Category: News

If you are an Eversource customer, please read the IMPORTANT message below regarding a new scam that has recently surfaced-

⚠️ Watch out for a new scam circling around ⚠️. This time scammers are calling to say they need to install a new meter for the customer to avoid being disconnected, but they have to make an immediate payment of $300 first❗ This is NOT us. If you ever question any phone call or encounter, please contact us immediately at 800-286-2000 and alert your local police department. We’re here when you need us. #ScamAlert #StopScams

If you served in the military and have an honorable discharge your level of VA benefits varies according to a whole lot of factors. When you served. Where you served. How long you were in. Plus, other details.

But the good news is there is someone out there waiting to help you figure out which benefits you are entitled to.

And I used the word “entitled” because they are your benefits. You earned them by serving and you deserve them.

And remember things are always changing. So, if you asked about your VA benefits when you first got out or five years ago. Even last year. Ask again because lots of factors have changed.

I mentioned having an honorable discharge and even that has been relooked at.

Also depending on your service, you might be entitled to things someone else doesn’t get. Or they get something you can’t get.

And regardless there is help out there for all veterans.

Depending on where you live is where you need to go. A great starting point is the VA website and it’s super easy to find. VA.gov. Go to the website and poke around. Its jam packed with information for you.

Check with your Senior Center and Town Hall. They can point you in the right direction. Call your Senator and Representative they can help as well.

Here in Connecticut each town has a Veteran Representative trained to help all veterans. There are VA clinics and VA hospitals. Plus, a growing number of Veterans Coffeehouses.

Ask for guidance. Stop in talk with the folks. Share your story.

Remember to visit VA.gov for the website.

Make some phone calls!

They are waiting to help you!!

To subscribe to our ONLINE Discover 55 newsletter (click on link below) scroll down to UNDER the displayed newsletter and under that on the right hand side is SUBSCRIBE button (see attached image)

Once your email is submitted you will receive an email asking them to confirm the subscription.

https://www.ourseniorcenter.com/…/file/06-5014-20190901N.pdf

We look around in today’s world and often notice we are looking down at a devise rather than at each other. It wasn’t long ago if you were waiting for your appointment, your turn to check out or for the movie to start that people were actually talking to each other.

The chatting might have been about the wait, the weather or other insignificant things but we were engaging with each other.

We humans are social animals. We fail to thrive as babies if we are not held, talked to and loved by others. The same holds true throughout our lives. We don’t want to be by ourselves 100% of the time. Oh, we like our alone time but soon find we want to be out and with others.

Often the problem arises in today’s world of how do we make new friends? How do we gather?

We have our routines where we go to family for the holidays. Off to this friend for Fourth of July. We belong to this club and volunteer over there.

Then time passes. We have moved. They have moved. There was a spat. The club or volunteer work is no longer rewarding. Friends and family have died.

We are more alone than we want to be… And it’s hard.

It has become harder to make new friends. Where do you find them? How do you start?

You could start by making a list of your friends and add to that list people you know who you would like to get to know better.

Now think about the things you like to do or want to do. Try to pair up those things and those people on your list.

When you think it might work, invite them to join you on that yard sale adventure or to go to the museum or how about the Farmer’s Market.

You won’t get a yes, every time but keep trying. Don’t give up. Try, try again.

And just try saying Hi to everyone you encounter during your week. Be the person you are looking for. Yes, I know it’s hard, but they are looking for friends too.

And remember SeniorCenterCt.org is there to help you find those activities, events and trips to ask others to join you in.

Set a goal. Make two new friends this year and do three things you have never done before. And that can lead to a fuller and more engaging life!

We look around in today’s world and often notice we are looking down at a devise rather than at each other. It wasn’t long ago if you were waiting for your appointment, your turn to check out or for the movie to start that people were actually talking to each other.

The chatting might have been about the wait, the weather or other insignificant things but we were engaging with each other.

We humans are social animals. We fail to thrive as babies if we are not held, talked to and loved by others. The same holds true throughout our lives. We don’t want to be by ourselves 100% of the time. Oh, we like our alone time but soon find we want to be out and with others.

Often the problem arises in today’s world of how do we make new friends? How do we gather?

We have our routines where we go to family for the holidays. Off to this friend for Fourth of July. We belong to this club and volunteer over there.

Then time passes. We have moved. They have moved. There was a spat. The club or volunteer work is no longer rewarding. Friends and family have died.

We are more alone than we want to be… And it’s hard.

It has become harder to make new friends. Where do you find them? How do you start?

You could start by making a list of your friends and add to that list people you know who you would like to get to know better.

Now think about the things you like to do or want to do. Try to pair up those things and those people on your list.

When you think it might work, invite them to join you on that yard sale adventure or to go to the museum or how about the Farmer’s Market.

You won’t get a yes, every time but keep trying. Don’t give up. Try, try again.

And just try saying Hi to everyone you encounter during your week. Be the person you are looking for. Yes, I know it’s hard, but they are looking for friends too.

And remember SeniorCenterCt.org is there to help you find those activities, events and trips to ask others to join you in.

Set a goal. Make two new friends this year and do three things you have never done before. And that can lead to a fuller and more engaging life!

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Tomi Stanley. A lifelong resident of Groton, she is extremely involved within our community, family and sons school.

A certified Therapeutic Recreation Director and has worked/volunteered in the recreational field for over 20 years. Tomi’s responsibilities will be to implement  Discover Connections program (see page 8) and to manage the volunteer program at the center. She also will support the Full Time program supervisors and assist with other programs the center offers.

As Tomi said, “ I look forward to being very active within my role at the senior center, meeting all of the great folks that utilize the center  and am excited to be involved in all of the great activities that are offered.”

Time has a way of passing much faster than we realize. I think they – whoever they are – steal time as we sleep. Haven’t you been shocked when you look in the mirror and see how time has passed. Or looked at your children and been surprised how many years have flown by? And it doesn’t seem possible for all those years have gone by. If you close your eyes and look at yourself as you feel you are, you’re much younger than that darn mirror tells you.

Recently I came across photographer Tom Hussey’s work “Reflections” which shows elderly people looking in the mirror and seeing who they were many years before. A fireman, a nurse, the scholar, the pharmacist, a new mother, a welder.

“Reflections” was inspired by a World War II veteran who said, “I can’t believe I am going to be 80, I feel like I just came back from the war. I look in the mirror and I see this old guy.”

It brings to mind that with retirement and age we lose a big part of our identity. As we enter adulthood we are often asked “What do you want to be?”

But seldom after we retire are, we asked “So what did you used to do?” “Who were you before?”

We have been a big part of building our towns and cities. We have served in many positions be it elected or volunteer. We have been the scout leaders, the umpire, the coaches, the committee member.

And for those of us who feel we might be losing our identity lets share the stories of our past, volunteer to teach others, once again become that committee member, volunteer at the local school, senior center or hospital. Continue to be an active part of the community.

And for those who haven’t reached those later years, the next time you encounter the elders in your community be it at the grocery store, at your place of business or just in passing take a few minutes to find out more about who they are and who they were. You will be surprised just who you are talking to!

Time has a way of passing much faster than we realize. I think they – whoever they are – steal time as we sleep. Haven’t you been shocked when you look in the mirror and see how time has passed. Or looked at your children and been surprised how many years have flown by? And it doesn’t seem possible for all those years have gone by. If you close your eyes and look at yourself as you feel you are, you’re much younger than that darn mirror tells you.

Recently I came across photographer Tom Hussey’s work “Reflections” which shows elderly people looking in the mirror and seeing who they were many years before. A fireman, a nurse, the scholar, the pharmacist, a new mother, a welder.

“Reflections” was inspired by a World War II veteran who said, “I can’t believe I am going to be 80, I feel like I just came back from the war. I look in the mirror and I see this old guy.”

It brings to mind that with retirement and age we lose a big part of our identity. As we enter adulthood we are often asked “What do you want to be?”

But seldom after we retire are, we asked “So what did you used to do?” “Who were you before?”

We have been a big part of building our towns and cities. We have served in many positions be it elected or volunteer. We have been the scout leaders, the umpire, the coaches, the committee member.

And for those of us who feel we might be losing our identity lets share the stories of our past, volunteer to teach others, once again become that committee member, volunteer at the local school, senior center or hospital. Continue to be an active part of the community.

And for those who haven’t reached those later years, the next time you encounter the elders in your community be it at the grocery store, at your place of business or just in passing take a few minutes to find out more about who they are and who they were. You will be surprised just who you are talking to!