Council on Aging

Egremont Council on Aging Handicap Accessible Van

Adult Fitness Playground Coming to French Park in Spring/Summer 2023

An adult fitness playground enabled by donations to the Council on Aging will be installed at French Park. Nine fitness stations will be placed in a line behind the children's playground and the smaller pavilion. The equipment will include a ski walker, a chest press/lateral pull, a hip twister, an exercise bike, a double leg press, a pommel horse, a self-weighted rower, and a balance beam. The equipment images below suggest how some of the stations will look. The equipment emphasizes core muscle strength and activities to increase flexibility and aerobics.

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Regular Meetings

The Council meets at 12:30 PM on the first Wednesday of each month.

Agendas & Minutes

View Most Recent Agenda and Minutes

Members

  • Donna Bersch-Gordon
  • Robin Goldberg
  • Georgette Kinney, Chairman
  • Pamela Knowles
  • Peg Muskrat, Administrative Assistant
  • Linda Warner

Events

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hours are held on the first and fourth Thursdays of every month at Mom's Country Cafe, 65 Main St., South Egremont.  Drop in anytime between 9:00 and 10:00 AM. All are welcome to join for interesting and diverse conservation. It's a great way to connect with your neighbors, those you know, and those you don't know.

Luncheons

"Grab 'N Go" Luncheons (from GB Bagel) are held on the first Wednesday of every month at The Barn, 17 Main Street (Rt. 23), South Egremont. 

So we can be sure we have enough food, please call and let us know you are coming.  528- 0182 x 16.  As always, a $5.00 donation is appreciated to assist with costs.

Sand for Seniors

Sand for Senior lidded buckets are available for pickup outside the handicapped entrance to Town Hall. You can pick up your bucket at any time. You'll find a signup sheet above the stack of buckets. Please fill it in so the Council can keep track of buckets taken. If you have an empty bucket from last winter, you can drop it off at Town Hall. If you want the Council to deliver your bucket, please phone 413-528-0182 ext 16.

Senior Health Care

Your COA can help you get information on medical services, health insurance, and more! If you need devices to maintain your mobility or aid you at home, we support a lending program for such items as walkers, canes, crutches, and bathroom seating. Please contact COA at 413-528-0182 ext 16 to arrange a pickup. If you have equipment to donate, please call the same number, and COA will pick up the equipment.

Integrative Movement for Seniors on Zoom

A class to release tension, deepen breathing, strengthen muscles, improve balance, alignment, and flexibility, and inspire movement and creativity. Taught by Pamela Knowles, everyone is welcome; no experience is necessary. You'll come away feeling relaxed and revitalized in your own home!

The class meets on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM. For Zoom access, contact Pamela at 646-678-0360 or her website, pamelaknowles.com. Suggested donation of $10 per session, payable through Venmo or Zelle.

Senior Water Exercise at Simon's Rock

The popular water exercise class is back at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center at Simon's Rock, 84 Alford Rd., Great Barrington. Class times are Mondays and Fridays from 11:00 AM to Noon. The cost is $5.00 per class payable at the Front Desk.

Keep Walking Program

The COA received a grant from the State to promote a Keep Moving Walking Program. As we work toward developing safe indoor and outdoor spaces for year-round walking, please use our local French Park trails and those in our neighboring towns. The COA also reminds you to wear a Be Seen Be Safe vest when out. The vests are free and available at Town Hall or the Egremont Police Department.

More information on French Park and its trail system can be found on the Parks Page

Great Barrington Land Conservancy for the following trails

  • Riverfront
  • GB Trails and Greenways
  • Housatonic River Walks
  • Lake Mansfield
  • Pfeiffer Arboretum & Trail
  • Three Mile Hill Trail & CHP Walking Loop

Senior Transportation

Egremont's Transportation Department has received a 2019 Dodge Caravan Minivan (pictured at the top of page), a Berkshire Regional Transit Authority loan for use by Egremont's Council on Aging. Equipped to handle one wheelchair, the van will remain on load until Egremont receives its ordered van paid for by grant funds. Two drivers, CORI-checked and insured, will drive residents. 

Seniors from 55 years old and up and disabled residents from Egremont, Alford, and Mount Washington, can book rides from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. 

The van will operate within Southern Berkshire County and Pittsfield. Traveling to Great Barrington and surrounding towns will be $5 each way; traveling to Pittsfield will be $10 each way. Email Melanie Vicneire, Transportation Department Administrator, or phone 413-528-01822 ext 25 from 9 AM - 2;30 PM to book rides. Please give 48 hours notice when arranging a ride.

Check out Egremont's Transportation Department for general transportation activities and resources.

Helpful Transportation Websites:

Egremont's 2023 Taxi & Limousine Grant Renewed

The Egremont Transportation Department received notice from Mass Development that Egremont's Taxi Grant to cover ride costs for those in need is renewed for 2023. Taxi services will be available to drive vulnerable adults over 55, veterans, homebound individuals, persons with disabilities, and essential workers (medical, nursing home, and grocery store workers). The grant would cover the costs of these rides. Examples of rides include:

  • Medical appointments
  • Shopping
  • Meal or prescription drug deliveries
  • Other non-emergency medical trips

For emergencies, still call 911. The taxi companies will take all necessary COVID precautions.

After January 1, 2023, rides can be scheduled with Melanie Vicneire, Egremont's Transportation Department Administrator, by phone at 413-528-0182 ext 25 or by emailing Melanie.

Egremont Information Sources

Created by residents and primarily for residents, the Google listservs, NeightborsNet, and Egremont Discussion can provide practical neighbor-to-neighbor assistance, the sharing of local events, and in-depth exchanges on topics affecting Egremont. 

To join NeighborNet, email Marj Wexler.
To join Egremont Discussion, email Bruce Bernstein

The listservs are not controlled, maintained, or regulated by the Town of Egremont. The Town is not responsible for the content.