Senior Center News, Feb. 9, 2024

North Central Senior Center

Feb. 12-16

Menu

Monday, Feb. 12 — Biscuits/gravy, scrambled eggs, fruit

Tuesday, Feb. 13 — Hot turkey, mash potato/gravy, veggies, dessert

Wednesday, Feb. 14 — Cheesy chicken-n-rice, veggies, dessert, fruit

Thursday, Feb. 15 — Shepard’s pie, biscuits, fruit

Friday, Feb. 16 — Ham & bean soup, grilled ham and cheese sandwich

News from out gift shop: New to the gift shop — Valentine’s Day Items: Over 60 different heart trinket boxes, perfect as a gift or to hide a special Valentine surprise. $1 each. Valentine flower/candy bouquets are also available. Handmade potholders, dish cloths and stocking caps are available. Unique “art glass” flower vases ready for spring flowers, have been added. Wall hangings and knick knacks are added often. Puzzles — 50 cents. All occasion cards are 25 cents each. Donations welcome. Yarn is often requested. Store hours Monday–Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

How Careful Are We During the Winter Months: Weather we are at home, driving, or trying to walk in snow and ice to keep up on groceries shopping etc., how careful are we? Are we wearing the right foot wear? What about driving, is our car in good condition? Are we slowing down at stop signs far enough ahead? We don’t want to bump someone or something. This year is especially scary. Montana is not use to having so much rain with our snow. Makes getting around very different from what we are used to. Make sure to take good care of our car, check out our tires & change your oil etc. Carry a snow scraper so you can see where we are going. Also are we caring for our home, having our furnace checked out for the winter so it’s in good condition. A very good idea. We want to be warm and safe all year around.

Would You Like to be a Volunteer at The Senior Center? Right now we are looking for a volunteer to answer phones at the front desk. We are very thankful for the many volunteers who help us daily and also during our special Events. If you have a little extra time, we could sure use your help. We are finding ourselves a little short on volunteers now that we have opened our doors after closing due to the pandemic. If you would like to share your time and talents, please give us a call at 406-265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Commodities: Slots are still available, if interested stop by the Senior Center and request an application. For commodities there is an income restriction. Bring income verification and picture ID.

BINGO: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone over 18 is welcome, fun for all. All of the money is paid out.

Pinochle: Come join your friends in playing pinochle Thursday at 1 p.m. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

Transportation: Is now being handled by the North Central Montana Transit. This change seems to be going very well. If you need a ride call 406-265-4762. They would appreciate a 24-hour notice for local rides and a 48-hour notice for Great Falls trips.

Scams: Scam Calls are still widespread. Text messages and emails are also becoming popular. Do not respond to any of them. Do not even open them, just delete them. Medicare isn’t issuing gold cards. Talk to someone in the community before you consider a reverse mortgage.

Commodities: If you are interested in receiving commodities, we still have a few select openings. You can sign up at the senior center, fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to senior center to pick them up.

Important phone numbers

Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Tumbleweed Runaway and Family Crisis Program: 406-259-2558 (local) 1-888-816-4702 (toll free)

Friendship Line by Institute on Aging — The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warm-line for non-emergency emotional support calls. It is a 24-hour toll-free line and the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. Toll-Free Line: 800-971-0016.

For those seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montana’s Warm Line.