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HomeMy Public PortalAboutJanuary 20221673 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 • (508) 896-2737 • Fax (508) 896-7587 Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday (open to the public: Tu, We, Th) Denise Rego, Director Andrea Nevins, COA Board Co-Chair Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair January 2022 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. January Closings The Brewster COA will be closed on Monday, January 17 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Income Tax Preparation with AARP is Back! Wednesdays: February 2 to April 13 Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street Income Tax season is coming! Make it easy on yourself and call the Brewster COA soon at 508-896-2737 to schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable tax representative from AARP. Appointments are available on Wednesdays, from February 2nd through April 13th, on a first-come, first-served basis and will be held at the Brewster Town Hall. The representatives will make the job of filing your taxes much easier! ***Although the program is free, donations to the Brewster COA are appreciated! Please note: This service is for basic, uncomplicated tax filing ONLY! (Form 1040 or Form 1040-EZ) Brewster COA’s Inclement Weather Policy If the Nauset Public Schools are closed, all activities, programs and van transportation at the Senior Center are cancelled. If the Brewster Town Hall is closed, the Brewster Senior Center will also be closed. Welcome our New Bus Driver, Brian Locke! We are excited to announce that Brian Locke is our new full-time bus driver. His official start date was Monday, December 13th. Brian was the Property Manager for the Crosby Mansion for many years. He is excited to be able to help our seniors get around. We are happy to be providing rides to the Rock Harbor Respite Program at the Orleans COA, grocery shopping trips, rides to hot lunch here in our Senior Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as rides to other destinations in the future! Adopt-A-Family/Holiday Hope Program: Update Thanks to the generosity of those who purchased a turkey meal from the COA in November, we were able to donate $615 towards our Brewster Recreation Department’s “Adopt-A-Family’ program. Your donations certainly put a smile on many Brewster children this past Christmas season. Thank you. Looking for something NEW in ‘22? Check out our brand new exercise classes, Bit of Bliss Yoga and Beginner Tai Chi, featured on page 4. Cape COAST is back with a variety of virtual programs on page 3. On site Senior Dining has returned, too! See page 7 for more information. Page 2 Brewster, MA January 2022 What’s the difference between the COA and FOBE? The Council on Aging (COA) is a department of the Town of Brewster and is funded through the town budget, which is voted on annually at Town Meeting. Anyone in the town who is 60 or older is consid- ered a member of the COA at no cost. All employees of the COA are town employees. Our mission is “to support and advocate for older adults and their families by providing programs, services, and resources that promote independent living and quality of life.” As such, we offer health and wellness classes, social activities, support services, and special events. We provide transportation for local shopping and activities, as well as coordinating volunteer drivers for medical appointments for our sen- iors. Our outreach staff is available to assist with heating assistance, property tax exemptions, various food programs, Medicare issues, as well as many other community re- sources to all seniors to remain in their homes safely and healthfully. In contrast, the Friends of Brewster Elders (FOBE) is an incorporated 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is “providing pro- grams, entertainment, and financial help where needed to keep the sen- ior community of Brewster healthy and happy.” FOBE is a membership organization which relies on member dues ($10 per calendar year) and donations. It is a volunteer organization, and always welcomes new members! The FOBE runs the Sea Captains’ Thrift Shop and sched- ules events for seniors such as holi- day luncheons and special trips. It also provides funding for COA ] purchases not covered by the town budget. If you have a question about the FOBE, you can contact the President, Marilyn Dearborn at 508-385-2881. Check out what’s going on at the Brewster COA this month! Computer Help Wednesdays 9:00 - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Do you need help using your com- puter? We have one-on-one, one hour sessions available to help you feel more confident in your comput- er skills. Sessions are FREE! Our knowledgeable and dedicated volunteer instructor Del Borah is here to help you on Wednesday mornings. For all appointments, call the COA at 508-896-2737. Brewster Men’s Coffee Club (BMCC) Thursdays 2:00 - 4:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. The Brewster Men’s Coffee Club meets on Thursday afternoons throughout the month. Why not come in out of the cold and join us for some lively conversation? We’re always looking for new members. We’re also seeking guest speakers, so if you’ve got a topic of interest that you’d like to present, just let us know. W.O.W. (Wonderful Older Women) Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Do you enjoy talking with others and feeling good about your day? Do you like to discuss books, movies, local events and issues? Then WOW would love to welcome you into our weekly discussion group. Join us whenever you can at the COA. You’ll find us to be a very friendly group with a positive atti- tude! Pedicure Friday, January 7 9:00am - 3:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Come and meet our pedicure nurse at the COA, Autumn Knight. She has a lot of experience in the field and works for Cape Cod Healthcare in their clinical education depart- ment. In addition to being a RN, she is also a Certified Foot Care Nurse/ Specialist (CFCN / CFCS). Autumn is available for pedicure ser- vices the first Friday of every month. ½-hour appointments are available from 9am to 3pm with a fee of $35.00. Call the COA to schedule your appointment at 508-896-2737. Pet Nail Trimming Thursday, January 20 8:00 - 8:30am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. (in the back parking lot) The cost is $3.00 per pet’s nail trim for senior (60+) pet owners, and is offered on a first come, first served basis in the COA parking lot behind the building (look for the van). For more information, please text (preferred) or call Karen Duble of Buttons and Bows at 508-360-2596. Blood Pressure and Glucose Testing Second and Fourth Mondays of each month: January 10 and 24 10:00 - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. First come, first served The Barnstable County Public Health Nursing program provides services here at the COA on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. A Public Health nurse will take your blood pressure and check glucose if needed. This program is offered on a drop-in basis and includes the opportunity to speak with the nurse regarding any health issues. FREE! Cape COAST (Councils On Aging Serving Together) has been collaborating to strength- en our partnerships and leverage our collec- tive resources to offer older adults on Cape Cod enhanced options for virtual program- ming. 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 virtual programs open to all. Winter Consumer Protection with Office of the Attorney General Monday, January 10, 12 - 1pm (via Zoom) With electric and natural gas rates set to rise this winter season, Attorney General Maura Healey launched a campaign to educate customers about new and expand- ed programs available to assist them in paying energy bills. Due to COVID-19 economic uncertainty and volatility in global fossil fuel prices, customers in New England will see a spike in energy prices this winter. Customers who use gas to heat their homes should expect an increase on their monthly bill, and those who use oil could see an even bigger rise. Some customers also will see an increase in their electric bills. To regis- ter for class email Susan at the Barnstable COA at susan.griffin@town.barnstable.ma.us In the Kitchen with Kelli Tuesday, January 11, 11am (via Facebook Live) Learn how to make a warm winter treat during this Facebook live episode of Aging Well Today Cape Cod, at the Dennis Center for Active Living. For more infor- mation call the Dennis COA at 508-385-5067. Health Talk: Nutrition for a Healthy Winter Wednesday, January 12, 10 - 11am (via Zoom) You are what you eat! What we put in our bodies can result in how healthy we are. The experts from Kindred Health will discuss how to stave off illness through changes in your diet. To register for class email Susan at the Barnstable COA at susan.griffin@town.barnstable.ma.us Winter Birds of Cape Cod Tuesday, January 25, 1:30 - 2:30pm (via Zoom) Do you enjoy the variety of birds seen in your neighbor- hood and can you distinguish one from another? Join Chris Waltz, the property manager and a naturalist at Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, for an informative interactive session on the Cape’s winter birds. Chris has been birding for over 20 years and has taught many birding classes for birders of all back- grounds and abilities. Join us and find out more about the birds amongst us. To register call the Orleans COA at 508-255-6333. Forensic Etomology: Who Dunnit? Wednesday, January 26, 9:30-10:30am (via Zoom) Insects are now used to investigate a number of prob- lems ranging from contamination of foods, apartment problems, to violent crimes. Learn about the key bug players and how they have helped solve crimes that conventional investigation techniques could not. Presented by Larry Dapsis, Entomologist, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. To register call the Chatham COA at 508-945-5190. Let’s Talk about Tomorrow Monday, January 31, 10-11am (via Zoom) This info session, presented by the Homeless Preven- tion Council (HPC), is designed to create awareness about senior housing on the Lower Cape, to encourage attendees to work with case managers to apply as soon as possible, and to connect residents to the many local resources available. This information is crucial for older adults who are considering either applying for afforda- ble senior housing or aging in place. To register call the Chatham COA at 508-945-5190. Page 3 Brewster, MA January 2022 Do you have a ‘My Senior Center’ Card? If not, please stop by the front desk and request one. By obtaining a card and using it to ‘swipe in’ each time you visit the COA for a program, you are helping us track attendance, which in turn helps the COA qualify for various grants. If you’ve lost your card, or don’t know how easy it is to use it, just stop by our office. And to all those who have been using theirs, many thanks!! Hearing Screenings Thursday, January 20 9:00 – 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Advanced Audiology Associates offers FREE screenings here at the Brewster Council on Aging. Screenings are by appointment only and last approximately 15 minutes. These will include hearing screenings, ear inspections and hearing aid checks. Please call the COA at 508-896-2737 to set an appointment for this valuable service. Page 4 Need some exercise? All of the following classes take place at the Brewster COA unless otherwise noted. Advanced Tai Chi Thursdays $15/class 10:00 – 11:00am This class is offered to people who have learned the 24 Posture Yang Tai Chi Form (National Beijing Form). Class includes basic warm-up exercises, and focuses on exploring the "meditation-in- motion" aspect of practicing Tai Chi. Our instruc- tor, A.Jay Zahn, has been practicing Tai Chi for 40 years and teaching on the Cape since 2018. The cost is $15 per class, and class size is limited to 11 people. Please email AJay Zahn at capecodtaichisociety@ gmail.com to register for the class. Qi Gong Tuesdays 9:00 – 9:45am The practice of Qi Gong dates back 3000 years and is an ancient Chinese method of exercising, medi- tation, visualization, and breathing to manage the Qi (life force energy) in your body. Movements are slow and rhythmic, to self-massage acupoints (meridians) and release blocked Qi. You will feel refreshed, nourished, energized and relaxed. Qi Gong can benefit everyone! Please email Ray DiPietro at rayvector@hotmail.com to register for the class. Bit of Bliss Yoga Classes Tuesdays 2:30 – 3:30 $10/class or 5 classes for $45 Experience a balance of movement and stillness as you nurture your body, mind and soul. These gen- tle yoga classes take a holistic approach to stretch and strengthen the body gradually, enhancing your body's ability to move and empowering you both physically and mentally. This class is for beginners to experienced practitioners looking for a nourish- ing experience to restore vitality and find peace within. Join Janet Bettey, E-RYT, beginning January 4th. Space is limited and you must reserve your space at: www.bitofblissyoga.com or call 978-500-2390. Please bring a yoga mat. Keep Movin’ Tuesdays and Thursdays New Sessions start January 11 1:00 – 2:00pm This program is primarily strength-training for seniors. The classes are friendly, and a fun way to relieve arthritis symptoms while learning important strengthening exercises. Classes help to build strength, coordination and balance each week by using hand and leg weights, balls and bands. Class fee will be discussed upon registra- tion. Please email Cindy Doutrich at cdoutric@ycp.edu to register for the class. Beginner Tai Chi Class Tuesdays 10:30 -11:30 in person and Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 via Zoom $15 per class Come and learn Tai Chi and the many physical and spiritual benefits. Also known as "moving medita- tion," Tai Chi can help improve balance, core strength, flexibility, boost immunity, and provide a mind-body connection as a source for stress re- lief. Participants will learn the easy Tai Chi Eight Form (Yang style), a basic sequence of movements open to all ages and abilities. No special equipment or previous experience is necessary. Classes will incorporate stretching warm-ups, Qi Gong breath- ing exercises, and an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine concepts of energy flow through the body for healing and vitality. We will meet at the Brewster Council on Aging on Tuesdays and on Zoom on Fridays (or until the COA reopens on Fridays). When the weather warms up, both classes will be held outdoors at the ballfield behind the Council on Aging. Also, a free Qi Gong class every Wednesday on Zoom is included in bi-weekly Tai Chi class participation. Space is limited. To register for the class please email: capecodtaichisociety@gmail.com. Or, call our instructor A.Jay Zahn (607-227-0509). A.Jay is a long-time practitioner of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and related martial arts and meditation. Brewster, MA January 2022 Page 6 January 2022 Brewster, MA January Programs on Channel 18 Skimming Devices Presented by Robin Putnam Research and Special Projects Manager from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation The presentation includes information about credit and debit card skimming devices as well as tips on how to spot skimming devices found at gas stations, ATMs, and elsewhere. Channel 18 air times/dates: January 17 11:00am January 8, 29 3:00pm Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention Presented by Robin Putnam Research and Special Projects Manager from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation The presentation includes information about how to spot and avoid scams, how to prevent identity theft and what to do if your identity is compromised. Channel 18 air times/dates: January 11, 19, 25 11:00am January 1 3:00pm Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Presented by Carmen DeRaleau Director of Provider Relations The Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod is a not-for- profit agency committed to the health and wellness of the communities we serve. They provide services paid for by most health insurances. These include in-home skilled care, hospice and palliative care, and public health and wellness. They are proud of the work they do to care for our community and help them recover as well as teaching them to remain at home in comfortable and familiar settings. Channel 18 air times/dates: January 5, 20, 27 11:00am January 15 3:00pm Emergency Preparedness Presented by Chip Reilly, Emergency Prepared- ness Specialist for Barnstable County Chip Reilly, the Emergency Preparedness Specialist for the Barnstable County Department of Health and the Environment, holds a discussion about emergency preparedness with a concentration on senior prepared- ness. Mr. Reilly talks about the importance of building a kit, making a plan, and staying informed as a means of preparing for emergencies. Channel 18 air times/dates: January 10, 26 11:00am January 22 3:00pm Chair Yoga This class accommodates all levels. The students will learn to adjust the postures according to their own body needs, using a chair as support for the poses. Chair Yoga can be beneficial in terms of minimizing stress and boosting mental clarity, managing and coping with pain brought on by aging or an illness, improving strength, and enhancing flexibility. The class is taught by Araci Gomes, a certified Yoga instructor. Channel 18 air times/dates: January 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 19, and 26 at 7:00am January 3, 24 11:00am Funky Fitness This workout program addresses four major categories of fitness: endurance, strength, balance & flexibility. Music provides the backdrop and inspiration for all exercises in each 60-minute class. Frank Callahan is your instructor. Channel 18 air times/dates: Part 1 & 2 - 7:00am: January 3, 5, 12, 20, 24, 27 Part 1 & 2 - 11:00am January 13 and 18 Part 3 & 4 - 7:00am January 10, 17, 25 Part 3 & 4 - 11:00am January 4, 6, 12 Meditation Thursdays on ZOOM 10:00 - 11:00am This ongoing meditation class taught by Carol Marcy meets Thursdays on ZOOM from 10:00 to 11:00am. Medita- tion has proven to have many important benefits. Carol Marcy has been certified to teach meditation by the Washington Center for Consciousness Studies. She is a long time meditator who has studied a variety of spiritual traditions. If you are interested please email her so that she can send you the ZOOM link at drcarolmarcy@gmail.com Page 7 Brewster, MA January 2022 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 3 4 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 10:30am Beginner Tai Chi 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 5 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 6 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 2:00pm BMCC 7 9:00am Pedicure 10 10:00 to 11:00am Blood Pressure & Glucose Testing 11 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 10:30am Beginner Tai Chi 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 12 9:00am Computer Help 11:00am Healthy Meals In Motion (Frederick Court) 1:00pm Quilters 13 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 14 17 The COA is closed 18 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 10:30am Beginner Tai Chi 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 19 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 20 8:00am Pet Grooming 9:00am Hearing Screenings 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 21 24 10:00 to 11:00am Blood Pressure & Glucose Testing 25 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 10:30am Beginner Tai Chi 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 26 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 27 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 28 31 Senior Happenings Page 9 January 2022 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 RESPONSIBILITY 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. 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 call at 508-896-5070. OUTREACH Notes Our Outreach staff is available for information about: Fuel Assistance, SNAP Assistance, Emergency Buttons, Homecare Assistance, Medical Equipment, Elder Services, and referrals of all types. For help with any of these, please contact the Outreach Office at 508-896-2737. Healthy Meals in Motion This popular program serves all eligible Brewster seniors, providing groceries, fresh produce and paper products each month. Preorder from a wide selection of food items and your order will be ready for pickup at Senior Housing at Frederick Court between 11:00am and 12:00pm. Brewster’s date is always the second Wednesday of each month, so the next date will be Wednesday, January 12. Please call the COA Outreach Office to enroll at 508-896-2737. Property Tax Relief Applications are now available for the Fiscal Year 2022 tax season to qualifying seniors who meet certain eligibil- ity requirements. Please call Brenda Locke or Debra Johnson to find out if you qualify for significant savings at 508-896-2737 or email blocke@brewster-ma.gov. Fuel Assistance Do you need some help with your winter heating bills? Fuel Assistance season has begun, so please contact the Outreach Office at the COA at 508-896-2737 to see if you are eligible. SHINE Notes Medicare’s Open Enrollment (October 15 - December 7 every year) has ended and now you find you’re not happy with your drug plan or Medicare Insurance. What to do? Call your SHINE counselors at your local COA. We’re not just here for Open Enrollment. We can help you all year with issues you may have with Medicare. SHINE counselors are state certified and offer their unbiased services free of charge. Our Brewster COA SHINE counse- lors can be reached at 508-896-2737. Senior Dining at the COA! We are now serving hot lunches in person at the Brewster Senior Center building on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY. If you are interested in receiving a January menu, please call us at 508-896-2737 and we will get one to you. Space will be limited to 10 people per sitting. A donation of $3.00 per meal is requested. All you need to do is call the day BEFORE no later than 11:00am to sign up with our Brewster Nutrition Site Coordinator at 508-896-5070. If you need a ride to lunch, please contact the COA at 508-896-2737 to make arrangements. Page 10 January 2022 Brewster, MA A Message from Stephanie Lattanzio, RN-BSN Public Health and Wellness Town Nurse, VNA of Cape Cod Home visits will occur on Mondays. ‘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 Senior Fitness Hour “Senior Fitness Hour” is found on Channel 99 of Lower Cape Community Access TV for older adults in the com- munities of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro. It is the result of a collaborative effort between Lower Cape TV and the Councils on Aging in these communities. Every weekday there will be fitness classes fea- turing 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 Cognitive Strategies for Memory with Aging As we get older our memory can be affected. While some types of memory remain stable with age, others decline. We all have “off” days when we don’t remember as we usually do, but luckily there are cognitive strategies that can help. Use a daily timer. Sometimes we all need a reminder to do something like taking medications, so using a timer that goes off daily at the same time can help. Make daily or weekly “to do” lists. This is a great way to prioritize your time and get everything accomplished that needs to be done. Have a ‘go to’ daily call. Have family or friends that call around the same time every day. This is important not only for your social health, but can be a key safety plan if you live alone. Speak with your physician about any changes in your health. Your doctor can help you decide if you may need a checkup, change in medication, or other services for a cognitive assessment. This month’s newsletter article was supplied by Nikki Courtney, Exercise Physiologist and Activities Specialist for the VNA of Cape Cod, Public Health and Wellness Department. Medical Equipment Loans Our medical shed is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for equipment pick-up. Stop by to see what is available. If we have what you are looking for you are welcome to take it. There is no cost and no set return date. If you find you no longer need the item, please return it to us in clean, working order. We also welcome donations of clean, durable medical equipment in good working order. Please call us to tell us what you would like to donate at 508-896-2737. Page 11 January 2022 Brewster, MA For the latest information on town topics, we encourage you to visit the Town of Brewster website at: www.brewster-ma.gov Sightings from the Poop Deck “They say the seeds of what we will do are in all of us, but it always seemed to me that in those who make jokes in life the seeds are covered with better soil and with a higher grade of manure.” Ernest Hemingway - “A Moveable Feast” Tuesdays are MahJongg Days in Joanie Carfora’s group. Things have rolled along very smoothly for years and suddenly your MahJongg table collapses unexpectedly and your Tuesday is coming up in four days. This is worse than the October 2021 nor’easter, Wanda. “No problem” I say, “You can play on the floor until I have had an opportunity to search on Amazon.” For some strange reason this idea does not go over well with JC and although no words were exchanged, her look said, “Don’t mess with me, this is serious.” As I am searching Amazon I am made aware very early on, that this is not going to be resolved very quickly. You see, every table you settle on in Amazon is “out of stock and not expected until March 2022.” No worries, Plan 2; we have a great selection of stores such as Home Depot, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and if you want to travel a little there’s always Walmart and Lowes. Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond conveniently sit side by side in Hyannis, problem solved. Except Home Depot is going through an enormous expansion and you have to be sure to steer clear of the obsta- cle course, aka, parking lot, but we don’t discour- age easily, after all, it’s MahJongg! We strike out at Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond no longer stocks these tables, but you can order one and it will be delivered long after your due date. “Hey, we don’t have forever, we’re talking next Tuesday.” Obviously he is not a MahJongg player. We make our way out through the demoli- tion derby parking lot and decide that since I very conveniently have a doctor’s appointment in Sandwich the very next day, we can continue on to Wareham Crossing where we will have an abun- dance of stores to choose from and surely will find what we are looking for at either Target, Walmart, or Lowes, and we can then live happily ever after. We choose Walmart first, and sure enough we strike gold. Problem solved! The only downside to Walmart (which happens to be my favorite store - Thanks Sam) is that since you are there you may as well take advantage of your off-Cape trip and do a “little extra” shopping. After all, we don’t get down here very often. Let’s celebrate our successful find, go all out and fill up our basket with stuff we really don’t need! I now have one more reason to look very unfavorably at China for inventing this game. Peter R. Scheffer - (“Life is Good!”) - Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year! poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main after- deck Personal Hygiene Items The COA has some adult disposable incontinence products in various sizes. We still have a large sup- ply of gentlemen’s disposables in sizes L, XL and XXL. If you or someone you know could use them, don’t hesitate to call us at 508-896-2737 and let us know what size you’re looking for. Please note that we are running low on women’s disposables, so if you have some that you’d like to donate to us, we will happily accept them as long as they are unopened. Let us know what you want to donate at 508-896-2737. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Senior Shellfish Licenses Senior Shellfish Licenses are available at our office, from 8am to 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please bring your driver’s license (showing that you are at least 70 years of age). If your license does not have a Brewster address, please bring a copy of your latest tax bill to show you are a Brewster resident. Licenses are a one-time charge of $5.00 (we accept check or cash) and are good for your lifetime! BHT - BOSTON HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION Enjoy comfortable and safe transportation from Cape Cod DIRECT to Boston hospitals on a wheelchair- accessible bus Service available Mon. thru Thur. only. MONDAY thru THURSDAY SCHEDULE 7:30am Orleans (Shaw’s Market) 7:40am Fontaine Medical Center (Entrance) 7:45am Harwich (Route 6 & 124 Commuter Lot) 8:00am Barnstable (Route 6 & 132 (Burger King) 8:15am Sagamore (Commuter Lot) RESERVATIONS are a MUST!!! (Reserve no later than 9:00am 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: 8:00am – 5:00pm Schedule your medical appointments between 10am & 2pm. The bus will leave Boston by 3pm. Please visit the website for more information: www.capecodrta.org TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION COA VAN - We offer trips for Grocery Shopping in Orleans on Thursdays, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. We require two days notice. There will be a maximum of 4 people per trip. A suggested donation of $2 is accepted for this service. Please call the COA to schedule your ride at 508-896-2737. MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS - Volunteer drivers are available for transport to routine medical appointments in their personal cars. We travel as far as Hyannis and regret we can not accommodate patients having procedures. 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 appoint- ment so we can notify our driver. Donations are accepted for this service. All appointments should be booked for times between 9:00am and 2:00pm. WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL VAN – Transportation to medical appointments is provided on a volunteer basis, Monday through Friday. A one-week advanced reservation is required. Donations are accepted for this service. Call the COA for more information at 508-896-2737. Page 12 January 2022 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: Senior Dining occurs on-site at the Brewster COA on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. For more information, please contact our Brewster Nutrition Site Coordinator at 508-896-5070.