Lebanon Ct . Senior Center January 2017

Contents:

Cover page 1

Senior Ctr. Services 2

Senior Funnies 3

People Around Us 4-6

Night before Christmas 7

Jr./Sr Travels 8

Wellness Trips 9

Calendar 10

Senior Center Hours:

Mon - Fri: 9 - 4pm

Senior Ctr. 860-642-3040

Ctr. Director: Darcy Battye

860-642-2042

Van Coord: Eilleen Wein-

steiger 860-642-2024

Trans. Clerk: Walter Riley

860-642-2024

SENIORS ON THE GREEN

Happy 60th Anniversary, James & Priscilla Donnelly

Massage w/ Sue

McCaffery - Please con-

tact the senior center to

schedule your appts. By

calling 860-642-3040.

The price is $15 for 25

mins. nd $30 for 50 mins

Did you know we have as-

sorted assisted living de-

vices for loan? We have

canes, walkers, bath

chairs, wheel chairs and a

hospital bed. We offer

hearing screening, podiatry

appts. And VNA visits.

Please call the senior cen-

ter at 860-642-3040 for

more information.

Senior Ctr. Salon Services

w/ Jeanna Prink, Tracy

Kelley & Jillian Labonne

Hair cuts $8

Wash & set $10

Perm. $45 w/set $55

Color $45 w/set $55

Facials $8 Waxing $5

Manicures/Pedicures $10

Appointments are required

& gift certificates are al-

ways available. Check the

newsletter for Jeanna’s

“spa days”.

Page 2

H O N O R A R Y D O N A T I O N S

SE N I OR CE N TE R SERV IC ES

Friends of Leb. Sen. Ctr.

37R West Town St.

Lebanon Ct. 06249

“I am enclosing $___ in

honor or memory of:

Name_________________

Donor’s name___________

Address _______________

City, St. Zip_____________

A special acknowledge-

ment will be sent as you

direct:

_____Birthday

_____Anniversary

_____Memorial

_____In Honor of

_____Other

A gift to the Senior Center

in honor of or in memory of

a loved one will assist the

center in serving other

seniors today and through-

out the coming years.

Such gifts will be very

much appreciated and

should be made out and

sent to:

January 2017

Wellness Trips:

1/6/17 Knights of

Columbus

1/13/17 Mohegan

Sun Casino

1/20/17 Avon Old

Farms

1/27/17 Slater Muse-

um

Weekly Menu:

1/3/17 Soup Day

1/10/17 Mexican style

lasagna

1/17/17 DaLonne

lunch

1/24/17 Chicken Cas-

serole

1/31/17 Breakfast for

lunch

If you are aware of some-

one who is ill or has

been ill, please let us

know. There is a sign-u[

sheet at the main desk of

the senior center where

you can add someone’s

name.

Darlene Hathaway has

taken charge of sending

out get-well cards to

those people who are

under the weather for

whatever reason.

“Miss reading the

newspaper, stop by

the center to use

our print mag-

nifier”.

NEEDED: Mexican Train Dominos play-

ers. Game consists of playing all your

Dominos on the chain from the

“Station”.

Day to be determined based on inter-

est. Call senior center if you are inter-

ested.

Page 3

Year in review of programs and activities for

Lebanon Seniors

By Alex “Bud” Gavitt

Let’s take a stroll remembering some of the Leb-

anon senior programs and activities held during 2016.

These would not be possible without our dedicated paid

staff and numerous, selfless volunteers led by full-time

Lebanon Senior Center coordinator Darcy Battye.

January

The New Year saw Steve Mekkelsen bringing us

“Mind Matters: Beating the Winter Blues.” It was a fun

hour of ways to stimulate our brains doing word search-

es, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and word association

activities. Keep those minds going!

Lebanon Junior Seniors shared good times with

good friends celebrating 20 years of traveling together at

a Friday, January 15th potluck dinner at the Center. Mari-

on Russo, who arranges our out-of-state trips, invited

travelers to come and have some fun reminiscing the

night away

Darcy announced the hiring of transportation

clerk Walter Riley, a retired newspaper advertising execu-

tive. Walter works under the supervision of Darcy, and in

coordination with the van dispatcher and van drivers. He

schedules, reschedules, or cancels rides to medical ap-

pointments, senior activities, personal business, grocery

shopping, hair appointments, reflexology and massage at

the Center.

Seniors mourned the loss of one of their long

time volunteers and good friend, Sylvia Ryan.

February

A hard-working and very capable newspaper edi-

tor, Donna Lennox devoted a full page in the newsletter

to technological advances that could aid aging seniors in

the future. One involves self-driving cars which are ex-

pected to be widely available with in a decade. This is

one of the best things that could happen to help older

adults.

On most Fridays, 10 to 12 seniors go on Wellness

Trips to various places and restaurants which included a

visit to the February 26th Flower & Garden Show in Hart-

ford.

March

A Friday, March 11th Mardi Gras cabaret started

the month off right. Sax player Joe Tomanelli and his

combo livened up the evening with music for dancing or

just listening.

There was a huge turnout of seniors for an early

St. Patrick's Day corned beef dinner and Easter ham din-

ner. Boy, do we all love to eat good food!

The Lyman high school French Club students

stopped by during the last Wednesday afternoon tea to

bring us their annual French cabaret. The students use

this event to raise money for relief projects and hard hit

Haiti recovering from massive destruction by hurricanes.

Exercise class continues to be held Monday,

Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Lee

Cummings was the first instructor followed by Helen

Bender who led the class for ten years. Current instructor

Ruth Jones says, “The exercises are fun, enjoyable, and

easy to do. What's more they're good for you.”

Darcy wishes more seniors would work out in the

Center’s Exercise Room. This room has the latest equip-

ment containing two treadmills and a TV. States Darcy,

“It is very beneficial and free for seniors tthere. There is

no charge.to spend time

April

On April 13th, Bob Wester of Putnam present-

ed a seminar in the Community Room on the ins and

outs of Medicare and how it affects seniors.

Friday Wellness Trips included dining at the

Golden Lamb Buttery restaurant in Brooklyn, shopping

at Clinton Crossing, and dining at Lenny and Joe's sea-

food restaurant.

A new exercise program called Silver Sneakers

debuted on Friday, April 8th at 1:30 PM at the Center.

Exercise instructor Pat Flubacher led a small group of

seniors aimed at improving their stability and balance.

Some insurance plans may pay for the cost of this

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:30 PM class.

The Mansfield Senior Center “Sparkette Danc-

ers” joined us at the monthly afternoon tea and pro-

vided wonderful tap dancing entertainment for all.

May

Local clergy put together a presentation called “A

Gift for the Family” which informed us of the many things

we can preplan before passing on. Topics discussed were

how to start the discussion with your family, wills, ad-

vance directives, and service planning. Invited guests

included local clergy, wills by attorney Tim Wentworth, the

Town of Lebanon Sexton, and a representative from the

Cremation Society of Connecticut.

On the first Saturday, the seniors held a tag sale

where great deals awaited customers on jewelry, house-

hold items, and craft supplies. Sponsored by Friends of

the Lebanon Senior Center, Dottie Stevens and Marion

Russo along with Joan Merritt and Betty Mackey, and

many others volunteered their time for this fundraiser.

Prides Corner donated a variety of plants from their Leba-

non farm. “Holding tag sales like ours are a great Yankee

tradition,” says Darcy. “Buyers,” she continues, “can find

great bargains on many items there. It's a great way for

recycling items. Unsold items were donated to Goodwill in

Norwich.”

Seniors went on Wellness Trips to the Ringling

Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford and to the

Submarine Force Library & Museum in Groton. Lunch

was at the Seahund German Pub restaurant in New Lon-

don.

June

Seniors 90 years of age and above were feted at

a special birthday celebration on Friday afternoon June

3rd. What a wonderful time we all had with Lebanon resi-

dents who were 90 years or older. Marion Russo and Ja-

mie Elliott co-chaired this special activity. Present was

Lebanon Senior Center’s oldest active member, Aurora

Safin who will be 97 on September 7. We look forward to

seeing who will be 90 the next time we celebrate this

milestone.

We tried something new this year - golf. Men and

women alike joined our new golf league, playing eight

weeks during the summer and eight weeks during the

fall. It was a huge success and everyone wants to do this

again next year.

A photo on the front cover of our newsletter

showed our new gazebo in place near the butterfly gar-

den on the side of the Senior Center. Special thanks to

Bryce Johnson for his dedication and hard work to make

the gazebo possible. Later in June rocking chairs, a ramp,

surrounding plants, and a bird and butterfly pole were

added.

Seniors roared with much laughter when they at-

tended “Anything Goes” a Cole Porter musical at the

Goodspeed Opera House. Lunch was at the Gelston

House in East Haddam.August

August

Once again, three busloads of seniors including

many from nearby towns enjoyed a lobster dinner along

with a hilarious play and cabaret at the Newport, Rhode

Island Playhouse. “This is one of our most successful out-

of-state trips led by Marion Russo,” says Darcy. Already

three busloads of seniors have signed up to attend this

entertaining event in August 2017.

This month also saw the completion of Eagle

Scout Bryce Johnson’s gazebo project. We celebrated

with singing by the Rose City Chorus barbershop quartet

followed by an ice cream social.

July

In July the Center started a new activity by

showing a two hour monthly movie after the Tuesday

luncheon. It seemed like a good idea to hang out in a

nice, air conditioned place with friends sharing a good

laugh or two.

Chief Ranger Bill Reid stopped by after our

June 12th luncheon to speak on the last Green Valley

historic and scenic town greens and commons. Leba-

non is one of 26 northeastern Connecticut towns and

nine central Massachusetts towns in this last open

space between Boston and Washington, D.C.

September

Our van driver John Kochiss announced his

retirement after 11 years of outstanding service. We

had a delicious lunch to thank him for all his accident

free years of driving service.

We welcomed Roddy McComber as our newest

van driver.

The Kerri Gallery hosted a “Color Uncorked”

paint party one night at the Center. We enjoyed wine

and refreshments as we created our version of van

Gogh’s “Starry Night.”

January 2017

Anne Maffiolini, who writes the travel news for our

newsletter announced that seniors from Columbia would

be joining Lebanon seniors for the 100th Centennial at the

Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The trip,

planned by Marion Russo, went on Connecticut day in Sep-

tember 21.

October

Jeryl Bates announced that she would be leaving

her position as van coordinator. Succeeding her is Eileen

Weinsteiger.

About 120 seniors attended the Fall Fest cabaret

on Friday, October 21st. We enjoyed music played by a Ger-

man band along with dinner, and a cabaret by Vagabond

International.

“We tried holding ballroom dancing,” says Darcy.

“Maybe we need to try again and hope for more people to

try it in 2017.”

Marion Russo led a group of seniors who spent

three days in Pennsylvania Dutch country which included

watching “Sampson” at the Millennium Theatre.

Seniors went on Friday Wellness Trips to the Flor-

ence Griswold Museum and Wee Faerie Villages in Old

Lyme, the American Clock Museum in Bristol, and Clyde’s

Cider Mill in Mystic.

November

Darcy welcomed Alesa and Dennis as our new van

drivers. The Center now has six part-time van drivers.

Seniors traveled to the Sacred Heart Church in

Springfield, Massachusetts to enjoy a full course lunch-

eon at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House on

Monday, November 14th. This was followed by an after-

noon performance featuring the only Catholic school

boys’ choir in the U.S.

A record 129 Thanksgiving lunches were

served on Tuesday, November 15th. Wasn't it great!

December

Our annual Holiday Bazaar was a fantastic

success, raising $4,300 for the Friends of the Leba-

non Senior Center. Held on Saturday, December 3rd,

from 9 AM to 3 PM, President Ed Hathaway said, “The

money received is used to fund cabarets, subscrip-

tions to the Chronicle and the Hartford Courant and

kitchen equipment.” Among the items recently pur-

chased were a large mixer, new dinner plates, and

sponsorship of the Veterans Day special luncheon.

A story on Dick and Rita Lataille who were

honored as Lebanon Citizens of the Year appeared in

the Seniors on the Green newsletter. The Latailles

volunteer by preparing meals at local churches, senior

luncheons, civic groups and the Lebanon Fair, and the

Red Cross bi-monthly blood drive at the Center. This

was the first time that a married couple received this

well-deserved recognition.

The Lyman high school Jazz Band played for

us after the Tuesday December 13th clergy luncheon.

A delicious spiral ham dinner was prepared by

Dick and Rita Lataille for 119 people at the December

20th Christmas luncheon. Assisting the Latailles were

DaLonne Fischer, Tim Rival, and Stephen Feeley.

Thanks also go out to our faithful volunteers who help

set up and clean up after each luncheon.

In conclusion, Darcy Battye states: “We look

forward to seeing more new seniors in 2017. Our goal

is to get as many fellow seniors out of their homes to

participate in our programs and activities. It's good for

your health.”

The Center hosted a luncheon in honor of all our

veterans in Lebanon. Held on Veterans Day Friday, Novem-

ber 11th, it was our way of thanking them for their service

and sacrifices both in the past as well as the present.

"Twas The Night Before Christmas ~Senior Style

'Twas the night before Christmas at Rock-Away Rest, And all of us seniors were looking our best.

Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles, how merry: The punchbowl held prune juice plus three drops of

sherry. A bed sock was taped to each walker, in hope That Santa would bring us soft candy and soap.

We surely were lucky to be there with friends, secure in this residence and in our Depends.

Our grandkids had sent us some Christmasy crafts, Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts. The

dental assistant had borrowed our teeth, And from them she'd crafted a holiday wreath The bed pans,

so shiny, all stood in a row, reflecting our candles' magnificent glow.

Our supper so festive -- the joy wouldn't stop.T'was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top. Our

salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great, Then puree of fruitcake was spooned on each plate. The social di-

rector then had us play games, Like "Where Are You Living?" and "What Are Your Names?

Old Grandfather Looper was feeling his oats, proclaiming that reindeer were nothing but goats. Our resi-

dent wand'rer was tied to her chair, in hopes that at bedtime she still would be there. Security lights on

the new fallen snow made outdoors seem noon to the old folks below.

Then out on the porch there arose quite a clatter .....

(But we are so deaf that it just didn't matter). A strange little fellow flew in through the door, Then

tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor. 'Twas just our director, all togged out in red. He jiggled and

chuckled and patted each head. We knew from the way that he strutted and jived our social-security

checks had arrived.

We sang -- how we sang -- in our monotone croak, Till the clock tinkled out its soft eight p.m. Stroke. And soon we were snuggling deep in our beds, while nurses distributed nocturnal meds. And so ends our Christmas at Rock-Away Rest. Soon you'll be with us; we wish you the best!!!

Travel Schedule Possibilities for 2017

February 15-17 Atlantic City Getaway, Resorts Casino, NJ.

March 20-27 Savannah/Charleston/Myrtle Beach Trip

April 29 West Point Dress Parade

May 25 The Gatlin Brothers, Indian Ranch Theater, Webster Ma.

August 7 Newport Playhouse & Cabaret, Newport, RI.

September/October Ireland ?

December Christmas with Shoji Tabucci, Garde Arts, New London Ct

For more information on any of the trips, please contact Marion at (860) 423-7659. Make

checks payable to Lebanon Jr/Sr Travelers. Payment may be left at the Lebanon Senior

Center or mailed to Marion Russo, 280 Beaumont Hwy., Lebanon, CT 06249.

Junior Seniors Travel News

January, 2017

By Anne Maffiolini

2016 Christmas Bazaar Big Success……...better than ever!!

January Wellness Trips

January 6th- Creches of Germany, Knights of Columbus,

New Haven and Lunch @ Dennys Leave @ 8:30am

January 13th- Mohegan Sun Casino, Montville

Leave @ 8am and 9:30am

January 20th---DINNER AND SHOW

Playhouse on Park Cabaret Series @ the Avon Old Farms

Hotel West Hartford, 7-9pm

(Show tunes, jazz, vocalists) (Food available-bar/tavern)

Leave @ 5pm

January 27th---Slater Museum NFA/99 Restaurant- Norwich

Lifes Landscapes: The Art of Ron Wing Plus other exhibits

Leave @ 10am