Bolton Senior Center

Prime Time: Online
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Keep In Touch! (860) 647-9196

Director: Carrie Concatelli, MSW


Administrative Assistants: Karen Frost & Pam Wentworth


Program Coordinator: Stephanie Crane

Director’s Note 

Dear Senior Center Friends,

It is that time of winter where we are start dreaming of some spring flowers. It still feels far away with the snow on the ground but how nice to see a relatively warmer day today! Just a few more days until we change that calendar page. Even though March can have its own set of weather difficulties, somehow it doesn’t seem as bad since there is only so much longer it can last at that point. Only 24 more days until spring, but who’s counting!

We are humming along at the Senior Center and we have a quite a few fun items “up our sleeves” that will be coming along shortly. I greatly encourage you to check out the fantastic joint programs we are hosting with Bentley Memorial Library and Bolton Recreation Department. Earlier this month we learned lots of great things about chocolate and tea. Did you know the trick to great chocolate covered strawberries? Make sure your strawberries are completely dry before you dip them in the chocolate and keep the strawberries at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator. The reason is that water is the enemy of chocolate and it will cause the chocolate to slide off. That is a tasty tip! There are many other programs coming up and we hope you join in to have some fun and learn a few things too. 

And as always, we are here for you for all the serious parts too – so if you need help or have a question, give us a call and we will be happy to see what we can do. 

Stay Safe,

Carrie
Reminder: when approaching the Senior Center for any reason, please wear a mask! Even if you have been vaccinated, many people have not been yet. The CDC recommends wearing masks in public settings so you can protect not only yourself, but others around you!
Senior Center Status

The Bolton Senior Center building remains closed to the public. 
  • Drop-off or pick-up items Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. only.
  • The Food Pantry is available for pick-up and delivery: please call ahead.
  • Transportation is available: please call ahead.
  • Water Available! Plan ahead – Call us if you need some water to keep on hand!
  • Energy Assistance is help paying for oil, propane, natural gas, pellets or electricity! Call ACCESS Community Access Agency at 860-450-7400 for more info. All Eversource customers are eligible for budget billing. Call 1-800-286-2828 to arrange. For more information or for assistance, call Bolton Social Services at 860-647-9196.
  • Need delivery from Bentley Library? Tell Library staff when reserving your items.
  • Borrow books or puzzles from the Senior Center! Call for more info.
  • Free Zumba for seniors every Monday at 5:30 pm: email marle99us@gmail.com
Covid-19 Vaccine Update

Yes, Connecticut is now offering vaccines for anyone age 65 and older! There are still many ways to schedule an appointment.

  • By Phone – Dial 877-918-2224. There are now extended hours to call. The phone option is available 12 hours a day 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Using VAMS (Vaccine Management System) – go to https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/onlinevaccine to start the process. Please note, you will receive an email with a link to continue. There is occasionally a delay in the receipt of this email. Then you will be asked additional information and need to enter a security code (provided to you by email) and create an account password to be able to schedule your appointment. If you have questions, please ask Senior Center staff.
  • Through a healthcare provider’s website like Hartford Healthcare.
  • CVS and Walgreens are now adding locations. Availability varies.
  • For additional locations, visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations and search by zip code.

Bolton Senior Center is providing transportation for anyone 65+ who would like help getting to their appointment. Please call 860-647-9196 to schedule transportation.
On-Call List Update

The Eastern Highlands Health District offers vaccine clinics in Mansfield. The Bolton Senior Center is maintaining an on-call list. Occasionally there are extra doses available at the end of the day. We will call participants on this list to offer those doses. This is not something that happens all of the time, but we have had several lucky participants who have been given this opportunity already. 

What is the criteria to be included on the on call list? 
  • You must be in the age group that is currently included in the vaccine distribution. Right now, that is anyone ages 65+ and as of Monday, March 1 will be anyone ages 55+. 
  • You need to have access to an email address on a mobile device (either a phone or tablet) that you can bring with you. This will allow the Health District to properly sign you up. 
  • You need to be willing and able to drive to Mansfield with less than 30 minutes notice. You will be given directions to the location at the time of the phone call.

If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the Senior Center at 860-647-9196 or email seniorservices@boltonct.org with the best contact phone number. Please note: if you do not answer we move onto the next participant, but we will try you again the next time. 

If you are currently on our list and have successfully scheduled an appointment, please let us know so we can keep our list updated and reach a participant in a very timely fashion. If you have any questions about this process, please let us know.  
AARP Tax Aide

Bolton Senior Center is happy to host the AARP FREE Tax Preparation Program. However, please note that all appointments will be contact-less this year. To schedule an appointment, please call Bolton Senior Center at 860-647-9196. We are scheduling appointments now for March. Staff will assist you in scheduling an appointment date. All intake forms and instructions will be mailed to you and you will be given specific drop-off instructions. You will need to be available by telephone on the morning of your appointment. Strict precautions will be in place to assure all documents remain secure and confidential and you will review and approve your return before it is submitted. For more information or to schedule call 860-647-9196.

Homeowner Tax Assistance

There is property tax assistance available for income-eligible homeowners who are over the age of 65. The income limit for this program is $37,600 for individuals and $45,800 for couples. FOR NEW APPLICANTS ONLY, the application is due May 15, 2021. For more information and to apply, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 860-623-8878.

Have you participated in this program last year? From the Assessor’s Office: Due to the Governor’s Executive Order: any homeowner or veteran who is due to refile for the tax benefit programs this year have been excused from filing an application. You will be notified to refile in January 2023 to refile for the 2022 and 2023 Grand Lists instead. Next year, if there is a substantial change to your income, you will be allowed to refile then if you wish. You will receive your benefit on this year’s tax bill automatically.  
Midwinter Mates

We hope you are enjoying chatting with your Midwinter Mate! Stephanie will be checking in with you this week to see how it is going! 
Yoga with Lisa

Register for Zoom classes at: www.LisaGaumond.com
Pen Pal Program

Please send your replies back to the senior center at 104 Notch Road, Bolton CT 06043!
Virtual Zoom Bingo- March
The next Bingo event will be Thursday, March 4 from 11 – 12 p.m. over Zoom with Stephanie!

Email Stephanie at scrane@boltonct.org with the subject line “Bolton Bingo” or call us at 860-647-9196 and we will arrange a contactless pick up or delivery to bring a stack of printed bingo cards to you, and we will email you the Zoom invite for the game! If you are not sure how to use Zoom, shoot Stephanie an email or give us a call at 860-647-9196, to arrange a time to help you set up Zoom and practice with you so you feel more comfortable!

No computer? No worries- you can also call in with a telephone number.

Register by Monday, March 1 to participate!
Send us your Winter Storm Stories!

Did you walk to school, up a hill, in a snowstorm, both ways!?

Some of you have reached out to us about some of the crazy winter storms you have lived through in your lives! Send us some of your most interesting stories for a chance to have it highlighted in the newsletter! 
The Great Ice Storm of 1898

Fran Murphy sent us information about The Great Ice Storm of 1898 that she got from an email subscription to Today in Connecticut History! Below is an excerpt from their website:

“February 22, 1898 marked the third and final day of one of the worst ice storms ever seen in Connecticut.”...” While the storm brought rain to southern Connecticut, the northwest hills experienced a steady three-day marathon of freezing rain that coated trees, buildings, roads, and everything else in its path with ice up to seven inches thick.

Roads were completely impassable. Even the old-fashioned horse-drawn sleighs that rural folks used for winter travel didn’t dare brave the slippery conditions, leaving many homesteads completely isolated for days. Witnesses described the constant, ominous sound of tree limbs cracking under the weight of all the ice.”
 
(“February 22: The Great Ice Storm of 1898, Today in CT History, February 22nd, 2021, https://todayincthistory.com/2021/02/22/february-22-the-great-ice-storm-of-1898-3/)
View near the Robbins School in Norwalk after the ice storm of February 1898. Photograph by Marie Kendall. (Connecticut Historical Society)
Greenwoods Road in Norwalk after the ice storm of February 1898. Photograph by Marie Kendall. (Connecticut Historical Society)
What is your favorite Dip Recipe?

Bolton Senior Center, Bentley Memorial Library, and the Bolton Recreation Department are sharing our favorite dip recipes during the month of February! Send us your favorite dip recipe for the chance for it to be shared in our newsletters! Check out the Library and Recreation Department newsletters in the coming weeks for more yummy dip recipes! Email scrane@boltonct.org to send in your recipe!

Sign up for the Library newsletter by emailing bmlcirculation@biblio.org., and go to https://boltonrec.recdesk.com/ for the Recreation newsletter!

Also, stay tuned for a Bolton dip recipe list that will be displayed on our website where we compile all of your dip recipes for the whole town to try!

Trivia Night will be on Thursday, March 18. Test your knowledge in this fun hour of Trivia. We’ll have four separate games, each with its own theme. Join us! To register or for more information, call 860-646-7349 or email bmlprograms@biblio.org.
This is a joint program with Bentley Memorial Library, Bolton Recreation Department, and Bolton Senior Center and Social Services. 

Upcoming Events at the Library for Grandkids!

Looking for something to do with the grandkids? Join Bentley Memorial Library for these virtual events. To register and receive the Zoom link, call 860-646-7349 or email bmlprograms@biblio.org
Residents and non-residents welcome.

Friendship Storytime and Crafts
Thursday Feb 25 - 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Each week will have a special focus, all around the idea of friendship.
To register, receive the Zoom link and activity sheet, call 860-646-7349 or email bmlprograms@biblio.org


Pajama Storytime
Feb 25 - 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Get in your cozy pajamas and hunker down in a comfy spot for Pajama Storytime featuring winter stories. 
Unlock Ancient Stories with DNA!

Reminder that Unlock Ancient Stories with DNA is this Friday, February 26th from 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Guided by CT Science Center STEM educators, we will explore how DNA can be used to uncover stories of people who lived hundreds -- or thousands -- of years ago! We will learn how to use DNA to determine what people looked like, what they may have eaten, how they lived, what diseases they may have had, and more. Program will include time for a group activity and a breakout session.
Bloomin’ 4 Good Program
Introducing Bloomin' 4 Good Program, a brand new program from Stop & Shop that works to fight hunger in our local communities! In this program, every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet sold helps to feed 10+ people in need.
 
From February 26th through the month of March, Bolton Food Pantry has been selected to receive a $1 donation for every $9.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker (pictured above) sold at the store located at 10 Pitkin Road, Vernon CT.

Look for the bouquets with the red circle sticker pictured here to make sure it is a Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet that will benefit your organization upon purchase.
The Joy of Gardening

Join The Residence at South Windsor Farms to experience the joy of Gardening! The Residence at South Windsor Farms will be hosting a virtual horticultural lecture and planting demonstration on Thursday, March 11 from 3 - 4:00 p.m. They will provide you with all of the supplies you will need to follow along at home.

Please RSVP to reserve your gardening supplies and schedule a pick up time. They will then send you a link to join the event.

RSVP by Monday March 8 to Rebecca Boucher by phone at 860-432-2911 or by email at rboucher@residencesouthwindsor.com
Light Laughter With Lynn
(Sobbing my heart out, my eyes were swollen, nose red)…”I can’t see you anymore", I said. I am not going to let you hurt me like this again!”
Trainer:  “It was a sit up. You did ONE sit up.”
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It’s weird being the same age as old people.
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When I was a kid I wanted to be older…this is not what I expected.
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It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.
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My wife asked me to take her to one of those restaurants where they make the food right in front of you. So I took her to Subway and that’s how the fight started.
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So if a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it a milk dud or an udder failure?
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I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.
Funnies from John Curtin!
How to survive the last few weeks of winter!

 
We have just a few weeks left of winter, and boy do they feel long! It feels like it has been snowing for weeks, and that winter has been years long! We want to share a few tips and tricks to get you through it!

  • Embrace it!
We know we can’t make time fast forward to the warmer weather, so why not enjoy the last weeks of crisp air and warm hot chocolate? Put on your favorite jacket, and step outside for a few minutes. Soak it up!

  • Get Active!
Even though it is still cold, you can still enjoy some physical activity. Take a walk, do some yoga, stretch- anything! Exercise is proven to boost your mood, so let all those feel-good endorphins in and beat some of the Winter Blues.

  • Get Social!
Are you in a slump? Stuck in your house and missing seeing friends and family? Give someone a call! Talk to a friend you haven’t caught up with in a while, or call a family member or neighbor!

  • Combat Cravings… Or Don’t! (this is where I disagree with the article)
Technically, the article I got these tips from says you shouldn’t give in to your comfort food cravings and have a fruity smoothie instead. But, I say to heck with that! If you want a donut, or a bowl of ice cream, OR even that smoothie? Go ahead and have it! Everything is good in moderation, and sometimes our cravings are little indulgences that we look forward to each day! 

Have a great week!

-The Bolton Senior & Social Services Staff