Eagle House Senior Center
25 Memorial Drive
Lunenburg, MA 01462
978-582-4166 Fax – 978-582-4168
E-Mail:
coa@lunenburgonline.com
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Lunenburg Council on Aging Calendar |
Council on Aging The Lunenburg Council on Aging was established in 1967 under state enabling legislation for the purpose of coordinating and carrying out programs designed to meet the needs of Lunenburg residents sixty and older.Mission Statement "The Mission of the Lunenburg Council on Aging is to advocate for improved quality of life for all seniors through supportive services, programs and education." The Eagle House Senior Center is operated by the Council, a town department with an appointed board, who hire staff with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Members |
The Eagle House has a long and varied history. Ephraim Wetherbee constructed the original
building about 1740 on what later became Main Street, adjacent to the present
Congregational Church. It became the home of the Bellows family during the Revolutionary
War period.
The house was remodeled extensively in 1875 to function as a summer hotel. An American eagle weathervane was mounted on the cupola, and the building became known as the “Eagle House”. In 1883, the first telephone in Lunenburg was installed in this building.
In 1937 the house and land was donated to the Town of Lunenburg through the will of Charles P. Dickinson, with the provision that it be used as quarters for veterans’ groups and as a “war memorial”. The house was moved to Memorial Drive, which was constructed to run between Main Street and Massachusetts Avenue (Route 2-A). The building at this time was known as the Memorial Building or more informally as the Legion House.
Veterans’ organizations, as well as town organizations and some town departments used the building. It was the first location of the Lunenburg Credit Union, which ultimately merged into Workers’ Credit Union. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1988, Town Meeting voters authorized a group of private citizens to form the Eagle House Senior Center Committee. Donations of money, supplies and services were used to extensively renovate the building into a senior center. An eagle weathervane was again mounted on the roof.
The Eagle House Senior Center is operated under the direction of the Lunenburg Council on Aging, an appointed Town Committee. The building is shared with American Legion Post 283, and the coordinator of School-Community Linked Services. Several community groups use the front room for evening meetings.
The senior center was expanded in 1998 with a 4,000 square foot addition, funded through a $701,000.00 grant awarded to the Town by the then Massachusetts Executive Office of Communities and Development, now known as the Department of Housing and Community Development. Friends of the Eagle House, Inc. furnished the addition through fundraisers, donations and memorial gifts.
The Eagle House Senior Center serves as a congregate meal site operated in conjunction
with the Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC) Elder Services Division. The Eagle House
is also the site from which meals are distributed by volunteers to elders in their homes
(Meals on Wheels). The meal programs are supported in part by state and federal funds.
MOC Elder Services contracts with a catering firm, with the food for both the congregate site and the Meals on Wheels delivered to the Eagle House five days a week. A Meal Site Manager employed by the Town of Lunenburg oversees the local operation. An Elder Service Corps Worker paid through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs assists at the site, as do several volunteers.
Any person over the age of 60 is eligible to participate in either program. To obtain a meal at the site, reservations must be made one day in advance, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday meals must be ordered on Friday. Menus are posted at the senior center, and copies available to participants. They are also published weekly by MOC Elder Services in the Sentinel & Enterprize. A diabetic dessert is an option.
Home delivered meals are provided with prior approval, by first contacting the Meal Site Manager. Meals include a noon time hot meal, Optional cold suppers and/or frozen meals are available for weekends. Volunteers who receive a mileage stipend paid by the Council on Aging deliver these meals.
The cost for both site and home delivered meals is considered a donation, with the suggested contribution $2.00 per meal. Meal site participants place their contribution in an envelope available at each place setting. Home delivered clients pay on a weekly basis, collected on Fridays.
The meal site at the Eagle House is a gathering place for single elders who are not able to prepare a nutritious meal, and who enjoy socialization, as well as by couples. Once a month, a special theme luncheon is served, with a raffle drawing or other entertainment conducted by the Eagle House Director or Meal Site Manager.
A transportation service in conjunction with Montachusett Area Regional Transportation
Authority (MART) is coordinated at the Eagle House. MART provides a 10 passenger
handicapped accessible van, as well as paying for operational and other costs. The Town of
Lunenburg is assessed approximately 40 percent of the cost of this service through the
so-called Cherry Sheet.
The Council on Aging employs two part-time drivers, trained in CPR and First Aid. The elder van operates five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Destinations include medical visits to physicians or hospitals in Lunenburg, Fitchburg, Leominster and Ayer; shopping at Lunenburg Crossing, John Fitch Highway and Searstown on designated days; trips to the Eagle House, area hairdressers, banks, and nursing homes.
Reservations must be made one day in advance but can be booked one month ahead. Clients are encouraged to make medical appointments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so as not interfere with shopping days, which are Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. All Monday reservations must be made no later than the Friday before. The Eagle House secretary does the scheduling, accepting calls from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is 50 cents each way, per designation, with $1.00 each way for trips to Ayer.
Arrangements can also be made at the Eagle House for out of area medical appointments. For these trips, MART provides the van and driver, with pickups at individual homes in Lunenburg. Sometimes the client is shuttled to Fitchburg, to join other riders, or taken directly to their destination. Cost is $20 per round trip to Boston area hospitals, and $15 round trip for the Worcester area. A companion may accompany the client at no additional cost.
Information on local and area services is available at the Eagle House. Assistance is
provided by the Director of the Council on Aging and Eagle House Senior Center, or an
Outreach worker, who have a myriad of resource material.
Information sources include how to obtain meals on wheels, home care, legal assistance and durable medical equipment; or the locations of elder housing, assisted living or nursing home facilities. Questions can be answered on how to get help with money management or home repairs; how to report suspected cases of elder abuse. Staff is prepared to answer any questions pertaining to elder services and programs.
Referrals are made to area agencies such as MOC Elder Services Nutrition Program, Montachusett Home Care Corporation, Diversified Nursing Service, Nashoba Nursing Services, Legal Assistance, Lunenburg Housing Authority, AARP, and others.
Information on regional services is also available from the Central Mass. Agency on Aging, 1-800-244-3032 or from their Web Page www.seniorconnection.org . Statewide, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in Boston offers information and referral by calling 1-800-882-2003, or E-Mail, http:/www.state.ma.us/elder
Elders and their families are encouraged to contact the Council on Aging at 978-582-4166 with any questions or concerns.
The Eagle House Outreach Worker is responsible for visiting homes to assess the needs of
an elder, meet with residents or families, make necessary referrals, and to determine
eligibility for Meals on Wheels. The Outreach Worker also distributes File of Life forms
and informs elders about programs and services available at the Eagle House.
Please call the Eagle House, 978-582-4166 if you feel you need a visit from the Outreach Worker, or if you know of someone who needs one.
The Council on Aging Newsletter is printed 11 times a year, with three or four issues
mailed to all Lunenburg elders. At other times, copies can be picked up at the Eagle
House, Town Hall, Ritter Memorial Library, Pearl Brook Apartments Community Room as well
as several other locations. Subscriptions may be obtained for $3 a year to have every
issue mailed. Call the Eagle House, 978-582-4166 if you want to subscribe.
The newsletter contains a calendar of events and lists the entrιe of the day. There are notices of special programs and speakers, and articles of importance to elders. The mailed issues contain a list of those who have either joined or donated to the Friends of the Eagle House, the COA support group.
The newsletter is prepared by Council on Aging staff, and printed by Senior Citizen Publishing Company in Boston, at no charge to the Council. The publisher solicits advertisements from local businesses to cover the cost. We urge you to frequent these advertisers, as an expression of appreciation for their support.
Bingo – Volunteer callers, with all money collected
returned as prizes -Thursday
starting at 1:00 p.m.
Bowling – At Mason's Alleys – Tuesdays year round
Bridge – “Friendly” informal – Tuesday starting a 1 p.m. All players welcome
Chair Aerobics Video Instruction, No Charge, Tuesdays at 10:45 AM
Crafts – Various projects as scheduled
Cribbage – Tournament run by players, prizes awarded – Monday 9:30 a.m.
Drop-In – Coffee and Donuts, Cards, Games and
Conversation, Occasional
Discussions with guest speakers – Wednesday 9-11:30 a.m.
Knitting For donations to others, donations accepted Drop off is Wednesdays at 10AM
Line Dancing Wednesday afternoons at 1:30, $2.00 per session
Quilting - Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
T’ai Chi or Yoga – check Eagle House for scheduling
Trips – As posted at the Eagle House, contact coordinator listed
Fitness Class : Free of charge all levels welcome Mon. 8:45 Weds 8:30 Fri 8:45
Walking Club : Mon, Weds, Fri 8:30AM
Top
Art Classes check Eagle house for schedule. Participation fee plus supplies
Book Club -3rd Friday
of the month 10:00AM
Breakfast Club – Continental Breakfast and Speakers
on topics of interest to elders.
As Scheduled $1.50 for breakfast and program, free for program only
Computer Classes Check Eagle House for class scheduling
Writing Workshops Inkwell Jotters
Health Clinics
– Monthly clinics at the Eagle House and Pearl Brook Apartments by Nashoba Nursing Service for blood pressure checks. Blood testing and flu shots offered as scheduledFriendly Visitor Program - Match an elder with a volunteer visitor for socialization/recreation. Contact Outreach Worker to request a visitor or to become a visitor."
Available at the Eagle House:
Adaptability Catalog – For items to make
life easier
Blue Passes – Provides either free or reduced price
admission to Lunenburg Public
Schools athletic events and performances
Brochures – Information on the Council on Aging and
Friends of the Eagle House
Disability Bus Passes – To ride MART buses
File of Life – Forms to list health status and
medications for emergency service personnel. These are to be mounted on your refrigerator
and placed in your wallet, courtesy of Lunenburg Police and Fire Associations. Should be
reviewed and updated at least once a year.
Friends of the Eagle House Donation/Memorial and Membership Forms for memorial or donations and for membership
in the “Friends." All money benefits the Eagle House
Health Care Proxy – A form on which you designate a
person who can speak
for you when you are not able to say what treatment or life prolonging measures you want
performed.
Homestead Act Forms – Provides protection for your
property if you should be
involved in a civil suit
MART Passes – Allows you to ride the train or buses at
half price
Pamphlets – Information on various health conditions,
other elder services options
Tax Work Off Application - Eligible seniors can
work for varied jobs in Town Departments and receive up to $500 abatement on
their real estate taxes. All required federal taxes are the responsibilty of the
participants.
.
The Eagle House is fortunate to have devoted volunteers who serve in a variety of
capacities.
People of all ages deliver Meals on Wheels, help at the congregate meal site, serve on the Council on Aging, or enter data into the computer. They act as office assistants, prepare the newsletter for mailing, function as a SHINE counselor, or create flower arrangements. They also make seasonal party favors, teach computer and craft classes, lend items for the display case, and, when asked, any task that needs to be done.
“We could not do what we do without volunteers!”
To become a volunteer, contact the Eagle House Director, 582-4166.
Friends of the Eagle House Inc. is a private non-profit 501-c-3 corporation, formed as a
support group for the Council on Aging and Eagle House Senior Center. The corporation
holds an annual meeting, with an 11 member Board of Directors chosen from the membership.
Other meetings are held as necessary.
Membership is open to anyone, in four categories: Sponsor, $100; Business, $50; Patron(s) $25; Individual, $5. The dues period runs from July 1 to June 30. Donations and Memorial Gifts are also accepted. “Friends” brochures and forms are available at the Eagle House, or in the case of Memorials, at local and area funeral homes. All contributions are tax deductible.
The “Friends” raised over $45,000.00 over a three-year period, which was used to purchase furniture and equipment for the1998 addition to the senior center. A bequest from the estate of Rodney Brown in 1998 will be the nucleus to create the Rodney and Beatrice Brown Memorial Garden at the Eagle House. Additional contributions are welcome towards this project which was dedicated in the Fall of 2000.
Jean Hobbs is the President. For any questions or for more information call her at 582-6416.
The Lunenburg Friendly Seniors is a social group, with membership open to Lunenburg
resident and former residents age 60 and over. Membership is $3 a year, which runs from
January to January. Officers are elected by the membership.
The group meets on the second Monday of the month at the Eagle House, with some meetings scheduled elsewhere for special occasions. Meetings usually consist of a business portion with an entertainment program. The Lunenburg Friendly Seniors are not affiliated with the Lunenburg Council on Aging or with the Friends of the Eagle House Inc.
To become a member, contact current president Betty Munyon at 582-4083.
Web Page design by Jean Hobbs and James Lowe.
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