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NEWSPAPERS Cazenovia Forum Cazenovia Republican Hi Neighbor Madison County Courier Midyork Weekly Post Standard	News & Events New Woodstock, N.Y. 13122
	NEWS at a Glance
	New Woodstock Library * Articles about Libraries * Needle Night ------------------- Divine Nature Wildlife Rehabilitation & BMR Acres * Country Farm Store Every Saturday thru September 25 ------------------- New Woodstock Historical Society * Meetings 3rd Monday each month 7:30 p.m. ------------------- New Woodstock Federated Church * October 21 – Chicken Biscuit, Pie Dinner 5 p.m. – till sold out ------------------- AARP * Defensive Driving Classes RSVP of Madison County * NSCA announced the Winner of the 2011 Innovators Award * Goodsearch.com * Hamilton Center for the Arts - Hiring * Madison County Landfill – Note * Electronic Recycling news	* “Make A Difference” Day * November 6, Chittenango Garden Club Bazaar * November 11 Dickens Victorian Afternoon Tea * November 17 Laser Tag at Shoppingtown Mall * Opportunity Shop * November Adult Literacy Tutor Training Volunteers Needed * Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center * Wanderers Rest Thrift Shop * THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS * Crouse Community Openings * Therapeutic Horsemanship Inc. – Seeking Volunteers Markets / Sales * Pies Sale * November 5 Country Crossroads Bazaar Health * Chenango Water Exercise Group Offers Ongoing Classes * Bone Builders * Uninsured/Underinsured Health Care * Free Clinic * Office for the Aging Information * Seniors Keeping In Touch Information * Food Assistance Available
	New Woodstock Free Library (315) 662-3134 Fax: (315) 662-3096 LIBRARIES SURVIVE ADVANTAGES OF LIBRARIES Needle Night ***************************************************************************************************** BMR ACRES COUNTRY FARM STORE 2542 Pine Ridge Rd, Canastota - 1-877-855-4BMR or 315-697-5476 ALL SALES BENEFIT DIVINE NATURE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION NOW OPEN WEEKENDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS THROUGH CHRISTMAS - SAT & SUN 10-4 MASTERCARD, VISA, DISCOVER ACCEPTED SPECIALIZING IN LUXURIOUS ALPACA PRODUCTS & GIFTS. TRY OUR WARM, COZY ALPACA SOCKS JOIN OUR FREQUENT SOCK BUYER PROGRAM. LOCAL PRODUCTS HONEY, MAPLE SYRUP, SOAPS, LOTIONS, JAMS & JELLIES. GIFT CERTICATES AVAILABLE. GIFT BASKETS MADE TO ORDER. ***************************************************************************************************** New Woodstock Historical Society Meetings 3 rd Monday each month 7:30 p.m. (May – Sept at the Depot, Oct – Apr at the New Woodstock Library) ***************************************************************************************************** New Woodstock Federated Church October 21 – Chicken Biscuit, Pie Dinner 5 p.m. – till sold out $8 Adult, $5 Child 5-12, under 5 free ***************************************************************************************************** AARP DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASSES FEE: $12 AARP members (membership card required) $14 non-members Checks only – payable to AARP Registration: Sign up in advance only with payment. 315/687-3471. Details: All drivers age 50 and over offered a defensive driving course sponsored by AARP. Students must complete 6 hours to receive a certificate that may entitle them to auto insurance discounts. Please arrive 15 minutes before class start Time. SULLIVAN PARKS & RECREATION DEPT. TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. SESSION 3:Saturday, October 15, 2011 Instructor: Joe Gaiser BRIDGEPORT: SESSION 1: Tuesday, November 15 TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. LOCATION: Fisher Bay Restaurant INSTRUCTOR: Sherry Menninger CHITTENANGO: SESSION 3: Saturday, December 11, 2011    TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: Sullivan Parks & Recreation Dept. INSTRUCTOR: Joe Gaiser ONEIDA: SESSION: Monthly LOCATION: @ ONEIDA PUBLIC LIBRARY PHONE REGISTRATION: (315) 363-8357 (Call to register) DURATION: 6 Hours INSTRUCTOR: Harold Mellen *********************************************************************** RSVP of Madison County Mary Bartlett, Director (315) 684-3001 X 103 (Fax) (315) 684-9290 You can also view the newsletter and archives at www.madisoncountyagriculture.com. GOODSEARCH.COM One easy way to help out RSVP right now is to use the Good Search.com website. http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/rsvp-madison-county-cooperative-extension-association.aspx It’s easy, just download the toolbar and use goodsearch.com when surfing the Internet. We’ve already earned a whopping .28! But, if lots of people use goodsearch for RSVP we could earn a lot more!  Even with only 100 people the average annual amount donated is $730. Every little bit helps. You can download the search toolbar to get started at the link above. *********************************************************************** Hamilton Center for the Arts is dedicated to providing classes, programs, exhibits and events in the arts to the community. We are currently looking for qualified people to teach a theater class and piano lessons and start up a community children's chorus. If you or anyone you know might be interested in any of these opportunities, please contact us. Thank you, Kathy Herold Director - Hamilton Center for the Arts 10 Broad Street, Second Floor, Hamilton, New York 13346 315 368-4453 www.hamiltoncenterforthearts.com hamiltoncenterforthearts@gmail.com *********************************************************************** National Senior Corps Association (NSCA) Innovator's Award Winner Announced Award Sponsored by Humana Corporation NSCA is pleased to announce the Winner of the 2011 Innovators Award for RSVP Volunteers RSVP: Mary Bartlett, RSVP of Madison County sponsor Cornell Cooperative Extension, Madison County, NY The Nation Senior Corps Association announced the winner of the 2011 Innovators Award for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to RSVP of Madison County NY. The award commends RSVP Volunteers of Madison County as a shining example of creativity and the ability to forge new ground in Senior Corps project development and came with a $650 prize. The NSCA Innovators Award is designed to identify and publicize innovative practices in Senior Corps program management.  Winning entries must be existing practices that address issues common to Senior Corps program management.  They must be replicable, realize a concrete or measurable outcome, and lead to superior program performance.  Innovative practices are distinguished by their creativity and contribute to the improved performance of the RSVP program. RSVP of Madison County’s winning entry was the Building Non-Profit Capacity Through Volunteer Engagement project. The program implemented a four-pronged approach for volunteer recruitment including convening focus groups, offering new volunteer opportunities, publicizing volunteers profiles, updating the website and including social media in volunteer recruitment efforts. The project helped RSVP Madison NY enlist 106 new volunteers in 2010 and add four new projects with measurable community impact. The marketing and recruitment project was made possible by a generous grant from the Central New York Community Foundation. RSVP of Madison County NY is a Corporation for National & Community Service Agency, Sponsored by: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, With local support from The United Way of Greater Oneida, and the Community Chests of Canastota, Hamilton, Town of Sullivan, and the United Community Chest of the Towns of Cazenovia, Fenner, & Nelson, and other generous individual contributors. *********************************************************************** Also of Note from our friends at the Madison County Landfill… Free Disposal of Waste Motor Oil Residents can now dispose of waste motor oil for free at the Buyea Rd. Landfill site in the Town of Lincoln and at the transfer stations located in Cazenovia, Hamilton and Sullivan. A policy change, rescinding the $2.65 fee to dispose of up to two gallons of waste oil became effective immediately when the Board of Supervisors approved the resolution on March 8, 2011. The Department of Solid Waste is using all of the waste motor oil being collected on site and at the transfer stations to heat the Madison County Landfill Operations/Maintenance building, explained James A. Zecca, director. Regarding the Changing Face of Electronic Recycling New State requirements for E-Waste recycling and disposal went into effect April 1, 2011. The New York State E-waste law will change the way all electronics manufacturers do business and will also change the way residents are required to recycle electronic waste. The new collection site for all Madison County e-waste and Central New York is located at LOJO Technology, 327 Farrier Ave., in Oneida, NY a subsidiary of Madison Cortland ARC in cooperation with the Madison County Department of Solid Waste and Sanitation. There will be no charge for any E-waste recycled at this facility. The new E-Waste Collection facility will open for business Monday, April 18, 2011. Hours of operation will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. To make the transition to the new electronics collection system as easy as possible, Madison County will continue to act as a collection site for televisions and computer monitors. The County will continue to charge one punch on the punch card system for televisions and computer monitors dropped off at any of the four transfer stations. This fee is to cover the transportation and handling costs. The following is a list of electronics that will be accepted, for free, at the new collection facility at LOJO Technology at 327 Farrier Ave. in Oneida. Computers; televisions, small scale servers, computer peripherals, monitors, electronic keyboards and mice or similar pointing devices, fax machines, scanners, printers, VCRs, DVRs, Portable Digital Music Players, DVD Players, Digital Converter Boxes, Cable or Satellite Receivers, Electronic or Video Game Consoles. Also accepted are: cell phones, cash registers, typewriters, PDA’s, digital cameras, telephones and stereo equipment. Questions on the new electronics program can be answered by calling the Recycling Hot Line at 1-800-721-2208 or the Madison-Cortland ARC at 363-3014. The new state law will eventually prohibit the disposal of electronic waste in New York State by all consumers; beginning January 1, 2012 for businesses and municipalities and January 1, 2015 for individuals and households, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). PUBLIC INFORMATION & SERVICES DEPT PO Box 635, Wampsville, NY 13163 SHARON A. DRISCOLL Public Information Officer Recycling Coordinator 315/366-2789 *********************************************************************** “Make A Difference” Day Oct. 22 was national “Make A Difference” day and RSVP partnered with Habitat for Humanity to place 24 volunteers in Habitat’s A Brush With Kindness program. Five homes around Madison County got some needed repairs.  Selected homes were based on greatest need and on the availability of resources needed to complete the work.  In Erieville, volunteers worked on repairing a porch railing,  rain gutters were installed on a house in Chittenango, indoor painting and carpet preparation work was done on houses in Bridgeport and North Chittenango and an air exchange system was installed on a home in  West Eaton.  One volunteer team needed to get more supplies and plans to return this coming weekend to finish the rain gutter job in Chittenango. One volunteer commented, “It was nice to be able to help out and I learned a lot about how to do a project at my own home.”   RSVP of Madison County and Habitat for Humanity have had a long standing partnership and wanted to do a special project together. It was a great success and leads to more opportunities for the groups to work together. In fact, RSVP is calling for volunteers to work with Habitat in a house deconstruction near Hamilton during the month of November. No special skills required. Habitat will  use materials from the deconstruction  in ‘A Brush With Kindness’ program. Deconstruction is the process of “carefully” taking apart a building to reuse as much of the material as possible. This project will also help to keep materials out of our landfills. They will be taking out cabinets, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets and switches, lights, doors, windows… and the list goes on and on. How much they are able to save is directly related to how many volunteers they have. If you would like more information you may call Rev. Greg Wright (315-374-9054) or email him at gwright@syracusehabitat.org. To sign up to volunteer there is a “Doodle” scheduling page set up at doodle.com/ry48nuixgcnfw9uc. Indicate your availability and you will be contacted to confirm a schedule. *********************************************************************** Chittenango Garden Club    The Chittenango Garden Club presents its annual "Holiday Bazaar" on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 from 11 AM to 4 PM. It will be held at the Sullivan Parks and Recreation building, on Legion Dr. and E. Mohawk St. in Chittenango.  Lunch will be available from 11 AM to 3 PM.     The floral program at 3 PM will be presented by the Olive Branch Floral and Gift Shop, Chittenango.  Crafters, including crochet items, jewelry, wood crafts, Watkins Products, Mia Bella Candles, Party Lites, Avon and much more will be showing their products.     The donation of $2.00 includes a chance at door prizes (drawing at 4 PM). Raffle tickets will be sold for a prize of a  complete Thanksgiving dinner for 4 and other lovely items.  The Garden Club members also will sell home-baked goods, candies, crafts, dried flowers and house plants.     Mark your calendar and plan on attending a great Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 6! *********************************************************************** From Town of Sullivan Parks & Recreation Dickens Victorian Afternoon Tea. Friday November 11 Bus Departs from Town of Sullivan Recreation Office at 10:00 am Bridgeport Methodist Church at 10:20 am Fee: $34 per person Deadline: With payment by November 4 Details: Travel a short distance to Skaneateles for a Dickens theme tea and luncheon at Grammie’s Pantry. This is a seven course event and make for the perfect ladies day out. Participants are welcome to invite their daughters, granddaughters, nieces and friends over the age of 12 to enjoy this unique tea room and gift shop with home baked goodies also available for sale.  After the luncheon there will be free time in Skaneateles to explore and shop. Contact: Town of Sullivan Parks & Recreation at 687-3471 to register. *********************************************************************** Kid’s Half Day Out Laser Tag @ Shoppingtown Mall November 17, 2011 Bus leaves Parks & Rec office at 1:00 and returns at 4:30 pm Ages: 7 to 12 years $20:00 per child Registration Deadline: November 10 (or until full) Pre-registration only Call 687-3471 Barb Ortman (left) and Joan Vanderhoff RSVP Volunteers at the Opportunity Shop in Canastota *********************************************************************** Opportunity Shop  The purpose of the Opportunity Shop located at 128 E. Center Street in Canastota is to provide low income families with good, serviceable clothing at a minimum cost.  Household goods and furniture in limited amounts are also available.  Though intended primarily for low income families,   more working families are coming to the thrift shop because the items are more affordable and the shop is more convenient than going to the malls.  The clothing offered in the shop is donated.  Fire and other emergency victims are provided with clothing, bedding, furniture and household items at no cost.  The shop is run by volunteers under the guidance of the Canastota Committee for Human Development. The board is responsible for setting goals, approving new programs, authorizing large or unusual expenditures and supporting on-going relief to the needy. The Opportunity Shop is open to the public 9 am – 3 pm Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed to help in the shop and at the adjoining food pantry. Most volunteers work in two – four hour shifts. With the winter months approaching, new volunteers are needed when some ‘snow bird’ volunteers go away for the winter. Anyone wishing to help out at the Opportunity Shop, please call 697-3140 between 9am – 3pm Monday – Friday. *********************************************************************** Adult Literacy Tutor Training Coming Up!  Tutor training for Madison County Reads Ahead adult literacy program is now scheduled for  Nov. 1, 10, 15, and 17  from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sullivan Free Library, 101 Falls Blvd., Chittenango.   Please call Morris Atwood at 761-2525 to register. *********************************************************************** Cazenovia Area Senior Association (CASA) Luncheon Bring a Dish to Pass Thursday November 17 – noon St James Church Cazenovia Entertainment Pianist Shirley Leone Need a Ride? CRIS-CAT offers free transportation for Cazenovia, Fenner & Nelson residents over 55 and ambulatory.  Call 655-0612 between 7 am and 6 pm 3 to 5 days in advance. *********************************************************************** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ***********************************************************************  The Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center is currently looking for volunteers to help with Social Dances, Concession Stand, Events, and also to sit in on coordinating events.  Please call 315-363-8525 for more information or visit our website www.kalletciviccenter.org.  *********************************************************************** Wanderers' Rest Humane Association Wanderers' Rest Humane Association is opening a Thrift Shoppe on Route 20 west of Bouckville. We are looking for volunteers to staff the store which will be open Friday and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Any interested persons should contact Barb Smith at barbsmith2001@yahoo.com or call 697-9840. *********************************************************************** RSVP Program Highlights – Making A Difference Below I list just a few examples of why we do what we do…. ·        This was the most successful year ever for our tax preparation program. Our volunteers prepared 595 federal tax returns bringing in over $313 thousand dollars in refunds for our senior citizens. Also, since it’s a free service, our seniors saved at least $74 thousand in tax preparation fees. ·         Once again, RSVP volunteers helped with the Safe Pill Drop Off event taking in 275 pounds of expired and unwanted pharmaceutical keeping them out of the water and reducing availability of drugs of abuse. ·         The long term care resident advocate Ombudsmen volunteers served 743 hours to provide information and advocacy services to the residents in long term care facilities in Madison County. ·         Bone Builders started a new group in Canastota and added a second session in Cazenovia.  We had about 80 participants attend a Bone Builders workshop where they learned some great tips for keeping strong and revitalizing their exercise routine. ·         Also this year, in partnership with Cooperative Extension we adopted two platoons stationed in Afghanistan.  We began sending cards and monthly care packages in April and are now starting to hear back from our troops.  On receiving a birthday greeting one soldier wrote, “I wanted to say many thanks for the birthday card! When I opened it, I almost cried. I had forgotten my own birthday.  I really appreciate the thought. It made me feel really good.” Once again, MANY MANY THANKS to all RSVP Volunteers and supporters. *********************************************************************** Crouse Community Center has openings in their adult day programs Services are designed for adults with medical and social needs such as; diabetes monitoring and management, nursing care coordinated with physicians, recreational activities, personal care and door to door transportation to the adult senior services program. Sites are in Hamilton and Cazenovia. Program hours are from 9 am – 2 pm Monday through Friday. Registrants can attend as many days per week as they want or need. Payment is either through Medicaid or self pay. For further information please call Kathy Felton, RN 655-5464 or Marcia Parker, RN 824-6230. *********************************************************************** Volunteering at From the Ground Up (FTGU) Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc. FTGU is a therapeutic horsemanship program for people with special needs. The program offers specially designed lessons for children and adults with personal challenges to find strength and independence through the power of the horse. Recently moved to New Woodstock (former Mystic Mt. facility) The program seeks volunteers with stable / horse experience to help maintain horses and get ready for the spring season when they will ramp up with a full program. If anyone who would like to help with the horse program please call Mary Bartlett at 684-3001 Ext. 103. Thanks! Like Horses and the Outdoors??  Here’s a Chance to Be Part of an Empowering Program!! *********************************************************************** Markets / Sales *********************************************************************** PIES PIES PIES Do you have an invitation and need something to bring? Do you like pies but hate to make them? Then purchase a pie (or several pies) and support programs and services offered to senior citizens by Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc 10” frozen pies that can stay frozen for up to 6 months Pies are available year round for $8.00 each Pies available: Dutch Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, Red Raspberry, Pumpkin, Banana Cream, Boston Cream, Chocolate Cream, & Coconut Cream (in some cases sugar free is available—please call 697-5700 for details) Pies can be picked up between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Friday at the Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd, Canastota, NY 13032 Or at a SNACK Site near you (on the days they are open) Give us a call at 697-5700 to order *********************************************************************** COUNTRY CROSSROADS BAZAAR 2011—Saturday, November 5, 2011 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Morrisville Community Church, Swamp Road, Morrisville.  A unique arrangement of shops to visit:  “The Stitchery”, “The Twisted Vine”, “The Country Peddler”, “The Bake Shop” and “St Nicholas’ Place” featuring handcrafted items from needlework, woodwork, dried flower arrangements, holiday decorations, quilts and baked goods as well as antiques & collectibles from “Grandma’s Attic”.  “Mrs. Claus’ Café” will serve a morning menu from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Come for a full day of shopping, socializing, and snacking.  For more information call:  684-3314 or visit our website at:  www.morrisvillechurch.org.  Sponsored by the Presbyterian Women of the church On Saturday, November 12 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Oneida Community Mansion House presents an Album Quilt Symposium featuring keynote speaker Cathy Rosa Klimaszewski, Associate Director and Ames Curator of Education at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University.    Kathy is a recognized authority on early American quilt-making and has been researching and preserving quilts for more than twenty years.  Among the quilt exhibits she has curated are “Made to Remember: American Commemorative Quilts” (1991) and “American Quilts from the Terasaki Collection” (2010). There will be demonstrations on hand-quilting by Shirley Robinson, the technique of applique by Becky Rowbottom, and the use of embroidery on album quilts.  Patricia A. Hoffman, OCMH Executive Director will discuss the "New Best Quilt" and guests will have the opportunity to view several examples of Oneida Community quilts and learn about the tradition of quilt making at the Mansion House from Tony Wonderley, OCMH curator.   The cost is $10.  Please call 315-363-0745 for reservations.   *********************************************************************** HEALTH *********************************************************************** Chenango Water Exercise Group Offers Ongoing Classes All classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 – 11:45 AM at the Lineberry Pool at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Aquatic exercise can increase circulation, heart rate and respiratory rate while decreasing blood pressure and sensitivity of nerve endings and creating a redistribution of blood flow.  CWEG’s program is also excellent for reduction of pain and muscle spasms, increase in range of motion, achieving relief from various physical symptoms, and preoperative preparation and post operative recovery.  Our programs are highly recommended by several physicians in the area.   Call CWEG at 228-7621 for more information.  *********************************************************************** Bone Builders Exercise Program The Bone Builders Exercise Program is a FREE weekly exercise group for persons aged 50+ and is designed to help prevent and alleviate osteoporosis and improve balance, strength and general fitness. Participants practice weight training, balance and stretching exercises. The program is based on research conducted by Tufts University. The Bone Builders exercise sessions are led by trained RSVP volunteers. Call us at 684-3001 extension 115 for more information about attending a session or becoming a leader. Class locations and times: Bridgeport, United Methodist Church, Mondays & Thursdays 10:00 am Canastota, Canastota Library, Tuesdays 1:00 pm Cazenovia, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Mondays & Thursdays 10:00 am Chittenango, Town of Sullivan Parks and Recreation, Thursdays 10:00 am Hamilton, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Wednesdays 10:00 am Morrisville, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Mondays 10:00 am Oneida, Oneida Recreation Center, Thursdays 10:00 am *********************************************************************** Health Care Help for the Uninsured/Underinsured Wendy Hunt, Program Manager for the Cancer Services Program of Oneida, Herkimer and Madison Counties For many people in this economy, something simple like preventive healthcare is overlooked if they do not have health insurance, or if their health insurance is inadequate. The Cancer Services Program of Oneida, Herkimer and Madison Counties may be able to help men and women, ages 40 and older, get routine health screenings at no cost to them. The Cancer Services Program (CSP) is funded by a grant from the NYS Department of Health, and works with select providers in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties to offer routine breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured/underinsured women ages 4o and older, and colon cancer screenings to uninsured/underinsured men and women ages 50 and older. CSP funds pay for routine breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, as well as most diagnostic services for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. If someone is diagnosed with one of these cancers, there may be treatment funds available through the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program. While the CSP does not currently reimburse providers for prostate cancer screening, an uninsured man that is diagnosed with prostate cancer through one of our providers may also be eligible for treatment funds through the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program. Please call us at 315-798-5248, or 1-800-541-0151, ext. 5248 for more information and to see if you qualify for this valuable service. The application process is quite simple, and is done right over the phone. There is no need to provide income documents or other documents for eligibility. *********************************************************************** Free Clinic Opens in Oneida The First-even free clinic in Madison County has its official opening Dec 1. Located in the Northside Shopping Plaza, the clinic will be open Wednesday evenings from 4-8 pm and will provide basic medical care to uninsured adults. The clinic is a partnership between Community Action Partnership, the Gorman Foundation and Dr. Rathika Martyn. The center needs volunteer doctors, nurses and clerical staff to ensure its success. To volunteer or learn more, please contact Sandy Conroy, Clinic Coordinator at (315) 684-7862 or sconroy@capmadco.org. *********************************************************************** Here’s some news from our friends at Madison County Office for the Aging (OFA)…. Office for Aging Opens Food Cupboard Madison County residents aged 60+ can come to the Office for the Aging and get food items with enough food for 2-3 days. The amount and type of food varies from month to month but is usually canned goods and dry staples. Also, OFA staff can let seniors know about additional programs and services that may help them budget their limited income so they can better afford the necessities. The new food cupboard is located at the Office for the Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd in Canastota. Open Monday thru Friday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. If you need more information, contact OFA at 697-5700. Caregiver Resource Center “Caregiving” helping an older person stay as independent as possible, is both a rewarding and stressful experience. Many caregivers are part of the “sandwich generation”, meaning they are caring for a parent as well as children, This juggling of home, family and career demands sometimes causes physical, emotional and financial costs. The Caregiver Resource Center at OFA can help. The center provides resources on care giving issues. Individual and group support is available. Contact OFA at 697-5700 for more info. OFA needs Volunteer Drivers Do You Like To Drive? Can you find just two hours a week or month to take an older person in your community to a doctor’s appointment? The Madison County Office for the Aging Senior Transportation Program may be for you! Most seniors rely on family for transportation, yet many do not have anyone available to help and turn to OFA for assistance. A little volunteering goes a long way when you help out with the OFA Senior Transportation Program. There is mileage reimbursement, plus the knowledge that you are helping a senior maintain their independence and health!! If you are interested in helping this important program, please call Connie Brown at 697-5743. Tell her RSVP sent you!! *********************************************************************** S.K.I.T. - Seniors Keeping In Touch S.K.I.T. is a program to designed to help support the homebound and their caregivers. It provides regularly scheduled phone contact for seniors that builds trusting relationships. The process allows more people to age in their home and in a familiar place. Calls are made to people throughout Madison County who want a friendly conversation. The program and service is completely free. Telephone calls are made to each registered person, up to five days a week, Monday through Friday. The calls are made between 9 am and noon. The S.K.I.T. program provides social telephone calls and regular check-in to seniors who enjoy phone calls and connecting with others. S.K.I.T. serves as an added link between Madison County’s senior citizens and public and private services that are available in the area. It is a free service sponsored by RSVP and Cazenovia Senior Services providing a telephone reassurance program for Madison County’s senior citizens. To register or for more information call RSVP at 684-3001. *********************************************************************** Notice - Food Assistance Available If you are a Madison County resident and wish to find out if you or someone you know is eligible for the food stamp benefit, please contact Jodee Osborn at the Community Action Partnership Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) at 697-3588 Ext 34 for a free and private prescreening. CAP can also assist individuals with the application process at a location convenient for you throughout Madison County. *********************************************************************** That's all for today folks. Remember if you have an item for the E-Newsletter, send me an email at mb786@cornell.edu . Thanks, Mary Bartlett, Director RSVP of Madison County ***************************************************************************************************** TOP OF PAGE .