Events and Activities

NEW!! Peer to Peer Tech Group

When: 4^th Thursday of each month, 12:30 – 2:30
Where: Athol Senior Center – 82 Freedom Street
What:
A drop in group for participants in the Embrace Technology digital workshop to practice building skills learned in class, share tips, and increase confidence. Support and encouragement is available from one of our friendly tutors.

Want more practice? Weekly meetings are also held in the Conference Room at the Athol Public Library every Wednesday from 12 – 1.

Not participating in the workshop? One on one help is available! Drop by or call either location to schedule an appointment.

Even if you are not enrolled in the workshop, the public is welcome to attend.

A collaboration Between:
Athol Council on Aging – 82 Freedom Street – 978-249-8985
Athol Public Library – 568 Main Street – 978-249-9515

---

UCLA Memory Training

For people with mild age-related memory challenges, Memory Training teaches the memory-enhancing techniques and practical strategies to boost memory functioning. The Memory Training Program is a four-week course taught by certified trainer, Andi Waisman.
Trainer presentations are combined with group discussions, memory checks, and skill builders. The course is designed to help participants acquire strategies for the top memory challenges.

Course Dates: Thursdays, February 1-22, 1:30 to 3:30PM at Athol Senior Center.
For more information or to register for a workshop, call 978-544-2259 x2297

---

Through generous funding provided by a grant from the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the COA and APL are pleased to announce Embrace Technology, a
collaborative project designed to help members of our community enhance their
digital literacy by providing free or affordable access to the internet, state-of-the-art equipment, small group sizes, one-on-one sessions, and more.
We are living in a digital age, and the COA and APL are here to help. With friendly,
patient instruction, participants will have the opportunity to learn new skills, giving them the confidence to Embrace Technology for today and tomorrow.
Group learning sessions will begin at the library in February, and on-on-one sessions are already happening at the Senior Center and the Library. Details on upcoming programs and services are available at both locations.

---

Game Day
Scrabble and More!

Come out and play games you know and love!
Learn new games!
Bring a friend and meet new people!

Not only are games, such as SCRABBLE fun, they may improve your overall Health and Wellness, including memory and cognitive skills – see below

“Training your memory leads to improved cognitive capacity, which means that your brain will be more efficient when dealing with challenging tasks. One of the effects of playing Scrabble is learning new words, but playing this game will also have a direct impact on the performance of your brain.”  _{https://www.meeplemountain.com}

---

Bingo

Starting Tuesday, March 21^st, our schedule will be as follows:

~Every 1^st and 3^rd Tues of the month
~Doors will open at 12:45pm
~Games played from 1pm – 3pm
~Concessions available for sale
~Due to lingering concerns over COVID, attendance is limited

Call 978-249-8986 for additional information

---

March Movie

“Calendar Girls”

Thursday, March 28, 1PM

“Hugh Grant is simply brilliant in this comedy hit the critics hail as ‘Hilarious’. According to Roger Ebert, Ebert & Roeper, ‘Heartwarming and Captivating'”

Popcorn and Beverage provided

---

North Quabbin Memory Cafe

Monday, February 5, 10 AM – 12 PM
We are excited to announce that the Athol Council on Aging and the Petersham Council on Aging have partnered to create a new initiative called the North Quabbin Memory Café.
This program will offer a monthly meeting place for individuals living with changes in their thinking or memory, mild cognitive impairment or dementiadue to Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.

It will be a place to relax, have fun, and meet others along with their care partners. Each month will feature a theme, activities for participants and care partners based on the interests of the group, a time for socializing and refreshments.

The Café is free of charge and promotes inclusion for all.
Funded by LifePath, Inc, the Church Street Home Fund, and the
Friends of the Council on Aging

---

Let’s “Weight” and See Weight Loss Challenge

Based on popular request we are starting an in-house weight loss challenge where the “Greatest Loser” will win the biggest prize. With the emphasis on Health and Wellness, let’s “Weight” and see the participants gain so much from losing.

To participate, there will be a discreet weekly weigh-in with encouragement and without pressure. We hope this format to be beneficial to everyone, yet be fun and motivating beyond just losing weight.

Start Date: Every Thursday starting September 8 through December 15.
*Time: Weigh-in from 9:45-11;00am
*Where: Athol Senior Center
*Fee: $1.00 per week, but at the end of the month the “Greatest Loser” will win a cash prize

Call for more information: 978-249-8986

---

Grief Support Group for Elders

---

Senior Dining at Lynn’s Luncheonette

Enjoy a nutritious and tasty lunch in the company of others. Lifepath, Inc, of Greenfield provides a congregate lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Athol Senior Center for those 60 and older and/or disabled. Wednesdays feature Lynn’s popular surprise “Mystery Dessert”!

To reserve, please sign up by 9:00 AM the day before the Tuesday or Wednesday you wish to dine by calling the Senior Center at 978-249-8986.

Lunch is served at noon and a $3 donation is welcome.

---

Foot Screening – Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Please call for an appointment

---

Blood Pressure Clinic – Wednesdays, 11- 12 Noon

Please call for an appointment

---

NEW! Chess Club – beginner and intermediate

If you would like to learn the game of chess or advance your skills, all are welcome to get instruction a the Athol Senior Center on Thursday afternoons at 1 PM with instructor, John Karl. Sign-up is not required. Dates and times are subject to change.
Great game to sharpen cognitive skills!

---

Mah Jongg

Wednesdays

12:30 to 3:00 PM

Cards:

Canasta

2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays
Starting June 13

1:00 PM

---