HomeMy Public PortalAboutJune 20201673 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 • (508) 896-2737 • Fax (508) 896-7587
Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday
Denise Rego, Director Andrea Nevins, COA Board Co-Chair Marilyn Dearborn, FOBE President
Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair
June 2020
MISSION STATEMENT: To support and advocate for older adults and their families by
providing programs, services and resources that promote independent living and quality of life.
Happy June to all of our friends!
We hope each of you are well and are patiently awaiting the day when we can all be
together again. We have opted not to publish a paper version of our June newsletter as
we still remain closed to the public at this time. However, we wanted to post this on-line version
to let you know what we are up to and what is available for you. Also, we’d like to update you as to
helpful programs taking place in or near our town.
Though the COA’s activities, programs and transportation are still canceled until further notice,
staff are working remotely and checking phone messages and emails regularly. If you need assistance, please
don’t hesitate to contact us at: 508-896-2737
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Our Outreach staff are still available to help you via phone, and can answer any questions you have about
resources and programs you may be entitled to. They can also assist with assessing needs, tax exemptions, fuel
assistance applications, etc. Just contact the COA at 508-896-2737 for help with any of these items.
In addition, our SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) program is available.
Our highly-trained volunteer counselors help Medicare beneficiaries understand their rights and benefits.
Simply contact the COA at 508-896-2737.
If obtaining food, or grocery shopping is a problem for you, we encourage you to consult the listings on pages
2 and 3 of this newsletter. There is a variety of help available!
Do you need a prescription? CVS Pharmacy located in Harwich has a drive-through prescription service
available, or they can ship your prescriptions right to your home. Give them a call at 508-432-2018. They are
located at 148 route 137 in Harwich.
Though the COA is not currently offering transportation, we continue to refer folks to the Cape Cod Regional
Transit Authority. They are currently operating on a reduced fixed-route schedule. Also, they are still providing
their Dial-A-Ride (DART) service, which is presently limited to essential trips only. If you wish to contact them,
they can be reached at 800-352-7155. They will be happy to explain the measures that they have taken to keep
their riders safe and comfortable during the pandemic.
For the latest Town of Brewster updates on the Corona virus please visit: www.brewster-ma.gov
Sunday, June 21st
Thank you to all fathers,
fathers-in-law, grandfathers and
great-grandfathers! We wish you a
wonderful day in your honor!
Summer begins on June 20th!
Finally, warmer weather has arrived.
Get out for a walk (safely) if you can, or just
sit near a sunny window to soak up those
rays. Welcome Summer!
Page 2
Could you use some help? The following is a list of services available:
Groceries and Meals
The COA Pantry
Some staples, such as bread, milk, eggs, butter and various canned goods are available through the COA ’s ‘pantry’
that has been established. COA staff are happy to bring you whatever we have on-hand to help you out. Just call
us at 508-896-2737 for more information. Items will be delivered directly to your address.
Healthy Meals in Motion
This popular program serves all eligible Brewster seniors, providing a few bags of groceries, fresh produce and
paper products each month. Pre-order from a wide selection of food items and your order will be ready for
curbside pick-up.
The program takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Frederick Court,
across from the Brewster COA. Our next date is Wednesday, June 10. Please call our Brewster COA Outreach
Office to enroll at 508-896-2737.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to people aged 60 and over who are homebound and unable to prepare their own
meals. For more information call Elder Services, Information and Referral at 508-394-4630 or 1-800-244-4630.
Hot Meal Delivery
This program provides a hot lunch every Tuesday and Thursday to seniors in our community. The lunches are
graciously provided through a grant awarded to Nauset Regional High School. Meals are delivered by COA and
Recreation Department staff. If you would like a hot lunch, please contact the COA at 508-896-2737.
Please note: as of the posting of this newsletter, the program is slated to run through the 3rd week of June.
Free Grocery Delivery Service through Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
The Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), in service to the Barnstable County Incident Command COVID-19
response, is providing a free service delivering prepaid groceries to seniors and people at higher risk for infection.
The new program is called Critical Delivery Service.
Instructions for Ordering Food Using the MRC’s Critical Delivery Service:
Call 508-556-7161 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and speak with an MRC Volun-
teer. You will provide your name, address, and phone number, and discuss options of stores
where you can order.
See a list of participating grocery stores with pre-ordering and curbside pickup options at
https://bit.ly/CCMRC_FOOD.
Food Pantries
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stoney Brook Road, Brewster
Phone: 508-385-7582
Call and leave information, a volunteer will return the call. Delivery available.
The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, 133 Queen Anne Road, Harwich
Phone: 508-432-6519 Website: www.thefamilypantry.com
In-car food pick-up procedure. Pantry hours for food pick-up: Tuesdays 10am-3:30pm,
Wednesdays 10am-Noon, Thursdays 10am- 3:30pm & 5-7pm, Saturdays 10am- Noon.
See website or call for additional information and to confirm opening hours.
Flag Day is Sunday, June 14th. Fly those flags proudly!
June 2020 Brewster, MA
Page 3 June 2020
Food Pantries (cont’d)
Lower Cape Outreach Council (LCOC), 19 Brewster Cross Roads, Orleans
Phone: 508-240-0694 Website: www.lcoutreach.org
See website for list of pantry openings by date, time and location. Curbside pick-up procedure of prepackaged
groceries. If you are not yet a registered patron, please call LCOC to sign-up before going to a pick-up site.
Hands of Hope Food Pantry, 49 Rt. 28, West Harwich
Phone: 508-432-1312
If not already registered, please call for intake and to schedule food pick-up.
Hours for food pick-up by car: Monday & Friday 10am-3pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 1pm -3pm.
Additional Resources:
Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands is another valuable resource. Though their offices are
not currently open to the public, their staff is available from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. Their Home Care Services
department is available, as is Protective Services. You may contact them at 508-394-4630.
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, or know of someone who is, our friends at
Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod, located right here in Brewster, are still operating on
a daily basis and have even moved their support groups to on-line. If you need any help, please give them a call at
508-896-5170.
News Around Town: Town Meeting moved to September 15
Brewster Town Election 6/23/2020
The Select Board voted to reduce poll hours for the June 23 Town Election from 10am to 2pm to keep citizens and
poll workers safe. Voters are encouraged to vote by mail. Those wishing to do so may either submit a signed letter
requesting a ballot or an application for the ballot. Submission requests may be submitted electronically by send-
ing a scan or photo of a signed letter or application by email to townclerk@brewster-ma.gov,
fax to 508-896-8089, or txt to 774-353-0070.
The request for a ballot can be found by going to the following website:
https://www.brewster-ma.gov/files/earlyballotapp20.pdf
Ballots must be returned by mail or in the Town Clerk drop box outside town hall by election day, June 23.
A sample ballot can be found at: https://www.brewster-ma.gov/files/sp20sampleballot.pdf
Beach and Transfer Station
Due to the current closure of Brewster Town Hall in response to COVID-19, the Town will begin issuing new 2020
beach parking, recreational shellfish, and Recycle Center permits as of June 1, 2020. There will be no in-person
sale of permits at Town Hall this year. We are only offering the mail -in program and online options for
purchasing beach parking permits, recycle center permits, and recreational shellfishing permits. Mail-in requests
for new 2020 permits made in May will be processed beginning June 1, 2020. Stickers will be available for
purchase online starting on June 1 as well.
Due to current circumstances, the Brewster Select Board voted to allow the reactivation and extension of both the
2019 resident beach parking permits (normally valid June 15 – the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend) and
2019 resident recreational shellfish permits (normally valid January 1 – December 31, 2019), through June 30,
2020. Current Resident Recycle Center permits remain valid until June 30, 2020.
Enforcement of resident beach parking permits will begin June 15, 2020. Shellfish permit enforcement is
ongoing throughout the year.
The Recycling Center is open Thursday - Monday between the hours of 8am and 3pm. The station is closed on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Holidays. Please check the Brewster web page for announcements about holiday
closings and alternative hours we are open, if any: www.brewster-ma.gov
Brewster, MA
‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ Online:
The ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ is available online each month and can be found on our website at:
www.brewster-ma.gov. Search under ‘Departments’ and select ‘Council on Aging’.
Scroll down to where it reads: ‘our newsletters are available online’ and click on the link! Happy Reading!
BHT - BOSTON HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION
NOTE: Please be sure to call the reservations desk at the number listed below first before
making your transportation plans.
Enjoy comfortable and safe transportation from Cape Cod DIRECT to Boston hospitals on a
wheelchair-accessible van.
MONDAY thru FRIDAY SCHEDULE
7:30a.m. Orleans (Shaw’s)
7:45a.m. Harwich (Route 124 Commuter Lot)
8:00a.m. Barnstable (Route 132 Commuter Lot)
8:15a.m. Sagamore (Rotary Commuter Lot)
RESERVATIONS are a MUST!!!
(Reserve no later than 11a.m. the day before)
$30.00 Round Trip/$15.00 One-way
Cash or Checks (Payable to CCRTA) accepted
For reservations call 1-800-352-7155
Monday – Friday: 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.
Schedule your medical appointments between 10am & 2pm. The van will leave Boston by 3pm.
Please visit the website for more information: www.capecodrta.org
Attention Caregivers!
Savvy Caregiver Online Class available in June!
Class taught by: Judi Devaney, Master Trainer
Through: Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod
Prior to the pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center offered a free six-week educational
program called Savvy Caregiver, a 12-hour training in Alzheimer's and dementia basics including
disease staging, behavior management, and self-care. Master Trainer Judi Devaney has taught Savvy
Caregiver classes in every town on the Cape, and will begin offering Savvy Caregiver online via Zoom in June.
If you do not have the technical capability to connect to one of AFSC’s online services-Savvy Caregiver, support
groups, or family or individual meetings, Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands (ESCCI) may have funds
available that will provide tablets to caregivers who need them. Please let AFSC know if you or anyone you know
needs assistive technology and they will help get it. AFSC is committed to keeping our vulnerable populations safe
during this pandemic, and increasing our ability to connect is crucial to our collective wellbeing.
If you are interested in joining a Savvy Caregiver class, you can email a request to sign up by sending an email to:
info@capecodalz.org
They will begin offering classes in June and will continue throughout the summer.
Page 4 June 2020 Brewster, MA
Coming next month:
We will go back to a paper and online version of our newsletter in July. We hope to include updates on what has
been done to our building to make it safer for you, as well as the COA vehicles, along with our plans for future
programming, statistics on how many folks we’ve been helping during this time (and how we’ve been doing it),
and our hopes for the future. Be sure to check next month’s ‘Bayside Chatter’ for more information!
Please note: There is no Senior Dining on-site at the Brewster COA available currently.
This menu is for the Meals on Wheels home lunch-delivery program only.
For more information, please contact Maria at 508-896-5070. Thank you.
June 2020 Page 5
The following was given to us by Lucille Pooler, one of our generous COA Volunteers. Lucille is the
instructor for our “Crafts with Lucille” program. She shared it with the COA staff in the months before the
pandemic. It seems very appropriate now, and we’d like to share it with you. We hope it makes you smile!
Ten Rules for Making Every Day a GREAT DAY:
1. Think that good things will happen.
2. Express gratitude to a loved one.
3. Put your gripes away in a box.
4. Be patient with an annoying person.
5. Do something special with yourself.
6. Reach out to someone who needs comfort.
7. Focus deeply on each moment.
8. Learn from a mistake.
9. Look closely at a flower or tree you haven’t noticed before.
10. S M I L E
Page 6 June 2020 Brewster, MA