BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS IN MARCH

ONLY TWO DATES

 Wednesday March 15^Th & 22^ND

 10:30 - 11:30 AM

First come first serve blood pressure screening with New Milford’s very own Community Health Nurses, part of the Housatonic Valley Health District. This free service provides you with an opportunity to check and track your blood pressure as well as meet with a nurse for basic health questions and guidance.

NEUROGRAPHIC ART Tuesday, March 7th, 1:00 PM

Join us as we welcome our friend, Sarah Johnson from Candlewood Valley Health and Rehab to learn about a new form of art therapy called Neurographic Art. Neurographic Art practices mindfulness through drawing and painting by creating art with your subconscious mind. To learn more and to sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

Midweek Matinee

Every Wednesday at 12:45 PM (NOTE NEW TIME)

This month we are honoring Women’s History Month

March 8^th-   9 to 5

In this witty, satirical farce, secretaries Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and office manager Lily Tomlin live every female worker's dream after discovering they share the same resentment towards their egotistical, sexist boss (Dabney Coleman). When they get an unexpected chance to take revenge, they turn their male controlled workplace into a modle office - even as their scheme spins wildly out of control.

March 15^th- Coal Miners Daughter

Sissy Spacek won an Academy Award for her stunning portrayal of country music legend Loretta Lynn in this rags to riches story set against the exciting backdrop of country music. Just as good as Spacek are Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones and Beverly D'Angelo, who shine in powerful supporting roles. Every star did their own singing, filling the soundtrack with dozens of musical treasures. A truly powerful film, simultaneously inspirational and cautionary, about the nuances and pratfalls of fame.

WHAT’S HAPPENING: CURRENT EVENTS AND CONVERSATION Thurs, Mar 9th and 23rd, 10:30 AM

Join us for lively discussions of current events, from local to international. Some may prefer to just listen and learn while others may offer their thoughts, but all must be respectful! Whatever your comfort level, you will be welcomed to join in the conversation. To sign up, connect with the Senior Center.

SPECIAL BINGO Thursday, March 9th, 1:00PM

Join us as we welcome our friends from Candlewood Valley Health and Rehab! And why not join us for lunch? Lunch is served at Noon and registration is recommended. Connect with the Senior Center to sign up.

SENIOR SONGBIRDS SINGING GROUP

Friday, March 10th, 1:00 PM

The Senior Songbirds are back and ready to gather around the piano once again. Local pianist, Dan Ringuette, will be join us to tickle the ivories and accompany our singers. Warm up those SCRABBLE Tuesdays, 12:30 PM voices, it’s time to SING!

HEALING WITH SOUND

Fridays March 3,10,17,24,31 at 1PM

Do you want to explore sound as a way to relax and have fun? Would you like to learn some sound exercises to reduce stress and improve positive thinking? Join us as we welcome Barbara (Bobbi) Soares of Hummingbird Sound Yoga and experience Hummingbird’s medicine that teaches you to listen and be deeply in the present moment. This class offering is made possible by Senior Center ARPA allocations and is free of charge for participants. Space is limited so to sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

COMING SOON

INTRODUCTION TO MINDFUL MEDITATION

 Mondays, March 13th and 27th, 10:00 AM

 “Don’t get lost in your thoughts. Your thoughts are a veil on the face of the moon. That moon is your heart, and those thoughts cover your heart. So, let them go, just let them fall into the water.” Rumi Join us as we welcome certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Sheila Klapper to introduce you to the art of mindful meditation. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn and let go. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

HEARING SCREENINGS Tuesday, March 14th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM by appointment

Free Hearing Screenings will be available right here in our Health & Wellness Room with hearing instrument specialist, Irene Sahinovic, representing Hearing Aid Specialists of CT. Please connect with the Senior Center to set up an appointment.

ARTS AND CRAFTS: FARMHOUSE CERAMIC BATHTUBS Wednesday, March 15th, 10:00 AM

Join us as we welcome back our fabulous volunteer Arts and Crafters to create these neat, decorative farmhouse ceramic bathtubs. All materials and supplies included. To sign up is required as space is limited; please connect with the Senior Center

INTERGENERATIONAL BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, March 15th, 4:00 PM

In partnership with the New Milford Library, we’re proud to announce that a new book club has formed to promote connection between today’s youth and the older generation. Join some of New Milford students as we discuss the book, “The Music of Bees” by Eileen Garvin. To sign up or for more information, please connect with the Senior Center or the New Milford Library.

NEW MILFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY PRIVATE TOUR

 Friday, March 17th, 10:00 AM

SPACE IS LIMITED-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

The Town of New Milford is proud to announce the grand reopening of our New Milford Public Library and the Senior Center has been offered a private tour of their new space! Space is very limited so if you haven’t checked out the NMPL’s new space, join us and extend our well wishes to the grand reopening! To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

A Note From Our Senior Advisors

Our Senior Advisors are ready to help! They are here Monday- Friday 8AM-4PM, please call the center to set up an appointment.

About 988

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

-Thoughts of suicide

-Mental health or substance use crisis, or

-Any other kind of emotion distress

People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE IS OPEN

"Energy Assistance is now open for 2022/2023 year. Qualifying income guidelines are as follows: $39,761 for individuals and $51,996 for couples. The total income must be below the above numbers to be eligible. Make sure you have all documents before coming in to apply. We will need your current income, such as: Social Security benefit, wages from work (previous 4 weeks worth of pay stubs), interest and/or dividends, etc. If you are self-employed, please call before you make an appointment to find out what you will need to bring. Whether you heat with electricity or not, we need a current electric bill. When all of your documents are ready, please connect with the Senior Center to schedule an appointment."

"Medicare General Enrollment" Jan 1st - March 31

"Medicare general enrollment you can join Medicare Part B if you did not join during your 7-month initial enrollment period when you first became eligible for Medicare. Also during this time, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan you can switch into a different Medicare Advantage Plan or back to Original Medicare plus a Part D Plan. You can only make one change during this enrollment period. Please bring you Medical Insurance Cards, Prescriptions and Primary Care Doctors."

 Homeowners Property Tax Credit February 1st - May 1st

Are you a Homeowner in New Milford? Must be age 65 or older or Social Security disabled and owned a home throughout 2021 in New Milford. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents Required: Applicants will need to provide proof of income from all sources in the previous year.  If applicants file a tax return this must be included along with SSA-1099s.  If applicants don’t file tax returns then all 1099s are required.

Veterans Additional Tax Credit February 1st - October 1st

Application Period: February 1^st – October 1^st

Eligibility Requirements: Must have filed DD-214 at the Town Hall and must meet the established income guidelines. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents required: Same as the Homeowner’s tax credit.

DID YOU KNOW?

SENIOR COMMUNITY CAFE

Come have lunch with us!

CHEZ J serves lunch Monday - Thursday at 12:00 PM and there is a suggested donation of $4.00. Come on in for a program then stay for lunch! Please note that the menu is always posted in the monthly newsletter.

Sign up in person, on our Touch Screen, or by phone, at least 3 days in advance!

Chef Jay has placed a suggestion box on the lunch table! Your feedback is important and valued. Please take the time to write down what you love, what you do not love, some suggestions, share a recipe, what you would like to see, or even a recipe you would like to share.

Senior Bus Transportation

If you live in New Milford, Gaylordsville or Northville and need transportation to come to the center, go shopping or go to a friend’s house? All you have to do is give us a call a few days ahead of time to get on our bus schedule. Call us at 860-355-6075 to schedule your ride and meet our fantastic bus drivers, Erin and Tom.

THE LUNCH BUNCH

The Lunch Bunch is back and meets one Saturday a month to enjoy a new or favorite area restaurant. Join in for delicious local fare and friendships! Connect with the Senior Center for contact information.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Janette