Photos courtesy of Beth of courtesy Shedd Photos May/June 2020 The mission of the Wellesley Council on Aging is to serve as the primary resource for residents over the age of 60; to empower individuals to reach their goals; to offer comprehensive programs, services, and assistance that optimize quality of life; and to enable meaningful connections and collaborations that inspire a spirit of community across generations in our town. Dear Tolles Parsons Members, We may be living in unclear times, but one thing is Visit Our Newly Expanded certain; you are not alone. No matter what the news Lending Library may say, you are part of a community that comes together to support each other! Since our ability to hold We recently expanded our lending library regular programming is fluid, and at the time of print to include two new genres. Thanks to the we are officially closed until May 4th. We hope you find Wellesley Free Library for donating the comfort in the pages to follow. We have been working healthy aging and caregiving books, and different ways to provide some kind of programming thanks to our patrons for donating the to you. We have been sending these out to you, via large print books. email, as they become available, Staff is in the building and available to answer any questions and provide For visitors who have not yet discovered information to you. Please call us at 781-235-3961, our hidden gem, the library is located if even just to talk to us. We want to make you feel in the lounge along the fireplace wall. as connected to the TPC, as possible. Books, jigsaw puzzles and DVDs are available to borrow and return. Magazines and newspapers are available MA Updates on to read while in the café and lounge, but Covid-19 they mustWellesley remain Council on in Aging that seconda area.ry color palette with secondary logo Text COVIDMA Can you help us as we consider which newspapers to renew? On the clipboard to 888-777 above the newspaper rack, please enter a tally mark for any of the four listed newspapers that you read -- each time you read them. Any comments that you’d like to include on the other clipboard would be helpful as well. This newsletter was funded in part by a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Page 1 Wellesley Council on Program Information and Policies Aging Staff: Age Policy Filled Classes/Waitlist Judith Webster, Priority is given to Wellesley residents age 60 and over. You are encouraged to register as soon as Interim Director of Senior Services If space permits, non-Wellesley residents age 60 and possible. Programs are filled on a first come, Kate Burnham, over are welcome to participate. Individuals under first served basis. We do not “hold” spots. Health and Social Services Administrator age 60 are invited to participate if space permits. Once a program fills, you may call or visit Senior Activities Coordinator the COA to be added to the waiting list. Amy Rose, If a certain program is restricted to Wellesley For programs requiring pre-registration Andria DeSimone, Office Administrator residents only, it will be noted in the description. Sally Miller, Volunteer Coordinator and/or fee-based programs, drop-ins are Please note that many of our programs require not permitted. To check your waitlist Enid Stepner, Activities Assistant pre-registration. status, please call the COA. Roslyn Comenitz, Department Assistant Sarah Paglione, Department Assistant Program Cancellation Food/Beverages Rachel Tannenbaum, Programs that do not attain the minimum enrollment All are welcome to enjoy coffee and tea on Interim Transportation Coordinator will be cancelled one business day in advance of the the first floor of the Tolles Parsons Center. Rick Waldman, Bus Driver scheduled start date. Full tuition will be refunded. Beverages with lids are now permitted on Dana Wilson, Bus Driver We reserve the right to reschedule or change classes. the 2nd floor. Food is permitted on the 1st Richard Howell, Bus Driver You will be called if your class is cancelled, otherwise, floor only. plan on attending. Dawnmarie Cole, Custodian, FMD Participant Photograph Make Up Classes Policy Friends of the Wellesley One potential make-up date will be agreed upon by Periodically, the COA photographs/ COA Leadership instructors and staff for all fee-based programs that videotapes program participants for run several consecutive weeks. All students will have promotional use. Unless participants Peter Godfrey inform us of their desire not to be Fred Keuthen this information prior to registration. No refunds Joan Sullivan will be given if you cannot attend the make-up class. photographed, the COA may use Make up dates/times may differ from the regularly photographs/videotapes for promotional purposes. Wellesley COA scheduled class day/time. Board of Directors *These policies are subject to revision and will be reviewed at least annually. Kathleen Vogel, Chair Refund Policies Marlene Allen, Vice Chair Cancelled Class Dianne Sullivan, Secretary Full Refund will be given for a cancelled class. Friendly Reminders! Laurie Ferrante Fragrances: As a courtesy to all of our Robert Ferrell Class Refunds participants, when using perfumes Lisa Heyison Refunds will be issued when COA staff is notified or body lotions, we ask you to be mindful Gerry Hume prior to the start of the second scheduled class. of those with allergies and sensitivities Thomas Kealy Penny Lawrence The refund amount will be equal to the total of to fragrances. Tony Parker the remaining classes. No exceptions will be made. Susan Rosefsky Scholarship Funds Available: Funds One-time Only Program Refund may be available to subsidize or pay for Refund minus a $5.00 administrative fee if COA classes, activities or trips for COA Board meeting dates you notify the COA one business day prior. Wellesley residents. Call Kate Burnham for more information. Meetings take place at the Day Trip Refund Tolles Parsons Center Tolles Parsons Center parking: Should Tentative Refund policies for day trips will be clearly stated on all publicity materials for each individual you find the TPC parking lot to be full • Thursday, May 21 at 4:00 p.m. upon your arrival, there are usually spots • Thursday, June 21 at 4:00 p.m. trip (e.g. COA newsletter, day trip flyer, and newspaper article).Therefore, refunds will be available along both sides of Washington Street in front of the center. TPC visitors * Additional meetings will be posted issued only when in compliance with the stated as needed. are welcome to park in these spaces. refund policy. Refund policies will always state, Tolles Parsons Center “no refund issued after X date.” Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday Program Specific Refund Policy 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please note that there may be a specific refund The COA occasionally schedules events policy for a particular program. The specific policy Wellesley Council on Aging secondary color palette with secondary logo and/or trips outside of normal business hours. information will be noted in the program description. 781.235.3961 www.wellesleycoa.org Please Note: Although we make every effort to ensure that the information in our newsletter is accurate, [email protected] there are times when we inadvertently leave something out or make an error, or information has changed since the publishing date. Please feel free to call us at (781) 235-3961 to verify any information. Page 2 Welcome A Note from the Interim We would like to welcome our two new part-time Department Assistants who will become familiar faces at the front desk when we re-open. Director, Judith Webster Dear COA Patron, Sarah Paglione, has been a greeter at the TPC since 2019, so she may be familiar to you. Our other new Department We’ve missed you terribly, plain and simple! I’m so grateful you Assistant is Roslyn Comenitz, who is also a friendly and are all healthy and responsibly exercising all the recommended welcome addition to our team. precautions to stay safe; but we do miss you and hope that we will be able to open again. I’ve been pleased by the number of our instructors who have been able to hold some of the programming and classes on one online platform or another. But the biggest KUDOS go to you members who readily availed yourselves of your classes and the new offerings for the larger community. I’m appreciative of the ways we were able to maintain and strengthen our connection by forging some new communication channels. I’ve also loved those of you, out for a walk, who turned into the COA parking lot and knocked on our windows to say hello. It’s so good to see your faces! And I know I speak for the entire staff as well as myself, when I say how much we love getting your emails and calls. Sarah Paglione Roslyn Comenitz Looking forward, we are optimistically preparing for a soft opening as soon as we are permitted. Many of our instructors are ready to resume programming once we get the “all clear” signal. We will Support Kelsey Merriam’s be announcing and registering those classes soon as we resume our normal operations. We are also exploring other programs Marathon Run and lectures to offer remotely, should the Stay-At-Home order And Support Wellesley persist. We will reach out to you by phone and email as things Seniors and the Council unfold. We urge you when making any decisions to participate, on Aging on Monday, to carefully consider your individual health and what is in your September 14th.