The Communicator

Official Newsletter of the Senior Citizens of Romulus MAY 2013

Seniors cheer arrival of 3 new vehicles

The City of Romulus celebrated the addition of two new buses and one new van to the fleet of the Romulus Senior Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9. The new buses are replacement vehicles to transport senior citizens to twice-a-month shopping trips, daily dialysis and medical appointments, weekday travel to and from the center and other fun places. The vehicles help provide seniors with continued quality of life and freedom of independence. The ceremony was attended by dozens of Romulus seniors, elected officials and Senior Center Director Rose Swidan and officials from funding source SMART, which is the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Romulus Mayor Alan R. Lambert said the new vehicles would allow the city to continue to provide much-needed services to the citys seniors.

Tiger Baseball Games

Three trips to Detroit Tigers baseball games have been planned for Romulus seniors. The first game is on May 15 against the Houston Astros. Seniors will leave by bus at 11 a.m. for the 1 p.m. game. Tickets are $23 for lower-level seats. Transportation is included. The other games are June 6 vs. the Tampa Rays and August 22 vs. the Minnesota Twins. Sign up now. Seats are limited.

Senior Olympics
Registration is under way for the 28th annual Downriver Senior Olympics. Seniors representing the Romulus Senior Center can sign up to compete for medals in a baking contest, softball throw, ring toss, football throw, Frisbee throw, soccer kick, euchre, pickle ball, tennis, bocce ball, pinochle, horseshoes, billiards, darts, shuffleboard, ping pong, car show, chili cook-off, golf, bridge, swimming, basketball shoot, ballroom dancing, one-mile run and bowling. Registration closes June 27. The City of Ecorse will host the 2013 Olympics. Events are scheduled for July 29-August 2 across the Downriver area, including swimming at the Romulus Athletic Center. Special thanks to Chief Judge Tina Brooks Green for sponsoring the entry fee for members of the Romulus Senior Center.

Lunch with Bob

Lunch with Bob is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Senior Center. A free healthy lunch, giveaways, games and information will be provided. Mothers Day will be celebrated with music.

Rummage Sales
The annual citywide rummage sales are scheduled Thursday through Sunday, May 16-19. Garage- and yard-sale permits are free during that time to Romulus residents during that week. Those registering by May 2 with the City Clerks Office will have their address included in the official citywide rummage sale list that is available from the Clerks Office. For more information, call City Clerk Ellen CraigBragg at (734) 942-7540. A rummage sale also will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16-18 at Whispering Willows, 11100 Wayne Road.

BINGO!
Bingo is played at Noon Mondays and Wednesdays at the Senior Center. Everyone is invited to play for free. Thanks to our sponsors. Tender Care of Taylor will provide pizza on May 8.

Dates to Remember
Motor City Casino May 21 9 am Talk to the Lawyer May 22 11 am Haircuts $5 May 20 10 am Commodities/ Focus Hope May 16 9:30 am Caregiver Support May 22 10 am Lunch with Bob May 14 11:30 am

Game Days & Exercise Class

Members of the Romulus Senior Center can play games and exercise throughout the week: Bingo is played at noon Mondays and Wednesdays. Bunco is played at noon Tuesdays. Pinochle and other games are played during Wednesday Fun Days. Game Day is scheduled for noon Thursdays. Pokeno is played at noon Fridays. A new stress-free chair exercise class has been added to the Thursday schedule, starting at 9:30 a.m. To register, call the Senior Center at (734) 9554120. Seniors who enjoy quilting and each others company gather at 6 p.m. Thursdays.

Fun Trips for Seniors

Sign up for trips at the Romulus Senior Center or call (734) 955Motor City Casino 4120. All trips must be paid in full Romulus seniors are upon booking. The admission prices invited to visit Motor City include transportation. Casino on Tuesday, May FIREKEEPERS DAY TRIP May 21. Up to two buses leave 22 and June 8. Receive $20 in coin the Romulus Senior and $5 in food. Admission is $33 for Center at 9 a.m. The cost March and May or $35 for April or is $10 per person. The June. casino provides $20 in HOLLYWOOD CASINO May 29. credit upon arrival. Seats The new casino in Toledo, Ohio. are limited. For more Receive $15 in casino incentives. details, call the Senior Admission $26. Center at (734) 955-4120. CAESARS WINDSOR June 3 and 17. Receive $15 in casino incentives. A passport or enhanced license is required. Admission $10.

Thank you for a successful tax preparation season

The City of Romulus and the members of the Senior Center thank the AARP volunteers that provided free tax services to 510 senior citizens ages 60 and older, handicapped persons and low-income individuals. Thanks to Joe Ozog, Ida and James Allen, Jorge Aponte and City Treasurer Stacy Paige. For assistance with the Home Heating Tax Credit, see Senior Center staff.

MAY BIRTHDAYS
1 Darlene Hale 1 Mary Buck 4 Grace Harris 5 Darlene J Hale 5 Rose Mathews Bland 7 Georgia Mclain 5 Nina Ozog 8 Mary Washington 8 Leondo Smith 9 Gerald Norman 10 Pauline Hargis 10 Levern Hacket 10 Wyvonna Bujor 11 Geneva Hampton 12 Louise Kossel 12 Teddy Hall 12 Jerry Dumas 14 Betty Michling 14 Barb Hoth 15 Marilyn Tate 16 Jim Forth 17 Patricia Rohrbaugh 18 Jackie McClusky 19 Janet Epps 19 Nancy Crevier 19 Georgia Wachtel 19 Nancy Cribbs 19 Nancy Davison 20 Sylvia Dubisky 20 Yvonne Woodson 20 Leota McCraight 20 Evelyn Myers 20 Teri Hammac 22 Sybil Johnson 22 Helen Mate 22 Hannah Wilson 22 Barbara Schultz 22 Etheleen Johnson 23 Myra Jones 24 Marie Taylor 24 Maryann Ryznar 25 Carmelita Johnson 27 Jim Gibson 27 Sherly Windfeild 27 Robert Bissonnette 28 Johanna Hendrix Quinn 29 Pat Noblett 29 Marion R Rose 29 Margarettta Grisamer 30 Evelyn Mujadin 28 Joann Hendricks 30 Marie Charles 30 W M A Lincoln 30 Peggy L Gladyness

Important Meeting Citywide Clean-up BULLETIN BOARD

Volunteers are invited to participate in the annual Romulus citywide cleanup known as Clean Sweep Day, scheduled for the morning of Friday, May 17. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants are asked to stop by the Romulus Senior Center, 36525 Bibbins, to select an area of the city to clean. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring their own tools if possible. Some tools will be available. Bagels, donuts and coffee will be provided at the kickoff at the Senior Center, courtesy of Waste Management. Clean Sweep Day dates back to 1999, when it was suggested by Councilman LeRoy Burcroff. The day involves volunteers gathering to clean public places, including streets, Downtown Romulus, the Civic Center complex, the veterans memorial and park space. City ordinance officers provide other locations that need attention. Flowers are planted in public areas. Besides individual residents and business people, participants include civic organizations, Scouts, members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Romulus and Belleville, church groups, seniors, military veterans, city employees and others. For more information on Clean Sweep Day, call (734) 955-4502. Representatives of MiCAFE will visit with seniors at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Romulus Senior Center. The program Michigans Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly will provide advice about bill paying, utilities, Medicare issues, prescriptions and more. Qualified low-income individuals can apply for a Bridge Card. Participants should bring personal identification, proof of income, bills or receipts concerning household expenses, medical expenses and information about liquid assets and other assets. Senior Center Director Rose Swidan urges seniors to participate and get their questions answered.

Community Gardens
Time is running out to reserve a spot in the Romulus Community Gardens on Bibbins, next to the Romulus Senior Center. Applications will be accepted through May 13 or until all 16 of the raised garden boxes are reserved. Applications are available at the Senior Center. The 3-by-8-foot garden boxes are sponsored by the Romulus Downtown Development Authority. Planting will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18. Residents can choose the crops they want to plant. Gardeners provide their own tools, soil preparation products and food for their crops. For more information on the garden boxes, call the Senior Center at (734) 955-4120 or the DDA at (734) 955-4533.

Bowling Fundraiser
The ninth annual Nine-Pin No-Tap Bowling Tournament to support the Romulus Animal Shelter is Friday, May 3, at Romulus Lanes, 37452 Huron River Road. Admission is $25 and space is limited to 72 bowlers. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., with bowling starting at 7:30. To reserve a spot or get more information, call Romulus Lanes at (734) 941-6200, Councilman William Wadsworth at (734) 941-0616 or Joe Ozog at (734) 941-3466.

Farmers Market
The Romulus Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June through October, in the pavilion at the intersection of Goddard Road and Hunt Street.

Romulus Senior Center

36525 Bibbins, Romulus, Michigan 48117 (734) 955-4120 Mayor Senior Center Director Meals-On-Wheels Alan Lambert Rose Swidan Sylvia Dubisky Leota McCraight Rosalie Green Betty Lenossi Karen Kusibab Leondo Smith Jesse Charles www.romulusgov.com

Have a Question? Find an Answer Senior Resources

Prescription Assistance Information (734) 282-7177 Food Assistance/ Wayne County Meals (734) 727-7357 Counseling & Substance Abuse (734) 729-9286 Department of Human Services (313) 277-4800 Care Management Family Resource (734) 282-7177

Drivers Chore Services (CDBG) City of Romulus Website

Hot Meals Daily

Please call the day before if you are interested in having lunch at the Romulus Senior Center: 955-4120.

Closed for the Day

The Romulus Senior Center will be closed Friday, May 17, which is an unpaid city furlough day, and Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day.

Party Rooms for Rent

The Romulus Senior Center is a great place to celebrate birthdays, baby showers, family reunions and wedding receptions. The beautiful banquet halls and facilities at the Senior Center are available for rent at very affordable rates. There are rooms that can hold up to 120 people and they are available any day of the week. Bring your own caterer or make arrangements to use the Senior Center kitchen. Book early and tell your friends! For more details, please call the Senior Center at (734) 955-4120.

Caregiver Support Group

If you have ever wished you had an understanding person with whom to speak, know that you are not alone. A monthly Caregiver Support Group at the Romulus Senior Center provides helpful information and assistance, including information on Alzheimers and dementia care. Meetings are generally scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon the fourth Wednesday of the month (May 22) in the Board Room of the Senior Center, located at 36525 Bibbins.

Portofino Bingo Cruise

Romulus seniors are invited to a Senior Bingo Cruise on June 19. At 11 a.m., a bus will transport seniors from the Romulus Senior Center to the Portofino restaurant in Wyandotte. Seniors will board the Portofino Friendship boat and, after a wonderful lunch at 11:30, the boat will cruise the Detroit River while seniors play bingo, take part in raffles, receive gifts and enjoy the sights. The boat will return to the dock about 3 p.m. Seats are limited at $33 each. Register at the Senior Center.

Need Food?
Low-income residents are eligible for free commodities each month at the Senior Center. A variety of food is provided by The Emergency Food Assistance Program of Wayne County Senior Services. This months food distribution begins at 9:30 a.m. May 16. Romulus Senior Director Rose Swidan encourages anyone in need of food any time to contact the center at (734) 955-4120.