Kennedy Center News April 2021 The Kennedy Center will be closed on Monday, April 19th in observance of Patriots' Day. Dear Friends, As the legendary Beatle George Harrison said, “It's been a long, cold, lonely winter”. Harrison penned these lines in his song “Here Comes the Sun.” In an interview he explained that the inspiration for writing that tune came to him early one Spring when he finally got the chance to participate in one of his favorite pastimes, walking through his garden. “It had been a long, cold, lonely winter and I had a sense of relief when Spring finally came upon us that year,” Harrison said. I think we can all share that sentiment after the year and the Winter we have been through. Throughout this pandemic, I have let my feelings be known that the major television news outlets have been completely irresponsible throughout this difficult time, because of their promotion of fear mongering. They have made a bad situation much worse. In some cases, you could almost sense the glee as they were delivering the bad news to us. In contrast we should be most grateful to our local media outlets such as QATV, the Patriot Ledger and the Quincy Sun. QATV has assisted us by putting a block of programming in each day that featured some of the programs we offer here such as Exercise Class, Strength Training, Zumba, and Eldy’s Yoga. They have also featured other programs from various communities throughout the state. Joe Catalano has done several interviews with me so that we could stay in touch with you. Sue Scheible of the Patriot Ledger has done tremendous work throughout this pandemic. Over the course of her long career as a report- er, Sue has done so many great human-interest stories. Her upbeat and hopeful tone has been a beacon of light to a needy group of peo- ple. She has highlighted many of the positive things that we have been doing here as well as other Councils on Aging throughout the South Shore and many stories highlighting how families have been able to rise to the challenges we all have been forced to face. We are working on plans to reopen the Kennedy center. We will be watching very closely what percentage of the community is able to get the vaccination and look at all the data regarding which direction this virus is headed. As soon as we have a concrete idea as to when we can open, we will get that information to you. In the meantime, if we can help with anything do not hesitate to call us as the staff has been in and working throughout the pandemic. I do think as I look to the near future, I can say like George Harrison said “Here Comes the Sun". Thomas J. Clasby, Jr. Director For timely information, Kennedy Center topics of interest, an- 440 East Squantum Street nouncements and more, be sure to Quincy, MA 02171 like us on Facebook! Search us Kennedy Center 617-376-1506 under Quincy Council on Aging www.quincyma.gov/government/elderserv Hours: Monday- Friday 8:30 – 4:30PM April 2021 Quincy Council on Aging 2 Sherriff’s Office Senior Programs The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office offers programs devoted to the safety and security of senior citizens. Are You OK? - a daily telephone reassurance program File of Life - an information card with your medical information on it that enables paramedics and EMTs to quickly administer the proper treatment in the case of an emergency. Yellow Dot - quick access to critical medical information about the occupants of an automobile in the event of an accident/health emergency. Please call the Sheriff’s Office directly at 781-329-3705 for more information about any of these programs. Shredding Friday, May 7th from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M Seniors are invited to safely dispose of sensitive and personal documents to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud. Visit the Kennedy Center and have tax, financial, legal and other documents shred free of charge. Staples and paper clips do not need to be removed. Please call the Kennedy Center at 617 -376-1506 to register. Gratitude Journal Cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” is a healthy way to combat negative thoughts. Even in situa- tions that are out of our control, it’s always possible to find something to be thankful for. Feeling grateful for the good things in our life (no matter how small) will lead to greater happiness and better health. Keep a notebook by your bed and start a nightly routine of writing 3-5 things you were grateful for that day. Remember, these don’t have to be major, life-changing events. It can be something as simple as a beautiful sunrise or a phone call from a friend. (617)472-5888 650 Hancock Street, Quincy • HamelLydon.com South Cove Community Health Center The Premier Asian Community Health Center of Massachusetts 2 space (Business Card Size) Serving the Quincy Asian 3.8” x 1.6”Community since 1996 435 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02171 $935/yr617-318-3300 88 Holmes St., Quincy, MA 02171 617-318-3200 www.scchc.org Ad info. 1-800-477-4574 • Publication Support 1-800-888-4574 • www.lpiseniors.com Quincy Council on Aging, Quincy, MA 06-5157 April 2021 Quincy Council on Aging 3 April QATV Programming Schedule All programs listed below will be aired on Channel 9 Mondays 12:30 pm - Finding Strength & Balance with Maggie 12:45 pm - Finding Strength & Balance with Maggie 1:00 pm - All Things Aging: Nutrition, Part 1 (5th&9th) 1:00 pm - Growing Dahlias with Kathleen LaLiberte (12th&26th) Tuesdays 9:00 am - Balance Class for Adults Over 60 10:00 am - Exercise with Karen 11:00 am - Thomas Crane Library Presents: Fall Prevention and Stress Management for the Aging Adult 12:30 pm - Eldy’s Yoga 1:30 pm - Timing is Everything: Complicated Grief (6th&20th) 1:30 pm - Timing is Everything: Pandemic Era Compassion (13th&27th) Wednesdays 9:00 am - Tai Chi with Vince Journales 12:30 pm - Finding Strength & Balance with Maggie 12:45 pm - Finding Strength & Balance with Maggie 1:00 pm - Zumba Gold with Mary Ellen Reardon 1:30 pm - Library Concert Series: Paul Agnew & Capavella Quintet (7th&21st) 1:30 pm - Library Concert Series: Lisa Yves & Friends (14th&28th) Thursdays 9:00 am - Healthy Bones & Balance 10:00 am - Exercise with Karen 12:30 pm - Eldy’s Yoga 1:30 pm - Thomas Crane Library Presents: Fall Prevention and Stress Management for the Aging Adult Fridays 9:00 am - Tai Chi with Vince Journales 12:30 pm - Finding Strength & Balance with Maggie 12:45 pm - Finding Strength & Balance with Maggie 1:00 pm - Zumba Gold with Mary Ellen Reardon 1:30 pm - Elder Update: Quincy’s Biggest Loser Would you like to have our newsletter mailed to your home? Please detach the form below and mail it along with your $6 check made payable to: Quincy Council on Aging 440 East Squantum Street Quincy, MA 02171. Cost is $6.00 for one year. Kennedy Center Newsletter Home Mailing Form Subscriber Name___________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ City/Town, State, Zip_______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ April 2021 Quincy Council on Aging 4 Spring Has Sprung! Well folks, we did it once again. We have survived the short, cold, and dark days of winter. April is here and as we know, with it comes April showers. But did you know there are many fun and noteworthy days of celebrations? Why is it important to know about these special days? I’m so glad you asked, it’s simple! The more we celebrate life, the more energy and happiness we have to do what we need to do. Also, the more we harness these “free” sources of vitality the more they offer us extra pep in our step. Finally, the more we move around, the better for our overall health and well being. Here are some interesting days in April that come to mind: April 1st - April Fool’s Day, National Sourdough Bread Day, Major League Opening Day April 7th - No Housework Day, National Walking Day, National Coffee Cake Day April 11th - National D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read Day, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, Walk on your Wild Side Day April 23rd - National Cherry Cheesecake Day, National Hairball Awareness Day, Spanish Language Day April 30th - International Jazz Day, National Honesty Day, National Oatmeal Cookie Day As always, I hope that you take the time to celebrate these days by doing something fun to commemorate them by. Whether it is walking extra steps, baking something, or reading something new to add more joy into your day. Share with other members of the Kennedy Center which days you picked. We would love to hear from you. Debbie Lyn Toomey Injury Prevention Coordinator Tufts Medical Center Hospital City of Quincy Vaccine Information Currently, residents of Quincy over the age of 65, anyone with 2 pre-existing conditions, and school employees, can register for available vaccine appointments via a state sponsored mass vaccination clinic or at a clinic Manet Community Health Center is operating in part- nership with the City of Quincy. Vaccine appointments are required. Appointments are limited, and residents are encouraged to preregister and check back daily for new openings. For those who need assistance using online registration, the City is providing a registration assistance call center at 617-376-1470. The call center is available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Residents can call 617-376-1298 for Chinese language assistance.