Chatham Council On Aging

The following council on aging programs and events are scheduled during March. Most require registration. For more information, to register for a program, get help with Zoom or find out about transportation, contact the senior center at 508-945-5190.

AARP tax aide income tax preparation assistance is scheduling appointments through mid April. Free federal and state income tax preparation and filing services are available, focusing in on low- and moderate-income taxpayers. All tax aide counselors are vaccinated for everyone's safety. Tax preparation service is by appointment only through the Chatham COA and is held at the community center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Contact the COA to schedule an appointment and to make arrangements to pick up a pre-appointment packet.

A St. Patrick’s Day celebration will be held Wednesday, March 14, from noon to p.m. outside at the senior center. The free Irish boiled drive-though lunch prepared by the Chatham Village Market will feature traditional musical entertainment by Roger Tincknell (weather permitting). Wear green and bring a chair to stay a bit. Reservations are required.

Free cooking class with chef Heather Bailey, “Get Your Greens On!” Wednesday, March 16, 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. This month, the Chatham COA’s online cooking class, featuring chef Heather Bailey of the Optimal Kitchen, will focus on learning how to incorporate these very important foods into a diet in interesting and delicious ways. Registration is required. Assistance with Zoom is available.

Free March birthdays celebration, Thursday, March 17, 1 to 2 p.m. If you were born in March and are an older adult residing in Chatham, the COA invites you for a birthday celebration. Current health and safety guidelines will be followed. Don’t forget a mask. Reservations are required. Call for more information and to register.

Free exercise program, “Stepping Stones to Fitness,” weekly, Tuesdays, March 22 to April 26, 11 a.m. to noon. Learn basic exercise programs to build strength and endurance, improve balance and flexibility and maintain independence. Advanced registration is required through the VNA of Cape Cod and the Islands. A completed VNA application is required prior to start of program, held at the community center. For more information or to sign up, contact the VNA at 508-957-7423.

Free presentation: historian Sean Murphy on “ Experience Ireland – Tales Of The Irish,” Wednesday, March 23, 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. Irish historian Murphy will regale with tales of all things Irish. This entertaining and informative presentation will touch on everything from ancient history to art, music and dance, a bit of comedy and more! Murphy lives on Cape Cod and teaches Irish history, music, and dance. He has spoken about Irish cultural and historic issues at various libraries and community events around the state. In 2014 and in 2019 he was awarded the Thomas P. McCann Altruism Award trophy by the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day Committee for his “support and commitment to the culture and heritage of Ireland and its people.” Reservations required.

Free exercise program, Fit, Fun, And Fall Free, weekly, Fridays, March 25 to April 29, 9 a.m., online with Microsoft Teams. Have fun exercising online. Improve balance and decrease fall risk using light weights and body weight with seated and standing exercises at home. Advanced registration is required through the VNA of Cape Cod and the Islands. A completed VNA application is required prior to start of program. For more information or to sign up, contact the VNA at 508)-957-7423. For help with Teams, connect before starting the program and troubleshoot settings on Tuesday, March 15, 11 a.m. to noon.

Free exercise program: Neuro Go! Weekly, Thursdays, April 7 to May 26, 11 a.m. to noon. This eight-week exercise program is aimed at helping to decrease neurological symptoms for those who have suffered a stroke or other neurological impairment, improving overall fitness level, and challenging the brain. Advanced registration is required through the VNA of Cape Cod and the Islands. A completed VNA application is required prior to start of program held at the community center. For more information or to sign up, contact the VNA at 508-957-7423.

Foot care clinic, Wednesday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This monthly foot care clinic is given by Autumn Knight, a certified foot care nurse who will provide routine foot and nail care at the senior center. Appointments are 30 minutes for a fee of $45. Call the COA to register.

Free Zumba Gold online exercise class, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Zumba Gold is designed for active older adults looking for a low-impact workout. The class is a fusion of Latin, international and popular music and dance themes creating a dynamic and effective fitness routine. Enjoy easy-to-follow dance steps, great music, and burn a ton of calories without even realizing it. Join instructor Christina Arabadzhieva online for a fit and fun way to start the day. This class is sponsored by the Friends of Chatham Council on Aging. Register by calling the COA.

For further information and more programs, visit www.chatham-ma.gov/527/Council-on-Aging.

Harwich Council On Aging 

The following activities are being held at the council on aging. For more information or to register for programs, contact the senior center at 508-430-7550.

Computer basics for older adults, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, April 12 to June 8, noon to 1:30 p.m. A 10-week, PC-based course covering how to operate a computer and navigate the internet. This course is designed for people who have very little experience with computers and want a solid introduction. Laptops will be provided for all participants to use during class and the COA will make arrangements to allow participants to access the laptops outside of class time to practice. Preregistration is required and begins March 14. To sign up, call Laura Roskos at Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands at 508-394-4630 ext. 540 or email seniorplanet@escci.org.

Send A Story Program, March 10 and 24, April 14 and 28, 2 to 4 p.m. Do you have a child in your life, either near or far, who would love to hear you read a story to them? You choose the book, and we can help you make a video or an audio recording, then send that recording to the child (along with the book if you choose). Call the COA for more information or to schedule your appointment.

What benefits are you missing out on? Thursday, March 31, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., join the COA social services coordinator for an overview of many of the local programs, resources, and benefits that are available to Harwich residents. Preregistration is required.

Skin cancer and skin care talk, Thursday, April 14, 10 to 11 a.m. Preregistration is required.

Beginner Tai Chi class, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 to 11 a.m., April 12 to June 17 (10 weeks) learn the many physical and spiritual benefits of practicing tai chi. Participants should plan to attend all 20 classes over the 10 week session. Preregistration is required and will begin Tuesday, March 15, at 9 a.m. The cost is $15 per class.

The Science Of Sexuality and Aging, Monday, March 14, 1 to 2 p.m. Led by seasoned presenter and sexual wellness educator Dr. Jane Fleishman. Preregistration is required.

Jill’s Exercise Class with Jill Brown, certified personal trainer. Wednesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., April 6 to May 11, and Fridays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., April 8 to May 13. Preregistration is required and opens Tuesday, March 15.

Balance Boosters helps maintain balance and flexibility with 45 minutes of strengthening and stretching. Taught by Town Nurse Susan Jusell, who will be running two six-week sessions (you may only register for one of the two). Session one, Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., April 5 to May 10. Session two, Thursdays, 12:15 to 1 p.m., April 7 to May 12, Registration is required and will open on Wednesday, March 16.

Senior Fit, late spring session, April 20 to June 3, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Cost is $45. Preregistration is required by March 23.

AARP tax aide program, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Schedule an appointment at the Harwich COA, with meetings at the Chatham Community Center. This is a change from last year when appointments were held at the Harwich COA. Transportation available.

Wellness and blood pressure clinic with Town Nurse Susan Jusell no cost Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon, by appointment.

For further information and more programs, visit www.harwich-ma.gov/council-on-aging.

Orleans Council On Aging

ORLEANS – The following activities are being held at the council on aging. For more information or to register for programs, contact the senior center at 508-255-6333.

AARP tax aide program, Mondays through April 11. All appointments must be scheduled, no walk-ins are permitted. Call to schedule an appointment today.

Open house tech support, Saturday, March 19, 10 to 11a.m. Bring a personal tech device (laptops, tablets, smart phones) and receive individualized support. Facilitated by Dawn Steber, technology educator for Orleans Elementary and Stony Brook Elementary schools. Light refreshments will be served. Participation is limited, and Orleans residents have priority. Registration required. Non-residents may register beginning March 14.

Lighthouses Of New England via Zoom, Tuesday, March 22, 1:30 p.m. Presented by Jeremy D'Entremont, historian for the U.S. Lighthouse Society, president and historian of the American Lighthouse Foundation, and the founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses. Call to register.

Virtual Tour Of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution via Zoom, Wednesday, March 16, 1:30 p.m. Presented by Paul Daigle, docent at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Registration required.

Tech Talks With Jude, via Zoom. “Apple Watch Health Benefits and iPhone Health App,” Thursday, March 24, 1 to 2 p.m. “Stay Connected Using Texts, FaceTime and Emails,” Thursday, April 28, 1 to 2 p.m. Participation is limited and Orleans residents have priority. Non-residents may register beginning March.

For more information and programs, visit www.town.orleans.ma.us/220/Council-on-Aging.

Regional Senior Activities

Cape COAST (Councils On Aging Serving Together) is a collaboration among Cape councils on aging to share activities. Each event is hosted by a particular Cape COA and is open to residents of all Cape towns.

Men In Retirement. Wednesday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. Learn about how retirement can bring new relationship issues, and for men who do not find new meaningful activities to replace work, there is the risk of boredom and a sense of purposelessness that can be stressful and lead to depression, marital issues, and health problems. For more information or to register, call the Bourne Council on Aging at 508-759-0600 ext. 5300.

The Unusual Book Club. Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Love books but feel stressed to read one by a certain date? This book club is different! Rather than reading one book, recommendations will be made on a selected theme. March theme: fantasy and science fiction. To register call the Provincetown Senior Center at 508-487-7080.

Garden Talk: Pollination Ecology – How Can We Help Bees? Tuesday, March 22 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. This program will review honeybee biology and the factors responsible for this problem. Presenter is Larry Dapsis, Etymologist, Cape Cod County Extension. To register call the Barnstable Council on Aging at 508-862- 4750.

Burials At Sea. Wednesday, April 6, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. Thinking of burial at sea? Captain Brad White, founder of New England Burials at Sea, and funeral director Chris Goulet of Hamel Lyden funeral service will present this talk. To register call the Barnstable Council on Aging at 508-862-4750.