The Council on Aging, 15 Elm Street, has free COVID-19 test kits available. Call 978-456-4120 to pick up a couple, or to register for programs.
Work has begun on the new COA building at 16 Lancaster County Road and is moving at a brisk pace. The COA is looking for ideas for a name for the new center; call with your ideas.
Ham and bean supper
As summer comes to a close, and with it the warm weather, so does the opportunity to offer events outside. On Thursday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m. the Knights of Columbus Council #13764 will hold a free ham and bean supper on the Hildreth House porch, 15 Elm Street, with baked ham, homemade baked beans, and coleslaw. Sign up right away to make sure there’s enough food for all.
Library books at home
If you are homebound and need books delivered to your home, call the library at 978-456-4114 and ask for Jill, or email reference@harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Salad Thursday lunches
The COA is finding ways to offer more healthy salads for lunch. Starting Thursday, Sept. 8, salads, along with bread, dessert, and a drink, will be offered a couple of times each month on Thursdays. Sign up by calling 978-456-4120.
Rack ’em up
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m., this month’s Story Slam presents “The Story of Billiards,” with instructor Roy Pastor, at his new pool hall, the Red Dragon Billiards Club and Training Center, 285 Ayer Road. Learn the ins and outs of billiards mechanics and strategies. Space is limited, so sign up early.
COA van guidelines
Fees for the use of the van vary according to destination; payment in exact change is expected at the time of a ride. To schedule a ride, call 978-456-4120; 48 hours’ notice is requested. The van is disinfected daily and between rides, and the driver and riders are required to wear masks.
Living alone? Come meet others
Do you live alone, and would you like to meet others in your situation? On Thursday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m., join Harvard Seniors Living Alone for a social hour on the Hildreth House porch, 15 Elm Street. Mocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Meet new people and discuss travel, hobbies, music, theater, restaurants, and any other topics. Sign up by Monday, Sept. 12.
Help with computers
Adam and Doug continue to assist seniors with computer issues and are available for one-on-one sessions via Zoom or in person by appointment. Call 978-456-4120. Learn more and access their online computer resource center at sites.google.com/view/hcoa-lab.
Is live-in care right for you?
The majority of people want to remain at home as they age. Join Nicole Baillargeon, LSW, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. via Zoom to discuss the various care options available for the aging community. Baillargeon offers more than 10 years’ experience helping seniors and their families. Call to sign up for this free Zoom presentation.
‘Streaming Basics’ workshop
Come to Hildreth House at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, to learn more about the plethora of choices for watching audio/video content via the internet. Learn about streaming, what is needed, and how to stream TV shows, movies, music, podcasts, and radio stations to devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. Call the COA at 978-456-4120 to sign up for this workshop. Class size is limited.
Fitness classes
Fitness classes are being offered online via Zoom and in person.
- Aerobics/weight strengthening: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m., Zoom. $30 per 12-class session.
- Line dancing: Mondays, 10:15-11:15 a.m., Zoom. $3 per class.
- Zumba gold: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. in person at the Bolton COA; call 978-779-3314.
- Yoga for everybody: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. in person and Zoom. $48 per six-week session.
- Tai Chi: Thursdays, 9 a.m. at Hildreth House, $25/month, $7/class.
Other regular programs
- Vet Cafe: Second Tuesday of the month, 9 a.m. Join fellow veterans for coffee and conversation.
- Men’s coffee: Wednesdays, 9 a.m.
- Women’s coffee: Fridays, 10 a.m.
- Mahjong in the parlor: Thursdays, 1 p.m.
- Fiber arts and knitting: Thursdays, 1 p.m. in the living room.
- Afternoon bridge: Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.
- Men’s bridge: Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.
- Bowling: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. at 204 Lanes, 204 Ayer Road. Bowling is free during September; shoe rental $3. All are welcome.
- Weekly grocery shopping at Market Basket, Littleton. Pickup times: Fridays at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Call the COA to reserve a place in the van. $2 fee per person.
Note: This information was drawn from the COA’s monthly newsletter, which contains other valuable information for Harvard’s older residents. Call the COA at 978-456-4120 to receive the newsletter via email, or view it online at https://www.harvard-ma.gov/council-aging/pages/coa-newsletters.
