Continues on page 5

The Newsletter of the Fairfield Senior CenterVolume 21, Number 9 September, 2012

fairfieldsenior timesservices and support for fairfield’s older adults

Zumba Rocks! Six Chess Players Battle Young Four-Time State ChampionOn Friday August 3rd, 100 people

showed up for Flo Nichols’ Zumba Gold class. So our editor decided to find out why the class—and, not inci-dentally, the instructor—was so popu-lar. He caught up with Flo after class.

FST: “For those of our readers who may not be familiar with Zumba, what it is?”Flo: “It's an exercise class set to Latin music, so it's kind of a combination exercise and dance class.”

FST: “It certainly seems to be popular lately.”

Flo: “Yes, it's all about moving and having fun.”

FST: “Is it well suited for seniors?”

Flo: “The gold, yes. Regular Zumba less so because it's fast paced and

Flo Nichols

The chess game of the century? Not quite. But the room was as quiet as a tomb at midnight. The tension in the air was palpable. Six of the center’s chess players, including chess club founder Frank DeStefano, sat trans-fixed at their boards, concentrating on their positions with laser-like focus. They were playing an ancient game that probably originated in India in the Sixth Century CE: a game of war, really, that requires deep concentra-Continues on page 2

Michael Finneran, standing, contemplates his next move against Ron Hirsch. The recent Ludlowe grad and former Connecticut State Chess Champion recently played six chess club members simultaneously. From back to front: Frank DeSte-fano, Roy Gosse, Loretta Loomie, Betty Holm, Ron Hirsch, and Teo Perini.

tion, careful strategy and the ability to think ahead. Considering there are 72,084 possible positions after the players make two moves each, that’s not always easy.Playing against the six chess club members simultaneously was four-time Connecticut State Chess Cham-pion Michael Finneran. He walked silently from one player to another, each time stopping to analyze his op-

Page 2 September, 2012

At the MoviesIN September

Every Friday at 12:15

September 7th — The Artist (2011) Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman — It’s Hollywood. The year is 1927. George Valentin (Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. But for young extra Pepper Miller (Bejo), the sky’s the limit—movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies. “A crowd-pleasing tribute to the magic of silent cinema.” 100 minutes.

Robert Wieckiewicz, Benno Fürmann — From acclaimed director Agnieszka Holland, In Darkness is based on a true story. Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief in Lvov, a Nazi-occupied city in Poland, one day encounters a group of Jews trying to escape the liquidation of the ghetto. He hides them for money in the labyrinth of the town’s sewers beneath the bustling activity of the city above. What starts out as a straightforward and cynical business arrange-ment turns into something very unexpected. 105 minutes.

Fanny Ardant, Jeremy Irons — Famed director Franco Zeffirelli beautifully recreates the magic, passion, and artistry of the opera diva who was also his longtime friend. Maria Callas died tragically at the age of 53, and Zeffirelli presents an imaginative retelling of her last years. The film is a rare and unique gem featuring actual sound recordings of Callas in performance. Fanny Ardant perfectly fits the role of Callas, capturing all her fiery intensity on and off the stage. A Foreign Film Festival Pick. 108 minutes.

Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Jessica Lange — The lives of happy newlyweds are suddenly changed by a car accident that puts the wife in a coma. Waking up with severe memory loss, she has no memory of her husband’s confusing relationship with her parents and an ex-finance she may still have feelings for. Her husband tries to win her heart again. Said Rex Reed: “A welcome antidote to cynicism, and a bracing tonic that proves love hasn’t disappeared from the film experience completely.” 104 minutes.

September 14th — Callas, Forever (2002)

September 21st — The Vow (2012)

September 28th — In Darkness (2012)

Zumba Rocks! From page 1

students don't take any breaks at all. The instructor doesn’t provide cues, the class just follows, so it's much faster. By contrast, in gold Zumba we take breaks, I cue the class and slow down the steps. So the gold is really geared for older, active adults. It's really good for beginners and those who might have been intimidated by regular Zumba. It's easier to learn the basic steps in the gold class.”

FST: “How long have you been in-structing?”

Flo: I've been teaching here at the center for about three years. I first started instructing exercise classes in the early nineties and became a personal trainer in 2001. I also teach senior exercise, flex and stretch and arthritis exercise.”

FST: “I imagine this must be very re-warding for you. What benefits accrue from these classes?”

Flo: “It is. I see such a difference in seniors who exercise and stick with it. People don't understand that, when they go to a class, they're not expected to keep up with the instructor. They're there to try to reach a level—a goal—to improve. Seniors need to come in and do what they can do and build on that. The more they come, the more they'll be able to do. Regular exer-cise improves muscle tone, outlook, weight, and medical numbers like high blood pressure and cholesterol come down.

“You know, I had one guy in class—well, I wish I had before and after videos. When he first walked into my class he had a limited range of mo-tion. Now he's lifting, doing it all, and he lost 40 pounds as well. He stuck with it and did what he could do. And now, he's like unbelievable. His doc-tor said he's doing great. I've seen this with others too, but he's been the most consistent since he started and he's been steady.”

FST: “You push your students to work hard to reach their goals, yet you have a particularly close rapport with them and they say such marvelous things about you. How do you achieve that?”

Flo: “I just love them all, they’re just wonderful and they give so much to me. I've gotten so much from them, and learned so much from them. Each person is so individual and unique, and they all have a gift to give.” Sometimes the best of intentions go awry.

Page 3September, 2012

September 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 two days in advance: Call 203.256.3118. A $2.00 donation is suggested. 1% or skim milk is provided. Margarine is served with all meals.

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

Labor DayCenter Closed

“If more politicians in this country were thinking about the next generation instead of the next election, it might be better for the United States and the world.”

Researchers have long known that vitamin C is an essential building block of col-lagen, the structural material for bone, skin, blood vessels and other tissue. The current recommended daily intake for men is 90 mg and for women, 75 mg. The body can only absorb a maximum of about 400 milligrams a day. Vitamin C is in everything in the produce section, including oranges, green bell peppers, straw-berries, broccoli, cantaloupe and tomatoes, turnip greens, sweet potatoes and okra. An orange contains about 48 mg of vitamin C, and a tomato, 23 mg.

And Now a Brief Word about Vitamin C

― Claude Pepper

3 4 5 6 7

Grape Juice Pot Roast Pulled Pork w/Au Jus Veggie Burger

Chicken Salad Brown Gravy Mashed Potatoes Macaroni & Cheese**

Lettuce & Tomato Cauliflower Au Gratin** Fresh Roasted Lettuce &Tomato

Spanish Rice Mixed Vegetables Butternut Squash Mayonnaise

Seasoned Beans**

Whole Wheat Roll Multi Grain Bread Oatmeal Bread Whole Wheat

Hamburger Roll

Banana Mixed Berry Strudel* Tapioca Pudding* Mandarin Oranges

10 11 12 13 14

Knockwurst au Jus Cran-Apple Juice Yankee Bean Soup Apple Juice Tomato Vegetable Soup

Sauerkraut** Southern Herb Unsalted Crackers Hot Italian Beef Unsalted Crackers

Roasted Potatoes Chicken Quarter Au Jus Cheese Lasagna with Sandwich** Lite Crunch Fish**

Beets Brown Rice Pilaf Marinara Sauce** Red & White Tartar Sauce+

Spinach Sautéed Broccoli Cabbage Slaw Roasted Acorn Squash

Cucumber Salad Broccoli Salad

Rye Bread Corn Muffin Garlic Toast Grinder Roll 100% Whole Wheat

Stewed Fruit Apple Orange Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

17 18 19 20 21

Apple Juice Roast Turkey Pineapple Juice Escarole Bean Soup Parmesan Crusted

Shaved Steak Turkey Gravy Veal Stew w/ Peppers Unsalted Crackers Pollock

Mushroom Gravy Cornbread Stuffing and Onions Whole Wheat Spaghetti Lemon Wedge

Rice Pilaf Winter Blend Veggies Bow Tie Noodles Marinara Sauce Baked Potato

Peas & Carrots Cranberry Sauce Mesculin Salad w/ Meatballs** Sour Cream+

Italian Dressing+ Green Beans Carrot Raisin Salad*

Parmesan Cheese**

12 Grain Dinner Roll Pumpernickel Bread Italian Bread Rye Bread

Yogurt* Pumpkin Pie* Apricots Tropical Fruit Cup Red Grapes

24 25 26 27 28

Orange Juice Grape Juice Seasoned Pork Loin w/ Chicken Noodle Soup Penne Pasta with

Broccoli Quiche+ Beef Burgundy Garlic & Oregano Au Jus Unsalted Crackers Chicken Breast and

Stewed Tomatoes with Vegetable Gravy Yellow Rice with Seafood Salad** Pesto Sauce**

Romaine Salad Mashed Potatoes Gandules Lettuce & Tomato Italian Veggies

French Dressing Carrot Coins Sautéed Spinach Vegetable Pasta Garden Salad

Ranch Dressing

Breadstick 12 Grain Bread Cornbread Oatmeal Bread Italian Bread

Cinnamon Baked

Chilled Pears Pineapple Chunks Orange Sherbet* Chocolate Brownie* Apple

Page 4 September, 2012

September, 2012Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

3 49:00 AARP Driving Class9:00 Renter’s Rebate Applications10:00 Revolutionary/ Constitutional Era1:00 Money Conversations for Women

510:00 West Meets East10:00 Watercolor Class11:00 Senior Literary Society12:30 Real to Reel

610:00 Theatrical Revenge

710:00 Literature that Feeds Your Faith 12:15 Movie: The Artist

1010:00 Famous Battles12:15 AARP Board1:00 AARP Regular1:00 J. Mercer’s Music

119:00 Renter’s Rebate 9:30 Computer Class 10:00 Flu Clinic to 7:00 p.m.10:00 Revolutionary/ Constitutional Era1:00 Money Conversations for Women1:00 Diabetes Support Group

12 10:00 West Meets East10:00 Watercolor Class12:30 Real to Reel

139:30 Computer Class 10:00 Theatrical Revenge

14 10:00 Literature that Feeds Your Faith12:15 Movie: Callas, Forever

179:00 Blood Pressure Screening 10:00 Famous Battles1:00 J. Mercer’s Music

18 9:30 Computer Class 10:00 Revolutionary/ Constitutional Era10:00 Low Vision Group1:00 Money Conversations for Women

198:00 The Osmands (Trip)9:30 Silver Belles Consign- ment Shop10:00 West Meets East10:00 Watercolor Class12:30 Real to Reel1:00 Geneology 3:45 School Nurses Mtg.

209:30 Computer Class10:00 Theatrical Revenge

2110:00 Literature that Feeds Your Faith 12:15 Movie: The Vow

2410:00 Famous Battles1:00 J. Mercer’s Music

259:30 Computer Class 10:00 Revolutionary/ Constitutional Era 1:00 Bunko1:00 Money Conversations for Women

26 10:00 Watercolor Class10:15 FSCA Board12:30 Real to Reel

279:30 Computer Class 10:00 Theatrical Revenge4:00 Human Services Commission

2810:00 Literature that Feeds Your Faith12:15 Movie: In Darkness

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 (Advanced)

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 Easy ($5)

Labor DayCenter Closed

Trip Reminder: Don’t forget about our fabulous trip to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in the historic Hudson Valley. In addition to a magic-filled Halloween celebration, you’ll visit Sunnyside, author Washington Irving’s picturesque estate—the views are stunning—and enjoy a great early din-ner at the El Dorado. The cost per person is an all-inclusive $109. The tour is scheduled for Friday, October 12th. The bus leaves the senior center at 1:00 p.m. and returns to Fairfield about 9:30 p.m. For information and reservations, call Janet at 203.256.3166.

Page 5September, 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 (two days notice required): M-F, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 203.256.3118.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 Parish Court is now taking appli-cations. The housing complex, lo-cated at 175 Warde Terrace here in Fairfield, consists of 40 efficiency and 60 one-bedroom units, includ-ing six adapted one-bedroom units. Applicants for the unsubsidized units must demonstrate an ability to afford market rent, currently at $866 per month. All rents include heat, hot water and electricity.

The income limits are $45,000 for one person, and $52,000 for two persons. Eligible households must have a head, co-head or spouse age 62 or older, or qualify as dis-abled.

Parish Court is owned by Church Housing for Fairfield, Inc. and is funded by the United States De-partment of Housing and Urban Development and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

For information, contact Parish Court, 175 Warde Terrace, Fairfield, CT 06825 or call 203.333.4912.

ponent’s position, and then making a deliberate, often decisive move.

Why is chess such an engrossing, popular game? Frank DeStefano says, “I like the problem solving process. I also believe that there is real beauty to the game in the various positions and combinations. Finally, I like the fact that winning isn’t everything. You learn more in defeat than in victory, and even when beaten, you can just resign and start all over again.”

Speaking of defeat, did we mention that Michael Finneran won every game? “He beat us all with compara-tive ease,” said Frank. “I was gratified that I could put up a stout defense for a while, but in the end he wore us down with his relentless play. Towards the end, as I surveyed the board for some opportunity, I marveled at the way his pieces were all working together. It was a real pleasure to play with a player of his caliber, as well as with a fine young gentleman.”

The chess club was founded in 2008 and meets every Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Everyone is wel-come, from neophytes to grand mas-ters. Call 203.256.3166 for details.

Chess Battle Waged From page 1

The Fairfield Health Department will offer flu clinics at the Senior Center on Tuesday, September 11th and Wednesday October 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Flu shots and pneumonia shots will be avail-able.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of six. The pneumonia vaccine is available for

those 65 and older and younger people with certain long-term health conditions. The pneumonia vaccine is normally given only once. If you have questions about the pneumo-nia vaccine, call 203.256.3150 or speak with your doctor.

The Health Department accepts the following insurances: Medicare Part B; Aetna; Connecticare, both com-mercial and Medicare Advantage Plans; and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, both commercial and Medicare Advantage Plans. Please bring your insurance card to the flu clinic. Without insurance, the cost of vaccination is $25 for flu, and $45 for pneumonia.

How about a trip to Foxwoods’ Fox Theater to hear the Osmond Brothers perform? The trip pack-age includes reserved seats for the 2:00 p.m. show, the current Fox-woods bonus package, and a free lunch buffet. All for a mere $60.

So save the date: Wednesday, Sep-tember 19th. The bus leaves the Center at 8:00 a.m. and returns at 5:30. Call Janet at 203.256.3166 for information and reservations.

Page 6 September, 2012

Caregivers Need a Break Too Yearly Eye Exam Can Save Vision

The Norwegian Forest Cat

SummerWinding

Down

Gallery

Caring for a sick loved one is an act of compassion. It can be hugely reward-ing, but it can also bring on burnout, exhaustion, stress and depression. If you’re a caregiver, you’re probably familiar with these states of being, and particularly so at this stretch of the summer, when the hot weather and long days have sapped us of all energy.

Respite. Vacation. Relaxation. Peace. How about these states of being? If you can’t remember the last time you embraced any of these, it’s time to take a break: even the most commit-ted, most vibrant caregiver will even-tually run out of steam.

It’s one thing to acknowledge you need a break, but how do you make it happen? Here are a few possibilities for taking a break as a caregiver:

1. Look into short-term respite care

and schedule time for yourself.2. Consider bringing in home care

help for just a few hours a week (or even a month) to start, and gradually increase or decrease as needed.

3. Contract with a cleaning service. Imagine how your stress level might subside if you didn’t have to do the dishes, laundry, or any housework once or twice a week? Or even once or twice a month?

4. Delegate tasks. It may be easier said than done, but you need to ask for help. You’ll probably find that many are willing if they just know what’s needed.

5. Take small breaks wherever and whenever you can. For example, take a bath instead of a rushed shower when your sister takes Mom to the doctor.

Annual eye exams are important for seniors, even if there are no obvious symptoms or trouble with vision. It’s still possible to have an eye disease.

Some folks may need more frequent examinations if they’re suffering from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. These types of conditions can put a person at a high-er risk for some eye diseases. Some of the common vision problems seniors can develop include:t Floaters—Most common in

bright lighting, floaters are tiny specks that float across the field of vision. They’re normal, but can become a more serious problem if they are frequent.

t Dry eyes—Very common in people over 50, dry eyes happen when the tear glands cannot make enough tears. They can be un-comfortable and cause burning, itching or even loss of vision.

t Cataracts—Cataracts are cloudy areas that cover some part or the entire eye lens. A cataract can in-hibit light from passing through the retina, where images are pro-cessed. These usually form slow-ly and cause no pain, but if they become severe enough they will need to be surgically removed.

tGlaucoma—This can develop when an optic nerve is damaged. It can also cause an increase in the pressure in a person’s eye. If not treated early, it could lead to per-manent vision loss or blindness. Many factors contribute glauco-ma and it is important to detect it early.

So don’t forget to schedule a yearly eye exam: it could improve your vi-sion—even save it.

Known for its beautiful eyes, luxu-riant coat, sturdy build, friendly disposition, and fascination with water, the Norwegian Forest Cat is said to have sailed on Viking ships.

This hardy breed can withstand Nordic winters, climb sheer rock faces, and capture the most cun-ning mouse—something the Vi-kings surely appreciated.

© M.A. AtwaterAll rights reserved