Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in The Westport Center for Senior Activities. Don't forget to add [email protected] to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. 21 Imperial Avenue Westport, CT 06880 203-341-5099 [email protected]Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. During Coronavirus shutdown. QUICK LINKS: November-December 2020 Calendar of Events Winter 2012 Class List & Registration Form Fall 2020 Class List & Registration Form COVID-19 UPDATES 2020 Fitness Waiver Intake Form WCSA YouTube Channel The Westport Center for Senior Activities wants you to know that we are here for you and we are all in this together! IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 The Town of Westport provides updated COVID- 19 information on their website at www.westportct.gov. - For this week's update for Westport residents from the First
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Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in The WestportCenter for Senior Activities. Don't forget to add [email protected] to your address book so we'll besure to land in your inbox! You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
July 2020 CommunityResource Directory forWestport Seniors
Selectman Jim Marpe, please click here.- For the latest Westport 2020 Election Information, pleaseclick here.- For today's letter from Director Sue Pfister, please click here.- The Department of Human Services Announces the CT EnergyAssistance Program for the 2020-2021. Click here to view.- An updated " Resources for Westport Residents Affected byCOVID-19" document prepared by the Department of HumanServices, can be found here. This document provides valuableinformation and updates on available resources, food services,including senior hours and pick-up and delivery options atlocal markets and restaurants, financial assistance, and more.- Feeling disconnected, isolated or lonely? The Department ofHuman Services (DHS) has implemented a communitypartnership "Hello, Neighbor" to inspire connection amongresidents of all ages through phone calls. The conversationsare strictly friendly and social in nature. Whether you areinterested in making calls or receiving calls, pleaseclick here for more information.- To stay informed with all of Governor Lamont's COVID-19updates for Connecticut, please see his press releases here. - To view COVID-19 updates from the Westport WestonHealth District, please click here. - The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention provideinformation on How to Select, Wear, and Clean YourMask here. For information from the CDC on What is COVID-19 Contact Tracing?, click here.As always, the WCSA is here for you so if we can be of anyhelp, please do not hesitate to contact us at 203.341.5099.
The Department of HumanServices Reminds Residentsto VOTE on Tuesday, November3rd! It's Not Too Late To RegisterAnd Get An Absentee Ballot!The Department of Human Servicesand the Commission on People WithDisabilities want to remind you tovote on November 3rd! For moreinformation please click here.
"FRIDAY'S WITH FRIENDS" FALL CONCERT SERIESAND PROGRAMS!
Join Us for the Next Fridays With Friends Program: Dr. IrwinLebish Returns for a Piano Performance! The Friends of the WCSA will be hosting a pre-recorded Fallconcert on Friday, November 20th. Dr. Lebish will discuss and
play selections from "The Great American Songbook" as well asa couple of holiday songs. He will alsooutline the major composers of thisperiod and the history of this era ofAmerican music. Dr. Lebish has been apracticing veterinarian since 1954and is a General Practitioner at theSchulhof Animal Hospital in
Westport. You will be able to view the performance free ofcharge through Zoom on Friday, November 20, from 1:30 PMto 2:15 PM. For the Zoom link to this concert, pleaseclick here.
You Can Still Watch Past "Fridays WithFriends" performances and programs fromBill Balch and Larry Untermeyer, SusanTerry, Jessica Schwartz, Matthew Graybil,Dr. Irwin Lebish, and Heather Hardy here.
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN NOW REGISTER FORYOUR FALL CLASSES ON-LINE!
HOW TO REGISTER FOR FALL 2020 CLASSES!Registration for Fall classes is ongoing! For a full list of Fallclasses, please see the link in the "Quick Links" to the left, orgo to the WCSA website at www.westportct.gov/seniorcenterand open the PDF of the WCSA Class List Fall 2020 and/orSeptember-October Newsletter.New this year --> The WCSA now has online registrationavailable for the Fall quarter through our new registrationsoftware "MySeniorCenter." Seniors can register themselvesvia the MyActiveCenter portal where you will be able toregister and pay for your classes online. You will only be able toregister for yourself and one household member. Please note:No one can be registered in a class unless payment is receivedwhen registering. You cannot register and pay later.For step-by-step instructions on how to register for classes onMyActiveCenter, please click here.For illustrated instructions on how to register for classes onMyActiveCenter.com, please click here.Registration will also be available by phone (203-341-5099)Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, or by mailing yourregistration form with a check made out to the WCSA. It willthen be entered into your "wallet" and available to us whenyou call to register.Please note: A $10.00 late fee will be added for anyoneregistering after Sept. 30 for any class that runs the entiresemester. Scholarships for Westport residents are available bycontacting WCSA Director, Susan Pfister at 203.341.5098. All
THE WCSA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020NEWSLETTER IS HERE!
The WCSA November-December 2020 Newsletter is nowavailable. Please take a few minutes to go through it to see allthe great programs and activities that you can enjoy fromhome. You will also find the Class List for Winter 2021classes being offered online via Zoom in January, February,and March. Registration for the Winter classes will startNovember 30! So click here to view the newsletter and theWinter 2021 Class List and start planning your classes for thenew semester. For more information on any of our programsor to register, please feel free to contact us at 203-341-5099.
SOCIALS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Join Us for the WCSAHalloween Drive-Thru! Seniors and their guests canorder a lunch to go that canbe picked up at the WCSA.Folks may socially distance inthe new parking lot and enjoytheir meal while judging ourJack-O-Lantern Display. Seniors are encouraged to enter adecorated jack-o-lantern of their own into the contest . CDCguidelines will be strictly enforced. Friday, October 30 from11:15 to 12:30 PM. For more information about this event,please click here.
Veterans Day Drive-ThruLunch and Watch Party! The WCSA is honoringVeterans for their servicewith a free hot meal to go. Plus, Bridges by EpochAssisted Living in Norwalk issponsoring a free pie giveaway for WestportVeterans. The cost per meal for non-veterans is $8.00. Pleasecall the WCSA to place your lunch order by Wednesday,November 4. While enjoying your lunch at home, join us viaZoom for a watch party of the documentary "We Stand AloneTogether" featuring the Screaming Eagles of Easy Company. Friday, November 6. Meals can be picked up at the WCSAbetween 11:00 am and 12:30 and the watch party begins at
1:30 pm. For more information about this event, pleaseclick here.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS FROM THE WCSA
New Program! Let's Chat - TheWCSA is announcing a newvirtual program for seniors. Thisprogram will provide proactiveinformation that can helpseniors cope with socialisolation and the accompanyingsense of grief, anxiety, andstress during this time ofCOVID. The program willinclude outreach and links to
helpful resources that can reduce feelings of loneliness andreplace them with a sense of inclusion. This program will beled by Deirdre Ekholdt, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker(LCSW) for the Town of Westport Department of HumanServices. Deidre has over 15 years' experience in a variety ofsettings such as inpatient and outpatient clinics. This programwill meet every Wednesday from November 4 throughDecember 30 from 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM. Pre-registration isrequired. For more information on the Let's Chat program,please click here. For Zoom link, please click here.
Documentaries - The WCSAoffers free documentaryfilms every week that youcan watch at your leisure. The November 2 documentary is entitled:
"General Colin Powell ." The Smithsonian's Museum ofAmerican History presents an interview with Colin Powell aspart of their Great Americans series. Colin Luther Powell is anAmerican politician, diplomat and retired four-star generalwho served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from2001 to 2005. A member of the Republican Party, Powell wasthe first African American Secretary of State. Powell served asthe 16th United States National Security Advisor from 1987 to1989 and as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from1989 to 1993. (68 min.) To view this week's documentary,please click here.
Weekly Zoom Help for Seniors with JasonIf you are new to Zoom, having issues getting logged on,problems with audio and video, or just want to learn a little bitabout hosting a meeting, please join Jason for a weekly chat
and you can troubleshoot it together. He will be availableevery Wednesday at Noon toassist you. Jason's next helpsession will take place onWednesday, November 4 at12:00 PM. To join Jason onZoom, please click here.
WCSA Caregiver Support Groupon Zoom!The WCSA is sponsoring acaregiver support group. TerryGiegengack, MA, will lead thegroup twice a month on Zoom.Terry's professional experiencesinclude casework andadministrative positions, both in
Westport and Fairfield's Departments of Human Services. Sheis a graduate of Fairfield University with a master's degree incounseling and continuing education. Wednesday,November 4 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Pre-registration isrequired by contacting Holly Betts, MPS, RD, at 203-341-5096or via email at [email protected]. Donations areaccepted.
Join Us For Our Next Bingo!The WCSA is offering virtual BINGOon the first and third Thursday of themonth. The next game will beplayed via Zoom on Thursday,November 5 from 1:15 PM to 2:00PM. Please pre-register for BINGO atleast 48 hours in advance by callingthe WCSA at 203-341-5099.Special Lunch Offer for Westport
Residents: The WCSA is offering a to-go lunch for $8.00 perperson on BINGO day. On BINGO day, a volunteer will delivera lunch and 4 BINGO cards to your home. The menu forNovember 5 will be an Italian chicken cutlet sandwich,coleslaw, potato chips, brownie and water. Please order mealby 3:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3. For instructions onhow to participate in Bingo, please click here. For the Zoomlink, please click here.
Just for Women - This women's group will be an open forum for discussion. Thisgroup will meet twice a month. Personal stories shared within
the group will remain strictly confidential. Facilitator: MurielLevine. The next session for thisgroup will be on Thursday,November 5 from 3:30 to 4:30pm. Cost: Free. Pre-registrationis required.
The WCSA is Starting a BookClub! Jill Meyer has volunteered tolead our Book Club discussion onRobert Harris's "An An Officerand a Spy". The club will meet onthe second Wednesday of themonth from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Participants are required to gettheir own book. Books areavailable at local libraries as well
as from online and bookstores. The next meeting will beWednesday, November 11 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Pre-registration is required. Limit: 10 participants. Cost: Free. Formore information click here.
Parkinson's Support Group:"Stand By Me" - Facilitated byMaureen Matuszewski andAlison Smith, this group willshare challenges, techniquessupport and knowledge forpeople with Parkinson's andother neuromuscular diseases.Professional guest speakers areoften invited to share theirknowledge. Family and
caregivers are welcome. This program will be via Zoom onWednesday, November 18 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Ifyou do not have internet access you may call in from yourphone and listen to the presentation. For the Zoom Linkplease click here. To call in please dial 1-646-558-8656 anduse Meeting ID: 825 0390 0828 and Passcode: 590233.
Conversations on Aging:Challenges and HiddenJoys Please join Sheila Russo,LCSW, of Visiting Nurse& Hospice of Fairfield
County for three interactive support sessions on Zoom todiscuss aspects of aging from a holistic standpoint. The nextsession in the series takes place on Wednesday, November
18 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. For more information and thetopic of each session, please click here.
Y's Men Camera Club's 17thAnnual Virtual PhotoExhibition! The Y's MenCamera Club will be acceptingphoto submissions from
November 1 - November 14 for the 17th annual photocontest. Winning photos will be shown and awardsannounced and presented for entries judged by a panel ofthree professional photographers at a Zoom meeting onMonday, November 30 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Foradditional information and for the Zoom link, please clickhere. Rules for the contest and an entry form are available byclicking here.
Exercise with Patty Kondubon TV Channel 79!Patty Kondub will beconducting a fun exerciseclass on the Westport PublicAccess Channel 79. JoinPatty for a workout to musicwith chair and standing
exercises, balance, brain building, memory games and postureexercises. Weights or cans and a pillow may be required. Patty is the girls golf coach at Staples High School and teacheswater aerobics at the Westport YMCA. Every Friday from10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Cost: No charge. Note: Westport PublicTV Access Channel 79 broadcasts to Westport householdsonly.
WCSA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FROM VOLUNTEERS
CHOICES Volunteers ProvideMedicare Part D EnrollmentAssistance Open enrollment for Medicare PartD is Oct. 15 - Dec. 7. CHOICESCertified Counselors will be availableto assist Westport senior residentsto help you review your currentcoverage and to see if you are in theplan that will best meet your needs in 2020. Call 203-341-5099 to provide your name and contact information, and aCHOICES counselor will contact you to schedule anappointment. For more information, please click here.
MyMedicare.gov isMedicare's free, secure,online service to help youmanage your personalMedicare benefits andservices. Seniors whoreceive Medicare benefits will need to sign up for amedicare.gov account so WCSA counselors can assist themwith open enrollment for Medicare part D that begins onOctober 15, 2020. For more information and how to enroll,please click here.
Online Tech Help With AndreeBrooks - Andree Brooks from our TechClub is now available for one-on-one tech help. Andree will assistyou over the phone with yourcomputer, your tech questionssuch as signing in, password re-set, downloading and uploading files. For an appointmentplease call the Center at 203-341-5099.
The S.M.O.R.E.S. Club Will Be OnZoom To Help With Your TechQuestions! - SMORES stands forSocial Media Outreach Educatorsand is comprised of Staples HighSchool students who are eager toform strong bonds with Westport seniors while helping themstay connected in the ever-evolving world of technology. Starting Monday, October 5, SMORES will available to assist! No appointments necessary. For more information and theZoom link to the SMORES drop-in clinic, please click here.
CHECK OUT THE WCSA'S OWN YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
WCSA Has Created aYouTube Channel withVideos for Seniors - Wehave created a WCSAYouTube channel, thatincludes not only exerciseand fitness videos, but also
hobbies and lifestyle videos that you can try at home so youcan continue to stay mentally active, physically challenged andhave some fun during these uncertain times. To access ourYouTube channel simply click on the link below and it will takeyou to the WCSA's YouTube channel. Once there click on"Playlist" to see the WCSA videos. To play a video simply click
on the image to view. We hope you enjoy the videos and,please most importantly, take care of yourself and staypositive. To access WCSA's YouTube Channel pleaseclick here.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SENIORS
The WCSA Has A New Drop Box!The locked and secured box is located in front ofour building. For your convenience, please feelfree to drop off your class registrations or lettersat any time! NOTE: this is NOT for voter ballots!
Flu Vaccination ClinicsAnnounced - The WWHD ispleased to announce thedates for the first upcomingFlu Vaccination Clinics. Thisyear, it will be moreimportant than ever toprotect yourself by gettingthe seasonal influenzavaccine. The Health Districtwill offer two walk-up, outdoor clinic opportunities toresidents of Westport, Weston, and Easton, ages 4 years andolder. Due to COVID-19 concerns, we will not accept walk-inappointments. All appointments must be scheduled inadvance. To streamline the process and minimize contact,WWHD staff will take insurance or payment information overthe phone when you call to book your visit. Please call theWWHD to schedule an appointment and preregister at203.227.9571, ext. 237. For more information and to viewthe Influenza Vaccine Information Statement and the VaccinePermission Form, please go to their website.
Information On State ofConnecticut Absentee BallotsAll eligible voters will bemailed an application toapply for an absentee ballotto vote by mail in theNovember 3rd election. There is no need to requestan application directly fromthe Westport Town Clerk'sOffice. Expect applications toarrive by mail in two to threeweeks (first two weeks in September). Ballots were to be senton October 5th, so anyone voting by absentee ballot should
be receiving them shortly. Once votes are cast, by placing theballot in the secure Official Ballot Drop Box located at the rearentrance of town hall. For those voters who wish to vote inperson, polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM onNovember 3rd.
MORE HELPFUL COMMUNITY INFORMATION,RESOURCES & PROGRAMS
Staples Players Radio Shows! Join the Staples Players for theirradio show on Sundays at 6:00PM. Tune your radio to 90.3 FMor stream online at wwptfm.org. The Wizard of Oz will be playingon Sunday, October 25. There willalso be encore performances thefollowing Sunday at 6:00 PM foreach show. For more
information, please click here or go to staplesplayers.com.
The Remarkable Theater'sDrive-In Movie Nights! The Remarkable Theater'smission is to build a first classart house movie theater indowntown Westport, CT thatprovides purposefulemployment to individualswith disabilities. Join themfor their drive-in movie seriesat the Imperial Avenue
parking lot near the Leavitt Pavilion. Coming up on Friday,October 30 is "Ghostbusters," and on Saturday, October 31,Remarkable Theater will be showing "Halloween." For theOctober 31 movie: Come in costume! Decorate your car!Prizes awarded for best Halloween spirit! For moreinformation on the upcoming films and events, and how toget tickets, please go to their website.
Sustainable Westport - A GreenerFuture Starts Now! The The Zero Food WasteChallenge is off to a good start,especially given the complicationsof the pandemic. We are collectingabout a half a ton of food scraps aweek at the transfer station, andwe estimate that almost 2% of
town residents are using the drop-off service. We hope thateven more Westporters are minimizing food waste, homecomposting and paying for food hauler services. For moreinformation about Sustainable Westport's program, pleaseclick here.
AARP Upcoming Virtual Eventsand Webinar Wednesday SeriesJoin AARP for the many virtualevents they have planned, as well
as, their new series - Webinar Wednesdays. For moreinformation and to register for AARP's virtual programming,please click here. For more information on AARP's WebinarWednesday series, please click here.
Monitor My Health Diabetesand Heart Disease ProgramAccording to the AmericanHeart Association, thereexists a relationship betweencardiovascular disease anddiabetes: 68% percent ofpeople with diabetes who areaged 65 and older die fromheart disease and 16% die ofa stroke. People with
diabetes are more likely to die from a heart disease than thosewithout diabetes. Dr. Wade from Monitor My Health will leada program about the connection between heart disease anddiabetes. For more information about the Monitor My Healthprogram, please visit their website at monitormyhealth.org.
Bigelow Center for SeniorActivities Offers LifelongLearners ProgramsLifelong Learners is a series oflectures on a variety of topicssuch as opera, economics, artappreciation, ethics,archeology and more. Formore information on theprograms offered for the FallSession, please click here.
Senior Medicare Patrol FraudAlert: Contact Tracers - LearnHow To Protect Yourself FromScamsProtect your Medicare numberand personal information from
impostor contact tracers. Know what legitimate contact tracers
will ask and protect yourself from scams. For more informationon avoiding contact tracing scams, please click here.
AARP Cancels All In-PersonActivities Through the End of2020, Including AARP SmartDriver Safety Classes - AARPhas made the difficult decisionto cancel all in-person eventsand activities through the endof 2020, which includes AARPSmart Driver Safety classes, tominimize COVID-19 exposureamong our AARP family and
our communities.However, the AARP is making their four-hour Smart DriverCourse available on line. Once you begin the class you willhave 30 days to complete it. The AARP has implemented aslight price increase, please see the website for additionalinformation. For more information and to register for theAARP on line class, please click here.
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