Dear Members,

Deepa Joseph, Director of the Milford Health Department has announced a Flu Clinic will take place at the Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive on Wednesday, October 17^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Please do not arrive before 9:00 a.m.

The Health Department will offer Fluzone High Dose for individuals 65 years of age and over at their Flu Clinics this season, including the Senior Center Flu Clinic.  Fluzone High Dose is the first and only influenza vaccine designed specifically for people 65 years of age and over.  Persons in this age group have a higher risk of complications from influenza.  Aging can decrease the body’s ability to have a good immune response after getting the influenza vaccine.  A higher dose of antigen in the vaccine helps provide older adults with a better immune response and therefore better protection against the flu.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) details that each year more than 425,000 related           hospitalizations and up to 36,000 flu-related deaths occur.  It is estimated that 52% of the hospitalizations and 78% of the deaths occur in people 65 years of age or older.

To register for a flu shot at the Senior Center, contact our Insurance Specialists, John Cornelius or Laura Daneault at 203-877-5131 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Please have your insurance   information available when you call.

On another note, the Milford Senior Center at 9 Jepson drive, will host its annual Veteran’s Day tribute on Friday, November 2^nd at 1:00 p.m.  Please obtain your ticket from our front office by October 31^st. Tickets will   assure seating.  Call Program Director, Amanda Berry for details at 203 -877-5131.  Milford veterans and a guest are invited.  We will celebrate Veteran’s Day with music by the Center’s band, the Note Ables, followed by a selection of patriotic music by the Center’s Choral group under the direction of Rosemary Boone. Light refreshments will be available.  Veterans of all wars and servicemen and women are invited to attend.  If your spouse has passed, you are welcome to join us.

Best Wishes Always

Janice M. Jackson

Executive Director

I can hardly believe we are looking at brightly colored leaves on our trees already. October? Well, this is a busy month, a time for resting a bit with a look ahead at the holidays.  There will be a Flu Clinic at our center, Wednesday, October 17^th,  10:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. Please check out the page 1 message from Executive Director, Janice M. Jackson who provides detailed information from the Director of the Milford Health  Department on this important service. I discovered that October is National Blind Awareness Month with an emphasis on White Cane Day, October 15^th.  If you are behind the wheel and witness someone with a white cane attempting to cross the street, the law says you must stop. Just a reminder!  I am going to get on my soapbox this month in favor of preserving beautiful Milford sites.  One in particular, our Milford Green. Did you know that back in 1940 a plan was introduced to utilize a portion of our Green for parking spaces and comfort stations? It was defeated by Judge Omar Platt.  Milford’s Green has been named to the Register of Historic Places with the Connecticut Preservation Council. We’re proud!  Hats off to the DeMaio Garden Club that just finished their  3rd annual “Help the Kids” project.  A photo and more on this worthy effort in November’s Bulletin. Members in the Center’s Happy Hooker’s Knitting Group have created a hundred caps and hats for newborns and needy children. Good job ladies!  I hear praise and happiness from members who have been participating in our Center’s Laughter Yoga Group that meet every Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. Our Bulletin is placed in doctors and lawyers offices, stores, medical centers, Milford Hospital and of course in our building. You will be pleasantly surprised to see the variety and number of services and programs our Center offers. The Milford Senior Center’s Annual Veterans Day salute will take place next month, Friday, November 2^nd at 1:00 p.m. Call Program Director, Amanda Berry for details at 203 877-5131. 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Bill Aquilino, Barbara Blackwell, Kathy Bodge, Bonnie Cagganello, Carol Cecero, Joanne Dague, Charmaine DeFilippo, Patricia DeFrancesco, Lisa Ellsworth, Maria Gerald, Samuel Goron, Teresa Goron, Mary Jacobsen and Barbara Kader.  Also Alfred Kulenski, Richard Krusewski, Rosita Maceren, Frank Matthews, Nancy M. McKeand,  Karen Murcko, Lois Nicholson, Deborah Nucifora, Frances O’Neill. Debby Parsons and Keith Posner.  Also, Frank Rakoczy, Mary Jane Robbins, Gail Roberts, Susan Rosen, Michael Rosen, Mary Sherman, Jeanne Sileo, Linda Theriault, Rosaline (Eva) Tomlinson, Maryann Tuohy, James Welch and Maryann Williams. Welcome to our family! 

                                        HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

 “Going To Work and Enjoying Every Day”

There is a new employee sitting at her desk in our Center and we welcome Social Services Worker,Christine Lyas. 

 It takes a special person to interact with seniors and Christine has the ability and patience to relate to those individuals and families that require assistance to the appropriate resources. Christine accepts the challenges and works each week day developing trusting relationships with her clients.

After graduating from Foran High School and attending Gateway Community College, Christine worked for many years with older adults in the home care field.

Christine  lives in West Haven with her husband Tony, her mother Cathy and their dog, Ernie.  “I truly enjoy gardening and being out in the fresh air.”

This talented young woman’s hands are always busy.  She is an avid crocheter of teddy bears, creates beautiful jewelry and loves to cook.

When asked what she enjoys most in her new position at  the Senior Center, Christine replied,  “The socialization of the people at the Center. I felt welcomed here immediately.”                               

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! CAN YOU HELP?

Oscar Wilde once said, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” With this thought in mind, there are several agencies searching for volunteers. Milford Hospital is seeking morning, afternoon and evening volunteers. Their greatest need is for the Gift Shop and the Main Entrance and Information Desk. You may call 203-876-4062 for additional information.

The Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut; “Volunteer your time as an English language tutor. Literacy Volunteers offers tutor training to help local adults.”  Tutor training classes in Milford will be held at Fannie Beach Community Center, 16 Dixon Street, Tuesdays, October 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. More information contact Tami Jackson 203-878-4800

MEMBERSHIP

If you are not a member of the Milford Senior Center and you are a Milford resident 55 years of age or more, for just $15.00 a year, you are welcome to join us for all the fun, exercise, cultural, educational and  social activities that the Milford Senior Center offers. Please call us with any questions at 203 877-5131.

TITLE VI COMPLIANCE

Do you know your rights under Title VI? Title VI ensures that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal funding.  Milford Council on Aging supports Title VI.  For more information visit our web site milfordctseniorcenter.com and go to the link Information and Referrals. You may also email lkmilfordseniorcenter@yahoo.com or call  Liz Kassay, Human Resources Manager  203-877-5131.

                                                                      Members Recuperating

Please notify us if you are aware of a member who is in a healthcare facility in Milford.  Please call       203- 877-5131 to request a visit from our Friendly Visitor, Maryann Hayes.

Members: Please do not use the road between the Senior Center and the condominium complex as an exit.  This road is only to be used to pick up or drop food off, deliveries and City vehicles.

Bequest gifts to the Milford Senior Center in memory of a family member or friend are always appreciated.  Please mail your gift to Janice M. Jackson, Executive Director, Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive, Milford, CT. 06460