The Wrentham Times

Ross, Winslow Announced Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Seminars

State Senator Richard Ross and Representative Daniel Winslow announced two informational seminars on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. The seminars are set to take place in Norfolk and Wrentham on March 13th. One session will take place at the Council on Aging in Norfolk at 11 a.m. and a second session will take place at the Council on Aging in Wrentham at 12:30 p.m. They will be joined by Brian Lynch of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Senator Ross and Representative Winslow Announce Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Seminar

Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) and Representative Daniel Winslow (R-Norfolk) announced an informational seminar on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit will be held at the Plainville Council on Aging in Plainville on February 13, 2013 at 1 pm. Ross and Winslow will be joined by Brian Lynch of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

“The Senior Circuit Breaker is an excellent program that delivers much-needed relief for Massachusetts residents,” said Ross. “This informational session offers a chance for local seniors to learn how they can take advantage of that savings.”

Winslow said, "Our senior citizens are most vulnerable to the regressive effects of taxation, since many of them depend on a fixed income to survive.  I am pleased to team with Senator Ross in the important work of creating options for seniors to reduce their tax burdens."

The Senior Circuit Breaker is a tax credit for senior citizens whose property payments exceed 10% of their annual income. Eligible seniors will receive a dollar credit on their Massachusetts tax return for every dollar that their total property tax, water and sewer bills exceed 10% of their income. A maximum $1000 credit is available. Additionally, if the taxpayer hasn’t claimed the tax credit in the past, (s) he may claim it for the previous three years.

To be eligible, taxpayers, 65 years or older, must own or rent their residence in Massachusetts and have an annual income of: $53,000 or less for a single filer; $67,000 or less for a head of household; and $80,000 or less for joint filers. If a taxpayer’s property is assessed at $705,000 or less, (s) he is not eligible for the tax credit.

In 2011, the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit provided over $67 million in tax credits to more than 85,000 eligible taxpayers.

September Senior Center Programing

FLU CLINIC – Wrentham Residents Only – 12 years of age and older. Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 10:00am – 12 noon, and 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Wednesday, October 3, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Place:  Wrentham Senior Center – Everyone with insurance must bring their cards. Those without insurance are welcome.  No fee will be charged. Office appointments are available. Please call the Nurses’ office at 508-384-5485. For more information visit the Town Website at www.Wrentham.ma.us.

WALKING GROUP IN THE FALL? – Now that we have our lovely walking path in back of the center, thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Sean Turner, is anyone interested in joining a walking group? We could use the path as our base, and walk around Trout Pond and up to Beach Street. Give us a call and let us know if you are interested, maybe Thursday mornings?

STAMPING WITH STACY – Monday, September, 10 at 12:45pm. Fall-themed cards and little red hatter lady cards will be made. Space is limited. Call to sign up.

LOBSTER ROLL LUNCH  - Wed. Sept. 12 at 12 noon. Space is limited to first 50 people who sign up by Friday, Sept. 7. Cost is $10 .Wrentham seniors sign up is from Aug. (27 – 31). All are welcome thereafter.

HATHA YOGA – Join us on Thursday, September 27 at 9:30 am for a free introductory Senior Hatha Yoga class.  Class can be experienced in a chair or on a mat by a trained yoga instructor.

LUNCH AT CHICKIE FLYNN’S – Thursday, Sept. 13. Must sign up for this event by calling Senior Center.  $2.50

Nails To Go - Manicures & Pedicures!  Every first Friday of the month, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., we will have a licensed nail technician at the Senior Center to give you a manicure and/or a pedicure at special reduced rates.  Please call to sign up and let us know the services you would like.  A basic manicure is $8.  A basic pedicure is $15. Technician can also give other nail treatments, but they must be requested ahead of time

Aerobic Exercise Class – Monday at 9:30, Wednesday at 10:00 Cost $2.00 YMCA Instructor

Sit & Stretch Class – Monday and Wednesday at 11:00. Cost is $2    Video shown on Friday at 11:00 is free.

Cribbage – Tuesday at 9:00 am $1

Grocery Shopping – Friday at 10:15. Call center

to sign up.

Painting Class – Tuesday at 9:30am $3

Errands – First Tuesday of each month.

Target – Second and fourth Tuesday at 10:30 am, Van driver will pick you up at your home for one hour of shopping.

Evening Exercise Class – Tuesday at 6pm and Thursday at 5:45pm. 45 minute high impact aerobics class, zoomba-like exercise, strength training, ab floor work and yoga stretching. Cost is $2, payable at the class. Please bring a floor mat and weights. (we can provide some weights).

Blood Pressure Clinic – Third Wednesday of each month

Financial Advisor – Second Monday of each month.  Call for appointment.

Wrentham’s Veterans Agent – Ken Oles, will be at the senior center on Monday’s from 1pm to 3:00pm and Tuesday’s (appointment only) at 5:00pm to 8:00. Call the center if you would like to meet with Ken.

SHINE – Our SHINE Counselor will be at the Center on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please call if you would like to make an appointment to meet with her.  If you need assistance other than the times she is here, please call the HESSCO SHINE office at 1-800-462-5221

Knitting & Crocheting – On Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.  Join us as we get together to knit/crochet scarves, hats and mittens for the school children and afghans for the Pine St. Inn.

Office Hours with State Senator Richard Ross, or his representative, will be at the senior center on the first Tuesday of each month at 12 noon for a private discussion. No appointment necessary.

Low Vision Support Group – First Thursday of each month at 10:30.  Call center to sign up.

Swimming – Wrentham State School, Tuesday 9:00-11:00

Wednesday 2:00 – 3:00. Call 508-384-3114

Chair Massage – Give yourself a treat and enjoy a 15 minute massage every second Friday of the month for $8. Call the center for an appointment.

Trips

Foxwoods – Once a month. Call Center for date at 508-384-5425, Wrentham Seniors $15, Non Wrentham Seniors $25.

Autumn In Vermont – 10/10.11.12 - $286.00 pp dbl

Overnight stay at the Summit Lodge in Killington, VT. 3 meals included along with evening entertainment, tour to billings Farms and Museum with a stop at Vermont Country Store. Deposit of $75 is required at sign up. Insurance is optional for additional $75.

Call center for more details.

Cruise on Lake Sunapee – October 9 - $72. Buffet luncheon will be served during your cruise.  Motor coach departs at 8:15am with return time of approx. 5:30pm

Italian Festival – October 19 - $44.00- Lake Pearl Luciano’s. Transportation on your own. Arrival time 11:30am. Enjoy singer Glan Faraone. Luncheon choice of either Chicken Parmesan or Baked Haddock.

Lenten Book Club Held at Pond Home

Beginning Valentine’s Day, Pond Home residents and friends will be participating in a Lent Observance Book Club. Each Tuesday of Lent the group will meet at 10 a.m. in the living room of Pond Home to read and discuss a chapter from Max Lucado’s book And the Angels Were Silent. The book follows Jesus during the last week of his life, relating the story using modern events or people to draw a parallel between contemporary occurrences and Jesus’ last week. The group will be led by volunteer Susan Stravinski, a Certified Nondenominational Christian Minister and Registered Nurse who maintains the post of Staff Educator at Pond Home. “Participation from the general public is welcome as it should enhance the discussion,” said Stravinski, noting that she “looks forward to discussing the book and the topics it will raise with the residents at Pond Home.”

The book club is free and open to the public. Meeting dates are slated each Tuesday of Lent at 10 a.m. February 14th, 21st, 28th, March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and April 3rd. Call (508)384-3531 ext. 221 or email cathy@pondhome.org to register if you would like to attend.

 

Wrentham Senior Center Updates

Fuel Assistance – Fuel Assistance applications are now available. For more information and to make an appointment call Fran Padula at508-384-5425.

Reassurance Program – Would you like to receive a friendly telephone call every morning? Monday – Sunday around 9:00am? Please call the center and speak with Fran Padula

Food Assistance Benefits – To obtain information about SNAP (food stamps) benefits and an application, call the Department of Transitional Assistance SNAP Benefits Hotline, 1-800-645-8333. A counselor will help you fill out the application, and will stay in touch with you to ensure you receive any benefits to which you may be entitled.  If you have any questions or would like an application, call Outreach Worker Fran Padula at 508-384-5425 for more information.

The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.  Wednesday, February 1 at 12:30 p.m.  State Senator Richard Ross and Brian Lynch, from the MA Department of Revenue, will be at the SeniorCenter to talk about the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.  The Circuit Breaker is a property tax credit that was designed by the Legislature with the hope of alleviating some of the burdens property taxes can create.  It’s called the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, because it is “triggered,” like an electrical circuit breaker when property payments exceed 10% of asenior citizen’s annual income.  Senator Ross and Mr. Lynch will discuss how to determine if you are eligible for this tax credit and how to claim it if you are determined eligible.  The tax credit can be claimed up to three years previous to this tax year.

Weekly Events:

Aerobic Exercise Class – Monday at 9:30, Wednesday at 10:00 Cost $2.00 YMCA Instructor

Sit & Stretch Class – Monday and Wednesday at 11:00. Cost is $2   Video shown on Friday at 11:00 is free.

Cribbage – Tuesday at 9:00 am $1

Grocery Shopping – Friday at 10:15. Call center to sign up.

Ceramics – Every Thursday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Cost $3

Line Dancing – Tuesday from 1:00 – 2:30. Cost $3

Painting  Class – Tuesday from  9:30 – 11:30. Cost $3

Errands – First Tuesday of each month.

Target – Second and fourth Tuesday at 10:30 am, Van driver will pick you up at your home for one hour of shopping.

Evening Exercise Class – Tuesday at 6pm and Thursday at 5:45pm. 45 minute high impact aerobics class, zoomba-like exercise, strength training, ab floor work and yoga stretching.  Cost is $2, payable at the class. Please bring a floor mat and weights. (we can provide some weights).

Blood Pressure Clinic – Third Wednesday of each month.

Chair Massage – Second Friday of each month.  Call for appointment.

Financial Advisor – Second Monday of each month.  Call for appointment.

Wrentham’s Veterans Agent – Ken Oles, will be at the senior centeron Monday’s from 1pm to 3:00pm and Tuesday’s at 5:00pm to 8:00. Call the center if you would like to meet with Ken.

SHINE – Our SHINE Counselor will be at the Center on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please call if you would like to make an appointment to meet with her.  If you need assistance other than the times she is here, please call the HESSCO SHINE office at 1-800-462-5221

Knitting & Crocheting – On Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.  Join us as we get together to knit/crochet scarves, hats and mittens for the school children and afghans for the Pine St. Inn.

Monthly Events

Office Hours with State Senator Richard Ross, or his representative, will be at the senior center on the first Tuesday of each month at 12 noon for a private discussion. No appointment necessary.

Trips

Foxwoods – Once a month. Call Center for date at 508-384-5425  Wrentham Seniors $13, Non Wrentham Seniors $23.

A list of all trips are posted at the Wrentham Senior Center, or on cable Channel 22.

Wrentham Senior Center is located at 400 Taunton St. 508-384-5425