February 2016 Volume 2016

Issue 8

Published monthly by White River Council on Aging

262 N Main St., White River Jct., VT 05001-7027

(802) 295-9068

Call Now For Tax Appointments On February 1, 2016, we will start making appointments for seniors who want assistance with

their uncomplicated Federal and Vermont state income tax returns and rebate forms. Call the

Center (802-295-9068) between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm and speak with either Regina or Len

to make an appointment.

When you meet with a Tax Assistance Volunteer, it is extremely important that you have all of your

tax documents. You do not need to bring any tax forms, as the returns are filled out on the computer.

You will need to bring:

A picture ID (driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, etc.)

Social Security card or Social Security Form 1099SSA. If you have dependents, you must bring their

documents also, especially their Social Security cards.

Copy of last year’s tax return. (We do not keep a copy of your return at the Center.)

Proof of all sources of income (W-2 forms if you were employed, 1099-R if you receive a retirement

pension, 1099-SSA if you receive Social Security, interest/dividend income statements, IRA withdraw-

als, etc.)

Copy of your current property tax bill or your signed Landlord’s certificate. If you plan to apply for a

Renter Rebate, Homeowner Property Tax rebate or Act 68 School Property Tax payment, you will need

to bring proof of income and Social Security numbers for everyone in your household.

Recent phone bill if applying for Lifeline Telephone service credit. (This is NOT the “Lifeline”

emergency alert system that summons assistance if you fall.)

Medicare card if you are applying for VPharm (a Vermont program that helps low-income seniors and

people with disabilities pay for prescription medications).

Victims of Identity Theft should notify IRS and bring the IRS letter with Identity Protection PIN Number.

Proof of medical insurance that meets the Affordable Care Act. For most retirees, the 1099 form

showing health care premiums will suffice. If you or any dependents under age 65 purchased health

insurance through the Market Place (i.e., the state), bring the Form 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C, which

you should have received in January.

If you did NOT have medical insurance for ALL of 2015, please tell us when you make

your appointment as your return will take extra time to prepare.

Director’s Corner

Last month I spoke about our planning for the warm weather trips and we have started to do so. At this

writing we have trips planned to York Beach on September 7th, our usual annual sojourn to Foster’s. We

will also be heading to New London Playhouse for a show on August 17th. Our first trip will go out on April

7th to a new venue, The Log Cabin. There we will see a show titled “The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boys of

Company B”, which as you might guess is a musical, harkening back those days from the 1940’s. We

also are going to have a “Mystery Trip” for our season finale which will occur during fall foliage if Mother

Nature cooperates. It has been a few years since we did such a trip, but our last one was very success-

ful and folks were very pleased at our selection. We will tell you when we are heading out that day just

where we are going. Trust me…..the trip will be enjoyed by all you risk takers who decide to sign up,

“sight unseen”!! And finally, we are still working on a couple of other options for the summer that we

should have nailed down for our next newsletter, so stay tuned.

We are in the process of updating our website. For a time our site was down, but you can now access it

at the same address (www.bugbeecenter.org). We have made some changes and more are in the works,

but you can get back on and see our newsletter and general information. You will notice that the “look”

is very similar to what we had, but the changes will allow us to add and update things on the pages

much more easily, right from the comfort of our own desks. If you have suggestions for the kind of infor-

mation you think we should post on it feel free to see Emily or me.

In the “Department of Some Discomfort” I have agreed to make some comments about some issues

that arose during the holiday season for a couple of folks. In the spirit of holiday giving, apparently some

people were giving cash gifts in Christmas cards to some of our guests. I was approached about the

discomfort this caused the recipients. While I certainly do not want to discourage people’s generosity, I

would ask that folks be thoughtful about this, and put themselves into the shoes of the person on the

receiving end of this gifting. I do not consider it my place to regulate the gifting that may occur among

our guests. I merely mention this as a concern that was passed along to me.

On a final note, it is tax season and the AARP tax program will start accepting appointments as of

February 1st. Feel free to call us to schedule time to have your simple tax return done here at Bugbee.

We can tell you what you need to bring and set up a time for you to meet one of the trained volunteers

who will do your return and file it electronically. It is very important that you come organized with all your

relevant paperwork and documentation.

Len Brown

A Little Valentine’s Day Humor Sam was a 4-year-old who loved chocolates as much as his mom

did. Sam’s dad gave Sam’s mom a big heart-shaped box full of chocolates for

Valentine’s Day. Sam knew he could not just help himself to the chocolates

but, after a while, he couldn’t help but reach out to touch one.

Sam’s mom said, “Now Sam, you know that if you touch one you have to

eat it.”

Sam then reached out and tenderly touched the top of each piece of

chocolate with his chubby little hand, then turned to his mother and said,

“Well, now I guess I have to eat them all.”

February 2016 Meals

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

Cole Slaw

BBQ Spare Ribs

Roasted Potato

Corn

Bread

Fruit Salad

2

BLT Salad

Honey Mustard

Chicken

Roasted Vegetables

Bread

Gingerbread w/

Topping

3

Mandarin Almond

Salad

Roast Pork w/Gravy

Mashed Potato

Peas

Bread Pudding

4

Green Salad

Beef Stew

Corn Bread

Tapioca Pudding

5

Tossed Salad

Spaghetti &

Meatballs

Green Beans

Garlic Bread

Apricots

8

Caesar Salad

Swedish Meatballs

On Egg Noodles

Peas & Carrots

Clementine

9

Corn & Bean Salad

“Shake & Bake”

Chicken

Tater Tots

Spinach

Blondie

10

Carrot Raisin Slaw

Baked Haddock

Oven Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts

Vanilla Cake w/

Peanut Butter

Frosting

11

3 Bean Salad

Turkey w/Gravy

Mashed Potato

Beets

Vanilla Pudding w/

Cookie

12

Tossed Salad

C&S Pizza

Melon

15

CENTER CLOSED

FOR

PRESIDENTS DAY

16

Pineapple Slaw

Meatloaf

Mashed Potato

Baby Carrots

Bread

Chocolate Pudding

17

Caesar Salad

Pasta w/Sausage,

Tomato & Cream

Broccoli

Garlic Bread

Jell-o w/Fruit

18

Chef Salad w/

Ham, Turkey & Egg

Bread

Carrot Cake

19

Pickled Beets

Macaroni & Cheese

Stewed Tomatoes

Green Beans

Peaches & Cream

22

Dilled Cucumbers

Shepherd’s Pie

Carrots

Bread

Pear &Blueberry

Crisp

23 Broccoli Salad

Baked Ham

Scalloped Potatoes

Mixed Vegetables

Bread

Clementine

24 Caesar Salad

Chicken Parmesan

Linguini

California

Vegetables

Garlic Bread

Baked Apples

25 Green Salad

“Shake & Bake”

Pork Chop

Sweet Potato

Peas

Gingerbread w/

Topping

26

Tossed Salad

Vegetable Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Baked Pears

29 Tossed Salad

Sausage, Peppers

& Onions on

Bow Tie Pasta

Broccoli

Baked Pears

Please be seated by

11:50 so our wait

staff can serve your

beverage.

Age 60+: suggested

donation $5

Under 60: $6 fee

February 2016

1

9:00 warmers

1:00 Bingo

1:00 Shopping

2 8:45 Foot Care (by appointment only)

10:00 Aq.Aerobics*

1:00 Cribbage

1:00 Sr. Fitness*

3

8:45 Computer*

10:00 Poetry

1:30 Linedancing*

4 8:45 Computer*

9:00 Quilting

5 9:30 Tai Chi 1*

10:45 Tai Chi 2*

12:45 Book Club 1:00 Bingo

1:00 Shopping

8

8:30 Smiles* 10:00 Health Clinic

1:00 Bingo

1:00 Shopping

9

10:00 Aq.Aerobics*

12:30 “Take

Another Look”

1:00 Cribbage

1:00 Sr. Fitness*

10 8:45 Computer*

10:30 TOGETHER

12:00 Birthday Day

1:30 Linedancing*

11

8:45 Computer*

8:45 Foot Care (by appointment only)

9:00 Quilting

12 9:30 Tai Chi 1*

10:45 Tai Chi 2*

1:00 Bingo

1:00 Shopping

3:00 Brain Injury

Support Group

15 CENTER CLOSED FOR

PRESIDENTS DAY

16

1:00 Cribbage

1:00 Senior

Fitness**

17

10:00 Poetry

1:30 Linedancing**

18

8:45 Foot Care (by appointment only)

9:00 Quilting

19 9:30 Tai Chi 1*

10:45 Tai Chi 2*

12:30 “Fallscapes”

1:00 Shopping

1:00 Bingo

22

8:30 Smiles*

10:00 Health Clinic

1:00 Bingo

1:00 Shopping

23

1:00 Cribbage

1:00 Senior

Fitness*

24

8:45 Computer*

12:30 “Advance

Transit”

1:30 Linedancing*

25 8:45 Computer*

9:00 Quilting

.

26 9:30 Tai Chi 1*

10:00 Suite Notes

10:45 Tai Chi 2*

12:00 Galen Mudgett

1:00 Shopping

1:00 Bingo

29 1:00 Bingo

1:00 Shopping

Marble Game

Returns Feb. 1st!

Shake & Bake

Chicken Baked Haddock Turkey w/Gravy C & S Pizza

Meatloaf

Pasta w/

Sausage, Tomato

& Cream Chef Salad

Macaroni &

Cheese

Shepherds Pie Baked Ham

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Swedish

Meatballs

Sausage, Pep-

pers & Onions on

Bow Tie Pasta

Chicken Parmesan

on Linguini

Shake & Bake

Pork Chop Vegetable Lasagna

BBQ Spare Ribs Honey Mustard

Chicken Roast Pork Beef Stew

Spaghetti &

Meatballs

A single asterisk (*) indicates a class or activity

that requires advance sign up or an appointment.

Most on-going classes can be joined only at the

start of a new session, which is indicated by a double

asterisk (**)

February Happenings

Feb. 5 12:45 Bugbee Book Club. Marieke

Sperry, librarian from the Quechee/Wilder

Libraries, will facilitate a discussion of

“The God of Small Things” by Arundhati

Roy. New participants welcome.

Feb. 9 12:30 “Take Another Look”. Trained

volunteer listeners, working with the United

Valley Interfaith Project, want to conduct

interviews with seniors to develop an

understanding of the challenges of

aging. Come hear how you can be part of

this project.

Feb. 10 10:30 TOGETHER women’s support

group, facilitated by Judy Adams. This is

Leap Year … and we will plan “together”

how we can make the most of the extra day

in 2016. Join us for fun and laughter.

New participants welcome.

Feb. 12 3:00 Free Support Group for individuals

with brain injuries, their caregivers and

family members. Sponsored by Brain Injury

Association of VT. For more information, call

1-877-856-1772, email support1@biavt.org

or visit www.biavt.org.

Feb. 16 1:00 Senior Fitness with Laura Dykstra.

Gentle exercise with emphasis on strength

and balance. $30/8 weeks. Sign up

required.

Feb. 17 1:30 Linedancing. New class with Jamie

Orr begins today. $42/6 weeks. Sign up

required.

Feb. 19 12:30 “Escape Falls with FallScape”.

FallScape is an individualized approach to

fall prevention that is offered state-wide by

the Vermont Department of Health. Come

see if this program might help you.

Feb. 24 12:30 “Advance Transit”. Advance

Transit’s Mobility Manager, Susan Berry,

will be here to talk about the free Advance

Transit bus routes and their Travel Training

service. This new service will help you go

where you want to by identifying the best

routes and times and once planned, you

can join Susan on a bus trip to and from

your destination so you can try out traveling

by bus without worry. The Travel Training

service is in its third year and has been

highly successful in helping more people

enjoy more mobility.

Computer Assistance

Available Once again, the Bugbee

Senior Center is partnering with the

Hartford Area Career &

Technology Center (HACTC) to

provide one-on-one computer

assistance to seniors.

The student instructors are

all seniors in Computer Technology Applications .

Students at HACTC come from Hanover, Hartford,

Lebanon, Mascoma, Thetford, Windsor and

Woodstock school districts.

The HACTC students are available on

Wednesday and Thursday mornings only, with

appointment slots at 8:45 and 9:30.To make an

appointment for two sessions (usually scheduled

one week apart so you will have time to practice

what you have learned), call Regina at 295-9068

between 8:30 and 2:30, Monday through

Thursday.

Health Clinics at

Bugbee Senior Center

Monday, Feb. 8

& Monday, Feb. 22, 2016

10:00 to 12:00 Because wellness and prevention are

important to a healthy community, on the 2nd and

4th Monday of each month a nurse from Visiting

Nurse of Vermont and New Hampshire holds a free

health clinic at the Center to check blood pressure,

monitor medications and address any of your

health concerns. No appointment needed.

Smiles For Seniors

At Bugbee Senior Center

FOR: Adults 60 years and older living on

a fixed income

WHAT: Free oral health screening,

education and fluoride varnishing

by a licensed public health dental hygienist

WHEN: Feb. 8& 22, 2016 by appointment only

WHERE: Bugbee Senior Center,

HOW: Call 802-295-9068 for an appointment or

information

Beware The “Invisible” Killer!

You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide but at

high levels, it can kill you in minutes! It is a color-

less, odorless, poisonous gas that is made when

fuels burn improperly. Many fuels can produce

carbon monoxide, such as wood, oil, natural gas,

gasoline, kerosene, propane and coal.

Carbon monoxide poisoning begins with flu-

like symptoms. They include headache, fatigue,

shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness.

When appliances, equipment or heating

systems burn fuel, there is a risk of carbon monox-

ide poisoning if they are not working properly.

(Electrical appliances and heating systems do not

produce carbon monoxide.) If the appliances and

equipment do not function as they should, have

worn parts or are not properly vented, there is a

risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you suspect that you have been exposed

to carbon monoxide:

Get to fresh air right away.

Call 911.

Prevention Tips

Have appliances and heating systems

professionally installed.

Place carbon monoxide detectors close to

sleeping area. For the best protection, place an

alarm on each level and in every bedroom of

your home.

Check battery–operated carbon monoxide

detectors monthly and replace batteries

according to the manufacturer’s instructions or

when batteries are low.

Never run a portable generator under windows

or indoors, including garages, basements and

crawlspaces.

Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage,

closed-in porch, vehicle or tent unless properly

vented to the outside.

Never leave a car running in a garage, even

with the garage door open.

Have your propane stove, furnace and chimney

cleaned by professionals once a year before

heating season.

Coming in March:

“Medicare Boot Camp”

Thursday, March 10 12:30 PM Pati Kimball from Senior Solutions is the

State Health Insurance program coordinator. The

state health insurance program (SHIP) assists

people with Medicare questions and enrollment

with drug plans if needed. Also SHIP offers new to

Medicare boot camps during the year at different

locations to provide information about the many

parts of Medicare. In addition to Medicare we can

discuss different subsidies which the state and

Social security can provide to help defray the costs

associated with a drug plan and a plan that can

help pay for the Medicare Part B. These programs

are income sensitive.

By calling the senior help line (800/642-

5119) you will be able to get information or even a

scheduled phone appointment to discuss your

Medicare questions.

The Warning Signs of Stroke The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and

Stroke

Www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke

A stroke, or “brain attack”, occurs when

blood circulation to the brain fails. Brain cells can

die from decreased blood flow and the resulting

lack of oxygen.

Everyone should be aware of these signals

that a stroke is occurring. If you experience any of

them or observe them in someone else, don’t wait;

call 9-1-1 or a doctor right away.

1) Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or

leg, especially on one side of the body.

2) Sudden confusion, or trouble talking or

understanding speech.

3) Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

4) Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of

balance or coordination.

5) Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Other danger signs may include double

vision, drowsiness and nausea or vomiting.

Sometimes the symptoms are brief and completely

disappear. Don’t ignore them. Paying attention to

them may save a life.

A Few Reminders… We do not provide personal

assistance on our trips. Some

trips involve moderate walking,

sometimes over uneven surfaces

and/or up and down stairs. If you

have any questions about what

you might encounter, please give

us a call. We regret any incon-

venience if you are unable to

participate due to physical

limitations that can’t be

reasonably accommodated. If there is a trip that interests

you, we encourage you to sign up

right away. Payment is due 30

days before the trip, and your

seat is not confirmed until we

have received your payment.

Once a trip is paid for, a refund

will be given only if we are able

to sell your seat. Be sure to dress for the weather.

Bring a sweater if you are

uncomfortable in air-

conditioning. Snacks/water are not provided

on the bus, but you are welcome

to bring them with you. Please be considerate of those

around you and use your cell

phone only if necessary. If you

are playing games or listening to

music, please use headphones

or earbuds. We want everyone to

enjoy the experience free of

unwanted distractions.

Are You Ready For a Day Trip? Regina has been busy lining up some great trips for the

summer of 2016. There are more “in the works” but here are

the trips that have been scheduled so far:

“Eight to the Bar” The Log Cabin/The Delaney House

Holyoke, MA

Wednesday, April 7, 2016

$86/person

From Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company

B, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington

of the 40’s, swing through the decades with

Etta James, Dean Martin, Ray Charles,

Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly…

you get the picture!

Includes lunch at The Delaney House Restaurant.

“Crazy For You” New London Barn Playhouse

New London, NH

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

$93/person

A zany romantic comedy bursting with

song from the great George Gershwin,

including “I Can’t Be Bothered Now”, I Got Rhythm”, “Nice Work

If You Can Get It”, “Embraceable You” and “Someone to Watch

Over Me”.

Includes lunch at The Coach House Restaurant

Foster’s Clambake York Harbor, ME

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016

$79/person

After a sumptuous lunch and

entertainment at Foster’s

Clambake in York Harbor,

we’ll take a drive to York

Beach for a bit of shopping or strolling on the sand. Bring a little

spending money because we’ll stop at Johnson’s for ice cream

on the way home.

Fall Foliage Mystery Tour Wednesday, October 5, 2016

$71/person

Feeling adventurous? We want to take you away for the day. The whole

point of a mystery tour is that you will not know what to expect, other than that

we’ll take a long ride on a comfortable motor coach in hopes of viewing some

spectacular autumn scenery. We’ll have a nice lunch in a scenic spot.

PLACE LABEL HERE

Winter Weather Closing Policy During the next few months, there may be

days when the weather conditions make it unsafe

for our staff, volunteers and participants to be out

on the roads. Our policy is that when the Hartford

School District schools are closed due to weather

conditions, the Bugbee Senior Center is also

closed. Please watch your TV or listen

to the radio for announcements.

When the Center is closed,

there are no home-delivered meals.

Meal recipients will receive an extra

frozen meal to be used when the

Center is unexpectedly closed.

Moving? Going on vacation? If you will be moving or away long

enough to discontinue mail service,

please let us know. If the Post

Office returns your Bugbee Bulletin

to us, we are charged 49¢. A quick

phone call from you will mean a lot

to us. And be sure to let us know

when you return so we can update our mailing

list accordingly.

If you would like to keep up with news

here at the Center, we’ll be happy to send the

Bugbee Bulletin to your winter address or,

preferably, send it to you via email.

Reminders:

Be sure to call Bugbee Senior Center (295-9068) in advance if you will not

be home to receive your meal.

Our drivers are not allowed to leave the meal if you are not there unless

prior arrangements have been made.

Please keep your walkway cleared of ice and snow for the safety of our

meal delivery volunteers.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

February 2016

Home-Delivered Meals

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

Cole Slaw

BBQ Spare Ribs

Roasted Potato

Corn

Bread

Fruit Salad

2

BLT Salad

Honey Mustard

Chicken

Roasted Vegetables

Bread

Gingerbread w/

Topping

3

Mandarin Almond

Salad

Roast Pork w/Gravy

Mashed Potato

Peas

Bread Pudding

4

Green Salad

Beef Stew

Corn Bread

Tapioca Pudding

5

Tossed Salad

Spaghetti &

Meatballs

Green Beans

Garlic Bread

Apricots

8

Caesar Salad

Swedish Meatballs

On Egg Noodles

Peas & Carrots

Clementine

9

Corn & Bean Salad

“Shake & Bake”

Chicken

Tater Tots

Spinach

Blondie

10

Carrot Raisin Slaw

Baked Haddock

Oven Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts

Vanilla Cake w/

Peanut Butter

Frosting

11

3 Bean Salad

Turkey w/Gravy

Mashed Potato

Beets

Vanilla Pudding w/

Cookie

12

Tossed Salad

C&S Pizza

Melon

15

CENTER CLOSED

FOR

PRESIDENTS DAY

16

Pineapple Slaw

Meatloaf

Mashed Potato

Baby Carrots

Bread

Chocolate Pudding

17

Caesar Salad

Pasta w/Sausage,

Tomato & Cream

Broccoli

Garlic Bread

Jell-o w/Fruit

18

Chef Salad w/

Ham, Turkey & Egg

Bread

Carrot Cake

19

Pickled Beets

Macaroni & Cheese

Stewed Tomatoes

Green Beans

Peaches & Cream

22

Dilled Cucumbers

Shepherd’s Pie

Carrots

Bread

Pear &Blueberry

Crisp

23 Broccoli Salad

Baked Ham

Scalloped Potatoes

Mixed Vegetables

Bread

Clementine

24 Caesar Salad

Chicken Parmesan

Linguini

California

Vegetables

Garlic Bread

Baked Apples

25 Green Salad

“Shake & Bake”

Pork Chop

Sweet Potato

Peas

Gingerbread w/

Topping

26

Tossed Salad

Vegetable Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Baked Pears

29 Tossed Salad

Sausage, Peppers

& Onions on

Bow Tie Pasta

Broccoli

Baked Pears