Submitted by Sherry Jackson, Needham COA Associate Director

Celebrate diversity in honor of GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) Pride Month with a presentation, film and luncheon on Wednesday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center.

Council on Aging staff member Clif Holbrook will give an introduction to the award-winning film, “For the Bible Tells Me So." After the film, Gordon Swan will lead a discussion. A special luncheon will follow.

The film, “For the Bible Tells Me So,” is a documentary and includes interviews with a number of conservative Christian families as well as V. Gene Robinson, who became the first officially ordained Anglican bishop; political activist and spiritual leader Bishop Desmond Tutu; and Chrissy Gephardt, the openly lesbian daughter of Congressman Dick Gephardt. The film was directed by Daniel Karslake, longtime producer of the PBS news and public affairs.

Our discussion facilitator, Rev. Swan, is celebarting 52 years of ordination. He began college in Canada to train as a medical doctor. During his studies he realized he was called to be a pastor, “a physician of the soul.” He retired in May 2003 from the First Baptist Church in Needham, which appointed him Pastor Emeritus “in deep appreciation and gratitude for 17 years as our beloved pastor.” Swan and his wife Edith live in Needham and have been married for 54 years.

This program is free, but registration is required. Call 781-455-7555 ext. 205 to sign up.

THIS WEEK AND COMING UP

These programs are going on this week or require registration. To sign up, call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555.

• Weekly Flicks—Friday Flicks are held on most Fridays at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center. The free movies are shown at 1 p.m., and registration is not required. Upcoming films include the 2012 film "We Bought a Zoo" on Friday, June 22 and the 2012 film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" on Friday, June 29.
• Monday’s Lunch Bunch—Try someplace new, socialize and enjoy a good meal with Monday's Lunch Bunch. The group meets at the Senior Center at 11:30 a.m. to board a van to the lunch destination. Coming up: A trip to Charley’s Saloon in Chestnut Hill on Monday, June 25 and a trip to Skipjacks Seafood in Newton on Monday, July 2. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected on the van. Participants also pay the cost of their meals.
• Book Review with Gail Rice—Come discuss "Defending Jacob" by William Landay on Monday, June 25 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. There is no sign-up or fee for this event—just drop by.
• Walking Club—If you walk two to four miles, a couple of days a week, then this walking club is for you. The club often explores trails outside the local area, offering transportation via the COA van. Sign-up is required. Coming up: A walk at Walden Pond in Concord on Friday, June 22.

DANCE AND EXERCISE CLASSES

Get fit and learn something new with Council on Aging dance and exercise classes. Sign up in advance by calling 781-455-7555. Payment is due at the first class.

• Zumba—Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Discover Zumba, an exciting dance-fitness program that’s more of a party than a workout. Instructor, Louise Carbone has taught at the Newton and Waltham Senior Center, the West Newton YMCA, and Lesley. Depending on interest, this class will be offered on an ongoing basis. Cost is $20. Make cash or check payable to Friends of the Needham Elderly.
• Tai Chi—Mondays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, at 9 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Tai chi is a slow-motion, moving, meditative exercise for relaxation and health. As a stress-relieving therapy, it leaves the participants ready to face whatever difficulties their day may bring. Instructor Scott Brumit has studied various forms of martial arts since 1983, including tai chi and gigong. Cost is $16.
• Ballroom Dancing: “Cha-Cha"—Tuesdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, at 2 p.m. at the YMCA on Chestnut Street. Instructor Betty Hood will lead this four-week dance class. Cost is $16. Please wear shoes that allow movement on a wood floor—not rubber soles.
• Senior Strength Exercise—Mondays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, at 10:15 a.m. This exercise class is designed to accommodate mature individuals of various fitness levels. This seated class led by instructor Pearl Pressman will begin with a thorough warm-up followed by strength training exercises for all the major muscle groups of the body using light hand weights and conclude with gentle stretching exercises to increase flexibility and reduce muscle tension. Cost is $20. A second, four-week session will be offered on Mondays, July 13, 20, 27 and Aug. 3. Cost is $16.
• Yoga—Mondays, July 2, 9, 23, 30, at 9 a.m. This class is designed for basic and intermediate levels. Students need to bring a sticky mat (can be purchased at most sporting goods stores) and a small blanket. Participants can expect to be doing yoga seated on the floor with the use of a mat with some standing poses as well. Please wear comfortable clothes and don’t eat a big meal beforehand. This class is not a women-only venture. Men are welcome! Instructor Sandi Levy is certified as a Viniyoga Yoga teacher. Cost is $16.
• The Arthritis Exercise Class—Tuesdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, at 10 a.m. This exercise program includes range-of motion exercises (includes flexibility, strengthening exercises, endurance activities, weight-bearing activities, balance and coordination activities, posture and body mechanics training). Cost is $16. Another session will be offered on Thursdays, July 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. at the YMCA on Chestnut Street. Cost is $16.
• Line Dancing Class—Mondays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, at noon at First Baptist Church. Line dancing is fun and a great form of exercise! No partner is needed; just bring yourself! Instructor Manny Correia has been a popular line dancing teacher for more than 20 years. Cost is $20.

GAME GROUPS

Would you like to learn how to play Mah Jong, Whist or Cribbage? Do you already know how to play games such as Mah Jong, Bridge, Whist, Cribbage, Scrabble, Backgammon or Poker and want to join a group? Call Sherry Jackson, associate director at the Needham Council on Aging, at 781-455-7555 ext. 205 for information.

TRIP NEWS FROM THE FRIENDS

The Friends of the Needham Elderly are planning their next trip on Thursday, July 19. Escape for the day and join the Friends aboard the Pilgrim Belle—a nostalgic Mississippi-style paddle wheeler—for a narrated cruise highlighting the story of the Pilgrims as they explore the waters of historic Plymouth Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. 

Lunch will be included at the Hearth & Kettle Restaurant and includes either broiled Cape scrod or roast turkey dinner. Explore the Scenic Plymouth Waterfront and enjoy local speciality shops and restaurants.  

The motor coach will leave Linden and Chambers, Linden St., Needham at 9.30 a.m. or 9.45 a.m. from the Senior Center and will return around 6/6:30 p.m. The cost of this trip is $64 (includes all tips).

Reserve a spot now by calling 781-455-7555 ext. 209. Full payment must be made upon reservation, along with luncheon choice and pick-up location.

Please make checks payable to “F.O.N.E” and mail to Needham Senior Center, 83 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02492, Attention: Trips. (No refunds if cancellation is received within 10 days prior to departure, unless a replacement can be found.)

Tour requires minimum of 30 passengers to operate, so tell your friends today.

The Friends' next trip will be on Wednesday, Aug. 22 to Lobster Fest in Holyoke, featuring a performance by "The Ponytails"—an all-girl tribute band that plays music from the 1960s. Cost is $74. 

TRY SOMETHING NEW

• Computer Lessons—The Council on Aging offers computer lessons on Thursday afternoons by appointment. Those who would like to learn about computers in a one-on-one session with an instructor are invited to these classes. Lessons are offered on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. (by appointment). There is no fee for this class. To make a 45-minute appointment, call the COA at 781-455-7555.
• Creative Writing Group—The COA writing group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. All are welcome, and sign-up is not required. This writing group is for all levels. The class is not about using proper grammar. It is about capturing memories or stories on paper and most of all having fun. The class is facilitated by a published writer.
• Singers wanted—If you can read music or can carry a tune, join this new group meeting on Tuesday afternoons from 12:45-1:45 p.m. at the Senior Center. Fred Shaw will lead the group in song and will provide the lyrics to songs old and new. Shaw said that his interest in music sprang from listening to barbershop and leaning to harmonize certain tunes. Shaw has performed for a wide variety of locations and audiences; however, he may be best known for his role as "Ring Master" of the mid-1960s television show “Bozo the Clown.” No audition required. Sign up is appreciated in order to have enough song sheets for all to participate. Call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555 to sign up.