FRAMINGHAM, MA - The following information is about activities and services at the Callahan Senior Center for the month of September, 2011.

NOTICE: Most of the activities, special programs and events listed below require signing up or advance reservation, (unless otherwise noted). Please do so in advance so activities can be scheduled effectively and in the appropriate space.

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New Member Orientation Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month. If you have just joined Callahan you might want to attend one of these meetings as we enjoy coffee and pastry, answer your questions and seek your input on activities. Please join us on Tuesday, September 13th from 9:30–10:00 am.

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PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

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Friends of Callahan

Monday, September 19th at 1:30 pm – Friends of Callahan General Meeting with entertainment provided by The Noteables—A Musical Trio. Refreshments will be served.

Monday September 12th at 2:30 pm - Friends' of Callahan Monthly Dance following their Board Meeting. Donation is $2.00. Refreshments will be available.

Wednesday, September 28th at 11:30 am - Friends' Monthly Luncheon. There is only one seating at 11:30 am. The cost is $4.00 per person. You must stop by the front desk or call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980 to make your reservation by the Friday prior to the luncheon. No exceptions and no refunds. Lunch will be provided by Mark Curtis of the Eagles American Grille.

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Armchair Travelers Wanted!

Armchair Travel to Spain! - On Tuesday, September 13th at 1:00 PM, Callahan will be launching its Armchair Traveler Program, based on the book "1000 Places to See Before I Die"

Each month through the wonders of a DVD we will be traveling in the comfort of the Blais Room to a new and unique site. Sit back in an ARMCHAIR- enjoy the dramatic and entertaining sights of the world without spending a NICKEL!

We will travel the world learning about the food and customs of many places.  In honor of the fact that September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, please join us for a our first adventure as we travel to Spain.  Light refreshments available.

 

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Art Matters

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011  at 11:00 AM - Join us for a stimulating presentation on Francisco Goya

As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month we will be presenting one of the last Great Masters and the first of the Modern Masters.

As Spain's conscience and chronicler, Goya documented the Royal Court with a sarcastic edge born of justice.

A versatile artist, he created paintings, etchings & lithographs, tapestries, and frescoes. His career spanned an explosive era of Spanish history, which he portrayed with unflinching honesty. He observed both the highborn with their excesses & madness of the masses, and he painted both with an unprecedented dedication to truth.

Please call the front desk at:  (508) 532-5980 by 9/19/2011 to register for this presentation.

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Retirement Discussion Groups

Thursday, September 22nd at 9:30 AM - Newly-Retired or Thinking about It? Discussion Group. Come share, laugh and learn what others are thinking about and doing as they near retirement age or have already retired! Join this lively group and become a "BUCKETEER!" What's on your Bucket List?

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Thursday, September 22nd at 10:30 AM - To Age in Place or Not? – Rob Daley of Realty Executives will be hosting a panel of professionals who will discuss the choice to NOT stay in your home and to SELL - what do you need to know. Attorney Cathy Kneeland will outline the legal matters that need to be addressed; a certified house inspector will present the issues around house inspections and a professional stager will pass on some ideas on how to stage your home for the best sale possible. Join us for this very informative session. Please call the front desk @ (508) 532-5980 by 9/20 to register for this presentation.

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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Medicare Open Enrollment is Changing!

(New Dates: OCTOBER 15 - DECEMBER 7)

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment, (October 15 - December 7), is the time to enroll in or CHANGE your Medicare coverage for next year. State-certified SHINE (Medicare) Counselors can help you understand your plan, as well as other options you may have. Call now to schedule a SHINE appointment during the Open Enrollment.

In September, if you are a member of a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will be getting information in the mail about changes to your current plan. Be sure to save this information and bring it, along with your prescription drug list and Medicare card, to your SHINE appointment.

Remember: The Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7th!

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE!

Trained SHINE, (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders), volunteers offer free, confidential counseling on all aspects of health insurance to anyone on Medicare. Call your senior center and ask for a SHINE appointment.

You can also call 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636), then press or say 3. Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A volunteer will call you back, as soon as possible.

For assistance from a Medicare customer service representative 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

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Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center

• Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, September 12, 19 & 26 at 10:00 am. Center closed on Labor Day.

• Better Breathers' Support Group: Wednesday, September 14 at 12:00 pm.

• Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, September 27 at 10:00 am.

• Caregivers' Support Group: Wednesday, September 28 at 1:00 pm.

• Grandparent Support Group: Wednesday, September 28 at 7:00 pm. Please call the Center to confirm in the event of a change.

• Low Vision Group: Friday, September 16 at 1:00 pm.

• Parkinson's Support Group: Tuesday, September 20 at 1:30 pm. - Special guest speaker Cathi Thomas, RN, MS, from the Massachusetts Parkinson Disease Association will speak on "Recent Updates". Please pass the word around!!!! The topics will address newly and formally diagnosed older adults.

• Stroke Survivors' Support Group: Monday, September 12 at 1:00 pm.

• NEW! -- Evening Caregivers Support Group: Wednesday, September 21st, 7:00-8:00 pm. Join group and new staff social worker, Erica Brophy, LICSW. The group will meet once a month from 7:00-8:00 pm on the following dates: Wednesday, September 21st, Wednesday, October 26th and Wednesday, November 30th.

• BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR SEPTEMBER - Wednesdays, September 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 9:30 am —12:30 pm

 

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Volunteer Outreach Services Corner

We need individuals to assist residents in the following ways:

• Telephone Reassurance – briefly call elder residents daily to inquire of well being.

• Medical Appointment Escort Transport – drive elder residents to appointments.

• Food Shopping Assistance – shop for grocery and other household items.

• Friendly Visiting – visit elder residents periodically providing friendly contact.

Reach out! By serving, you respond to the need and strengthen our community! Contact Sam Swisher at (508) 532-5980, x 4113 or via email: ccvolrec@gmail.com

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Lead a Group at Callahan Center!

• Any retired librarians interested in leading Callahan's Monthly Book Discussion Group?

• A devoted quilter willing to teach others this skill?

• Do you know how to make earrings, necklaces and work with beads? Would you like to teach others this wearable craft? If so, give Deb a call at 508-532-5980, ext. 4110.

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LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE - Join a friendly and supportive group of learners on Friday afternoons at 1:00 pm for a two-hour lesson at the Callahan Center. If you can count to 13, you can play bridge! Whether you have never played or just want to brush up on your skills, stop by and have fun. Classes start Friday, September 9th - mark your calendar!

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PAINTING - A small group of learning painters meet to share ideas and help each other on Thursdays at 9:30 am at the Callahan Center. If you're a "sometimes" painter, join us. Oil, Acrylic or Watercolor - it doesn't matter…..let's just get painting!

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Contract Bridge Players Wanted - A fun group of bridge players is looking to expand its group. We meet each Tuesday, year round. Play is from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Come alone or bring a friend. You will always get to play.

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Heritage Gallery

Heritage Gallery reopens on Wednesday, September 7th, 2011! The Callahan Center's "Heritage Gallery" consignment shop is full of treasures! Bring your friends and have fun shopping! Hours of operation are Wed. through Fri. from 10:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

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Upcoming Events

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"Evenings at the Callahan" is coming this fall to the Callahan Center. We will be offering a variety of FREE Adult Educational programming such as: mini-courses/presentations, support groups, dance and exercise. The courses offered will be of special interest to those considering retirement and the newly-retired who are focusing on their "Bucket List".

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Come Say "So Long" to Mary Parcher - Mary Parcher will retire from the Callahan Center on Friday, October 14, 2011. In order to give all the seniors a chance to wish her well, there will be coffee and refreshments on Wednesday, October 12th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. If you would like to give Mary a card, there will be a basket for them at the refreshment table. No need to let us know if you plan to attend, just show up and help us make this a memorable event for this special lady!

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For additional information about the Callahan Senior Center, or other services, activities or programs of the Framingham Council on Aging visit the center at 535 Union Ave, Framingham, MA 01702, or phone (508) 532-5980.

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