Not only did the clocks change over the weekend, but the Rochester Council on Aging also reignited its programming effective this week.
“The building is back open, and we’re resuming all activities…. We’re still social distancing,” said Mike Cambra, the president of the COA’s Board of Directors.
Slated to begin this week for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic stalled activities a year ago are Bingo, Line Dancing, Stepping and Stretching, Culture and Conversation, and French Culture and Conversation.
Heretofore, the COA had been allowed to resume only its Coffee and Conversation, which began outside before the weather got too cold and then moved inside. Now, even the exercise room will reopen with its Title III-funded Coastline program.
“The only thing we haven’t considered starting yet is our meals,” said Cambra, as the COA is replacing its walk-in freezer and refrigerator.
Other upgrades for 2021 include new lighting in the parking lot that was financed mostly by the Friends of the Senior Center, the COA’s private fundraising arm.
March is also the first month that Rochester’s COA has been able to include activities in its newsletter. With a new publisher since January 1, only the pandemic has limited the newsletters that will soon be available on a monthly basis.
For more information on the Rochester COA, visit townofrochestermass.com and find Council on Aging in the Government menu. The COA is also on Facebook, and a link to the page is on the bottom-left column of the COA page on the town website.
Rochester Council on Aging
By Mick Colageo