What's New at the Senior Center: Celebrate National Senior Center Month

Submitted by Sherry Jackson, Needham COA Associate Director

We have been very busy planning several fun and interesting events for you to enjoy during National Senior Center Month in September.

At the Needham Senior Center, we take our lead from you. Without you, we wouldn’t have the multitude of services and program offerings we do. In fact, it is often volunteers like you who lead our programs and support groups. We value your thoughts, ideas and concerns. You are leading the way. We, your Senior Center family of friends and staff, are here for you, and we look forward to seeing you!

There are no fees for the following Senior Center Month programs:

Mystery Theatre Dinner Party—Friday, Sept. 14, 1-3 p.m., at the . Seating is limited, so RSVP by Monday, Sept. 10 to 781-455-7555. While you enjoy your delicious meal, actors around you will perform and you’ll get a chance to solve the crime with the help of our comic detective guiding you all the way.

Homeowner and Housing Options—Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Thursday, Sept. 20, 1:30-4 p.m., at the Senior Center. Join us for both days or just one day of informative presentations by local experts. Every table will offer a free raffle with gift cards for gas, groceries, restaurants or movie tickets. Refreshments will be served.  Sign-up is required; call 781-455-7555.

• Day 1, Wednesday, Sept. 12—A panel of speakers will talk about the various retirement community living options, including: 55+ Communities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living. After the talk, you will have an opportunity to meet with representatives at their tables and obtain literature from various residential options. Please note: the Needham Senior Center will have sign-up sheets at every table whereby you can sign up for a tour to see that particular facility. The tours will depart from the Needham Senior Center and take place in October and November.
• Day 2, Thursday, Sept. 20—A panel of speakers will talk about the multitude of services available for the older adult who chooses to remain living in their own home or apartment. After the talk you will have an opportunity to stop by numerous tables with representatives from home-based agencies to include home modification services. Home modification is an extremely important aspect to remaining in your own home as bathrooms, doors, etc. often need to be updated.

This Week and Coming Up

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

Weekly Flicks—Free movies are shown at 1 p.m. Call to sign up. Coming up: “Up in the Air” (2009) on Friday, Sept. 7 and “Intolerable Cruelty” (2003) on Monday, Sept. 10.

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: Noonhill Grill in Medfield on Monday, Sept. 10. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected on the van. Participants also pay the cost of their meals.

Lifelong Learning Program: Art History “American Art Part 2” (1900-1950)—Wednesday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. at Avery Crossings. There is no fee or sign-up required. The center of the art world has always been Europe, and American artists have, by necessity, mostly followed those evolutions. The American independent spirit pushed the boundaries of acceptable traditions, and in the early part of the 20th century Americans begin to develop their own unique voice; the Ash Can School, the flowering of photography, and the consciousness of Social Realism were just some of the new developments that reflected the history of those times. Join us for a look at how American Art grew from the baby in the back seat to an adolescent growing, experimenting, gaining attention and earning respect.

Lunch and Learn Lecture: Sages & Seekers Informational Lecture and Film—Friday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m., at the Senior Center. Free, but sign-up is required. If you haven’t participated in Sages and Seekers yet, it’s not too late. This program will be presented by founder Elly Katz and previous Needham senior participants. Sages and Seekers is a project designed to bring together teens and older adults, to share their unique gifts. Learn about our eight-week program at Needham High School, where you will share your history and wisdom and the teen will write a paper about your life, which will be read in front of the group. If after the program you think you would like to volunteer as a sage, we welcome your interest and will provide you with further details.

Weight Management Support Group—Mondays beginning Sept. 10, 12:45 p.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Pearl Pressman. Cost is $32 for the eight-week program. Registration required.

Art Class—Mondays, Sept. 10 and 17, Oct. 15 and 29, Nov. 5 and 26 and Dec. 10 and 17, 12-1:30 p.m., at the Community Room. Students bring their own materials and ideas for projects. Each student will work on projects of their own choosing with guidance from professional artist and teacher Ramune Jauniskis. Cost is $32. Registration is required. Call 781-455-7555.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers—Wednesdays beginning Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week, educational workshop designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself. This program helps family caregivers improve self-confidence, balance their lives, and locate helpful resources. Caregivers will develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to family members and healthcare or service providers, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings, and make tough caregiving decisions. Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced Class Leaders conduct the workshop with interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming activities that will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. Participants will also receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class. Registration is required.

Trip News

The Friends of the Needham Senior Center's next trip is to the Bourne Scallop Festival on Friday, Sept. 21. Join us for the largest Seafood Festival in New England. The festival features a scallop luncheon (or roasted chicken), live entertainment, craft booths and a home expo show and 90-minute Cape Cod Canal Cruise from lovely Onset Harbor highlighting the area’s beauty and historic points of interest. 

Our motor coach will leave Linden and Chambers at 9.15 a.m. and the Senior Center at 9:30 a.m., returning at about 6:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $64 (including tips). Reserve your space now by calling 781-455-7555 ext. 209. Full payment is due upon reservation along with your luncheon choice and pick up location. Please make checks payable to “F.O.N.E” and mail to: Trips Department, Needham Senior Center, 83 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02492.  (No refunds if cancellation is received within 10 days prior to departure, unless a replacement can be found). Tour requires a minimum of 30 passengers. 

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. Note: You may always try a class for free.

The Arthritis Exercise Class—Begins Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2 p.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Lisa Cadigan. Cost is $32 for eight weeks or $64 for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Arthritis Exercise Class—Begins Thursday, Sept. 6, 2 p.m., at the . Instructor is Randi Sharek. Cost is $32 for eight weeks or $64 for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Senior Strength Exercise Class—Begins Friday, Sept. 7, 10:15 a.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Pearl Pressman. Cost is $32 for eight weeks or $64 for Mondays and Fridays.

Senior Strength Exercise Class—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 10:15 a.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Pearl Pressman. Cost is $32 for eight weeks or $64 for Mondays and Fridays.

Line Dancing Class—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 12-1 p.m., at . Instructor is Manny Correia. Cost is $32 for eight weeks.

Yoga—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Sandi Levy. Cost is $28 for seven weeks. Students need to bring a sticky mat for floor and standing yoga poses.

Tai Chi Class—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m., at . Instructor is Scott Brumit. Cost is $28 for seven weeks.

Zumba—Begins Thursday, Sept. 13, 10-11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Instructor is Louise Carbone. Cost is $32 for eight weeks.

Better Balance Better Bones—Begins Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2:45 p.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Leslie Worris. Cost is $50 for eight weeks.

The Walking Club

If you walk two to four miles a couple of days a week, then this walking club is for you. Our walks are designed to offer variety and give you an opportunity to walk with other walking clubs. We will also explore trails outside the local area, offering transportation via our van.

Upcoming walks:

• Friday, Sept. 7, Castle Island, Boston
• Friday, Sept. 14, Cutler Park, Needham
• Friday, Sept. 28, Lake Waban, Wellesley College

Sign-up is required.  Call Sherry at the Needham Senior Center at 781-455-7555.