Celebrate Senior Center Month in Needham

It’s National Senior Center Month, and that means there’s more than ever going on at the  throughout September.

All programs are free unless otherwise noted, but sign-up is required to ensure enough meals and materials for everyone. For more information or to register for any of these activities, call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555.

Kickoff Outdoor Party and Concert

The month of programs will kick off officially with an outdoor party and concert on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a luncheon on the front lawn of the Senior Center featuring keynote speaker Emmett Schmarsow and the big band sounds of The Olde Kids on the Block. Schmarsow is program manager for the Massachusetts Councils on Aging and Senior Centers, Executive Office of Elder Affairs in Boston. Rain date for this event is Monday, Sept. 12, same time.

Shred-A-Thon by Appointment

Looking to get rid of old papers but don’t just want to toss them in the trash? The Senior Center will host a shred-a-thon in the parking lot on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call to schedule a drop-off appointment. The first box of paper to be shredded is free; each additional box costs $5 each.

Exercise Demo Days

During National Aging Week, Sep. 19-23, visit the Senior Center for a free demonstration of each of their exercise classes. Meet with instructors, talk with participants and watch the class in action. The senior center offers 13 different exercise classes each week, including: tai chi, yoga on mats, easy chair yoga, senior strength, a Walking Club, line dancing, ballroom dancing, arthritis exercise, balance and others. Check out this month’s Senior Compass newsletter or view the calendar in the photos to the right to see the times for each class.

Wellness Health Day

Visit the Senior Center from 9:00-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for free health and wellness activities including a blood pressure checkup from the Needham Visiting Nurses Association and a chair massage. At noon, enjoy lunch and hear a lecture on nutrition from a VNA representative. The lecture will introduce a new fall prevention program that the VNA will be launching at the Senior Center in October.

Become a Friendly Visitor

Learn more about the Council on Aging’s Friendly Visitor Program at this open house and luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 22 from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. The program matches up volunteers and seniors for weekly visits to chat, play cards, take a walk or share a snack.

The Big Finale

End National Senior Center Month with an outdoor celebration on Monday, Sept. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. More than 40 groups will have tables set up with information about their recreational and educational programs offered through the Senior Center. Enjoy a barbecue lunch from 12:00-1:30 p.m. and enter free drawings for local restaurant gift cards and gas cards.

And between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., you can update or obtain a Charlie Card, which provides a reduced MBTA fare for anyone age 65 or older or those under 65 who have a disability. Be sure to bring an ID for proof of age to receive the card. Please sign up in advance if you plan to participate in the barbecue.

Monday’s Lunch Bunch

Get out, socialize and try a new restaurant around the area with Monday’s Lunch Bunch. The group meets at the Senior Center at 11:30 a.m. to board the van and visit spots around Needham and beyond. Upcoming trips include: Agostino’s in Natick on Monday, Sept. 12; Summer Shack in Dedham on Monday, Sept. 19; and Noonhill Grill in Medfield on Monday, Sept. 26. Be sure to sign up in advance. A donation of $5 is suggested to help cover transportation costs; each participant pays for his or her own meal.

Friday Movies

Every Friday, drop by the Senior Center at 1:00 p.m. for a free movie. Sign-up is not required. Upcoming films include: “Come Live with Me” (1941) on Friday, Sept. 9; “Without Love” (1945) on Friday, Sept. 16; and “Jane Eyre” (2011) on Friday, Sept. 23.

Trips with the Friends

Join the Friends of the Needham Elderly on one of their upcoming trips. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the group will head to the White Mountain Hotel in New Hampshire for a luncheon followed by an afternoon visit to Main Street in North Conway, NH. The group will depart from the Senior Center at 7:15 a.m. and return at about 6:30 p.m. Cost is $55 per person. Make sure to sign up early.

The group also will be going to Lake Winnipesaukee on Tuesday, Oct. 18 for a visit to the Christmas Tree Shop followed by a two-hour train ride on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, with a turkey dinner included. The last stop of the day will be at Apple Hill Farm. The group will leave from the Senior Center at 8:15 a.m. and return at about 6:30 p.m. Cost is $69 per person.

Beginner/Novice Bridge Class

A free class for beginner bridge players will be held on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 7 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Be sure to register; call the Senior Center and ask for Sherry Jackson. A novice-level bridge class will be held earlier in the day from 1:00-2:30 p.m., also beginning Sept. 7. Both classes will be held for eight weeks.

Book Talk

Come discuss Sen. Scott Brown’s autobiography “Against All Odds” on Monday, Sept. 26 at 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Gail Brown will lead this discussion; a $4 donation is suggested.

‘Better Bladder Health’ Lecture Series

The Charles River YMCA is sponsoring a four-week course with information about the Total Control Platinum Program, developed by the Women’s Health Foundation, and designed to promote strength, balance and better bladder control. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Sept. 6, 9, 13, 16, 23, 27 and 30 and Oct. 4 at the Senior Center. Cost is $32 for the four-week course, due at the first class. RSVP early as space is limited. To sign up, call Lisa Dobbs at the YMCA at 781-449-6646 ext. 225.

Art Class

Professional artist Ramune Jauniskis will lead this six-session art class on Mondays beginning Sept. 19 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the Needham Free Public Library Community Room. Additional classes will be held on Oct. 17 and 31, Nov. 14 and 28 and Dec. 12. Cost is $24 for the six classes. Sign up by calling Sherry Jackson at the Senior Center at 781-455-7555. Students bring their own materials and ideas and receive help and guidance from Jauniskis as they work on individual projects.