09/22/2023 - 10/05/2023

Topics in this Edition

Upcoming Programs
Announcements
Resources & Services
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Us

Upcoming Programs

Don’t Fall for Fraud

Officers from the Hillsborough Police Department will be here to discuss ways to avoid fraud. Min: 5/ Max: 20

Date: Tue, Sep 26; Time: 3 – 4 pm
Location: Passmore Center; Fee: Free
Register by: Sep 22; Phone: 919-245-2015

New to Medicare? Join our Welcome to Medicare Class

If you’re turning 65 soon, you’re probably being bombarded by mailings about Medicare. This free class will provide valuable information whether you’re retiring soon, already retired or continuing to work. You’ll learn how and when to enroll, potential penalties for late enrollment, Medicare’s costs, benefits, and options.

Date: Wed, Sep 27; Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Online presentation using Zoom
Register at: www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare101_sep

Visit our website for additional upcoming dates: www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare

Crossover Country

Are you a little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll? Don’t miss Paula C Snyder singing some Country Crossover favorites. Paula’s bringing her guitar this time, to cover songs from artists like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton John, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, and others. We’re planning an outdoor event on the Seymour Center Patio (or indoors if rain). Min: 5/ Max: 75.

Date: Thu, Sep 28; Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Fri, Sep 22; Code: 323035-03; Fee: FREE

Art Show – Passmore Quilters

Enjoy the show of many colors featuring the fabulous quilts created by the Passmore Quilters.

Date: Mon, Oct 2; Time: 2 pm
Location: Passmore Center; Fee: Free
Register by: Mon, Sep 25; Phone: 919-245-2015

Glass Fusing

Come learn the basics of glass fusing! We'll make unique, handmade jewelry from the gorgeous glass pieces that we fire in a kiln. Students can purchase additional materials (depending on which type of jewelry they wish to make) from the instructor for an additional $3 per piece. Instructor: Alison Bell. Min: 5/ Max: 8.

Date: Thu, Oct 5, 12, 19 & 27; Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Thu, Sep 28; Code: 354091-05; Fee: $50.00

Focus on Fixed Income Seminar

Join Cynda Beauchamp, Edward Jones financial advisor, as she presents a seminar to educate investors on how fixed income investments can help them to reach their financial goals.

Date: Thu, Oct 5; Time: 3 – 4 pm
Location: Passmore Center; Fee: Free
Register by: Thu, Sep 28

Digital Art Is Art Discussion

Digital art is used in various ways and contributes to the economy. Join this presentation to learn about what distinguishes digital artwork and ways it is utilized in everyday settings. Instructor: Paula Hindman. Min: 5 / Max: 20

Date: Fri, Oct 6; Time: 10 am
Location: Passmore Center; Fee: Free
Register by: Fri, Sep 29; Phone: 919-245-2015

Create and Play Renewal Expo, Sep 23, 1-5p, Seymour Ctr.

Download and share the flyer.

Download and share the flyer.

Pexels photo by Marcus Spiske (2990644)

Art Exhibit: Edward Leak

Through the lens of Edward Leak, view his photographic journey, "The Protest," capturing various protests and justice images. Opening reception will be held on Thu, Oct 12. Enjoy live music with vocal artist, Regina Gale, and a chance to meet and dialogue with Edward. The exhibit will be on display until Thu, Dec 7. Min: 20/Max: 60.

Date: Thu, Oct 12; Time: 3 – 4 pm
Location: Seymour; Phone: 919-968-2070
Register by: Thu, Oct 5; Code: 354187-09; Fee: FREE

Prime Time Player in "All Gummed Up"

Prime Time Present: Who Stole My Heart Away?

In November, the Prime Time Players will present Who Stole My Heart Away? Comedies of the 1920s with music by Jerome Kern. Artistic Director, John Paul Middlesworth, is combining the music of Kern with two lively one-act plays: All Gummed Up and Crabbed Youth and Age. The plays will be presented readers-theatre-style, with songs dotted throughout.

Prime Time first presented Harry Wagstaff Gribble’s All Gummed Up as part of their YouTube series when COVID prevented live performances. It’s a nutty tale of mistaken love affairs, with the added element of a sinful pleasure of the early 1920’s—chewing gum!

Crabbed Youth and Age by Lennox Robinson was shown on Broadway in 1924 and depicts three young women unable to interest their suitors—owing to the overwhelming charm of their mother. Can they succeed in diverting their gentlemen-callers’ attentions away from the captivating Mrs. Swan?

The plays will be presented with scripts in hand, so no memorization will be necessary. The show's music is assigned to a group of singers separate from the actors, so those auditioning will choose either to act or to sing.

Performances Dates:

Passmore Center: Wed, Nov 15, 2 pm
Seymour Center: Thu, Nov 16 & Sat, Nov 18; 2 pm

Announcements

Aging Well Together Radio Show Podcast

If you aren't able to tune in live to our Aging Well Together Show, you can now listen to the current and previous episodes on our new podcast page. Catch up on each informative and engaging show, including, photos and descriptions at www.orangecountync.gov/AWT-Show. To listen live, tune in to WCOM-LP 103.5 FM or stream live at www.wcomfm.org.

Get Your COVID Shot

Orange County Health Department encourages all community members interested in a COVID-19 vaccine to call (919) 245-2400 or visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov to make an appointment to be vaccinated at Whitted Human Services Center (WHSC), located at 300 W. Tryon Street in Hillsborough, NC. Monday Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Spanish and other languages spoken.

The vaccines are available for all 6-months and up. They are FREE, safe and effective. Identification and insurance are not required.

Become a VITA Volunteer!

Voters are you 65 or older? Acceptable ID's

For more information >>

The way we vote is changing. You will need to bring along photo ID to vote in any upcoming election.
Do you need transportation to the Board of Elections (BOE) in Hillsborough to get a photo ID made for voting purposes?

Beginning September 28 at 10 am, and continuing at 10 am every Thursday thereafter until November 2, a vehicle with Orange County Public Transportation will provide a ride from the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill to the Board of Elections in Hillsborough for passengers to have their photo ID made for voting. Once all passengers have been serviced by the BOE, the vehicle will return to the Seymour Center.

This service is FREE, but you must register by Monday in advance to use this once-a-week service. Call the OC Department on Aging at 919-968-2070 (Seymour Center) – we will only transport 3 persons per visit, times are in one-hour blocks, starting at 10 am throughout the day until 4 pm.

If you have questions? Contact OC Board of Elections at 919-245-2350 for more information on voter ID, including a full list of the many acceptable forms of ID for voting can be found here. For any election-related questions, please call the Board of Elections at 919-245-2350.

Resources & Services

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

Aging Transitions Services

Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. Call the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or email Aging Services. We try to find answers to your age-related questions and link you to the services that you need.

Helpline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Chinese & Spanish Language Helpline
Call 919-245-4275 to speak to our staff in Mandarin.
Call 919-245-2010 to leave a message in Spanish.

Aging Transitions, Senior Center programming and Volunteer Connect 55+ staff are available to meet individually by appointment, phone, or email. For more information call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015, Seymour Center at 919-968-2070, or the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.

Caregiver Supports

Support groups, educational programs, Memory Café, and Care Partner Collaborative; gather and stay connected with us online or in-person, depending on the program. For upcoming programs download our Current Caregiver Programming flyer. For more caregiver resources, sign up for the monthly Community News for Caregivers e-newsletter.

Do You Need Help Finding Transportation?

The Transportation Specialist provides information on transportation, travel training, the volunteer driver program, and advocacy.

Call the Transportation Help Line: 919-717-1853 (Mon – Fri, 9 am – 5 pm).

Chinese E Life

Current OCDOA Upcoming Events e-newsletter

Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA)

The EHA was created to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Assistance is available to households in Orange County that:

Earn no more than 30% of the area median income
Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and
Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

To learn more or to apply, call the Orange County Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 or visit Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program

The program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

Emergency Supply Kit and Planning Guide for Older Adults (2pgs)

Financial Assistance for Housing Payments

The NC Homeowner Financial Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: Bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these supplies, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested).

Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.

Low Income Household
Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment for eligible low-income households paid directly to the utility company. LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds are exhausted. Apply online at www.epass.nc.gov or call/visit your local County Department of Social Services. Learn more download the LIHWAP flier.

Download and share the flyer.

Senior Center Fee Payment and Financial Assistance

The Orange County Senior Centers strive to be accessible and welcoming to all seniors. If you want to participate in senior center fee-based activities and are unable, or unwilling, to pay a required fee, you may still participate.

Furthermore, a selection of free activities and programs are available to seniors age 55 and over. Read more.

Technology Classes: Available Through the Seymour Tech Center

Seymour Tech offers FREE classes for older adults around personal computer, tablet, and smart phone use. See the full list of upcoming programs here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Connect 55+

Would you like to share your skills and gifts with older adults in Orange County? To volunteer, please contact Orange County Department on Aging's Volunteer Connect 55+ (VC 55+) Volunteer Coordinator, Rebecca Bratsch by phone at 919-245-4241 or email rbratsch@orangecountync.gov