MSAC and Community Services  

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Clinic

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Clinic  Tax-Aide Clinic volunteers and city staff are working on possible ways we may be able to resume some safe form of the clinic to meet the tax preparation needs of those people who had appointments at MSAC in March and April which were canceled due to the pandemic. Locations and logistics are still under discussion and require approval from the State of Vermont and AARP Foundation Board. Please note, we are not sure about this yet and will be in touch with those who had appointments IF the volunteers will be able to help in a different way during the pandemic. We will definitely not be able to serve people who did not have pre-existing appointments at MSAC’s 2020 clinic.

Pool closed for the season

The Montpelier City Pool will be closed for the 2020 season.  We hope everyone finds other ways to stay cool, fit, and connected this summer!

August 2020 Danube Photo Cruise Cancelled, Phew! 

Annie Tiberio announces that Viking has canceled all cruises through August 31, 2020, which includes our August MSAC photography cruise through Eastern Europe down the Danube River.  No worries, we will plan a replacement trip for 2021, as long as the pandemic is contained enough to feel confident about cruising in 2021.  With Viking’s generous refund, cancelation, transfer, and postponement policies, no one will lose if Viking needs to cancel again. More news to come soon for how anyone can secure a spot on a 2021 photography cruise with Annie Tiberio.  Questions?  Please contact Annie at 802-999-7661  or  at@annietiberio.com.   

Older Announcements:

Thank you to individuals, businesses, organizations for donations: more still needed! 

We are grateful for many recent donations of all sizes to the senior activity center that help us maintain our communications with our membership and the public, keep the FEAST senior meal program strong as it delivers more Meals on Wheels and To-go meals, and make up for operating expenses of this fiscal year in light of our having cancelled two major spring fundraising events due to the pandemic.  In order to try to balance our budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, we are still welcoming tax-deductible donations to the senior center! Checks may be made out to MSAC and mailed to 58 Barre Street. Credit card donations are welcome online at https://www.montpelier-vt.org/746/Donate.  Questions? Call 223-2518. 

In the future we will be seeking donations of new and gently used working electronic devices for seniors wishing to connect with remote video programs but lacking the computer or smart device to do so. Please hold onto such devices you may be able to donate and watch for our specific request coming soon as we are not yet ready to process such donations. 

Recreation and Park Facilities Update 

o  The City Tennis Courts are now open (for Pickleball, too!), and our Basketball courts will be set up for use after Memorial Day. All City Parks remain open. 

o  Park Shelters, the Pool Pavilion, the Courts, and the Skate Park are use-at-your-own-risk and are subject to the Governor’s safety measures of groups of 10 or less, keeping 6 feet of distance between players, and wearing masks if able. 

o Due to City budget constraints, City staff is unable to maintain the Recreation fields. Due to this, there will be no field rentals or outdoor facilities/shelter rentals, through at least July 1st, 2020. More information will be shared as updates are made.  

MSAC offering inexpensive yoga mats

Prior to city furloughs and canceling our own Spring online classes, we purchased a bulk order of new yoga mats and have thirty for sale. If you are doing yoga at home now and would like to buy one of our mats, we are offering them at cost for $10 each (more if you’d like to support MSAC!). To reserve one, please contact Norma in the office at 223-2518, or email her at nmaurice@montpelier-vt.org. Pick-up is available during FEAST To-Go on Tuesday and Friday, 12:00-12:30 pm in our front courtyard, or by other arrangements with Norma. Please wear a mask when you come and wait for your turn at the pick-up table!

Check out our instructors’ classes!

As a reminder, many of our instructors are offering private and independent online classes. Some are by donation, others for a fee, and payment is by private arrangement (not through MSAC). If you have time on your hands and are ready to join others and keep moving, learning, and socialization, check them out!  Here is a link to the list, and it’s also included in our May newsletter, page 10. 

FEAST To-Go: Updates to schedule (12-12:30) and suggested donation, plus more community meal options 

FEAST Senior Meals -- both FEAST at Home and FEAST To-Go--continues to be MSAC’s top priority during our pandemic closure. We have noticed that nearly everyone arrives for Tuesday/Friday To-Go meal pick-ups in the first half hour, so the new schedule, effective 4/21, is 12:00-12:30pm (not 1:00). For anyone arriving a bit late, a sign will be on the door letting you know what to do! Additionally, we have adjusted our suggested meal donation to $5-10. While making a donation is still optional for those age 60+ who have filled out the nutrition survey, our actual cost is closer to $10/meal. We are grateful to those who are in a financial position to donate, and we continue to be committed to providing meals to ALL seniors who show up or are eligible to receive home deliveries. For those under age 60 needing warm noontime meals, we encourage you to check out the church community meals now offered To-Go Monday-Thursday, 11:30-12:15, and Skinny Pancake’’s "Shift Meals" available for staggered pick-up on Fridays 12:00-2:00 to those who fill out a request form by the previous Thursday at noon - more info: https://skinnypancake.com/shiftmeals/).