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The Newsletter of the Fairfield Senior CenterVolume 20, Number 9 September, 2011

fairfieldsenior timesservices and support for fairfield’s older adults

More Transportation Options Available to SeniorsChoosing not to drive or being unable to drive doesn’t necessarily mean los-ing your independence. In addition to the Senior Center’s bus service, you can take advantage of Dial-A-Ride or set up an account for automobile rides with the Independent Transpor-tation Network (ITN). Here are your options.

Senior Center Bus TransportWe talked about the Center’s bus ser-vice in our July issue, but there’s a great new wrinkle: starting September 14th, and every Wednesday thereafter, the Senior Center will offer rides to the Main Branch (downtown) of the Fairfield Public Library. Buses will pick up riders at their homes around 9:00 a.m. and make the return trip about 12:30 p.m. or so. This is in ad-dition to the regular bus service of-fered by the Center.

For transportation, call the Center’s bus dispatcher at 203.256.3168, Mon-day through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The cost for bus service to medical appointments in Fairfield is $2.00 per round trip and $4.00 per round trip to Bridgeport. Grocery shopping on scheduled days and transportation to and from the Center costs a modest 50 cents per round trip.

Members and friends of the Pacer’s Walking Group gathered for refreshments at the new Penfield Pavilion following their annual low tide trek to Penfield Lighthouse on August 4th. Some 30 walkers made the two-mile round trip on treacherous Penfield Reef. The lighthouse is said to be haunted by the ghost of keeper Frederick A. Jordan whose dory capsized in uncommonly rough waters on December 22, 1916.

n Maryann Charmoz, Tai Chi guru, is offering a six-week class on the fine art of Chinese brush painting. Both beginners and more experienced students are welcome. The course fee, which includes all supplies, is $55 for six 1-1/2 hour classes. Classes begin Wednesday, September 21st at 1:00 p.m. Class size is limited so Maryann can give personal attention to each student.

n Stock market got you down? Learn how to invest wisely and protect your assets. Kevin Peel will tell you how in six free financial ed classes scheduled for Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. The dates are: 9/8— Weathering Market Volatil-ity; 9/15—Controlling Your Long Term Care Costs; 9/22—Fundamentals of In-vesting; 9/29—Investment Strategies for Today’s Retirees; 10/13—Diversified Stock Income Plan; and 10/20—Six Steps to an Effective Estate Plan.

n Does someone in your life suffer from a serious mental illness? The Na-tional Alliance on Mental Illness offers a free 12-week self-help course in which trained instructors who have family members living with mental illness teach you coping and supportive skills. A course begins Monday, September 12th at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Eliot Room, in Fairfield. Call Rebecca at 203.259.9779 or send an email to thistleblu@sbcglobal.net

noteworthycomingeventsPhoto—Pat Feher

Page 2 September, 2011

Handyman Program Helps with Minor Home Repairs

Positive Attitude Said to Reduce Stroke Risk

SouthportMoney

Gallery

The Office of Community and Eco-nomic Development offers Fairfield homeowners a Handyman Program that provides assistance to low-in-come households in need of minor home repairs. The program pays for up to eight hours of labor for mi-nor plumbing, light carpentry, gutter maintenance, minor electrical repair and other related work. The home-owner is responsible for the cost of any necessary materials.Homeowners must meet current in-come guidelines to participate in this HUD-sponsored program. Current in-come limits are $30,350 for a single member household, $34,650 for a two-person household, $39,000 for three, $43,300 for four and $46,800 for five. Larger projects are eligible for consideration under the Single Family Rehabilitation Program, where higher income limits do apply. For more in-formation, contact the Office of Com-munity and Economic Development at 611 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, or call 203.256.3120.

If you’re a perpetual sourpuss who always thinks the sky is falling, you may want to adjust your attitude. There’s already strong evidence that optimism can lead to better heart health, a stronger immune system and other health benefits. Now, you can add a lower risk of stroke as a result of a positive outlook on life, according to a new University of Michigan study.A nationally representative group of 6,044 adults over age 50 rated their optimism levels on a 16-point scale. Each point increase in optimism corresponded to a 9 percent decrease in acute stroke risk over a two-year follow-up period.

"When people have a positive outlook on life, they undertake actions more likely to produce good outcomes," said Eric Kim, the study's lead author and a clinical psychology doctoral student. This study is the first known to discover a correlation between optimism and stroke.

Researchers analyzed stroke and psychological data from the Health and Retirement Study, collected between 2006 and 2008. Participants

were stroke-free at the beginning of the study. Researchers measured optimism levels using the Life Orientation Test, a widely used assessment tool. The research team then adjusted for factors that might affect stroke risk, including chronic illness and other health and behavioral issues.

"Optimism seems to have a swift impact on stroke," said Kim. The protective effect of optimism may primarily be due to behavioral choices that people make, such as taking vitamins, eating a healthy diet and exercising. However, some evidence suggests positive thinking might have a strictly biological impact as well.

Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer.

This neo-classical brick bank building was built in 1833 as a branch of the Connecticut Nation-al Bank. The Southport Bank was independently chartered in 1851 and printed its own money as

shown at the left. The institution became a national bank in 1865 and went into receivership in 1903 when bank manager Oliver T. Sherwood absconded with funds. The bank became the Southport Trust and in 1923 was converted a private residence.

These banknotes were issued by the Southport Bank circa 1853. They were signed on the lower left by

Francis Dimon Perry, the "cashier" (i.e., manager), and on the lower right by Jesup Alvord, the president. Both the Pequot Library and Fairfield Historical Society have good collections of "Southport money."

Page 3September, 2011

September 30th — Chocolat (2000) Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench and Alfred Molina — Vianne Rocher (Binoche)and her six-year old daughter move to a small village in southern France, near Toulouse, and open a chocolate shop directly across from the church, just as the town is preparing to observe Lent. The tempting shop, which is open on Sundays, shakes up the rigid morality of the community. 121 minutes.

September 9th — Mid-August Lunch (2008) Gianni Di Gregorio, Valeria De Franciscis and Marina Cacciotti — Di Gregorio stars in and directs this charming tale from Italy of great food, feisty ladies, and unlikely friendships. The setting is a weekend in a deserted Rome during the dog days of summer when opportunity knocks on Gianni’s door in the most unexpected way. A Foreign Film Festival Pick! 110 minutes. September 16th — Someone Like You (2001) Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman — When a talk show talent booker (Judd) gets dumped she begins a study of male behavior. Her “research” makes her into an overnight sensation and guru for single women everywhere. When she begins using her womanizing roommate and co-worker Eddie as fodder for her research, she finds answers where they were least expected. 97 minutes.

September 23rd — Killers (2010) Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher and Tom Selleck — A beautiful computer wiz (Heigl) meets her ideal man (Kutcher) and marries him after a whirlwind romance. But her new husband is an elite assassin. Back at home the couple’s idyllic life is overturned when they discover their neighbors could be assassins who have been contracted to kill them. 100 minutes.

At the MoviesIN September

Every Friday at 12:15

TransportationDial-A-RideThe Dial-A-Ride program is aimed at homebound senior citizens, the home-bound handicapped and veterans. It provides transportation for group shopping and entertainment trips, in-cluding junkets to regional malls; in-dividual trips to friends, family, shop-ping and places of worship; and trips to the West Haven VA Hospital.

Rides are available Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Riders need to be ready to go one hour ahead of their appointment.

To start using Dial-A-Ride, call 203.256.3170 for an application or pick one up at the Center. When you return the completed application, it’s sent to the Dial-A-Ride Office. You’ll be notified once you’re approved to start using the service. To schedule a ride, call 203.579.7777.

Independent Transportation (ITN) Network

ITN provides car rides 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with drivers trained to ensure your safety and comfort. Se-niors age 60 years and older and visu-ally impaired adults qualify.

ITN provides rides with door-to-door, arm-through-arm service to seniors throughout Fairfield, Easton, Nor-walk, Weston, Westport and Wilton. Door-to-door service includes help with steps and packages, heavy doors and walkers.

Day time ITN Rates (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.): The pick up charge is $3.50 and the scheduled-ahead per mile cost is $1.50/mile for any ride reserved by at least 4:00 p.m. the previous day. The same day per mile cost is $2.25 for any late notice ride, scheduled the day of the ride.

Night Time ITN Rates (9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.): The pick up charge is $7.00 and the scheduled per mile cost

is $1.50 (scheduled ahead by 4:00 p.m. the previous day). The same day per mile cost is $2.25 (scheduled same day, considered a late notice ride).No tipping is permitted. Canceling a ride is free, as long as you cancel at least one hour before your scheduled pick up time.

No cash changes hands on the day of your ride. ITN has a membership process, whereby you set up a small account with them ahead of time, and each ride is paid for out of your account. You’ll receive a monthly account statement, and any unused funds will be available for the next month. ITN recommends members

maintain $50.00 minimum in their account. Financial assistance is avail-able for low income members.

ITN offers personal assistance and the flexibility to schedule transpor-tation at any time, for any purpose, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. ITN helps you to continue living an inde-pendent, connected life, on your own terms. You’ll have the freedom and independence to take care of your errands when you want, visit friends and relatives, go on lunch dates and schedule appointments when they’re convenient for you.

To reach ITN, call 203.858.2001 and ask for an application.

From page 1

Page 4 September, 2011

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1 2

Chicken Gumbo Soup 100% Fruit Punch

Unsalted Crackers BBQ Chicken**

Fish Florentine** Potato Salad

Lemon Wedge Grilled Vegetable Salad

Baked Sweet Potato

Fresh Yellow Squash

Rye Bread Corn Bread

Birthday Cake Watermelon

5 6 7 8 9

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

Chicken Taco Brown Gravy Mashed Potatoes Macaroni & Cheese**

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

Cheese & Salsa** Mixed Vegetables Butternut Squash Ketchup

Spanish Rice, Beans**

Whole Wheat Wrap Multi Grain Roll Oatmeal Bread Whole Wheat Roll

Banana Mixed Berry Strudel* Tapioca Pudding* Mandarin Oranges

12 13 14 15 16

Knockwurst Cran-Apple Juice Yankee Bean Soup Hot Italian Beef Tomato Vegetable Soup

Sauerkraut** Southern Herb Unsalted Crackers Sandwich** Unsalted Crackers

Roasted Potatoes Chicken Quarter Au Jus Cheese Lasagna with Red & White Lite Crunch Fish**

Beets Brown Rice Pilaf Marinara Sauce** Cabbage Slaw Tartar Sauce+

Spinach Sauteed Broccoli Cucumber Salad Roasted Squash

Broccoli Salad

Rye Bread Corn Muffin Garlic Toast Grinder Roll Whole Wheat Bread

Stewed Fruit Apple Orange Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

19 20 21 22 23

Apple Juice Roast Turkey Pineapple Juice Escarole Bean Soup Parmesan Crusted

Shepherd's Pie Turkey Gravy Veal Stew w/Peppers Unsalted Crackers Pollock

Peas & Carrots Cornbread Stuffing and Onions Whole Wheat Spaghetti Lemon Wedge

Winter Blend Veggies Bow Tie Noodles Marinara Sauce Baked Potato

Cranberry Sauce Mesculin Salad w/ Meatballs** Sour Cream+

Italian Dressing+ Green Beans Carrot Raisin Salad*

Parmesan Cheese**

Whole Wheat Bread Dinner Roll Pumpernickel Roll Garlic Bread Marble Rye Bread

Yogurt* Apricots Pumpkin Pie* Tropical Fruit Cup Red Grapes

26 27 28 29 30

Broccoli Quiche+ Beef Burgundy Seasoned Pork Loin w/ Chicken Noodle Soup

Stewed Tomatoes Egg Noodles Garlic & Oregano Au Jus Unsalted Crackers Chicken Breast and

Romaine Salad Carrot Coins Yellow Rice with Seafood Salad** Pesto Sauce**

French Dressing Lettuce & Tomato Italian Veggies

Sauteed Spinach Salad, Ranch Dressing

100% Whole Wheat 12 Grain Bread Cornbread Oatmeal Bread Italian Bread

Fresh Pear Pineapple Chunks Orange Sherbet* Chocolate Brownie*

Penne Pasta with

Gandules

Bowtie Spinach Pasta

Cinnamon Baked Apple

September Menu

Leeks: A Noble Cousin of the Onion Packed with NutrientsThese scallion-like cousins of garlic and onions are packed with bone-bolstering thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium. Leeks are also rich in folic acid, a B vitamin that studies have shown to lower levels of the artery-damaging amino acid homocystein in the blood. What’s more, “Leeks can support sexual functioning and reduce the risk of prostate cancer,” says Michael Dansinger, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and an obesity researcher at Tufts–New England Medical Center, in Boston. “Chop the green part of a medium leek into thin ribbons and add it to soups, sautés, and salads as often as possible.”

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

Lunch service begins at 11:30 a.m. Please 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

Page 5September, 2011

September, 2011Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

2 12:15 No Movie

5 69:30 Computers-Intro.10:00 America Lose China?1:00 Three Irish Plays 1:00 Live Well

79:30 CT Policy Initiatives10:00 Watercolor Class11:00 Senior Literacy Society-Readers12:30 Real-to-Reel

89:30 Computers-Intro.10:00 Shaw and Shakespeare10:00 FiEd: Market Volatility1:00 American Presidency

910:00 Literature that Feeds Our Faith 12:15 Movie: Mid-August Lunch

1210:00 Islam12:30 AARP Board Mtg.1:00 AARP Reg. Mtg1:00 Broadway Musicals

139:00 AARP Defensive Driving Class9:30 Computers-Intro.10:00 America Lose China?1:00 Three Irish Plays1:00 Live Well1:00 Diabetes Support

149:30 CT Policy Initiatives10:00 Watercolor Class12:30 Real-to-Reel

159:30 Computers-Intro.10:00 Shaw and Shakespeare10:00 FiEd: Long Term Care Costs1:00 American Presidency

1610:00 Literature that Feeds Our Faith 12:15 Movie: Someone Like You

199:30 Blood Pressure Screening10:00 Islam1:00 Broadway Musicals

209:30 Computers-Intermed.10:00 America Lose China?1:00 Three Irish Plays1:00 Live Well

219:30 Silver Belles Consignment9:30 CT Policy Initiatives10:00 Watercolor Class12:30 Real-to-Reel1:00 Genealogy1:00 Chinese Br. Painting

229:15 New York Trip 9:30 Computers-Intermed.10:00 Shaw and Shakespeare10:00 FiEd: Investment Fundamentals1:00 American Presidency 4:30 Human Resources Commission

2310:00 Literature that Feeds Our Faith 12:15 Movie: Killers

2610:00 Islam10:00 Bridge, Popular Conventions*12:30 Bridge, Beginning*1:00 Broadway Musicals

279:30 Computers-Intermed.10:00 Knit/Crochet*10:00 America Lose China?1:00 Bunko1:00 Three Irish Plays1:00 Live Well

289:30 CT Policy Initiatives9:30 Yoga*10:00 Watercolor Class12:30 Real-to-Reel1:00 Chinese Br. Painting 1:30 Elderberries*

299:30 Computers-Intermed.10:00 Shaw and Shakespeare10:00 FiEd: Retiree Invest- ment Strategies1:00 American Presidency

3010:00 Literature that Feeds Our Faith 10:00 Bridge, Diamond*12:15 Movie: Chocolat 12:30 Bridge, Popular Conventions*

Every Monday Every Tuesday Every Wednesday Every Thursday Every Friday

Calendar of Events

* Continuing Education Classes** Call before coming to Computer Lab.

9:00 Woodcarving9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Table Pool9:10 Coed Exercise9:30 Bocci10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch1:00 Open Bridge1:00 Open Painting

9:00 Pacers-Walking Group

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Woodworkers9:00 Table Pool9:00 Zumba Gold ($5)9:30 Yoga10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 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 Crafts10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch12:30 Open Bridge1:00 Computer Help (by

appointment)1:00 Tai Chi Easy ($5)

9:00 Table Tennis9:00 Pokeno9:00 Zumba Gold ($5)9:00 Quilters9:00 Table Pool10:00 Senior Exercise11:00 Flex & Stretch

Exercise11:30 Arthritis Exercise12:15 Movies1:00 Scrabble

9:00 Pacers-Walking Group

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

Computer Lab**9:30 Pokeno9:30 Sewing Bee10:00 Senior Exercise10:30 “Getting to Know

You”11:00 Flex & Stretch11:30 Arthritis Exercise12:30 Bingo1:00 Open Bridge1:00 Tai Chi Easy ($5)

Labor DayCenter Closed

Page 6 September, 2011

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

© 2011. 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 http://www.fairfieldct.org/senior.htm

Port Jefferson Ferry Trip Scheduled for September

Fuel Assistance Program Available to Seniors and the Disabled

24th Annual Bigelow® TeaCommunity Challenge Set for September 25th

Starting October 4, 2011, the Fairfield Senior Center will be taking applica-tions for fuel assistance for the 2011-2012 heating season. Current eligibil-ity guidelines require that applicants be 60 years or older or disabled and meet certain income restrictions. Ap-plications are available for all types of heating—oil, gas and electricity. Please call the Senior Center for an appointment at 203.256.3166. The Center will schedule appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Please bring the following information with you:

n Current copy of your Social Security check or bank statement showing direct deposit;

n Bank statement with account number;

n Credit union accounts;n Stocks/Shares;n Bonds;n Certificates of deposit;n Individual retirement accounts

if you receive monthly income from this account;

n Mortgage statement;n Disability form;n Current copy of a fuel bill;n Current copy of gas or electric

bill;n Previous month’s rent receipt, if

applicable;

n Section 8 application;n Pension information;n Records of income from alimony

and rental property;n Income for all household

members must be recorded; e.g., if a child pays room and board to parents, it has be declared as income.

Once again, please call 203.256.3166 for an appointment.

NEW! For late breaking news, look for the Fair-field Senior Center on facebook.

The community challenge is a yearly event sponsored by Bigelow Tea that promises great fun, good exercise, and food and drink for the whole family. The main events are a 5K road race on a certified, timed course through Southport; a two-mile non-competi-tive fitness walk; and a kids’ fun run.

Among the many incentives are a free T-shirt and goodie bag to the first 1,000 entrants; awards to winning 5K runners; and a grand prize raffle for two plane tickets to anywhere in the USA, Caribbean or Bermuda, cour-tesy of the Warren Travel Group.

The kids’ fun run starts at 9:00 a.m.; the fitness walk at 9:30 a.m; and the 5K road race at 10:10 a.m., all from Wakeman’s Club, 385 Center Street, Southport, CT. To register online, go to www.bigelowtea.com

Late summer is a great time for a lei-surely cruise across the sound and shopping and lunching in quaint Port Jefferson, Long Island. The Center has scheduled just such a delightful trip for Wednesday, September 21st. The bus leaves the Center at 9:30 a.m. and the ferry returns to Bridgeport at 4:30 p.m. The cost is just $15 per per-son and does not include food. Space is limited to 40, so see Janet or Chris in the front office to sign up early.