Category: Programs

Virtual Presentations

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

The Elmwood and West Hartford Senior Centers are generously sharing their online classes and presentations for our Members to join!

Harry Truman: Keeping the “Cold War” Thurs., July 9th, 16th & 23rd  3:00p.m.

This 3-week set of lectures will focus on one of America’s most consequential and controversial presidents in recent US history, Harry Truman.  From the Berlin airlift to the Marshall Plan to the Korean War and the Red Scare of the McCarthy era, Truman presided over a nation finding its way out of World War II and creating foundations for the coming struggle, the Cold War.

Pre-registration required by emailing Lisa.Hanse@westhartfordct.gov or calling (860) 561-7583 to receive the link.

An Invitation to Mindfulness Wed., July 15th  1:00p.m.

What are you thinking about right now?  Dwelling on the past or obsessing about the future?  An Invitation to Mindfulness presents an opportunity for you to learn how sweet it is to live in the present moment and use new ways to work with challenges and difficulties.

Email Hilary for the link to sign up.  hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Estate Planning – What You Need to Know. Thurs., July 16th  10:00a.m.

Attorney Ruth Fortune will explain estate planning basics, including: What is the difference between a Will and a trust?  Do you need a power of attorney?  What are health care directives?

Pre-registration required by emailing Deborah.Kennedy@westhartfordct.gov or calling (860) 561-7583 to receive the link.

How our Pets Keep Us Alive and Well Wed., July 22nd  1:00p.m.

Audrey B. Carlson, a public speaker, writer and owner of the Happiness Club in Hartford, CT will present a talk on how our pets can play a positive role in our lives.  Audrey will tell stories of how animals teach us unconditional love, forgiveness and how to tap into that forgotten kid in all of us . Email Hilary for the link to sign up.  hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Guide Dogs and the Positive Impact On a Sight Impaired Person Thurs., July 23rd  1:00p.m.

William DeMaio, gives a firsthand presentation about his personal need for a guide dog presented to him by the organization Fidelco.  Having a guide dog has changed his life giving him independence. He will explain how someone can become a puppy raiser for Fidelco.  This is a feel-good story and an opportunity to hear what a difference a guide dog can make in a blind person’s life.

Email Hilary for the link to sign up.  hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Highlights of Hill Stead Museum. Tues., July 28th  1:00p.m.

Join us for a 30-minute zoom presentation by Hill-Stead Museum featuring an up-close look at select works of art from their collection. There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation.  Pre-registration required by emailing Deborah.Kennedy@westhartfordct.gov or calling (860) 561-7583 to receive the Zoom invitation.

If you have any questions, need help using Zoom, or would like more suggestions for additional online programs, please call or email Hilary.   hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

 

SOCIAL EQUITY

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Groton

The Groton Senior Center is proud of its history, staff and participants promoting social equity and opportunities for all. One of our objectives at the Senior Center is to provide an environment that supports personal growth and participation. It is the policy of the Town of Groton to provide equal opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or a qualified individual with a disability. We welcome any occasion to discuss how we can do this better. Please speak with a staff member if you have any thoughts or ideas. Staff phone numbers and emails are listed above.

Chair Strength & Balance with Kelly Harper on YouTube

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

https://youtu.be/Eg4fhdgwItc

This Strength & Balance video is a chair based class using a small workout ball.  It’s a great 11 minute workout for anyone to try and it is free on YouTube.  The best part of the video (well…besides the great workout) is a brief visit from Kelly’s pet cat Ferdinand!  YouTube link above or email Hilary to have the YouTube link emailed to you.  hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

 

AARP Driver Safety- Smart Driver Course **ONLINE CLASS**

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Take the AARP Driver Safety Smart Driver Course online in the comfort (and safety) of your own home and still receive the same auto insurance discount as the in-person class!  The 4-hour online class can be taken at your own pace and does not have to be completed all at one time.  Do as much or as little as you want until all 4 hours are complete.  The class is available any time of the day or night!

The AARP Smart Driver Course is the nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers age 50 and older.  You may get an auto insurance discount after taking this course.  Auto insurance companies in most states provide a multi-year discount to course graduates!  Please consult your insurance agent for more information about discounts available to you from taking this class. 

Go to www.aarpdriversafety.org for more information and to take the class.

Use coupon code DRIVINGSKILLS for 25% off 

Coupon code expires on 7/31/2020

If you have already signed up to take an in-person class and now decide to take the class online,

please call the Senior Center so we can take your name off the in-person class list!

 

Renter’s Rebate Program

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Assistance is available over the phone to apply. 

No in-person appointments at this time.

Please contact the appropriate person (below) for more information.

A program for low income elderly (65+) or disabled individuals who have rented in CT in 2019 and have not applied for the homeowners Circuit Breaker Program.  Program open through October 1, 2020.

Income Limits: Single: $37,000 yearly or less   

Couple: $45,100 yearly or less

For assistance, please call:

Norwich residents, 55 and older call the Rose City Senior Center at (860) 889-5960.

Ask for Carolyn’s voicemail and leave a message.  Carolyn will call you back.

If you are under 55 and a Norwich resident, call Norwich Human Services at (860) 823-3778.

► If you reside in Senior Housing, please call your

 Resident Services Coordinator at your housing complex for information.

 

Membership Credit

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

For those of you who chose to get a credit towards your Membership dues in lieu of a refund for your Corned Beef and Cabbage ticket purchase, please be sure to indicate this on your

Membership Form and only pay the balance due if you will be mailing it in or calling to pay over the phone.  If you do not remember the amount of your Membership credit, please call the Senior Center or email Hilary to find out.  hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Thank you for helping to support Rose City Senior Center! 

 

Membership Renewal

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Norwich Residents: Suggested $25 yearly Membership*

Out of Town: $40 yearly Membership

*Financial Assistance Available For Norwich Residents (Please Call for Information)

Membership renewal in normally due starting July 1st.  Since the Senior Center is still closed to the public until further notice, we are accepting renewals by mail only at this point.

We have already begun receiving renewals from some of our current Members.  If you are not currently using any of our services and would prefer to wait until we reopen to renew your Membership, that is fine and we understand.  If you are currently using one of our services (such as Transportation) we ask that you renew at this time.

For those of you who would like to pay your Membership dues now, please fill out the Membership Form on the adjacent page and mail it in with your payment.  You can also call and pay over the phone with a credit card.  Filling out the Membership Form is important for us to make sure we have all of your up-to-date information, including correct emergency contact information.  If you call to pay over the phone, please go over your information with us or still mail in the completed Membership Form.

As a reminder, Membership dues paid to the Senior Center go directly towards providing services, programs, classes, activities and events.  They help us pay instructors for different classes we offer and provide needed supplies for different senior center groups.  Money we receive from dues stays with the Senior Center and does not go into the City of Norwich’s general fund.  The Senior Center controls how and when we use the money in order to provide you with the best services.

We appreciate all the donations and Memberships that we receive in order for us

to bring you as much as we can.  Thank you!

 

 

 

Farmer’s Market Coupon Distribution Plan

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Farmer’s Market coupons are available to low income seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements in order to receive a coupon booklet:

¨ You must be 60 years or older.

¨ Yearly income not to exceed $23,606 for single or $31,894 for couple.

¨ Must be participating in another need based program that verifies income eligibility such as Renter’s Rebate, Congregate Meal Program, Medicaid, SNAP, etc.

¨ You must be a resident of the town you receive the coupon booklet from.

¨ If you are under 60 and disabled you must meet all other eligibility requirements and live in subsidized housing to be eligible.

HOW TO RECEIVE A COUPON BOOKLET:

If you live in any Norwich Area Senior Housing:

If you live in Senior or Congregate Housing you MUST obtain your coupons at that housing.

ALL Norwich Senior Housings will receive booklets, hopefully in mid to late July, to distribute to their residents.  You must contact either the Resident Service Coordinator or his/her designee.

You will be required to verbally state that you meet the income limits and criteria for receiving.  You will be asked to give a small amount of information such as Name and Address.  You do not need to sign for the coupons.  If you will be accepting the coupons and someone else will be shopping for you, you will be required to fill out a Proxy form, which your Resident Service Coordinator will have.

Limit of one coupon booklet per eligible senior.  You CANNOT get booklets from multiple sites.

If you live in the Norwich/Taftville Community (non-senior housing):

On or after July 20th you must call the Senior Center at (860) 889-5960 to register yourself for a booklet.  Once you have registered, you will be given a date and a time frame for which you can come to the Senior Center and pick up your coupons.

You will be required to verbally state that you meet the income limits and criteria for receiving when you call to register. You will be asked to give a small amount of information such as Name and Address.  You do not need to sign for the coupons.  If you will be accepting the coupons and someone else will be shopping for you, please indicate that so we can include the Proxy form with your coupons when you come for pickup.

Limit of one coupon booklet per eligible senior.  You CANNOT get booklets from multiple sites.

You may ONLY receive a booklet if you live in the City of Norwich or Taftville.

The Rose City Senior Center is currently closed to the public.  Please DO NOT show up unless you have called to register for a booklet and have been given a date and time to pick it up.

 

2020 Census- If you have not yet completed the 2020 Census, please do so today.

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Every household has been mailed the 2020 Census form and your response is required by law.  You can complete the Census online following the instructions that were included in the mailing or you can complete and return the paper questionnaire that was mailed to you.

For those who do not complete the form online or by filling out and returning the paper form, a Census worker will be sent to your home starting sometime in August.

Filling out and returning your responses to the 2020 Census is important for our local community.  For every person Norwich does not count we lose $2900 in taxes…taxes that could go towards fixing roads and bridges, housing assistance, education or even supporting programs like Medicare part B.

If you need help completing the 2020 Census, please call the Senior Center.  Everyone Counts!

 

A Note from Mike:

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

With all the unrest in the country, we felt it was appropriate to make a statement about our beliefs here at the Rose City Senior Center:

We want people to walk through our doors and instantly feel welcomed, to know they have a place where they can freely be themselves without any sort of negativity or judgement.

Inclusive is defined as “containing as part of a whole”.  The Rose City Senior Center is exactly that.

We welcome everyone (over the age of 55, of course) no matter your race, religion, socio-economic status, sex, sexual orientation or disability.  Non-discrimination, which seeks to guarantee that human rights are exercised without any sort of discrimination is what the Rose City Senior Center is all about.

We will continue to uphold this belief and practice to the very best of our ability.