Category: Programs

Wishing you and your family a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous and

the happiest New Year ahead.

~ From The Senior Center Staff

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever this year to protect yourself and the people around you from flu, and to help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have not done so already, call your Doctor to discuss getting a flu shot.

Flu shots are also available at local grocery stores and drug stores.

If you wish to have your taxes done, please call the Senior Center starting January 4^th to add your name to the list.  Due to COVID, appointment dates and times TBD.  In person appointments may not be available.  This is a free-of-charge service through AARP.

(860) 889-5960.  Call early, limited appointments available!

It is with a very heavy heart we announce the passing of one of our very own.  On the morning of December 9, 2020, Elizabeth “Betty” Bordeau passed away at her home in the loving care of her two wonderful children, Betsy and Bruce Bordeau.

Betty began her career with the City of Norwich and the Rose City Senior Center on September 6, 1988.  For 14 years she was the full-time Clinical Receptionist until the position was reduced to part-time in July of 2002.  Betty worked part-time from July of 2002 until July of 2009, then volunteered her time as she continued to work tremendously hard to ensure the Senior Center Preventive Health Clinic ran smoothly.  Over the years she was the secretary for Dr. Gerard Kerins, Nurse Practitioner Cynthia L’Heroux, Nurse Nancy Pratviel and some for current Nurse Practitioner, Leonna White.  During this time, she was also in charge of scheduling and other duties that came along with the Senior Center Foot Care Clinics and Dr. Thomas Walter.

In addition to her duties as our Clinic Receptionist, she was “Mrs. Christmas” as far as we were concerned.  For over 25 years, Betty and her late husband William, along with their children Betsy and Bruce and eventually Bruce’s wife Stephanie and their 2 children Evan and Brooke could be seen here many days surrounding Christmas.  On Christmas Day they hosted almost 100 seniors, who may not have had another place to go or people to be with, for a luncheon.  The luncheon consisted of an hour of hors d’oeuvres, followed by a beautiful turkey dinner and then some great games of bingo.  During the program, Santa Claus always made an appearance, bearing gifts for all.

In January of 2003 then Lt. Governor Jodi Rell presented Bill and Betty Bordeau with the CT Treasure’s Award for their outstanding commitment to helping those who are less fortunate.

Many people have many great stories that center around Betty and the majority of them would probably involve some sort of prank or joke.  She had an infectious smile, a wittiness that was unmatched and a genuine care for others that cannot be replaced.

Rest in Peace Betty Bordeau.

You’ll be forever missed and cherished by all you’ve come in contact with.

Medication that is thrown in the trash can be retrieved by others and improperly used or sold and flushing medication can contaminate the water supply.  Dispose of unwanted medications properly to prevent drug misuse and to protect the environment.

Norwich Police Department has a drop box located in their lobby to properly dispose of unused and expired medication.  No questions asked, no ID needed to be shown.  The Drop Box is located in the Norwich Police lobby at 70 Thames Street and is available 24 hours a day for medication drop off.

Drop boxes are a safe and confidential way to dispose of unwanted medication.

Deterra bags are also available which are used to deactivate drugs before disposing them in the trash.  If you would like a Deterra bag to dispose of your medication, contact Mike at the Senior Center.

WHAT IS ZOOM?
Zoom is a service that allows people to video chat over the internet. What makes it special is that it allows multiple people to join the same conversation, making it easier to host online events / meetings.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
One person acts as the host and creates a meeting. Once they’ve done that, they send an email invitation with the hyperlink to their guests. When guests click the link, they will be able to access the meeting and talk with their friends. We will go over how to join a meeting in more detail during our next video.

DO I NEED AN ACCOUNT?
You do NOT need an account to attend a meeting. If someone invites you to a meeting, you can click the link and attend as a participant. However, you do need an account if you want to host a meeting.

DO I NEED TO DOWNLOAD ZOOM?
Yes. Zoom works best when you have downloaded it to your device. You can install it on a computer, tablet, or phone. Each is a little different, so be sure to pick the device you are most comfortable and confident using.

Is Zoom safe?
Zoom takes your safety seriously. They have built in a lot of security options to make your meeting an enjoyable one. It is up to your event Host to use those tools. Groton Public Library & Groton Senior Center, are using these tools to make sure your information is safe and the meeting is fun for all.

JOINING A ZOOM MEETING
Most meetings start with an email invitation. This is a basic invitation for a Zoom meeting. Every invitation should contain the time and date the meeting is taking place, as well as a link to access it.
Some meetings may have a password and Meeting ID. A lot of people use this feature to make a private meeting. For example, someone may use a password if they are hosting a class and only want the people who registered to attend. If you are invited to a password protected meeting, you can access it in two ways. The first is by clicking the hyperlink – the password information is usually embedded in the link so you won’t have to type it in. The second is by opening zoom on your device and entering the Meeting ID and password. This will allow you access to the meeting.
Once you’ve joined, you may be put into a waiting room. This allows the host to choose when everyone is allowed into the meeting and gives them time to finish setting up. When the host is ready, they will let you into the Zoom meeting. If you see this screen while trying to go to a meeting, just sit tight. Your host is on their way!

WHAT IF YOU CAN’T USE ZOOM ONLINE BUT STILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Not everyone has a device that will work with Zoom, but that doesn’t mean you can’t participate. Ask your event host about a call in feature. Using your phone, you will be given a phone number to call and a Meeting ID number to enter. Once you have, you will be able to hear the meeting and talk to everyone as if you were on a regular phone call.

ZOOM TUTORIAL VIDEOS
Thank you Groton Public Library for creating
three great YouTube videos covering this very information. It can be found at the Groton Municipal Television (GMTV) YouTube site. www.Youtube.com

Need Help with Zoom? Give us a call 860-441-6785.

As time moves on, we might become old and worn but, on the inside, we are still young. This song helps us understand that even though the “Old Man” is on the other side of the door, we have the choice on whether we want to be that person or continue living as if we do not know how old we are.

So, get up every morning and “Don’t Let the Old Man In!!”

https://www.facebook.com/ParadisePicturesAndSound/videos/2627609477528957

Life has certainly changed!! Our lives are not what they were. Is it now time for you to do something else? Are you looking to expand on what you are doing or for a business opportunity? Well, nothing beats marketing to the ever-growing longevity market!! Roughly 24% of new businesses are being started by folks between 55 and 64. So yes it could be you! With the over-50 population exploding it makes perfect sense to capture part of this market with along with SeniorCenterCt.org. Here is a more complete article on how to accomplish your next chapter….

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/business/small-business-senior-citizens.html?fbclid=IwAR3BxD20s-2DMTyh0boDZcRhAzr16BBAbPNMYgGL6adXyPtB9-t2Qms2wZQ

We all will feel a little cooped up during the next couple of months, won’t we? To help combat the gloom, it is time to dust off those old hobbies and find a few new news!! What about indoor gardening, walking or even writing?? Indoor gardening could be taking care of that poinsettia you got for the holidays, growing some lettuce, or buying an African Violet. Something to take care of and they are so pretty. Plus, you can eat the lettuce!! Walking is good for us and how about picking all of the days that it is above 35 to get outside and try to walk a mile. Maybe even get a buddy to join you. And as for writing we all have stories we like to tell. Write them down. Print them and put them in a folder. You will be surprised how much you will enjoy going down memory lane. And do not tell yourself you are not talented enough. It is your story, and you can tell it anyway you want!! So, make the time to renew some of your old hobbies, recharge, shift gears and discover new moxie.

https://www.activebeat.com/your-health/senior/healthy-hobbies-seniors-should-try-this-winter/