By Donna Lane

Kerry McCarthy, Executive Director of the Council on Aging, is excited to claim, the Senior Center is busier than ever. 

“We have a lot of new members, recently retired, and the number of activities and educational programs continue to increase,” McCarthy said.  

So, what’s happening at the Center? September was the beginning month for renewals of the Fuel Assistance program. McCarthy noted that people renewing should have received their forms in the mail. 

“If people need help filling out their forms, they should contact Kathleen Rooney, our Outreach Coordinator,” McCarthy said. “New applicants can call to set up an appointment to apply for assistance. New applications are processed in late October.”

 October is jam-packed with events. Town Manager, Tony Mazzucco, is scheduled to come for ‘Coffee and Conversation.’ Author and historian Anthony Sammarco is scheduled to give a lively presentation about Halloween Traditions in Boston. And if you’re looking for an historically accurate portrayal that highlights the drama, poignancy and traditions of the times, you’ll want to attend the Portrait of The War of 1812 by Lady J. To top off the month, the Senior Center will host a Fall Festival with a sing-along led by two gentlemen a la Mitch Miller followed by some dessert.

The lunch program continues to be popular with residents. According to McCarthy, the lunch program expanded greatly during the pandemic. 

“As soon as the Center shut down for Covid, we started a “Grab and Go” program, and it has been very popular,” McCarthy said. “People can just drive up and pick up their lunch on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. (During the summer it was only two days a week.)” 

The menu for each month is in the Senior Center’s newsletter. Each meal is $5. Since the Center reopened, people have the option to take lunch to go or bring it inside to eat, which many are now choosing to do. 

“We also do deliveries to people who are homebound,” McCarthy added.

October is also busy at the Center because it begins Medicare’s Open Enrollment which runs from October 15 to December 7. McCarthy suggested that seniors should do a ‘housekeeping’ of their Medicare Supplemental Plans and their drug plans because things like the cost of drugs change every year so you want to make sure you’re on the best possible plan. The Center’s SHINE Counselor is available on Tuesdays and is already scheduling for open enrollment appointments.

In addition to the monthly exercise classes (17 of them), Friday night dances, painting or drawing classes, card games, Bingo, the new Learn-to-Line-dance, and numerous other activities, including holiday scheduling, are already in the works. In November, the Senior Center will once again host their Thanksgiving dinner with entertainment, and in December they will celebrate the season with a 12 Days of Christmas theme by bringing 12 different activities into the Senior Center during the month. That sounds like a lot of fun!

All of the center’s scheduled activities are listed in their monthly Newsletter which is available on-line at the Town of Norwood website at www.norwoodma.gov/residents/senior_center, or if you prefer, call the Senior Center at 781-762-1201, and ask for a copy to be mailed to you each month; the cost is only $10. To learn more about the Norwood Senior Center, visit them in person at 275 Prospect St., like their their Facebook page at Norwood Senor Center/Council on Aging, or email [email protected].

If you are 60 years old or older and you haven’t yet done so, McCarthy urges seniors to come in, take a peek, take a tour, meet some people, and consider making visits to the Senior Center a regular event. And by the way, seniors from other towns are also welcome!