2020 Message from the Executive Director

Dear Members,

I can not believe 2019 is    over and a new year and decade has started—2020. Wow! It doesn’t seem possible that it’s already 20 years into the 21st Century. I am sure you have seen many changes in the past years, both good and challenging. However, we are fortunate to be living during a time were we are living longer, stronger and more connected. Technology has made it’s way into just about everyone’s home, workplace and educational institution. We have seen the cost of living increase and the cost of gas rise. But we’ve also been around for many great achievements in the past 20 years. Such as in the medical field, where the number of cases of individuals receiving vaccines for treatable illnesses like influenza and pneumonia has increased, ensuring we live healthier. We can only imagine the endless possibilities of future medical developments.

The closing of one year and the fresh start of the new year, also makes us think of what we hope to do or achieve for ourselves. For many, thinking of a new year’s resolution sets off panic in their minds. For others, a burst of new ideas on self-improvements and adventure. And, if you’re anything like me, a mix of both. However, I started a mantra for this year a couple of weeks ago. “2020. Heading into the new year with clear vision!”  It’s catchy. It’s a resolution that is broad enough that I can apply to anything—from finally getting new    eyeglasses to starting and finishing some home projects, to working on making the Milford Senior Center an even better    experience for you.

Have you thought of any resolutions? Here’s a short list of ways to help you keep your resolution.

1. Be realistic with your goals.

2. Track your progress.

3. Reward yourself for whatever you accomplish no matter how little.

4. Don’t beat yourself up if you only achieve a small bit of your  resolution.

5. Be kind to yourself (you deserve it).

One last note, on the back of this newsletter you will find information on our Logo Contest. We are looking to you, the community to design the new logo for our Center. Read more on page 12.

I wish you a very Happy New Year! 

FROM THE DESK OF EDITOR, ELEANORE MYERS TURKINGTON

As the editor of this Bulletin for the past 12 years, I have seen many positive changes. I remember speaking to Janice M. Jackson, our former Executive Director about enlarging this publication. Janice agreed. There wasn’t any question on how we were going to fill the extra pages, the Milford Senior Center was a hub of excitement and quite often new and interesting programs found their way into the Bulletin. It was fun taking and placing photos of our members in the newly enlarged publication. Department heads were always enthusiastic, and we had no difficulty filling those two additional pages. In case you’re wondering why I am reflecting in the past today, a New Year, at least to me, promises to bring innovation, a hope for a future that was better than the previous year and a feeling of satisfaction in my work and personal life.  Today, I can truly say, these past 12 years have been a transformation from a busy newsroom, daily deadlines and on the spot news interviews. As a staff member at the Milford Senior Center these many years, I have experienced the joy, daily anticipation, high quality of workmanship and family atmosphere that is present every single day.  Everyone here works diligently, completes their duties without question and pride themselves in belonging to an organization that encourages enthusiasm and quality, devoted workmanship. I am proud to be part of a group of these spectacular people. Recently, following Janice M. Jackson’s retirement, a new Executive Director was appointed, Leonora Rodriguez.  Under her leadership, Leonora is anticipating a resurgence of members, striving to recruit the baby-boomers to our Center so they too, can enjoy the many exciting and interesting activities provided at our address, 9 Jepson Drive. So, my dear friends, we have begun a new year 2020, with high hopes and no fears for the future. May I wish you a truly healthy, Happy New Year!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Gail Bayless, Dawn Beetham,  Theresa Bergeron, Michele Berlepsch,  Deborah Booth, Anna Marie  (Annie) Canadeo, Cheryl Cappialli, Teresa Carter, Helen Colavito, Thomas T.J. Craig, Jr. Barry Galbraith,  Raphael Dormevil,  Susan Gorman,Judith Ianniello, Raymond Kaminski,  Gary A. Kelman, Joyce Kelman,  Bruce Knapik, Nancy Koster,  Hector Koster, Joan Murphy,  Carollee Salthouse,  Karen Simses, Monica Slomski,  John Sopchak, Katherine Sopchak, Gerri Stonebank, and Michael Wynne. Our annual membership dues are just $15.00, and we welcome Milford Residents 55 years of age and older. Please call us at 203 877-5131 for additional  nformation.

WELCOME BRIDGE PLAYERS

Do you enjoy playing bridge? We play every Sunday, 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. in our Card Room. You can play as a substitute or a regular. You may contact either Carol Walker at 203 376-8183 or Barbara Bourdeau 203 874-0246.

Thank You Walmart of Milford, CT. !

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

Let’s look at the past 20 years and see just what has been accomplished. Many of us use the beginning of a new year as an excuse to make apologies for the “bad luck”  or shortcomings from our relationships and blame our  problems and unhappiness on “these years have not been kind to me.” I’m afraid, I have fallen into the same category, so I decided to see what GOOD HAS HAPPENED since 2000.

My research has provided me with some interesting discoveries. Let’s just see what the past 20 years has done for us. So many men and women today are confined to their desk chair, utilizing the internet to evaluate the stock market,  discover the latest innovations in health care and the extreme expectations developed in the operating room and beyond. We certainly take this technology for granted don’t we. Let’s see…...with a click of a wrist we shop online and two days later, there are boxes on our front steps. All it took was a purchase selection online and a credit card!

One can go online, select a travel provider, search for the best hotel price, and the most comfortable, affordable way to travel while you are packing your suitcase – ready to head on out. You can visually speak and see your doctor online, explain your symptoms and within a short time receive the knowledge, experience and wisdom from men and women in the medical field.It also goes without saying the world of music is yours from the newest, hottest rock music to the world renown maestro  conducted symphonies, all emanating from the small, inconspicuous apparatus sitting on a table or your desk.

Speak its name and it is whisking through outer space, seeking answers to your questions. Amazing, isn’t it? The ever-evolving cell phone, a reassuring instrument in your youngster’s pocket providing help no matter what scary situation he or she may be into. Quite often we find ourselves on specialized, health protecting diets… once again this information is at your fingertips waiting to be of help.

Have you ever driven or ridden in one of the newest, latest cars,? They are all fitted with the latest in protective apparatus leading us safely to a destination, automatically shutting down the car and locking the car without you making much of an effort? Why there’s even a gizmo (GPS) on the dashboard that will guide the car to your destination!

Some of us have difficulty reading because of poor eyesight; try books online. Unbelievable! You can place your grocery list online and pick it up a short time later, ready to go.  Doorbell cameras provide safety for the home dwellers. Always wanted to see a Broadway show? Once again, order online, pick your tickets up and slide comfortably in the theatre’s row of seats, sitting exactly where you want to be.

Technology have made so many advances in the past twenty years. Recently I read that moms are planning to track their children on school buses….another safety measure. Lighting for public arenas, shopping malls, city streets, you name it, yes, controlled by computers once again providing safety for all of us. Yes, we can hope for a better year in 2020; we can admire technology that is constantly innovating;  we can enjoy these magical instruments designed by brilliant minds and wonder of it all.

Happy New Year!

 Eleanore Turkington, Editor