THE FRIENDS OF THE BRISTOL PUBLIC LIBRARY welcomes everyone to a retirement open house in honor of Mona Saltzmann and Marsha Pierce from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday.
"Miss Mona" was employed for 34 years and was the children's librarian, remembered fondly for her story times, and most recently the director.
"Miss Marsha" was employed for 32 years and was the audio visual librarian and assisted Miss Mona with story time.
HOWLAND SCHOOLS RETIREES will hold their first monthly meeting of 2010 at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Enzo's. The group will continue to collect food and winter clothing for the Warren Family Mission throughout the winter months. Those attending the lunch meetings are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food or clean, gently used winter apparel items. Soups and other such "comfort" foods would be especially welcome.
The December collection was delivered to the mission by retiree Linda DeToro, and the Howland High School Chamber Choir performed a holiday music program.
Cost of the monthly lunch is $10, payable at the door. All Howland Schools retired personnel and their spouses/guests are welcome to attend the meetings. Call Mary at 330-856-5226 for information about the group or to share news of interest to fellow retirees, which will be shared at the meeting and included in the newsletter.
Information about contributing to the scholarship the group will sponsor through the Howland Community Scholarships Foundation can be accessed by calling the above number.
UFWC LOCAL 880 RETIREES CLUB's first regular meeting of 2010 will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 12 at Lucianno's Restaurant in the Wedgewood Plaza. Membership is open to all UFWC Local 880 retirees, who may bring a guest.
AARP OHIO urges older Ohioans and those who care for them to take advantage of Ohio's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as the food stamp program), which can help put food on the table during tough economic times. According to the USDA, only about 70 percent of Ohioans who are eligible take advantage of the benefit; nationally, only about 34 percent of eligible older Americans participate. Ohio ranks 21st in the U.S. in terms of the number of eligible people participating in the program.
Participants get an Ohio Direction Card, a special debit card to use at most grocery stores, certain senior centers, farmer's markets and meal delivery services - the card is used like a credit card and the cost of groceries is deducted from the account balance. New benefits are added automatically every month.
People who are 60 or older may qualify for food assistance if:
l Their net monthly income (after subtracting certain expenses, i.e., housing and medical costs, child care and eldercare) is about $903 for a single person or around $1,214 for a married couple.
l They get Supplemental Security Income.
l They live in federally subsidized housing for the elderly, even if they receive their meals at the facility.
Older Americans and those who care for them can find everything they need to get started at AARP's Benefits QuickLINK Web site: www.aarp.org/snap.
THE TRUMBULL COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, 1230 Palmyra Road S.W. in Warren, announces the winter crisis program is under way. Customers who are in need of utility assistance may contact the agency at 330-393-2507, Ext. 225, for an appointment. Walk-in customers are accepted on Monday mornings, Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings only. The first 20 people to arrive to the client service entrance doors outside of the building will be seen beginning at 7:30 a.m. for morning walk-in days and 12:30 p.m. for the Monday afternoon walk-in days.
Customers must provide photo identification; Social Security cards for all dependent household members with no Social Security number on their photo ID; the last three months of income statements for all household members; utility bills or fuel receipts; and proof of disability (if disabled) for the Energy Assistance credit. Both gas and electric bills or bulk fuel receipt are required. Customers must have all the necessary documents to be seen for an interview. The deadline to apply for the winter crisis program is March 31.
To be eligible for assistance, customers must have a notice of disconnection on their gas and/or electric utilities. Customers using fuel oil, propane, coal or wood must have less than a 10 day supply available to be eligible.
For additional information, customers may refer to the Trumbull Community Action Program online at www.tcaphelps.org.
Ward Center Presbyterian Church, 490 Lucy St., Masury, will serve FREE LUNCHES for senior citizens 60 and older from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
Former VAN HUFFEL AND VANEX TUBE EMPLOYEES meet at 8 a.m. Fridays at Wayside Restaurant, 825 State Road N.W., Champion. For more information, call Jim Franklin at 330-856-4231.
The TRUMBULL COUNTY NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY is provided by the Trumbull County Office of Elderly Affairs and operates nutrition sites at 10 locations throughout Trumbull County. These sites provide a meal and the opportunity for socialization. There is a $1.25 charge for each meal.
Any senior citizen 60 and older and spouses of those 60 and older are welcome for lunch at any of the following sites:
For more information or to make reservations two working days in advance before 3 p.m., call 330-675-2486.
The menu for the week is:
TODAY: NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY
MONDAY: Vegetable lasagna, glazed carrots, peas, Italian bread with margarine, diced peaches
TUESDAY: Mild rope sausage, peppers and onions, potato spudster, bun, diced pears
WEDNESDAY: Chicken quarter, rice pilaf, broccoli, rye bread with margarine, unsweetened applesauce, grape juice
THURSDAY: Hamburger on bun, ketchup and mustard, cheesy mashed potatoes, green beans, Mandarin oranges
FRIDAY: Cheese omelet, sausage patty, seasoned potatoes, unsweetened hot applesauce, blueberry muffin, orange juice
THE KINSMAN SENIOR CITIZEN NUTRITION SITE is open to senior citizens 60 or older or whose spouse is 60 or older every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Meals are served about noon at the Kinsman Fire Hall. Cost is $1.25 per meal, and the doors open at 10 a.m.
Cards and bingo are played every day, and singing is on Wednesdays.
To attend, call two days before to site manager Dollie Davis at 330-442-1718 or Ada Smith at 330-876-5123.
FOWLER-VIENNA SENIOR CITIZENS are invited to meet every Thursday at Four Seasons Mobile Home Park.
The group meets from 9:30 a.m. or later to play cards and games, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and for a 50/50 raffle and meals. Special meals will be eaten on the fourth Thursday of the month. Cost is $3 each.
All those 55 and older are welcome. Annual dues are $12.
McDONALD SENIOR CITIZENS
Meetings are held 11 a.m. every other Wednesday at McDonald United Methodist Church. Those attending should bring their own lunch.
JOHNSTON SENIOR CENTER
5922 Warren Road, Cortland, 330-924-0412.
Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Membership is $12 per year. Puzzles and games daily.
OSU buckeye necklaces are for sale for $4.50. All proceeds benefit the center.
MONDAY: 10 to 11 a.m., wood craft; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., cards
TUESDAY: 10 a.m. to noon, painting group
WEDNESDAY: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., needlework; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., card day
THURSDAY: Bingo, 12:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 28.
FRIDAY: Puzzles and games
Information about HEAP and Vials of Life is available at the center.
Free blood pressure checks will be from 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 12 and 27.
FARMINGTON SENIOR CENTER
Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon Mondays.
MONDAY: 7 a.m. to noon, full breakfast menu, open to the public.
TUESDAY: 10:30 a.m., exercise class and quilting, cards and crafts; 6 p.m., cards, players' choice.
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY: noon, nutrition program lunch, cost $1.25, and quilting, cards and crafts.
Self-serve breakfast available from 7 to 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Blood pressure checks are 11 a.m. the first Thursday of every month.
Amish ladies day is the third Tuesday of every month with a covered-dish luncheon at noon.
For more information, call 330-889-2733.
CHAMPION SCOPE
4447-B Mahoning Ave.; 330-847-8179.
Breakfast 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Monday. Cost is $4 for members and $6 for non-members.
Lunch 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Cost is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. Carryouts available. Menu suggestions are welcome. Special holiday lunches are $5 for everyone.
Three computers with free Internet capabilities available every day.
MONDAY: 12:30 p.m., acrylic painting/crafts of choice. (Supplies are mostly free, but sometimes a minimal charge is necessary)
TUESDAY: 10 a.m., birds and nature study class; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., arthritic exercise, volleyball or cornhole.
WEDNESDAYS: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., bingo, $.25 per card, free with Angela on second Wednesday.
THURSDAY: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., arthritic exercise, volleyball or cornhole.
FRIDAYS: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., seasonal crafts or painting.(Supplies are mostly free, but sometimes a minimal charge is necessary)
Cards or games available every day when requested.
Special speakers most Mondays at 11 a.m. Ideas are welcome.
Crocheting, knitting, quilting (bring machine), assistance available.
SCOPE is seeking ideas for projects.
NILES SCOPE SENIOR CENTER
14 E. State St., Niles, Ray Novotny and Judy Fabian, managers. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. 330-544-3676.
MONDAY: 10 a.m., beginning bridge; 11 a.m., arthritis exercise program, $1, Debbie Eschman therapy; 1 p.m., quilting and cards, players' choice; 4 p.m., Monday night cards and games, food. $2; 5 p.m. T.O.P.S.
TUESDAY: 9 a.m., breakfast, $2; 9:30 a.m. square dancing, $3, Norm Flavell, caller and instructor; 11:30 a.m. lunch - $3 for members and $4 for others; 12:30 p.m., Dance Dynamics Aerobics for Arthritis $1; 1 p.m., cards, 500 Tournament, first, second and third Tuesday each month, preregistration required; 2:30 p.m., blood pressure checks, first and third Tuesday each month, Niles Health Department nurse; 2:30 p.m., pinochle.
WEDNESDAY: 9:30 a.m., chair yoga, $1, Roseanne; 11:30 a.m., lunch, $3 members and $4 others (VIP monthly birthday luncheon, third Wednesday a culinary experience $5); 1 p.m., bingo with a guest caller each week and Texas Hold 'Em; 2:30 p.m., cards, players' choice; 3 p.m., new arthritis exercise class, $1.
THURSDAY: 9:30 a.m., line dancing, $3, Norm Flavell, instructor; 11:30 a.m., lunch $3 members, $4 others; 1 p.m., bowling at McKinley Lanes, last Thursday of the month, pinochle, bridge, American Red Cross blood drive, third Thursday.
FRIDAY: 9 a.m., Friday morning movies; 10 a.m., free art class; 11 a.m., arthritis exercise program $1, Debbie Eschman therapy; 11:30 a.m., salad and sandwich $2; 1 p.m., mixed chorus (second Friday of the month sing at Briarfield at the Ridge) and hand and foot card game, Jo-Ba, and more card games; 2:30 p.m., cornhole games.
Pool table, piano or television available when not in conflict with other activities.
Beginner computer classes start on Wednesday. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $10.
HOWLAND SCOPE
8273 High St., Howland.
MONDAY: 9 a.m., pinochle; 10 a.m., art class; 12:30 p.m., yoga; 7 p.m., Computer Club (first and third Monday).
TUESDAY: 12:30 p.m., bingo; 12:30 p.m., Book Club (third Tuesday); 3 p.m., cornhole games.
WEDNESDAY: 9 a.m., Ohio Star Quilters (first and third Wednesday); 10 a.m., Bridge Club; 1 p.m., Red Hatters (first Wednesday); 6 p.m., beginner line dancing with Gloria Stone.
THURSDAY: 9:30 a.m., computer class; 10 a.m., needle arts; 12:30 p.m., Red Hatters (first Thursday); 2 p.m., Investment Club (Panera, second Thursday); 3 p.m., line dancing with Theo Bell; 5:30 p.m., card night.
FRIDAY: 11:30 a.m., line dancing with Norm Flavell.
For more information on programs and events at Howland SCOPE, call 330-609-7806.
CORTLAND SCOPE
125 N. Bank St., Cortland; 330-637-3010
MONDAY: 10 a.m. to noon, gardening club; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., watercolor art; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., arthritis exercise class, $2.
TUESDAY: 9 to 10:30 a.m., beginning computer, $5; 10:30 a.m. to noon, intermediate computer, $5; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., chair yoga, $3; 12:45 to 2 p.m., bingo, 25 cents per card, per game.
WEDNESDAY: 10 a.m. to noon, line dancing, $3; 1 to 2 p.m., 500 bid; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bridge; noon to 1 p.m., arthritis exercise class, call for cost.
THURSDAY: 10 a.m. to noon, acrylic art class, $5; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., teaching beginning bridge.
FRIDAY: First Friday pot luck birthday party. Attendees should bring a dish to share; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. all Fridays, cornhole.
WARREN SCOPE
220 W. Market St., Warren.
MONDAY: 8:30 a.m. to noon, lunch site; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., line dancing; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., cards (poker); 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., exercise class; 1 to 3 p.m., cards (500); 6 to 10 p.m., round dancing.
TUESDAY: 8:30 a.m. to noon, lunch site; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., art (Trumbull Art Gallery); 10 to 11 a.m., chair volleyball; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., cards (poker); 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., exercise class; 4:30 p.m., Riverside RR Club; 6 p.m., Stephen Foster Chorus.
WEDNESDAY: 8:30 a.m. to noon, lunch site, soup day (bean and ham soup); 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., rhythm band; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., cards (pinochle); 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., cards (poker); 1 to 3 p.m., cards (bridge);
THURSDAY: 8:30 a.m. to noon, lunch site; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., painting classes; 10 to 11 a.m., chair volleyball; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., exercise class; 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., deaf group; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., bingo.
FRIDAY: 8:30 a.m. to noon, 10:30 a.m. tap class, Senior Sensations, lunch site; 1 to 3 p.m., cards (500).
For more information, call 330-399-8846.
LORDSTOWN SCOPE
1776 Salt Springs Road
Anyone with suggestions on local trips, or for more information on trips, may contact Denise at 330-824-2489 or Mary Jane Wilson, seniors and transportation committee chairwoman, at 330-824-2252. For more information, call 330-824-2173.