Hilltowns Senior News for Friday, April 21, 2017
If a salesperson handed you an empty bag and said: “Five dollars, please,” how would you react?
I’d say, “You’re nuts!” or something equally unflattering.
But this is the situation for a lot of people living out in the country. Where I live, Internet service is purchased one piece at a time. (Here on the mountain, I’m lucky I have electricity.) There is no cable; if you want to go web-surfing, you first pay for a satellite dish and then for each byte that passes through the wires to you.You can get more bandwidth, but you’ll pay up to $250 per month for it. So why am I paying for television movies I can’t watch and services I can’t use?
I understand that communications companies need to charge extra to cover the costs of open-access channels, and public-service outlets. I agree with that. What I don’t agree with is paying for stuff I can’t get.
More channels, more money, OK. More money for streaming videos and movies I can’t access, not OK. I called the satellite television company and asked. A helpful voice called “Greg” in the billing department took my call. He assured me that he was sympathetic to my dilemma.
I’m pretty sure that every customer service rep on the planet is given a script of things to say as you are venting your frustration on the telephone. Every alleged “help” line I’ve spoken with uses the same list.
Greg seemed a bit perplexed by my question. He said his computer was having trouble finding an answer (surprise, surprise) and said he’d call me back. He didn’t.
I looked up a number in California, supposedly for the corporate offices. That number feeds directly into the same hellish loop that previously led me to Greg. I was connected to “Faith” who did not sound as though English was her first language.
I was told (of course) that it was impossible to transfer me to Greg, but, if I wanted to start all over again, she would assist me with my problem. Neither my mood nor my blood pressure was improved by this response.
She explained (over and over again) that if I had Internet, I could use all the “on-demand” features, just like customers who have unlimited Internet. I am charged the same amount because, if I had Internet, I could use those services.
Got that? The fact that I don’t have the ability to use them is irrelevant. It’s like having a broken leg and being forced to pay for ballet lessons, because, if you didn’t have a broken leg, you could use them.
I know I’m not alone. Our government advises us that big bucks are being spent (which I believe) to expand Internet service in rural areas (about which I’m not so sure). Regardless, the expansion of affordable Internet obviously hasn’t gotten this far.
Meanwhile, I’m inundated by ads plastered throughout whatever show I’m watching, advertising the aforementioned unavailable stuff. They’re lousing up the shows I can get with ads for things I can’t have. This is not the way to make friends.
I wish I could tell you that for once, the little guy triumphed, and I forced a revision of corporate policies. I’m usually pretty good at that sort of thing. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Did you know that historically, revolutions happen only when people see the possibility of getting what they want if they take action? Hand me that pitchfork!
Coming up
April is Amateur Radio Month, National Autism Awareness Month , Stress Awareness Month, and Frog Month. The week of the 23rd - 29th is National Volunteer Week, Administrative Professionals Week, Spring Astronomy Week, and National Princess Week. National Lost Dog Awareness Day and Talk Like Shakespeare Day are the 23rd. Hairstylists Appreciation Day, Red Hat Society Day and World Penguin Day are the 25th. The 26th is National Help A Horse Day. The 27th is Babe Ruth Day and Denim Day, and Arbor Day is the 28th. Eeyore's Birthday, World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, and World Veterinary Day are the 29th, and the Interstate Mullet Toss is on the weekend.
The next trips for the Wednesday shopping bus to Walmart and Whole Foods at Colonie Center will be May 3 and May 17. Call CDTA at 437-5161 two days in advance to schedule your ride.
The Hilltown Seniors May meeting will be the second Saturday, May 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Berne Senior Center. Please bring your table service and a dish to share. A charge of $1 is asked for supplies (coffee, tea, paper, etc.). Annual dues of $5 will be collected during April and May; please be sure yours are up to date.
A free Tai Chi exercise class has started on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at the Berne Senior Center. Each class will run about 20 minutes, and will be conducted by Mary Jo McKeon. Tai Chi is easy and low-impact, and helps to improve balance and reduce stress. The next classes are scheduled for April 25, May 2, May 16, May 23, and May 30.
A number of post-lunch activities are on the books at the senior center for April and May. We will have vase and flower crafts on April 25, a fire drill on May 1, and a nutrition talk on June 6 followed by crafts (weaving a fabric box). May 15 will be a discussion on emergency preparedness, and we will be painting lady bug rocks on May 16. “Painting with Fran” will be on June 13.
The Hilltown Seniors Anniversary Dinner will be held on June 4 at 1 p.m. at the Briar Creek Golf Course in Duanesburg. Choices are sirloin steak for $12, chicken parmigiana for $7, or baked haddock for $8. Salad, rolls, potato, vegetable, pasta, and dessert are included. Call Shirley Slingerland at 797-3467 for more information.
The Westerlo Reformed Church’s last lunch of the season will be Thursday, April 27. Lunch is at Nnhe Reformed Church is at 566 Route 143 in downtown Westerlo; call Pastor Chris Allen at 797-3742 for more info. They also have a food pantry on site; donate or take what you need.
The first and third Thursdays lunches continue year-round, and are put on by the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church at 282 County Route 405. First Thursday is most likely pizza; third Thursday (April 20) will be a hot dinner. Call Pastor Will Balta for information at 966-5094.
Need some legal advice? Appointments with attorneys from the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York can be scheduled at the Knox town hall by calling Pat Lightbody at 872-9400.
Menu
Next week’s menu for Helderberg Senior Services will be:
— Monday, April 24, lasagna roll-ups, Italian blend vegetables, wheat Italian bread, tapioca pudding, and milk;
— Tuesday, April 25, beef and broccoli, carrots, egg noodles, wheat bread, tropical fruit salad, and milk; and
— Friday, April 28,, oregano lemon chicken, asparagus, garlic rosemary roast red potatoes, wheat bread, pound cake with blueberries, and milk.
Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served promptly at noon. We also have transportation to and from lunch. Just ask Linda Hodges when you call with your reservation.
Does your Rage Anonymous group, Customer Service Saboteurs, or Luddite Lunch League need an easy place to meet? Why not meet at the Senior Center? Come have lunch, and then get together with your friends! There’s plenty of space, and the center is open for all of us. We already have games, dominoes, and cards after lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, so join us!
Please call Linda Hodges 24 hours in advance to 872-0940 to reserve lunch, or email her at: , or sign up when you come in. Tell us how many are coming, your name, and your telephone number. If you’d just like to come and help out, call Linda or send an email to , and put “volunteer” in the subject line. Lunches are provided by Helderberg Senior Services, the Albany County Department of Aging, and Senior Services of Albany. The Town of Berne Community and Senior Services Center is located at 1360 Helderberg Trail (Route 443) in Berne.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me at .