The Communicator

Official Newsletter of the Senior Citizens of Romulus JANUARY 2014

Happy New Year from the Romulus Senior Center!

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day on January 20
Everyone is invited to participate in the City of Romulus annual Martin Luther King Walk and Program on Monday, January 20. Those taking part in the walk should meet at Romulus Middle School starting at 7:30 a.m. The walk begins at 8 a.m., traveling from the middle school to Romulus High School. Those interested in walking can park at the high school and be transported by bus from the high school to the middle school. After the walk, breakfast will be served at the high school. A program in the high school auditorium follows at 9:30 a.m. The high school is located at 9650 Wayne Road. The middle school is located at 37300 Wick Road. The Romulus Senior Center and city offices are closed for the day. Happy New Year from the Romulus Senior Center team! We are looking forward to another exciting, fun-filled and interesting year at the Senior Center. If you already visit the center, you know about our great programs, wonderful meals and special events. If you havent stopped by, I invite you to visit us at 36525 Bibbins, meet our wonderful staff and check out the fitness room, classes, trips, programs and events that are planned each month just for seniors.

A Message from Senior Center Those in need of transportation to Director Rose Swidan and from the Senior Center can contact us at (734) 955-4120. For the past year, we have offered busing Mondays through Thursdays. I am happy to announce that transportation also is now available on Fridays as well.
Watch for news on more fun events throughout 2014. God bless you all for a joyous new year!

NEW PROGRAMS COMING IN 2014

RESTAURANT CLUB: Starting in February, a restaurant club will take seniors to various restaurants during the year. DANCE CLASS: A new dance class will be held after hours, featuring Latin dancing, belly dancing, Zumba, the hustle and much more. Well have more details in the February Communicator, but feel free to call for more information on any senior programming. 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 non-members. Call the center to register.

CLUB #1
January
January 7 January 14 No Meeting Meeting Games Bag Lunch Birthdays Lunch at the Romulus House 12:30 pm Meeting Games Bag Lunch

BINGO!
Bingo is played at Noon Mondays and Wednesdays at the Senior Center. The fee is two bingo cards for 25 cents. Thanks to our sponsors. Tender Care will provide pizza and pop on Jan. 8. Mission Home Health will provide pizza and pop on January 15.

Dates to Remember
Motor City Casino Jan. 21 9 am Talk to the Lawyer Jan. 21 1-2 pm Haircuts $5 Jan. 13 10 am Commodities/ Focus Hope Jan. 16 9:30 am Candy-Making Class Jan. 27 1 to 3:30 Crochet Class Jan. 13 1 to 3:30 Tax Preparation Starts Feb. 6

January 21

January 28

Club Birthdays: Jan. 10 Gussy Marrow Jan. 20 Lois Beutner

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, January 13. A Candy-Making Class is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, January 27. A Ceramics Class will return in February. 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.

Cruises
Cruises for Romulus seniors are planned for 2014. A trip to Alaska through Princess Cruises is scheduled for May 1424. A trip to Canada and New England through the Norwegian Cruise Line is set for Oct. 411. For more information, contact Rose Swidan at (734) 955-4120.

Casino Trip 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 January 22. Anyone interested may attend the sessions. There is no registration fee.
Romulus seniors are invited to visit Motor City Casino on Tuesday, January 21. A bus leaves the Senior Center at 9 a.m. The cost is $10 per person. The casino provides $20 in credit upon arrival. Seats are limited.

CHRISTMAS GALA MEMORIES

The Romulus Senior Center Christmas Gala Luncheon was a big success. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules and joined us for a fun day. Thanks to City Clerk Ellen Craig-Bragg for leading us in beautiful Christmas songs. Thanks also to those who donated gifts to our seniors. Your generosity is so appreciated by our seniors and staff: Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Jackleen Ochalek, Judge David Parrott, UAW Local 600, Leonardos Restaurant, Meijer in Belleville, Romulus Flower Shop, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Cranes Funeral Home, Julie Allison, Tender Care of Taylor and Captain Nemos. Special thanks to the Romulus High School students who are members of the group Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. They volunteered to serve meals and distributed prizes. More than 100 photos from the luncheon are posted on the City of Romulus Facebook page on the Internet at www.facebook.com/ cityofromulus.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
1 Neva Williams 2 Anna McGhee 4 Walhut Nellie 5 Carol Threlkeld 5 June Newby 5 Doris Albig 9 Alan Lambert 10 Maxine Borchert 10 Agnes Fleszar 10 Shirley Lamberson 10 Shirley A Coates 13 Dennis Hammac 13 Councilman John Barden 14 Rosemary Gallo 15 Judy Cianfarani 17 Dorothy Dobozy 17 Delores Nieragarth 18 Vicki Martin 19 Larry Romak 19 Ramon Brown 19 Joyce Frazier 20 Sarah Rich 20 Lois Beutner 20 Mattie Benjamin 21 Jim Holloway 22 Beverly McAnally 22 Joe Ozog 22 Jan Conrad 23 Marilyn Hoffer 23 Linda Himick 26 Ruth Curley 27 Nezzy Daniels 26 Ronald Gering 28 Sheila Stewart 31 Laura Love 31 Betty Fordes

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 February 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 Unemployment compensation statement SSA-1099 Interest/Dividends 1099 R Interest Dividends and 1099 Pension/Annuity Receipts and/or cancelled checks if itemizing deductions Last years tax returns and forms indicating income taxes were paid

Romulus Senior Center

36525 Bibbins, Romulus, Michigan 48117 (734) 955-4120 Mayor Senior Center Director Meals-On-Wheels LeRoy Burcroff Rose Swidan Sylvia Dubisky Leota McCraight Rosalie Green Evelyn Cober 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 Friday, January 17, for an unpaid city furlough day, and Monday, January 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. 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.

Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)

Counselors can meet with you and help you: Understand doctor bills, hospital bills and Medicare Summary Notices. Understand Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims and appeals. Review your Medicare supplemental insurance needs, compare policies and pursue claims and refunds. Identify resources for prescription drug assistance. Explore long-term care financing options, including long-term care insurance. Identify and report Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse. For more information or to speak with a MMAP counselor, contact The Senior Alliance at (734)7222830.

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.