“When Mom got sick, I was so overwhelmed managing her care, filling out paperwork and trying to be there for her. Thankfully, HospiceCare in The Berkshires was there to make everything easier. They provided compassionate care that supported a quality of life for Mom.”
Offering compassion to our community:
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Symptom management
• Integrative therapies
• Home health aides
• Meaningful end-of-life care
• Bereavement counseling
Mission Statement
The mission of Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. is to provide Berkshire elders, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Statement of Inclusivity
Elder Services practices non-discrimination in employment practices and service delivery. Embracing diversity, our in-home and community-based services are available to all without regard to race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or lifestyle.
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Berkshire Senior
Editorial Board: Deb Aldrich, Christine Thomson, Laura Feakes, Christopher McLaughlin, Kathleen Phillips, Susan Guerrero, Yvonne Borsody and Kara Graziola.
Advertising: To place an advertisement in Berkshire Senior, please contact Kate Teutsch at (413) 496-6324 or e-mail advertising@berkshireeagle.com.
Berkshire Senior is published bi-monthly by Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., 877 South Street, Suite 4E, Pittsfield, MA 01201, 499-0524 or 1-800-5445242, e-mail: esbc@esbci.org or on the internet at www.esbci.org.
NOTICE
Berkshire Senior advertising helps to the defray the costs of producing the newspaper. Inclusion of advertisers in no way implies that Elder Services endorses any product or service.
Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion of Elder Services. For medical, financial or other advice, seek a qualified professional in the appropriate field.
Elder Services and its programs are funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
State and federal funds provided to Elder Services are limited. Elder Services welcomes charitable donations to help meet the growing needs of Berkshire seniors, and gratefully acknowledges all donations.
Winter Weather and Meals on Wheels
By Christopher McLaughlin, Executive Director of Elder Services
Hoping all is well with you and yours as you are heading into the 2023 holiday season.
As I am writing this in mid-November, we have yet to see any significant winter weather. However, this seems like a good time to talk about the realities of inclement weather and our Meals on Wheels Program. December, January, February and March bring the winter’s coldest weather and worst snow and ice storms.
Elder Services’ Nutrition Department receives phone calls on days when weather forecasts predict bad conditions that do not hit full force and on days when the weather takes an unexpected turn for the worst. Sometimes predicted bad weather does not materialize causing our clients to wonder why we are not delivering their meals when the skies and the roads are clear. Conversely, our clients sometimes call wondering why our drivers are out delivering meals when winter weather makes driving (and walking) conditions dangerous.
The “disconnect” between weather realities and the decision to deliver (or not deliver) meals is better understood when you know what has to happen to produce and deliver 925 meals to all corners of our very large county. Our kitchen, located just before the Dollar General on Route 7 in Lanesborough, produces meals we deliver to all of the 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County. With a county covering nearly 950 square miles, the meals have to be ready early each weekday so we can deliverer them to places like Florida and Clarksburg in the North and Sandisfield and Sheffield in South County.
A typical weekday starts with cooks and kitchen staff arriving in Lanesborough at 5 a.m. to begin cooking and preparing the ingredients for the day’s meals. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., meals are plated and secured with plastic using a sealing machine in an “assembly line” like process. Meals on Wheels drivers and transporters begin to arrive around 9:00. The transporters deliver large quantities of meals to the Spitzer Center in North Adams, Crossway Village in Lee and the Claire Teague Senior Center in Great Barrington while drivers with routes in Pittsfield and Central County depart the kitchen to begin making their deliveries.
On days when bad weather is predicted, representatives from the kitchen, Nutrition Department and Elder Services’ Administration hold a conference call at 4:30 a.m. to make the decision regarding whether or not to cancel meals. Sometimes when a storm starts late the previous night or earlier that morning, the bad weather is in full force and the decision to cancel meals is an easy one. At other times, the storm may have not started but radio and TV weather forecasts predict that significant winter weather will arrive before or during the time when our drivers will be delivering meals.
The reality is that a lot can and does happen between the time we speak at 4:30 a.m. and the time our drivers start delivering the meals. Sometimes we cancel meals on days when conditions are bad and the continued on page 4
Giving to Help Animals (and Seniors too)
by Yvonne Borsody
The holidays are upon us, and reflecting on our many blessings inspires a greater sense of kindness and thoughts toward helping those who are in need. This time of year when our mailboxes and in-boxes overflow with appeals from charities, it can feel as though we are being bombarded by requests for donations. With so many worthy causes vying for a donation, how can we discern who will benefit most from our generosity? And what if we ourselves are struggling and cannot afford to
give monetary donations? To round out my series on pets and those who love them, this article explores both traditional and less conventional, more creative ways of giving to help the seniors and animals in our lives. No matter what our financial situation is, there are a myriad ways an animal lover can make a difference. Think global, act local
If you have a favorite local animal shelter or rescue sanctuary, giving to them assures that they will be able to continue making a difference in your community, where the animals
If you have MassHealth, you will need to renew your coverage this year.
If you are 65 years or older, we are here to help! Support staff will be at Pittsfield Council on Aging: February 21st, 2024 to help you complete the renewal.
Make a reservation now to get help! Call 413-499-9346 for reservation.
330 North Street Pittsfield, MA 01201
February 21st 1pm-3:30pm
Come by to get help from MassHealth about your health coverage!
living around you will benefit the most. Whether you are home-fostering animals awaiting adoption, walking shelter dogs, transporting them to their veterinary appointments, or giving cats one-on-one attention, your time is a generous gift. You can also donate items on their wish list. Community food banks provide a critical service and are in constant need of donations; and with almost 70% of households living with pets, it is not just humans who are food-insecure; their animals may also be. Check with food pantries to see if they also need pet food donations.
Charitable Estate Planning: What is your legacy?
For those with the means, consider what you wish your financial legacy to be. When meeting with an elder attorney to draw up a will or make estate plans, discuss how you can give of your assets while still alive, and also after death. Another way to keep your philanthropy
Winter Weather
continued from page 3
local is by giving to a community foundation. Community foundations manage and disburse funds to not-for-profits on a local level. Here in the Berkshires, where three states border western Massachusetts, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation can create a specific fund tailored to your exact wishes regarding how you would like to help animals. As an example, Florence Sasso did just that
weather is predicted to worsen only to find that by late morning, the worst of the storm has passed, and roads and sidewalks are clear. At other times, we make the decision not to cancel meals and end up regretting it when the weather takes a turn for the worst and we fear for our staff members’ safety driving (and walking) in dangerous conditions. We go to great lengths to ensure the safety of our drivers, kitchen staff and other staff.
When we make the decision about whether to cancel meals or not we monitor the weather forecasts and consider many factors. However, the six hours between when we make the decision and when deliveries occur means that, despite going to great lengths to ensure our clients receive meals and ensuring the safety of our drivers and staff, we will continue to get it wrong now and then.
Elder Services’ website lists meal cancellations and the following radio stations make announcements when meals are cancelled due to inclement weather: WBEC 1420 AM, 95.9 FM, WUPE 1110 AM, 100.1 FM, WNAW 1230 AM, WBRK 1340 AM, 101.7 FM and WSBS 860 AM. In addition, meal cancellations appear on the ribbon at the bottom of your TV screen on channels 6, 10 and 13.
Until next time be good, be kind and be careful.
by creating the “Angels of St. Anthony” fund at Berkshire Taconic before her death, to give assistance to seniors in her town so that they would not be faced with having to give up a treasured pet due to financial lack. Anyone can donate to it, and as more donations are given to that fund, more pets and their elderly owners will benefit.
IRA distributions
If you are over 70½ and have IRA funds to withdraw (or by age 73 when you are required to take required minimum distributions) by donating that amount to a notfor-profit, you will not be taxed on that distribution. (Charitable asset giving and tax laws are complex and changeable, so be sure to consult your accountant or attorney for clarification and advisement).
Employer-matched funds
Check with your employer to find out if they will match the charitable contributions you make. What a great way to double your donation and make an even greater benefit for the animals.
Veterinary care funds
Before writing this article, I asked my veterinarian about her experience with seniors and pets, and this is what I learned: 35-40% of her clients are over 60 years old, and more than half of those people needed help either with transportation, or someone to help them with handling their pets going to or from the veterinary hospital. In fact, lack of transportation (especially in more rural areas) and the finances associated with pet care were the two biggest concerns they faced with their pets. Now imagine a person on a fixed income faced with an unexpected surgery or emergency for their pet (a pet that is often their only companion at home and can keep loneliness and depression at bay) and one can easily think of ways to help. Ask if your vet clinic has a donation fund for emergencies, or if there is a particular senior whose pet needs a life-saving procedure, that your donation can help make possible.
Gifts of Thoughtful Intention
This final section is my favorite one, because although it may
not exactly “rock the globe”, it does give me more of an It’s a Wonderful Life feeling. Who among us hasn’t felt good, simply by doing a kindness or courtesy for someone else; thoughtful intentions can give the George Bailey in all of us a renewal of faith in humanity, at a time when we all need a little hope. So……. do you have an elderly relative, neighbor, or friend who has a pet? Why not print up your own personalized gift coupons for them to be redeemed for various things they probably would really appreciate. Then wrap them up and give them as holiday presents. The best part is that we can all create our own ways of helping, such as:
- shoveling a path in the snow around their home for them and their dog to safely walk, or offering to walk their dog for them
- driving them and their pet to veterinary, grooming, or nail trim appointments
- taking them shopping. (Be sure to pay attention to the specific brand/flavor of pet food, cat litter or treats they buy, so you can make a gift basket filled with those items to give to them at another time)
- pet-sitting for them if they need to go away for a weekend
- you can even give a coupon for doggie clean-up or emptying the litter box!
The true gift is that you care, and for the help it will provide to that senior. Be creative; it is guaranteed to be appreciated.
We all have so many gifts within us and so many unique ways to give. Even if you don’t have hundreds, thousands or even millions of dollars, your genuine acts of kindness can still make a huge difference for pets and people around you. And the wonderful, warm feeling it will bring you will be the best return on your time, investment, and caring heart!
Yvonne Borsody is a Berkshire county resident specializing in animal care, rescue, and adoption. She has a special interest in senior and animal advocacy, and quality of life issues for both.
Save Energy, Save Money
by Laura Feakes
Autumn is the ideal time to winterize your home to protect it against the upcoming dipping thermometer. You can make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat! No matter what type of fuel you use to heat your home, if you make your home more energy efficient, you will lower your energy consumption and thereby reduce your heating bill. With the following winterization tips, you’ll save energy without spending much money:
- Check the heating system and give it a tune-up. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use.
- Change furnace filters regularly during the heating season. Dirty air filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. Or consider switching to a permanent filter to reduce waste.
- Install a programmable thermostat to automatically drop to a lower temperature at night and at times when you are
away from your house.
- Properly seal doors, and windows. Caulk or weather strip windows and doors to prevent heat loss. Install storm windows and doors to keep out drafts. Put up plastic - pick up a window insulation kit at your local hardware or discount store.
- Pay less for hot water by insulating pipes with foam insulation that is easy to install. This also decreases the chance of the pipes freezing, especially in uninsulated spaces or against outside walls.
- Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss. Drain water from the tank every few months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater.
- Insulate your attic, walls, basement, and crawl spaces. By increasing and filling gaps in insulation in older homes you keep the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
- Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators, and make sure
furniture and curtains are not blocking vents.
Not sure where to start? The Commonwealth Energy Tool for Savings (energyCENTS) (www.mass.gov/guides/ massachusetts-energy-rebatesincentives) provides a single entry point to all of the energy saving opportunities available to Massachusetts residents, businesses and institutions. You can find rebates, loans and financing for electric vehicles, appliances, home energy assessments, solar electricity and far more and then go directly to the sponsor’s website.
One way to start is to get a home energy assessment. A home energy assessment is a professional audit of how you use energy in your home and where you can make improvements.
Berkshire County residents can receive a free assessment through Mass Save®, or, if income eligible, through Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC).
Mass Save® offers no-cost virtual or in-person home energy assessments to homeowners, renters and landlords to help you learn about your top energy-saving opportunities in an easy, convenient way. An Energy Specialist will assess your current energy use, help
Providing comprehensive hearing healthcare in the Berkshires for 20 years
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s Lifest yle focused hearing aid consultations • to enjoy the things that matter most
s Real Ear measurement s to optimize benefit from hearing aids
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you develop a plan to make your home more energy efficient, and educate you on rebates and incentives you may qualify for (including 0% financing and 75% or more off approved insulation). The assessment will also allow you to receive recommended no-cost energy-saving products shipped directly to your door for you to install, such as ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. You can schedule an assessment by calling 1-866-527-SAVE (7283). For more information see the Mass Save website www.masssave.com.
BCAC helps eligible Berkshire County residents lower their monthly energy bills and upgrade their homes to be more comfortable, typically at no cost to the homeowner or tenant. They have programs paid for with a combination of Federal and Utility Company funding
designed to help income eligible households with home energy assessments & weatherization services, heating systems repair and fuel assistance. Eligible work includes insulation for attics, walls, floors and heating system pipes and ducts. Also eligible are weather stripping, air sealing, and minor repairs related to saving energy. Electricity savings programs are available to qualified households that may include installing energy efficient light bulbs, and replacing high energy use refrigerators. In some cases, heating systems can be repaired or replaced. The programs are available to most people who are eligible for the Federal LiHeap Fuel Assistance Program. For more information and eligibility guidelines, call BCAC’s main office in Pittsfield (413-445-4503) or the North County office in North Adams (413663-3014), or visit their website https://bcacinc.org.
Where Can I Find Copies of Berkshire Senior?
We are often asked “Where is the best place that I and my friends can find copies of Berkshire Senior”? Berkshire Senior is published every other month and is published to be released to the community on the first Saturday of those months.
For individuals who are subsribers to The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Senior appears as an insert in your Berkshire Eagle on that first Saturday of the month.
However for those that are not subscribers to the Eagle, there are alternative outlets for you to have access to Berkshire Senior. Most Councils on Aging have copies available where you can pick up your copy and individuals who receive Meals on Wheels receive a copy.
If you have access to a computer you can view editions of Berkshire Senior electronically on Elder Services of Berkshire County’s web site www.esbci.
BERKSHIRE COUNTY LEGISLATORS
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Congressman Richard Neal
372 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5601
300 State Street, Suite 200 Springfield, MA 01105-1711 (413) 785-0325
Rep. Smitty Pignatelli
24 Beacon Street, Room 473F Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2692
District Office: (413) 637-0631
Rep.smitty@mahouse.gov
Rep. John Barrett, III 24 Beacon Street, Room 237 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2305
District Office: (413) 743-8300
John.barrett@mahouse.gov
Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier
24 Beacon Street, Room 127 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2680
District Office: (413) 442-4300
Tricia.farley-bouvier@mahouse.gov
Sen. Paul Mark 24 Beacon Street, Room 279 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2017
District Office: (413) 464-5635
Paul.mark@masentate.gov
Berkshire Senior Television
org. Click on “Resources” on the Home Page and scroll down to Berkshire Senior. This gives you the ability to leaf through all recent editions of Berkshire Senior just be hitting the arrow on the left of the edition you choose.
Should you have any questions, contact Kathleen Phillips at Elder Services at (413) 499-0524 extension 728 and happy reading!
Kathleen Phillips with Lisa Jamros and Glenda Gonzalez-Moreno discuss SHINE and MassHealth Redetermination
Currently airing on PCTV,
Currently airing on PCTV Channel 1301 Access Pittsfield
Channel
1301 Access Pittsfield
Broadcast schedule: PCTV channel 1301
Broadcast schedule:
Mondays at 5:00 p.m. ▪ Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. ▪ Saturdays at Noon
Mondays at 5 p.m., Tuesdays at 3 p.m., Thursdays at 11 a.m. & Saturday 11:30 a.m. Or watch online, ON DEMAND on pittsfieldtv.org.
Thank you to our friends at PCTV for all their help in making Berkshire Senior TV accessible to our community.
Holiday Wishes
by Susan Guerrero
The kinds of gifts people want for the holidays definitely change as the years click by.
As a little girl, one of my deepest desires was to receive a Tiny Tears doll.
The American Character Doll Company came out with Tiny Tears dolls in 1950. Some of the dolls had thick, short and curly dark brown hair that covered their heads. That’s the one I yearned for. The company closed for good in 1968 and no more Tiny Tears dolls were ever made after that. The Tiny Tears dolls had very small holes near the inside corners of their eyes and could cry “real” tears after being fed a bottle filled with water. They also wet their diapers.
Thinking back to those childhood years, the realization has come as to how lucky I was to have an aunt who told me repeatedly at every holiday my gift could be “anything your little heart desires.” Holy smokes, what joy that was to my young ears. For sure that auntie heard how I wanted a Tiny Tears doll. So one December day, close to when the big holiday rolled around, my aunt and uncle pulled their big car into our driveway. They had no children of their own so they lavished attention on myself and my sisters. My heart
was beating fast and furious. Sure enough, they came into our house with arms filled with presents. At that time, I had three sisters. The fourth came a few years later. When handed my gift, the wrapping paper came off carefully but quickly. Lifting the cover off a long box, inside was my very own beloved Tiny Tears doll. I named her Michele, after a cousin I loved very much.
That doll was a constant companion of mine for many years and I have no idea what actually happened to her. However, fast forward seven decades, and there on a bedroom dresser is an exact replica of my childhood Tiny Tears doll. My daughter found her online and bought her for me a few holidays ago, despite the fact that the doll commanded a big price because she (like me) is now an antique !
These days, the last thing in the world I’d ask as a gift for the holiday is a doll. Gift cards for gas for my car, or a supermarket gift card, are more likely to be desired. Of course, a nice gift card for a dinner at an inn would be special, too, but less necessary in this time of terrible inflation.
Marilyn DeSoe, a senior from Dalton, said her holiday gift right now is a gathering of her two sons and their families. “That’s the biggest gift and all I want,” she said. “I don’t want anything
else.” Now in her eighth decade of life, she still cooks the holiday meal for all her family. It takes her two days to prepare for that holiday meal, she said. She sets an elegantly decorated table. Since her grown sons like holiday meals to remain “traditional,” Marilyn cooks a turkey with stuffing, butternut squash, gravy, five pounds of mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and peas “We always have peas,” she said, “since my sons, when they were young, always put the peas in the middle of their mashed potatoes and they still do. Then they put gravy on top.” Dessert will be apple, blueberry , and sweet potato pies. Marilyn worked for 38 years in the Radiology Department of
Berkshire Medical Center. She retired at age 62 but then also put in six years of work, and more as a volunteer, at Sugar Hill Nursing Home in Dalton. Then she also did some home care. “I was healthy and I could do it,” she said. “I had the energy.”
Considering how she keeps immensely busy, it appears that she still has quite a bit of energy.
Joann Stechmann of Lenox, also in her eighth decade of life, said when she was a child, she asked for a doll with a nice dress and light brown hair. She remembered that the doll’s dress was a summery, light material. Nowadays, however, Joann simply appreciates gift cards to an upscale supermarket as well as to Berkshire Theatre Group and Barrington Stage Company. One year her sons also got her a cell phone that she had not requested, she laughed. “When you get older, your priorities really change,” Joann said.
In my own life, any gifts received this year will be deeply appreciated. However, chances are, they could never quite compare with the magic of a sixyear-old child’s answered desire as she gave the first hug of her very own precious Tiny Tears doll. Some holiday memories last forever.
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
The mission of Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc.
is to provide Berkshire elders, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and selfdetermination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
2023 Board of Directors (July 2022-June 2023)
Frank Engels, President
Jeffrey Menkes, VicePresident/President
Elect
Jacob Dabrowski, Treasurer
Georgette Kinney, Clerk
Bruce Bernstein
Randy Burdick
Teresa Caldwell
Sandy Carroll
Roberta Gale
John Graziano
Rhona Hetsrony
Mary K. O’Brien
Walter Orenstein
Stephen Radin
David Twiggs
2021 AAA Advisory Council Members (July 2022-June 2023)
James Clark, Chair
June Green, Vice-Chair
Robert Allard
Quentin Chin
Maria Craft
Frank Engels
E-Mail esbc@esbci.org
Dear Friend of Elder Services:
As we publish our 2023 Annual Report in this issue of Berkshire Senior, we proudly reflect on Elder Services of Berkshire County’s Inc.’s (Elder Services) many accomplishments and milestones of the past fiscal year. At the same time, we look forward to responding to many of the same challenges as well as some new ones in 2024.
Our October 20 annual meeting at the Berkshire Hills Country Club highlighted that beginning early in the pandemic, the demand for Elder Services’ programs and services grew significantly. That growth accelerated and many of our programs are operating at their highest volume ever. We expect this trend to continue.
We introduced our newest Program, the Community Transitions Liaison Program or CTLP, on July 1. The CTLP is available to all nursing home residents who are 22 years old and older, regardless of insurance type. Elder Services’ Transition Liaisons work with nursing home residents to learn more about their interest in returning to the community. The CTLP will provide help with discharge plans, connect residents to state programs and local community supports and help them advocate and work to resolve concerns related to transitioning to the community.
Seniors in our community face issues that Elder Services continues to address but we need your help to provide even more services to more seniors. Your financial support is crucial to our mission to support seniors in Berkshire County to continue living independently in the home of their choice. If you can, we appreciate your donation in any amount to ensure the increasing number of Berkshire seniors continue to have access to the programs and services that help them live the most fulfilling lives possible.
Thank you in advance for your gift in support of the many valuable programs offered by Elder Services.
Lisa Fletcher-Udel
Erica Girgenti
Sandra Lussier
Vincent Marinaro
Meri-Ellen Morgans
Deb Phillips
Here are ways to donate:
1. Visit www.esbci.org for an online donation form
2. Send your check in the enclosed envelope
3. Call Elder Services’ Fiscal Department at (413) 499-0524
Please call us any time if you are interested in serving as a volunteer. Your assistance will be both rewarding and much appreciated.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Menkes, President Board of Directors
Christopher McLaughlin Executive Director
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Promoting Dignity & Independence
Berkshire County’s generous support of Elder Services makes it possible to provide vital programs and services. This support includes numerous grants we received that benefit thousands of Berkshire County seniors, caregivers and individuals with disabilities. We are grateful for your continuing commitment and for the funding we received in Fiscal Year 2023, (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)
Adams Hometown Market
Berkshire Co-op Market
Berkshire Life Foundation
Berkshire Taconic Foundation:
• Ruth P. Boraski Memorial Fund for Meals on Wheels
• CDBG Food Security Fund
• Central Berkshire Fund
• Cooper Family Fund
• Katharine L.W. & Winthrop M. Crane, 3D Charitable Foundation
• Mount Everett Fund
• Neighbor-to-Neighbor Fund
• Women’s Club of the Berkshires Fund
Big Y Community Bag & Giving Tag Program
City of Pittsfield
Fallon Community Health Feigenbaum Foundation
Greylock Federal Credit Union
Helping Hands
Northern Berkshire United Way
William R. & Linda P. O’Connell Foundation
Katharine C. Pierce Trust
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Williamstown
Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program
Temple Anshe Amunim
Town of Great Barrington
Williamstown Community Chest
OAA TITLE III SUB GRANTS AWARDED
ADAMS COUNCIL ON AGING
- Provides transportation for residents 60 years and older of the towns of Adams, Cheshire and Savoy with priority given to those seniors with the greatest social and economic needs.
3 Hoosac Street, Adams, MA (413) 743-8333
BERKSHIRE AREA HEALTH
EDUCATION CENTER, (AHEC)Provides educational support and workshops for family and professional caregivers of individuals who are 60 years of age or older with emphasis on
Images from ESBCI’s 49th Annual Meeting ANNUAL REPORT 2023
meeting the needs of low income and minority elders through outreach and community collaborations.
395 Main Street, Dalton, MA (413) 842-5281
BERKSHIRE CENTER FOR JUSTICE
- Provides legal services for seniors with a special focus on elders who reside in their home with the assistance of government benefits, elders with protective services, elders with no other means of access to the legal system and elders whose legal issues threaten their independence and dignity.
284 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA (413) 854-1955
BERKSHIRE RAINBOW SENIORS
- Provides Berkshire County’s senior LGBTQ+ community support through advocacy, outreach, education, and resources.
(413) 644-6545
COMMUNITY LEGAL AIDServes low income and socially needy elders through the Elder Law Project. Services focus on elders who reside in their home with the assistance of government benefits, elders
with protective services, elders with no other means of access to the legal system and elders whose legal issues threaten their independence and dignity.
152 North Street, #15, Pittsfield, MA (413) 499-1950
SHEFFIELD COUNCIL ON AGING
- Provides Transportation for individuals 60 year of age or older who reside in Sheffield and Ashley Falls. The Program gives priority to those elders with the greatest social and economic need.
25 Cook Road, Sheffield, MA (413) 229-7037
Thrifty Treasures
by Susan Guerrero
For many people presenting gifts to friends and family members of all ages is often one of the happiest parts of the upcoming holidays. A new Thrift and Gift Shop in Lenox, just a hop, skip, and jump from most towns in the Berkshires, is a place where one can possibly get some “heavenly” treasures for loved ones this year. It’s the United Methodist Church Thrift and Gift Shop, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., located at 6 Holmes Road in Lenox.
How it came about is a story in itself. For several years, dedicated, friendly, and kind women of the church have offered tag sales twice a year to the public-at-large. Those sales have proven to be extremely popular. The merchandise is always diverse and plentiful and the prices of most items have been historically low. Almost no diehard tag salers leave those sales without bags of merchandise in their arms and smiles on their faces. The tag sales are held in the church’s community room, hallways, and adjoining rooms, in the spring and fall. Judy Rufo, one of the Thrift and Gift Shop organizers, said people kept asking when the next tag sale was taking place. Besides Judy, the other thrift store workers include Diane Bateman, Irene Collias, Teri Scott, and Grace Lee. Grace is the wife of the church’s new pastor, the Rev. Jin Lee. The Lees arrived in Lenox in July from Dallas, Texas, where they served a church for the past 23 years. It’s quite a change for them to be in the Berkshires. Besides helping in the shop, Grace said she is a “good customer.”
In the early planning stages of the Thrift and Gift Shop, the women visited and checked out other church thrift shops including the Green Gargoyle shop in Dalton at the First Congregational Church. They got a lot of assistance from the people who run the shop there, the organizers said. The United Methodist planners
Pictured here are most of the dedicated women responsible for the formation of the Thrift and Gift Shop at United Methodist Church. From left to right are Diane Bateman, Judy Rufo, Grace Lee, and Irene Collias. Missing is Teri Scott.
will be the first to agree that opening a church thrift shop takes a lot of organizing and planning and a whole lot of dedication and hard work.
The room in which The Thrift and Gift Shop is located formerly served as the original choir room. Since the church no longer has a choir, it became a kind of storage room, the women related. It took at least three weeks to clean out the things that had accumulated there and then set up the new shop. Everything in the Thrift and Gift Shop that is for sale has been donated. The women noted that people in the church as well as in the public-at-large have been very generous with their donations.
People can bring them every Saturday morning. The women said even though the shop opens at 10 a.m., they are always there earlier. The shop organizers accept clean and gently used womens’, mens’, and teens’ clothing. All clothing donations
must be clean and ready to hang, the women said. No electronics are accepted but small household goods, like dishes, vases, small appliances, and glasses are welcome.
Diane Bateman, who happens to be Judy Rufo’s cousin, said there are handmade gifts in the shop, too, such as baby quilts and bibs, hat and mitten sets, and potholders. “You can do your (holiday) shopping here,” Judy noted. Right now, the shop is filled with a huge variety of items, including holiday decorations such as snowmen and singing figures as well as
brooches and other costume jewelry, including sterling silver pieces. Also for sale are original paintings, many done by Irene Collias. She does all kinds of scenes of the Berkshires as well as other types of paintings. (One can check out her website to see the types of painting she does. The address is Colliasartgallery @ gmail.com). One of her creations that is not for sale are trees sketched on the front of a huge mushroom that has been fashioned into a lamp. The unique “canvas” is displayed in the shop. Irene, whose work is very creative, said she also loves doing fairy gardens and will have some of those for sale at the shop in the future.
Proceeds from sales in the shop to date have gone to help repair the church roof. In addition, monies raised will help with other projects in the church where there is a need as well as to once again help missions the church supports, according to the women organizers. The church building and attached rooms are 35 years old, built in 1988, Judy noted. It is expected that repairs will be required, such as the recent roof repairs, she said. Monies raised are going to be a big help to the church, Irene said.
“Our prices are lower than many other thrift stores,” Diane added. “We are always willing to bargain, too,” Irene noted. Everyone agreed there has been a good combination of donated items that are now for sale in the new shop. Collectors of Christmas Village buildings will delight in numerous pieces that are for sale as well as vintage glassware. Perky porcelain dolls in their fancy dresses and bonnets are ready to be purchased and given to little girls this coming holiday season. Teddy bears in different sizes sit waiting for new owners as well.
The women who have made the Thrift and Gift Shop a reality agree they have all benefited from carrying out the project. There has been a good deal of fellowship demonstrated. “Women working together has been good,” Judy
Thank You To Our Donors:
The following donations were received between September 1, 2023 and October 31, 2023. Donations received on or after November 1, 2023 will appear in the next issue of Berkshire Senior.
Memorial Donations
In Memory of: William Broderick
Katherine Broderick
In Memory of: Escilda Hurtado
Mariella Hurtado
In Memory of: David Leone
Andrea & Lorenza Pozzoni
Kristen Rocca
In Memory of: Charles & Charlotte
McCann
Richard & Dianna Pikul
In Memory of: Ken Sheerer
Thomas A. & Roberta A. Dercole
Suzanne & Malerie Lovejoy
Patricia Rivers
In Memory of: David Rogers
Mary Rogers
In Memory of: Helen Vanni
Josephine Anderson
Elder Independence Donations
Beverly J. Reynolds
Patricia E. Choquette
Andrew Finkelstein
Edwin J. Neumuth, Jr
Carolyn Whitney
Great Barrington Police Association
Local 350
Kathryn C. Korte
Sheila Keator
Suburban Internal Medicine
Daniel Peterson
David Bacchioni
Angela Rifkin
Thrifty Treasures
continued from page 14
said. “We have gotten to know each other better.” The sign along the roadside before one gets to the church driveway at the very end of Holmes Road is in the process of being made bigger, the women said. Any donations that don’t make it into the shop will go into storage for the spring tag sale. People who love to collect holiday decorations and future gifts can make a note that there will be huge after holiday sales, Irene said. Then, after the sales,
BERKSHIRE
Mark & Paula Labonte
MountainOne Bank
Diane Gingras
Nancy Prezenik
Mark & Karen Daigle
Thomas H. Young, III
Marjorie Wexler
Janet Lynn Davidson
Anne Lesser
Mark & Osnedya Miller
Patricia Karlquist
Ernest & Carole LeBarron
Thomas & Marcia Partenope
William Wootters
Nancy A. Kingsley
Paul Charow
Mary & Susan Mackle
Nancy Roy
Joanna H. Stengle
Robert & Margaret Cimini
Debra Kelly
Jo Anne Ginsberg
Richard & Kathleen Luczynski
Ann Pannesco
Excel Nursing Services
David H. Gage
Jennifer Streisand
Meals on Wheels Donations
Susan Brazeau
Carol Perkins
Alice Rose
Susan Brazeau
Thursday Morning Club
SHINE Donations
Cynthia Armstrong
all the unsold seasonal goods will be moved out and donated to charities such as Hartsprings. They collect items for Big Brothers and Big Sisters thrift stores in the Springfield area. The Thrift and Gift Shop is a new place to shop for the holidays. Customers will have the opportunity to buy gifts for those they love while helping raise money for many good causes at United Methodist Church. That is definitely a way to get into the spirit of the season.
Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. NUTRITION PROGRAM SENIOR COMMUNITY DINING CENTERS
The status and offerings of the Senior Community Dining Centers are likely to evolve. Please call for the latest update.
CITY/TOWN PHONE
ADDRESS DAYS MEALS SERVED SERVING TIME
NO� ADAMS 662-3125 SPITZER CENTER 116 Ashland St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am
WILLIAMSTOWN 458-8250 HARPER CENTER 118 Church St. M-W-F 11:30 am
ADAMS 743-8333
CHESHIRE 743-9719
CENTER 3 Hoosac St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am
LANESBORO 448-2682 TOWN HALL 83 North Main St. M-W 11:30 am
DALTON 684-2000 SENIOR CENTER 40 Field St. Ext. M-TH 12:00 pm
BECKET 623-8934 TOWN HALL Route 577 Main St. T & TH 11:00 am
PITTSFIELD 499-9346 SENIOR CENTER 330 North St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am
LENOX 637-5535 COMMUNITY CENTER 65 Walker St. M-T-W-TH-F 12:00 pm LEE 394-4160 SENIOR CENTER 21 Crossway Village M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am
GT� BARRINGTON 528-4118 SENIOR CENTER 917 South Main St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am
PITTSFIELD 442-2200 KOSHER JEWISH COMM CTR 16 Colt Road M-T-TH 11:45 am
STOCKBRIDGE 298-3222 HEATON COURT 5 Pine St. CLOSED CLOSED
PROVIDENCE CT� 443-1841 PROVIDENCE COURT 379 East St. M-T-W-TH-F 11:30 am
STOCKBRIDGE 298-4170 SENIOR CENTER 50 Main St. CLOSED CLOSED SHEFFIELD 229-7037 SENIOR CENTER 25 Cook Road W & F 12:00 pm
COUNTY Eligible seniors 60 years or older are welcome to attend any Senior Community Dining Center. Reservations are requested 24 hours in advance. The suggested donation is $3.00 per meal. All contributions are returned to the community toward the cost of the Nutrition Program and Services. Those 59 or under are welcome at a required fee of $8.00 per meal.
Facts about medically tailored meals
• Did you know that Elder Services provides medically tailored meals (MTMs)?
• MTMs help meet the needs of seniors with health conditions that require specific diets such as diabetes and heart and kidney disease.
• MTMs can be delivered to individuals at their home five days a week. Menus are developed by a registered dietician and trained staff.
• Call Elder Services (413) 499-0524 to request a special meal such as pureed, cardiac, diabetic, renal and vegetarian.
Elder Mental Health Outreach
by Hilary Houldworth
Elder Services is proud to have offered the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) since 2019. If you’re not familiar with the EMHOT program; the goal of EMHOT is to address the unmet behavioral health needs of older adults who live in Berkshire County. The program model offers short-term, flexible, person centered interventions for individuals 60 years of age and older. Older adults do not need to receive other support from Elder Services to qualify.
With colder weather, shorter days and the holidays approaching, it is common to experience feelings of sadness, worry, loneliness or feel overwhelmed. These emotions, while often normal, can be difficult to experience or cope with. The EMHOT team would like to share a few strategies to help adjust to these changes this time of year.
Reach out to a friend or
loved one. Connecting with others has a major impact on how we feel. Stay connected with those you care about by talking on the phone, writing letters, or visiting in person if possible.
Create something. There is something powerful about creating something yourself. This could be a craft project, a piece of artwork, journaling or cooking and baking. This helps us feel a sense of accomplishment and is an opportunity to express ourselves.
Take care of yourself. Remember to get enough rest, as well as sunlight during the day. Going outside during the daylight, or sitting by the window for 15 minutes can boost our mood during the shorter, darker days. Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet. Our stomach health is connected to our mental health. A healthy, well-balanced diet often has a positive impact on our mood.
Honor past traditions while embracing new traditions. Over time, holiday traditions
may change, and this can be difficult to adjust to. The importance of pictures, sharing family stories, or listening to a favorite song can help us keep previous traditions or times with us. You may enjoy some alone time to reconnect with yourself and reflect on your values. It can be helpful to try to establish new holiday traditions that you will enjoy while also cherishing childhood or previous traditions.
Positive affirmations. How we talk to ourselves will have a major impact on how we feel. Saying positive things to ourselves can help us get through hard times and interrupt negative inner dialogs in our head. A positive affirmation can be something we say to ourselves during a difficult time, or a goto mantra throughout the day. This can be anything positive that resonates with you, such as “I am getting better and better every day” “I am strong” or “I am grateful for this day.”
The EMHOT Team wishes you well as we head into the New Year and hope that these Self-Care tips are helpful. If you would like to learn more about the EMHOT program, including to make a referral or self-refer please call us at 413-499-0524.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Importantly, especially during the holidays, that cybercriminals can impersonate charities in order to trick seniors into giving them money.
Tis the season to be jolly and also extra vigilant. Fraud, also known as scams or scamming, rises dramatically during the holiday season. Cybercriminals take advantage of the increase in online shopping to ply their wily ways. Unfortunately, their efforts have paid off. In 2022, consumers reported losing 8.8 billion dollars and filed 2.4 million fraud reports. Now that I have your attention, what can we do about it?
Many people have told me stories of attempted scams. All of them involve the scammer attempting to prey on their emotions to get them to do something without thinking. One such scenario is when the scammer calls you and says, “Grampa, I’ve been in an accident and I need $500.” With the advent of
artificial intelligence, that person might sound like your loved one on the phone. In that moment of panic, how would you respond? First, stop what you’re doing, be skeptical, and use these five tips.
Verify Caller Identities
Be sure that the person is who they say they are. It is easy to get information about you or your loved ones from social media websites and use it to steal an identity. Hang up and call that person back using a known phone number. If you have any doubt about who the caller is, hang up immediately. Here is something to think about. A deep fake is an artificially generated voice or video that accurately resembles an actual person. The fake is created by using artificial intelligence to analyze a sample of
a video or voice clip of the person being synthesized. This technique is very scary and very convincing.
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Communication
This is a big one. If something is too good to be true, it probably is. You are probably not the onemillionth website visitor and you are not getting a $1,000 Walmart gift card. Microsoft is not going to call you and tell you that your computer has viruses. That bears repeating. Microsoft is NOT going to call you and tell you that your computer has viruses. The caller will offer to repair the problem for $300. The next step is to give them remote access to your computer. If you didn’t have a computer virus before, you will now. If I had one dollar for every time I heard about this scam succeeding, I would be a wealthy man. Likewise, federal agencies are not going to call you directly. A bank is not going to call you to verify your security credentials. This also applies to regular mail and email. If you are sent anything requesting your password, social security number, or any personal information, do not respond unless you are absolutely sure that the request is valid.
Protect Personal Information
Stay Informed About Common Scams
Stay informed about common scams that are happening to others. Banks, newspapers, periodicals, and websites are good sources of information to keep informed about the latest scams. Keep that information in the forefront of your mind and think of how it could be used against you. Be aware and make others aware of what the current scam techniques are. Check your local library for scam workshops.
Use Strong Passwords
Keeping the first two tips in mind, protect your personal information. Your personal information can provide a scammer with all the tools they need to claim your income tax refund, file for unemployment, or open a credit card in your name. There is already enough information online due to company data breaches. A data breach is when a criminal obtains access to information by hacking a company’s online database. For example, the Equifax data breach exposed the personal information of 147 million people. Do not provide that last piece of information the scammer needs to steal your identity and money.
To protect your online information, use strong passwords. Don’t make passwords easy to remember. Hackers have lists of commonly used passwords and passwords from data breaches. If you are concerned about forgetting your password, get a password app to manage your passwords. Google “Password management apps.” There are dozens to choose from. Here is a password DO list: Do make your password at least ten characters. Do use a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and non-alphanumeric characters like @&*#. The DON’T list: Don’t share your password. Don’t use the same password for everything. This is a very bad thing to do. Don’t make your password from personally recognizable names like Rover123 or Gramma1932. These are too easy to guess. Sequential numbers are now being discouraged too. A good password can make the difference between your information being in a wet paper bag or a steel bank vault.
Shred Important Documents
You should properly dispose of documents that contain personal information. There are people called “dumpster divers” who look through trash to find useful information. Take the time to shred your documents or use
Beware of Holiday Scams!
continued from page 18
a redacting marker to obscure the import information. You can search for redacting markers on Amazon, or, at least use a wideblade Sharpie marker. By staying informed, remaining vigilant, and implementing these practical tips, you can significantly reduce
your risk of falling victim to scams. Remember that it’s okay to question unexpected communication and take the time to verify the legitimacy of any request for personal information. Remember: stop what you’re doing, think skeptically, and use these five tips.
New Year’s Resolutions
by Christine Thomson
The custom of making New Year’s resolutions has been around for thousands of years, but it hasn’t always looked the way it does today.
Some 4,000 years ago ancient Babylonians are thought to be the first to make New Year’s resolutions, though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted. Babylonians celebrated the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. This was the start of the farming season to plant crops, crown their king, and make promises to pay their debts. One common resolution was the return of borrowed farm equipment (which makes sense for an agriculturally based society).
For early Christians, the first day of the new year, and as we know it today, became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better in the future.
Named for Janus, the twofaced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, January had special significance for the Romans. Believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.
New Year’s resolutions were
also made in the Middle Ages. Medieval knights would renew their vow to chivalry by placing their hands on a peacock. The annual “Peacock Vow” would take place at the end of the year, as a resolution to maintain their knightly values.
As a legacy of our Protestant history, resolutions in the early 1900s were more religious or spiritual, reflecting a desire to develop stronger moral character, a stronger work ethic, and more restraint in the face of earthly pleasures.
Despite the tradition’s religious roots, New Year’s resolutions today are generally not religious a practice. These days, most people make New Year’s resolutions for themselves, based mostly on selfimprovement. This may explain why they are so hard to keep.
Some 2024 resolutions may include improving our sleep routines, reading more, cooking one new thing a week and eating more veggies, volunteering, exploring new hobbies, sanitizing your phone weekly, giving yourself a new look and taking back your lunch break!
People have been using the start of a new year to make positive changes in their lives for ages. Whether we resolve to return borrowed farm equipment or drop a few pounds, we’re tapping into an ancient and powerful longing for a fresh start by setting resolutions! Here is to a happy and healthy New Year!! Cheers!
