Although I am spending these cold winter days in my warm house finishing my soon-to-be-published book about Windham history, it’s a real temptation to get out of the house and “do something,” get moving and learn something new. If you get that feeling, check out the following events.
Lunch and Learn
The public is invited to a Senior Movement Class “Lunch and Learn” at noon on Wednesday, March 6, at the Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St., Gorham. There is no charge. The class will be led by Cesar Viola, MPT. Bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided. Check out the regular activities members of the LRSC enjoy – and bring a friend! If it snows so badly that school is closed, the center will also be closed.
Tax help
The rules change so frequently these days, it’s hard to know whether the routine property tax exemptions still – or will – apply for this year’s tax returns. To be sure, contact your town/city hall. Income tax forms are also changing all the time. They aren’t automatically mailed any longer and since computers have become more common, many places that previously stocked the paper forms no longer do. I saw some tax forms at the post office in Windham. If you cannot print the forms from your computer via the Internet, call around to your local town hall, library and post office – and if that doesn’t work, call 211, where you can find most any information, including where forms are available.
Get your taxes done by experts, sometimes the volunteers are retired IRS folks. IRS Tax Payer Assistance centers are located throughout Maine in Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, Presque Isle and South Portland. Centers provide free tax preparation for low-income seniors. Seniors should call (877) 777-4778 for information on the nearest location for them.
AARP volunteers are assisting with income tax preparation at many Maine sites. Call 776-6313 to find a place near you (appointments are preferred; walk-ins if time.)
The Area Agencies on Aging provide low-cost tax preparation through the IRS’ Volunteer in Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Senior citizens in Maine can call (877) 353-3771 for information.
Insurance, food stamps and more
Call Southern Maine Agency on Aging and find out when and where the next Medicare seminar will be held. Learn about the benefits available to you via Medicare. You can also set up an appointment for one on one counseling on rent rebates, food stamps, prescription drug assistance, fuel assistance and other benefits that you may qualify for – and which you can really use during these difficult times. Call 396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411.
Senior Expo
Maine Senior Guide, based in Freeport, will host the Spring Senior Expo on Wednesday, March 20, at the St. Maximilian Kolbe Church Hall on Black Point Road in Scarborough, Maine. Call 232-7847 for more info. You don’t need a reservation and admittance is free.
According to Senior Guide’s website, the Expo will feature 40 booths of information, 12 speakers, a demonstration hall, and experience rooms ranging from art therapy to a senior portrait booth. There will be antique appraisals to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, and a small cafe? will serve snacks. “We’ll even have free horse and carriage rides around the area,” the site continues.
Among the 40-plus exhibitors are veterans’ services, information on assisted living, long term health care, nursing homes, senior college, Maine Veterans Home, auction houses, in-home care and services, Women Veterans Commission, and much more. Advantage Health Care and Current Publishing are sponsors for the Spring Senior Expo.
Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
