Submitted by Marge DeBold and Jo Ann Woickelman
(May 23, 2022)—Do you know that there is a Haddam Committee on Aging? And do you know what it does? Let us tell you a little about the Committee on Aging, COA for short. It’s a group of your fellow residents, appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Our mission is to study the needs of Haddam seniors, to work with local agencies who address those needs, and report to the Board of Selectmen. COA members serve a two-year term, with meetings generally held on the third Monday of the month from September thru June. Most meetings are held at the Jail Hill Annex, 11 Jail Hill Road, Haddam at 10:00 a.m. All meetings are open to the public, and you are welcome to attend.
What does the COA do? Here are a few of our activities:
- The Haddam Senior Handbook is published and distributed. It contains frequently needed contact information from various agencies and the services they provide. The handbook, while designed for seniors, is helpful for all residents.
- The Haddam Senior Picnic is open to all seniors in Haddam, at no charge since it’s funded by the town. The picnic is usually held in June. This year’s date is Monday, June 20, 2022.
- Senior Expo is a day when seniors can visit a variety of vendors who provide services to seniors. Vendors provide information and give takeaways. Generally, they will spend useful time with seniors on an individual basis. Refreshments are served, and the Expo is free of charge. The senior van is usually available to pick up those who need transportation. The tentative date for this year is Oct. 5, 2022.
We look forward to these events, and are hopeful that our resident seniors will enjoy them as well. In addition to being helpful, they offer good opportunities to stay connected with other seniors in town.
Our current COA members are: Thurston Clark, Beth Hartke, Bob Waller, Marge DeBold, Gloria Maynard, Mary Lou Heger, Susan DeCarli, Mary Pierce, Fran Kowalski, Jo Ann Woickelman, and Jessica Condil, who is Haddam’s Municipal Agent for the Elderly.
Look for future articles under the HADDAM SENIOR CORNER banner. If you have any suggestions or concerns, reach out to a committee member or come to a meeting.
