Easton Council on Aging 508 230-0690

Newsletter Locations: * Ames Free Library * Bank of Easton (all) * Big Y Supermarket * Bill’s House of Pizza * COA Office—Frothingham Hall * CVS—549 Washington St. * Easton Post Office (all) * Easton Town Hall * Easton YMCA—Elm St. * EHA—Elise Circle * EHA—Parker Terrace * Emmy’s Hair Salon * North Easton Savings Banks * Roche Bros. Supermarket * Shaw’s Supermarket * 7-11 Food Shop If you would like the newsletter mailed or e-mailed to you, please fill out the form inside and mail it to the: Council on Aging 15 Barrows Street North Easton, MA 02356

January 2021

Zumba Classes Comng Soon!

As you may be aware, since we have been closed to the public, we’ve been partnering with ECAT, Easton’s cable TV station, to bring our programming to you via your television set, right in the comfort of your home. We are excited to let you know that we are now offering ZUMBA classes for all ages to enjoy. For a full listing of all classes and programming offered on ECAT, please see page 4. ECAT is on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon channel 22 . Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to have some Zumba fun!

Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The COA will be CLOSED on Monday, January 18 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day. As always, feel free to call and leave us a message and your call will be returned on Tuesday the 19th. At age 35, MLK Jr was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

To learn more about his life and legacy, visit https://thekingcenter.org/about-dr-king/

A Shining Thank You!

The COA would like to send out a big thank you to our amazing SHINE volunteers, Steve Sundell and Dave Devore. Once again this year, they went above and beyond to assist seniors navi-gate the often very confusing annual process of Medicare open enrollment. We are so lucky to have such dedicated volunteers in our community. We appreciate them so much. They are also available to assist throughout the year, so please call the COA to make an appointment, should you need some health insurance assistance.

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January 2021 Page 3

Friendly Caller Program

The COA has developed a new program that we are really excited about called the Friendly Caller Program. The purpose of

this program is to spread positivity and prevent social isolation. If you would like to sign up, you will receive a weekly call from one of our volunteers, where you can share stories or experiences, chat about current events, or just make small talk. This is also a great way to get to know your fellow seniors in town. If interested in enrolling in this new program, please call the COA.

Meditation Reminder

We are still offering meditation classes via ZOOM. Meditation can help reduce stress and manage anxiety. It promotes mental clarity and can help increase your focus. Classes are offered Thursdays at 8:30am by Barbara Strass-man, owner of Heart & Soul Healing Center in Easton. Join Barbara for a great new way to relax and unwind in in the new year! Please call the COA to sign up or email nfalcon@easton.ma.us to obtain the ZOOM codes to attend class.

Interview Opportunity– UMAS Boston

The Aging Together Study at UMass Boston is looking for senior children (aged 65+) of parents (aged 90+) with dementia. We want to learn what their relationship with their parent is like, what challenges they face, and what types of support they need. We are also interested in how COVID-19 may be impacting families, and how they are navigating the current challenges. This is a one-time, approximately 90-minute interview that will be conducted remotely via the method of the participant’s choice (phone or video calls). Participants will receive $40 as a thank you. Call or email for more information: 617-901-1082 or agingtogether@umb.edu,

Karen A. McSherry, JD, LLMAttorney at Law

Concentrating in Probate of Estates Special Needs Planning and Guardianship

Estate & Nursing Home Planning Tel. (508) 238-3333

45 Bristol Drive, South Easton, MA 02375karen@kmcsherrylaw.com kmcsherrylaw.com

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ECAT programs for January

Here is your monthly lineup of ECAT programming, brought to you by the COA and Easton’s cable TV net-work! For any questions about these broadcasts, call ECAT at 508 230-7200.

Mondays at Noon: Sit & Fit chair exercise, with Kim Eaton. No matter your fitness level, this class has something for everyone.

Mondays at 2pm: Zumba with Marlene If you have never done her class, you are in for a treat...and a great workout!

Mondays at 3pm : Music for Seniors A toe-tapping musical journey, complete with trivia and some laughs.

Tuesdays at 11am: Fur, Fin, & Feathers. A new episode of this popular animal show will air every Tuesday this month.

Tuesdays at Noon: Zumba GOLD with Marlene

Tuesdays at 2pm : Musical Baseball Baseball stories, songs, and trivia by former sportswriter Howie Newman.

Wednesdays at 11am: Gentle Chair Yoga with Dorene Kominsky, who has been teaching yoga for 18 years.

Thursdays at 11am: Tai Chi with Vince Jornales. Tai Chi is a martial art that can help with balance and flexibility.

Thursdays at 3pm: Delicious and Nutritious. Tune in for a new episode of this nutrition program airing every Thursday this month.

Fridays at 9pm: Reeling-The Movie Review Show. Get the scoop on the latest movies in this modern day “Siskel & Ebert” style show, airing every Friday this month.

Easton Garden Club

The Easton Garden Club, (EGC), is celebrating its 90th birthday/anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, the members planted group-ings of 90 Spring bulbs, (daffodils) in dif-ferent locations throughout the community. The bulbs have been planted at the following locations: Frothingham Hall, Oaks Ames Hall, Town Offices, Islands at the intersection of routes 138 and Depot Street, Ali’s Park, Keach Field, Elise Circle, Parker Terrace, Richardson Olmsted School, and planters at the memorial on Main Street. Due to the pandemic, EGC has been unable to meet in person. The monthly meetings have all been via Zoom. Even though this is not their preferred method of interacting, presentations and sharing garden stories have continued. Next year, (hopefully in person but via Zoom if necessary) they will be hosting, among others, Suzanne Mahler on getting the garden ready for Spring, Paul Split on building a terrarium, and Richard O’Mara on floral arrange-ments. For more information about EGC, please visit their website: www.eastongardenclub.org. Anyone interested in becoming a mem-ber of EGC, should contact Lyn Feeney at: Feeneylynm@gmail.com. If you have questions about EGC, please contact the President, Linda Thomson- Clem at 781 436 5360.

Be sure to look for the beautiful Daffodils this spring! Thank you,

Garden Club!

January 2021 Page 5

Library ZOOM Offerings

Ames Free Library is open for pickup, quick browsing, and computer use. Hours are M, T, W, F. & Sat, 10am-5pm and Th. 10am-8pm. Maximum visit time is 45 minutes. Occupancy is limited to 10 people, so short wait times may be necessary.

At the time of publication of this newsletter, the list of books for the 2021 book clubs was not available on the library website. Feel free to check their website or give them a call at 508 238-2000 for updated book club information and Zoom codes.

Also now being offered is their new online program "Family Trees, Genealogy, & DNA Online." Have you always wanted to research your family tree? Did you have your DNA tested and need help under-standing the results or how to use the DNA results in your family search? Would you like support from others who are also working on their genealogy? Get help understanding the basics of DNA and genealogy. Share helpful hints, find new resources, and share success stories. Meetings will take place every Friday at 11 am on Zoom. Details are available here: https://amesfreelibrary.org/events/2020/11/17/family-trees-genealogy-dna-online or you can call the library for the Zoom codes.

SNAP (Food Stamps)

The Department of Transitional Assistance is currently closed to the public, but is available to assist clients by phone. Please note the DTA is extending recertification periods by six months for anyone who was due to recertify in March or April. The senior assistance line for anyone 60 years of age or older is 833 712-8027. Clients are urged to used the DTA connect App at this time.

Easton Food Pantry

The Easton Food Pantry is there to help all Easton residents. Proof of residency (lease, utility or tax bill, etc.) is required. Please note the new hours: Mondays from 12pm-3:30pm. The food pantry is located at 136 Elm Street at the Town Hall. You will need to call them at 508 230-0670 by Sunday at 5pm and leave a voice mail with your name, phone number, and the number of people in your household. Currently all clients must remain in their cars at all times. Volunteers will come to your car, check you in, and bring your food out to you. Please note that no reusable bags can be used at this time and no self- help is available. We ask that you have patience during this process—everyone will get their food. It may just take a little extra time.

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Happy 2021 !!

Answers on Page 9

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Recycling

Recycling correctly is important for our environment and our future generations. Have you ever heard the phrase “One bad apple spoils the barrel?” This is true for recycling, where one non-recyclable item mixed in with otherwise good material can spoil the whole batch. It may seem like a small detail—a wrong item in the recycling bin—but it represents a global problem that could prevent thousands of tons of material from seeing a second life. Remember to only place acceptable items in your recycling bin. Please see the chart below. We will have more recycling tips in next month’s newsletter.

January 2021 Page 8

Town Calendar

The annual free Town of Easton Community Calendar (from September 2020 through August

2021) is prepared and published by the North Easton Savings Bank. The calendar lists civic and organizational information about Easton, as well as religious groups and school dates. Assisting with this project are Morse Insurance and Scoreboard Enterprises. The calendars are available at all Easton branches of the North Easton Savings Bank, Town Hall, the Ames Free Library, the Historical Society, and the School Department.

Fuel Assistance

There is still time to apply! This energy assistance program can help with your home heating costs during the cold New England winter months. If

you were enrolled in the program last year, you may already have received a recertification letter in the mail. If you are new to the program this year, please call the COA. We can go over the income guidelines and provide you with an application. Proof of income and social security numbers are necessary upon applying.

Veteran’s Corner

A message from our Veterans’ Service Officer: You may be eligible for Chapter 115 benefits if you are a veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran with a single income below $2,081 per month and assets below $5,000, or if you are a married veteran with income below $2,818 and assets below $9,800. If you would like more information, please contact our VSO, Cory Ahonen, for more details. This benefit may help with monthly medical and dental costs as well as a monetary benefit to help cover daily living costs. Please call the COA at 508 230-0690, Ext 3 (private message option) for more information.

Construction Update From DPW

Major construction operations have concluded within the Five Corners Sewer District, and a sufficient amount of project progress is now substantially complete. Miscellaneous follow-up activities and punch list work may be ongoing at times in the upcoming weeks as the project approaches completion, but no major impacts or consistent presence of the contractor in the project area is anticipated.

January 2021 Page 9

Frothingham Memorial Hall Staff

Kristin Kennedy—Director of Health and Community Services Kelly McMorrow—Administrative Assistant Anne Daley—Deputy Director, Community Engagement & Programming Nicole Falcon—Administrative Assistant Cory Ahonen—Deputy Director, Financial & Veterans’ Service Lisa O’Hearne—Administrative Assistant Bruce Henshaw, Jr—Full Time Shuttle Driver Ted Beavers—Part Time Shuttle Driver Steve Costa—Part Time Shuttle Driver Tom Fobert—Part Time Shuttle Driver Russ Gouldrup—Part Time Shuttle Driver John Ippolito—Part Time Shuttle Driver

COA Board Members

Jean Shearing Marie Graca Frank Spillane Donna Welch Lynn Cleveland Kathleen Heery

Friends of Frothingham

Barbara Beaudoin Barbara Spidle Christopher Kone Christine Kone Maureen Papineau Hazel Varella

Braine Teaser Answers

(from Page 6)

1.) Silence

2.) Your name

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4.) Bookkeeper

National Rubber Ducky Day—January 13!

Children and adults just love rubber duck-ies. They’re a bath time favorite, that puts a smile on everyone's face. Toddlers and young children play with rubber duckies in the bathtub, and parents and grandparents joyfully play along. For adults, it can bring back fond childhood memories. Rubber duckies have a long history. Rubber animal toys, including ducks, first appeared around 1880. Those first toys were made of solid rubber and did not float. Even then, rubber duckies were among the most popular. As World War I and II came, rubber was too expensive, and they were made of plastic or vinyl. Over time, design changes made them hollow so they would float. Then, a small weight was added to the bottom, so it always floated upright. Chances are you know that the Muppet Ernie on Sesame Street first sang the Rubber Ducky song, and it became an infamous childhood tune. The year was 1970. That year the song reached #16 on the Top 100 chart. It re-mains one of the favorite childhood songs of all time. The Rubber Ducky was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame in 2013. Are you an adult who owns a rubber ducky? If so, you're in good company. It is rumored that Queen Elizabeth II has a rubber ducky in her bathroom, complete with an inflatable crown!

Bruce Henshaw, the COA’s own Rubber Ducky aficionado.

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This newsletter for Easton Seniors is supported in part with state funds from the executive Office of Elder Affairs

Web page: www.easton.ma.us

PRSRT STD

U. S. POSTAGE PAID

N. EASTON, MA 02356

PERMIT #13

Easton Council on Aging 15 Barrows Street North Easton, MA 02356 Address Service Requested

We’re on the Web!! Come visit us at: http://www.easton.ma.us/departments/council_on_aging/index.php

Winter Safety Tips

Older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the cold winter weather. Here are a few precautions you can take this winter to help you be better prepared.

Watch out for icy steps and walkways - Wear boots with non-skid soles and use a cane (replace the rubber tip if it has been worn smooth and also consider using an ice pick-like attachment that fits on the end of your cane. Watch your footing and make sure to hold on to railings.

Stock your car with basic emergency supplies - Blankets, water, non-perishable food, flashlight, and a first-aid kit.

Keep Warm - Stay indoors and wait out the storm if it’s too cold, icy or snowy. If you do have to go out, layer your clothing and remember to cover all parts of your body when going out in the cold.

Stay Informed—Did you know that during long duration events, such as a blizzard or a prolonged power outage, the Easton Fire Department and Easton CERT offer an emergency shelter and a warming center? When these are open, it will be highly advertised on the Town of Easton website, social media, and via an automated phone call from the town. You can also call the Easton Fire Department at 508 230-3311 with any questions regarding shelter openings.