEWATER FAMILY DANCE SERIES-- AN EVENT FOR ALL AGES*

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS—2:00-4:00 p.m. JANUARY 26 FEBRUARY 23 MARCH 23

Enjoy circle dances, mixers, dances from other countries, New England square and contra dances. All dances instructed, suitable for all ages, and appropriate for adults and children dancing together! Bridgewater Senior Center Admission: $3 per child, $5 per adult, $10 per family (three or more)

Join us for: MILES OF SMILES, FAMILY FUN, THE JOY OF RHYTHMIC MOVEMENT.

Dance leader: Sam Baumgarten . Sam is a professor emeritus at Bridgewater State University, has over 40 years of teaching experience with all ages, and continues to teach classes at BSU in folk, square, and contra dance.)

For more information please call Sam : 508-697-6848 or email [email protected] Page 3 TOP OF THE HILL

January Q & A Courtesy of Old Colony Elder Services

Any tips for having a discussion about End-Of-Life Care?

Most people feel uncomfortable talking about dying or what kind of care they would like at the end of their life. A new group, The Conversation Project, believes that the time to talk about end-of-life care is at the kitchen table, not in the intensive care unit. ―Too many people are dying in a way they wouldn’t choose,‖ The Conversation Project states, ―and too many of their loved ones are left feeling bereaved, guilty, and uncertain.‖ The Conversation Project wants to make sure that an individual’s wishes and preferences are talked about and respected. According to a survey conducted in , 60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough end-of-life decisions is extremely important, yet 56% have not told their family about their end-of-life wishes. The same survey revealed that less than one in four people had put their wishes in writing. One federal surveyed found that 70% of people would prefer to die at home, yet 70% die in hospitals or nursing facilities. The Conversation Project began in 2010 when a group of medical professionals, clergy, and members of the media be- gan sharing stories of good deaths and bad deaths within their own circle. The group then began a grassroots public campaign hoping to initiate a change in our culture. ―To make it easier to initiate conversations about dying, and to en- courage people to talk now and as often as necessary so that their wishes are known when the time comes‖ is the goal of The Conversation Project. For people not sure how to begin this discussion with loved ones, The Project has published Your Conversation Starter Kit, designed to help you get your thoughts organized. The Starter Kit asks questions like: How long do you want to receive medical care? How involved do you want your loved ones to be? Do you think that your loved ones know what you want, or do you think they have no idea? The Kit also suggests dialogue to break the ice and begin the discussion regarding end-of-life care. You might try, ―I need to think about the future. Will you help me?‖ Another approach might be, ―Even though I’m ok right now, I’m worried about what might happen to me and I want to be prepared.‖ The Kit also suggests you talk about how actively you want to be involved in decision-making about your care, and who you would like to have as your health care proxy? Do you want (or not want) aggressive treatment—resuscitation, feeding tube, etc? According to The Conversation Project, you don’t need to guide the conversation. Just let it happen. Every attempt at a conversation is valuable; these conversations are meant to help you and your loved ones live and die in a way that you choose. Every family has stories to tell about how some loved one died—after a long illness, or perhaps suddenly. We talk about good deaths and bad deaths, but in many of these situations, it is not clear how and where the loved one wanted to die, and what specific instructions they would have wanted the family to use as a guide. Page 4 TOP OF THE HILL ….Listen Up ! Brief news of interest to Bridgewater veterans and their families.

Two Bridgewater sailors, brothers John Manley Pierpont, age 23, and Robert Atwill Pierpont, age 24, were killed aboard USS Jarvis, in the Pacific Theater of Operations, on 7 August 1942. They resided at 1163 Summer Street and were the sons of Myron Atwill and Helen Pierpont.

Through the efforts and diligence of Madelyn Kubiak of Bridgewater and Lawrence Noonan of West Bridgewater, a sister of the brothers was located and the information obtained. It now brings to a close a tragic chapter in the history of Bridgewater. “The fallen, gone but never forgotten.”

USS Jarvis (DD-393), 1937-1942 USS Jarvis, a 1500-ton Bagley class built at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington, was commissioned in October 1937. After shakedown and alterations, she spent the next two years operating in the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. Jarvis was based in Hawaii after April 1940, taking part in the U.S. Fleet's preparations for the increasingly likely outbreak of war with . She was tied up at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard when the Japanese attacked and used her guns in the efforts to repel the Japanese aircraft. During the next seven months, Jarvis participated in several operations, including the abortive Wake Island Relief expedition in December 1941, anti-submarine patrols and aircraft carrier screen- ing duties in January 1942 and escorting convoy to Australia, in February-March and May-June 1942. Jarvis was then employed on patrol and escort work in the south Pacific until mid-July, when she joined the task force that was preparing for the U.S. Navy's first major offensive un- dertaking, the invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Arriving in the invasion area on 7 August 1942, Jarvis covered the landing forces as they put U.S. Marines ashore. The next day, she was hit by a torpedo when Japanese aircraft counter-attacked. Though badly damaged and down at the bow, she was still seaworthy enough to proceed independ- ently to Australia for repairs. While steaming past the northeastern end of Guadalcanal during the night of 9 August, she was briefly and ineffectively engaged by Japanese ships during the Battle of Savo Island. Shortly after noon on that day, USS Jarvis was attacked by an overwhelming force of Japanese land-based bombers. Hit repeatedly, she was lost with her entire crew. RODERICK K. WALSH Director Veterans’ Services

BRIDGEWATER GOLDEN AGERS WE MEET EVERY FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT THE COLE/YEATON SENIOR CENTER @ 1:30 pm Dessert, Coffee and Punch are served at the meetings.

BRIDGEWATER GOLDEN AGERS MEMBERSHIP

DATE:______PHONE: ______

NAME AND ADDRESS: ______

Enclosed are my membership dues in the amount of $5.00 (___) I am enclosing an additional donation in the amount of $_____ Total enclosed $____ Please make checks payable to: Bridgewater Golden Agers and mail to: Mildred Hasson, 105 Harvard St. Bridgewater, MA 02324 Page 5 Outreach Notes... From Kathy Hayes Top of the Hill

Tax Time

The Senior Circuit breaker tax credit is a state income tax credit for eligible Massachusetts residents age 65 or older who paid rent or real estate taxes during the tax year. Home owners can claim the credit if they paid more than 10% of their total income for real estate taxes, including water and sewer debt charges. Renters can count 25% for their rent as real estate tax payments.

You must file a state income tax return in order to claim the circuit breaker credit. The maximum credit for the tax year 2012 is $1000.

To qualify you must be 65 years or older by the end of the tax year. If married, you must file jointly. You cannot be the dependent of another taxpayer. You must rent or own a home in Massachusetts that is your primary residence. If you are a homeowner, your property’s assessed value cannot be greater than $705,000 on January 1. 2012. If you are a renter, you cannot be getting federal or state rent subsidy, and your landlord must pay property taxes. You must meet the following income limits: not greater than $53,000 single $67,000 head of household $80,000 married filing jointly

Even if you are not required to file state income taxes, you will want to in order to not miss out on this credit.

The Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP) is a service that provides residents with a permanent disability access to the telephone network in their homes. By offering specialized telephones for free or at a reduced cost, depending on income, this program fosters independence, empowerment, and freedom of choice. MassEDP provides adaptive telephone equipment to people who have difficulty using the telephone due issues such as hearing loss or vision loss. This enables you to have the opportunity to enjoy clear, independent phone communications and the ability to contact 911 in the event of an emergency. The specialized telephone equipment is offered to people with a permanent disability for little or no cost, depending on income level. The Massachusetts State 9-1-1 Department, an agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, admin- isters MassEDP and was jointly developed by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Massa- chusetts Commission for the Blind, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, user community representatives, and the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable. Thank you for your interest in MassEDP. Please call 1-800-300-5658.

**** CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Kathy Hayes **** At The Senior Center ~ Thursdays, January 9th and 30th 10:00~ 11:30 am All are welcome to attend Page 6 TOP OF THE HILL JANUARY HOME COOKED LUNCH MENU Donation $3.00 per meal. Menu subject to change. Bread, Dessert and a Beverage are provided with each meal. Mondays and Tuesdays Reservations are required Please call 697-0929 by Noon on Friday

Monday Tuesday

6 7 American Chop Suey Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

13 14 Meatloaf Dinner Chicken & Rice Casserole

20 21 NO LUNCH TODAY Ravioli Bake with Salad OFFICE CLOSED 27 28 Baked Haddock with Potato & Veggies Broccoli and Ham Quiche

Lunch & BINGO !!!! TRIAD Join Nick and Sass at S.A.L.T. Council The Senior Center -Seniors & Wednesday, January 8th at Noon Law Enforcement Together-

$3.00 donation Business Meeting Please call 508-697-0929 to sign up January 21st 12:30

CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE

2 (14 1/2-ounce) can green beans, drained and rinsed 3 cups diced cooked chicken 1 medium onion, diced and sauteed 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped 1 (4-ounce) can pimentos, drained 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup 1 cup mayonnaise 1 (6-ounce) box long-grain and wild rice, cooked according to package directions 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar Pinch salt Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Cole-Yeaton Senior Center January 2014

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 9:00 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis OFFICE 1:00 Cribbage Exercise CLOSED 9:00 Crafters 9:30 Mah Jong

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9:00 Painters 9:00 Arthritis 9:00 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis 7:00 12:00 Lunch 8:45 Zumba Exercise 10:00– Exercise WHIST

9:30 Line Dancing 9:00 Crafters Caregivers 9:00 Crafters 10:15 COA Shopping 10:00 Bridge Support Group 9:30 Mah Jong 12:00 Lunch 11-1:00 Quilters 1:00 Cribbage 10:15 COA Shopping Noon- Bingo

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 8:45 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis 9:00 Painters 9:30 Line Dancing Exercise 9:00 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis 12:00 Lunch 10:15 COA Shopping 9:00 Crafters 1:00 Cribbage Exercise 12:00 Lunch 10:00 Bridge 9:00 Crafters 11-1:00 Quilters 9:30 Mah Jong 10:15 COA Shopping

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 8:45 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis OFFICE 9:30 Line Dancing Exercise 9:00 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis 7:00 CLOSED 10:15 COA 9:00 Crafters 1:00 Cribbage Exercise WHIST Shopping 10:00 Bridge 9:00 Crafters 12:00 Lunch 11-1:00 Quilters 9:30 Mah Jong 12:30 TRIAD 10:15 COA Shopping Business Meeting 26 27 28 29 30 31

9:00 Painters 8:45 Zumba 9:00 Arthritis 9:00 Zumba 12:00 Lunch 9:30 Line Exercise 10:00– 5:00 COA Meeting Dancing 9:00 Crafters Caregivers 10:15 COA 10:00 Bridge Support Group Shopping 11-1:00 Quilters 1:00 Cribbage 12:00 Lunch 10:15 COA Shopping

INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION When Bridgewater Schools are closed due to inclement weather, ALL ACTIVITIES AT THE SENIOR CENTER WILL BE CANCELLED. Listen for announcements on local radio and TV stations.

Squiggly Sudoku Answers On Page 2

The printing of this newsletter is made possible by a Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

The mission of the Office of Elder Affairs is to promote the emotional, physical and economic well being of older adults and to encourage their participation in all aspects of community life.

COUNCIL ON AGING BRIDGEWATER COLE-YEATON CHAIRMAN: OFFICE OF ELDER AFFAIRS SENIOR CENTER Pat Boyle TRUSTEES HOURS: VICE CHAIRMAN: Bob Coolen Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CHAIRMAN:

TREASURER: Friday 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. VICE CHAIRMAN: Victor Delmonte Secretary: Telephone: 508-697-0929 Nick Bagas TREASURER: Ken Jenkins MEMBERS: Lorraine Carrozza, Director MEMBERS: Richard Porter Paul Chuilli Kathy Hayes, Outreach Coordinator Anthony Anacki Shirley Wilbur Kelly Chuilli Sandy Alley Joanne Caratelli, Administrative Clerk

Joan Columbo Paul Simmons, Ken Pimental Van Drivers Honorary member:

Bob Williams Stacy Driscoll, Nutrition Site Aide

NEXT MEETING: Stephani Godfrey, Nutrition Site Aide NEXT MEETING: January 27th, 5:00 PM TBA