Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutFebruary 20211673 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 February 2021 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. Covid-19 Vaccine Information Now that we’re all hearing about vaccines becom- ing available, there are a lot of questions. We encourage you to read the article on page 2, written by Amy von Hone, our Brewster Health Director. As of press time for this newsletter, actual dates for the phases discussed in the article were not available. As always, you may either check the town website at www.brewster-ma.gov or give the COA a call at 508-896-2737 for the latest information. Brewster Residents in Need are Invited to Apply to Brewster COVID Relief Fund As the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic affects Cape Cod, Brewster COVID Relief funds remain available for Brewster residents. Earlier this year, the Town established a relief fund designed to provide direct and essential support to Brewster residents whose health and well-being are most immediately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The goal of this fund is to help meet the basic needs of residents who are faced with financial challenges related to housing, medical bills, utilities, etc. To qualify for assistance, residents must meet certain financial eligibility criteria based on established federal standards and must have lived in town for at least 3 months. Brewster Council on Aging and Housing staff will assist residents in completing the application process, review completed applications, and determine program eligibility. Requests for financial assistance from eligible residents will then be voted on by the Brewster COVID Relief Fund Committee on a regular basis. The identity of applicants will be kept confidential throughout the process. Payments will be made directly to the appropriate vendor. Please contact Town staff with questions at covidrelieffund@brewster-ma.gov. February Holiday Closings While our building remains closed to the public, our staff is available weekdays, 8:00am to 4:00pm, by calling 508-896-2737. We are not available on the following holiday: Monday, February 15: Presidents’ Day Brewster COA’s Inclement Weather Policy If the Nauset Public Schools are closed, all curbside COA programs and COA medical transportation are canceled. If the Brewster Town Hall is closed, the Brewster COA will also be closed. Looking for something fun to do this month? Check out our Valentine’s Day Festivity curbside event, featured on page 6. Or, how about remembering your school days by making Valentines for family and friends? See the article on page 4 for the COA’s little gift to help make that easier. And, did you know that Go Red Day is Friday, February 5? Though it’s not a national holiday, we encourage you to move more, eat smart and manage your blood pressure as you wear red to raise awareness of heart disease in women. See the article on page 6 for things to know! Happy Heart Month to all! Page 2 Brewster, MA February 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Primer Compiled by Amy von Hone Brewster Health Director We are hearing more news every day about the new COVID-19 vaccines now available for use in the United States. This article will help de-mystify the bits of information swirling about and provide some facts to encourage you to learn more about this important topic. Two vaccines were approved by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in December, 2020 for use to fight the COVID-19 virus in the United States. Through the approval of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), two major drug manufactur- ers, Pfizer and Moderna, developed vaccines in less than a year of the first known COVID-19 infections in the US. Should we be concerned about the safety and effectiveness? We are currently in a state of emergency which warrants an emergency response. The EUA process allows the researchers and manu- facturers to create and distribute the vaccine in a shorter period of time but still requires a vigorous vetting process that includes clinical trials follow- ing rigorous FDA standards and comprehensive evaluations of the subsequent data. The Pfizer vac- cine alone has been studied in approximately 43,000 people as part of the approval process, and will continue to track and monitor the effects of the vaccine for safety issues and effectiveness. There are many types of vaccines available to fight many types of diseases, and Pfizer and Moderna are using a newer technology called messenger RiboNucleic Acid (mNRA) vaccines. Unlike many other vaccines that use a weakened or inactivated germ in our bodies to trigger an immune response, mRNA vaccines introduce instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of the spike protein that is found on the surface of the COVID virus. When our bodies make this protein, it triggers an im- mune response (production of antibodies) that, in turn, will protect us if we are infected with the real COVID-19 virus. Other mRNA vaccines that you may be familiar with are flu, Zika, and rabies vaccines, which is another reason why the COVID- 19 vaccine was developed so quickly – the technol- ogy was already available. Once scientists discov- ered the spike protein unique to COVID, they were able to quickly create the mRNA COVID vaccine. The vaccine is designed to target more than one part of the spike protein, so if the current strain of COVID mutates, the vaccine should still work. An added layer of protection is also provided by the fact that our bodies typically make more than one type of antibody as part of the immune response. When can I get vaccinated? In the early stages of the pandemic, the federal government contracted with Pfizer and Moderna to purchase the vaccines for rapid distribution to our communities upon approval. The first shipments have been distribut- ed to every state in the country and will continue to be rolled out as the manufacturers produce more vaccine. In order to receive the vaccine, each state developed their own vaccination distribution plan based on the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The MA Department of Public Health (MA DPH) is working closely with state, county, and local health departments, as well as our numerous healthcare partners and commu- nity organizations, to plan an efficient and equitable distribution of the vaccine to all members of our local communities. This plan is comprised of Three Phases and prioritizes protecting our most vulnerable populations, maintaining our healthcare system capacity, and addressing inequi- ties in healthcare access. The Health Department is in the early stages of discussions with our neighboring health depart- ments and local partners to coordinate the distri- bution of the vaccine to our Cape residents. At the time of publication, the majority of those prioritized in Phase One (healthcare workers, first responders, long term care facilities) will have received their first dose of a two dose vaccine. Phase Two will consist of high risk individuals, the educational community, essential workers, and those 65 and older. Finally, Phase Three will provide vaccinations to the general public and those unavailable during the first two phases. The Health Department, in conjunction with our Council on Aging, will keep our residents informed as plans for each phase are finalized and ready to implement. Based on the availability of the vaccine as distributed through the MA DPH, vaccination clinics are expected to take place beginning in December, 2020 through early summer, 2021. If not currently on the distribution list for the COA newsletter, seniors are asked to register with the COA at 508-896-2737. Regular updates can also be found on the Town of Brewster webpage at www.brewster-ma.gov For more information about COVID-19, visit Barnstable County Health Department Covid-19 Page 3 Brewster, MA February 2021 AARP Tax Aid - Program Update As we go to print with this newsletter, we are sad to say that Brewster will not be involved with the AARP Tax Aid Program. As you know, we are not open to the public. After much discussion, we cannot find a venue to host the 5 tax aides to do the paperwork. As time goes on and if anything changes, we will have the updated information in our March newsletter. However, we do not encourage folks to wait until March to make their tax filing plans. A Note of Thanks to Debra Johnson, Brenda Locke and Mary Rancourt, our SHINE reps! The annual Medicare Open Enrollment, which was from October 15th through December 7th of 2020, is always a very busy time here at our senior center. Working through the conditions imposed by the pandemic, our Brewster COA SHINE representatives devoted many hours to help as many folks as possible. Due to their diligence last year, they saved over 500 folks an estimated $380,272! Our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated SHINE reps! Programming Update While our building remains closed, some of our services are available to you in your home or over the telephone. ● Pedicare: call Janet Tinney at 508-776-3092 ● Massage: call Sandra Smith at 508-237¬0458 ● Hearing Screening: call Advanced Audiology Associates, Inc. at 508-385-5222 ● Legal Help: call Attorney Raymond Yox at 508-775-7020 X2011 or Attorney Adam Dupuy at 508-775-3433 ● Mobile Dental Hygiene: call them at 508-827-6725 for updated location and availability ● Pet Grooming: please text (preferred) or call Karen Duble of Buttons & Bows at 508 -360-2596 Note: the next drop -in date at the COA will be Thursday, February 18, from 8:00am to 8:30am in the back parking lot. The cost is $3.00 per nail trim for senior (60+) pet-owners. ● Computer Help: contact the COA at 508-896-2737 and we will forward your name and contact information to Del Borah, our Computer Help instructor, who will then help you via phone.  Medical Equipment: if you are looking for medical equipment, please contact the COA at 508-896-2737 and tell us what you are looking for. We’ll see if we have it and get back to you with instructions on how you can pick it up.  Senior Shellfish License: though we cannot process your license in person, you can mail us a copy of your Driver’s license (showing that you are at least 70 years of age), a copy of your latest Brewster tax bill, and a check for $5.oo payable to “Brewster COA”. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that we can mail your new shellfish license and your documents back to you. Please send your check and paperwork to: Brewster COA, 1673 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 You may also use our drop-box at the COA, located at the bottom of the ramp behind our building.  Our Brewster PC User Group has a Zoom meeting every other Thursday at 1:00pm. If you wish to participate please notify the instructor, Pete Scheffer, via email at: prs288@gmail.com Pete will be happy to include you in the group and will send you an invitation. Page 4 Brewster, MA February 2021 Senior Fitness Hour A new “Senior Fitness Hour” is premiering on Channel 99 of Lower Cape Community Access TV for older adults in the communities of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro. This program is the result of a collaborative effort between Lower Cape TV and the Councils on Aging in these communities. We know the pandemic has created an extended period of isolation which has been hard for seniors, and everyone is desperately missing their routines. This collaboration was an opportunity for us to work together regionally while leveraging resources to make sure all older adults could access opportunities to focus on their health and well-being from the safety of their homes. Every weekday there will be fitness classes featuring instructors from various senior centers. From 10-10:30am, there will be regular senior fitness classes, and from 10:30-11am there will be chair fitness classes. See below for the schedule: 10-10:30am: Regular Senior Fitness 10:30-11am: Chair Fitness M Frank’s Funky Fitness M,W,F Life Exercises with Janet Tue, Th Morning Fitness with Becky Tue Chair Fitness with Melissa W Fitness with Melissa Th Sit Fitness with Becky F Gentle Yoga with Debra Recognize and Prevent Hypothermia Hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature, is a dangerous condition that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Although hypothermia is most likely to occur at very cold temperatures, it can also occur at cool temperatures - above 40 oF - if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults with inadequate food, clothing or heating are among those at greater risk for hypothermia. A body temperature that is too low can affect the brain, and make a person unable to think clearly or move well. A person who is experiencing hypothermia may not know it is happening and may not be able to do anything about it. Warning signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion or feeling tired, confusion, memory loss, fumbling hands, slurred speech and drowsiness. Hypothermia is a medical emergency! If you notice any of the warning signs, take the person ’s tempera- ture. If the temperature is below 95 oF, get help immediately! If you are not able to get medical help right away, try to warm the person up. This article was drawn from information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/staysafe/hypothermia.html Let’s make some Valentines! As you sit at home, awaiting warmer weather, why not think about surprising your family and friends with a home-made Valentine? The COA is helping out by offering you a FREE Valentine Card kit, which will have enough paper, envelopes, glue, ribbons and supplies to make 6 cards. Dazzle your loved ones by unleashing your creativity! There’s no judging, no pressure, just a whole lot of fun! There will even be some pre-cut heart shapes in each kit, so you don’t have to bother cutting your own if you don’t want to. A sample card will be included for inspiration. But, we’ve only got a limited supply of these kits. Simply give the COA a call at 508-896-2737 to request one, and we’ll make arrangements to get it to you. It’ll take your mind off your troubles for a bit, and might even bring back some fond memories of elementary-school Valentine’s Days! Also, for those of you who remember our good friend June Gallant, her daughter Cindy has generously donated some of the materials in the kit! Thank you, Cindy! And Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! Page 6 February 2021 Brewster, MA Upcoming February Programs Valentine’s Day Festivity Thursday, February 11 12:00 - 1:00pm 1673 Main Street, in the COA parking lot behind our building Did you know? The first Valentine's Day was in the year 496! Having a particular Valentine's Day is a very old tradition, thought to have originated from a Roman festival. The Romans had a festival called Lupercalia in the middle of February - officially the start of their springtime. Let’s keep the tradition going and join us on February 11, from noon to 1:00pm, for a curbside Valentine’s Day festivity. “What You Need to Know About Geriatric Care Management” presented by Jill Beardsley, MA, CAGS of Case Management Professionals in Hyannis. This presentation will discuss the role of a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) and their areas of expertise. It reviews when you may need the help of a GCM, what to expect, and how to go about hiring a GCM who is right for you and your needs. For further information, please contact Jill at 508-771-1075 or jill@csacapecod.com. Please check the Channel 18 schedule on the next page for air times. New Zoom exercise class: Qi Gong Tuesdays at 9:00am 45-minute sessions Please contact the instructor Ray DiPietro at rayvector@hotmail.com to join the class. Remember Howard Johnson’s? Anthony Sammarco is a noted historian and author of over sixty books on the history and development of Boston, and he lectures widely on the history and development of his native city. Below, you will find a link to copy and paste into your browser to watch a great clip on the rise and fall of the Howard Johnson’s restaurant chain. You can also open YouTube and in the search bar type his name for many other clips about Boston. Howard John- son - 28 Flavors - Anthony M. Sammarco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRz5jeO9QlA Are you interested in shellfish aquaculture? The Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Southeastern MA Aquaculture Center & Woods Hole Sea Grant are offering a 10 week online course on the Fundamentals of Shellfish Farming. Course topics include shellfish biology, clam and oyster culture techniques, predator control, permitting, safety, and an intro to business management. Class will meet virtually via Zoom on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:15pm starting on February 4th. The cost for the course is $75.00. To register, please email Abigail Archer or call 508-375-6702. Registration deadline is January 28. More details about the course can be found at the website https://www.capecodextension.org/ marine/workshops/ Why is American Heart Month in February? It's a tradition that's over half a century strong. The first proclamation was issued by President Lyndon B. Johnson in February 1964, nine years after he had a heart attack. Since then, the presi- dent has annually declared February American Heart Month. Due to the pandemic and scheduling conflicts, we are not able to film and air in time for the month of February a presentation on Heart Health. This will be aired in March so please stay tuned for: "Heart Health for Women: Why Gender Matters” presented by Elissa Thompson, MD, Cardiologist, Cape Cod Healthcare. Heart Attack Symptoms in Women If you have any of these signs, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away. 1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. 2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. 3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. 4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. 5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/ heart-attack/understand-your-risks-to- prevent-a-heart-attack Page 7 Brewster, MA February 2021 Looking for something fun to do? Some of our instructors are holding their classes via Zoom or YouTube.  If you would like to join Tai Chi classes, please contact our instructor, A.Jay Zahn, at: capecodtaichisociety@gmail.com  If you would like to join Meditation, please contact Carol Marcy at: drcarolmarcy@gmail.com  NEW! If you would like to join Qi Gong classes, they are held on Tuesdays from 9 -9:45am. Please contact our instructor, Ray DiPietro at rayvector@hotmail.com to sign up. February 2021: COA Programming on Channel 18 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Home Modification with Dave Karas 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Chair Yoga 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am - Geriatric Care with Jill Beardsley 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Eat Well, Stay Well with Kim Concra 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am - Geriatric Care with Jill Beardsley 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – The Real ID with Michele Ellicks 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Eat Well, Stay Well With Kim Concra 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11 am – Home Modification with Dave Karas 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11 am – Shifting Gears with Michele Ellicks 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Geriatric Care with Jill Beardsley 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Eat Well, Stay Well with Kim Concra 7am – Chair Yoga 11 am – Home Modification with Dave Karas 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am – Geriatric Care with Jill Beardsley 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Shifting Gears with Michele Ellicks 28 3pm – Winter Music Series Page 9 February 2021 Brewster, MA Disclaimer: The Brewster Senior Center offers many legal, financial, recreational, medical screening or other services and/or activities by volunteer or nominal-cost practitioners. Seniors participating in these services do so with the understanding that the Brewster Council on Aging, The Brewster Senior Center, the Town of Brewster, Friends of Brewster Elders (aka FOBE) or its employees or agents DO NOT ASSUME ANY LEGAL RESPONSI- BILITY FOR ANY ADVICE OR SERVICES RENDERED BY SUCH VOLUNTEER OR NOMINAL COST PRACTITIONER. Any act, advice, or service by outside providers at the Council on Aging SHOULD NOT BE PRESUMED TO BE ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY THE BCOA. Need some help with food or prescriptions? 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. If you are already a client and need to reach our Nutrition Site, please contact Maria at 508-896-5070. Curbside Pickup The Brewster COA is offering curbside pickup for those who are unable to drive on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the following markets and Pharmacies (we ask for at least 2 business days’ notice—no same-day pickup available): Brewster Village Marketplace 1760 Main Street, Brewster 508-896-2905 Ferretti’s Market 501 Underpass Road, Brewster 508-896-8919 CVS Skaket Corners 9 West Road, Orleans 508-255-0570 Walgreens* 130 Rt. 6A, Orleans 508-255-5931 (Please note, Walgreens has a $30.00 minimum order for free curbside pickups) Once you have placed and paid for your order, please inform the business that the Brewster COA will be there to pick it up for you on either a Tuesday or Thursday (must be ready on those days). Next, just give us a call at 508-896-2737. We’ll pick it up and deliver it directly to your home. 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. Preorder from a wide selection of food items and your order will be ready for pickup! Brewster’s delivery is always the second Wednesday of each month, so the next date is Wednesday, February 10. Please call the COA Outreach Office to enroll at 508-896-2737. Contacting your State Representatives Although the monthly drop-in appointments to speak with State Rep. Tim Whelan have been placed on hold for now, you can still reach him at the State House at: 617-722-2488. Rep. Sarah Peake can be reached at the State House at: 617-722-2040 Fuel Assistance Do you need some help with your winter heating bills? You may be eligible for fuel assistance. The Fuel Assistance Program provides low income households with help paying home heating bills during the heating season from November 1 – April 30. Eligibility is determined by gross income of total household members. If you are deemed eligible for fuel assistance you will also receive a discount on your electric bill. If you are a Brewster resident applying for the first time, or need help with a re-certification application, please call the COA Outreach Office at 508-896-27370 to find out how to proceed. COVID-19: In the past, intake has been done in-person at the COA. This year it may be done differently, depending on the circumstances. You are welcome to either call the COA, or call Fuel Assistance directly at 508-746-6707 or toll-free at 877-833-4243. ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ Online: The ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ is available online each month and can be found at: https://www.brewster-ma.gov/council-on-aging Scroll down to where it reads: ‘our newsletters are available online’ and click on the link! Or go directly to: http://records.brewster-ma.gov/WebLink/0/fol/75664/Row1.aspx Face Masks Available: If you are in need of a face mask, the COA has a selection of handmade, washable ones available. Just give us a call at 508-896-2737 and we’ll make sure you get one! Help for Pet Owners The Cape Cod Disaster Animal Response Team (CCDART) has been busy during the last few months organizing contact-free pet food pantries for Cape Cod residents. They have also packed pet food supplies for home deliveries and are offering their help. If you need to get pet food and require assistance, please contact the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737. We will contact CCDART who will then work out a plan with you for delivery. Page 10 February 2021 Brewster, MA OUTREACH Notes We have some food resources in place for our seniors in an effort to limit traveling to the grocery store:  The COA still has some stock pantry staples that can be delivered to your door. Please call us at 508-896-2737 to see what we have and when we can deliver it to you.  Participation in the Healthy Meals in Motion Mobile Food Pantry program has increased substantially. This is a free monthly food distribution program in collaboration with the Harwich Family Pantry. Please see the article on page 9 for more information. Outreach staff is also available for information about: • Fuel Assistance • SNAP Assistance • Emergency Buttons • Elder Services • Homecare Assistance • Medical Equipment • Referrals of all types For help with any of these, please contact the Outreach Office at 508-896-2737. Property Tax Exemption Information Applications for FY2021 tax exemptions are now being accepted. Tax exemptions are available for qualifying primary resident seniors, veterans, and blind taxpayers. Renewal applications have been mailed to those who received the exemption last year. Please note that all elderly exemption applicants MUST make a tele-conference appointment with Brenda Locke or Debra Johnson at the Council on Aging to submit and review their application materials. They can be reached at 508-896-2737 or by email at: blocke@brewster-ma.gov or djohnson@brewster-ma.gov Free Personal Hygiene Items: The COA has a variety of disposable incontinence products available. If you or someone you know could use them, please don’t hesitate to give the COA a call at 508-896-2737. Please specify the size you are looking for. For the latest information on town topics, we encourage you to consult the Town of Brewster website at www.brewster-ma.gov Page 11 February 2021 Brewster, MA Sightings from the Poop Deck 148 Luddington Avenue Clifton, New Jersey 07011 1 (201) 478-1287 “Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends and family belong, and laughter never ends.” Unknown You walk through the four levels of the house, the yard, the garage, just to be sure you haven’t forgotten anything. You won’t be back. You pull the back door shut, check that it’s locked and you leave thirty-five years behind. Thirty-five really good years. From here the three kids could walk to School Number 3, to Christopher Columbus Junior High School, to St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, play anywhere with the kids on the block, who were in abundance, and not have to worry. The chief of police lived in the neighborhood. It was a modest middle class neighborhood that produced a 1979 Naval Academy Grad who became a career Marine serving in the Middle East and six doors away a 1983 West Point Grad, a career 101st Airborne Army Ranger serving in Afghanistan; a Doctor of Education from the University of Missouri, a Simmons College Grad, and a Brandeis College grad now a professor at MIT. Grandma and Grandpa lived around the corner and if the kids cut through the Breslin’s yard they could be walking into their grandparents' back door in less than a minute. The tree at the curb was planted by Joanie Carfora and still stands proudly. We were moving on and I did not think I would miss it because we were retired, the kids were all out of college and making their own lives and we were moving into a home on Cape Cod which we had purchased in 1976 and made ready by 1996. I was wrong about missing it….kinda. Our daughter Debbie’s friend Mary Anne drives to Clifton from New Hampshire occasionally to visit with her mom and every time she visits she rides past the house and sends us a picture. Nothing will stir the juices quicker than a photo and as I study the latest one I am taken back to the kids birthdays, graduations, parents nights, report cards, high school dances, wrestling matches, cheerleaders, softball games, high school football, and a ton of what could be called the live streaming of good memories. Isn’t it funny, we live in a region where we can enjoy everything it has to offer and envied by many, yet sometimes we are transported back to earlier times when life was somewhat hectic. Today we are retired and have been for longer than I could have ever dreamed and free to do anything with our time without constraints, yet if I sit long enough and stare at that photo I am taken back to a time when perhaps life may have been better, different but better. How did I arrive at this frame of mind? Let me count the ways. I was born in New Jersey, raised in New Jersey, met and married my lifetime sweetheart Joanie Carfora in New Jersey, our kids were born and raised in New Jersey, my career was in New Jersey, I graduated from college in New Jersey, so...I’m really just a typical “Jersey Boy” and I guess, always will be. I never abandoned the Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers and Devils when it would have been so easy to jump on the New England bandwagon and root for teams up here that were doing better, but to me that would have been disloyal. But just remember, the Giants did beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl...twice, so loyalty does have its rewards. I can see some of you reading this standing there with your hands on your hips and saying very indignantly, “Well, if he loves and misses New Jersey so much why doesn’t he just go back?” Tsk tsk. Well, it’s not that easy. You see, I’m told if you try to return to a place you remember from the past it can’t ever be the same as you remember it. Or, as Thomas Wolfe so succinctly put it, “You Can’t Go Home Again.” So I must acknowledge and thank Mary Anne for these occasional ride-bys and photos which take me back to a time and place I can never go again, but anxiously await the next photo and watch the past slowly scroll before my eyes. It’s been fun just revisiting….but I’m still a “Jersey Boy! ”How yuz doin’.” Peter R. Scheffer - (“Life is Good!”) Happy Valentine’s Day P.S. If you call the above number I don’t know who will answer…. but it won’t be me! ;-) poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main afterdeck Drummer Boy Park Walking Circuit Did you know? There is a new paved walking circuit at Drummer Boy Park, and beautiful benches have been installed at either end of the circuit. A walk around the circuit is equivalent to a quarter mile with beautiful views of the marshlands and Wing Island. So, if you have “cabin fever” grab a friend (canine or otherwise) and try out this new, scenic exercise venue. Dogs must be on a leash. Once you have visited, we’d love to hear your thoughts about other ways the park can be made a better destination for exercise and socializing. Send your suggestions to drego@brewster-ma.gov. Denise, our COA Director, is on the Drummer Boy Park Planning Committee. BHT - BOSTON HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION 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 TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS We are now offering medical rides from our local area to as far as Hyannis for routine doctor’s appointments Mondays through Fridays. We regret that we cannot accommodate riders who are having procedures. There will be 1 ride per day, with 1 client getting the ride to/from their appointment. All safety precautions, such as social distancing, hygiene protocol and cleaning/disinfecting, will be strictly reinforced. Due to these protocols, our ability to offer rides will be considerably reduced, so we encourage you to have an alternative method of transportation available. Appointments should be booked for times between 9:00am and 2:00pm. Please call the COA at 508-896-2737 as soon as you make an appointment or at least four business days (Monday thru Friday) in advance so that we can schedule your ride. Please notify the COA if you can’t keep your appointment so we can notify our drivers. Donations are accepted for this service. Our van is wheelchair-accessible. Page 12 February 2021 Brewster, MA Std. Mail US Postage PAID Permit #100 Orleans, MA 02653 DART - DIAL-A-RIDE TRANSPORTATION Service: CCRTA provides a daily, general public-demand response service that is wheelchair- accessible, door-to-door, and ride-by-appointment. This service is available to all Cape Cod residents and is available Monday through Saturday in all towns, with limited Sunday service. Rides must be scheduled by no later than noon on the day prior to a ride. Rides can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance. The DART does not run on holidays. For available times in Brewster please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 352-7155, Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. OR CURRENT RESIDENT TOWN OF BREWSTER - COA 1673 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MA 02631 This agency and its programs are funded (in whole or in part) by the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Federal Administration for Community Living by a contract from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands. Please note: There is currently no Senior Dining on-site at the Brewster COA. 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.