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HomeMy Public PortalAboutApril 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 April 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. Holiday Closing Notes: The COA will be closed on Monday, April 19 in honor of Patriot’s Day. Enjoy the holiday! 2021 Brewster in Bloom Festival! April 30, May 1 and May 2 The Brewster Chamber of Commerce is celebrating new events for this year’s Brewster in Bloom festival weekend, April 30, May 1 and 2, in keeping with current safety standards. They include Brewster’s Cultural Trail, the Virtual Arti- sans Showcase, KidFest Origami Flower Bouquet Project, the Virtual Cape Cod 5 Bloom Run and the Brewster in Bloom Lawn Display Contest. Also being worked on is a Virtual Brewster Band Concert! Explore Brewster’s history and culture, shop your favorite artists online, fold a delightful bouquet of tulips to present to a special person in your life, run your own 3.1-mile (5K) course over the 3-day festival weekend for the Virtual Cape Cod 5 Bloom Run, and/or participate in the Brewster in Bloom Lawn Display Contest!! The Virtual Brewster Band Concert will be available to hear on the Brewster in Bloom website (see below) featuring the concert that was held in 2019 at the Brewster Baptist Church. The Band members are hopeful that they will be back at Drummer Boy Park this summer to entertain everyone on Sunday evenings! For more information about Brewster in Bloom, visit the website at www.BrewsterBlooms.com or contact the Brewster Chamber of Commerce at info@brewster-capecod.com. Town Meeting Reminder: Saturday, May 15 The Annual Spring Town Meeting is Saturday, May 15 at the Stony Brook Elementary School. The exact time will be announced in the May newsletter. Congratulations to 2020 FOBE/COA Volunteer of the Year… Elizabeth “Sam” Gardiner We are pleased to announce that “Sam” Gardiner has been chosen as Volunteer of the Year for 2020. Sam has been an active FOBE member for many years and currently serves as Secretary to the FOBE Board. You might have seen Sam behind the counter at the Sea Captain’s Thrift Shop where she is a valued volunteer, putting in hundreds of hours during 2020 despite our Covid shutdowns. She is always willing to pick up an extra shift for someone else or help in any other way she can. Sam moved to Brewster from the western part of the state where she was an elementary school teacher. She is involved with the Brewster Garden Club (you might have seen her handiwork around town at Christmas time). Sam also sings in her church choir and serves on church boards. We are lucky to have Sam as part of FOBE and so grateful for all that she does. Even though we cannot have an “official” Volunteer Recognition event, we will find a way to recognize her for all of her efforts! Page 2 Brewster, MA April 2021 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, April 15, 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: call 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 still 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 which is 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. SHINE News Are you concerned about Medicare or health care costs? You might qualify for help! Income and asset limits have changed for many federal and/or state programs. You might now be eligible to substantially reduce your Medicare and drug related costs. Call the SHINE office at the Brewster COA to review your situation and see if you qualify. We are here year round, a phone call away at 508-896-2737. SHINE (serving the Health Insurance Needs of Every- one on Medicare) counselors are state certified and always provide confidential services at no cost. AARP Tax Aid: Program Update We are very sorry to say that Brewster will not be involved with the AARP Tax Aid Program. As you know, we are still not open to the public. After much discussion, we cannot find a venue to host the 5 tax aides to do the paperwork. Face Masks Available: If you need a face mask, just call the COA at 508-896-2737. We still have a selection of handmade, washable masks available, and we’ll make sure you get one! In Memoriam... Jean L. Sears 6/26/41 – 2/24/21 We are sad to announce that our beloved Jean Sears has passed. She was a wonderful, giving person whom everyone loved. She began her 29 years of work for the Town of Brewster’s Council on Aging first as a bus driver, then offering social programs and finally, becoming the COA Director for 26 years. And we can’t forget our love for Henry too, as they were the perfect couple. In her honor, we would like to have a “Celebration of Jean’s Life” event once we are able to. Meanwhile, donations in memory of Jean will be accepted at the Brewster COA. We will be placing a “fish” on the Paines Creek Gifting Mural right next to Henry’s. Our deepest sympathies to the Sears family. Page 3 Brewster, MA April 2021 Go for a Walk! 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 destina- tion for exercise and socializing. Send your suggestions to drego@brewster-ma.gov. Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams Telephone and email scammers are pretending to be government employees. Scammers will try to scare you and trick you into giving them your personal information and money. Don’t be fooled! Social Security will NOT: ● Threaten you. ● Tell you there is a problem with or suspend your Social Security number. ● Demand immediate payment from you. ● Require payment by retail gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, wire transfer, or by mailing cash. ● If you receive a call or email like this, please report it to the Office of the Inspector General at: https://oig.ssa.gov Note: this article taken from SSA’s January 2021 issue of Social Security Connection, Publication No. 05-10528 A Message from Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod The Alzheimer's Family Support Center of Cape Cod currently offers 47 FREE virtual support groups for caregivers, as well as for people experiencing memory loss. Please call 508-896-5170 for more info and to register for the group that best meets your needs and schedule. They also provide step-by-step phone support on how to access these groups through Zoom. We encourage you to visit their website at www.alzheimerscapecod.org Senior Fitness Hour “Senior Fitness Hour” is found 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. The pandemic has created an extended period of isolation which has been hard for seniors, and everyone is desperately missing their routines. Every weekday there will be fitness classes featuring instructors from various senior centers. From 10:00 - 10:30am, there will be regular senior fitness classes, and from 10:30 - 11:00am 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 Personal Hygiene Items - Update: The COA still has some disposable incontinence products available but our supply is dwindling. To either request or donate, please give us a call at 508-896-2737. Page 4 Brewster, MA April 2021 COASTAL CONNECTIONS Cape COAST (Councils On Aging Serving Together) has been collaborating to strength- en our partnerships and leverage our collective resources in order to offer older adults on Cape Cod enhanced options for virtual programming. Join us as we connect visually through Zoom, widen our circles and take advantage of greater opportunities for engagement, enrichment and education. Below is a list of FREE virtual programs open to you in April! Registration for these programs will begin immediately. “HOW TO HELP YOUR LOVED ONE IN THE HOSPITAL” Monday, April 12, 2021, at 10am (via Zoom) Beth Suereth, Certified Caregiving Consultant and Founder and CEO of Caregiving Pathways, will share what to expect during a family member's hospital stay. Get practical tips and tricks for managing the hospital experience, and hear the care-giving story of a Certified Care-Giving Consultant. To register email Lisa Donovan, Program Coordinator, at ldonovan@brewster-ma.gov or call the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737. “SOUND DUNES SWING COMBO” Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 1pm (via Zoom) Join us for a mix of swing, Dixieland, Country, Latin, Jazz, and Rock ‘n Roll music for your listening, singing and dancing pleasure! To register call the Yarmouth Senior Center at 508-394-7606 x 1333. “EARTH RHYTHMS: SONGS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT” with ROGER TINCKNELL Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 1:30pm (via Zoom) From rain forests to recycling, conservation to compost, Earth Rhythms travels from our backyard to around the world celebrating and teaching environmental awareness and responsibility. Older adults, school-aged children and everyone in between are welcome! To register call the Chatham Senior Center at 508-945-5190. FALMOUTH COA BOOK CLUB…All Are Welcome! “American Dirt” by Jeanine Owens Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 1:30pm (via Zoom) Come join our live book club on Zoom, led by Susan Weliky. In our live book club conversations, readers will come together to connect and have some great discussions. To register call the Falmouth COA at 508-540-0196. “GET YOUR GARDEN READY" Friday, April 16, 2021, at 1pm (via Zoom) Presented by Donelle Denery, Barnstable Master Gardener, this program will focus on the proper steps to get your garden ready in anticipation of your planting season. To register call the Orleans Senior Center at 508-255-6333. “CREATIVE JOURNALING CLASS” with ALEXANDRIA TYBER Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 1pm (via Zoom) Creative Journaling is a way for you to express your thoughts, wish lists, gratitude and all of your creative ideas using words, pictures or simple sketches. You will need a hardcover journal (recommended purchase at Michael’s: hhttps://www.michaels.com/black-hardcover- dot-journal-by-artists-loft/10532092.html ). You can purchase or use supplies lying around your house such as: pens, pencils and colored markers, all-purpose glue, scissors, old magazines/cards/ wrapping paper/napkins/tissue paper or fabric to cut up for collage, watercolor paint and a brush or can, glitter, stickers, stamps and ribbon. To register call the Yarmouth Senior Center at 508-394-7606 x 1333. “A BIOGRAPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION” Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 10:30am-12pm (via Zoom) Join Jane Scarborough for a survey of the United States Constitution. Amidst our current state of political turbulence, there is no more important time to examine this defining document and its articulation of the values and principles we hold in common. Jane has served in a myriad of private sector and academic positions, including as a full-time professor of Constitutional Law at Northeastern University School of Law. To register call the Harwich COA at 508-430-7550. “AMAZING ANIMAL AMBASSADORS” Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 9am (via Zoom) Bethany Boucher, owner of Amazing Animal Ambassadors , has a background in Captive Wildlife Care and Education, teaching with animals for over 15-years. Meet and learn educational details about some of her most popular animals including: Milo the Fennec Fox, Buttercup the Skunk, Cali the Cockatoo, Jasper the Red-tailed Hawk, Shelly the Sulcata Tortoise, and more. Enjoyment for the entire family! This program is sponsored by Friends of Yarmouth Council on Aging. To register call the Yarmouth Senior Center at 508-394-7606 x 1333. “CBD IS HERE TO STAY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW” with KAY COONEY, RN, GCNS, APRN Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 1pm (via Zoom) CBD is here to stay and it’s a supplement you might want to learn more about. The program will discuss the benefits, how to safely choose a brand and what CBD can do for you! We will address uses with pain, anxiety, sleep and more. To register call the Sandwich COA at 508-888-4737. “PAUL NEWMAN: STAR OF STAGE, SCREEN & SALAD DRESSING” Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 7pm (via Zoom) Frank Mandosa takes a star-struck look at the life and career of this screen legend and Hollywood icon that starred in classics such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Paul Newman was a multi- faceted man and philanthropist who lived a rich life beyond the screen. To register, call Susan at the Barnstable COA at 508-862-4761 or email: susan.griffin@town.barnstable.ma.us Page 6 April 2021 Brewster, MA Looking for something fun to do? Some of our instructors are holding their classes via Zoom or YouTube.  If you would like to join ongoing 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  If you would like to join Qi Gong, there is a 45-minute Zoom exercise class held on Tuesdays at 9:00am . Please contact the instructor, Ray DiPietro at rayvector@hotmail.com to join the class. Let’s put some Spring in our step! COA Curbside Event Wednesday, April 21 12:00 – 1:00pm Brewster COA, back parking lot 1673 Main Street Spring is the season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again. Farmers and gardeners plant their seeds and temperatures slowly rise. Please join us for our monthly curbside event as we all anticipate our new beginnings and the hopes of being together at the COA again soon! Long Term Care Ombudsman: Resident Advocacy Presented by Julianna Santiago LTC Ombudsman Program Director The Long Term Care Ombudsman program provides advocacy to Nursing and Rest Home Residents across the country, helping to ensure quality of life and care. Julianna Santiago, Ombudsman Program Director at Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands, discusses the pro- gram, resident rights and what you can do to empower yourself and loved ones in a long term care facility. Please see the Channel 18 schedule on the next page for air times. Family Caregiver Support Program and Options Counseling Program Presented by Sarah Franey, Family Caregiver/ Options Counseling Program Manager Family Caregiver Support Program: The Family Caregiver Support Program provides the education, advocacy and connections to the community resources that will enable the caregiver to better care for their loved one as well as themselves. Options Counseling: The Options Counseling Program assists individuals to make informed choices about long term services, supports and settings. Please see the Channel 18 schedule on the next page for air times. NEW Zoom class: Beginner Tai-Chi Come and learn Tai-Chi and the many physical and spiritu- al benefits. Also known as "moving meditation" Tai-Chi can help improve balance, core strength, flexibility, and provide a mind-body connection as a source for stress relief. Classes will incorporate stretching warm-ups, Qigong breathing exercises, and participants will learn the series of movements culminating in the beautiful 8-posture Yang form. Our instructor, A.Jay Zahn, is a long-time practitioner and has studied related martial arts and meditation. The new class requires no prior experience. The cost is $10 per class. Please contact A.Jay Zahn to register at: capecodtaichisociety@gmail.com Classes will begin in April. Plant an Herb Garden hosted by Hyannis Country Garden April 11 via Zoom Learn the basics about growing herbs successfully. Hear about ideal growing conditions and which varieties should be grown from seeds or plants. Find out about plants for dedicated herb gardens, container plantings, or for inte- grating into vegetable, flower or foundation beds. Learn which herbs live from year to year on Cape Cod, and which varieties to plant every spring. With your paid registration you will receive a link for attendance, a pdf handout and a coupon for a discount on select items from Country Garden. The seminar is $10.00 and the link to register for this class is: https://zoom.us/webinar/ register/4416136730344/WN_o- JyA8D6Qfq0VlvJFQSFBw Page 7 Brewster, MA April 2021 April 2021: COA Programming on Channel 18 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am - Ombudsman Program with Julianna Santiago 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Heart Health with Dr. Elissa Thompson 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am - Covid Tool Kit for Seniors with Debbie Francis 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Family Caregiver Support with Sarah Franey 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Geriatric Care with Jill Beardsley 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Ombudsman Program with Julianna Santiago 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11 am – Heart Health with Dr. Elissa Thompson 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11 am – Covid Tool Kit for Seniors with Debbie Francis 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Family Caregiver Support with Sarah Franey 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Geriatric Care with Jill Beardsley 7am – Chair Yoga 11 am – Ombudsman Program with Julianna Santiago 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am – Family Caregiver Support with Sarah Franey 7pm – Book TV 3pm – Heart Health with Dr. Elissa Thompson 25 26 27 28 29 30 3pm – Winter Music Series 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 11am – Ombudsman Program with Julianna Santiago 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am – Chair Yoga 7am – Chair Yoga 11am - Covid Tool Kit for Seniors with Debbie Francis 7am – Chair Yoga 11am – Funky Fitness Parts 1 & 2 7am – Funky Fitness Parts 3 & 4 11am - Heart Health with Dr. Elissa Thompson ‘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/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid=75664&row=1&cr=1 Page 9 April 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 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those who are unable to drive (homebound) 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 date is always the second Wednesday of each month, so the next date will be Wednesday, April 14. Please call the COA Outreach Office to enroll 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 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 508-896-2737. Our Outreach Coordinators will provide information and assist with your application. Page 10 April 2021 Brewster, MA OUTREACH Notes We have some food resources in place for our seniors who cannot drive:  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 • Referrals of all types • Homecare Assistance • Medical Equipment • Elder Services For help with any of these, please contact the Outreach Office at 508-896-2737. A Message from Stephanie Lattanzio, RN-BSN Public Health and Wellness Town Nurse, VNA of Cape Cod Home visits will occur on Mondays. Mental Health During Covid-19 Covid-19 has created a variety of challenges for seniors. Many are struggling with social isolation and reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression. With the overwhelming emphasis currently placed on physical health, it can be easy to overlook the importance of your mental and emotional wellbeing. Below are the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations for taking care of your mental health. ◊ Keep informed. Listen to advice and recommendations from your national and local authorities. Follow trusted news channels. ◊ Minimize newsfeeds. Try to reduce how much you watch, read or listen to news that makes you feel anxious or distressed. Seek the latest information at specific times of the day, once or twice a day if needed. ◊ Social contact is important. If your movements are restricted, keep in regular contact with people close to you by telephone and online channels. ◊ Reduce alcohol and drug use. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink or don’t drink alcohol at all. Avoid using alcohol and drugs as a way of dealing with fear, anxiety, boredom and social isolation. • Have a routine. Keep up with daily routines as far as possible, or make new ones. • Get up and go to bed at similar times every day. • Keep up with personal hygiene. • Eat healthy meals at regular times. • Exercise regularly. • Allocate time for working and time for resting. • Make time for doing things you enjoy. If you are experiencing symptoms such as hopelessness or helplessness, sleep changes, loss of interest in normal activities, excessive worry, persistent sadness, frequent tearfulness, unintentional weight changes and increased fatigue, it is important to notify your doctor. https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/ healthyathome/healthyathome---mental-health?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI86y-oID- 7gIVAb3ICh34YQAZEAAYASAAEgIDlPD_BwE Page 11 April 2021 Brewster, MA Sightings from the Poop Deck Joey “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” Mark Twain Every once in a great while, an ideal opportunity to bond with one of your grandkids presents itself. Fortunately for me, Christmas and New Year 2020 were perfect for myself and my grandson Joey. He reminds me a little of James Dean, i.e., “A Rebel Without a Cause” if you think way back to the movie. Joey has lived in Denver, Colorado, for the past seven years and while I don’t get to see him much, we did have four days together after the new year. He works at Whole Foods in Denver having moved over from Boulder to a larger store with greater potential for advance- ment. Joey is the hardest working 24-year-old I know, is very proud of his accomplishments and will work any hours when asked to fill in, even if it means coming in at two in the morning. We tried to get caught up and it was obvious that he misses being around family, especially during the holi- days. Joey was very intrigued with the fact that whenever he saw me on this visit, I was usually reading one of the many books made available to me by his mother. “What are you reading pop-pop?” It’s funny, but whenever I am in South Carolina I am usually looking for something by Pat Conroy, or Gullah History. I have a pretty good lecture I give my grand- kids on the topic of reading, and it goes something like this: “If you read ten pages of a book everyday, at the end of the month you will have read 300 pages, more than the length of an average book. At the end of the year - twelve books!” Now, I don't know where I may have acquired such profound wisdom. Someone probably laid that same line on me at some point in my past and it stuck. Regrettably, I was never a voracious reader neither in my beloved Passaic High School, nor in college, and always relied on Cliff Notes, since I always had more important things to do. You might even think I was lazy - and you would be right! Just think of how many classics I could have read had I known about that “ten-page rule” back then - so much to do, so little time. Anyway, unbeknownst to me, Joey was really locked in and listening and thought it was a great idea. When he got back to Denver he promised to make a visit to Barnes & Noble and seek out something to read. I told him to send the title to me and I would also buy it and then we could discuss it. The challenge was out there and now it was time to follow through and keep this dialogue alive. Barnes & Noble did neither Joey nor I any favor and convinced him that “The Sixth Extinc- tion” authored by Elizabeth Kolbert would be a good starting point, so he bought it and I went to Amazon for my copy. I sent him a text yesterday to let him know that I had finished the book and he replied, “Wow, I better get going!” I can only imag- ine that he hasn’t cracked the book yet and I can’t blame him. The first half of the book reads like a textbook with scientific terms that I have never heard of in my long life. However, I did say that if he stuck with it and made it halfway through it does get better and begin to make sense. Truthfully, I almost gave up, but felt compelled to finish it because we had something and needed to keep it going. I did however, tell him in my text, that I would pick the next one and I do have a plan. Remember in high school when you had to read J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” or per- haps later, the Beat Generation’s Jack Kerouac ’s “On the Road?” Actually, in a way, these books also remind me of Joey and I think he might even make the connection as he reads either one, possibly both. Either way, I am on to something important with one of my grandsons and who knows, I have three more grandsons and two granddaughters out there and soon-to-be seven great grandchil- dren, so you might say that I have my work cut out for me. However, what can be more worthy to be remembered by, than to encourage reading. As I said, “So much to do, so little time!” Peter R. Scheffer - (“Life is Good!”) - “The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With the First Step” poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main afterdeck For the latest information on town topics, we encourage you to consult the Town of Brewster website at www.brewster-ma.gov 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 driver. Donations are accepted for this service. Our van is wheelchair-accessible. Page 12 April 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.