Last Friday we celebrated National Senior Center Month with a celebration we called “Aged to Protection.” We shared laughs, danced, and were entertained by the talented and fun Elderly Brothers! I am very proud of our senior center and thankful for all of you who come to be a part of the magic!

In case you missed it……… Below is your September 2023 Newsletter! Enjoy!

https://www.newmilford.org/filestorage/3088/3136/09_September_2023_Newsletter_-_New_Milford_Senior_Center.pdf

“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to happiness that you can give out.”— Eleanor Roosevelt

Daytrippers

Tickets Go On Sale Tomorrow, September 19^th

Holiday Lights & Song

Wednesday, December 6th

The Day Trippers will be getting into the holiday spirit with lunch and carolers, time at MGM Springfield Casino, and a holiday lights display drive. Reservations can be made starting Tuesday, September 19th and the trip is $125.00/person where payment confirms reservation. Detailed flyers including itinerary are available at the Senior Center.

Here are some highlights for the week ahead.

Monthly Birthday Celebration

Tuesday, Sept 19th, 12:00 PM

Are you celebrating a birthday in the month of September? Come celebrate with us and all your friends at the Senior Center! Music and entertainment throughout lunch will be provided by pianist, Brian Horberg. Connect with the Senior Center to reserve lunch and Happy Birthday and best wishes to you!

Music Of Days Gone By Remembering The Old Songs Tuesday, September 19^th 1:00 PM

Join us as we welcome local folklorist, researcher, and performer, Derek Piotr who began archiving folksong, poetry, memories, and interviews. His project, the Derek Piotr Fieldwork Archive, focuses on the “nonsinger”, in other words, someone with no background in musical performance but who can still remember and old song or tale. Come to remember the music of days gone by and sing along! To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

Healthy Chats & Breakfast Snacks With Heidi: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Wednesday, September 20th, 9:30 AM To carry on the theme of Wellness Wednesday, join us every third Wednesday of the month as we welcome Heidi Bettcher, Community Nurse with the Housatonic Valley Health District to cover various health related topics of interest. Healthy breakfast provided courtesy of Synergy Homecare and Village Crest. To sign up or for more information, please connect with the Senior Center.

Bocce Ball Club

Wednesdays

10:00 AM

The weather is fine and we’re looking for folks who would like to play bocce outside on our bocce court! To sign up or for more info, please connect with the Senior Center.

Midweek Matiness

Every Wednesday at 12:45 PM

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month

“Encanto”

Circus Moves: Body & Brain Fitness

Thursdays, Sept 14th and 28th, 11:00 AM

Presented by our friends at Circus Moves, join us for a class that’s “so much fun it doesn’t feel like exercise!” Designed to promote core strength and balance, flexibility and mobility, gentle cardio, memory/executive function, mindbody integration, and laughter and joy, all fitness levels and abilities are encouraged to join! Activities are adapted for standing or sitting, and participants are invited to stand or sit as preferred at any time. This class offering is made possible by Senior Center ARPA allocations and is free of charge for participants. Space is limited so to sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

Walkie Talkies Walking Group

 Fridays, September 8th and 22nd, 10:00 AM

Harrybrooke Park100 Still River Dr New Milford, CT

Known as the “Hidden Gem of New Milford”, join the Walkie Talkie Walking Group at Harrybrooke Park featuring a flat and smooth walking path, lots of shade, and park benches. To join this walking group, please connect with the Senior Center for meet details or to set up transportation with our busses.

Lunch And Learn: Grief And Loss

Friday, September 22nd, 1:00 PM

Grief and loss are natural responses to significant life changes encompassing the emotional, physical, and psychological response we experience when facing the death of a loved one, divorce, major move, retirement, or a shift in our independence or abilities. Join us as we welcome RVNAhealth for lunch and to navigate these challenges and foster healing. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

Apple Fest

Saturday, September 23rd, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

New Milford Town Green South Side

The Apple Festival features crafters, non-profits, and small businesses and concluding with a Concert at 6:00 PM. Activities will include an Apple Bake off, Bike, Parade, Games, and Crowning of the New Milford Apple Festival King and Queen!

New Milford Senior Center will have its own booth and Senior Bus Transportation will be available by request.

Coming Soon

Everything You Have Wanted To Know About Addiction But Were Afraid To Ask

Mondays, September 11th and 25th, 2:00 PM

Did you know that there are many forms of addiction? It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and selfcontrol. Join us for a casual special interest/conversational group in a safe space! To sign up or for more information, please connect with the Senior Center.

Brain Games

Tuesday, Sept 26th, 1:30 PM

Join us as we work our brains with games with our friend, Danielle Ramos from Village Crest! To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

Jukebox Bingo

Friday, September 28th, 1:00 PM

It’s not just Bingo, it’s Jukebox Bingo! Enjoy an afternoon filled with music that you know and love and we’ll throw in a pizza party for even more fun!

The cost is $5.00 to be collected at the door. Connect with the Senior Center to sign up.

A Note From Our Senior Advisors

Our Senior Advisors are ready to help! They are here Monday- Friday 8AM-4PM, please call the center to set up an appointment.

About 988

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crisis, or
- Any other kind of emotion distress

People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. 

Renters Rebate

Application period: April 1st – October 1^st

Eligibility Requirements: Must be age 65 or older or Social Security disabled and rented in New Milford in the previous year. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents required:

-Proof of last year’s income: Previous year’s tax return and Social Security 1099, or if did not file, all 1099 forms including SS 1099.   

Energy Assistance (CEAP)

Application Period: Generally, applications for deliverable fuels (oil, propane, and kerosene) are accepted starting September 1st. The first day EA clients can receive a delivery is around November 1st. Generally, electric heated households are scheduled for appointments after January 1st. Eligibility Requirements: Income and asset guidelines are subject to change, but you may connect with the Senior Center for the most up-to-date figures for this season. Documents required: Current income from all sources (social security, pensions, work, interest and dividends, etc.) current assets, (bank statements from all bank accounts, stocks, bonds, IRAs and CDs) and a current electric bill.

-Proof of rent and utilities paid in previous year via note from Landlord or payment records.

Veterans Additional Tax Credit February 1st - October 1st

Application Period: February 1^st – October 1^st

Eligibility Requirements: Must have filed DD-214 at the Town Hall and must meet the established income guidelines. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents required: Same as the Homeowner’s tax credit.

Did You Know?

Senior Community Cafe

Come have lunch with us!

CHEZ J serves lunch Monday - Thursday at 12:00 PM and there is a suggested donation of $4.00. Come on in for a program then stay for lunch! Please note that the menu is always posted in the monthly newsletter.

Sign up in person, on our Touch Screen, or by phone, at least 3 days in advance!

Chef Jay has placed a suggestion box on the lunch table! Your feedback is important and valued. Please take the time to write down what you love, what you do not love, some suggestions, share a recipe, what you would like to see, or even a recipe you would like to share.

Senior Bus Transportation

If you live in New Milford, Gaylordsville or Northville and need transportation to come to the center, go shopping or go to a friend’s house? All you have to do is give us a call a few days ahead of time to get on our bus schedule. Call us at 860-355-6075 to schedule your ride and meet our fantastic bus drivers, Erin, Tom and Sue.

Durable Medical Equipment Lending Closet

 Did you know that the New Milford Senior Center houses a “lending closet” of durable medical equipment for donated items in clean + excellent condition for those in need? Connect with the Senior Center for further details, availabilities, or acceptable items for donation. 

The Lunch Bunch

The Lunch Bunch is back and meets one Saturday a month to enjoy a new or favorite area restaurant. Join in for delicious local fare and friendships! Connect with the Senior Center for contact information.