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who has taken over the role of manager of our
<br />conservation lands and volunteer recruitment. We
<br />would also like to thank Judy Daigneault, our Board
<br />Secretary, for providing consistent and accurate
<br />meeting minutes. Additional thanks to Renee Fudala,
<br />our long time nature tour guide. Renee's tours are
<br />highly entertaining, informative and educational.
<br />Respectfully submitted,
<br />Bradford R. Sweet, Chairman
<br />Dale R. McKay, Vice Chairman
<br />Ralph B. Shaw,
<br />John R. Rogers
<br />Dale R.McKay
<br />Chad Smith
<br />Thomas J. O'Neill
<br />Louis J. DiMeo
<br />Steven H. Cook
<br />Andrew R. McManus (Agent)
<br />Report of the
<br />Council on Aging
<br />To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the
<br />Citizens of the Town of Mashpee:
<br />The Council on Aging and the Mashpee Senior
<br />Center are the organized commitment by the people of
<br />Mashpee to coordinate and carry out health, welfare,
<br />educational, social and recreational services and
<br />programs for those in the population who are fifty-nine
<br />and a half years of age and older. The Council on
<br />Aging may act as a direct provider, a sponsor or co-
<br />sponsor, or the originating source of programs or
<br />information/referral .
<br />The Council on Aging generally met monthly on
<br />the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. at the
<br />Senior Center. The meetings were and remain open to
<br />the public. From time to time, residents from the Town
<br />attended and participated in the meeting.
<br />C. Ernest Cornelssen was elected as Chairperson,
<br />Norah McCormick was elected Vice -Chairperson,
<br />Virginia McIntyre was re-elected Treasurer, and Marijo
<br />Gorney was re-elected Secretary. Other members
<br />include Mary Gaffney, Jean Noussee, David Egel, John
<br />Jordan, and Irving Goldberg.
<br />Town Clerk records indicate that there were 1,536
<br />seniors in Mashpee in 1990, and 3,050 seniors as of the
<br />Year 2000 census. A check with the Town Clerk in
<br />December of 2016 showed a tally of 5,645 seniors, an
<br />increase of 325 seniors in one year.
<br />In 2016, the Friends of Mashpee Council on
<br />Aging continued its support of the Council on Aging,
<br />the Senior Center and the community. The Friends of
<br />the Mashpee Council on Aging continued its valuable
<br />community service by offering clothing and other
<br />necessities for many of our townspeople through the
<br />operation of its thrift shop located opposite the Senior
<br />Center. In addition, they contributed to the Senior
<br />Center, by subsidizing the mailing of the newsletter,
<br />broadcast email, by contributing to the Holiday Gift
<br />Program for needy Mashpee seniors, and by supporting
<br />the purchase of a storage shed for the Senior Center.
<br />For 2016, the Friends of the Mashpee Council on
<br />Aging was recognized with the Town's Thanks for
<br />Giving award.
<br />The Council on Aging, through the Mashpee
<br />Senior Center, promoted a number of volunteer
<br />opportunities both at the Senior Center and throughout
<br />the Town. Volunteers numbered in excess of 180
<br />citizens. They brought diverse skills, talent and
<br />abilities and shared their energy and time with their
<br />neighbors, friends and fellow seniors. Among the
<br />many ways they shared their gifts were friendly
<br />visiting, nutrition site assistance, Meals on Wheels,
<br />transportation, newsletter mailing, telefriend, Senior
<br />Center clerical tasks, crafts, receptionists, thrift shop,
<br />exercise programs, entertainment and activity
<br />assistance, fuel assistance, and brown bag food
<br />distribution. If you are looking to share your skills,
<br />talents, and abilities, come and visit the Senior Center,
<br />where we offer these and other volunteer opportunities.
<br />In June, 2016, the Council on Aging recognized
<br />volunteers for outstanding service at our volunteer
<br />breakfast. Receiving the "Most Valuable Volunteer"
<br />recognition was Chang Joo Lee for his work as a
<br />volunteer driver and friendly visitor; and receiving the
<br />"Rookie of the Year" recognition was Geraldine
<br />Gohring for her leadership with the Mashpee Singing
<br />Singers. Mr. Lee and Ms. Gohring are two great
<br />examples of senior service and the contributions made
<br />to the Town of Mashpee by senior volunteers in many
<br />areas of the Town. One hundred thirty citizens attended
<br />the annual volunteer breakfast.
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