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.
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