The Communicator

Official Newsletter of the Senior Citizens of Romulus FEBRUARY 2014

New Restaurant Club headed for Cracker Barrel

The Romulus Senior Centers new Restaurant Club will debut February 14. Seniors will travel to a different restaurant each month. This months destination, on Valentines Day, is Cracker Barrel at I-94 and Belleville Road. Participating seniors will leave the Romulus Senior Center at 11 a.m. and travel by bus. Transportation will be free the first month. Each diner will be responsible for buying his or her own lunch. Sign up at the Senior Center or call (734) 955-4120. Seating on the bus is limited. If you have a suggested restaurant for the club, please tell staff at the front desk of the center.

Valentines luncheon is February 13

Everyone is invited to a free Valentines-themed luncheon starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 13, at the Romulus Senior Center. There will be pizza, salad, beverages, entertainment and a raffle. In addition, HealthQuest, one of the team doctors for the Detroit Lions, will provide education on the latest technology to treat arthritis and neuropathy as well as other ways to manage back and neck pain. Register for the luncheon by February 7. Call the Senior Center at (734) 955-4120.

New dance classes start this month

By popular demand, the Senior Center will offer Fun and Dancing Classes starting in February. Beginning dance classes paced for seniors will be provided at 10 a.m. Thursdays, February 6 and 27. Every month will have a different theme. Februarys class will be Zumba from the first step to the final step. The instructor will be Rose Swidan. In addition, once a month there will be a class for more advanced classes. The first class will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 19. The classes will feature a mix of Latin dancing, belly dancing, the hustle and more. The instructor will be Merrie Druyor. To sign up or receive more information, call the Senior Center at (734) 955-4120. For information on other classes at the center, see the inside pages of this edition of the Communicator newsletter.

Walking for seniors begins in February

Romulus seniors are invited to join in a free walking program from 11 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Romulus Athletic Center, 35765 Northline Road. The first day of walking is February 7. Seniors will meet at the RAC and walk on the upstairs track. Free bus transportation will be provided from the Romulus Senior Center at 11 a.m. each Friday. For more information, call (734) 955-4120.

CLUB #1
February
February 4 February 11 No Meeting Meeting Games Bag Lunch Birthdays

BINGO!
Bingo is played at Noon Mondays and Wednesdays at the Senior Center. The fee is 25 cents for two bingo cards. Thanks to our sponsors. Mission Home Health will provide pizza and pop on February 19. Companies and individuals interested in sponsoring Bingo may contact Rose Swidan at (734) 955-4120.

Dates to Remember
Motor City Casino Feb. 18 9 am Talk to the Lawyer Feb. 19 1-2 pm Haircuts $5 Feb. 10 10 am Commodities/ Focus Hope Feb. 20 9:30 am Candy-Making Class Feb. 10 1 to 3:30 Crochet Class Feb. 3 1 to 3:30 Ceramics Class Feb. 24 1 to 3:30

February 18 No Meeting February 25 Meeting Games Bag Lunch Club Birthday: February 16 - Kathy Burgess

Game Days and Exercise

Members of the Romulus Senior Center can play games and exercise throughout the week: Bingo is played at noon Mondays and Wednesdays. Bunco is played at noon Tuesdays. Pinochle and other games are played during Wednesday Fun Days. Game Day is scheduled for noon Thursdays. Pokeno is played at noon Fridays. A stressfree chair exercise class begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. To register, call the Center at (734) 955-4120. Seniors who enjoy quilting and each others company gather at 6 p.m. Thursdays.

Candy Making, Ceremics & Crochet

Three new free classes are offered to seniors: A Crochet Class is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, February 3. A Candy-Making Class is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, February 10. A Ceramics Class is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, February 24. Classes have been scheduled due to requests by seniors. Each class will be held one day a month, depending on popularity. To register, call the Senior Center at (734) 955-4120 or visit the center.

Casino Trip
Romulus seniors are invited to visit Motor City Casino on Tuesday, February 18. A bus leaves the Senior Center at 9 a.m. The cost is $10 per person. The casino provides $25 in credit upon arrival. Seats are limited.

Fisher Theater
Tickets will be available to the Detroit Fisher Theater for The Gershwins Porgy and Bess March 4-9 and Beauty and the Beast March 25-29. Future performances include We Will Rock You April 1-13, Sister Act April 22May 4 and West Side Story May 13-18. For more details, see Rose Swidan.

Caregiver Support Group

Laura Rossow, caregiver support coordinator with The Information Center, provides a caregiver support class the fourth Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Romulus Senior Center, including this month on February 26. Anyone interested may attend the sessions. There is no registration fee.

BULLETIN BOARD
MMAP to visit center on February 5
Congratulations, Rose!

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
1 Mary Vick 2 Pat Witherow 3 Madeline Yeary 3 Fran Bredow 4 Eleanor Moore 5 Tone Musico 6 Ethel Watkins 6 Bonnie Poet 6 John Treganowan 7 Pearl Brown 7 Ann Turner 7 William Wright 8 Ardena Vaughn 9 Kenneth Berlinn 9 Gloria Forbes 11 Alice Flood 12 JoAn Pallas 12 Vick Kossel 12 Garold Hoffer 13 Dorthy Friedman 14 Gladys Hadeynak 16 Cathy L Burgses 17 Jerry Fornwald 18 Verna Lalonde 19 Georgia Chears 19 William Galofaro 20 Emma Beanum 20 Dorothy Lutze 20 Karen Shonta 21 Laura Chesno 22 Georgia Cole 23 Ruby Richardson 25 Mickey Durham 26 Alice Ries

Counselors from the Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) will visit the Romulus Senior Center to meet with seniors on Wednesday, February 5. Call the Senior Center to make an appointment at (734) 955-4120. Counselors will meet one on one with seniors to help with: Understanding doctor bills, hospital bills and Medicare Summary Notices. Understanding Medicare/ Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims and appeals. Reviewing your Medicare supplemental insurance needs, compare policies and pursue claims and refunds. Identifying resources for prescription drug assistance. Exploring long-term care financing options, including longterm care insurance. Identifying and reporting Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse.

Romulus Senior Center Director Rose Swidan receives an Excellence in Community Award from Mayor LeRoy Burcroff during the Hometown Heroes celebration in January at Romulus Wesleyan Church. The award was presented to personnel that made exemplary contributions to the city by way of their outstanding work ethic, personal integrity, compassion, vision, dedication and personal sacrifice.

Free tax preparation begins February 6

The Romulus Senior Center will provide free tax services through AARP to senior citizens ages 60 and older, handicapped persons and low-income individuals from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays from Feb. 6 through April 10. Tax services also will be available at the Romulus Senior Towers. Services are provided by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Call (734) 955-4120 to schedule an appointment. Participants in the program are asked to provide W-2 forms, SSA-1099 Interest/Dividends, 1099 R Interest Dividends and 1099 Pension/Annuity, receipts and/or cancelled checks if itemizing deductions and last years tax returns and forms indicating income taxes were paid.

Culinary class returns in March

The Romulus Senior Centers popular culinary class will return in March. Rose Swidan will teach seniors how to prepare various meals. The first class will feature salmon tostada to tie in with Ash Wednesday. Seniors in the class will prepare the meal and then eat the meal for lunch. The fee will depend on the menu for the day. Time, date and fees will be announced for March and beyond. Rose said the class will be both delicious and fun. Sign up at the Senior Center.

Romulus Senior Center

36525 Bibbins, Romulus, Michigan 48117 (734) 955-4120 Mayor Senior Center Director Meals-On-Wheels LeRoy Burcroff Rose Swidan Kerry Vaughn Leota McCraight Rosalie Green Evelyn Koerber Betty Lenossi Karen Kusibab Leondo Smith Jesse Charles www.romulusgov.com

Have a Question? Find an Answer

Senior Resources
Prescription Assistance Information (734) 282-7177 Food Assistance/ Wayne County Meals (734) 727-7357 Counseling & Substance Abuse (734) 729-9286 Department of Human Services (313) 277-4800 Care Management Family Resource (734) 282-7177

Drivers Chore Services (CDBG) City of Romulus Website

Hot Meals Daily

Please call the day before if you are interested in having lunch at the Romulus Senior Center: 955-4120.

Closed for the Day

The Romulus Senior Center will be closed on Wednesday, February, 12, for President Abraham Lincolns Birthday; Monday, February 17, for Presidents Day (George Washingtons birthday); and Friday, February 21, for an unpaid city furlough day.

Party Rooms for Rent

The Romulus Senior Center is a great place to celebrate birthdays, baby showers, family reunions and wedding receptions. The beautiful banquet halls and facilities at the Senior Center are available for rent at very affordable rates. There are rooms that can hold up to 120 people and they are available any day of the week. Bring your own caterer or make arrangements to use the Senior Center kitchen. Book early and tell your friends! For more details, please call the Senior Center at (734) 955-4120.

Coming in April to the Senior Center

SMART DRIVER COURSE: The Senior Center will host the new AARP Smart Driver Course from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 and 17. Take the course and you can save money on your car insurance. The class is limited to 20 participants. The course cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. To register, call the center. CRAFT AND FASHION SHOW: The Senior Center will be the site of a craft and fashion show toward the end of April. For more information, call the center.

Need Food?
Low-income residents are eligible for free commodities each month at the Senior Center. A variety of food is provided by The Emergency Food Assistance Program of Wayne County Senior Services. This months food distribution begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 16. Romulus Senior Director Rose Swidan encourages anyone in need of food any time to contact the center at (734) 955-4120.

New trips for the new year

Travel Treasures & Tours has partnered with the Romulus Senior Center center to provide transportation to Caesars Windsor on Feb. 3 and 24; an overnight trip Feb. 4 to Firekeepers Casino and Gun Lake and a trip to Saganing Eagles Landing in Standish on Feb. 18. For fees, casino incentives and more information, see Rose Swidan at the Senior Center.