What’s New at the Senior Center: Senior Summit

Submitted by Sherry Jackson, Associate Director

Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey will host a Senior Summit on Tuesday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Christina’s, 2 Washington St. (Route 1) in Foxboro. Topics will include: health and nutrition; how to prevent financial exploitation and identity theft; hoarding; and chair zumba. The event will include a complimentary luncheon.

RSVP is required. To sign up, call the Needham Council on Aging at 781-455-7555 by May 9.

NEW SENIOR CENTER GROUNDBREAKING

An official groundbreaking for the new will be held on Thursday, May 3 at 9 a.m. at 300 Hillside Ave. The festivities will feature guest speakers, and refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

Weather permitting, Needham seniors are encouraged to walk the half-mile from the current Senior Center location at 83 Pickering St. to the new location at 300 Hillside Ave. Walkers should meet at the at 8 a.m. A drummer and horn player will escort the group as they walk up Highland Avenue, and Needham Heights businesses will wave as they pass, welcoming the seniors to their new home.

Hats and balloons will be given out, and participants will have an opportunity to socialize with friends and enjoy some celebratory cake.

Note: All regular services and programs will be cancelled from 8:30-10:30 a.m. because the Senior Center will close for the groundbreaking.

There is no fee or sign-up or fee required for this event.

THIS WEEK AND COMING UP

These programs are going on this week or require registration this week.

• Weekly Flicks—Watch "War Horse” (2011) on April 27 and “Hugo” (2011) on Friday, May 4 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. This is free, and there is no sign-up required. 
• 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 The Cottage in Wellesley on Monday, April 30 and “The Dolphin” in Natick on Monday, May 7. To sign up, call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected on the van. Participants also pay the cost of their meals.
• Emotional Overeating Awareness Month—Monday, April 23, 11:45 p.m. At this free talk, individuals will learn how to manage the feelings that prompt them to overeat. Presenter Pearl Pressman is a Certified Weight Management Consultant who has lost more than 100 pounds. Pressman is the leader of the Weight Management Support Group at the Senior Center and is also a member of the National Weight Loss Registry and a former Weight Watchers group leader.
• Free Legal Assistance—Friday, April 27, 1 p.m. A law student with the Elder Law Project at Boston College will take confidential individual appointments at the Senior Center. Call 781-455-7555 to reserve a spot.
• Art History: “Chagall”—Wednesday, May 2, 10:30 a.m., at Avery Crossings, 110 West St. Marc Chagall, known as “The Poet,” was one of the most versatile artists of the 20th century. He merged the traditional images of his native Russian, Jewish culture with the modern styles of Cubism and Fauvism. His paintings portray stories and fables, ideals of freedom, dreams of love, nightmares of war, passionate emotions, and soul-refreshing humor. He never finished a canvas until something in it “surprised” him. This program will offer a retrospective look at his work, his life, and his unique perspective of the world. There is no fee or sign-up required.
• It’s Friday Entertainment Live with Singer Gail Gallagher—Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. “As Time Goes By” is a show filled with comedy, poignancy and love-struck characters riding the ups and downs of love and life with songs from the 1920s to the ’70s—Broadway, Hollywood, big bands, pop and rock n’ roll. Sign-up is required. There is no fee for this program.

FRIENDS' MAY TRIP PROGRAM

Join the Friends of the Needham Elderly on their tour of magnificent estates, gardens and the historic waterfront of Bristol, RI, plus a luncheon at the Atlantic Beach Club.

Discover Blithewood Mansion, a majestic English Style Manor with one of the finest garden estates in New England on a self-guided tour. Explore the history and delights of the Great House and Estate of Linden Plane on the guided tour.  Enjoy a special guided adventure of Bristol, RI, America's most patriotic town, highlighting historic waterfront, downtown, Colt Park and more. Plus, a delicious luncheon at the Atlantic Beach Club—all inclusive for only $72 including tips.

Reserve the date now: Wednesday, May 23. Bus will depart at 9 a.m. from Linden and Chambers St. and at 9.15 a.m. from the Senior Center.  Approximate return will be around 6:30-6:45 p.m.

For reservations, cal the Friends trip desk at 781-455-7555 ext. 209. 

The trip requires 30 passengers to operate, so tell your friends and book now—sure to be popular. Secure your seat today with full payment, payable to "FONE," Needham Senior Center, 83 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02492, ATTN: Trips.

MOTHER’S DAY

The Council on Aging will hold a Mother’s Day breakfast on Wednesday, May 9 at 10 a.m. at Wingate at Needham, 539 Highland Ave. All senior women are invited to attend and enjoy a complete breakfast of pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, biscuits and home fries. There is no fee for this program, but sign-up is required. Call 781-455-7555 to sign up.

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.

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.

• Yoga—Mondays, May 7 and 14 and June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 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. Currently she also teaches at Brandeis, JCC of Newton and the Dedham Health Club. Cost of the six-week session is $24.

WALKING PROGRAMS

Spring is in the air! Get out and get walking with these programs offered by the Council on Aging. To sign up, call Sherry at 781-455-7555.

• The Walking Club—If you walk two to four miles, a couple of days a week, then this walking club is for you. The walks are designed to offer variety. Participants will have an opportunity to walk with other walking clubs and explore trails outside the local area, with transportation provided. Upcoming walks include: Friday, April 27, Great Meadows in Concord.
• The Walking Partners Program—Would you like to have company on your walks? The Council on Aging will match you with two others who walk your pace and coincide with your schedule.