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Hubbardston senior center plans fundraisers, keeps art class and exercise program under review
Summary
Board discussed program updates including a newsletter handoff, an art-class grant, a raffle fundraiser and an Irish stew lunch, and heard about a Medicare adviser visit; exercise class attendance prompted discussion but no formal cancellation.
The Town of Hubbardston Council on Aging discussed program schedules, fundraiser plans and community outreach and heard that an insurance adviser will offer private Medicare appointments at the center.
Director Claudia Provensel told the board that the town cultural council awarded $750 to continue the art class. "We have $750," Provensel said when reporting the award. The board also discussed the GFA grant account and noted $17.90 of that grant is restricted to newsletter expenses; the remainder can be used for the art program as allowed by the funder.
Newsletter duties will transition in May 2025. A long-time newsletter volunteer told the board she will hand the work to Bobbie Thibodale (spelled as in the meeting) and will train her before May.
Members reviewed recurring programming: soup days are set to resume every other Tuesday beginning Jan. 7, 2025, and the weekly chair-exercise class continues but members expressed concern about inconsistent attendance. Board members discussed contacting participants and maintaining a volunteer presence for sessions. No formal vote to cancel exercise sessions was recorded.
Fundraising plans include a "Pot of Gold" scratch-ticket raffle: organizers described three trees holding a total of $500 in scratch tickets ($100, $150 and $250) and said tickets will be sold in envelopes; ticket packets were described as 25 tickets for $10. The board also discussed an Irish stew fundraiser scheduled for March 16 with a 1 p.m. meal and a 2:30 p.m. timed pull.
Provensel described an upcoming trip (announced as a trip to "Noah" in the minutes) scheduled for the weekend after Thanksgiving; participants will be asked for a $100 deposit at sign-up and the board plans to cap the trip at 45 travelers.
The board heard that Keith Aubin of Integrity Medicare Advisory will visit the center at 10 a.m. on Thursday to meet residents and, beginning in February, will offer private counseling appointments. Provensel clarified the adviser is not a SHINE counselor but can assist with sign-ups and forms.
Other items included outreach and volunteers for ticket sales, reminders about tax-aide referrals to nearby towns and a reminder that members must complete an annual state ethics form. The board set a follow-up to confirm GFA restrictions and to assist with outreach and ticket distribution for fundraisers.
