News Release for the Week of February 13, 2012

Please join Congressman Joe Courtney for A Conversation about Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.  Christie Hager, J.D., M.P.H, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will lead the discussion on Wednesday, February 22, at 1 p.m., at the Enfield Senior Center.  The event is free and open to the public.

The Enfield Senior Center has a very active Advisory Board.  The role of the Advisory Board is to listen to concerns of community older adults, discuss ways to handle issues, and offer suggestions about facility or programmatic needs.  We are fortunate to have wise and dedicated volunteers serving on the volunteer board including: Paul Batchelder, Jackie Chaput, Michael DeLisa, Trudy Dorous, Herb Foy, Bill Gallagher, Bob Gibson, Sophie Krzys, Tootie Regini, and Evie Wheat.  Certainly, you are welcome to contact me with any concerns you have.  However, if you would like to have a discussion with an Advisory Board member, they would be happy to assist you.

Who wants to help bring Pickleball to Enfield?  Pickleball is a new game that combines table tennis, tennis and badminton.  You play with paddles similar to table tennis, a wiffle ball, and a net on a badminton court.  It can be played indoors or outdoors.  I need a few volunteers who will help get the game organized.  Please give me a call or an e-mail if you would like to help.

Johnson Memorial Medical Center is offering free Cholesterol Screenings on Wednesday, February 22, at the Enfield Senior Center beginning at 8 a.m.  Please call the Senior Center office to make your appointment.  It is a fasting cholesterol test.

The Connecticut Historical Society will present “Natural Disasters in Connecticut” on Wednesday, February 15, at 1 p.m.  Using photographs from their collections, presenter Mary Muller focuses on four of the most severe disasters including: The Blizzard of 1888, The Flood of 1936, The Hurricane of 1938, and The 1955 Hurricane and Flood.  She will also talk about the frequency and severity of Connecticut’s natural disasters.  Please register in the Senior Center office.

“Larry Crowne,” starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, is the featured movie at Movie & Pizza Night on Thursday, February 16.  Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and is $5.  Meal tickets need to be purchased in advance.  The movie begins at 6 p.m. and is $2 for just the movie.

Class registration for March and April classes begins on Tuesday, February 14, at 8:30 a.m. for residents and Tuesday, February 21, at 8:30 a.m. for non-residents.

Oops!  There have been a few changes.  The first organizational meeting for The Enfield Senior Center Talent Showcase participants will be Monday, March 5, at 3:30 p.m.  If you sing, play an instrument, dance, or have any other talent you would like to share this spring, call Robin at 860-698-9392 or come to the meeting.  The Talent Showcase will be held on Friday, May 11, at 6 p.m.

As they have done in the past, Caring Solutions will provide a special Valentine treat for everyone enjoying the noon meal on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14.  Call 860-763-7428 to make a reservation for lunch.

Calling all quilters!  Make your reservation this week for our 3-day trip to the American Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA, on March 15-17.  Trip includes: 2 nights in Lancaster at the Heritage Hotel, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, Theatre Show, Shopping at three Quilt shops, shopping at Kitchen Kettle and multi-day admissions to the American Quilt Show.  Cost is $405 pp/Dbl occupancy.

Please register in the Senior Center office for these learning opportunities 

Natural Disasters in Connecticut – Wednesday, February 15, 1 p.m.

Educational Savings Program and CHET 529 Plan – Wednesday, February 22, at 1 p.m.

DAY TRIPS

March 24                 Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant                              

April 12                   Westchester Dinner Theatre featuring “Legally Blonde”

                                 Sign up date is: Friday, February 17, 2012, at 10 a.m.

April 28                   West Point Dress Parade

                                 Sign up date is: Friday, February 24, 2012, at 10 a.m.

May 2                       Vickie Lawrence Show at Foxwoods

                                 Sign up date is: Friday, March 9, 2012, at 10 am

AIR & LAND TOURS

March 15-17            American Quilt Show, Lancaster, PA

June 15-17              “A Weekend of Wheels”, Detroit, Michigan

Aug. 14-16              3-Day Baltimore, MD & Washington, DC (Includes two baseball games - Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles)

Aug. 22-24              3-Day Vermont “Green Mountain Wilderness Explorer”

Sept. 17-19             3-Day Coast of Maine

Sept. 20-28             California Coast

Oct. 17-22               Charlestown, Savannah & Jekyll Island

Oct. 22-29                Ireland

Meal reservations can be made by calling 860-763-7428.  I can be reached at slather@enfield.org, as well.  We look forward to hearing from you.