Seems like yesterday we were wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July and here we are getting ready once again for the holidays.
As the months come and go, I continue to remind readers that the Activity Center is here. We offer so much to keep you active, strong and healthy. We also offer – through the City of Methuen Health and Human Services Department – SNAP, plus assistance filling out forms for housing, Mass Health, RAFT program and so much more.

Greater Lawrence Community Action will hold office hours monthly to apply for the fuel assistance.

Working hand-in-hand with the Office of the Mayor and all the city departments, we want you to apply, apply, apply. Worst-case scenario, you will be told that you are over income.

No one needs to suffer in silence. Call the Methuen Senior Activity Center at (978) 983-8825. Are you getting inundated with health insurance? We have SHINE that helps you with all the information. During the Open Enrollment season, our appointments fill up fast. If our appointments are full, please reach out to AgeSpan at (978) 946-1374. Looking for a flu clinic or COVID 19 shot? All this and so much more is available to you.

We look forward to meeting and speaking with you. Our office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8am-4pm and Friday, 8am-noon. On behalf of all of us here at your Methuen Senior Activity Center, Happy Thanksgiving!

Otto named new
assistant director

It is with great pleasure that we announce Elizabeth Otto as our newly appointed assistant director.
In March 2024, the previous director hired Liz to help in the office. Her duties have included, but are not limited to, office support, greeting visitors, coordinating the fitness schedules and assisting with seniors’ inquiries about our beloved center. Liz has always gone above and beyond doing these tasks to support myself, the staff and, most of all, the people who come to the center. Liz was hired on a grant to work 19 hours weekly.
Liz has introduced the Ambassador Program and created a survey to evaluate the center’s performance; she organized the Sunset Series and reported two successful grant-funded programs to the MCOA headquarters. Liz will be a great asset to the wonderful team that we have.
We invite you to the center to meet Liz and all the staff. Making connections and, most important, friendships is what we are all about!

Veterans’ events

Join us for a Veterans Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 2-5pm where you will find informational tables by the Senior Center, Department of Veteran Affairs, Methuen Assessors Office, Bedford VA, Greater Lawrence Community Action, Methuen Housing Authority, AgeSpan, Clear Paths for Veterans New England, Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line and much more. This program is brought to you by The Office of Mayor D.J. Beauregard, Methuen Veterans Office and the Methuen Senior Activity Center.
There is no better way to support all those who have and continue to fight for our freedoms. Join us, along with the Veterans Den Band, on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 2:30-4pm as we sing songs of our country and more!
Dessert will be provided by Methuen Federal Credit Union.

Giving Tree for
the homebound

This holiday season, the senior center is proud to introduce our Giving Tree, a heartfelt initiative to support our homebound seniors so they feel remembered and cherished.
From early November to Dec. 15, the tree will be on display in the main lobby of the center adorned with gift tags representing the wishes and needs of our homebound. We invite you to stop by, select a tag and help make someone’s holiday truly special.
We are spreading kindness one gift at a time!

Thank-you notes

Methuen Police Department held their Us vs. Them 45’s card game on Oct. 20. Here is where friendships are made so when a senior of the community needs to call 9-1-1, they know a friend is coming to their aid. This program was started 15 years ago and it is still going strong! Also, Methuen Fire Department served supper to over 200 seniors Oct. 21 at the center. The Fire Department is a major part of the center offering friendship to all every day.
Thank you all again for the work you do 24/7, 52 weeks a year!
Mayor DJ Beauregard served up Jay Gees Ice Cream to over 130 guests Oct. 23, showing the guests that this is what the center is all about: fun, friendship and, of course, ice cream. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for this wonderful afternoon!

Our newsletter

Where can you get the Senior Center newsletter? At the center, City Hall, housing, Nevins Library, City of Methuen website Methuen.gov or you can contact us and we will get one to you!

Great friendships
established

A huge shout-out to Texas Roadhouse. On Sept. 23, the restaurant had a special evening for the community where 15% of meal proceeds went to the Senior Center. It was great to walk into the Texas Roadhouse and see so many people supporting us through conversation, laughter and great food! Thank you, Methuen Texas Roadhouse, for a great time and most of all for your friendship!
Thank you again, McDonald’s on Pelham Street and Jackson Street, for your support of the center. McDonald’s hosted the veterans breakfast at the activity center, serving coffee for our Coffee with a Cop program. We are grateful for all you have and continue to do! We are looking forward to a great and tasty friendship!
For years, Heav’nly Donuts has given so much to the center. We are so excited that you share with the seniors in the community! We can never thank you enough for the generosity you have showed us. Your staff is top to work with. The center looks forward to many more years of your friendship!
Olive Garden, Methuen has served 150 seniors at the center with their delicious food and their wonderful staff. We are so happy that you are now part of the Methuen Senior Activity Center extended family. Thank you for what you have done and we look forward to working with you in the near future.

Coming up

Reminder: You need to call the center to sign up for all events and programs.
Nov. 6: Collette Vacations talk about upcoming tours to Washington, D.C., Nashville and Cowboy Country. 10am.
Nov. 7: Clear Paths Methuen for Veterans will host office hours 9-11am.
Nov. 10: Councilor-at-large Jana Pesce hosts office hours, 11am-noon; Karin Liendo from Like Water for Chocolate storyteller presents “Return to Roots!” at 10am.
Nov. 11: Closed for Veterans Day.
Nov. 12: Informational table in lobby by the Giving Tree, 9-11am; Music Trivia with Vin, sponsored by Skillville Corporation, 11:30am.
Nov. 13: Coffee with A Cop. Information on the Mass 9-1-1 State Department Equipment Distribution Program, 9:30-11am and TIPS will host an informational table.
Nov. 17: Greater Lawrence Community Action fuel-assistance help. Appointment needed by calling the center.
Nov. 18: Bag Sale in our Thrift Shop, 9am-3pm; BINGO in Spanish and English, 1:30pm. Presented by Cross Culture.
Nov. 19: Free 15-minute consultations with Attorney McQuillan. Appointment needed, so call the center; Loss and Transition support group, 10am.
Nov. 20: Veterans Office will host office hours at the center, 10am-noon.
Nov. 2: Clear Paths, Methuen, for veterans office hours, 9-11am.
Nov. 24: BINGO, 1pm.
Nov. 25: Karaoke, 1:30pm; Crystal Bowls, 1-2pm.
Dec. 17: Early notice. Veterans Holiday Luncheon, hosted by the center and McDonald’s, 1pm. Call the center to register.

The Senior Center is located at 77 Lowell St. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8am-4pm; Friday, 8am-12:30pm. To view our entire newsletter, go to cityofmethuen.net and click Senior Center. For more information on activities, trips or functions, call (978) 983-8825.