Below are June events sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging. For more information, call the COA at 781-259-8811.
Coffee with artist Ellen Milan
June 5 at 2:30 p.m.
Indulge your senses in the grace and liveliness of paintings on silk, prints, pastels, and scratch board engravings by Ellen Milan in the Bemis Hall Artists Gallery this month. You are also invited to meet Ellen at the “Coffee with the Artist” on June 5 at 2:30 p.m.Ellen’s work has been included in public and private collections and shows in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New York, Israel and Europe. Locally, her work has been part of group shows at the Danforth Museum, Concord Art Association and elsewhere. Last year she had exhibitions at the Lincoln Library and the Harvey Wheeler Community Center. You can see the full scope of her work in various media, including wearable art, at www.ellenmilan.com.
Strategies to prepare for surgery and heal faster
June 6 at 3 p.m.
Peggy Huddleston’s five-step mind-body program for preparing for surgery has been shown to reduce anxiety, lessen the need for pain medication, and promote faster healing. Her relaxation and visualization techniques can help you not only prepare for surgery, but get through cancer and other treatments more easily and successfully. Find out more about Huddleston’s program and try out some of her methods when Lincoln resident Marie Hanafin Pierson, RN, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 6 at 3 p.m. Pierson has used Huddleston’s Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster both personally and professionally and is trained to teach the techniques to others.
Lincoln Academy with Larry Holden: a look at labor arbitration from the NHL and MLB to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston
June 9 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, June 9 at 12:30 to hear Larry Holden discuss “A Look at Labor Arbitration from the NHL and MLB to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.” Bring a bag lunch. The COA will provide beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.
Social Security updates and answers
June 13 at 10 a.m.
Francine Kollias of the Social Security Administration will update you on what’s new with Social Security and answer your questions at Bemis Hall on Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m. Whether you’ll be signing up soon or have been receiving benefits for years, this presentation will give you valuable information about the many ways Social Security is updating, including offering many services online and what changes to benefits you can expect in the future. She will also answer your questions about Social Security retirement and disability benefits and SSI. This program is appropriate for and open to all, including those younger residents who may be eligible for benefits.
Know your tenant rights
June 13 at 1 p.m.
If you rent your apartment or house, you need to know your rights. Come find out what you need to know about your right to a safe and comfortable home, the eviction process and what to do if you receive a “notice to quit,” and more when attorney Betsey Crimmins of Greater Boston Legal Services comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 13 at 1 p.m. She’ll also let you know about Greater Boston Legal Services and how they may be of assistance to you. Come with your questions!
Art and soul of sacred geometry
June 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Over the centuries, geometry has been a sacred art form, with the colors, numbers, and shapes signifying various elements of life and the beauty of the finished artwork inspiring awe and joy. Have fun with this ancient skill in a hands-on class offered at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, June 18 at 9:30 a.m. by experienced teacher Laura Coulter. Create beautiful art in a short period of time and learn where sacred geometry originated, why it was used, and how you can use it today to relieve stress. Please bring a ruler, colored markers, pencils, or crayons, and a compass if you have one. Please sign up in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.
Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Clark
June 18 at 1 p.m.
You are invited to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, June 18 at 1 p.m. to meet with Natalie Kaufman, Constituent Service Representative for Congresswoman Katherine Clark. She will be available to assist residents with Social Security, Medicare, and MassHealth/Medicaid. You are also welcome to discuss other matters with her that the she may be able to help with. Kaufman will hold office hours at the COA each third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m.
Strawberry ice cream social
June 19 at noon
Celebrate this special time of year at the annual strawberry ice cream social at Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 19 at noon. The Social is sponsored by the COA and the Friends of the Lincoln COA. Bring a bag lunch at noon or just join us for dessert. Make your own ice cream sundae with luscious ice cream topped with strawberries, chocolate, and more. This is a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon, chat with friends, and meet new people! Please RSVP to the COA at 781-259-8811. Tell them when you call if you will need a ride.
Affordable housing in Lincoln
June 20 at 1 p.m.
Lincoln has a variety of housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Come find out about the eligibility guidelines for rental or ownership units and learn how to apply for affordable housing when Connie Lewis of the Housing Commission comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 20 at 1 p.m.
Trad Jazz Jammers
June 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Share the joy of jazz at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m.when The Lincoln Traditional Jazz Jammers will share with you their love of this music. The group are all retirees, a.m. ateur musicians who give expression to their love of the jazz of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s by participating in the Trad Jazz Jam at the Lincoln Library or Bemis Hall on the third Saturdays of each month and at the Colonial Inn on Wednesday nights. You’ll hear Manson Solomon on piano, Jack Martin on trombone, Gid Loring on cornet, Dave Rich on sax, and Rob Saunders on bass belting out beloved good ole tunes that will have you tapping your toes and clapping your hands!
Making happiness happen III
June 26 at 10 a.m.
Being happy doesn’t just happen. Research studies have shown that people who feel happy engage in certain activities and respond to life and people in ways that change how our brains make us feel. These happiness triggers can be learned at any age. Find out more and learn some additional strategies proven to make people feel happier when Marilyn Buckler comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, June 26 from 10-11 a.m. She’ll be discussing gratitude, courage, generosity and other good stuff. Bring your own tips and strategies to share! Marilyn is a licensed educational psychologist with over 30 years of experience in helping individuals and families cope with life’s challenges and therefore enjoy life more. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.
Making and honoring our health care choices
June 27 at 10 a.m.
We all want to make sure that our health care wishes are followed. To do this, we need to make sure that we have thought through our preferences, completed the necessary documents, and put together our health care team to carry these wishes out. Honoring Choices is a nonprofit organization that has partnered with Overlook CARE in our area to educate and empower people to make smart, informed choices and create a plan to implement a satisfactory health care plan. Find out more about Honoring Choices and how you can make a health care plan for free when Jean Greiff, Care Manager for Overlook CARE, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. Bring your questions and concerns. If there is enough interest, Overlook CARE will present a series with an opportunity to learn more about creating your own personal plan.
Ongoing and coming up:
Chat, make new friends and connect
Let’s Connect is a fun, informal group that gets together twice a week to talk about family, what’s going on in your neighborhood or the world, books and movies you have enjoyed, your feelings, and anything else you would like to discuss. The best part is that you don’t have to leave your home! Some people come into the COA and chat in person while others call in and participate by phone. You don’t need any special equipment or do anything other than just talk on the phone to participate. If you would like to be part of the group, just show up at the COA on Mondays or Wednesdays at 2 p.m. If you’d like to join by phone, just give them a call at 781-259-8811.
Cruise the Concord River
What better way to spend a relaxing summer afternoon than winding down the Concord River on a luncheon cruise? Join the COA on Monday, August 11for a Concord River Cruise lasting an hour and 15 minutes, complete with lunch, sunshine, and glorious memories! You’ll leave the Lincoln Mall at 10:30 a.m. and venture by Doherty’s bus to the South Bridge boathouse where you’ll board a boat and begin your cruise. You’ll enjoy a lunch of chicken salad, tuna salad, sliced turkey, ham and cheese, or vegetarian salad sandwich, fruit, dessert, and lemonade or iced tea while you cruise. The bus will arrive back at the Mall at about 1 p.m. The cost is $28 per person, payable by a check made out to FLCOA/Trips and sent to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln MA 01773. Please enclose your phone number and email address and indicate your choice of sandwich when you send your check. Sign up now, as there is a limit of 20. Reservations must be made by August 4 and are non-refundable. Questions? Call Donna at 781-257-5050.
Tai chi in the park
Sign up now for tai chi in Pierce Park, which will begin on Thursday July 10 at 10 a.m. and continue for four to six weeks (depending on weather) at a cost of $5 per class. Meet at Pierce Park. Bring a lawn chair and a hat. In inclement weather, we’ll meet under the tent. The Pierce House restroom will be open to us. For info, contact Jane Moss 781-259-9822 or mindbodyjm@comcast.net. The class is for continuing students only. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.
Easy yoga just right for you in summer
Would you like to try yoga but are concerned it may be too rigorous for you? Try the COA’s new EasyYoga class with experienced instructor Jai Kaur (Annamaria San Antonio). The class will be held on nine Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. beginning on July 2 at a cost of $45 for the course. You may do the class on the floor or in a chair and the instructor will help you adapt the poses to your special needs. You may try one class free. Please sign up in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. This class is subsidized by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.