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GRAFTON COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL Summer 2017 Newsletter

Center for Elder Services10 Campbell Street u PO Box 433 u Lebanon, NH 03766603-448-4897 u fax: 603-448-3906 u www.gcscc.org

It’s Going To Get Hot Outside: Will You Be Ready?

Centers for Senior ServicesHorse Meadow Senior Center(N. Haverhill 787-2539)

Linwood Area Senior Services(Lincoln 745-4705)

Littleton Area Senior Center(Littleton 444-6050)

Mascoma Area Senior Center(Canaan 523-4333)

Newfound Area Senior Services(Bristol 744-8395)

Orford Area Senior Services(Orford 353-9107)

Plymouth Regional Senior Center(Plymouth 536-1204)

Upper Valley Senior Center(Lebanon 448-4213)

SponsoringRSVP & The Volunteer Center

(toll-free 1-877-711-7787)

ServiceLink of Grafton County

(toll-free 1-866-634-9412)

Grafton County Senior CitizensCouncil, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider.

2017 Board of Directors Patricia Brady, President

Larry Kelly, Vice President

Flora Meyer, Treasurer

Bob Muh, SecretaryRalph AkinsNeil CastaldoEllen FlahertyCarol GovoniClark GriffithsDick JaegerCraig LaboreSteve MarionRick PeckMartha RichardsFrank ThibodeauEllen Thompson

Roberta Berner, Executive Director

You’ve probably heard the expression, “Everyone complains about the weather, but no one does anything about it.”* Now someone is! RSVP Assistant Program Director, Bernadette Rose (1-877-711-7787), rep-

resented RSVP / GCSCC in the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley’s (PHCUV) “Heat and Older Adults 2016 Pilot Project,” collaborating with the Upper Valley Ambulance Service, and Plainfield Caring Neighbors. Bernadette used the PHCUV’s toolkit to coach RSVP and GCSCC volunteers and staff in the Upper Valley who are in direct contact with elders at risk. GCSCC outreach workers, plus RSVP volunteers through Chore Corps, Good Morning, Home Delivered Meals, and RSVP Bone Builders were given checklists of things to be aware of, brochures to share, and talking points to encourage friendly conver-sations about health and safety during extreme heat events. Outreach, informa-tion and resources were given to older adults, several living alone, many with chronic health issues, some who may also be isolated. Refrigerator magnets with thermometers, and drinking tumblers with the reminder, It’s Hot Out. Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Stay Informed. were also provided by the PHCUV. This is just one of many efforts being undertaken across the country to build more resilient communities.

Don’t become an extreme heat event statistic! Plan ahead. Learn how to pre-vent, recognize, and treat heat related illnesses. Visit www.uvpublichealth.org. Remember, older adults often don’t get thirsty until it is too late. Keep in mind that the body often has difficulty cooling down its core temperature when the weather is humid and the nights don’t dip down below 75°F. Call RSVP/Chore Corps to see if one of our screened volunteers can install your air conditioner for free before a heat wave is even forecast! Call RSVP/Good Morning if you’d like free telephone reassurance calls. Have food on hand that you don’t have to cook in the oven. Wear loose clothes. Take a cool bath. Call ServiceLink to locate cooling centers with air conditioning—your local senior centers, librar-ies, etc. Check in with friends, neighbors and family. Stay Cool. Stay Hydrated. Stay Informed.

Even though the PHCUV project was last year, summer comes every year and the need continues. RSVP volunteers continue to provide information and ser-vices. “The news gives temperatures, information and tips during a heat wave,” said Bernadette, “but an informed one-to-one conversation with a familiar RSVP volunteer or GCSCC outreach worker gives all the above plus support. Each of us can do something about the weather!”

SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL IN

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News about the Federal Budget: A Long Way Between Proposed and EnactedRoberta Berner, GCSCC Executive Director

News about the federal budget has spread through the media, and I know that GCSCC participants are worried about the impact of proposed bud-get cuts on our programs—primarily home deliv-ered meals or “Meals on Wheels.” I want to assure our participants that, at this point, the proposed cuts are within the President’s budget, but are by no means final decisions by the federal deci-sion-makers.

What we can learn from the President’s pro-posed budget is where the federal executive branch stands. The proposed budget does not tell us how the U.S. Senate and House of Representa-tives will vote. We do know that Congress passed a budgetary continuing resolution this spring which keeps all of our services intact for the re-mainder of this federal fiscal year, which ends September 30.

It’s important to stay informed, and it’s import-ant to let our elected leaders know how we feel about the proposals—but it’s too early to assume that the cuts will take place as proposed.

The President’s proposed budget eliminates the Social Services Block Grant (supporting 52,515 of our home delivered meals), the Senior Community Services Employment Program (sup-porting 30+ income qualified trainees who work within our programs approximately 20,000 hours per year), and the Corporation for National and Community Service (funding RSVP which spon-sors Bone Builders, A Matter of Balance, Chore Corps, telephone reassurance, and more).

There’s a long way to go between the Presi-dent’s proposed budget and the final approved federal budget. Remaining informed and vigilant, letting your elected representatives know where you stand, and not worrying unduly or prema-turely are my recommendations!

Facilities Improvements Continue Thanks to Tax CreditsGCSCC continues to make needed improvements to its facilities thanks to the NH-CDFA tax credits awarded in 2015-16. In June we repaired and sealed the Horse Meadow Senior Center parking lot, and installed new carpeting at the Center. We are replacing the front door at the Upper Valley Senior Center with a com-bination of insurance support and CDFA tax credit funds. The front door was damaged during a break-in between Christmas and New Year’s of last year. We also are working closely with the state Department of Transportation to get approvals in place to complete the deck replacement over the railroad tracks adjacent to the Plymouth Regional Senior Center. •

GCSCC’s Nutrition Program Receives Recognition Congratulations to GCSCC’s senior nutrition pro-gram, which received an Outstanding Achievement Award in late spring from the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health. Staff members from the Division of Public Health recommended our program for the award because of our efforts to reduce sodi-um in our meals and also because of the overall high quality of our home delivered and congregate meals program.

(L-R), Scot Foster, NH Division of Public Health; Roberta Berner, Executive Director, GCSCC; Kristin Haney, Nutrition Coordinator, GCSCC, and Head Cook, Upper Valley Senior Center; and Carole Zangla, Associate Director-Program, GCSCC, and Director, Littleton Area Senior Center.

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••Arts Program Off to a Successful Start

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Four diverse arts courses at GCSCC locations filled to capacity this spring and summer thanks to major funding support from Aroha Philanthropies and the Couch Family Foundation. GCSCC and the Arts Alli-ance of Northern New Hampshire worked together to create Experience/Arts, a year-long initiative to inspire and enable adults 55 and older to learn, make, and share arts in ways that are novel, complex, and socially engaging. (See www.experiencearts.org).

In Lebanon, poet Catherine O’Brian instructed the course, “Opening Windows—Exploring and Writing Poetry.” The course ended in late April, but many of the participants continue to meet twice monthly as a poetry interest group.

In Plymouth, visual artist Kathy Cadow Parsonnet led “The Art Around Us,” from April through mid-June. Several course members plan to continue their work in visual art by joining Central New Hampshire Artists, which meets weekly at the Plymouth Regional Senior Center.

Ceramic studio owner and artist Elizabeth Cornell Wilkin has instructed the course “Working with Clay” at the Horse Meadow Senior Center. The culminat-ing event for the course will take place in conjunction with the annual Haverhill Fair on July 26.

“Photographing Nature” with photographer and instructor John Anderson is taking place at the Little-ton Area Senior Center through the summer.

A new series of Experience/Arts courses will be offered this fall.

From Experience/Arts “Opening Windows- Exploring and Writing Poetry”

Healing Words for a CaregiverEunie Guyre

I clutch invisible tissuesto hide my gnarled, arthritic fingers

As I prepare to leave the housefor my CNA job at a nursing home.

Opening my hands, the man I lovepresses his palms against mine

Spreading our fingers wide apartbringing my fingertips to his lips,where he places a gentle kissand utters two wordsthat change my image of myself.“Healing hands”

“Working with Clay” instructor Elizabeth Cornell Wilkin assists course participants at Horse Meadow Senior Center. Photo by Paul Anderson

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It was a cool, sunny spring day—

perfect for walking through one

of New Hampshire’s prettiest

towns-Littleton. The Littleton

Area Senior Center hosted the

6th Annual Walkathon for Meals

on Wheels: Step Up and Stop Hun-

ger on May 20th. Spirits were high

from the beginning. Walkers began

their day fortified with a delicious

pancake breakfast complete with bacon,

sausage, egg stratas, scrambled eggs, fruit, home fries,

coffee and a selection of juices. Each walker received

a canvas bag, T-shirt and wrist band for entrance to

the barbecue.

The Walk began promptly at 10 am. Approximately

170 walkers chose either a one mile or a 3.5 mile route.

Once back at the Center, DJ AJ Entertainment enter-

tained the group and several got up

to dance; others visited the ven-

dors. They included a massage

therapist giving post walk neck

massages, Harvard Pilgrim’s

booth, the Mighty Magic cheer-

leaders face painters. Ed Berry

and Mooska fired up the barbecue

and the party continued.

We thank all of our walkers and

members of the community who came out

in support of our efforts to Step Up and Stop Hunger.

We raised $100,000 statewide and more than $30,000

through GCSCC. Hunger among older adults in Graf-

ton County is very real. It takes a community to care

for our most vulnerable and that’s just what we are

doing! Many thanks for the hospitality in Littleton

and to all our participants.

Meals on Wheels: Step Up and Stop Hunger

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Thanks to all of our sponsors around the state and locally Platinum SponsorsSt. Joseph Hospital

Gold SponsorsCross InsuranceLiving at Home Senior CareMascoma Savings Bank Silver SponsorsAmerihealth CaritasAutosaver GroupBarbara’s Red StockingDartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center HannafordBank of New HampshireNH Healthy FamiliesService Credit UnionSheehan Phinney Bass + Green

Bronze SponsorsEaton & Berube InsuranceFirst Congregational ChurchFranklin Savings BankHarvard Pilgrim Health CareHome Health and Hospice CareTeam LittletonLoudon Investment Management, LLCSt. Mary’s BankTeam MuhSouthern New Hampshire HealthWeisman Tessier Lambert & HalloranWell Sense Health Plan

Community SponsorsAssociated Grocers of New England

Ayer & Goss FuelsBrady Sullivan Properties

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.Enterprise Bank

Granite Group BenefitsHarvest Capital Management Group

Meredith Village Savings BankMerrimack County Savings Bank

New England Wire Technologies Corp.Oliver Packaging & Equipment Company

Passumpsic Savings BankIn Memory of Margi Rose L. Paquette

Reinhart FoodserviceTilton Trailor Rental

Weisman Tessier Lambert & Hallnan

Friends SponsorsConcord VNA

Doric Center Lodge #20 F & AM (Tilton Masons)

Garnet HillGlobe ManufacturingJ Edgar Group, PLLC

J. Lawrence HallJeannette Howland

Albert C. JonesKiwanis Club of Hudson

Lisbon LionsLittleton Coin

Jeff Merrill AutomotiveNorthern Lights Credit Union

Omni ResortsPellettieri Associates, Inc.

Pillsbury Phaneuf Funeral HomesUnion Bank

Raffle prizes donated included—a 50/50 raffle,

a calendar raffle and more than 32 items were

raffled off, including the grand prize of a Cape

Air flight from Lebanon to Boston valued at

more than $600! GCSCC thanks the following

businesses and individuals who contributed to

the success of the raffle: Cape Air, L.L. Bean,

Eastern Mountain Sports, Infuse Me, Osher,

Blue Sky Group, Vivo Day Salon, Home Depot,

Staples, Richard Thornton donated sauces, Paul

Anderson who built 10 birdhouses, River Valley

Club, Cuts By Connie-Littleton, Antique Rose,

Florist, Woodsville, Mac’s Market, Jax Jr Cin-

ema, Littleton, Happy Hour Restaurant, Well’s

River, Shaws, Littleton, Littleton Food Co-Op,

Littleton Walmart, NAPA Auto, Littleton, Beth-

lehem Village Store, New Century Chinese

Restaurant, Woodsville, Jackson’s Corner, Bou-

tique-Littleton, Cherry Blossoms Florist, Little-

ton, Dutch Treat Restaurant, Franconia Healthy

Rhino-Health Foods, Littleton. Many thanks

to our volunteers who sold raffle tickets and to

those who provided items for our bake sale.

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William (Bill) Fontaine was recently awarded the Joseph D. Vaughan Award for Grafton County, New Hampshire in recognition of his volunteer service to older adults during 2016. Bill is a reference bibliographer at Dartmouth College’s Library by profession, and an RSVP Chore Corps volunteer by choice since the 1990s. He’s installed air conditioners, hand rails and grab bars; evicted wasps; fixed broken windows and helped transition people back home from nursing homes. Bill always brings his willingness to help and a sense of humor. Last year, Bill donated 49 hours of his time and expertise, helping twelve people in the Upper Valley. Bill sometimes connects with the same people and has developed a rapport with several of them. People request him. They trust him and so does RSVP.

Bill has been described as “more than a hammer and nails volunteer.” His ability to teach and willingness to try has made him the “go to” guy to set up and trouble shoot electronic and adaptive equipment for those with visual impairments and other impairments. Sometimes, after crawling around under desks, checking cables and wires, he also demonstrates how to “make the darn thing work.” He has helped people with their first computer so they can stay connected to family, friends and community. His efforts help older people stay in the mainstream flow a changing media focused world.

Bill does this work in part to “balance the scales a bit”. His own efforts to help his parents was a 20 hour round car ride to Pittsburgh. Luckily, Bill’s parents had wonderfully outgoing neighbors who helped out. Bill’s Chore Corps volunteerism is a way to give back to the community and to help others in similar situations as he had been.

The Vaughan Award is a joint effort between EngAging NH and the New Hampshire State Committee on Aging to recognize individuals or couples over the age of 60 who demonstrate outstanding leadership or meritorious achievement as volunteers on behalf of New Hampshire’s older citizens and others. The award was initiated in 1962 to memorialize the Honorable Joseph D. Vaughan, a New Hampshire legislator who was an early advocate for older residents of the state and who was instrumental in creating a state agency dedicated to the wellbeing of older people.

When it comes to giving back to the community, helping people stay safe and independent, it takes a good neighbor, a Chore Corps volunteer, a librarian. Congratulations and a huge THANK YOU to Bill Fontaine.

Bill Fontaine, Recipient of the Vaughan Award Staff ChangesWelcome to George Ehrman, new driver for Linwood Area Senior Services, and to Florence Hunter, new program assistant for Plymouth Regional Senior Center. We wish the very best to Mary Beth Donohue, ServiceLink Medicare specialist, as she retires. Mary Beth has helped people across the region as they explore their Medicare options, and she has been a passionate advocate through her work. We hope that she will return to ServiceLink during the Medicare open enrollment period next fall as a per diem staffer—her expertise has been invaluable and she has been a treasured colleague.

We thank Debbie Whitaker for her service to Horse Meadow Senior Center and welcome back Deb Foster as interim director. Welcome to Laura Griffith-Cochrane and Scott Papcun, new drivers for Linwood Area Senior Services. Laura and Scott join us after the death of long-time and beloved driver Keith Brown. Best wishes to cook Tad Chase and assistant cook Tammy Cote who departed Littleton Senior Center and welcome to Michael Swinyer who joins the Littleton Senior Center as a cook. We welcome Jacquelyn Bruce, new assistant cook for Mascoma Area Senior Center; Elizabeth Houghton, former assistant cook has been promoted to program assistant at the Center.

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Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that was incorporated in 1972. It is supported by government grants and contracts, contributions from local towns and Grafton County, contributions from participants, bequests, private grants, charitable donations, and United Way.

GCSCC’s mission is to develop, strengthen, and provide programs and services that support the health, dignity, and independence of older adults and adults with disabilities living in our communities. GCSCC achieves its purpose through programs and services offered at senior centers and other locations throughout Grafton County.

GCSCC Executive Director Roberta Berner fondly remembers driving Nellie Russell to the 2010 Lebanon Chamber of Commerce’s event. Nellie couldn’t understand why it was so important that she be there and reluctantly agreed to go after Roberta insisted she come along to accept an award for the Senior Cen-ter. Nellie was named “Citizen of the Year” by the Chamber of Com-merce that year in celebration of her decades of service.

Nellie and her husband Romeo Russell were well known to the Lebanon community. They both were proud to call Lebanon their home throughout their lives and had scores of friends in the area. They were active volunteers—Nellie was “cap-tain” of the Upper Valley Senior Center luncheons where she provided impeccable customer service and a friendly and welcoming demeanor to all she encountered. She chaired Martha’s Ministries at Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the Cath-olic Daughters Social Committee. She was an active participant in the Fire Department’s auxiliary, provid-ing coffee to the fight fighters in the line of duty. She also volunteered for the Red Cross; APD Auxiliary and Hartford Emblem Club #150. Nellie was also the housekeeping supervisor for the old Mary Hitchcock

Memorial Hospital. Described as a real “firecracker,” Nellie often left people wondering how she could accomplish so much in one day.

Romeo and Nellie courted for five years before Nellie became his bride in 1940. GCSCC Finance Director Betsey Cheney remem-bers Romeo well as a “fixture” at the Lebanon High School driving the bus and providing maintenance to the school. He was a man who the children looked up to because of his kindness. Romeo was also a

dedicated volunteer to the Lebanon Fire Department for over 40 years and was often found there conversing with his friends and colleagues. Nellie passed away on October 6, 2016; Romeo predeceased her on July 10, 2013.

Consistent with their dedication to the Lebanon community, love of the Upper Valley Senior Center and deep sense of gratitude, they included the Cen-ter in their estate plans, leaving funds targeted to sup-port meals, transportation and care for elders in their homes. While Nellie and Romeo will be missed, their spirit and generosity will long be remembered.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can leave a legacy that lives on, contact Alicia Connors at GCSCC 603-448-4897.

NH GIVES and How!The NH Center for Nonprofits sponsored an all-out giving campaign on June 6 and 7th. The program was designed to bring the state together as one community, raising as much money and awareness as possible for New Hampshire’s nonprofits within a 24-hour, flash-mob of giving. In that short period of time, 292 non-profits participated; 3,164 donors gave and over $310,000 was raised. Grafton County Senior Citizens Council raised $1,250 from 10 donors in that 24 hour period. It includes a “Golden Ticket” gift of $250! We thank all those who gave during this time and thank the NH Center for Non-profits for sponsoring this unique opportunity to bring the NH community together.

In appreciation of Nellie and Romeo Russell’s Legacy Gift

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Welcoming New Vehicles in the Upper Valley and Newfound AreasTwo new replacement vehicles to serve the Upper Val-ley and Newfound areas arrived in early June, thanks to approval by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. With these two 2017 vehicles, we now have a fairly new fleet County-wide including four 2016 vans, four 2013 vehicles, and a 2011 “spare” van to use when needed. Mascoma Savings Bank and Franklin Savings Bank awarded generous grants to GCSCC that covered the required local match to state

and federal funds for these vans.

Thinking of Safety Underfoot During Icy WeatherThis past winter was difficult for GCSCC partici-pants, volunteers, and staff, and some experienced se-rious injuries resulting from slips and falls on the ice. At a meeting last winter, the GCSCC Board of Direc-tors discussed the safety concerns and suggested the purchase of safety footwear for staff and volunteers making home deliveries, providing transportation, or engaged in outreach.

In good news for safety during winter 2017-18, the Agnes Lindsay Trust approved a grant for GCSCC to purchase a large quantity of winter safety footwear for distribution to local programs. Local businessman and long-time GCSCC friend Ed Hirsch offered to pur-chase the footwear at his price for our use, and GCSCC will have 167 sets of the safety footwear for distribu-

tion to all locations this fall.

GCSCC Welcomes New Members to the Board of DirectorsAt the Annual Meeting, GCSCC elected new members to its Board of Directors:

• Martha Richards, Holderness, community activist and former long-term Grafton County Commissioner;

• Ellen Thompson, Lyme parish nurse and former Director of Care Management at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Serving as 2017-18 Board officers are:

• Patricia Brady, Haverhill, President;

• Larry Kelly, Lebanon, Vice President;

• Flora Meyer, Lebanon, Treasurer; and

• Bob Muh, Littleton, Secretary.

Continuing to serve as Board members are Ralph Akins, Lebanon; Neil Castaldo, Hanover; Ellen Flaherty, Co-Director, Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, Lebanon; Carol Govoni, Lincoln; Clark Griffiths, Lebanon; Dick Jaeger, Orange; Craig Labore, Administrator, Grafton County Nursing Home, Haverhill; Steve Marion, Hanover; Rick Peck, Enfield; and Frank Thibodeau, Canaan.

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(L-R) Keynote speaker and GCSCC Board member Ellen Flaherty, GCSCC President Patricia Brady, and GCSCC Vice President Larry Kelly enjoy the Annual Meeting luncheon. Photos by Jodi Austin