Showing posts with label Senior Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senior Center. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - March 20 at 11 AM

What is going on with .... ?
What happened to ....?
How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & Franklin Public Radio Community Information Director (volunteer), for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

Steve will also be interested to find out what you think should be on the "watch list" for 2024? 

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form (https://forms.gle/DJWtDepRgPxZ3ytP6), or check with the Senior Center front desk, or email me directly.  

Note: While this event is held at the Senior Center it is not limited to seniors. Any one in Franklin can participate in person or remotely.

Download this flyer as a reminder or to share


Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - March 20 at 11 AM
Get your Franklin questions answered, in person or remotely - March 20 at 11 AM

Monday, March 4, 2024

Check out the highlight events for the Franklin Senior Center this week! March 4 through March 8, 2024

Check out the highlight events for the Franklin Senior Center this week! 

One update is that the Scribblers writing group is on a new schedule. We're meeting on the 2nd Wednesday at the Senior Center and the last Wednesday at the Franklin TV Studio to record our monthly radio show. Note: the 'last' Wednesday can be either the 4th or 5th depending upon how the days fall out on the calendar for that month.

The Senior Center calendar is found at   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2024-03

Check out the highlight events for the Franklin Senior Center this week!  March 4 through March 8, 2024
Check out the highlight events for the Franklin Senior Center this week!  March 4 through March 8, 2024


Friday, March 1, 2024

Franklin Senior Center: The Senior Connection Newsletter for March 2024 is ready for your reading pleasure

March 2024 Senior Connection Newsletter

The Senior Connection Newsletter for March 2024
The Senior Connection Newsletter for March 2024 

Hello!

Here is Franklin Senior Center's March 2024 Senior Connection Newsletter. Take a look at all the fun programs to keep you active, social, and engaged!

Start registering for programs on Friday, March 1st by coming in to the Senior Center or giving us a call!

Happy March :)

-Your Franklin Senior Center Family


Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/franklin-senior-center-march-2024-senior-connection-newsletter

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Franklin Art Association meeting March 6 features Kim Gorrasi

Kim Gorrasi will be the featured artist at the March 6 Franklin Art Association meeting.  Meetings begin at 6:30 and are held at the Franklin Senior Center.  All are welcome.  In her demonstration, Kim will guide us through the fundamentals of portrait painting.  She is well known in her field of portrait painting and has exhibited widely.  More information may be found at www.kimgorassi.com
Kim Gorrasi
Kim Gorrasi

Kim Gorrasi’s portrait commissions reside in the collections of Harvard University, Bentley University and The Players Club of New York. She recently held the first-ever live portrait painting demonstration at the Boston Athenæum on Beacon Hill. Her portrait, Lois & Gingerella, was granted a Finalist award in the 2023 Portrait Society of America Members Only Portrait Competition.

Gorrasi received her training at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy and the New York Academy of Art Graduate School of Figurative Art in Manhattan. She earned her BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art in her native Boston, where she later became an instructor and lecturer. She has continued her studies at The Art Students League of New York under the instruction and mentorship of renowned portraitist and fine artist Everett Raymond Kinstler, painter of two official U.S. presidential White House portraits.

Kim Gorrasi portrait of Shandra in stages and finish
Kim Gorrasi portrait of Shandra in stages and finish

Her work has been represented nationally by such galleries as Richland Fine Art in Nashville, Metropolitan Gallery in Washington, D.C., Newbury Fine Arts in Boston and Meyer Gallery in Santa Fe. In New York City, she has exhibited at the Salmagundi Club’s historic brownstone and the Museum of American Illustration. She has also shown her work at the Florence Griswold Museum in Lyme, CT and the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA.

Gorrasi is an Artist Member of Boston’s Copley Society of Art, where she has served as past Membership Committee member, exhibition curator, workshop instructor and live portrait painting demonstrator. She is also a member of the Portrait Society of America and the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan. She has served as exhibition juror for the Society of Illustrators, New York, whose prestigious annual of American illustration, Illustrators 41, features Gorrasi’s work. Her work has appeared in International Artist Magazine and The Boston Globe.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Dean Student's Film screening at the Senior Center, Weds Feb 28 at 4:30 PM

"Please join us at the Franklin Senior Center tomorrow, Wednesday, February 28 at 4:30 PM for a Film Screening.  
Join us for a screening of five short local history documentaries produced and edited by Dean College students in an innovative digital history course overseen by Prof. of History David Dennis in collaboration with Prof. of Communication, Gregg Seibert. Each film runs 5-8 minutes. Students will be at the screening to answer questions.  
Sponsored by Dean College’s Humanities in Action initiative."

Dean Student's Film screening at the Senior Center, Weds Feb 28 at 4:30 PM
Dean Student's Film screening at the Senior Center, Weds Feb 28 at 4:30 PM

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Veterans Coffee Social with Senator Rausch, Rep Roy, & Secretary Santiago at the Franklin Senior Center - March 6 at 10 AM

Save the date!!!      March 6 at 10 AM

State Rep Jeff Roy, State Senator Becca Rausch and Secretary of Veterans Service, Jon Santiago

Veterans Coffee Social with Senator Rausch, Rep Roy, & Secretary Santiago at the Franklin Senior Center - March 6 at 10 AM
Veterans Coffee Social with Senator Rausch, Rep Roy, & Secretary Santiago at the Franklin Senior Center - March 6 at 10 AM

Rainbow Cafe at the Franklin Senior Center 2:30 PM

Hello All,

Please join us, Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 2:30 PM for our monthly Rainbow Cafe

Rainbow Cafe at the Franklin Senior Center 2:30 PM
Rainbow Cafe at  the Franklin Senior Center Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 2:30 PM


--
Ariel Doggett

Programming / Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 508-520-4945
Fax: 508-520-4917

Friday, February 23, 2024

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 23, 2023 to February 29, 2024

Friday, February 23

7:00pm Good Thomas (live music)


Saturday, February 24

9:00am Fallen Hero Recognition: David Laughlan III - WWII (Veterans Memorial Walkway - Town Common)

10:00am Girl Scout cookies (Stop & Shop)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

6:00pm Cinema 80: "The Freshman"  (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm Jamie Barrett (live music) 


Sunday, February 25

8:00am Girl Scout cookies (Dunkin, King St)

11:00am Girl Scout cookies (Learning Express)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)


Monday, February 26
9:00am Fallen Hero Recognition: Richard L. Desper - Vietnam (Veterans Memorial Walkway - Town Common)

Tuesday, February 27

2:30pm Rainbow Café (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Trivia Night (Railery Public House)


Wednesday, February 28

7:30pm She Loves Me (ticketed event) (Dean College)


Thursday, February 29

7:30pm She Loves Me (ticketed event) (Dean College)


Why have multiple calendars?
There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. The Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

9Franklin's Event Outlook: February 23, 2023 to February 22, 2024
Franklin's Event Outlook: February 23, 2023 to February 29, 2024

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

"Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe - Feb 21 at 1 PM

Hello All,

We hope you will join us on Wednesday, February 21 at 1 PM for our "Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe.  

Please see the flyer attached for details.  

"Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe - Feb 21 at 1 PM
"Where's The Toast?!" Memory Cafe - Feb 21 at 1 PM


All are welcome but please RSVP (Call the Senior Center at 508-520-4945) so we have a head count.  

Thank you,

Ariel

--
Ariel Doggett

Programming / Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: 508-520-4945
Fax: 508-520-4917

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Annual Report Franklin Senior Center (COA): FY 2023 Report

The Franklin Senior Center is located at 10 Daniel McCahill Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Senior Center provides programs, services, and activities along with outreach, information and referral to serve the needs of older adults, people with disabilities and their families. Social services assistance is available to all adult residents in Franklin.

The Senior Center offers health and wellness, nutrition, social service coordination and resources, socialization, recreation and fitness, assistance with transportation, support groups, educational and cultural programs, a supportive day program, volunteerism, intergenerational opportunities, and a variety of other amenities.

The Center's mission is to enhance the independence and quality of life for Franklin's older adults by:
Identifying the needs of this population and creating programs that meet those needs.
Offering the knowledge, tools and opportunities to promote mental, social and physical well-being.
Advocating for relevant programs and services in our community.
Serving as a community focal point for aging issues and as a liaison to local, state, and Federal resources for older adults.

FY 2023 Highlights
This fiscal year, the vibrant Franklin Senior Center has continued to expand not only in numbers, welcoming 600 new members throughout the 2022 calendar year, but increasing the number of programs and opportunities available to members, and even adding two new line cooks, Marilyn Howe and Lauretta Taddeo. We also had some change in staffing, as we said goodbye and best wishes to staff, Sue Barbour, Program & Volunteer Coordinator, and Maggie Gundersen, Social Services Coordinator, in November,  previous  Deputy  Director,  Christina LaRose, in February, and Supportive Day Coordinator, Donna Haynes, in June. In March, we welcomed Sarah Amaral as the next Deputy Director, Raeleen Gallivan as the new Social Services Coordinator, Ariel Doggett became the new Program & Volunteer Coordinator, and Kathleen Laughran became the Supportive Programming Coordinator.

Unfortunately, in February the Senior Center was temporarily closed due to a pipe break and water damage. The innovative Senior Center staff, town, and members came together to reinvent and relocate programs to make the best out of the situation. Thank you to the Facilities Dept. for leading the restoration efforts.

New programs and events were added to our active and engaging calendar, most notably Eat Around the World, 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Winter Wonderland, Movie and Pizza Nights, Mobile Food Pantry, monthly technology clinics, Bereavement Support Group, and a partnership with Dean College providing classes for seniors.

Director Danielle Hopkins, and previous Deputy Director Christina LaRose were tasked with developing a multi-year strategic plan for the Franklin Senior Center. With assistance, surveys, and S.W.O.T. analysis from the COA Board, FOFE, the community, and the staff, they presented the vision to the Town Council in January and it was received with many accolades. For more information, view this presentation on the town website.

Health and Wellness Programs
Our Wellness Program promotes Healthy and Active Aging through programs and services with assistance from our Health & Wellness Nurse as well as collaborating with the Town's Public Health Nurse and Epidemiologist.
Health Clinics: Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Pulse Ox readings, Podiatry, Flu Vaccinations, and bi-weekly hearing clinics.
Fall Prevention: Our Wellness Nurse continuously offers multiple Safety & Balance clinics to evaluate and address balance and muscle strength, while offering tips and techniques to enhance safety.
Grab Bar Program and Home Safety: We are able to provide Home Safety Assessments to evaluate elders' homes to determine if the risk for dangerous falls can be reduced. If needed, we have a volunteer that is able to install grab bars and or adaptive devices free of charge. We have successfully been able to install grab bars in two homes every month. The Grab Bars are graciously purchased by F.O.F.E. (Friends of Franklin Elders) for continued success of this program.
Fitness: We offer a multitude of classes and fitness opportunities tailored to older adults including Cardio Strength, & Balance, Zumba, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, Chair Exercise, Walking Club, Bocce, Pickleball, Chair Volleyball, Pound Fitness, Reversing the Aging Series, Line Dancing, and Meditation. This year we added to this roster a Vinyasa Yoga class, a dance class, and a self defense class tailored specifically for seniors. We were able to provide some of these classes virtually. The Senior Center's Fitness Room offers free use of equipment, including treadmills, an elliptical bike, and stationary bikes.
Support: Support Groups offered include Low Vision, Hearing Loss, Autoimmune and Mobility Disorder, and Caregivers Support. This year, we started a monthly Bereavement group.
Weight Loss: Many struggle with weight loss, so we decided to have fun while empowering our members in healthy 6-week weight loss competitions: "Don't Be a Butterball" (fall) and "Don't Be a BeachBall" (spring). Each week, our Health and Wellness Nurse and Head Chef offered weekly classes for support covering topics such as food journaling, meal prepping, information on fad diets, portion control, and accountability/ consistency. Every Friday, we also have T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) who meet weekly to help members support their weight loss journey.
Mental Health Counseling: The Senior Center is part of a consortium of local Senior Centers, which provides access to timely, flexible mental health services with a licensed clinician. This enables elders who experience mental health challenges to get effective, appropriate treatment.
Health Education: Monthly informational and educational presentations were offered by our Health & Wellness Nurse and our Public Health nurse and Epidemiologist: Five Wishes, Stop the Bleed, Hands Only CPR, Anatomy of the Brain, Neuropathy, Cellulitis, Arthritis, Basic First Aid, and more.

Dementia Friendly
The Town of Franklin and The Senior Center continue to be a Dementia Friendly Community. The Senior Center provides the following programs to support caregivers and their loved ones:
Supportive Day Program: The Sunshine Club provides a structured, supervised, and stimulating day program for seniors with mild to moderate dementia or cognitive decline, chronic illness, or those who are socially isolated. In turn, it provides a respite opportunity for their loved ones/caregivers. Members enjoy activities that encourage  independence,  social  interaction, fitness and gentle exercises, intellectual stimulation, music, crafts, games, and friendship.
Caregivers Support Group offers support to caregivers caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer's or Dementia, and is led by two facilitators who have completed a training program with the Alzheimer's Association.
Memory Cafe - a monthly gathering where those living with dementia and their care partners can enjoy a social event without stress and anxiety. It's an hour of music, socialization, and engagement and is supported in part by a generous grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Education. Partnering with local resources such as the Alzheimer's Association and various Memory Care Operations, we provided educational opportunities such as Compassion Fatigue and Burnout, 10 Warning Signs, Normal Aging vs. Memory Loss, Various Forms of Dementia, and more.

Outreach/Social Service Coordination
The Senior Center provides assistance in obtaining housing, employment, home care services, tax abatements, long-term care placement, transportation, evictions, legal referrals, prescription drug programs, SNAP, fuel assistance, COVID-19 vaccine appointments, Mass Health, mental health, elder dental services, Disability and Supplemental Security Insurance, as well as assistance with low income and financial hardship referrals. Our Social Service Coordinators can assist Franklin's adult and disabled residents regardless of age, and can provide home visits to homebound residents.

The Senior Center's Vision and Hearing Support programs have been recognized at both state and national level. These programs provide support, information, referral, and training. Our vision program grant continues to allow our Senior Center to house a regional office for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), where residents can meet with a MABVI professional for individual vision consultations. Weekly, the Senior Center provides both in-person and telephone programs for blind, low-vision, and homebound seniors. We, in collaboration with MABVI, provide a monthly adaptive technology class, support group, and low vision adjustment counseling.

The Community Intervention Team (CIT), partnering with the Franklin Fire Dept., continues to create greater coordination of community resources and services to assist Franklin residents who are high- risk. Currently 20 vital service groups throughout the town of Franklin are involved.

The Senior Center also offers a monthly legal clinic and the SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) program, which provides assistance for Medicare/Medicaid and other health insurance needs. AARP was also able to provide free income tax preparation at the Center for 179 individuals this year, and Self Help Inc., processed over 460 applications for fuel assistance from residents, many of which were prepared by the Senior Center staff.

Nutrition and the Common Grounds Cafe
The Common Grounds Cafe, which is located inside the Center and offers  breakfast and lunch daily, continues to have much success. The Cafe offers freshly prepared, nutritious, and affordable meals. Along with our Full-Time Head Chef and Kitchen Manager, we also hired two part-time line cooks. The Cafe is open to all, and is a great way for newcomers to get acquainted with the Senior Center. Last year, we served over 11,180 meals at the Cafe. Monthly Parties. The Senior Center hosts monthly social events with live entertainment and a delicious 3-course meal. Themes have included: Luau, Tailgate, Illusions, Friendsgiving, April Showers. We are also extremely appreciative of the Franklin Police Department who provided and served a delicious Turkey Dinner in January, and the Franklin Fire Department, who cooked and served a fantastic Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. 

So much going on, this is not the complete report. The full Senior Center report can be found in one PDF ->

The full Town of Franklin FY 2023 Annual Report can be found online

Annual Report Franklin Senior Center (COA): FY 2023 Report
Annual Report Franklin Senior Center (COA): FY 2023 Report

Friday, February 16, 2024

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 16, 2023 to February 22, 2024

Why have multiple calendars?
There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. The Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 16, 2023 to February 22, 2024
Franklin's Event Outlook: February 16, 2023 to February 22, 2024

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Listen to the Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Senior Story Hour - WFPR
The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group
Steve Sherlock hosts The Franklin Senior Center Writer's Group for a monthly reading of short stories, essays, poetry and more.
Find all the episodes online (or on your favorite podcast app)  https://senior-scribblers.captivate.fm/

You can also listen to wfpr.fm or 102.9 on Friday's 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM

Listen to the Senior Story Hour - WFPR
Listen to the Senior Story Hour - WFPR

Friday, February 9, 2024

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 9, 2023 to February 15, 2024

Why have multiple calendars?
There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar. The Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: February 9, 2023 to February 15, 2024
Franklin's Event Outlook: February 9, 2023 to February 15, 2024