Hilltowns Senior News for Friday, September 18, 2015
Last Friday, we had our six-month anniversary for the lunch program, and I am rather proud of our success. We have served nearly 1,000 meals, and, thanks to surveys from all of us, the food keeps getting better.
Over 170 of us have chowed down since the program began, and neighbors from Altamont and New Scotland now join us on a regular basis. We have put in more than 760 hours of volunteer work, plus all the help with table-clearing and cleanup that has been taken on by our attendees (Thanks, Vern, and others!).
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara joined us for the celebration, as did Knox Deputy Supervisor Nick Viscio. They are both strong supporters of senior services, and Nick is especially interested in our issues with Internet access, cable, and transportation out here in the hills. He also worked very hard to bring much-needed rental assistance money to support our low-income residents, many of whom are seniors.
There will be a public forum on Rural Broadband Expansion (TV and Internet) at the Knox Town Hall on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. All are encouraged to attend, and representatives from Time-Warner, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Santabarbara, Hilltowns supervisors Mike Hammond and Kevin Crosier, and several others will be there to hear our needs and concerns.
Senior meeting
The Hilltown Seniors had their monthly meeting on Saturday, Sept. 12 and were treated to Swedish meatballs, scalloped potatoes, gelatin salads, and a truly superb zucchini cake (who made that, and can we have the recipe?), among many other dishes.
Lunch is always potluck, and coordinated by a revolving crew of members, so nobody gets burned out doing all the work. The next meeting will be Saturday, Oct. 10.
Pat Lightbody’s basket-making class is Tuesday, Sept. 22, and I can hardly wait to see what we’ll be creating. A cat or dog basket would be super, but I think I’m being a little too ambitious for a beginner (sorry, Toto and Fluffy!).
Whatever we do, it will be a great sense of accomplishment to leave with something that I made myself. As you all know, I’m a big fan of low-tech self-sufficiency.
The grocery bus to Walmart and Whole Foods Market at Colonie Center is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30, followed by Oct. 14 and Oct. 28. If you call CDTA at 437-5161, they will even pick you up at home. Hang onto this number; our transportation maven wasn’t available, and it took four phone transfers at CDTA to get to the right person. However, once you connect, they are vey helpful.
Proctors Theater in Schenectady will be hosting a free concert on Oct. 20, featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra. Come hear some really good music, and provide some applause for the next generation’s Bernsteins and Tchaikovskys. Call Charlotte Fuss at 861-8960 to reserve a seat on the bus.
The Xmas show (yes, it’s creeping toward that season) at the Troy Music Hall will be on Nov. 23. Contact Shirley Slingerland for more information at 797-3467.
Senior Summit
I said I’d update you on some more of the programs that we saw at the Senior Summit, so here goes.
Healthy Capital District Initiative exists to help seniors and others with insurance needs. They have information, assistance, and applications for all of the Medicaid insurances, including Medicaid Savings, Spend-down, Buy-in, and Nursing Homes.
They can also advise you about Medicare Savings programs, and Qualified Health Plans. Originally, their free services were targeted to low-income persons, but with passage of the Affordable Care Act, they now help anyone of any income level or age.
As I have been occasionally heard to say, “Asking is for free, as long as you can handle the answer.” Information is power: power to control our own lives, and make the best decisions for ourselves. If you live in Albany, Schoharie, Schenectady, or Saratoga counties, and have any health insurance questions, call Nichole Church or Kathleen Clarke at 462-1459.
Are you registered to vote? We have forms at the senior center! Nuff said!
Lunch
Oh yes, we do have the menu for next week, which was the original purpose of this column, and good food is never to be neglected. Swap tales with friends, and enjoy a lunch that you don’t have to cook. Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served promptly at noon. We have games and cards, and wonderful live music on Fridays from Nancy Frueh and Ken Hallenbeck.
Monday, Sept. 21: Chicken with mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, peas, whole-wheat roll, milk, and fruit cocktail;
Tuesday, Sept. 22 Hungarian goulash, noodles, broccoli, rye bread, milk, and sugar cookie;
Friday, Sept. 25: Chicken cacciatore, peppers, tomato sauce, penne pasta, baked tomato, whole-wheat roll, milk and lemon pudding.
Please call 24 hours in advance to 872-9400 to reserve lunch. E-mail plightbody@nycap.rr.com, 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, give Mary Moller a call at 861-6253, or e-mail her at helderbergseniormeals@aol.com, and put “volunteer” in the subject line.
Lunches are provided by Helderberg Senior Services, the Albany County Office for the Aging, and the Peter Young Housing Industries Program. The Hilltown Senior Center is located at 1360 Helderberg Trail (Route 443) in Berne.