Brookline Senior Center
Honoring the wisdom that comes with age
OCTOBER
Ruthann Dobek, director
Josie!
You are invited to support Brookline’s older adults with the Autumn Benefit (without the gala). COVID‐19 and the Delta variant has again stopped the gathering, but not the Senior Center’s work! In fact, we are doing more than ever, and the needs are greater as social isolation continues to take its toll. We need your support to cover our urgent needs in transportation, technology, and social services. A special thank you to Bay State Federal Charitable Foundation for a generous donation of $5000 to support transportation:
“On behalf of the Bay State Federal Savings Charitable Foundation, we have enclosed $5000 to assist with the
reduction in your municipal budget. The COVID pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges and we
commend you, your staff and volunteers for their personal commitment to support the senior community in
Brookline.”
NEW: Thursday, October 28 from 1:00‐6:00pm, we host the Brookline Bazaar. A ʺminiʺ Holiday Craft Fair in place of our annual event, the Bazaar will have goods for sale by our crafters, boutique items and more from our Etsy site:
www.etsy.com/shop/brooklinebazaar
October is one of my favorite months to enjoy the outdoors. The weather is glorious, and the trees wear brilliant autumn colors of scarlet, yellow and orange. Enjoy the last days of the Farmers Market apples and festive pumpkins. – – Ruthann Dobek, director
CLICK HERE FOR THE OCTOBER newsletter online: https://www.brooklinema.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=37
WELCOME to our student interns Alex Nichipor and Sarah Aguirre. They are studying in the Simmons School of Social Work MSW program.
LOUISE KAPLAN WEINBERG – – Louise Kaplan Weinberg, a social worker turned artist, was the creator of Drawing for Pleasure. She died July 31. For ten years her patience, generosity and humor gave courage to people, some of whom didn’t think they had any ability, to explore their talent.
“Over many years, she taught drawing to hundreds of students at the Brookline Senior Center in a course she founded. Louise was also active in philanthropy, and served on the board of the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University. Louise was prominent in the community and she will be missed by everyone whose life she touched.” – – courtesy of the family
Louise Kaplan Weinberg
HELP WANTED: Mailing Group Volunteers to help us with bulk mailings.
HELP WANTED: Reception Desk Volunteers to greet, answer phone. Basic computer skills important. 4-hour shifts.
HELP WANTED: Ambassadors to greet, give tours, and engage with everyone. 4-hour shifts
HELP WANTED: Technology Volunteers to set up and troubleshoot our equipment for Zoom meetings. Work with program manager and program leaders.
CALL Mark Catalano 617. 730. 2743 mcatalano@brooklinema.gov
We have in‐person AND virtual programming. Check the LOCATION or LINK of the program you wish to attend before you register.
1.The Center has the highest level filters using 100% outside air. All rooms are designed for good ventilation. Brookline’s Building Department monitors the HVAC system to be in compliance with the CDC.
2. We will not ask about your vaccination status. If you need one, call us.
3. ALL MASKS HERE AND EVERYWHERE: Vaccinated and non-vaccinated people must wear masks and distance indoors and out. Masks are required everywhere: ride shares, taxis, MBTA, healthcare and rehab settings, Town buildings, restaurants and retail.
CLICK HERE FOR Center Connections Newsletter – Fall 2021
Read about our Fall fundraiser, the president’s letter, volunteers at work, Senator Creem to the rescue, shouting down ageism, food safety net, losing Frank Caro, Zumba, Etsy
OCTOBER EVENTS
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Watercolor, mixed media class, 10/26
Hilary Tolan
Hilary Tolan teaches fall watercolor techniques and printing in a mixed media class suitable for beginners to experienced artists. Leaves on Tuesday, October 19 on Zoom at 1:30; pumpkins Tuesday, October 26 on Zoom at 1:30. Supplies to gather before class:
2-4 different, not brittle leaves (class 1), mini pumpkin/gourd (class 2), #2 pencil with eraser, pencil sharpener, scrap paper, watercolor paper, watercolor cards, watercolor set, brushes, water cup, watercolor pencils, paper towels, newspaper
REGISTER FOR ZOOM: Jamie Jensen 617. 730. 2753 jjensen@brooklinema.gov
Tommy Bahama Halloween Show, 10/27
Tommy Bahama is back here Wednesday, October 27 at 1:30 with a harvest and Halloween performance. Costumes welcome. Shared event with Memory Connections Cafe. Sponsored in part by Centre Communities of Brookline. Live streaming for those unable to be with us.
REGISTER: Jamie Jensen 617. 730. 2753 jjensen@brooklinema.gov
Brookline Bazaar, 10/28
In place of the Holiday Craft Fair, we’re doing a Brookline Bazaar, Thursday, October 28 from 1:00-6:00 pm. Gifts made by our crafty crafters, boutique items and some Etsy gear. All proceeds, as usual, benefit our programs and services.
Jamie Jensen: 617. 730. 2753
Death Cafe, 10/28
Our next Death Cafe is Thursday, October 28 from 3:00-5:00 here. Death Cafes are for people of all ages to socialize, eat and drink and talk about death and dying. There is no agenda, advertising, objectives or themes. We aim to increase our awareness of death so as to make the most of our lives. No registration. More about death cafes: https://deathcafe.com/what
LEADERS: Michael Allen 617. 730. 2754 Katie McClean 617. 730. 2755
Exercise with Sharon Devine, Tues-Thurs
We can accommodate eight people in the Fitness Center. You can also connect on Zoom.
Building Balance Tuesdays, 1:00-1:30
Exercise for Aching Joints Wednesdays, 11:30-12:30
Chair Yoga Thursdays, 1:00-1:30
REGISTER for in person or Zoom: Sharon Devine 617. 730. 2769 sdevine@brooklinema.gov
Drawing for Pleasure Thursdays
Martin R. Anderson is the instructor of Drawing for Pleasure Thursdays at 9:30 am here. You draw and paint on your own, based on assignments, and share them with the class for support and critique. The class emphasizes developing a personal response to the subject and trusting your artistic instincts including life drawing with live models.
REGISTER: 617. 730. 2770
OCTOBER at Welcome Home Pantry
Welcome Home is a “home goods pantry in Newton that accepts and provides new and gently used housewares in good working condition.” Right now we need coffee makers (not Keurig), toasters, blenders, pressure cookers. See the website for what we take. You donate goods or make a wish list to ask for what you need: No forms, no fees.
We do not take: NO baby goods, NO bed skirts, NO mattress pads, NO books, NO clothing, NO toys, NO vases, NO wine glasses, NO computer gear, NO hangers, no stains, no chips, no tears
WRITE: welcomehomemass@gmail.com
CALL: 617. 454. 4795
OCTOBER DROP OFF – – RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST
MONDAYS 1-2 pm
WEDNESDAYS 2-3 pm
Arrive at Welcome Home (Trinity Church, Furber Lane, Newton Centre) at your appointed time. We take the items we can accept from your car.
https://www.welcomehomemass.org/
MetroWest Legal Services Thursdays, 10/28
MetroWest Legal Services offers free half-hour phone consults Thursday, October 28 from 12:00-4:00 pm. Housing, public benefits, social security, durable power of attorney, health care proxy, simple probate, Medicaid, nursing home, domestic relations, consumer bankruptcy. Have one sentence ready with your subject when you register.
REGISTER: Jamie Jensen 617. 730. 2753 jjensen@brooklinema.gov
OCTOBER Food Pantries
CHANGE United Parish, 210 Harvard – – WEDNESDAYS 2-5 pm ONLY
55A Egmont Street, Community – – THURSDAYS 3-7 pm, SATURDAYS 10-1 pm
226 High Street, Community Room – – TUESDAYS 3-7 pm
CALL 617. 800. 5339
WRITE brooklinefoodpantry@gmail.com
VISIT https://www.brooklinefoodpantry.org
RECEIVE prepacked bags of perishable and non-perishables. Everyone waits outside. Wear your mask.
OCTOBER Lunch and Food Commodity
SPRINGWELL LUNCH WEEKDAYS
Take your Springwell lunch home OR eat it here in the dining room.
We need to know one business day in advance before 10:30 am if you want it packed to go or heated to eat here. Sorry, no changes on the lunch day.
You don’t have to commit to one way for the month. You just need to let us know one day ahead.
CALL Kristine Farley 617. 730. 2747 by 10:30 am ONE BUSINESS DAY ahead
SEE the menu for OCTOBER in the newsletter, pages 20 and 21: https://www.brooklinema.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=37
NOW Cash donations accepted: $2/meal
PICKUP On the third floor, every weekday from 12-12:30
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FOOD COMMODITY: Next distribution is WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20. If you’re over 60 and eligible, get 35 pounds of shelf stable food the third Wednesday of each month. Pickup is by appointment only outside.
REGISTER: 617. 730. 2753 Jamie Jensen jjensen@brooklinema.gov
Emily Brenner Dance Fitness/Yoga
Saturdays from 11-11:45 am
Emily Brenner, our Zumba Gold instructor, has a free class Saturday mornings. She also offers donation based classes throughout the week:
Monday: 10 am Zumba®
Tuesday: 10 am Strength/Low-Impact fitness (chair suggested, light hand weights or cans/water bottles as light weights are optional)
Wednesday: 10 am Let Your Yoga Dance®
Thursday: 5 pm All levels Fitness (weights optional)
WRITE emily.brenner@comcast.net
Brookline Safety Net
A program of the Brookline Community Foundation and the Senior Center, the Safety Net helps residents and others in neighboring towns meet basic needs of food, housing, utilities and transportation. Call the Foundation: 617. 277. 8107 If you can make a donation, your support could make all the difference to a neighbor in need: https://www.brooklinecenter.org/our-impact/safety-net-community
Brookline Farmers Market Thursdays
The Brookline Farmers Market is at the Centre Street west parking lot behind the Coolidge Corner Theater every Thursday 1:30-6:30. Wear your mask, keep your distance, bring a bag. https://www.brooklinefarmersmarket.com/
Elizabeth Pollock, president
I’m asking friends of the Brookline Council on Aging and Senior Center to spread the word about older adults and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). We need you to participate in community forums and advocacy.
We are asking legislators to include Brookline as they make decisions about allocating $42 million dollars from ARPA. Our group is the most affected and vulnerable segment of society from Covid‐19 and the Delta variant.
The money is a way to help the difficulties faced by this group. More than 20% of Brookline’s population is over 60. Many struggle with isolation, food and housing insecurity, job loss, domestic violence, financial scams, difficulty accessing health care and technology, and even death.
– – We need another full‐time geriatric social worker to address mental health needs and isolation.
– – We need subsidized transportation to the Center and health care appointments.
– – We need job training and a restoration of previous employment opportunities as well as new ones.
– – We need more food insecurity programs to include daily meals, grocery delivery, and help applying to food programs.
– – We need to train people for homemaking services to address the shortage of trained home care workers, and their low pay.
– – We need to address technology with more laptops and training; and we need to update the technology here in the Center.
The Council on Aging will be submitting proposals to deal with these pressing issues. We urge the community to support and give priority as Brookline allocates ARPA funds. Warm regards – – Betsy Pollock, president
Please consider a donation by sending a check or at Paypal above right to make a tax-deductible donation. Your generosity is appreciated.
- Suggested bequest language for giving: “I give $___ (or percent of my estate or percent of the remainder of my estate) to Brookline Multi-Service Senior Center Corp (EIN 04-2719972), a Massachusetts non-profit corporation, located at 93 Winchester St, Brookline, MA 02446 to be used for general purposes.” Please consult your lawyer or financial advisor
News
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GALLERY93 EXHIBIT: Photographs by Eric Myrvaagnes through November 15.
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FREE TABLET AND SERVICE: Brookline has a new program funded by a grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Get a free tablet and a year of free internet service. Income eligible. Phone and in-person support.
CALL Maria Foster 617. 730. 2644 mfoster@brooklinema.gov
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READ THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTER – – https://www.brooklinema.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=37 The best way to get one is to subscribe: $10/year. (If you’re a retailer with space for newsletters, call us. We deliver.) Advertise: ad specs
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AGE FRIENDLY BUSINESSES
Be one: http://www.brooklinecan.org/age_friendly_business.html
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WONDER WOMAN, RUTHANN DOBEK:
wickedlocal.com/news/20180315/ruthann-dobek-brookline-senior-centers-wonder-woman
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BOSTON 25 TV: SHOP PROGRAM
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PLANNED GIVING
– – Consider a legacy to the Senior Center. Your bequest is a gift of hope. CALL Ruthann Dobek, director: 617. 730. 2756 to help us secure a bright future. Brookline Multi-Service Senior Center Corp (EIN 04-2719972), a Massachusetts non-profit corporation.