Senior Forum: Learn Alzheimer’s Signs

Spanish Classes Set

Thursday Evening Programs Announced

Jack Kochis Retires

The Newsletter of the Bigelow Center for Senior ActivitiesVolume 26, Number 9 September, 2016

fairfieldseniortimeswe care for those who cared for us

Continues on Page 2

Art Gottlieb

The advent of fall and cooler weath-er means a return to our expanded Thursday night and Saturday pro-gramming. We’ve planned some in-teresting events for you.

The Fairfield Civic Association will pres ent a dinner show on Thursday, Sep tember 1, featuring the award winning documentary film Trashed, as highlighted in last month’s news-letter. Learn how pollution threatens our lives and our planet. Thursday, September 1. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., film at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5.00

Art Gottlieb will present “9-11-2001: A Photo-Remembrance.” September 11, 2016 will mark 15 years since the day that terrorists flew two hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon with a fourth aircraft diverted from its target only after passengers seized

control and crashed it into a field in Shanks-ville, PA. This memo-rial program will feature a photo-collage of this terrible day. There will be no political discus-sion during this presentation, as it is intended solely as a solemn remem-brance of those who lost their lives. Note: Some photographs may be dis-turbing for some viewers. Art Got-tlieb is a local historian on subjects of political and military history. Pro-gram sponsor: Bridges by Epoch in Trumbull. Thursday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5.00

If you or someone you know is expe-riencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection of Alzheimer’s Dis-ease gives the patient a chance to use drug therapy, enroll in clinical stud-ies and plan for the future. This is an interactive workshop, presented by Carolyn DeRocco of the Alzheimer’s Association, and is part of our Senior Forum Series. Wednesday, September 7 at 10:30 a.m. Free.

For more than 12 years, Jack worked in the Cen-ter’s Senior Transpor-tation Department. He was honored on August 4 by many people whose lives he touched, always with kindness, generos-ity and great good hu-mor. Thank you Jack! Every ending is a new beginning. Be well, have fun, and keep in touch.

Instructor Luz Rincon, a certified Berlitz Language Instructor, returns to the Center to teach beginning and intermediate Spanish classes. A mini-mum of eight students is required for each class to go forward.

Beginners will learn the basic gram-mar and structure of this beautiful language in addition to basic sentenc-es and expressions. Starts Wednesday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. $60 for the six-week session.

Building on the beginners course, intermediate Spanish will take you to the next level, with emphasis on grammar, reading, comprehen-sion and conversational skills. Starts Wednesday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m. $60 for the six-week session.

Advance registration is required. Call the office at 203.256.3166.

Page 2 September, 2016

At The Movies In September

Every Friday at 12:45

Chishu Ryu, Setsuko Hara — The crowning film achievement of the great Japanese director, Yasujiro Ozu, Tokyo Story follows an aging couple’s journey to visit their grown children in bustling postwar Tokyo. The film surveys the rich and complex world of family life with the director’s customary delicacy and incisive perspective on social mores. “Ozu plumbs and deepens his recurring theme of generational conflict, creating what is without question one of cinema’s mightiest masterpieces.” Foreign Film Festival Pick. 137 minutes.

September 9— Tokyo Story (1953)

Nia Vardalos, John Corbett — Parenting and marriage are becoming tougher for Toula (Vardalos) and husband Ian (Corbett). Their relationship has lost some of its luster, and they’re dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter who clashes with Greek traditions. On top of that, Toula must contend with aging parents and the endless needs of cousins and friends. When a shocking family secret comes to light, the Portokalos clan comes together for an even bigger wedding than before. “Funny, sweet and moving.” 94 minutes.

September 16 — My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Thursday Nights From Page 1

Find Your AncestorsOctober Senior Issues Forum: Your Medications

Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury — Cultures collide when an American businessman (Hanks) is sent to Saudi Arabia to close what he hopes will be the deal of a lifetime. Baffled by local customs and stymied by an opaque bureaucracy, he eventually finds his footing with the help of a wise-cracking taxi driver (Black) and a beautiful Saudi doctor (Choudhury).“It conveys so well that feeling of estrangement that is both terrifying and comic for any far-flung traveler.” 98 minutes.

September 23 — A Hologram for the King (2016) ½

September 30 — Miracles from Heaven (2015) ½Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers — Based on the incredible true story of the Beam family, Christy (Garner) discovers her 10-year-old daughter Anna (Rog-ers) has a rare, incurable disease. She becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing as she searches for a solution. After Anna has a freak acci-dent, an extraordinary miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family restored and their community inspired. “Great performance by Jennifer Garner.” 109 minutes.

Lisa Alhabal, Choices Coun-selor at the Southwest Connecti-cut Agency on Aging (SWCAA), will present “New to Medicare.” Are you new to Medicare or a care-giver for a Medicare beneficiary? Learn the basics—the four parts of Medicare, including hospital care, physician and lab work and prescrip-tion drug coverage. Additionally, the presentation will help Medicare ben-eficiaries understand when to file an appeal or complaint as well as learn about programs that can help save money on medical and drug costs. Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $5.00

Mark Albertson will present a six-week program on the Military-Indus-trial Complex that President Dwight Eisenhower warned against in his farewell speech to the nation.

Mark’s series will trace the evolu-tion of this phenomenon as societies moved away from fighting wars with professional soldiers and volunteers in the 18th Century to “total war,” requiring the conscription of entire populations and the plundering of national economies. Modern conven-tional warfare, as practiced during the Great French War and successive conflicts, demonstrates the inexorable movement toward the modern mil-itary-industrial complex which has transformed society. Thursdays, Sep-tember 22 through October 27 at 6:30 p.m. $5.00 per session or $30.00 for the series. First session sponsored by Edward Jones Financial, Milford, CT.

Facilitated by Genealogist Bill Stans-field, the Genealogy Group is for all those interested in researching family histories. Share your research experi-ences, findings and methodology; and learn about new sources and strategies for research. Beginners and longtime researchers are welcome. Wednesday, September 21 at 1:00 p.m.

Lisa Freeman, Executive Director of the Center for Patient Safety, will be at the Bigelow Center next month to talk about medications, polypharma-cy and hospital readmissions.

You’ll learn about the connections be-tween medications and the problems that often arise when you go to more than one pharmacy at a time. Learn how to keep yourself safer when

you are pre-scribed med-ications and how you can h o p e f u l l y avoid ending up in the hos-pital again.

Wednesday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m. Free. Advance registration required.

Page 3September, 2016

September Menu

The Very Unhealthy but Extremely Popular Snack Food

Senior Community CafeMonday to Friday, 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch service begins at 12:00 noon.

Despite being supremely unhealthy, potato chips are American’s favorite snack food. They’re devoured at the rate of 1.2 billion pounds a year. They’re not cheap: a pound of potato chips costs two hundred times more than a pound of potatoes. When potatoes first appeared in Europe in the seventeenth century, they were blamed for starting outbreaks of leprosy and syphilis. As late as 1720 in America, eating potatoes was believed to shorten a person’s life. Potato chips were invented in Saratoga Springs in 1853 by chef George Crum. They were a mocking response to a patron who complained that his French fries were too thick.

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the universe.”

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1 2

Tomato Spinach Soup Tossed Salad

Pulled Pork on a Bun Sliced Pork with

Potato Wedges Roasted Onions

Mixed Vegetables Wild Rice Blend

Cauliflower

Fresh Fruit Cantaloupe

5 6 7 8 9

Mixed Greens Lentil Soup Spinach Salad Vegetable Soup

Roast Turkey with Chicken Pot Pie Beef Goulash Stuffed Loin of Pork

Gravy Mixed Vegetables Medium Noodles Sweet Potatoes

Corn Bread Peas Squash

Vegetable Casserole

Marble Loaf Cake Fruited Jell-O Honeydew Cookies

12 13 14 15 16

Three Bean Soup Tossed Salad Beef Vegetable Split Pea Soup Mixed Greens

Virginia Ham Sautéed Beef Tips Cavatelli with Italian Chicken Piccata Savory Meatloaf

Potatoes with Mushrooms Sausage and Broccoli Parmesan Rice with Gravy

Vegetable Medley Dutch Noodles in Garlic Sauce Green Beans Mashed Potatoes

Carrots Focaccia Corn

Pineapple Coconut Custard Pie Peaches Cookie Apple

19 20 21 22 23

Vegetable Soup Caesar Salad Navy Bean Soup Tossed Salad Beef Barley

Roast Chicken with Quiche Lorraine Pork Roast with Old Fashioned Chicken Parmesan

Cranberry Sauce Potato and Green bean Natural Juices Pot Roast Pasta

Potatoes Salad Sweet Potato Potatoes Sautéed Spinach

Mixed Vegetables Peas and Carrots Root Vegetables

Ice Cream Butterscotch Pudding Watermelon Boston Cream Pie Fruit Salad

26 27 28 29 30

Lentil Soup Cole Slaw Navy Bean Soup Caesar Salad Beef Noodle Soup

Roast Beef BBQ Chicken Lamb Stew with Meat Lasagna Grilled Chicken with

with Gravy Macaroni and Cheese Potatoes and Root Garlic Bread Pineapple Chutney

Baked Potato Braised Green Beans Vegetables Zucchini Jasmine Rice

Brussel Sprouts Brown Rice Snow Peas

Dutch Apple Pie Honeydew Jell-O Pears Fresh Fruit

— Albert Einstein

Please call Celeste at 203.256.3118 between 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. to register for lunch two days in advance.

A $3.00 donation is suggested. 1% or skim milk is provided. Margarine served with all meals.

*High in sugar content. **High Salt Content. +High fat.Menu subject to change.

Page 4 September, 2016

Calendar of Events September 2016

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

11:00 Poets’ Roundtable5:30 FairfieldCivicAssn. presents Trash6:30 Caregivers Support

212:45 No Movie Today

5 610:00 Volunteer Training 10:00 European Civil War1:00 FDR, New Deal

7 10:00 Beg. Spanish10:00 Alzheimer’s Group10:30 Low Vision Support10:30 Alzheimer’s Talk11:00 Intmed. Spanish1:00 Viennese Operettas

810:00 Political Shake- speare1:00 Mathematics1:00 Writers’ Roundtable2:30 iPhone Class6:30 9/11 Remembrance

9 10:00 Faith Literature12:45 Movie: Tokyo Story

1210:00 American Presi- dency12:30 Watercolors1:00 American Song Bk.1:00 Bereavement Grp. 2:00 Therapeutic Yoga

139:30 Strawberry Fields Tribute Show 10:00 European Civil War1:00 FDR, New Deal1:00 Chronic Disease Sup- port Group

149:00 Husky Museum Trip10:00 Beg. Spanish11:00 Intmed. Spanish1:00 Viennese Operettas

1510:00 Political Shake- speare12:30 Veterans Corner1:00 Mathematics1:00 Poets’ Roundtable2:30 iPhone Class6:30 New to Medicare

16 10:00 Faith Literature 12:45 Movie: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

19 9:30 Blood Pressure Screening 10:00 American Presi- dency12:30 Watercolors1:00 American Song Bk.1:00 Bereavement Grp.2:00 Therapeutic Yoga

2010:00 European Civil War1:00 FDR, New Deal

2110:00 Beg. Spanish 10:10 Friends Meeting11:00 Intmed. Spanish11:00 First Responders Lunch1:00 Viennese Operettas 1:00 Genealogy3:00 Tech Tutors

2210:00 Political Shake- speare1:00 Mathematics1:00 Writers’ Roundtable6:30 Military/Industrial Complex

23 10:00 Faith Literature12:45 Movie: A Hologram for the King

2610:00 American Presi- dency12:30 Watercolors1:00 American Song Bk.1:00 Bereavement Grp. 2:00 Therapeutic Yoga

2710:00 European Civil War12:00 Brain Games Lunch1:00 FDR, New Deal1:00 Bunco

2810:00 Beg. Spanish 10:00 Lunch Bunch: Bill’s Drive-In11:00 Intmed. Spanish 1:00 Viennese Operettas3:00 Tech Tutors

2910:00 Political Shake- speare1:00 Mathematics6:30 Military/Industrial Complex

3010:00 Faith Literature12:45 Movie: Miracles from Heaven

Every Monday Every Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Thursday Every Friday

9:00 Woodcarving9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Table Pool9:00 Morning Exercise w/

Nancy10:15 Zumba w/Barbara11:30 Pick-Up Basketball1:00 Open Bridge1:00 Dance Aerobics2:15 Pickleball

9:00 Pacers Walk9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Woodcarving9:00 Table Pool9:00 Strength and Stretch10:00 Senior Exercise10:00 Open Painting11:00 Flex & Stretch11:30 Arthritis Exercise12:30 Chess Club1:00 Model Airplane Club1:00 Mah-Jongg

9:00 Pacers Walk9:00 Weight Training9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Woodcarving9:00 Table Pool9:30 Open Crafts10:15 Zumba w/Barbara11:30 Qigong12:30 Open Bridge1:00 Dance Aerobics2:15 Pickleball

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Quilters9:00 Table Pool9:30 Bocce10:00 Body Balance12:45 Movie1:00 Scrabble1:00 Pickleball1:00 Pinochle1:00 Qigong

9:00 Pacers Walk9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Table Pool9:00 Basic Zumba9:30 Sewing Bee9:30 Bocce10:00 Senior Exercise10:00 Open Computer Lab11:00 Flex & Stretch11:30 Arthritis Exercise12:30 Bingo1:00 Open Bridge1:00 Tai Chi for Arthritis2:00 Meditation2:15 Pickleball

Our calendar is subject to change. Visit www.facebook.com/BigelowCenter for the latest information.

Advance registration is required for all events at the Bigelow Center. Stop by or call the office at 203.256.3166.

Tech Tutors will resume helping bewildered technophobes on Wednesdays starting September 21 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Free. Bring your cell phone, iPhone, iPad or laptop.

Volunteers are needed this fall to help serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Choose one day or more. Call 203.256.3166 and ask for Joan.

Labor DayCenterClosed

Page 5September, 2016

The Fairfield Senior Times is published monthly by the Fairfield

Senior Center,100 Mona TerraceFairfield, CT 06824

Hours: Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

DirectorTeresa Giegengack, 203.256.3169

Program CoordinatorMargaret Andrews, 203.254.5102

Town HallHuman Services Commission

Senior Times StaffEditor: Ron Atwater

fsteditor@hotmail.comEditorial Assistant: M.A. Atwater

© 2014. All rights reserved.Printed in USA by Liturgical

Publications Inc., Cromwell, CT

Information: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 203.256.3166.Transportation: M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 203.256.3168.Lunch (three days notice required): M-F, 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m. Call 203.256.3118 after 10:00 a.m.Coffee Shop: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Gift Shop: M-F, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Social Worker: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 203.256.3170.Blood Pressure Screening: 203.256.3166Notary Public: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 203.256.3166.

Senior Center Services

Notary public; long term care; Medicare and medigap counseling, social servicesServices Below by Appointment Only. Call 203.256.3166

Senior Times online: http://fairfieldct.org/content/10726/11018/14665/15157.aspx

Reminders & Other Stuff

The Fairfield Senior Times is published monthly by the

Bigelow Center for Senior Activities100 Mona TerraceFairfield, CT 06824

Hours: Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Human Services DirectorTeresa Giegengack, 203.256.3169

Bigelow Center ManagerJulie DeMarco, 203.256.3166

Program CoordinatorMargaret Andrews, 203.254.5102

Town HallHuman Services Commission

Information: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 203.256.3166.Transportation: M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 203.256.3168.Lunch (two days notice required): M-F, 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m. Call 203.256.3118 between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.Coffee Shop: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Gift Shop: M-F, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Social Worker: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 203.256.3170.Blood Pressure Screening: 203.256.3166Notary Public: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 203.256.3166.

Bigelow Center Services

Notary public, Medicare, medigap, long term care, legal counseling, social servicesServices Below by Appointment Only. Call 203.256.3166

Senior Times online: http://fairfieldct.org/content/10726/11018/14665/15157.aspx

Reminders & Other Stuff

Senior Times StaffManaging Editor: Ron Atwater

fsteditor@hotmail.comAssociate Editor: Felicity Coyne Columnist: Barnstable CarmodyEditorial Assistant: M.A. Atwater

© 2016. All rights reserved. Printed in USA

Support Groups

Caregivers Support Group. For those caring for a loved one. Meets twice a month with Facilita-tor: Nancy Cook, LCSW. The first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., starting September 1 at 6:30 p.m., and the third Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m., starting September 17. Free.

Bereavement Group. Led by Rev. Karen Judd, a grief and be-reavement counselor sponsored by Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County. This support group will help participants gain a deeper under-standing of their feelings of grief and begin the process of healing. Mondays, starting September 12 for eight weeks from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Free.

New Day Trip Scheduled

Low Vision Support Group. Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Social Services Conference room. Wednesday, September 7 at 10:30 a.m. Free.

Diabetes and Chronic Dis-ease Support Group. Meets on Tuesday, September 13 at 1:00 p.m. Advance registra-tion is not required. Sponsored by the Fairfield Health Depart-ment in collaboration with the Bigelow Center. For questions, please contact Santina Jaronko at 203.256.3150 or email her at: sjaronko@fairfieldct.org

Veterans Corner. Anne James and Ramon Agosto from the Connecti-cut Department of Veterans Affairs will be at the Bigelow Center on Thursday, September 15 at 12:30 p.m. They’ll meet with veterans and their families to answer questions and provide help to veterans, their eligible spouses and dependents in getting benefits. Free. Appointments recommended but not required.

Brain Games Lunch and Learn. Try your luck at a variety of brain teasers and enjoy a delicious and complimentary lunch provided by The Greens at Cannondale and Wilton Meadows. Join in for an en-joyable, heart healthy lunch and try your luck at a variety of brain teas-ers. Facilitated by Danielle Anacona of The Greens. Tuesday, Septem-ber 27, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.

It’s the Granite State Oktoberfest! Join Tours of Distinction at the rustic and charming Inn at East Hill Farm.

The day begins with a stop at Graf-ton Village Cheese in Brattleboro, VT; then on to New Hampshire for a stop at the NH Liquor Store, continu-ing on to the Inn for an Oktoberfest luncheon. The German Oompah Band will entertain during and after lunch.The menu includes chicken cordon bleu soup, hearty wheat bread, frit-ter, slow-cooked German short ribs, pecan chicken schnitzel, warm Ger-man potato salad, and much more–all served family style. Date: Thursday, October 6. Time: coach bus leaves the Bigelow Center at 7:30 a.m. with an estimated return at 8:15 p.m. Cost: $99 per person. Reservations required.

Museum of the Month. Visit the J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum. The sights and sounds of more than a century of intercollegiate athletics competition come alive as you tour the museum. Named after benefactor and 1940 Connecticut basketball and football captain J. Robert (Bob) Donnelly, it captures all of the excitement associated with "Huskymania". Wednesday, September 14 at 9:00 a.m. $3.00 for Bigelow Center mem-bers,$5.00 for non-members. Lunch on your own at The Tavern at the Nathan Hale Inn at UCONN.

Page 6 September, 2016

Saturday Schedule

Volunteer Training

Exercise Classes

Watercolor Classes

Cabaret ComingWriters’ Roundtable

First Responders Lunch

Shop at Goodwill, Have Lunch at Bill’s

Integral Yoga with Laura. Starts September 10 at 9:00 a.m. See col-umn, left, for details. iPhone for Beginners Class: Sep-

tember 10, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and September 17, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. See calendar for Thursday dates. 9/11 Museum, 9/11 Memorial and

One World Observatory trip: Satur-day, September 10 at 8:00 a.m. AARP Driver Safety Course: Sat-

urday, September 17, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Military-Industrial Complex,

a six-part series presented by Mark Albertson. September 22 through October 27 at 6:30 p.m. See Page 2. Bigelow Players rehearsal dates:

9/3 and 9/24 at 155 Brewster Street, Bpt., from 10:00 a.m. to noon; 9/10, 9/17 and 10/1 at the Bigelow Center from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Call Rose-mary Foley at 203.296.2742 for in-formation and directions.

A special thank you and kudos to all those who made the Bigelow Center more beautiful this sum-mer:

The Fairfield NCL (National Charity League) mothers and daughters who planted and cared for the front gardens. NCL also planted and created a fragrant mo-bile garden of basil and herbs.

Chris Lussen, senior volunteer, for the lovely wildflower garden by the gym.

Marius Velicu, senior volunteer, for the orchard of peaches, rasp-berries, limes and figs!

Troop 90 Eagle Scout, Frank Gallagi, who purchased, planted and cared daily for the new rose bushes along the Salt Marsh Trail.

And the many seniors, volun-teers and staff who brought flowers from their own gardens to decorate the Center.

— Terry

Thank You So Much! Qigong resumes on Friday, Septem-ber 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Therapeutic Yoga Class with Laura. This is a gentle class with exercises performed in a chair and while stand-ing. Open to men and women who are looking to reduce stress and improve their lifestyle through mindful exercise and relaxation. Mondays at 2:00 p.m. in the Craft Room. Cost: Donate whatever you can afford.

Integral Yoga with Laura is a com-plete system for personal transforma-tion—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The class works with inner awareness and the breath, fos-tering an individual experience that takes each student to his or her own limits. Benefits include increased vi-tality, flexibility and self-confidence. Saturdays, starting September 10 at 9:00 a.m. Cost: Donate whatever you can afford.

Watercolor classes with Sabine Bonnar resume Mondays starting Septem-ber 12 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Ex-plore your creative side! Sabine is a Trumbull artist who paints in watercolors, oils and pastels. She studied at the Kunst Hoch-Schule Essen in Germany as well as the Art Institute of Chicago and at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Cost: $5 per session. Bring your own materials Advance registration is required.

We’ve scheduled a busy fall season at the Center. To keep our front desk and program volunteers up to date, we’re offering a training session. Please call 203.256.3166 to RSVP. Tuesday, Sep-tember 6 at 10:00 a.m.

First Responders from the Fairfield Police Department, Fire Department and EMS are all invited to a free lunch at the Bigelow Center on Wednesday, September 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Director of Human and Social Ser-vices Terry Giegengack said, “All the first responders in Fairfield are so dedicated and caring, that it’s our pleasure to welcome and honor them for all they do to help.”We ask first responders to please call 203.256.3166 before September 15 to reserve a place.

Our first lunch bunch stop is the great new Goodwill Store in Monroe where you can search for terrific bargains, followed by lunch on your own at Bill’s legendary Drive-In. Wednes-day, September 28 at 10:00.

On Saturday evening, October 22, the Center’s dining hall will become a magical Cabaret with great enter-tainment provided by “After All,” the duo of Nancy Trecina and Nick Starga. They’ve performed at Fox-woods, Mohegan Sun, Water’s Edge and many other prominent venues. This is the first fundraising event sponsored by the Friends of the Bi-gelow Center. It’s a BYO food and beverage affair with complimen-tary desserts. Tickets are $20 each. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music starting at 7:30 p.m. Advance res-ervations required. For more infor-mation, call 203.256.3166 or email: friendsofthebsc@gmail.com.

Emerson Gilmore will begin hosting a Writers’ Roundtable on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. beginning on Thursday, September 8. All genres are welcome. Dust off that story you’ve put in the closet, renew work on that memoir, finish that novel or start that piece you’ve always wanted to write. Emerson brings to the roundatble years of experience as a writer, in-structor, editor and publisher. He’ll welcome you on the 8th!