Mendon Council on Aging ~ Mission Statement

The mission of the Mendon Council on Aging is to assess the needs of Mendon’s senior community and respond to those needs by developing, promoting and encouraging new and existing programs and services that allow for enrichment, independence, quality of life and the fostering of healthy aging with grace and dignity.

Need Support? Jenn Can Help!

Outreach Coordinator, Jenn Talamini, offers: Free and confidential counseling; caregiver support; information and referrals on aging issues; and home visits by appointment. Call Jenn 508-478-6175 ext. 2 for an appointment.

Sensitivity Alert

Please refrain from using strong fragrances or cologne before coming to the Senior Center, especially when attending exercise programs or crowded events. For some, it can cause headaches and various allergic reactions etc. Thank you for your understanding! Note – even strong fabric softener can be irritating to other guests with this sensitivity

Coffee with Cops: Building relationships one cup at a time The Mendon Council on Aging, staff and the Friends of Mendon Elders invite you to meet officers from Mendon’s Police Department on Monday, April 13, 10 a.m. prior to the Friends monthly meeting and Wednesday, April 15, 9:30 a.m. Coffee with Cops is meant to bring police officers and the community members they serve together–over coffee–to discuss issues and learn more about each other. Call 508-478-6175 or stop by the senior center to register. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Deeds, Homesteads, Trusts and Estates

On Tuesday, April 14 at 10 a.m. the Mendon Senior Center will host Worcester Registry of Deeds Registrar, Kathryn A. Toomey and Registrar of Probate Courts Registrar, Stephanie Fattman. Listen as the nuts and bolts on how the Registry of Deeds and Probate Court work together for the residents of Massachusetts. Join us in a dialogue about land ownership and how probate issues can legally affect what happens to your property. Introductory information and an overview will be provided about Deeds, Homesteads, Trusts and Estates. Save the date for this informative program! Please stop by or call the Mendon Senior Center at 508-478-6175 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 Wayne Phipps and our newest driver Paul Sarah, are available to pick you up at your home 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 call Shawna Timperio at the center 508-478-6175 to make your ride reservations, 48 hours or more in advance. Rides are based on availability. Medical appointments take priority. Ride donations are $1 for local roundtrip rides/$4 for out-of-town rides.

Tri-Valley Lunch Program

Tuesday, April 14

Buttermilk Chicken & Herbed Stuffing

Thursday, April 16

Hot Dogs, Baked Beans &

Coleslaw

Tuesday, April 21

Birthday Bash!

Thursday, April 23

Breaded Mac & Cheese

Tuesday, April 28

Swedish Meatballs & Mashed Potatoes

Thursday, April 30

Chicken Cacciatore & Gemelli Pasta

Friendly Reminders!

Lunch Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance. Meals are served at 12 noon. The cost is $3 donation per meal. Transportation is available. Call Shawna Timperio to schedule.

Friends Dine Out

Carpool with friends from the senior center the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12 p.m. or meet at the restaurant at 12:30 p.m. The cost of lunch is your responsibility, but the company is free! Please sign-up at the senior center. Wednesday, April 15 - BVT, Three Seasons, Upton and Wednesday, May 20 – Empire Buffet, Woonsocket, RI.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Please contact director Amy Wilson Kent at 408-478-6175 ext. 1 if you are interested in any of the following. 

• Beautification Committee, Spring Clean-up —April 17 at  9 a.m. If you enjoy puttering outdoors and have a few hours to spare, come learn about the mission of our small, committed group of volunteers on clean-up day, Friday, April 17. We’re looking for an enthusiastic senior volunteer to help spearhead the Walking Group this spring.

• Walking Group Leader Wanted: This role would include helping choose meetup days/times and leading the group on relaxed, social walks. If you enjoy staying active and connecting with others, we would love to hear from you!

Crystal Bowls & Meditation Workshop Friday, April 17 at 2 p.m.

Faith Kennedy will be offering a crystal bowl and meditation workshop at the Mendon Senior Center for seniors in April. The benefits of both disciplines are vast. Meditation improves memory and attention, reduces stress and anxiety, improves quality of sleep, lowers blood pressure and boosts immune function. Before and after meditation, Faith will offer crystal bowl therapy. Crystal bowl sound therapy is an ancient practice in which sound healers produce different sound frequencies with quartz crystal singing bowls to restore balance and harmony in the body. The cost of the grant funded program is $25 per person payable to Faith Kennedy. Call or stop by the senior center to register.

Medicare Savings Programs

Apply to Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) now to save thousands a year on Medicare costs. What are Medicare Savings Programs? Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) will pay for some or all of Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance. Depending on your income, MSPs will pay for your Medicare Part A & B premiums and cost sharing, or Medicare Part B premium, as well as lower your prescription costs. This is not an insurance plan. There is no asset limit. Who qualifies? Medicare beneficiaries who meet the following monthly income limits: At or below $2,993 (individual) At or below $4,058 (couple). Call the Mendon Senior Center at 508-478-6175 to make an appointment with a SHINE Counselor for more information!

April Birthday Bash – Tuesday, April 21 at 12 noon. Get ready for an afternoon of fun, friendship, and fabulous entertainment. This month we are delighted to welcome Gina O’Donoghue, whose beautiful vocals and impressive keyboard skills are sure to brighten everyone’s day. Before the show, enjoy a delicious homemade meal featuring: Chicken Kiev and all the trimmings. Plus, cake! Whether you’re celebrating an April birthday or simply looking for a cheerful afternoon out, you’re invited to join us. Birthday celebrants eat free. A $5 donation is kindly welcomed from all others.

" A Penny for Your Thoughts" 

Come join us at the Mendon Senior Center on Thursday April 23 at 1 p.m. as we present the History of Our One Cent Coin. The experts from Lisi Coin Appraisal will begin with a look at the Cornerstone of our Money - The One Cent Coin. We will trace it's interesting and humorous" History from Colonial Times to Today. During the Program, we will play a few Games like the "Price is Right" where You will have the Chance to Win a Prize. Also, we will have a Free Raffle where We will give out additional Prizes. In our Program, we will tell you which Coins can have value and which ones do not as well as what makes Coins valuable. And we share with you valuable tips on the Do's and Don'ts for your Coins. We will wrap up our Program with a Free Verbal Coin Appraisal of up to 10 of your items. It is recommended that everyone should sign up for this Program as our Appraisals will follow the order of the sign ups. Register to attend this program at the Mendon Senior Center. Please sign up separately, if you wish to have an item appraised.

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.

Please check our schedule regarding days, times, and availability. We’ve had a request to offer traditional CANASTA. Please call Shawna Timperio if you are interested.

Learn How to Take Better Pictures

This six-week Beginner/Advanced photography class will begin Monday, April 27 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Whether you want to perfect your Phone photography skills or are have a Digital camera of your own, our instructor Steve McGrath, an accomplished, professional photographer with over thirty years’ experience, has something to offer. Learn how to create great images on your phone. Digital camera beginners, learn from an expert. Android and Apple Smart phones are welcome, and all models. Info about our instructor: http://www.stevemcgrathphotography.com/classes

The cost for this grant subsidized program is $45 for six weeks, payable to the instructor . Please call 508-478-6175 or stop by the Mendon Senior Center to register. Class Dates: 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, 6/1, 6/15 and 6/22.

History Series – The Ammidon Inn Tuesday, April 28 at 2 p.m.

Our March program was a hit — lively, fascinating, and full of “I never knew that!” moments.Now we’re taking the excitement right into Mendon’s own backyard from the Industrial Revolution to the Ammidon Inn.

Local historian Rich Schofield will guide us through the remarkable story of the Ammidon Inn from the time of the American Revolution. You’ll hear tales of travelers, patriots, and the early days of our town that shaped the nation. We’ll gather at the Inn itself for an immersive look at this historic landmark. Transportation will be provided from the Senior Center — just hop on and enjoy the ride. Join us for an afternoon that’s informative, entertaining, and full of Mendon pride. Sign up at the senior center or call 508-478-6175 ext. 3.

UPCOMING EVENTS – Save the Dates 

Annual Town Meeting —Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. and Election – Tuesday, May 19. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Both at Miscoe Hill Middle School, 148 North Ave., Mendon.

B-I-N-G-O- Thursday, May 21 at 2 p.m. Our monthly event kicks off with 8 lively games. More details to follow.

Volunteer Appreciation—Wednesday, May 27 at 11 a.m. by Invitation.

Pen Pal Ice Cream Socials—Senior Pen Pals will meet their Whitinsville Christian School counterparts at the Mendon Senior Center—4th Grade - Thursday, May 28 at 1:30 p.m. 5th Grade - Friday, May 29 at 1 p.m.

Planning for Medicare – Countdown to 65

Evening Program – Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m.

This evening presentation, led by a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts representative, is geared towards individuals approaching 65 and Medicare Eligibility. Topics covered include health insurance information outside of employer sponsored coverage, such as an explanation of Medicare, the Medicare enrollment timeline, Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans and programs available to early retirees, and for those who may still be working and looking to transition to Medicare. Please call 508-478-6175 or stop by the Mendon Senior Center to register for this free evening program.

Women of ‘76 – Wednesday, May 12 at 2 p.m.

Join us As America Prepares to Celebrate its Founding! Step back in time and discover the untold stories of 5 courageous women, both patriot and loyalist, American and foreign born, who witnessed, chronicled and in some cases changed the course of the American Revolution. Register now for this theatrical tribute enacted by Rita Parisi of Waterfall Productions and grant funded by the Mendon Cultural Council, a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

ELDER LAW PROGRAM

Wednesday, May 20 at 1 p.m.

The Mendon Senior Center will host a statewide program presented by the Massachusetts Bar Association entitled “Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup”. Elder Law Attorney Jack Nealon from Hopkinton will touch on some important topics in this year’s 2026 resource guide (available for distribution) on a wide range of legal issues affecting the lives of seniors including how to protect your home and assets, power of attorney and health care proxies, reverse mortgages, Medicare / Medicaid changes and alternatives to nursing home care. For more information or to register for this free program call the Mendon Senior Center at 508-478-6175. Guides are available to participants first. There is vast subject matter. Please let us know what topics you are most interested in.

Town Wide Yard Sale – Saturday, June 6. The Friends of Mendon Elders are gearing up for another fantastic Town Wide Yard Sale — one of our most popular community traditions!

Donate – Bring your new or gently used items to the Senior Center on Saturdays in May, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Host Your Own Sale – During those same Saturday mornings, we’ll also be accepting applications from residents who want to host their own yard sale. Applications will be available in April and should be returned in May on Saturday mornings only. New This Year! Prefer to stay right in town? We’re offering yard sale spaces at the Senior Center for anyone who’d like to set up shop on-site. Questions? The Friends of Mendon Elders are always happy to help. [email protected] More details are on the way!

Reserve Your Space Today! All aboard for a Cape Cod Train Lunch Empire Tour!

Join us for a delightful day trip to Hyannis featuring a scenic two-hour train ride with a chef prepared 3 course lunch with white glove service. Beautiful coastal views and light narration along the way. After the train ride, enjoy free time to explore the shops and seaside charm of Hyannis on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Trip departs: 9 a.m. from the Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence Street, Mendon. The cost is $168 per person. Stop by the senior center to reserve your space. Full payment and Meal Choice are due at time of booking. Please Make checks payable to: Friends of Mendon Elders c/o 62 Providence St., Mendon, MA 01756. Please Contact Beverly Fior at 508-473-8382 with questions. This trip is operated by Bloom Tours.

With Gratitude… 

The Mendon Senior Center would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the bottle and can fund since its inception in 2011 to support the Mendon Senior Center transportation program. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We are pleased to share that the Town of Mendon has committed to funding the center’s transportation program now and into the future. The Mendon Council on Aging will continue to accept bottle and can donations and proceeds through its gift account, along with memorial gifts and other contributions. We encourage everyone to keep donating, as these funds help support programs and services that benefit seniors throughout our community. Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Eldon Swanson for faithfully coordinating this project year-round for the past ten years. If anyone is interested in assisting Eldon with this task, please contact Amy Wilson Kent.