The Newsletter of the Fairfield Senior CenterVolume 22, Number 11 November, 2012

fairfieldsenior timesservices and support for fairfield’s older adults

SS RecipientsGet Puny Raise

Senior Survey Results Show There’s Room for Improvement

In mid-October the Social Security Administration announced a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2013 of 1.7 percent. That's a puny but auto-matic raise for Social Security recipi-ents. In 2012 the COLA was 3.6%. In 2011 and 2010 there was no cost-of-living adjustment. The biggest raise in recent years was 5.8% in 2009. The COLA adjustment is effective December 1st, and will show up in re-cipients’ checks in January. The typi-cal retiree can expect a raise ranging from $12 to $24 a month.The COLA is tied to an inflation mea-sure that shows that consumer prices have gone up by less than two percent in the past year. Apparently those who came up with these figures didn’t buy anything in 2012.

Noted folk singer Rick Spencer sung a series of lively and scurrilous cam-paign songs from the election of 1856 at a recent Lifelong Learners class.

Millward Brown, a prominent inter-national research firm working on a pro bono basis, designed a survey aimed at capturing information about younger seniors in Fairfield to help the Center with future planning. The respondents were in the 50 to 70 year old age range. Residents in the lower end of this range, particularly those in the 55 to 65 year old group, do not often frequent senior centers—this is true nationally—so the study was structured with them in mind. The chief findings are summarized below.

Two-thirds of seniors in the 50 to 70 year range continue to work full or part time. This means the center's hours are not convenient for them. Recommendation: offer some eve-ning and weekend programs.

Two-thirds have never visited the cen-ter, and because this group asked for programs that the center already has in place, are unaware of the center's programs and services. Recommen-dations: improve community outreach and conduct a membership drive.

This age group does not think of it-self as old, so the term “senior” car-ries with it a certain stigma. Recom-mendation: Change the name of the center, eliminating the word “senior.”

Twenty-five percent of the respon-dents cited the need for a facilities

upgrade. Recommendation: Renovate and modernize the facility over a five-year period.

Millward Brown also recommended programming suited for the younger, “modern” senior. The study suggests that the center consider more inter-generational programs and programs that bring younger seniors and their parents together through support groups designed specifically for those who care for aging parents.

Claire Grace, director of the Fairfield Senior Center said: “We are very grateful to Millward Brown as well as to the donor who made the printing and mailing possible. The survey was done at no cost to the town.

“The recommendations are very help-ful as we look down the road five years and more. The Fairfield Senior Center wants to become one of the best senior centers in Connecticut.

“The staff has begun to implement some of the suggestions that can be done without funding, but many of the recommendations are going to require additional support from the town. We have a planning committee in place and an interim report, followed by an in-depth report, should be available shortly. The Millward Brown study is an important part of the work that’s being done by that committee.”

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At the MoviesIN November

Every Friday at 12:15

November 2nd — From Prada to Nada (2011) Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama — Two spoiled Latina sisters, Nora (Camilla Belle), a law student, and Mary (Alexa Vega), an undergrad party girl accustomed to luxury and high style, become penniless when their father dies, forcing them to move in with working class relatives in this spirited comedy loosely based on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. “Jane Austen update with Latino twist offers laughs, romance.” 107 minutes.

Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray — Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore—and the peaceful island community is turned up-side down in more ways than anyone can handle. “Warm, whimsical, poignant, immaculately framed and beautifully acted.” 94 minutes.

Morgan Freeman, Virginia Madsen — Reuniting with director Rob Reiner from the hit film, The Bucket List, Freeman plays Monte Wildhorn, a famous Western novelist whose struggle with alcoholism has sapped his passion for writing. He takes a lakeside cabin for the summer in picturesque Belle Isle, and befriends the family next door—an attractive single mom (Madsen) and her three young daughters—who help him find inspiration again. 109 minutes.

Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi — In this hilarious Italian comedy, the Marx brothers meet the Godfather in a tale of mistaken identity. Benigni stars as Dante, a naïve bus driver who’s a dead ringer for Johnny Toothpick, a notorious Mafioso on the lam and under the gun. As usual, Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni’s wife, co-stars. “An enjoyably goofy gangster comedy.” A Foreign Film Festival Pick. 100 minutes.

November 9th — The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)

November 16th— Johnny Stecchino (1991)

November 30th — Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Get Ready to Move! Popular Z-Heath Returns The Center, in conjunction with Ash Creek Fitness, is pleased to offer an eight-week session of Z-Health classes starting on Friday, Novem-ber 2nd, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Coach George Gomola, a Certified Z-Health Performance Movement Specialist, says, “The big difference is focusing on the brain instead of just the body. We have used this program at the Senior Center with great success to help our clients feel confident and able to move like they did many years ago.”

The cost for the eight-week session is $40. Call Heather at 203.913.7698 to reserve your space or pick up forms at the Center’s front desk. Class size is limited to the first 30 people who register. First come, first serve! For more information, visit www.ashcreekfitness.com

Gomola

Just in case you didn’t know, the Senior Center offers weekly round-trip grocery runs to two of Fairfield’s popular supermarkets.

For those living in the western side of town, our courteous, handsome drivers will pick you up Tuesdays and Thursdays at your home and drop you off at the Stop and Shop located at the traffic circle.

For seniors living in the eastern side of town, our drivers will pick you up Thursdays at your home and drop you off at the ShopRite Market located on Black Rock Turnpike.

Center’s Buses Make WeeklyGrocery Runs

The bus schedule allows you one full hour of shopping time. Each round trip costs 50 cents. Call the center at 203.256.3168 to schedule your trip.

By the way, the Cingari family, owners of ShopRite Super Grade A Markets, has the welcome mat out for seniors. They have conveniently located chairs and benches if you need to take a rest or wait for the bus. Further, they’ll provide you with a reusable brown shopping bag with handles, which they’ll personalize with your name. And their associates will be there to help you. And don’t forget to take advantage of their coupons. For more information, call the market at 203.615.0140.

Service provided to seniors in Western and Eastern Fairfield

Page 3November, 2012

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1 2

Pineapple Juice Swedish Meatballs

Veal Cutlet Sour Cream Gravy

with Onion Gravy Egg Noodles

Mashed Potatoes Peas & Carrots

Tossed Salad

Italian Dressing

Multi Grain Bread 100% Whole Wheat

Birthday Cake* Mandarin Oranges

5 6 7 8 9

Butternut Squash Soup Cheese Ravioli Cranberry Juice Apple Juice Cranberry Juice

Unsalted Crackers Meat Sauce** Chicken Pot Pie Sliced Ham**

Italian Mixed Vegetables Carrot Coins Pepper with with Pineapple Glaze

Onions and Peppers Garden Salad with Mushroom Sauce Baked Sweet Potato

Green Beans Ranch Dressing Mashed Potatoes Peas

Sautéed Vegetables

Grinder Roll Oatmeal Bread Biscuit Rye Bread 7 Grain Bread

Fresh Apple Tropical Fruit Cup Fresh Orange Brownie Ambrosia

12 13 14 15 16

Grape Juice Cream of Tomato Soup Cranberry Juice Hearty Vegetable Soup

Eggplant Parmesan Unsalted Crackers Unsalted Crackers

Chicken Salad with Lemon Sauce Broccoli Quiche+

Parmesan Cheese Lettuce/Tomato/Onion Rice Pilaf Carrot Coins

Capri Vegetables Carrot & Raisin Salad Spinach

Italian Bread Hot Dog Bun Oat Nut Bread Multi-Grain Bread

Banana Baked Apple Slices Chocolate Pudding* Pineapple Chunks

19 20 21 22 23

Cranberry Juice Apple Cider

Roast Turkey with Unsalted Crackers

Meat Sauce Giblet Gravy Cheeseburger

Italian Blend Veggies Mashed Potatoes Potato Salad

Lettuce/Tomato/Onion

Cranberry Sauce Mayonnaise/Ketchup

Pumpernickel Bread Dinner Roll, Pumpkin Hamburger Bun

Oatmeal Cookies Pie* w/Whipped Topping Pears

26 27 28 29 30

Orange Juice Pineapple Juice Chicken Patty Grape Juice Minestrone Soup

Kielbasa Beef Stew with Lettuce and Tomato Unsalted Crackers

Sauerkraut Vegetables Ketchup Meatballs Seafood Salad**

Whipped Potatoes Brown Rice Mayonnaise Tossed Salad with Lettuce & Tomato

Green Peas Macaroni Salad Italian Dressing

Rye Bread Whole Wheat Bun Garlic Bread Split Top Wheat

Vanilla/Chocolate Pineapple Upside

Fresh Apple Ice Cream Cup Down Cake Peaches Plums

Craisin Coleslaw

Lazyman's Stuffed

Philly Cheesesteak w/

Baked Filet of Sole

Ziti & Marinara Sauce**

Vidalia Onion Soup

Baked Manicotti

Green Bean Almondine

Whole Wheat Baked Ziti

Bowtie Spinach Pasta

Multigrain Bread

November Menu

Senior Community CafeOpen Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Lunch service begins at 11:45 a.m. Make lunch reservations three days in advance: call 203.256.3118 after 10:00 a.m.

A $2.00 donation is suggested. 1% or skim milk is provided. Margarine is served with all meals.

Menu items are subject to change.*High in sugar content. **High Salt Content. +High fat/cholesterol.

“There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.”

Folate Helps to Produce New Cells

Get Ready to Move! Popular Z-Heath Returns

― O. Henry

Veteran’s DayCenterClosed

Folate is necessary for the production of new cells, including red blood cells. Folate deficiency remains a major cause of spinal-cord defects in newborns. How much you need: Many dietitians recommend taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid; 1,000 mcg per day is the safe upper limit for folic acid. Food sources of folate include: liver, dried beans and peas, spinach and leafy greens, asparagus and fortified cereals. Kidney beans (1 cup cooked) = 230 mcg; lentils (1 cup cooked) = 358 mcg; asparagus spears, 6 each = 134 mcg; oatmeal (fortified) = 130 mcg; and spinach (1/2 cup cooked) = 121 mcg.

Page 4 November, 2012

November, 2012Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

19:30 Computer: More Win- dows 710:00 Feminine Face of God1:00 Shakespeare

210:00 Catholicism12:15 Movie: From Prada to Nada1:00 Z-Health

5 9:00 Blood Pressure Screening 10:00 Populist/Progressive Era1:00 Johnny Mercer’s Life and Music2:30 Creative Body

69:30 Computer: Internet & Email10:00 Chinese Religions1:00 Euro Zone Crisis

710:00 The Poet’s Voice 11:00 Senior Literary Society1:30 American Folk Culture

8 9:30 Computer: Internet & Email10:00 Feminine Face of God1:00 Shakespeare

9 12:15 Movie: The Magic of Belle Isle1:00 Z-Health

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13 9:00 AARP Driving Class (No charge for veterans)9:30 Computer: Internet & Email10:00 Chinese Religions1:00 Euro Zone Crisis1:00 Diabetes Support Group

149:00 Medicare Part D Sign-up until noon9:30 Silver Belles Consign- ment Shop10:00 The Poet’s Voice1:00 Genealogy1:30 American Folk Culture3:45 School Nurses Mtg.6:30 Wellness Program at Pfriem Center

159:00 Holiday Fair until 3:00 p.m.9:30 Computer: Internet & Email10:00 Feminine Face of God1:00 Shakespeare

1612:15 Movie: Johnny Stecchino1:00 Z-Health

199:00 Blood Pressure Screening 10:00 Medicare 2013 Talk10:00 Populist/Progressive Era2:30 Creative Body

20 21 10:00 The Poet’s Voice 10:15 FSCA Board

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23

262:30 Creative Body

279:30 Computer: Internet & Email1:00 Bunko

289:30 Cardiovascular Screening10:30 Facebook Class

299:30 Computer: Internet & Email10:30 United Illuminating Presentation4:00 Human Services Commission

3012:15 Movie: Moonrise Kingdom1:00 Z-Health

Every Monday Every Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Thursday Every Friday

Calendar of Events

* Call before coming.

9:00 Woodcarving9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Table Pool9:10 Coed Exercise9:30 Bocce10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch1:00 Open Bridge1:00 Ballroom Aerobics

9:00 Pacers-Walking Group

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Woodworkers9:00 Table Pool9:00 Zumba Gold ($5)9:30 Yoga10:00 Senior Exercise10:00 Open Painting11:00 Flex & Stretch11:30 Arthritis Exercise1:00 Model Airplane

Club1:00 Chess Club1:00 Mah-Jongg

9:00 Pacers-Walking Group

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Woodcarving9:00 Pokeno9:00 Table Pool9:10 Coed Exercise9:30 Crafts9:30 Computer Help (by

appointment)10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch12:30 Open Bridge1:00 Tai Chi

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Pokeno9:00 Zumba Gold ($5)9:00 Quilters9:00 Table Pool10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch11:30 Arthritis Exercise12:15 Movies1:00 Scrabble

9:00 Pacers-Walking Group

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Table Pool9:30 - 11:00 and 1:00 - 3:00 Open Com-

puter Lab*9:00 Pokeno9:30 Sewing Bee10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch11:30 Arthritis Exercise12:30 Bingo1:00 Open Bridge1:00 Tai Chi

Thanksgiving DayCenter Closed

Veteran’s DayCenter Closed

HolidayCenter Closed

It’s true! We have a Face-book page. And look for this newsletter online at: www.fairfieldct.org/senior.htm

On Thursday, November 29th at 10:30 a.m., a representative from United Illuminating will talk on energy efficiency, explain how to interpret your bill and field your questions.

Page 5November, 2012

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.

DirectorClaire Grace, 203.256.3169

Town HallHuman Services

Commission

Senior Times StaffEditor: Ron Atwater

fsteditor@hotmail.com

Editorial Assistant: M.A. Atwater

© 2012. All rights reserved.Printed in USA by Community

Publications, Cromwell, CT 06416

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, 11:45 a.m. 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. 203.256.3125.Blood Pressure Screening: 203.256.3166Notary Public: M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 203.256.3166.

Senior Center Services

Legal counseling; long term care; medigap and Medicare counseling. Services Below by Appointment Only. Call 203.256.3166

Visit the Senior Times online at www.fairfieldct.org/senior.htm

Reminders & Other Stuff Prescription Drug Plans to Cost More

Our annual Holiday Fair is sched-uled for Thursday, November 15th between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. We guarantee you’ll find a wonder-ful selection of baked goods and an intriguing assortment of gifts, many of them handmade. So come to the Holiday Fair and put a dent in your Christmas shopping.

Need help signing up for a Medi-care Part D prescription drug plan? The Center will help you with enrollment on Wednesday, Novem-ber 14th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. You must call 203.256.3166 for an appointment. Please make sure to bring your Medicare card with you along with a list of all your prescrip-tion medications, the daily dosage for each and the correct spelling of each drug’s name.

Need help raking those autumn leaves? Our good friends at Tomlin-son Middle School have generously volunteered their services. On Vet-eran’s Day, November 12th, a team of students and parents will come to your home and rake and bag your leaves. Just sign up at the Senior Center and a team leader will con-tact you. Questions? Call Kathleen Ruppert at 203.366.6046.

Our AARP-sponsored defensive driving class will be offered at no cost to veterans in November. The class is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13th.

More on Medicare 2013. On Mon-day, November 19th at 10:00 a.m., Christina Crain, Director for the Southwestern Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, will give a talk on Medicare drug coverage, sup-plemental plans and Medicare Ad-vantage Plans. With costs chang-ing from year to year (see article, right), it’s more important than ever to know what to look for and how to choose what’s best for you. So mark the date and don’t miss this informative presentation.

Do you think Facebook is just for kids? Think again. Statistics show that more and more seniors are making use of social media. With that in mind, Diane Sullivan, a marketing consultant and trainer, will explain why you should be on Facebook and how to do it. Her pro-gram is scheduled for Wednesday, November 28th, at 10:30 a.m.

Her seminar will provide an over-view on how Facebook can help you stay in touch with friends and family as well as give you the con-fidence to take it to the next level. Ms. Sullivan will talk about Face-book statistics and explain how to create a Facebook profile, how to connect with family and friends, how to explore groups, events and games, and how to avoid scams.

She’ll also discuss other social me-dia such as Twitter and YouTube.

Seven of the top 10 prescription drug plans have scheduled increases of 11 percent or more, according to an anal-ysis by Avalere Health of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service Part D Landscape Files.

The Humana Walmart Preferred Rx Plan is upping its charge the most. Its premium is going up 23 percent to $18.50 per month (which is still cheap-er than most others). First Health Part D Premier, First Health Part D Value Plus and Cigna Medicare Rx Plan One each raised premiums by at least 15 percent. Overall, Part D premiums for current plans increased on average by 6 percent from 2012 to 2013, and the average monthly premium rose from about $38 to $40.

Medicare open enrollment starts Oc-tober 15th and runs through Decem-ber 7th. This is when you can switch plans. While the selection of a plan may seem daunting, given the number of choices available, our social work-ers will be here on the morning of No-vember 14th (see Reminders at left) to help you make the best choice.

Page 6 November, 2012

The Origins of Thanksgiving in the U.S.

Freedom from Want

In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly traced to a 1621 celebra-tion at Plymouth in present-day Mas-sachusetts. This thanksgiving feast was prompted by a good harvest. In later years, the tradition was contin-ued by civil leaders such as Governor Bradford who planned a thanksgiving celebration and fast in 1623. While initially, the Plymouth colony did not have enough food to feed half of the 102 colonists, the Wampanoag Na-tive Americans helped the Pilgrims by providing seeds and teaching them to fish. The practice of holding an an-nual harvest festival like this did not

become a regular affair in New Eng-land until the late 1660s.

Pilgrims and Puritans who began emi-grating from England in the 1620s and 1630s carried the tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanks-giving," including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Pu-ritan holiday in Boston in 1631.

Thanksgiving proclamations were made mostly by church leaders in New England up until 1682, and then

by both state and church leaders until after the American Revolution. Dur-ing the revolutionary period, politi-cal influences affected the issuance of Thanksgiving proclamations. Various proclamations were made by royal governors, John Hancock, General George Washington, and the Conti-nental Congress, each giving thanks to God for events favorable to their causes. As President of the United States, George Washington pro-claimed the first nation-wide thanks-giving celebration in America mark-ing November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God."

The question as to where the first Thanksgiving was held in the United States, and even the Americas, has of-ten been a subject of debate. There is evidence for an earlier religious ser-vice by Spanish explorers in Texas at San Elizario in 1598, as well as thanksgiving feasts in the Virginia Colony. Thanksgiving services were routine in Virginia as early as 1607, and a thanksgiving observance in Vir-ginia in 1619 was prompted by the colonists' leaders on the anniversary of the settlement.

Some scholars have argued that the earliest attested "Thanksgiving" ser-vice in what is now the United States was celebrated by the Spanish on Sep-tember 8, 1565, in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida.

Norman Rockwell's Freedom from Want appeared on the pages of The Saturday Evening Post on March 6, 1943. This was the third installment of Rockwell's celebrated Four Freedoms series. The series was inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union Address in which he articulated the four freedoms.

The painting was also reproduced on a poster promoting the sale of war bonds during World War Two.