Council on Aging activities in June

Support group for those who’ve lost loved ones during the pandemic
June 2 at 1 p.m.
The loss of a loved one is hard at any time. But for people who have suffered losses during the COVID pandemic, social distancing and stay at home advisories have made mourning even more difficult. Most religions build in practices to offer support to the mourner. And outside of formal religions, friends will gather round to support the person as well. Funerals, wakes, visitation hours allows friends and families to come together to help mourners in the aftermath of the death but with the COVID crisis these may be delayed or may not happen at all. So dealing with deaths now is especially difficult. The COA invites you to join a new support group for those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. The group will be held via Zoom on Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. for four weeks beginning June 5. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, a social worker with many years experience helping people cope with loss, will lead the group. To sign up for the group, please contact bottumc@lincolntown.org.

Chat with Tricia McGean, Lincoln’s public health nurse
June 10 at 10 a.m.
Do you have questions about Covid-19, whether about its prevention, transmission, symptoms, or treatment? Are there other concerns you have about seasonal health issues such as ticks and Lyme disease or EEE? Do you have general health questions? Join Tricia on June 10 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Tricia will answer your questions and provide you with accurate and science-based information To attend, email bottumc@lincolntown.org. Advance registration required.

Have a conversation with a Select(man)
June 12 at 2 p.m.
Residents of all ages are invited to a conversation with a Select(man) on June 12 at 2 p.m. via Zoom. Join Board of Selectmen Chairperson Jennifer Glass to get the latest updates, ask your questions, and give your ideas. For information on how to join in, please contact Jennifer at selectmen@lincolntown.org prior to the meeting.

Play Feel-Good Bingo online and learn more about depression
June 17 at 1 p.m.
Feel-Good Bingo is a game where you learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for depression — whether you’re feeling blue yourself, you have a friend or family member who might need some help, or you just enjoy bingo! Depression is similar to other disorders, such as diabetes or heart disease. They all can be influenced by lifestyle and the ups and downs of life. There is also a genetic factor to these illnesses, meaning you may be more susceptible to them if your parents, grandparents, brothers, or sisters have them. To play, just email Abby Butt at butta@lincolntown.org, and she will send you a special bingo card. Then, tune in with Zoom on June 17 at 1 p.m. and Abby will show you a picture that illustrates some aspect of depression and talk about it a bit. If you have the picture on your card, just cover it up and when you have a straight line, “raise your hand” and let Abby know you have bingo! The COA will award prizes. If you notice that you or someone you care about has experienced the symptoms described in the game for a significant period of time, tell your doctor, a social worker, a trusted friend, or a health care provider or call the COA at 781-259-8811 or email Abby at the email address above.

Free beginning meditation
June 19 at 2 p.m.
Come one and all to a free beginners’ meditation session held via Zoom on June 19 at 2 p.m. for a half-hour. Please attend if you’re wondering what others find in meditating. Meditation opens the channels of our natural states of peace, joy, health, and aids in decreasing the negative effects of aging. Experienced meditation teacher Lynne LaSpina will begin each session with a few minutes of stretching muscles to relax, and breathing exercises to help focus before meditating for about 10 minutes. You must sign up in advance by emailing bottumc@lincolntown.org.

Ongoing activities:

French conversation

Brush up on your French speaking skills the second and fourth Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom! For more information or to sign up, email bottumc@lincolntown.org.

Russian conversation group

Come brush up on your Russian by speaking it with others on the first and third Wednesdays from 11­–12:30 p.m. via Zoom. To join the group, please contact bottumc@lincolntown.org.

Lincoln men’s coffee
Via Zoom every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 8:30–10 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese, lox, doughnuts, coffee and camaraderie — a great chance to catch up with buddies and make new friends. To sign up, please email bottumc@lincolntown.org.

German conversation
Come enjoy speaking German virtually (Zoom or teleconference) on the first, third, and fifth Fridays at 10 a.m. If interested, contact bottumc@lincolntown.org.