Age Is Just a Number

Woo hoo is the comment for the month of May, when we do not have to bundle up to go out or worry about slipping on ice.

One thing I think, and I will stress that this is my opinion and not coming from the directors of the senior centers, this winter has shown that our communities do not support the seniors as much as they should. Many felt abandoned when they couldn’t get out of their houses. But this is not just in the winter. Look around your neighborhood, if there is a senior, just take a minute and give them a call. This winter was bearable for me because of my wonderful  neighbors who are always at the ready to help if I need it.

Seniors and children of the communities have lots of interaction, but with other ages not much. We often feel isolated from the community in which we live. I know everybody is busy and activities during work hours are impossible for people who work. I’ve been on planning committees that have planned events at times when everybody in the community could come and only seniors came. At the very least, let’s have a dialogue about how seniors and the rest of the community can interact more.  OK, enough said.

East Hampton Senior Center is going into a difficult time with the renovations of their building about to begin. Trying to coordinate activities and meals will be a challenge for director Jo Ann Ewing. That hasn’t stopped the planning for some wonderful May programs. The Wednesday evening Extended Hours with dinner and games will be held on May 11 and 25 starting at 4 p.m. with a break for dinner (which is sometimes bring your own and sometimes pooling money to get pizzas or other meals) and then games.

On May 16, the East Hampton seniors will get up early (leaving at 8 a.m.) to go to the CRT facility in Hartford to see where their lunch food comes from.

The East Hampton Belltones are traveling twice this month to share their music with others. On the 18th, they will be at Marlborough Healthcare and on the 25th they will go to Portland Care and Rehab.

Portland seniors will be traveling. On May 14 at 7:30 a.m. they will leave for Brighton Beach. On the 17th, at 8 a.m., they will be going to a lobster fest at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Mass. That’s not all. On May 26, they will be traveling to the Vermont Country Store, which is always an enjoyable trip.

On May 10 at 1 p.m. the Portland seniors will have a presentation by St. Luke’s Gatekeepers Program. This is a good program for everyone to know about. I hope some community members join them.

If you want to see the award-winning movie, “The King’s Speech,” join the East Hampton seniors at 1 p.m. on May 23.

East Hampton seniors will conclude their May by joining the students of the middle school for a patriotic assembly on May 27 at 9:30 a.m.