Recently, the residents living at Herbert Star Apartments in Brocton had the opportunity to learn about free computer training offered by the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging’s Senior Community Service Employment program. The seniors were treated to a pizza party along with donations and gifts, hosted by Betty Crowell, training coordinator and Betsy Furman, computer peer coach, with assistance from Kara Barone, resident advisor and Matt Furman, volunteer. Twenty-eight residents attended.

Learning how to become computer savvy is becoming more and more important. From children to seniors, knowing how to search the Internet and send a message via email is almost part of everyday life. While most kids learn how to use a computer at school, older adults have to find another way to obtain computer skills. The Chautauqua County Office for the Aging offers free basic computer training for people 55 and older throughout the region. This training is perfect for adults who are first-time users of the computer. Current training sites are located at the Olean One Stop, Jamestown Office for the Aging, Westfield Patterson Library, Dunkirk Library and the newest training site, Brocton’s Ahira Hall Memorial Library. Approximately 1,000 older adults throughout the region have already received training through this program since July 1, 2009. Working with a peer coach, the student will utilize the Generations-On-Line tutorial software and attend each session with only one or two other students (not a large class setting), once a week for a period of four to six weeks. Each session lasts approximately one to two hours. Working at their own pace, they will learn about mastering the mouse, keyboarding, email, Internet navigation and setting up an online Social Security account. Older adults interested in taking classes at the Ahira Hall Library in Brocton should contact Betsy Furman to schedule an appointment at 792-9418. Persons interested in other sites should call NY Connects in Mayville at 753-4582 for more information.

Betsy Furman also shared information about the Ahira Hall Memorial Library in Brocton. Recently, Julie Putcher, director, received the “Above and Beyond” Award from the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System in recognition of extraordinary service to the community. Along with the free computer training for older residents, the Ahira Hall Memorial Library also offers “Tuesday Readers Book Club,” a Christian book club, on the last Thursday of the month. The AARP Driver Safety Program, after school program for elementary students, books to sign out or download on an e-reader and various other programs are also available. All residents were encouraged to get out and learn something new in 2015, take computer training and visit their local library, when the weather improves.