Shine Health Insurance Counseling

Certified SHINE counselors are available to assist you with questions about Medicare. SHINE services are free and unbiased: we are available to discuss all options related to Medicare and additional coverage, and we do not sell any plans.

Call the Mendon Senior Center at 508-478-6175 to make an appointment or call the Regional SHINE Office in Milford at 508-422-9931.

SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is funded through the federal agency, Administration for Community Living and administered through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Friends of Mendon Elder News:

Friends Dine Out—Wednesday,  June 11 - Cracker Barrel, Wrentham. Carpool with friends from the senior center (a week early this month) at 11:30 a.m. or meet at the restaurant at 12noon. Please sign-up at the senior center.

Calling all Crafters!—The committee organizing December’s Jingle Bell Fair is looking for individuals interested in working on crafts to sell at this year’s event. June date to be determined. Call Paula Malnati at 508-282-0187 for more information.

The Friends of Mendon Elders is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization raising funds for the benefit of the Senior Center and the seniors it serves.

Hobby of the Month: Fly Fishing 101

Please join our local fly-fishing fanatic, James Thach for an introduction to fly fishing! We will be discussing and having hands on with all the equipment and weather dependent potential show the basics of casting. If you enjoy fishing or just love the outdoors, come on out and see the basics of this amazing hobby.

Topics to include:

-  Fly Fishing, What’s it all about

-  Breakdown of equipment

-  Fly design and purpose

-  The principles of the “cast”

-  Fly tying demonstration

Date: Monday, June 23 at 1 p.m.

Place: Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence St., Mendon. Please stop by or call 508-478-6175 to register for this free program.

If you have a hobby you’d like to share, please contact Director Amy Wilson Kent at 508-478-6175.

New Players Welcome!

The Mendon Senior Center offers a variety of recreational activities including:

-  Cribbage—Wednesdays 9:45 a.m. The Cribbage group is always looking for new players. Stop in Wednesdays at 9:45 a.m. All levels welcome.

-  Hand, Knee and Foot card game—Tuesdays 1 p.m.

-  Mah-Jong - Wednesdays & Thursdays 1 p.m.

-  Brain Games—Thursdays 11:30 a.m.

Please check our schedule regarding days, times, and availability. Don’t see your favorite game listed, please let us know what you’d like to see offered!

Bocce Anyone?

The Senior Center is in the process of preparing the bocce court for use. A group is forming to play Monday mornings beginning at 10 a.m. Feel free to stop by to join in or call the center if you’d like to reserve your own time. Bring your own bocce balls or ask to borrow ours. Note - Help is needed to maintain the court by raking periodically. Call the center if interested.

Monthly Memory Café

Did you know Atria Draper Place of Hopedale offers a Memory Café every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10 -11:30 a.m. for a morning of socializing, live entertainment and delicious treats in a relaxing environment? Find understanding and connection. Individuals, families, and friends affected by memory loss are all welcome.  Please RSVP to Ann Hovsepian  508-482-5995 by Monday, June 16 or [email protected]

Sharing Strength - New Support Program

The Mendon Senior Center  is pleased to announce the return of counselor Gail Bourassa, LMHC to the center to offer a supportive program Sharing Strength. The group will have a focused discussion twice monthly based on chosen topics. Scheduled dates for June are 6/12 and 6/26 from 10 - 11 a.m. Please contact Janet Hubener if you are interested in attending this group.

Fraud & Scams

Dean Bank returns to the Mendon Senior Center on Wednesday, June 25 at 11 a.m. to provide attendees with an update on some of the new trends they’re seeing in the area of fraud and scams. Bank experts from the Mendon Branch, Compliance & Security as well as Electronic Banking Operations will be on-hand to answer your questions and provide tips on how best to respond t fraud attempts. They’ll share stories of recent successes they’ve had preventing fraud from occurring with their customers and will offer resources to use in the event you or someone you know falls victim to fraud. Stop by or call the Senior Center to register.  

911 Reflective Safety Signs Available

Mendon Firefighters Relief Association (MFFRA) a local non-profit, has worked to create 911 reflective safety signs to better help first responders find your home safely. The cost per sign is $25. Limited financial assistance is available for seniors and veterans. Make checks out to: MFFRA and drop off at the Mendon Fire Dept. and include your name, address, phone number and include the house # you want on the sign if different from your address. Come to the Friends meeting on Monday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m. for more information.

Mendon Senior Walking Group 

The Mendon Senior Walking Group will meet, weather permitting, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. at various locations. The average distance we walk is approximately 2 miles. We’re always open to different walking trails. We sometimes change it up a bit. Diane Howell, the group leader, requests email addresses and phone numbers to be sure all are aware of any walking changes/cancellations. If you are interested or have questions, contact Diane at [email protected] or call her at 508-473-3081. New Walkers are always welcome.

Hip Hop Dance Chair Exercise

The Mendon Senior Center welcomes back Rondae Drafts with a fun, energizing exercise program for seniors set to music. This program, funded by the Mendon Cultural Council, is offered to you at no cost. Two complimentary sessions will be offered: Monday, June 30 at 11:30 a.m. Please stop by or call the senior center to register for one or both groups.

Falls Safety & Falls Recovery

Join us for a fun, interactive session to learn about Falls Safety and Falls Recovery with Karen McCarthy, Education Nurse from Salmon Home Care on Tuesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. Please call or stop by the Mendon Senior Center to register.

Senior Van Transportation—Our van service is available Monday thru Thursday for trips to medical appointments, local shopping or just coming down to the Senior Center. Our friendly drivers are available to pick you up at your front door and take you where you need to go within a 15-mile radius. If you have any mobility issues, the van does include a lift, and our drivers are trained in wheelchair securement. Please make your ride reservations at least 48 hours in advance by calling the Senior Center, 508-478-6175. Rides are based on availability of the van; medical appointments get highest priority. Ride fees are $1 for local roundtrip rides and $4 for out-of-town rides. Vanbucks are available, get a 12-punch card for $10. Please inquire at the front desk.

Nutritional Support

Need help buying groceries?  SNAP can help! The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps has the following eligibility guidelines:

Household size 1/ maximum gross monthly Income $2608.Household size 2/maximum gross monthly income $3525.

Additionally, SNAP households are automatically able to participate in The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) Spend SNAP dollars on farm fresh fruits and vegetables at participating HIP retailers. An equal amount of money, up to the $20 maximum HIP monthly benefit, is instantly added back to your EBT card. Your receipt will show the amount of additional SNAP dollars you’ve earned. Spend your earned benefits anywhere that accepts SNAP. 

Monthly benefit per household is $20. These funds do not rollover. Must have a balance on EBT card at time of purchase.

The Mendon Food Pantry located at the Senior Center is currently open for Mendon residents one Friday per month by appointment. Upcoming dates are as follows: July 11, August 8, September 5. For more information, to make an appointment or for help applying for SNAP benefits, please contact Janet Hubener.

Charles Riverboat Cruise –Day Trip Friday, August 8, 2025, $125 per person. YOUR MOTORCOACH WILL DEPART: 8:45 a.m. - Mendon Senior Center and return at approximately: 5:15 p.m. You will see the historic sights of Boston and Cambridge on this 70 minute narrated cruise. After the cruise you will be treated to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. Choose an entree from a fantastic menu and cheesecake for dessert, of course! After lunch take some time for shopping at the Cambridgeside Galleria Mall. For Reservations, stop by the Senior Center or contact: Beverly Fior at 508-473-8382. Make checks payable to: Friends of Mendon Elders Mail to: 62 Providence Street, Mendon, MA 01756 Attn: Bev Fior. No Refunds after 7/8/25. Trip Operated by Bloom Tours.

Niagara Falls 

This Niagara Falls trip offered by Diamond Tours is scheduled for Sept. 29 thru Oct. 3 from the Mendon Senior Center. It is on the American side so that passports will not be needed. It includes 4 nights lodging in the Niagara Falls area, 8 meals: 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners. A guided tour of the falls on the Maid of the Mist, cruise on the Erie Canal, scenic drive through wine country, guided tour of Buffalo and a visit to Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum.

The price is $685 per person based on double occupancy. Final Payment is due by June 22.

Please register at the Mendon Senior Center. For more info or questions, please contact Bev Fior at 508-473-8382.

Checks are to be made out to Friends of Mendon Elders (please add ‘trip account’ in memo) Call Beverly Fior, 508-473-8382 for more information.