Boomtime: Loving Life on the Flip-Side of 50
Ashburnham Council on Aging announces January events

The Ashburnham Council on Aging (COA) provides numerous services for the senior citizens in town, most at little or no cost.

The Ashburnham Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located on 1 Memorial Drive in the same building as, and next to, the Ashburnham Police Department.

All Ashburnham Senior Citizens are welcome to drop in. They have a lot of information that you might find of interest and you may have a good time just getting together for a cup of coffee and a chat.

The following are some of the services /activities available at the Senior Center: Meals-on-Wheels are available to those unable to get out. MOC Nutrition Lunch Meals are served at noon. You must reserve the day before by calling the meal-site at (978) 827-5735. Cost of meals is a donation of $2.

If you need transportation, call (978) 827-5000. Transportation on the Senior Van costs $0.25 each stop intown and $0.50 each way to Fitchburg or Gardner.

Additional activities include: lunch, bingo, arts & crafts, Forever Young Club meetings and events, line dancing, speakers, blood pressure clinics, exercise, and the Tax Work Off Program.

Information is available to seniors and their families on a number of topics. Referral to other agencies and services is provided as needed.

Events for January include:

The Ashburnham Council on Aging hosts the Forever Young Club monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 7. Lunch is served at noon ($2 donation), followed by entertainment and finishing with the monthly meeting. Open to all. Please call by noon the day before to reserve for lunch.

Pizza and Bingo for a Buck will be held at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the center. Please call ahead to reserve your place.

Medical transportation to Worcester, Boston and outlying areas will be available to Ashburnham seniors and disabled beginning in February. Thanks to a grant from the state Executive Office of Transportation, the Ashburnham COA can now begin scheduling rides for February and beyond. Please call (978) 827-5000.

Save gas money and take the COA's MART van to medical appointments, therapy, shopping, or the senior center. The van goes around town and to Gardner, Leominster, and Fitchburg and will pick you up and bring you home. Cost is around town 50 cent donation round trip, other locations $1 donation round trip.

Did you resolve to loose weight for the New Year? Make lunch at the Senior Center part of your routine. They serve healthful balanced meals five days a week. A menu can be sent to you, or even better, call your friends to join you. Meet them at the center, and meet your goal for the New Year. If you need a ride, a 24-hour notice please. Cost for meals is a $2 donation.

Don't forget, exercise helps in your weight loss program. Every Tuesday a line dancing class is held at 10 a.m. Newcomers are always welcome. Take as many breaks as you want or you can just observe the first time.

Seniors, here's a way to save money on your property taxes. Become a Tax Workoff volunteer for a town department and each hour you work will earn you $7.50 off your property tax up to $750.

Needle crafters are invited to join the Friendly Circle on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. It's very informal so if 9 a.m. is too early for you, come at 10 a.m. Many do. It runs to about noon.

For more information, or to make reservations, contact Mary Lee Muesel at (978) 827-5000.