Participants in programs at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., must be 60 or older and be a resident of Plainville, or be a member of the senior citizens center, unless noted. All programs will be held at the senior citizens center, unless noted. To get more information or to register for programs, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Pre-retirement
workshop
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., will offer a pre-retirement information workshop Thursday, April 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and lasting approximately two hours. Light refreshments will be served. The presenter will be Lindsay Quillen, regional manager of Choices Program, who will provide information about housing options, help determine one’s housing needs and examine the different options available, including senior housing, retirement communities and assisted living.
To register or for more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Art history of
the ancient world
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., is offering an art history course Wednesdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m., through May 27. This course is being offered through the senior center, but due to the construction, the course will be held at the Plainville Housing Authority in the Woodmoor Community Room, 234 East St. This course will explore the art of Egypt, Classical Greece and Rome and the Medieval World. The cost of this course is $12 payable at registration. Register at the senior center between 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.
For information, call the senior center, (860) 747-5728.

Senior star
competition
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center announces the Senior Star Competition will be held at the senior center, 200 East St., Monday, May 4, at 4 p.m. Senior Star is a singalong karaoke show/contest sponsored by Health Net, which will feature local, regional and state wide competitions. Contestants can select a song from a song list and perform either as a solo, duet or trio group. Audience members vote by a ballot for the Plainville Senior Star. Up to two contestants will move on to the regional competitions. Regional finals will be held and finalists will be video taped. Final voting will be done via the Internet on “You Tube.”
The championship competition will be held late fall 2009 at a venue to be announced.
To register as a contestant or an audience member call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.
Contestants, who would like to pick up a copy of the song list in advance, may do so at the senior center.

Big Band
era program
Bob Nelson, music enthusiast and Plainville Senior Citizens Center member, will be at the senior center, 200 East St., Monday, April 27, at 3:30 p.m., leading a discussion about the Big Band era. Anyone interested in the Big Band era is invited to bring their cassettes and CDs for a program of listening and talking about the Big Bands.
To register or for more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Learning while
eating lunch
Lunch and Learn will be held at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., Tuesday, May 5, noon. Dr. William Vincent, a clinical microbiologist, will present a program about urinary tract infections. This program is sponsored by Monsignor Bojnowksi Manor. Register by April 27.
, April 27 or for more information, call the senior center, (860) 747-5728.

After school program
seeks senior buddies
The After School Program at the Middle School of Plainville, 150 Northwest Drive, is looking for seniors who would be interested in visiting the program once a week to interact with a small group of students who have expressed an interest in getting to know seniors from the community. Students are from the fifth through eighth grades and are looking to participate with seniors in a wide range of activities including playing games, cooking, creating arts and crafts projects and reading with buddies. These activities will take place at the middle school on Mondays from 4 to 5:15 p.m. between May 4 and June 8. If needed, transportation will be provided from home to the middle school.
For more information, contact Kelli Wallace, after school program coordinator at (860) 793-3250 ext. 1111.

Men’s billiard
winners
Men’s billiard winners at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St. were: Feb. 23: Joe Giannatasio; Feb. 26: Paul Martel; March 5: Ed Zerek, Joe St. Pierre; March 12: Joe St. Pierre, Mike Hermanowski; March 19: Mike Hermanowski, Joe Giannatasio.

Setback tourney
winners announced
Setback tournament winners at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St. were: Feb. 23: first, Mina Fusaro, Ida Pedrolini; second, Mary Needham, Lee Mills; third, Loretta Chandler, Donna Tilley; March 9 first (two-way tie), Anita and Roger Willequer, Bernard Grabeck, Ed Cisz; third, Ann Reinwald, Jim Rio; March 16: first, Pat and Jerry Roper; second, Bob Raymond, Marcel Boilard; third, Doris Prassl, George Reinwald.

Fundraiser
a success
A snowflake necklace fundraiser, run by Debbie Nelson for the benefit of the parking lot fund, raised $48.

Dance program
and lessons
A dance performance and dance lessons will take place at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., Tuesday, May 12, at 11 a.m., by Wendy Nielson and the Rev. Will Baumgartner. They have competed together in Arthur Murray and independent dance competitions for almost three years. They will dance and talk about what it is like to participate in a dance competition and give a mini dance lesson to anyone interested.
Nielson has been a professional ballroom dancer and teacher for more than 29 years. She has won numerous awards both regionally and nationally for dancing and teaching. Baumgartner is the chaplain for the Hospital of Central Connecticut and served on the Committee for Aging for 28 years. Baumgartner was the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Plainville.
To register for this program by Friday, May 8 or for more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Long term care
public forum
A long term care public forum will take place at UCONN Health Center, Keller Auditorium, on Wednesday, May 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., will provide free transportation from the senior center to the forum. The program will be about why and when to consider long term care insurance? This is a free forum, sponsored by the state of Connecticut and is open to the public. No insurance sales or solicitations will be allowed. If anyone is 45 years of age or older and have or will have assets of at least $75,000 (excluding car and home), then attend this forum and gain a better understanding of the risks and cost of home care and nursing home care, what you need to know before you buy long-term care insurance, and the benefits of the state’s innovative program, the Connecticut Partnership for Long-Term Care.
The bus leaves the senior center at 6:15 p.m. and returns approximately 9:30 p.m. Make a reservation by calling (800) 547-3443 and then the senior center (860) 747-5728 to reserve a space on the bus.

Scholarships available
for summer camp
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program announces scholarships available for summer camp and after-school activities for children being raised by a grandparent. Funding for scholarships are made possible through a grant from the Elizabeth Norton Trust Fund and the North Central Area Agency on Aging through the Older Americans Act.
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center and Plainville Youth Services Bureau co-facilitates a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support and Education program which meets monthly at the Plainville Public Library. The program offers an opportunity for grandparents to meet others for support and to share their experiences and concerns about raising grandchildren. A variety of educational topics are presented including legal issues, guardianship, behavior, financial resources, daycare, computer use, educational issues and others. Grandparents and great-grandparents range in age from 50 to 86 years of age and the children they raise range in age from birth to 18 years old.
For information and scholarship application, contact Ronda Guberman at the senior center, (860) 747-5728, or Roberta Brown at Plainville Youth Services, (860) 793-0221, ext. 261.

Bowling league
posts results
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center Bowling League announced Senior Citizens Center Bowling League results for the week of March 30:
High bowler, women — Simone Guimond, 173; Dot Stephenson, 168.
High bowler, men — Willy O’Dell, 213; Conrad Chasse, 193.
Ham bone club — Dan Hurley, Willy O’Dell, Richard Bushey.
Turkey club — Dan Hurley, Willy O’Dell, Richard Bushey, Al Cassella-2, Len Wishart, Tina Wishart, Bill Dodez, Jerry Tracey, Conrad Chasse.
Split club — Nellie Talbot, Helen Marinelli, John Delin, Dan Hurley, Barbara Schultz, Richard Bushey, Paul Biscoe, Bernice St. Jean, Vivian Bierman, Simone Guimond, Mary Ann Frederickson, Ron Jablonski, Tina Wiahart.
200 club — Willy O’Dell, 213; Al Cassella, 212; Richard Bushey, 201.
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center Bowling League announced Senior Citizens Center Bowling League results for the week of April 6:
High bowler, women — Helen Marinelli, 193; Nellie Talbot, 175.
High bowler, men — Jerry Tracey, 234; Marty Bierman, 233.
Ham bone club — Helen Marinelli, Lou Wanat, Marty Bierman, Al Cassella.
Turkey club — Helen Marinelli, Lou Wanat, Marty Bierman-2, Al Cassella, Helen Tessier, Richard Bushey-2, Paul Bisco, Willy O’Dell, Paul Bell, Jerry Tracey Sr.-3, John Delin.
Split club — Mary Jane Dumais, Helen Marinelli, Norman Landry, Frank Robinson-2, Willy O’Dell-4, Mary Ann Frederickson, Ron Jablonski, Lou Wanat, Paul Bell, Dottie Ciemiecki, Tina Wishart, Elsie Senaldi, Jerry Tracey Sr., Len Wishart, Bob Duval.
200 club — Jerry Tracey, 234; Marty Bierman, 233; Willy O’Dell, 215.
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center Bowling League announced Senior Citizens Center Bowling League results for the week of April 13:
High bowler, women — Bernice St. Jean, 195.
High bowler, men — Willy O’Dell, 203; Marty Bierman, 181.
Turkey club — Bill Dodez, Richard Bushey-2, Mary Jane Dumais, Bert Collin, Judy Tracey, Rose Plourde, Mary Ann Fredickson, Willy O’Dell.
Split club — Norman Landry, Frank Robinson-2, Willy O’Dell, Mary Ann Frederickson, Elsie Senaldi, Jerry Tracey Sr., Len Wishart, Raymond Giroux, Terry Bazinet, Tom Loiselle, Bert Collin, Jim Stuart, Marty Bierman, Nellie Talbot, Ray Neuman, Jan DeLois, Faith Fabrizio, Judy Tracey, Simone Guimond, Sara Cameron.
200 club — Willy O’Dell, 202, 203.
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center Bowling League announced Senior Citizens Center Bowling League results for the week of April 20:
High bowler, women — Helen Marinelli, 192; Mary Jane Dumais, 188.
High bowler, men — Jerry Tracey Sr., 214; Marty Bierman, 181.
Ham bone club — Frank Robinson, Dan Hurley, Marty Bierman, Judy Tracey Jerry Tracey Sr.
Turkey club — Frank Robinson, Dan Hurley, Marty Bierman, Judy Tracey, Jerry Tracey Sr., Richard Bushey-2, Willy O’Dell-3, Rose Plourde.
Split club — Frank Robinson-2, Al Cassella-2, Jim Stuart, Marty Bierman-2, Richard Bushey-2, Jan DeBlois, Judy Tracey-2, Willy O’Dell, Barbara Schultz, Mary Ann Fredrickson, Norman Landry, Helen Marinelli, Nellie Talbot, Paul Bell, Terry Bazinet, Dottie Ciemiecki, Tina Wishart.
200 club — Jerry Tracey Sr., 214; Frank Robinson Sr., 212; Dan Hurley, 205.
Now recruiting bowlers for next season, the league needs at lease 12.
The league meets at Laurel Lanes, 136 New Britain Ave., Plainville, Mondays, at 1 p.m. The cost is $7.25 per person per week, which includes three games of bowling, shoes, open bowling discount card, automatic scoring and free weekly beverage. Bowlers of all abilities, including beginners, are welcome to join this fun league.
For more information or to join the league, contact Frank Robinson, bowling league president, at (860) 747-2918.

Discussion
group forming
Plainville Public Library Director Peter Chase is seeking residents older than 60 who do not use the library. He plans to organize an hour-long discussion about the facility, located at 56 E. Main St., to hear ideas from residents on what they would like the library to offer.
For more information, call Chase at (860) 793-1446.

Line dancing
on Monday
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., offers line dancing every Monday at 10 a.m. Line Dancing is the perfect social activity to reduce stress, enhance physical levels and provide mental stimulation, all for only $2 a class. No need to register, just stop in and participate.
For more information call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Wheeler clinic
staffs HelpLine
Wheeler Clinic’s HelpLine, a mental health hotline, is staffed with phone counselors who have received special training in senior emotional health issues and can be reached 24 hours a day at (860) 747-3434.

Senior home
assessments
The Center for Healthy Aging, located in The Hospital of Central Connecticut at Bradley Memorial and New Britain General, offers several types of assessments including the comprehensive home assessment to determine seniors’ needs both in the home and outside of the home. As a full resource and assessment center for seniors and their families, our Senior Resource Coordinator can help with questions ranging from managing meals to learning about assisted living options. Polish and Spanish speakers are available to assist.
For more information, contact Peg Rancourt, senior resource coordinator, at the Bradley Campus, at (860) 276-5293, or Paula Bonanni, at the New Britain General Campus, at (860) 224-5278.

No donations
being accepted
Plainville Senior Citizens Center is unable to accept donations of household items, yarn, craft materials, etc. due to the construction project. Donations of these items are greatly appreciated and will be accepted once the construction is complete.
For more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Monday movie
madness
Feature movies are shown on a new 42-inch liquid crystal display television at Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St. All movies begin at 3:30 p.m. on Mondays. Popcorn and beverage will be served.
For more information or to register, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Contemporary
issues discussion
Back by popular demand, the Plainville Senior Citizens Center members are invited to the senior center, 200 East St., on Mondays, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., for a lively discussion of local, state, and national current events. Chris Wasieleuski will lead the discussion. The cost is $1 per class.
For more information or to register for this program, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Wii virtual
bowling league
Wii virtual bowling league is a virtual reality game that is played on a television. The league will bowl on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St. For those who want to play the Wii, but don’t want to participate in the league, sign up for a time slot at the front desk. The Wii is generally available every day. Besides bowling, people can also play baseball, golf, tennis and boxing.
For more information, call Ronda at (860) 747-5728.

Pre-retirement
workshops
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., is offering free pre-retirement workshops on select Thursday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and lasting approximately two hours. Light refreshments will be served. To register or for more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.
On Thursday, April 30, the presenter will be Lindsay Quillen, regional manager of Choices Program, will discuss housing options, help determine one’s housing needs and examine the different options available, including senior housing, retirement communities and assisted living.
On Thursday, May 7, the guest speaker will be Rob Rodriguez, public affairs specialist from the Social Security Department. Participants will learn how to estimate their Social Security benefits and how to apply for Social Security. He will also explain how benefits change when people work past the age of 62 and/or 65.
On Thursday, May 21, the workshop will focus on planning for one’s retirement financial needs. Participants will learn how to review lifecycle goals, prepare a budget, review present income versus anticipated future income and expenses and make a plan of action including options to fill in the income gaps.

Senior band
is back
The Senior Center Band meets Thursdays, from 3 to 4:45 p.m., at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St.
For more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Depression
help available
For adults of all ages who are feeling depressed, Wheeler Clinic provides 24-hour telephone counseling through its Helpline service at (860) 747-3434. If a person is feeling the need to talk or is in crisis, a caring, professionally trained mental health specialist is available anytime day or night. Both Helpline and SEHOP connect individuals to a wide variety of community programs and services that can help those struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.

Open bridge
on Tuesdays
Open bridge is held at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All members are welcome.
If a person plans on attending or for more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

Arts and Crafts
group to meet
The RSVP Arts and Crafts Group is a group of volunteers who meet to make craft items that are donated to community organizations and programs. The group will meet the first and third Friday of the month, from 10 a.m. to noon, in the green room of the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St.
The group is seeking a volunteer co-leader. Anyone interested to help lead the group or in joining, contact Pat Malone at RSVP, (860) 584-9533.

Scrabble players
invited to join
Senior citizens who play Scrabble, the word board game, are invited to come to the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., to play Thursdays at 2 p.m.
For more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728, to make an appointment.

Parking lot
needs donations
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., has become so active that parking is a constant problem. The senior center has been given permission to build a parking lot on the front lawn of the senior center facing East Street. Center officials hoped to include a parking lot in the expansion grant, but the granting agency does not allow parking as part of the project.
The senior center is seeking donations and items to help curtail some of the expenses. The Town of Plainville already did the drawings and will be able to do some site work. The senior center has received a donation of pipe that will be used underground for drainage. Still needed are stone, asphalt, landscaping and monetary donations for labor. When completed, the senior center will gain approximately 20 to 22 new parking spots.
For more information or to donate, call Shawn or Ronda at (860) 747-5728.

Charlemagne
card game
Plainville Senior Citizen Center members who are interested in playing Charlemagne, an old favorite French card game, are invited to come to the senior center on Thursdays, at 1 p.m.
For more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

RSVP needs
volunteers
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, that meets to make favors for residents who live in nursing care facilities, assisted living housing and St. Philip House, is looking for additional volunteers. The group meets at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. No experience or pre-registration necessary.
For more information, call RSVP at (860) 584-9533.

Wheeler clinic
offers HelpLine
Wheeler Clinic’s HelpLine, a mental health hotline, is staffed with phone counselors who have received special training in senior emotional health issues and can be reached 24 hours a day at (860) 747-3434.

Shingles vaccine
coverage available
The shingles vaccine is covered under Medicare Part D benefit and the administration of the vaccine is covered under the Medicare Part B benefit. People who have received the vaccine and paid for it out of pocket can call Bette at the senior center, (860) 747-5728, for assistance with payment procedure.

Vet Express
provides services
The Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs has recently started a mobile veterans’ service program called the Vet Express. The Vet Express is a van equipped with computers and printers to allow DVA veteran service officers to initiate claims for veteran’s benefits. The service officers will also provide general information and assistance. The van is handicapped accessible and has two work stations and a waiting area.
No appointment is needed. The Vet Express is at the American Legion, 22 Hooker Court, Bristol, on the first Tuesday of every month, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Meals-on-Wheels
needs volunteers
The Plainville Senior Citizens Center needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to homebound residents. Volunteers usually spend one day a week, Monday through Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to noon delivering prepared meals to homebound residents in Plainville.
Those interested in volunteering should call Ronda Guberman at the senior center, (860) 747-5728.

Program provides
rides on Saturdays
A Saturday transportation program provides rides from a participants home in Plainville to any location in Plainville and various shopping centers in Bristol, Southington and the West Farms Mall area. Every other Saturday, the shuttle goes to “special” destinations, such as the Christmas Tree Shops, Clinton Crossings, museums, and other places. For more information or to schedule an appointment call Judy at the Bristol Community Organization at (860) 589-6968, by Wednesday prior to the Saturday that you wish to ride.
Riders must be Plainville residents 60 or older, or disabled individuals of any age. Residents over 60 must show driver’s license or proof of age, unless they are regular Dial-a-Ride users. Disabled individuals under 60 must show proof of disability through Social Security or American with Disabilities Act Transportation card when boarding. For information on the ADA Transportation card, call (860) 589-7820.
A wheelchair lift vehicle is available. Drivers cannot provide hands-on assistance to passengers. This is a curb to curb service. Passengers must be able to get to the bus from their home and from the vehicle to their destination on their own or with the assistance of their own companion.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call Judy at the Bristol Community Organization, (860) 589-6968, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or Friday before noon. No standing appointments will be available. A new appointment must be made each week.
This program is funded for one year by the state Department of Transportation. Donations may be sent to Plainville’s Shopping & Rides by Appointment, 200 East St., Plainville, CT 06062.

Men’s Power
Hour begins
A new class, Men’s Power Hour, fitness for men, will be offered at the Plainville Senior Citizens Center, 200 East St., Tuesdays, which started Feb. 3 to March 10, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The class uses a combination of weights and exercise for strength training and flexibility, and will be taught by Ann Fargo. She also teaches Fargo’s Functional Fitness on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. She received her bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire and her master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. She worked at New Britain General Hospital in the cardiac rehabilitation department and later full-time at the New Britain YMCA as a fitness instructor. The cost is $6 for the class series. Sign up between 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. only.
For more information, call the senior center at (860) 747-5728.

AARP offers
online course
AARP offers an online drivers safety course, which helps drivers assess their skills and covers topics such as how to negotiate busy intersections and minimize blind spots. Insurance companies in Connecticut provide auto insurance discounts to certified graduates of the course. There is a fee.
Contact your insurance company for information or register at http://www.aarp.org/drive/online.

Chinese brush
painting classes
The Plainville Senior Center is offering free Chinese brush painting classes for center members, on Tuesdays, until May 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. The instructor is Manli Luo, a graduate from Si Chuan Institute. Luo has a bachelors degree in the design of fine arts and holds a certificate of interior design from Tong Ji University in Shanghai. Participants will learn to paint with ink and watercolors on rice paper. All materials are provided.
To register for this free class, call the Senior Center, (860) 747-5728. This class is sponsored by the Plainville Adult and Continuing Education Department.

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