October is our second largest fundraising month. With our basket raffle and fall sale we plan to raise the monies for next year’s programs. First, I must thank the community groups that have donated such beautiful baskets, I am sure this is going to be an exceptional year. We are taking the baskets to the Lions Country Fair on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please sign up if you are able to join us there either to help with set up and take down or selling tickets.

The baskets will return to the Center for our Octoberfest sale on Oct. 26. Volunteers are needed for set up on the 25 and cashiers and helpers on the 26. We are accepting donations for the White Elephant Table and for the bake sale. When I was recruiting advertisers for the yard sale, these baked items were mentioned by several businesses.

Finally, a group of us are joining with the cultural council to create some scarecrows for the Senior Center. Scarecrows started being displayed on Oct. 1. Judging will be complete, and winners will be announced on Oct. 20. Please come to see ours at the 62 Providence Street and give us your vote. “Why did the scarecrow become a success? Because he was outstanding in his field!”

 Friends Dine Out — Carpool with friends from the senior center the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. or meet at the restaurant at 12 noon. The cost of lunch is your responsibility but the company is free! Lunch will be at Blackstone Valley Tech this month.

The Friends is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization raising funds for the benefit of the senior center and the seniors it serves. We have not raised the membership fee this year, but if you are able, we would welcome an additional donation.

Activities

Sunday, Oct. 13: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lions Club Country Fair

Tuesday, Oct. 15: 10:30 a.m. Rummikub. Medicare Open Enrollment 5 - 7 p.m. Miscoe Flu Shot

Wednesday, Oct. 16: 11:30/noon Dine Out - Blackstone Valley Tech

Thursday, Oct. 17: 6 - 7 p.m. Evening Yoga Begins

Tuesday, Oct. 22: 11 a.m. History with Jim Buckley

Saturday, Oct. 26: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Oktoberfest

Wednesday, Oct. 30: 1 p.m. Shine/Medicare Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 31: 11 a.m. Music Bingo

Tri-Valley Lunches

Tuesday & Thursday ~ 12 p.m. Cost: $3 donation per Meal. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance. Menus are subject to change. Transportation is available.  Please call Julie Tulacro at 508-478-6175

Tuesday, Oct. 15: Chicken Fajitas

Thursday, Oct. 17: Haddock w/ Chimichurri Sauce

Tuesday, Oct. 22: Hot Dog/Beans

Thursday, Oct. 24: Buttermilk Chicken

Tuesday, Oct. 29: Chicken Mornay

Thursday, Oct. 31: Pizza and Salad $7 (non-Tri-Valley)

New Game

Join us for Rummikub- a rummy game on Tuesday’s beginning Oct. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Our volunteer Del is pleased to lead us and to teach us the rules. 

Mendon Lions Country Fair

The Mendon Lions Country Fair will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Our hosts are The Blessing Barn and the Clough Elementary School at 10 North Avenue. Food trucks, farm animals, crafts, vendors, kids' zone and MORE will be enjoyed! Please be sure to visit the Friends Table.

Medicare Open Enrollment - Oct. 15 through Dec. 7

SHINE can help! Call soon to schedule your appointment for any time from It’s that time of year again! If you are enrolled in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO/PPO), you should be mailed an information packet from your plan by the end of September. It is important to understand and save this information because it explains the changes in your plan for 2025. Premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and the drugs covered by your plan can change significantly! Come meet with a SHINE counselor to go over any changes and make sure you’re in the right plan for you. Trained SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone…on Medicare) volunteers offer free, confidential, and unbiased counseling on Medicare options. To schedule a SHINE appointment, call the Senior Center at 508-478-6175. For other SHINE related matters, call 508-422-9931. Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name, town and number. A volunteer will call you back as soon as possible.

Salem Day Tour

Join the Mendon seniors on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 8 a.m.  - 6 p.m. for a action packed trip to Salem. Pick up and return at the Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence Road. The day includes the following: 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. Driving Bus tour of Salem. 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. lunch at the Hawthorne Hotel: Buffett. 12:30 - 2 p.m. Lighthouse & Foliage Cruise. 2:15 - 3:30 p.m. Real Pirates Museum. 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. Gallows Hill Interactive Theatre. Cost: $160 per person Rate includes round-trip transportation, lunch and all attractions. Reservations and Info Contact Bev Fior 508-473-8382 or [email protected]

Evening Mat Yoga Returns! Thursdays 6 - 7 p.m. beginning Oct. 17. The Mendon Senior Center is also pleased to announce that Evening Yoga is back! There is limited space for this popular eight-week program taught by Faith Kennedy so register early. The cost is $60 payable to the instructor. Please stop by the center or call 508-478-6175 to register.

2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off!

Last year the Friends of Mendon Elders entered a local chili contest and benefit sponsored by Garrison Speed Shop of Mendon. It was a delicious afternoon and great fun. We’ve been invited to participate again this year, and we need your help. The Friends of Elders have three upcoming fundraisers and are stretched a little thin. Member Dona Son has graciously offered to create her special chili. However, we need two more people to help man our booth. For those coming to enjoy all the chilis and cast a vote, a $10 donation will be collected at the door on the day of the event Saturday, Oct. 19, 1 - 4 p.m. The event is being held at 45 Uxbridge Rd. Mendon rain or shine. 

Oktoberfest! Saturday, Oct. 26 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. This wonderful event, sponsored by the Friends of Mendon Elders is open to the public and features our wonderful, themed baskets, a traditional white elephant table, beautiful hand-knit items, baked goods and jewelry. Your attendance and donations will help to support the Senior Center programs and services! Donations of baked goods, hand-crafted or knit items, jewelry, and attic treasures are needed. Items can be dropped off at the Center Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Help is also needed the day prior as well as the day of the event.

Thursday Oct. 31 11 a.m.

Join us for a spooky good time with Music Bingo by Good Thomas, generously sponsored by the Friends of Mendon Elders. Come wearing your best Halloween Hat or costume and enjoy the songs of the 50’s, 60’s and more. You may even win a prize! A pizza luncheon will follow. The cost of lunch is $7. Please call 508-478-6175 or stop by the senior center to register for one or both programs. Transportation is available.

Hope & Healing ~ Surviving Loss Thursday, Nov. 7 6 - 8 p.m. Loss is difficult any time of the year but with the upcoming holidays the pain can be more acute. Fortunately, there is help for those experiencing grief because of the loss of a loved one, Grief Recovery Seminar and Support Meetings are held at Faith Fellowship Church, 647 Douglas St., Uxbridge.

Meet others who understand what you’re going through. Receive comfort and support. Learn practical tips for navigating your grief. The upcoming thirteen week weekly session begins Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. The program consists of video presentations, group discussions, and workbook based personal home study and reflections which are used to help in the journey toward healing. Registration is through Griefshare.org. Contact Tom Stavish 508-478-3445 for assistance. Visit griefshare.org/find a group to find a group in your area.You are not alone.

Veterans Appreciation Breakfast – Save the date!

For all who have served, we thank you. Mendon Veterans of all ages and branches of the service are invited to attend a breakfast on Friday, Nov. 8 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Mendon Senior Center. This event, hosted by the Mendon Council on Aging, is generously sponsored by the Mendon Police Association and the Friends of Mendon Elders. A patriotic musical tribute will be offered by the Mendon Minstrels chorus. To reserve your place, please stop by or call the Senior Center at 508-478-6175. Transportation is available.

Mendon Scouts Food Drive

The Scouts of Mendon will once again be conducting their annual food drive to help replenish the shelves of the Mendon Food Pantry. Please consider supporting this effort by dropping off donations at the Clough school parking lot on Saturday, Nov. 9, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. We are also grateful for nonfood items which cannot be purchased with food stamps such as, shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, antibacterial soaps, household cleaners, dish soap, laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Additional drop off locations include the Mendon Post Office or the Mendon Senior Center, drop off box is located in the gazebo during business hours.