"May your trouble be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door."

 –Irish Blessing

What’s Happening at the

New Milford Senior Center

PLEASE NOTE- The BOOK/MOVIE Club has changed their screening date for “Brooklyn” to April 5^th at 1PM

Monday BINGO will begin at 1pm, going forward, as advertised. This allows ample time for lunch to be cleaned up as well as for folks to arrive and get settled.

Thanks so much for your cooperation

HEARING SCREENINGS

 Tuesday, March 14th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM by appointment

Free Hearing Screenings will be available right here in our Health & Wellness Room with hearing instrument specialist, Irene Sahinovic, representing Hearing Aid Specialists of CT. Please connect with the Senior Center to set up an appointment.

Tuesday, March 21^st

CELEBRATING MARCH BIRTHDAYS!

Happy March Birthdays! Are you celebrating a birthday in the month of March? Well come celebrate with us! This month’s birthday celebrants will not only have “Happy Birthday” sung to them, but will also be honored with flowers, a card, and of course, good company wishing them the happiest of birthdays and many more to come! Musical entertainment throughout lunch will be provided by pianist, Brian Horberg. Connect with the Senior Center to reserve lunch and Happy Birthday to you!

HARRIET TUBMAN: A WOMAN WITH A RAILROAD

Tuesday, March 21st, 1:00 PM

 In honor of Women’s History Month, join us as we proudly welcome presenter, Adwoa Bandele Asante for an interesting and interactive afternoon of learning with a live performance of Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad. This one woman show is arguably the best postCivil War portrayal of Harriet Tubman to date. Through the story of Harriet Tubman’s struggle for freedom from slavery and inclusion as an American citizen, Adwoa demonstrates how faith, courage, and commitment inspired this great woman warrior, healer, and builder of the twentieth century. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS IN MARCH

ONLY TWO DATES

 Wednesday March 15^Th & 22^ND

 10:30 - 11:30 AM

First come first serve blood pressure screening with New Milford’s very own Community Health Nurses, part of the Housatonic Valley Health District. This free service provides you with an opportunity to check and track your blood pressure as well as meet with a nurse for basic health questions and guidance.

Midweek Matinee

Every Wednesday at 12:45 PM (NOTE NEW TIME)

This month we are honoring Women’s History Month

March 15^th- On the Basis of Sex

Inspired by the powerful true story of a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones), On the Basis of Sex depicts a then-struggling attorney and new mother facing adversity in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a ground-breaking case, she knows the outcome could alter the courts' view of gender discrimination. Stronger together, Ruth teams up with her husband, Martin Ginsburg (Armie Hammer), to fight the case that catapults her into one of the most important public figures of our time.

WHAT’S HAPPENING: CURRENT EVENTS AND CONVERSATION Thurs, Mar 9th and 23rd, 10:30 AM

Join us for lively discussions of current events, from local to international. Some may prefer to just listen and learn while others may offer their thoughts, but all must be respectful! Whatever your comfort level, you will be welcomed to join in the conversation. To sign up, connect with the Senior Center.

CIRCUS MOVES: BODY & BRAIN FITNESS

Thursdays, March 9th and 23rd, 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.

JUKEBOX BINGO Thursday, March 23rd, 1:00 PM

It’s not just Bingo, it’s Jukebox Bingo! Dust off your dancing shoes, gather your friends, and get ready to have a jubilant afternoon filled with music that you know and love! The cost is $5.00 to be collected at the door. Connect with the Senior Center to sign up.

AARP SMART DRIVER™ CLASSROOM COURSE

 Friday, March 24th, 9:00 AM  1:00 PM

 Refresh your driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road; learn techniques for handling left turns, rightofway, and roundabouts; and discover proven driving methods to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Upon completion, you may be eligible to receive an auto insurance discount (other restrictions may apply, consult your agent for details.) $20.00 for AARP Members/$25.00 for nonmembers and your payment will confirm your reservation in the course. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

HEALING WITH SOUND

Fridays March 3,10,17,24,31 at 1PM

Do you want to explore sound as a way to relax and have fun? Would you like to learn some sound exercises to reduce stress and improve positive thinking? Join us as we welcome Barbara (Bobbi) Soares of Hummingbird Sound Yoga and experience Hummingbird’s medicine that teaches you to listen and be deeply in the present moment. 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.

COMING SOON

INTRODUCTION TO MINDFUL MEDITATION

Mondays, March 13th and 27th, 10:00 AM

“Don’t get lost in your thoughts. Your thoughts are a veil on the face of the moon. That moon is your heart, and those thoughts cover your heart. So, let them go, just let them fall into the water.” Rumi Join us as we welcome certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Sheila Klapper to introduce you to the art of mindful meditation. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn and let go. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

BRAIN GAMES!

Tuesday, March 28^TH 1:30PM

Join us as we welcome Danielle Ramos CDP of Village Crest for an afternoon of Lunch and Brain Games. There are many ways we can improve brain health...eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, exercising our bodies and exercising our brains. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

DRUMMING CIRCLE

Thursday, March 30th, 1:30 PM

Native American, steady heartbeat drumming has been proven to promote healing and to create a pathway toward meditation. This drumming circle will be led by Sandra Cointreau who has been a student of many forms of healing for the past forty years and who is an Usui and Karuna Reiki Master as well as a Shamanic Practitioner. Drums will be provided but feel free to bring in your own drum if you have one! 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.

LUNCH & LEARN: THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC THERAPY AND BRAIN HEALTH

Friday, March 31st, 1:00 PM

Join us as we welcome Sherrye Platt, MA, MTBC, RVNAhealth Music Therapist for a fun and interactive program outlining the benefits of music on brain health: How the brain responds to music stimulation, the benefits of music on the aging process, group musicmaking activities, no previous musical experience is necessary. Presentation and lunch will be provided by RVNAhealth. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

SAVE THE DATE

DRUG TAKE BACK DAY *SAVE THE DATE*

Friday, April 28th, 10:00 AM -2:00 PM

Turn in your unused or expired medications for safe disposal and help keep our community safe! Accepted items include over the counter and prescription medications, medical samples, household pet medicines, and medical ointments. Nonaccepted items include chemotherapy drugs, needles/other sharps, hazardous waste, personal care products, and medical practitioner supplies. The NMPD will be onsite to ensure safe collection. Can’t make Drug Take Back Day?

The NMPD has a drug take back box in their lobby available 24/7 at 49 Poplar Street.

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.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE IS OPEN

Energy Assistance is only open to Electric Heating Customers for 2022/2023 season until May 2023. Income guidelines are as follows: $39,761 for individuals and $51,996 for couples. The total income must be below the above numbers to be eligible. Make sure you have all documents before coming in to apply. We will need your current income, such as: Social Security benefit, wages from work (previous 4 weeks worth of pay stubs), interest and/or dividends, etc. If you are self-employed, please call before you make an appointment to find out what you will need to bring. In addition, please bring a current electric bill and please bring your water or sewer bill if you have one. When all of your documents are ready, please connect with the Senior Center to schedule an appointment.

 Homeowners Property Tax Credit February 1st - May 1st

Are you a Homeowner in New Milford? Must be age 65 or older or Social Security disabled and owned a home throughout 2021 in New Milford. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents Required: Applicants will need to provide proof of income from all sources in the previous year.  If applicants file a tax return this must be included along with SSA-1099s.  If applicants don’t file tax returns then all 1099s are required.

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.   

-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 and Tom

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.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Janette