Council on Aging

Post date: Jul 10, 2017 6:31:21 PM

The eldest Williamstown resident and holder of he Boston Post Cane, Marion Shaw, has passed. Mrs. Shaw was 104 years old. Her late husband, Alex John Shaw, a former basketball coach at Williams, had also held the cane as Williamstown's eldest.The husband and wife duo of cane holders is truly unique and whether this scenario has been repeated anywhere else is unknown.

Town Clerk Mary Kennedy has provided information on the Towns eldest residents to COA Director Brian O'Grady and the process for naming a new cane recipient is under way. The eldest receives a certificate identifying as the eldest and his/her name is engraved on the plaque identifying them as eldest. The cane itself remains on permanent display at the Harper Center and is no longer actually given out.

Appointment slots for the annual AARP Tax Aide program are filling quickly this year. AARP Tax Aide program provides free assistance to tax payers of moderate means to complete and file their 2017 state and federal income taxes. Sessions with a certified tax aide take approximately one hour, are always on Tuesday evening and reservations are required. This is a first come, first serve service and appointments can be made by calling the COA at 458.8250. Participants are asked to bring their 2016 tax return and any pertinent 2017 paperwork with them to their session.

The Matter of Balance class, also known as MOB returns to Harper for the 6th time in February. matter of balance is a cutting edge program which focuses entirely on avoiding falls thru awareness of ones surroundings and core strengthening exercises designed to be easily completed at home. Sessions begin Monday morning, February 5th at 9:00, last for 2 hours and run for 8 weeks. call the Harper Center for information, 458.8250