HomeMy Public PortalAboutOctober 2017
1673 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 Alice Stelzer, FOBE President
Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair
October 2017
MISSION STATEMENT: To support and advocate for older adults and their families by providing
programs, services and resources that promote individual living and quality of life.
HENRY SEARS DEDICATION
GATHERING
Monday, October 16th 1:30pm
Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street
Join us as we dedicate a bench to be placed
permanently at the COA in remembrance of all
that Henry did for the seniors of Brewster.
We will also be adding a “fish” to our memorial
wall in Henry’s name. Some of Henry’s family
members will be joining us for this special event.
We encourage all whose lives were touched by
Henry to celebrate with us that day.
Refreshments will be served.
Please call the COA at (508) 896-2737 no later
than Wednesday, October 11th to let us know you
are coming!
This is a special way for all of us to remember this
wonderful gentleman!
Newport Playhouse Trip:
“The Crazy Time”
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
$70 per person
We are offering a fun-filled trip to the Newport
Playhouse to see the play “The Crazy Time”. The
play is a laugh-filled look at the joys and perils of
May/December romances.
The trip amount includes transportation, a
admission to the play, a buffet lunch and a cabaret
show afterward. We will be leaving Brewster
around 9:00am for the trip down. You will enjoy a
lovely buffet luncheon with a wide selection of
foods to choose from. You will then head into the
theater for the play. After the play, you head back
to the dining room for a wonderful cabaret show.
You will leave for the return trip to Brewster at
approximately 4:00pm.
If you are interested, please contact the
COA at 508-896-2737 by SEPTEMBER 27th!
COLUMBUS DAY OBSERVANCE
The Senior Center will be
closed on Monday, October 9th
in honor of Columbus Day!
Enjoy your holiday!
PRIVATE DUTY WORKERS
Due to liability issues, we are no longer
maintaining a directory of names of people that do
private work for our seniors. But there is still a
long list of agencies that provide the same type of
work to help you out! Please contact our staff if
you are looking for services in your home.
THANK YOU, MARILYN DEARBORN!
The COA would like to thank Marilyn Dearborn for
all of her hard work as our past Program
Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. She
worked tirelessly to develop programs and oversee
our volunteers in their many roles. To date, we
haven’t found a replacement for the Program
Coordinator role, but we’ll let you know as soon as
we do. Meanwhile, we’d like to announce
Regina Egan as our new Volunteer Coordinator.
Regina will be adding this to her current role as
Department Assistant! Congratulations, Regina!
Page 2 October 2017 Brewster, MA
BE SURE TO ADD FOBE
TO YOUR
FACEBOOK FRIENDS!
Use Facebook to keep up with
what’s happening at the Thrift Shop
sales or specials, pictures of
featured items, etc.—and also to see
what’s been going on with FOBE.
This new technology is
wonderful!
Writing for Your Health – Part 2
I wonder how many of you sat down over the last month and did stream of consciousness writing.
Or did you say, “I can’t write.” Let’s remove the anxiety that for many people goes with the word
“writing.” Instead let’s call it expressing your thoughts.
Stephen Covey said, “Writing is another powerful way to sharpen the mental saw. Keeping a journal of
our thoughts, experiences, insights, and learnings prompts mental clarity, exactness, and context.”
As we age we NEED that mental clarity.
I have to stress one aspect that will trouble perfectionists. Oh yes, I know you ‘re out there. For the best
results from expressing ourselves we need to remember that we want to engage the whole brain.
The left and right brain not only do separate things, they can interfere with each if you try to do more
than one thing at a time. We’ve all seen how our ability to multitask has dwindled. It is the same when
we are
expressing ourselves. You should not write and edit at the same time. You will learn more about yourself
by letting go of all the limitations you put on yourself by editing every other word while your brain is
trying to give you new thoughts.
One of the most powerful ways to express ourselves is in gratitude. We need to remind ourselves of all
the good in and around us.
Keeping a gratitude journal has long been proven to be an effective way to brighten one’s outlook on life.
It is better to focus at what we have, instead of what we don’t have. When we live with grateful hearts,
we fill our core with peace, love, forgiveness and understanding.
Well-known playwright Henry Miller said, “Writing, like life itself, is a voyage of discovery.” I entreat
you to take this voyage.
Alice Plouchard Stelzer
SEA CAPTAIN’S THRIFT SHOP NEWS 66 Harwich Road (Route 124)
Sea Captains' Thrift Shop on Harwich Rd. is now fully stocked for
fall/early winter. Gorgeous sweaters, slacks and accessories for
men & women are available in abundance and ready for your
selection. We have beautiful handbags, scarves, belts and hats for the
ladies and shoes for every taste. Hours: 10am—3pm Tues—Sat
Volunteer Thrift Shop
Associates, Joyce Smith (left)
and Joan Turley (right)
stand ready to help you
select just the right items for
your new fall look!
Page 3 October 2017
W.O.W.
Tuesdays: 11:00am - 12:30am
Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street
Please note: Meetings will resume at the
Brewster COA on Tuesday, September 12th.
Are you sitting at home talking to yourself?
Do you like to discuss books, movies, current events
and issues, or whatever?
Then WOW would love to welcome you into our
weekly discussion group. You don’t have to come
every week. Just join us when you can at the COA!
You’ll find us a very welcoming group.
If you have any questions, please call the COA at
(508) 896-2737.
Brewster, MA
SWIMMING
Fridays, 10:00am—12:00pm
Brewster Green Pool
Our senior swim program has resumed at
Brewster Green. This is ONLY available for
Brewster’s senior (60+) residents. You
ALSO need to have your current-year
(2017) F.O.B.E. Membership Card for
admittance. A donation of $1.00 per swim
is recommended and this is done by an Honor
system. Stop by the COA on a monthly or
quarterly basis to support this activity!
COMPUTER HELP UPDATE:
Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street
Thursdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Though Paul Alt is no longer our Computer Help
volunteer guru, we are very happy to announce
that we now have Pete Scheffer stepping in to fill
the gap. To those of you who have been coming to
the Computer Users Group classes, Pete is a
familiar face. If you don’t know him, Pete is
well-versed on computers and other technology
and will be able to give great help to those
struggling with their various devices. With Pete’s
aid, we will be able to continue to offer the one-on-
one Computer Help sessions on a weekly basis.
Sessions will still be held for one hour and will now
occur on Thursdays, beginning at 9:00am, at the
Brewster COA at 1673 Main Street.
If you’d like to make an appointment for computer
help, please call the Brewster COA at
(508) 896-2737.
BREWSTER MEN’S COFFEE CLUB
Thursdays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street
Cooler days are here! The BMCC will be meeting
on the following Thursdays in October at the Brew-
ster COA:
5, 12, 19, 26
We’re always looking for new members as well as
Guest Speakers! We welcome you to join us!
COMPUTER USERS GROUP
Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street
Thursdays: 1:00pm—3:00pm
Topics are solicited from program attendees at
each meeting and discussed at subsequent
meetings. Skill level is from beginner to
intermediate. No need to sign up!
Just come join us!
November is National Memory
Screening Month
The Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape
Cod will offer FREE confidential
30-minute memory screenings at the
Brewster COA on November 8th, from
10:00am to 12:00pm. These screenings are
not diagnostic, but will indicate whether
participants should see a doctor for further
testing. Screenings are offered by appointment
only. Pre-registration is required. Please
contact the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737
to schedule your confidential appointment.
If your need for a screening is more urgent, you
can always call the Alzheimer’s Family Support
Center of Cape Cod directly at 508-896-5170.
IT’S ALMOST THAT TIME AGAIN…
...to renew your Friends of Brewster Elders
Membership for 2018!
Membership runs for a calendar year, beginning
January 1st and ending on December 31st.
Watch your mail for the membership brochure
coming in early November!
Page 4 October 2017 Brewster, MA
OCTOBER OFFERINGS
SKIMMING DEVICES
Monday, October 2nd 1:00 PM
What are “Skimming Devices” and how can they affect you? Robin Putnam,
Research and Special Project Manager from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations,
will be here at the COA with a presentation on credit card skimming devices. The presentation will
include information on how to spot skimming devices found at gas stations and ATMs and what you can
do to protect yourself against them. She will also have information to hand out on “shopping rights”.
Please call 508-896-2737 to reserve your seat for this informative program. Refreshments will be
served.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK – OCTOBER 8-14
This is the perfect time to check your fire and carbon monoxide alarms. If they are battery
operated, now is when you should change the batteries. Also, be sure that your alarms are
current – they do have an expiration date. If you are unsure whether your unit is
expired, contact the Fire Department at (508) 896-7018 and they will be able to assist you.
****************************************************
FRIENDS OF BREWSTER ELDERS NEWS
AM I A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL ON AGING—THE FRIENDS OF BREWSTER
ELDERS—BOTH– OR NEITHER? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
There always seems to be some confusion as to which group you are a “member” of. We always hope
you “belong” to both, and hopefully this information will help clarify any questions you might have.
If you are a senior (over age 60) and live in the Town of Brewster, you are automatically considered to
be part of the Brewster Council on Aging. The COA is a Town Department which provides services and
information to the seniors in our Town. You are welcome to join in any activity sponsored by the COA.
WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF BREWSTER ELDERS AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
The Friends of Brewster Elders (FOBE) is the non-profit corporation that supports the senior
community of Brewster and assists the COA. They provide funding for items not in the Town Budget,
and gifts to the COA.
Membership is $10.00 per person annually. Membership runs from January to December.
Seniors will be receiving a membership brochure in early November.
IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE IT’S FAR AWAY, BUT IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE
YOU KNOW IT—DON’T MISS OUT—MARK YOUR CALENDAR TODAY!
FOBE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
OLD YARMOUTH INN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6th
Tickets are $14.00 for members, $28.00 for non-members, and will go on sale in mid-November.
There is a limit of 100 tickets.
More information along with the schedule for ticket sales will be in the November Bayside Chatter.
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
2
9:00am Pedicare
9:45am Keep Movin’!
1:00pm Seminar:
“Skimming Devices”
3
9:00am Yoga
9:00am SHINE
11:00am W.O.W.
1:00pm Bridge
4
8:45am Line Dancing
10:30am BINGO
12:30pm Poker
1:00pm Quilters
5
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Computer Help
1:00pm Computer
Users Group
2:00pm BMCC
6
9:45am Keep Movin’!
10:30am BINGO
12:30pm Poker
10:00am Swimming at
Brewster Green
9
HAPPY COLUMBUS
DAY!
(The COA is closed)
10
9:00am Yoga
9:00am SHINE
11:00am W.O.W.
1:00pm Bridge
11
8:45am Line Dancing
10:30am BINGO
11:30am Sight Loss/BLL
12:30pm Poker
1:00pm Quilters
12
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Computer Help
1:00pm Computer
Users Group
2:00pm BMCC
13
9:45am Keep Movin’!
10:30am BINGO
12:30pm Poker
10:00am Swimming at
Brewster Green
16
9:45am Keep Movin’!
17
9:00am Yoga
9:00am SHINE
11:00am W.O.W.
1:00pm Bridge
18
8:45am Line Dancing
10:30am BINGO
11:00am Massages with
Sandra
12:30pm Poker
1:00pm Quilters
19
8:00am Pet Grooming
8:30am Hearing
Screenings
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Computer Help
11:00am Massages
w/Sandra at Maplewood
1:00pm Computer
Users Group
1:00pm Financial
Planning
2:00pm BMCC
20
9:45am Keep Movin’!
10:30am BINGO
11:00am
Rep. Tim Whelan
12:30pm Poker
10:00am Swimming at
Brewster Green
23
9:45am Keep Movin’!
24
9:00am Yoga
9:00am SHINE
10:00am BP/Glucose
Testing & Health/BLL
11:00am W.O.W.
1:00pm Bridge
25
8:45am Line Dancing
10:00am Legal Help with
Atty. Tom Kosman
10:30am BINGO
12:30pm Poker
1:00pm Quilters
26
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Computer Help
1:00pm Computer
Users Group
2:00pm BMCC
27
9:45am Keep Movin’!
10:30am BINGO
12:30pm Poker
10:00am Swimming at
Brewster Green
30
9:45am Keep Movin’!
31
9:00am Yoga
9:00am SHINE
10:00am W.O.W.
1:00pm Massages with
Marilou
1:00pm Bridge
Page 6 Senior Happenings
‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ Online:
The ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ is available online each month and can be found on
our website at: www.brewster-ma.gov. Search under ‘Departments’ and select
‘Council on Aging’. Scroll down to where it reads: ‘our newsletters are available
online’ and click on the link! Happy Reading!
October 2017 Page 7
MOBILE PANTRY “Healthy Food to Go”
We are pleased to bring to you this program in cooperation with The Family Pantry
of Cape Cod. Participants select their food in advance using the provided shopping
list, which includes standard non-perishable foods, along with special
non-perishable foods, fresh produce, bread products, dairy and meats.
Your shopping order is pre-bagged on the morning that you pick it up. Pick -up is the
2nd Wednesday of each month, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Frederick Court.
Our next date is Wednesday, October 11th.
Participants must register and be income-qualified. For more information, please
call Debra or Brenda at our Outreach Office at (508) 896-2737.
TAX EXEMPTION INFORMATION
You may qualify for a substantial Real Estate Tax Exemption. Please contact the
Outreach office at the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737.
Applications are available now!
SHINE NEWS….
Don’t Delay - Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15th!
Medicare’s Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) and Part D (Prescription Drug Plan)
Annual Open Enrollment begins October 15th and ends December 7th.
Please make sure you review your 2018 Medicare options during this period.
During the Annual Open Enrollment (October 15 - December 7), you will have a
chance to CHANGE your plan. This change will take effect January 1, 2018. SHINE
Counselors can help you understand your plan’s changes, screen you for assistance
programs and discuss other options you may have. If you do not change your plan
during this period you may have to stay with your existing plan for another whole
year. (Note: the open enrollment may not affect those with retiree coverage).
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE- Appointments fill up fast!
Call the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737 and make an appointment with a
SHINE counselor for this year’s open enrollment. Make sure you bring a list
(or bottles) of your current medications (including dosages) to the appointment.
This service is FREE!
Brewster, MA
SENIOR CITIZEN REAL ESTATE TAX ABATEMENT
PROGRAM
In exchange for volunteer service, the Town of Brewster will abate the annual real
estate property tax by $429.75. A minimum of 45.5 hours of volunteer service must
be completed by September 1, 2018. For the 2018 Program, there are twenty spots
available. More information on this great program will be available in next month’s
(November) ‘Bayside Chatter’!
BAYSIDE
WEEKLY/MONTHLY PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES:
ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP & ACTIVITY
GROUP for PEOPLE WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT:
1st & 3rd Tues. of each month ~ 1:00 - 2:30pm at Maplewood of
Brewster, 820 Harwich Road (Route 124). The Caregivers support
group and the Dementia support group run simultaneously.
Dr. Molly Perdue, facilitator. Drop-ins welcome. Call (508) 896-5170 for
more information.
ANGELCARE: Please call the COA for information: (508) 896-2737
BANKING ASSISTANCE: For help balancing seniors’ checkbooks. By
appointment only. Please call the COA at (508) 896-2737 to reserve.
BINGO: Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 - 11:30am.
BLOOD PRESSURE & GLUCOSE TESTING/HEALTH COUNSELING:
4th Tuesday of the month at the Brewster Ladies Library, lower level.
10:00am – 2:00pm - On a drop-in basis. Provided by VNA of Cape Cod.
BREWSTER MEN’S COFFEE CLUB (BMCC): Thursdays ~ 2:00pm.
BRIDGE (men’s and women’s groups): Tuesdays ~ 1:00pm.
COMPUTER HELP: Thursdays ~ 9:00am – 12:00pm
By appointment only. 1-hour sessions are hands-on, one-on-one,
and participants choose their own pace and area of interest.
Call (508) 896-2737
COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Thursdays ~ 1:00pm. The first hour will
be for questions and answers, followed by instructions on topics solicited
from program participants that day. Skill level is from beginner to
intermediate. Just drop in! PLEASE NOTE: Call the COA at
(508) 896-2737 to be put on the email list for dates of meetings.
FINANCIAL PLANNING: 3rd Thursday ~ 1:00pm.
By appointment only. A knowledgeable volunteer answers questions
and provides information concerning Long Term Care and Financial
Planning. Call (508) 896-2737
HEARING SCREENINGS: 3rd Thursday ~ 8:30am By appointment
only. FREE. Includes ear inspections and hearing-aid checks if needed.
Appointments are 15 minutes each. Call (508) 896-2737.
KEEP MOVIN’!: Mondays and Fridays ~ 9:45 -10:45 am. 10-week
session/20 classes, for the cost of $50.00. Strength training for seniors.
Classes help to relieve arthritis symptoms using adjustable weights and
stretch bands. PLEASE NOTE: Call the COA at (508) 896-2737 for
more information.
LEGAL HELP: 10:00am on the 4th Wednesday with Atty.Tom Kosman.
Atty. Adam Dupuy will still offer legal advice, but does not have scheduled
dates at the COA. 1/2-hour appointments. By appointment only:
(508) 896-2737 The attorney will answer your legal questions. Free for
initial appointment.
LINE DANCING: Wednesdays ~ 8:45am No dance experience required.
$4.00/class when paid monthly, or $6.00/class for drop ins. Cash or
checks payable to “Cape Sands Ballroom”. No need to call first; just come
and join us!
MASSAGE: Sandra Smith’s schedule is the 3rd Wednesday of the
month beginning at 11:00am at the COA AND the Thursday immediately
following at 11:00am at Maplewood of Brewster. Massages with Marilou
are held the last Tuesday of every month beginning at 1:00pm. Massages
last 30 minutes and are $15.00. By appointment only: (508) 896-2737
MEALS ON WHEELS: Provided to each homebound elder who is unable
to prepare nutritionally balanced meals.
Call Kelly Kirby at (508) 896-5070.
OLD FASHIONED QUILTING BEE: Wednesdays ~ 1:00pm.
Fellow quilters bring in their quilting projects and enjoy the camaraderie of
other quilters. Come join in with the ‘Brewster Basters’!
CHATTER
WEEKLY/MONTHLY PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES:
OUTREACH ASSISTANCE: The Outreach Workers will answer any
questions you have about resources and programs you may be entitled to,
assist with assessing needs, file-of-life, fuel assistance applications, etc.
Please call (508) 896-2737 to make an appointment.
PEDICARE: 2nd Monday of the month ~ 9:00am - 2:30pm
(Diabetics must see a MD/Podiatrist). ½ hr. appointments - $29.00
Home Visit - $50.00 Please call (508) 896-2737 for appointment.
PLEASE NOTE: This month’s appointments will be held on Oct. 2
PET GROOMING: Buttons & Bows ~ 3rd Thursday of the month, nail
clipping will take place for animals in a grooming van at the back of the
COA, from 8:00am – 8:30am for $3.00, normally $10.00. Stop by!
POKER: Wednesdays and Fridays ~ 12:30pm - 3:45pm
QI GONG: Thursdays ~ 9:00am - 9:45am. $10.00 for 5 sessions.
Chinese method for enhancing the immune system; utilizing posture and
breathing exercises, along with focused intentions. Gentle and calming.
Please call the Brewster COA at (508) 896-2737 for more information.
REP. TIM WHELAN: 3rd Friday of the month ~ 11:00am - 12:00 pm
Offered on a drop-in, first-come-first served basis.
SENIOR DINING: Hot lunches are provided Monday through Friday
at the COA Suggested donation is $3.00 per meal. 24-hour notice
required. Please call (508) 896-5070 no later than 11:00am the day
before. Come at 10:30am on Wednesdays and Fridays to play BINGO
before lunch! Live piano music Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:30am.
SENIOR STRIDERS: Mondays through Fridays throughout the school
year: 6:30am - 7:15am AND 3:00pm - 5:00pm at Stony Brook Elementary
School. Walking for Seniors! Please visit the Brewster Rec. Dept. at
the Eddy Elementary School for more information and/or to sign up.
SHINE: Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone
Tuesdays - by appointment.
The schedule has changed during Medicare Open Enrollment.
Please contact the COA for an appointment at: 508-896-2737
Appointments are FREE!
SIGHT LOSS GROUP: September - June on the 2nd Wednesday of
each month at the Brewster Ladies Library ~ 11:30am -1:00pm ~
Call Sight Loss at (508) 394-3904 for more information.
SWIMMING: Brewster Green Pool ~ Fridays: 10:00am - 12:00pm.
This is ONLY available for Brewster’s senior (60+) residents. You
ALSO need to have your current-year (2017) F.O.B.E. Membership
Card for admittance. A donation of $1.00 per swim is recommended and
this is done by an Honor system. Stop by the COA on a monthly or
quarterly basis to support this activity!
TENNIS: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays ~ 9:00am – 11:00am
(Open play during winter months). Playing at the tennis courts off
Underpass Road. Please call the Brewster Recreation Department
at (508) 896-9430 for more information.
W.O.W.: (Wonderful Older Women): Tuesdays ~ 11:00am.
This friendly group of women review current events, talk about movies &
books, give each other support & enjoy conversation. Stop by!
YOGA: Tuesday mornings from 9:00am - 10:30am.
$10 per class. Class uses breathing techniques as a foundation for
exploring gentle & safe stretching.
Page 9 October 2017
A MESSAGE FROM CHARLES ALTIERI, RN
PUBLIC HEALTH WELLNESS NURSE, VNA of CAPE COD
Home visits will occur on Mondays.
Page 10 October 2017 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 F.O.B.E.) 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.
Looking for Medical Equipment?
If you are currently looking for Medical Equipment, either for yourself or for someone you know,
please contact the COA to find out if we have anything that you could use. We often receive donations
of crutches, walkers, canes, shower/tub benches, commodes and wheelchairs that we lend out, free of
charge, for indefinite periods of time.
Simply give us a call at (508) 896-2737. We may just have what you’re looking for!
Memory Boosters
Habit-based memory is used to store skills developed by repetition. It stays with you all your life.
You can capitalize on habit-based memory skills to sharpen everyday memory skills and speed up
information processing. This in turn allows you to take advantage of other invaluable skills, such as
insight and experience, which can be acquired over time. Here’s how:
Keep a calendar - trying to keep track of too many details can actually make you more prone to
memory lapses. Instead, create a calendar and organization system to keep information handy
without remembering details.
Organize the clutter - keeping your environment clutter-free can help minimize distractions and
improve memory. For example, make a habit of returning keys and handbags to a designated place.
File mail and paper as it comes into the household to prevent unpaid bills and missed
appointments.
Think it, ink it - keep a notebook handy to jot down thoughts or items for a to-do list. This gets
them off your mind and into a format that you won’t forget.
Focus your attention - attention is important to memory processing. Slow down and focus your
attention on the task at hand. Minimize distractions to give your full attention to a person or
project.
Use memory tricks - to remember a list of seven grocery items, think of the list as four vegetables
and three fruits.
BE WELL! LIVE STRONG! LIVE LONG!
Charles Altieri RN, Public Health Nurse Mayo Clinic August, 2017
October 2017 Page 11
Sightings from the Poop Deck
“Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing.”
A.A. Milne
Ever wake up to a new day with a ton of things to do and wonder if there would be enough hours in the
day to get them all done? Me too! There are many days when I either feel overwhelmed or the “spirit”
hasn’t moved me (pretty good excuses huh - guys, take heed) and decide that on this day I will be a
procrastinator, especially if the day happens to be a Sunday. So now what? Well, the best things in life
really are free. Read on.
Many years ago when we first purchased our home here on Cape Cod, we were curious about places
“around the corner” and came across a word in a local magazine, a word which I was not familiar with
and one that piqued my curiosity. That word was “Gunkholing” and has been defined as follows:
“Gunkholing is a boating term referring to a type of cruising in shallow or shoal water, meandering
from place to place, spending the nights in coves. The term refers to the gunk, or mud, typical of the
creeks, coves, marshes, sloughs, and rivers that are referred to as gunkholes. While not necessary,
gunkholers typically seek out the serenity of isolated anchorages over the crowds of marinas and
popular bays, and a minimal draft is preferred, since gunkholers tend to go as far up and into the
gunkholes as possible, seeking ever more inaccessible destinations.”
Perfect! We now had a term which described what we were about to do and that was to go off and
explore Brewster and the surrounding towns, since there really is so much to see. Although we did not
have a boat I could modify the definition of Gunkholing and use my car to explore, as they say on
Chronicle, the “Main Streets and Backroads,” and no one would care about a definition. It’s fun and
you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Sooner or later you’re going to run into Cape Cod Bay or
the Atlantic Ocean…..or in someone’s backyard. (Stuff happens!)
Sadly, as the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end” and now that we are retired and have
ample time to explore, we don’t do very much gunkholing anymore - a little, but not as much, although
yesterday we were meandering around in Plymouth and had a great lunch at the Cabby Shack.
Procrastination catches up with you sooner or later and everything I put off earlier has finally caught
up and is demanding attention. Later has arrived! When we do eventually hit the road again though,
I have a very accommodating navigator in Joanie Carfora, but curiously when she is navigating I now
usually find myself in the parking lot of one of the nearby Christmas Tree Shops.
Peter R. Scheffer - (“Life is Good!”) - Get lost - Gunkholing
P.S. Guys, a little tip: Don’t do anything today that you can put off until tomorrow. Life is too short!
poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main afterdeck
Photo; Cape Cod Life Magazine
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.
Visit the website for more information:
www.capecodrta.org
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
COA VAN – Scheduled trips include:
Monday–Friday to nutrition site and home after lunch for FREE.
Grocery Shopping in Orleans: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 1pm.
Post office, banking & pharmacy trips: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
The suggested donation is $2.00 for these errands.
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS – Volunteer drivers are available for
transportation to medical appointments in their personal cars. Please call the
COA at (508) 896-2737 as soon as you make an appointment or at least four
business days (Monday through Friday) in advance so that we can find a
volunteer to provide your ride. Please notify the COA if you cannot keep your
appointment so we can notify our drivers. Make sure your house number is
visible from the road. Donations are accepted for this service.
WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL VAN – Transportation to
medical appointments is provided on a volunteer basis, Monday through
Friday. A one-week advanced reservation is required. There is a
graduated donation schedule, depending upon the destination. Call for more
information at (508) 896-2737.
All medical rides are made possible thru Title III funding, Elder Services
of Cape Cod & The Islands, Inc., and the donations of our riders.
Page 12 October 2017 Brewster, MA Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit #25 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. 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 FRIENDS OF BREWSTER ELDERS 1673 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MA 02631