Trends & Traditions March 2018 Madison Senior Center Featured Events ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 General Information/Ongoing Activities ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 Messages from the Municipal Agent ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Seminars, Series and Wellness Programs ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 General Information/Ongoing Activities ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Exercise and Health Programs ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Madison Senior Center Day Trips .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Madison Senior Center Travel Adventures .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Miscellaneous Notes ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 FEATURED EVENTS HOW TO NAVIGATE PROBATE COURT ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON Our Probate Judge Peter Barrett will be visiting us once Join us for a delicious celebratory St Patrick’s Day lunch. again to discuss what you can do on your own, what you We will serve need an attorney for, things you can do now rather than Braised Lamb Shank later to avoid probate or make the process smoother. Smashed Fingerling Potatoes Basically how to be less overwhelmed when you are and a Bit ‘O Irish Sweetness for dessert dealing with a very emotional situation of losing a spouse The Mulkerin Dancers from the Mulkerin or loved one. Registration required. Dancing School will be here to brighten your Friday, March 23rd at 1pm FREE day with some Irish Step dancing. Don’t miss it! Registration required. SLAVERY IN AMERICA AND THE Wednesday, March 14th at 11:30am Fee: $12 UNDERGROUND RAILROAD From the perspective of someone with biracial family ties, BEAT PD TODAY Dr. Rankin will chronicle the development of slavery in “Beat PD Today,” classes encourage intense exercise America and the heroic efforts of those who championed through boxing and Functional Interval Training. This its abolishment. The origin and development of the training is personalized for each individual. Classes also underground railroad will be discussed. The related roles provide emotional and social support and give participants of Harriet Beecher Stowe through her book, Uncle Tom’s a sense of power over their destiny. Cabin, Abolitionists John P. Parker, Rev John Rankin, Please come and experience our complimentary Beat PD William Lloyd Garrison and many others will be shared Today workout. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and through a slide presentation. A forum will be provided for bring your questions for how vigorous exercise helps folks to share their thoughts about racism today. people with Parkinson’s. Please register for this event. Dr. Rankin, a retired Yale trained physician and surgeon, is Registration required.. a member of the Madison Historical Society, the Friends Tuesday, March 20th at 2pm FREE of the Office of State Archaeology, Friends of Hammonasset. Registration required. SHOPPING TRIP Wednesday, March 7th at 1pm FREE Join us on a shopping trip to Orange to visit the Trader Joes, Talbots and LLBean stores with lunch at Bertuccis, AARP INCOME TAXE$ all within walking distance of each other. GET FREE HELP WITH YOUR TAX RETURN Sign up soon space is limited, we’ll need a minimum of 8 AARP Certified Tax-Aide counselors provide free income to make the trip go. tax preparation assistance for low-and-middle-income Monday, March 19th Depart MSC at 9:30am taxpayers of all ages, with special attention to those 60 & Returning by 2pm FEE: $5 older. Taxpayers MUST bring copies of their 2016 tax return. Tuesdays from 9:30 - 3 through April 10th Taxes will be prepared by appointment only. Please call (203)245-5627 for an appointment. GENERAL INFORMATION/ONGOING ACTIVITIES MADISON SENIOR CENTER PLAY OF THE HAND: THE DIAMOND SERIES 29 BRADLEY ROAD, MADISON, CT This bridge class for advancing players will be based on Play of the Hand in 06443 the 21st Century: The Diamond Series by Audrey Grant & Betty Starzec. This will be a series of 8, 1½ hour lessons. This class is for advancing players PHONE: (203) 245-5627 and will be part 1 of a 2 part class. It will cover Planning Declarer Play, (203) 318-0670 FAX: Developing Tricks, and How to Eliminate Losers. In the class we will discuss WEBSITE: www.madisonct.org/seniors the material in the book and have a set of pre-arranged hands prepared for HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4pm the students to play illustrating the concepts taught in the book. Instructor: SENIOR CAFÉ: (203) 245-5627 Don Brueggemann. DIAL-A-RIDE: (203) 245-5695 Tuesdays, April 3rd - May 22nd 10-11:30am Fee: MM $60|NMM $70 MUNICIPAL AGENT FOR INTRO TO BRIDGE –PART II THE ELDERLY:(203) 245-5687 An 8-week class that picks up after the first book, Bridge Basics 1, with the SENIOR COMMISSION second book in the Audrey Grant series, Bridge Basics 2, Competitive Vice-Chairs Dr. Gerard Kerins Bidding. The focus is on competitive bidding, but will cover fundamentals of Wendy Oberg bidding, play, and defense. This class is for beginner bridge players who have Members James Ball read the first book or who know the bare essentials and want to improve their Sheri Puricelli game. In addition to discussion, practice hands will be provided for actual Dale Kach play. Please purchase the book, Bridge Basics 2, Competitive Bidding by Lori Murphy Audrey Grant. Read the first chapter and bring the book to the first class. 8 John Dean Sessions (Min. enrollment: 8)Instructor: Sarah Corning) The Senior Commission meets on the Tuesdays, Mar. 27th– May 15th 10-11:30am Fee: MM60|NMM$70 second Thursday of the month at the LUNCH WITH TOM Senior Center. The next meeting will be Come enjoy lunch with our First Selectman, Tom Banisch. Tom joins us on th March 8 , 2018 at 5:30pm the 3rd Tuesday of every month to have lunch and chat with Madison seniors. SENIOR CENTER STAFF Bring your questions, concerns and compliments. th Director of Senior Services.. Austin Tuesday, March 20 , at 11:30am Please Register Lunch Fee: $4 Hall MAH JONGG GAME PLAY Asst. Director Heather Noblin Program Coordinator Ellie Gillespie It’s a game of skill, strategy and a certain degree of chance. There are lots of Receptionist Peggy Zambarano opportunities to play at MSC. All are welcome! Chef ……………………. Kevin Mon.: 11:30-3:30pm Wed.: 9:30-3:30pm Wolfe Thursdays: 9:30-3:30pm Fri.: 9:00-11:30am Server Amy Butler Server Laurie Bragg ONGOING ACTIVITIES Dishwasher Dan Lux AT THE SENIOR CENTER Bus Driver: Michael Rand Bridge Thursdays & Fridays 1 – 4pm Bus Driver: Helen Sneider Canasta Tuesdays 1 – 3:45pm Bus Driver: Dennis Marron Coloring Club Wednesdays 1:30 – 2:30pm Hand & Foot Fridays 1:30 – 3:45pm Cribbage Mondays 1 – 3pm Knitting 2nd & 4th Mondays 3:30 – 6pm of the month Poker Mondays & Wednesdays 12:45 – 3pm Men’s Poker Tuesdays 12:45 – 3:45pm Quilts of Joy Tuesdays 1:15 – 3:30pm Walking Club Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays 10am 2 MESSAGES FROM THE MUNICIPAL AGENT CONNECTICUT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Last Day for Fuel Deliveries is March 15th Helps to offset heating expenses during the winter. All fuel sources welcome to apply. An applicant must meet income & asset guidelines. Income and assets are counted for ALL members living in the home. Asset limit for homeowners is $15,000 & for renters is $12,000. Proof of all income, rent, & utility expenses, & bank statements for the month prior to the application date are required. Monthly Income: Single: $2,863, Couple: $3,745 TAX DEFERRAL PROGRAM Application Deadline May 15th Eligible applicants can defer payment of the real estate taxes for as long as they meet the qualifications of the program. Deferral of taxes cannot exceed $8,000 in any one tax year. Tax deferrals will be secured by a lien in the full amount and an interest rate is charged. The current interest rate is 1%. An applicant must first apply for the Tax Relief Program to be eligible for a deferral. 2017 Maximum Annual Income: $65,679 TAX FREEZE PROGRAM UPDATES Application Deadline May 15th The Town of Madison offers eligible applicants an opportunity to freeze their tax rate to help budget and save money over time. A qualified applicant will need to meet requirements for years of residency, as well as income, and assessed value of their home. Please file your 2017 income taxes first and stop in to the Senior Center for the specific guidelines. REMINDER: SENIOR & DISABLED TAX RELIEF PROGRAM Application Deadline May 15th The Town of Madison and State of CT offer tax relief for elderly and/or totally disabled residents that own