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July 2nd
Message from the Director
Hello
Friends of Hilltop Center, July
2, 2020
I wanted to
send you an update and maybe answer some questions you may have regarding the
status of the center. Following the Governor’s orders The Newtown
Health District and the First Selectman feel that the senior center should remain
closed for indoor activities at this time as is every other local senior
center. They are comfortable with
outdoor activities limited in size as we have been doing and will continue to
do. At this time we cannot move groups
inside during inclement weather. We are
looking into the possibility of installing an awning over our patio which would
extend the use of that space.
Some things
to consider: If we open too soon and
have a reported case of COVID-19, we then would have to close again and all those
who were at the center including staff would have to quarantine for 2
weeks. If we are the only senior center
open, we risk the possibility of seniors from all areas coming to Bridgewater. This area has been lucky with very low number
of cases.
The Governor
states that “Those in high-risk (comorbidities) and over age 65 should continue
to stay safe and stay home”. Our immune
systems weaken as we age even if you don’t have any underlying
conditions. The medical community is setting the rules for
everyone’s safety. I know it’s
frustrating for you, but we are also very frustrated. We want to bring you all together and offer
the programs that you all enjoy.
These are
unprecedented times and we really don’t have a roadmap to follow. We need to support one another and try to
stay positive. Please know we are doing
our absolute best to reach out and offer whatever lifeline we can. Don’t hesitate to contact me with concerns. This is new territory for me and I am trying
to do the right thing for the greater good.
When the Governor, Health District and First Selectman say we can open,
we will and you will be the first to know!
I hope this
clears up any rumors or misconceptions.
We are all in this together and what you do affects others. Please take care of yourself and others.
Pat
Bridgewater Hilltop Center Director
June 26th
Message from the Director
June 24, 2020
Hello everyone,
We miss you and hope you are safe and
well at home. We are continuing to offer
Fitness Classes via ZOOM for body
conditioning ( Mon. & Wed. 10:30 am) and chair yoga (Friday 9:30 am) . The Town TOP outreach program is still
available for those who need their services for delivering groceries, picking
up mail and medications. Call Town Hall
860-354-2731.
The Senior Center remains closed, but
Pat, Annie and Jill are in the office to answer questions and help you in any
way that they can. Call 860-355-3090 or
email us at bwscseniorcenter@gmail.com. If
you would like to receive our emails, please let us know and we will add your
address to our list. Enclosed you will find an At Home
Scavenger Hunt for your entertainment. We hope you have some fun with it and feel
free to share it with someone else.
Don’t fall for COVID-related Scams!! Beware of any message coming to you via
phone, email or text offering COVID-related services such as tests, supplies,
cash, testing site information, etc.
NEVER give out your personal or financial information to anyone and
DON’T open emails if you don’t know the sender.
Scammers use fear and stress to their advantage, and reported scams vary
widely. BE CAREFUL!!
If you want to try something new
while staying at home, you should check out TEDTalks at www.ted.com/talk. They are short presentations on just about any
subject that may interest you. Check it
out and learn something new!
Please get outside everyday if you
are able. Take a walk even if it’s
around your house. Listen to the birds
and enjoy the flowers. If you need to
talk to someone please reach out to the senior center; or Dawn MacNutt,
Bridgewater Municipal Agent 917-685-9899; The Newtown Health Department which
serves Bridgewater at 203-270-4291 https://www.newtown-ct.gov/newtown and go to their wellness guide;
or call the Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990;
DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov.
Good luck on your Scavenger Hunt and
stay well!
Pat Babbage
Director
May 14th
Message from
the Director
Please note
that our 1st chair yoga class via ZOOM has been rescheduled to begin
next Friday, May 22nd at 9:30 am.
I would like
to remind all that we have Body Conditioning on Wednesdays at 10:30 am via ZOOM
and we would like to expand that to 2 days a week on Mondays AND Wednesdays, 10:30 am.
Give me your feedback. I would like to start on Mondays June 1st.
We are still
looking for recipes from you to be sent to us or dropped off at the center for
our future Hilltop Center Cookbook.
I continue
to urge you to stay in touch with others by phone, Skype, Facetime or ZOOM; get
outdoors; do some exercises; and try a new project. Go on Youtube.com and search for some
interesting videos. There is a big
variety to choose from!
If you enjoy
Opera, WMNR 88.1 fm radio, offers “Evening at the Opera”, Tuesdays 8 to 11 pm.
Stay safe
and find something to smile about every day!
Together we will prevail.
Pat
May 11th
Here are a couple of tidbits of information:
The Sight & Sound Theater out of Lancaster, PA has decided to air another free viewing
of the incredibly popular performance of “JESUS” this coming
week. Over 3 million people tuned in a few weeks ago and out of
popular demand, they are showing it again on Wednesday, May 13 at 9:00 PM ET
on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). Check your local listings to
find TBN. As we mentioned before, regardless of your religious
affiliation, this show is an entertainment treasure that will be sure to lift
your spirits.
AARP.com
Brain Health Assessment
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Assessment for FREE April 1 – May 17, 2020, to get a snapshot of how your brain
performs!
Offer ends May 17,
2020. Starting May 18, 2020, there will be a one-time payment of $7.00.
·
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progress over time by taking the assessment every 90 days.
May 7th
Hi Everyone!
As we
continue to stay safe at home I have started to feel like traveling. I guess you always want what you can’t
have! Anyway, I started to look online
for armchair travel websites. I found
several, but I recommend YouTube videos.
There is a great one entitled:
It will bring back memories for those who
have traveled that famous American Highway. There are also YouTube videos
featuring several countries around the world. Expoza Travel is another good
website. Think about taking a trip from
your living room to somewhere new or relive memories from a past trip.
Bon Voyage!
Pat
April 30th
A Light exists in SpringNot present on the Year
At any other period –
When March is scarcely here
A Color stands abroad
On Solitary Fields
That Science cannot overtake
But Human Nature feels…
Written in around 1864 but not published until 1896 (as with
many of Dickinson’s poems), ‘A Light Exists in Spring’ beautifully captures the
way that spring slowly appears in our consciousness, like a light in the
distance. The final stanza of Dickinson’s poem also seems to acknowledge what
we now call ‘SAD’ or Seasonal Affective Disorder, with the passing of spring
affecting our contentedness.
Hi Friends,
The signs of spring are around us and
we will start to have warmer weather seeing the bright sunshine more
often. Hope is in the air and faith is
in our hearts. Spring is a time of
renewal and transformation giving us the strength to carry on despite these
unique days of our lives. Take care of
yourselves and each other.
Thinking of you…
Pat
April 23rd
While we are all staying safe by staying home we
want to keep our minds and body in working order! We know that exercise
is the best way to grow new neurons in the brain; integrate them into neural
networks; increase cognitive function and decrease cognitive decline; and
improve insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation in brain
tissue. With exercise, you train your body to train your brain to train
your body to....you get the idea. You have to use or lose it! So get up
move around and try an exercise for your brain like a word search puzzle
or Sudoku.
This is a link to AARP Word search site. https://games.aarp.org/games/daily-word-search
It offers a variety of new puzzles
and its fun!
Take care ~
Pat
April 3rd
So here we are all together..... apart! It feels like it's been forever already and we have a way to go before we are home free.
These are unprecedented times, but we are strong and resilient people and we will get pass this crises. I hope you are reading some good books and can make some recommendations to your friends, or watching a concert or movie that makes you smile!
If you like to write we would love to hear from you. Send us a card, note or email and let us know how you are doing and what you are doing to pass the time.
Best wishes,Pat
March 26th
Message from the Director:
I want to remind you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Even if most people are stuck inside their
respective homes, you are still surrounded by a community of people who love and want the
best for you!
Pick up the phone and call your friends and loved ones. You can Email or Personal
Message to check in with them. Call the Hilltop Center if you need anything or just want to chat.
We even have had a couple of people knocking on our windows while they were out for a walk.
We are all in this together and we are here to help. 860-355-3090
Together we can overcome any challenge.
Best Wishes,
Pat
March 23th
I found some great websites to share:
I will continue to get ideas to send out and we will be making phone calls throughout the week.
Patricia Babbage
Director
Bridgewater Hilltop Senior Center
132 Hut Hill Road, Bridgewater CT 06752
860-355-3090
March 20th
There will be someone here to answer your calls and direct you to whom may assist you or answer your questions as we stay shelved.
Please click on the Links for:
02 Home Exercising.
03. Walking Nearby.
04. Concert Videos 2019-2020
Read the suggestions for things you can do while home.
Dept of Motor Vehicles
The state DMV is now offering a 90 day extension period to CT residents with credentials that expire between March 10 and June 8. The extension includes all Connecticut driver's licenses, learner's permits and identity cards. It does not include motor vehicle registrations. For more information or questions call 1-800-842-8222.
"Things to do at Home" here are some suggestions:
1. Jigsaw Puzzle (I just stared one last night!)
2. Organize your old pictures
3. Start a Journal or Memoir
4. Reconnect by phone or email with a friend or family member you
1. Jigsaw Puzzle (I just stared one last night!)
2. Organize your old pictures
3. Start a Journal or Memoir
4. Reconnect by phone or email with a friend or family member you
haven't seen in a while
5. Turn on music and sing!
5. Turn on music and sing!
Start to plan an idea for your own "Memory Board" a program that we will be offering at the center when we resume activities. You decide on a theme like travel, family or a special occasion. Think of it as a moment in time and gather pictures, pins, metals, awards, cards, letters, etc. that pertain to your theme.
