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HomeMy Public PortalAboutJune 20221673 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 • (508) 896-2737 • Fax (508) 896-7587 Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Thursday, as well as Fridays by appointment. Denise Rego, Director Andrea Nevins, COA Board Co-Chair Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair June 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. Save the Date! Hike Eagle Point Trail Saturday, June 4 9:00am FREE On Saturday, June 4th at 9:00am, we invite you to join staff from Brewster Recreation and Council on Aging for a trail hike at Eagle Point. This intermediate trail is about 1 mile and will take under 1 hour to hike. Come with us for some fresh air and some beautiful scenery! We will be taking breaks occasionally so that folks can grab a drink of water and take it all in. For more information or to sign up, please contact the Brewster Recreation Department at 508-896-9430. Announcing “Fun Fridays”! Summer arrives this month! Since the COA building remains closed to the public on Fridays while we are here working in the building, we have planned an outdoor event each Friday of the summer. Here is the schedule for June: June 3 Celebrate National Donut Day 9-11am Coffee & donuts June 10 Brewster COA’s 48th Birthday! 1-3pm Birthday Cake and ice cream June 17 Scenic Tour with Brian 11am - 1pm 10 people maximum (destination TBA) June 24 Beach Trip with Brian 11 - 1pm 10 people maximum (beach TBA) July 1 Strawberry Shortcakes 1-3pm Strawberry shortcakes, of course! Group sizes are limited and you’ll need to sign up for the program that you are interested in by calling us at 508 -896-2737 to make sure we can accommodate you. The registration deadline is the Friday of the week BEFORE each event. All events are FREE and weather-permitting! Holiday Closing Notes: Juneteenth Monday, June 20 The Juneteenth holiday celebrates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the US. It is commemorated on the anniver- sary of the June 19, 1865 announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas. Flag Day is Tuesday, June 14. Fly those flags proudly! Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19 Thank you to all fathers, fathers-in-law, grandfathers and great-grandfathers, as well as anyone who has been like a father to someone! We wish you a wonderful day in your honor! Summer begins on June 21 Finally, warmer weather has arrived!Get out for a walk if you can, or just sit near a sunny window to soak up those rays. Welcome Summer! Page 2 Brewster, MA June 2022 Ice Cream Social Thank You! The COA would like to thank the following volunteers for help with our Ice Cream Social held on April 29: Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-chair, Mark Martino, Honey Pivorotto of Brewster Finance Committee, Steve and Gail Homes, Olga Sherry, Lucille Pooler, Nancy Wilson, Sue Ritchie and Bob Deloye. In addition, we were happy to have representatives from Brewster Police and Brewster Fire to help with the scooping: Chief Heath Eldredge and Lieutenant Charlie Mawn of Brew- ster Police Department, and Fire Captain/Paramedic Chad Foakes, Fire Fighter/Paramedic Gretchen Riley, and Fire Fighter/EMT Dean Smith, all of Brewster Fire Department. A huge thank you goes to JT’s Seafood for the delicious ice cream. Since JT’s graciously reduced the ice cream cost for the COA, we were able to keep our sundae prices low! To all of those who attended the event, thank you for coming! It was a wonderful afternoon and the COA is grateful to be part of such a great community! Photo courtesy of Denise Rego A trio of happy servers: Police Chief Heath Eldredge, Fire Captain/Paramedic Chad Foakes and Fire Fighter/Paramedic Gretchen Riley. Your Brain Health Journey Begins! “Brain Longevity” 4 Week Series Thursdays, June 2 through 23 2:15 – 3:30pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. $75 for the series Join Brain Longevity Specialist, Janet Bettey, E-RYT, YACEP, BLS, to learn the 4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention and steps that you can take today to improve your memory, cognition and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50%! This series is based on over 25 years of groundbreaking work by the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation. Class size is limited & you must pre-register. Call the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve your spot. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group & Activity Group for People with Cognitive Impairment returns to the Brewster COA! 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month This month’s dates: June 7 and 21 2:30 - 3:30pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. These groups are being offered by Alzheimer’s Family Support Center for both Caregivers and those they care for. The Caregivers support group and the Cognitive Impairment support group run simultaneously. Please call Alzheimer’s Family Support Center at 508-896-5170 for more information. Coming in July and August... Fit at Any Age for Men Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 5 - August 25 8 weeks 8:00 - 8:45am $10.00 per class (fee payable to instructor) Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. This is a 45-minute outdoor exercise program designed for men who wish to improve and maintain their fitness. The class is designed and conducted by Frank Callahan, Certified Per- sonal Trainer, and consists of cardio-respiratory, strength, balance, and nutrition segments. Participants should expect to walk, jog, skip, dance, squat, lie on and get up from the ground and LAUGH! Music, Movement, and Fun are key ele- ments of the program. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. Also, bring a filled water bottle, large beach towel, and a yoga mat. Please call the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737 to pre-register. Save the Dates! Senior Night at the Brewster Whitecaps Game Saturday, July 9 4:30pm Stony Brook Field Silver Screen Movie Night at Sea Camps Park Friday, July 22 8:00pm 3057 Main Street See the July newsletter for more information! Senior Technology Day Wednesday, June 8 10:00 – 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Sponsored by AT&T On June 8, representatives from the Hyannis and Cape Cod Mall AT&T stores will be on site at the Brewster COA to provide assistance and answers to any technology related questions. Please drop by anytime between 10:00am and 11:00am and feel free to bring the device you have a question about. This includes, but is not limited to: cell phone, Kindle, iPad, laptop, etc. Pedicure Friday, June 3 9:00am - 3:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. $35.00 Autumn Knight, our pedicure nurse, has a lot of experience in the field and works for Cape Cod Healthcare in their clinical education department. In addition to being a RN, she is also a Certified Foot Care Nurse/Specialist (CFCN / CFCS). Usually occurring on the first Friday of each month, ½-hour appoint- ments are available from 9am to 3pm with a fee of $35.00. Call the COA to schedule your appointment at 508 -896-2737. Blood Pressure and Glucose Testing 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month: June 13 and 27 10:00 - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. First come, first served The Barnstable County Public Health Nursing program pro- vides 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! Hearing Screenings Thursday, June 16 9:00 – 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Advanced Audiology Associates offers FREE screenings here at the Brewster Council on Ag- ing. Screenings are by appointment only and last approxi- mately 30 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. Legal Help: Update Although our on-site Legal Help program has been temporarily paused, if you need some legal guidance, the Brewster COA is happy to refer you to attorneys from South Coastal Counties Legal Services. Please contact Rashida Dickerson at 774-487- 3251. You must be 60+ to take advantage of this service. In addition, Attorney Adam Dupuy is available for appoint- ments at his office in Yarmouth. He can be reached by calling 508-775-3433. Pet Nail Trimming Thursday, June 16 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. Quilters Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St The Brewster Baysters Quilting Group meets Wednesday afternoons throughout the month. We invite you to join us. We welcome beginners to advanced levels of quilters and love to share ideas and free advice. Bring your Quilting inspiration, enthusiasm, some handwork and don't forget your Show and Tell! Join our lively group for lots of laughs and good conver- sation about quilting and other topics. Transportation Notes: Due to demand, we regret that we are unable to accommodate grocery shopping or other errand requests from our friends residing at assisted living facilities. However, we are happy to still offer rides to routine medical appointments as far as Hyannis (we cannot supply rides for any procedures). Appointments should be booked between the hours of 9:00am and 2:00pm. We do require a 4 business day notice. This service is provided by volunteers using their own private vehicles. Please call the COA for more information at 508-896-2737. Page 3 Brewster, MA June 2022 Page 4 The following exercise classes take place at the Brewster COA unless otherwise noted. Intermediate Tai Chi Mondays & Thursdays 11:15am - 12:15pm $15 per class This class is geared toward folks who have some experience with Tai Chi and are familiar with the Tai Chi Eight Form. 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, Qi Gong breathing exercises, and an exploration of Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts for healing and vitali- ty. During better weather we meet out- doors at the ball field behind the COA. To register, please email our instruc- tor A.Jay Zahn at capecodtaichisociety@gmail.com or phone 607-227-0509. A.Jay is a long-time practitioner of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and related martial arts and meditation. Advanced Tai Chi Mondays &Thursdays 10:00 – 11:00am $15/class This class is offered to people who have learned the 24 Posture Yang Tai Chi Form (National Beijing Form). Class in- cludes basic warm-up exercises, and focuses on exploring the "meditation-in- motion" aspect of practicing Tai Chi. During better weather we meet out- doors at the ball field behind the COA. Our instructor, A.Jay Zahn, has been practicing Tai Chi for 40 years and teaching on the Cape since 2018. To register for the class, please email A.Jay Zahn at capecodtaichisociety@gmail.com or phone 607-227-0509. Qi Gong Tuesdays 9:00 – 10:00am FREE Qi Gong is a form of exercise that dates back 3000 years and is not a martial art. The forms used in this class are thera- peutic, involving slow, repetitive move- ments which incorporate meditation, deep breathing and visualization. Many of the movements can be done while sitting. Qi is energy we use and which needs to be replaced with fresh Qi. The movements deal with our meridians to relieve and support various organs. We meet at the Brewster COA and at Drum- mer Boy Park (warmer weather permit- ting). Our participants enjoy the social aspect of these meetings as well as the physical benefits. Contact our instructor, Ray DiPietro, if you would like to reserve a spot. We look forward to meeting you! To register for the class, please email Ray at rayvector@hotmail.com or call him at 508-246-4486. Bit of Bliss Yoga Classes Tuesdays 2:30 – 3:30pm $10/class or 5 classes for $45 Join our instructor Janet Bettey, E-RYT, and experience a balance of movement and stillness as you nurture your body, mind and soul. These gentle yoga classes take a holistic approach to stretch and strengthen the body gradual- ly, enhancing your body's ability to move and empowering you both physically and mentally. This class is for anyone from beginners to experienced practitioners looking for a nourishing experience to restore vitality and find peace within. Participants bring their own yoga mat. Space is limited. Reserve your spot at www.bitofblissyogaofcapecod.com or call 978-500-2390. Keep Movin’ Tuesdays and Thursdays 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 registration. Please email our instructor, Cindy Doutrich, at cdoutric@ycp.edu to register. Meditation Thursdays (via ZOOM) 10:00 - 11:00am This ongoing meditation class taught by Carol Marcy meets Thursdays on ZOOM from 10:00 to 11:00am. Meditation 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 Carol so that she can send you the ZOOM link at drcarolmarcy@gmail.com Brewster, MA June 2022 Swimming at Brewster Green: Update We are very grateful that beginning in mid October, Brewster Green Resort will allow our seniors to come back to swim in their beautiful indoor pool. Except for the past 2 years due to the pandemic, we have had the pleasure of offering “Senior Swim” for over 20 years. Their commitment of reaching out to the community is admirable. More information will be in the Septem- ber/October newsletter. Page 6 June 2022 Brewster, MA Computer Help Wednesdays 9:00 - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Do you need help using your computer? We have one-on- one, one hour sessions avail- able to help you feel more confident in your computer skills. Sessions are FREE! Our knowledgeable and dedicated volun- teer 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 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 attitude Cape COAST (Councils On Aging Serving Together) collaborates to strengthen our partnerships and leverage our collective resources 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 virtual programs open to all. In the Kitchen with Kelli Tuesday, June 21 11:00am (Facebook Live) Summer is Here! This month’s presenta- tion is “Cool and Refreshing Summer Mocktail paired with a Matching Appetizer”. Join Kelli and a special guest to create a refreshing “mocktail” and appetizer you can enjoy all summer long! Please call the Dennis Center for Active Living at 508-385-5067 to ask for the ingredient list ahead of time. Channel 18 - Programming Update Channel 18 programming is currently taking a break. Our exercise pro- grams, Funky Fitness and Chair Yoga, will still be aired, but the individual informative presentations will not be shown in June. We hope to resume programming at a later date. Chair Yoga This class is designed to teach begin- ners, as well as accommodating 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 flexi- bility. The class is taught by Araci Gomes, a certified Yoga instructor. Channel 18 air times/dates: June 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 at 7:00am June 6, 20, 27, 28, 29 at 11:00am Funky Fitness This workout program addresses four major categories of fitness: endurance, strength, balance & flexibility. Music pro- vides the backdrop and inspiration for all exercises in each 60-minute class. Frank Callahan will be your instructor. Channel 18 air times/dates: Part 1 & 2 - 7:00am: June 1, 6, 8, 15, 23, 27, 29 Part 1 & 2 - 11:00am June 9, 14, 16, 21 Part 3 & 4 - 7:00am June 13, 20, 22, 28, 30 Part 3 & 4 - 11:00a June 7, 15 Did you know? COA Video Presentations may be viewed any- where, anytime from your computer, laptop, or phone. To watch any video presentation via your device of choice please go to the Brewster MA Council on Aging website. Scroll either across or down to COA Video Program Presentations (in blue ink). Click on COA Video Presentations then click on any ‘vimeo’ to enjoy a presentation and/or class. For the latest information on town topics, we encourage you to visit the Town of Brewster website at: www.brewster-ma.gov Page 7 Brewster, MA June 2022 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 2 10:00am Adv. Tai Chi 11:15am Int. Tai Chi 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 2:15pm Brain Longevity 3 9:00am Pedicure 9:00 - 11:00am Celebrate National Donut Day! 6 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 11:15am Intermediate Tai Chi 7 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 8 9:00am Computer Help 10:00am Senior Technology Day 11:00am Healthy Meals In Motion (Frederick Court) 1:00pm Quilters 9 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 11:15am Int. Tai Chi 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 2:15pm Brain Longevity 10 1:00 - 3:00pm Celebrate the Brewster COA’s 48th Birthday! 13 10:00am Blood Pressure & Glucose Testing 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 11:15am Intermediate Tai Chi 14 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 15 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 16 8:00am Pet Grooming 9:00am Hearing Screenings 10:00am Adv. Tai Chi 11:15am Int. Tai Chi 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 2:15pm Brain Longevity 17 11:00am - 1:00pm Scenic Tour with Brian 20 JUNETEENTH The COA is closed 21 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 22 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 23 10:00am Adv. Tai Chi 11:15am Int. Tai Chi 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC 2:15pm Brain Longevity 24 11:00am - 1:00pm Beach Trip with Brian 27 10:00am Blood Pressure & Glucose Testing 10:00am Advanced Tai Chi 11:15am Intermediate Tai Chi 28 9:00am Qi Gong 9:30am W.O.W. 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:30pm Bit of Bliss Yoga 29 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Quilters 30 10:00am Adv. Tai Chi 11:15am Int. Tai Chi 11:30am Senior Dining 1:00pm Keep Movin’! 2:00pm BMCC Senior Happenings Page 9 June 2022 Brewster, MA Welcome back to Senior Dining at the COA! Senior Dining will be available every Tuesday and Thursday. You will need to reserve your spot 2 business days in advance. The monthly menu is always available, just ask. The requested meal donation is $3.00. Give Kelly in our Brewster Nutrition Center a call at 508-896-5070 to reserve. Transportation can be arranged. Simply call the COA at 508-896-2737 to book your ride. Rides to/from lunch are FREE! The Senior Dining program is sponsored by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands. Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels delivers meals to peo- ple aged 60 and over who are unable to prepare their own meals. For more infor- mation 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 Kelly Rooney at 508-896-5070. 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. Brew- ster’s date is always the second Wednesday of each month, so the next date will be Wednesday, June 8. Please call the COA Outreach Office to enroll at 508-896-2737. SHINE Notes: Medicare Savings Programs: Do you want to save money on your Medicare Coverage? Medicare Savings Programs (also known as “MassHealth Buy-In” programs) are programs that help older residents and people living with disabilities save money on their Medicare coverage. If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. This program will pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium. In some cases, it may also pay your out-of- pocket Medicare Part A and B costs. The income and asset limits for the Med- icare Savings Programs have increased for 2022. Got questions? Our Brewster COA SHINE counselors can be reached at 508-896-2737. Outreach Notes Our Outreach staff is available for information about: Fuel Assistance, SNAP Assistance, Emergency Buttons, Homecare Assistance, Medical Equip- ment, Elder Services, and referrals of all types. For help with any of these, please contact the Outreach Office at 508-896-2737. Senior Shellfish Licenses Senior Shellfish Licenses are available at our office, 8am to 4pm Mondays thru 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 never expire! Medical Equipment Loans Our medical shed is open Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm, for equipment pick up. 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. If donating, please call the COA first at 508-896-2737 to tell us what you are bringing. 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 program 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, Thank You! Disclaimer: The Brewster Senior Center offers many legal, financial, recreational, medical screening or other services and/or activi- ties by volunteer or nominal-cost practi- tioners. Seniors participating in these services do so with the understanding that the Brewster Council on Aging, The Brewster Senior Center, the Town of Brewster, or its employees or agents DO NOT ASSUME ANY LEGAL RESPON- SIBILITY FOR ANY ADVICE OR SER- VICES RENDERED BY SUCH VOLUN- TEER OR NOMINAL COST PRACTI- TIONER. Any act, advice, or service by outside providers at the Council on Ag- ing SHOULD NOT BE PRESUMED TO BE ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY THE BCOA. Grocery Shopping Update: We now offer Grocery Shopping Trips two days per week! See page 12 for more info. Page 10 June 2022 Brewster, MA 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. 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 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 ‘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 A Message from Nikki Courtney, Exercise Physiologist & Activities Specialist VNA of Cape Cod - Public Health and Wellness Arthritis Arthritis is a term used to describe a group of more than 100 conditions affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 4 adults have arthritis, with the most common form being osteoarthritis. The symptoms of arthritis, including joint stiffness, pain, and swelling, can keep you from being active in various areas of life. Luckily, depending on the type of arthritis, there are lifestyle and diet changes you can use to decrease your pain and keep you moving. Participating in low-impact activity helps to keep your joints strong and mobile while also helping to improve your overall health. If arthritis is advanced or flaring up, physical therapy can help reduce symptoms and teach you ways to manage your arthritis. Consult your healthcare team for more information and other strategies available before starting a new program. New State of the Art Technology at Brewster Recycling Center The Town of Brewster has installed state of the art license plate recognition software at the Brewster Recycling Center. We are now utilizing this technology to verify permit holders in place of physical Recycling Center stickers. As of April 11, all Recycling Center permits purchased will be electronic. 2022-2023 Recycling Center permits will only be available via the mail-in program or online at www.brewster-ma.gov. Once your order is processed, your license plate will be entered into the database and will be valid for use from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Current resident Recycling Center permits remain valid until June 30, 2022. Page 11 June 2022 Brewster, MA Sightings from the Poop Deck "Life is like a (muffuletta) sandwich -- the more you add to it, the better it becomes." Anonymous On our recent flight to Panama City, Panama, to visit with our grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, I was beginning to doze off and I began thinking about one of our many moves in the city of Passaic, in the 1940’s. Don’t know why that thought popped up, but my brain always seems to surprise me and I like surprises. We were moving from 66 Kruger Place, Passaic, New Jersey to 113 Lincoln Street, also in Passaic, with a stop sandwiched in between at 362 Monroe Street, which I shared with you in a previous PD. ….Mr. Tomatoes, remember? Our neighbors on Kruger Place had names like Scibona, Russo, Febbo, Terranova, Neglia, Santangelo, Pic- colo, Felice, Fasino, Mondonia, Calascibetta, Marinaro, and Giacomarro. How the street wound up with the name Kruger has long been a mystery, since Leonardo DaVinci Place, or Michelango Bonarati Avenue would have seemed to be more appropriate. The people on Lincoln Street had names like Kanter, Schletter, Stark, Cain, Crowley, Prall, Geene and a few others that escape me, but if I wanted to discover an Italian person near here, I would have to walk a few blocks to find a paisano. It appeared to me that we had moved into a foreign country, but only about six or seven blocks from Kru- ger Place and if I wanted to go and hang out with my former friends I would have to jump on my second-hand Columbia and peddle for about five or ten minutes. However, whenever you moved out of a neighborhood, it seemed like you had lost your citizenship and were not readily accepted back into the… mob! Maddone, it’s still me and I’m still good with “Omerta!” These guys on Lincoln Street ate peanut butter and jelly sand- wiches for lunch and sometimes varied their sandwiches with grilled cheese in place of PB&J. Their mothers even cut the crust off the edges of the white bread and cut them into four pieces… pretty fancy canapes! The smells coming out of their kitchens were totally foreign to me. Never did I ever smell to- mato sauce, garlic, onions, olive oil, oregano, basilico, and Thursday nights were not Prince spaghetti nights. They didn’t know about muffulettas, sandwiches made with a loaf of round Italian bread cut in half and loaded with vinegar saturating the bread followed by a huge dealing of olive salad, slices of prosciutto, Genoa salami, capicola, provolone, lettuce and tomato, onions and garlic salt. If you could fit “Baccala” in a muffuletta it went in. You could smell me a block away. Hey, I’m just a “cafone!” These guys did not even know the mean- ing of “Fanobola!” I even had to change churches from Saint Anthony of Padua, where you could hear the 6:30am mass in both English and Italian, to Saint Nicholas where I swear masses were said in Gaelic. They were really in English, but I had difficulty with the brogue. They say that “All’s well that ends well” and those Lincoln Street years allowed me to understand life from the standpoint of another culture other than the Italian. My tenure on Lincoln Street lasted until my high school graduation in 1954 when I decided on a four year U.S. Air Force enlistment followed by my college years pursuing my engineering degree, and my marriage to my high school sweetheart and best friend, Joanie Carfora. It’s been said that “You can take the person out of the neighborhood, but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the person.” My only recourse is to look back over those years, take a deep breath and shout out at the top of my lungs… Fanobola! Peter R. Scheffer (“Life is Good!”) - La vita è bella!! Reminder - Flag Day June 14 poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main afterdeck New Hydration Station at the Brewster COA! There is a new water station in the main front room at the Brewster COA, in the back corner that faces the Natural Resources building. We are grateful to the Friends of Brewster Elders for purchasing the unit, and to the Town of Brewster for handling the installation. We are now encouraging all patrons of COA programs and activities to bring their own refillable water bottles and fill them at the station. The new Hydration Station will: encourage drinking Brewster’s tap water rather than single-use bottled water, re- duce plastic consumption by offering residents and visitors a site to refill reusable bottles, remove plastic from the waste stream, and be aligned with Brewster’s commitment to environmental leadership. BHT - BOSTON HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION Enjoy comfortable and safe transportation from Cape Cod DIRECT to Boston hospitals on a wheel- chair-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 Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. We require a minimum of 2 days no- tice. There is a maximum of 4 people per trip. A suggested donation of $2 is ac- cepted for this service. Please call the COA to schedule your ride at 508-896-2737. NOTE: This service is not available to those residing at assisted living facilities. MEDICAL & DENTAL APPOINTMENTS - Volunteer drivers are available for transport to routine medical appointments in their personal cars. We travel as far as Hyannis and regret we cannot 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 sched- ule 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. All appointments should be booked for times between 9:00am and 2:00pm. WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL VAN – Transportation to medical appoint- ments 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 June 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.