Wed, Jan 19th at 12:30pm
Cook Well With Diabetes – a NEW program adopted
by the East Lyme Senior Center will be featured at this
“Lunch and Learn” with tips on how to successfully
manage diabetes or prediabetes.
Come join Cindy Barry of Ledge Light Health District
and Erica Benvenuti of UConn Extension
Registration begins Jan 3rd.
Register by Fri, Jan 14th.
Category: Resources
JANUARY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH- OBIE HILL
We would like to recognize Obie for being such a fantastic volunteer and always
giving his all to us. He began coming to our center in 2002 to play cards. In 2006, he
become a volunteer, he felt that the center was such a nice place to go that he wanted
to give back and do his part to keep it up. Obie feels that it is important for folks to
show their value and prove that they are an asset to the community by volunteering.
Obie is often seen setting up for events, collecting bottles and turning them in for
Club 55, prepping for Club 55 fund raisers. He does anything he can that the staff
needs with a smile on his face. Obie stated that “I enjoy doing what I do and it gives
me a great feeling!”
A veteran, he retired after twenty –one years of Submarine Service. He has been a
member of the Sub Vets since 1964, also volunteering his time with Sub Vets events
and fundraisers.
For many years, Obie has been a mentor to children from broken homes. He has gained family members doing
this and takes great pride in being able to help shape these children and watch them grow into successful adults.
Obie enjoys hobbies like stamp collecting, postal history, computers and records. When Obie had a youngster at
home he also enjoyed helping with youth sports and ran a youth football league. Obie stated that “I like to help
lift people up away from bad times so that they can look to a brighter future!” Thank you Obie for all you do!
We are now THRIVE55+
Groton Senior Center is adopting a new identity –THRIVE55+ Active Living Center to better reflect the efforts to promote the healthy and vibrant lifestyles of its members and staff efforts to help older adults thrive in the community. This change is a result of a 2019 research study of perceptions and barriers to using the Senior Center. This study showed that the word “senior” had negative connotations from nonusers affecting the overall perception of its programs and services. An overwhelming majority of survey participants supported removing “senior” from the organization’s title, and suggested branding that reflects the activities and community services offered. Based on the recommendations of the survey, the rebranding of the center was an appropriate step to shift perceptions and ultimately better align with available center services. For at least six months the brand will have the tag line “powered by the Groton Senior Center” before transitioning fully to the new name alone. This will allow time for people to adapt to the new name but also know that it is still the same staff who will continue with the quality programs that are offered. Below is an explanation of the new brand. Both the research of perceptions and barriers and the new branding and renaming efforts were paid for by the center’s fund balance and not from taxpayer dollars. If you have any questions, you can contact Mark Berry or Mary Jo Riley.
TVCCA Energy Assistance Program
Winter is here and home heating costs can be a struggle for many. There is help.
TVCCA is now taking applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program which provides assistance towards a homes primary source of heat – oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal, wood or wood pellets. The program is designed to help offset the winter heating costs of Connecticut’s lower income households. Eligibility is based on income, family size, assets, and expenses. Payments are made directly to the utility or fuel company.
Income Limits: Household Size: 1 2 3
Annual Income $39,027 $51,035 $63,044
► Last Day to Apply: May 31, 2022
For an appointment or for additional information, please call TVCCA (860) 425-6681
Connecticut Water Assistance Program 2022
TVCCA is now taking applications for the Connecticut Water Assistance Program. This is a one-time water assistance benefit to help low income households. Covered services include restoration of household water services to eligible disconnected homes; reduction of overdue water bills; and prevention of service disconnection. Help is available for both household water and wastewater bills. Eligibility is based on income and family size. Payments are made directly to your water provider.
Income Limits: Household Size and Annual Income:
1 $39,027
2 $51,035
3 $63,044
► Last Day to Apply: May 31, 2022
For an appointment or for additional information, please call TVCCA (860) 425-6681
Free Live Well Workshops
Now offered via telephone. Senior Resources is now offering three different Free Live Well Telephone Workshops for area adults and their caregivers: Chronic Pain Self-Management, Diabetes Self-Management, Chronic Pain Self-Management. No other technology than a phone is needed for participants to connect for one hour weekly for six weeks to a trained Live Well leader who facilitates the sessions. In these weekly interactive calls, the leader reviews material and the group explores different self management tools such as action planning, problem solving, decision making, communication, healthy eating, physical activity and planning for the future. Workshops are limited to six adults. For more information call Senior Resources at 860-887-3561 ext 127 and ask to speak to Lori.
January Café Menu:
The TVCCA Café Program meal site which is held at the Preston Senior
Center on Mondays offers the following menu for January:
January 3rd: Crispy Cod, Macaroni & Cheese, Squash Mix w/Carrots & String
Beans, Pineapple Tidbits, bread, margarine and beverage.
January 10th: Philly Cheesesteak w/roll, Sweet Potato Tater Tots, Peas & Pearl
Onions, Diced Pears, bread, margarine and beverage.
January 17th: Program closed due to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
January 24th: Swedish Meatballs, Egg Noodles, Zucchini, Peas, & Carrots, fresh
Orange, bread, margarine and beverage.
January 31st: Country Style Chicken, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Corn
w/Peppers & Onions, Sweet Treat, Grape Juice, bread, margarine and beverage.
Reservations are necessary to participate in this program. We ask that you
register on Monday prior to the Monday in which you plan on attending the
program. There is a suggested donation of $3.00 per meal for individuals who are
60 years of age and over. Questions? Please contact the Senior Affairs Office at
860-887-5581 ext. 6 with your questions or concerns. Currently, transportation
provided by the Town of Preston is not available for this program.
The TVCCA Café Program will be offering some “Specialty Meals” designed
for specific holidays such as Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. Should the
senior center opt to participate in these special meals, participants will be
informed that there would be an increase to the suggested donation amount. We
will not participate in such meal choices unless all registered guests understand
and agree that there would be an increase for said meal.
Turkey Giveaway update
Recently, we were fortunate to be the recipients of 120 turkeys which were
provided by The Hometown Foundation, Inc. The turn-around time was
incredibly short but we did put the information on the Town Website, Facebook
and distributed notices to Preston Housing and senior center to name a few. Our
Resident Troopers were key participants in bringing this grant to the Town of
Preston. We tried to receive approval for the turkey distribution grant for
Thanksgiving but were denied. By sheer luck, and maybe a few prayers, the Town
of Preston received a favorable nod for becoming the recipient of 120 turkeys
recently. Many thanks to our Resident Troopers, Preston Parks and Rec., Youth
Services and the Preston Senior Affairs Committee for coordinating the effort.
Thanks also to the volunteer manpower who distributed all of those big turkeys
including: Amy Brosnan, Cathy Brosnan and of course our Resident Troopers. If
we are ever again so fortunate as to receive a grant from the Hometown
Foundation, Inc. I hope it’s with a little leeway for getting the word out more
efficiently. (But, we’re really grateful for what they did provide us). A special
note of appreciation goes to the Public Works Department for the excellent job of
cleaning up the mountain of cardboard boxes that those turkeys left behind!
Many thanks for the generous donations
Stuff a Cruiser:
Many thanks for the generous donations of warm, cozy items, socks and
slippers which were donated for distribution to elders living in the Town of
Preston. (Several senior citizens also contributed to this worthy cause). The
Preston Parks & Rec., Youth Services and our Resident Troopers spearheaded this
endeavor. The children will also benefit from the outpouring of caring individuals
who donated toys, bikes, books, etc. There will certainly be some very broad
smiles on many faces on Christmas morning. Santa and his elf’s have been very
busy.
Food Distribution
The schedule that we are planning to continue with for the UC&FS Food
Distribution is the first Friday of each month. (As long as interest in the program
warrants) Our next distribution is scheduled for Friday, January 7, 2022 from
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Preston Senior Center. Rain, wind and snow haven’t
deterred our efforts in the past and we hope to continue our efforts for a very
long time to come. If you have question concerning the food distribution
program, please contact the Senior Affairs Office at 860-887-5581 extension 6.