What's New at the Senior Center: Seminar Provides Info on Staying in Your Home

Submitted by Sherry Jackson, Needham COA Associate Director

During the second session of the Needham Council on Aging's Homeowner and Housing Options seminar on 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. The program will be held from 1:30-4 p.m at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center.

After the talk, participants 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.

Registration is required. Call the Senior Center at 781-455-7555 to register.

This Week and Coming Up

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

Weekly Flicks—Free movies are shown at 1 p.m. Call to sign up. Coming up: "The Lovely Bones" (2009) on Friday, Sept. 21.

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: The Aegean in Framingham on Monday, Sept. 24. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected on the van. Participants also pay the cost of their meals.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers—Wednesdays beginning Sept. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Senior Center. 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. Participants will also receive a book, "The Caregiver Helpbook," developed specifically for the class.

Celebrate National Senior Center Month

We have been very busy planning several fun and interesting events for you to enjoy during National Senior Center Month in September. There are no fees for the following programs, but sign-up is requested. Call 781-455-7555.

Celebrate Diversity in Honor of Latino Heritage—Friday, Sept 28, noon, at the Senior Center. Sign-up is required. RSVP by Sept. 24. National Latino Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States. Latino Heritage Week was approved by President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.Join us for this interesting presentation and luncheon. All are welcome to attend.

FONE Trip News

Bourne Scallop Festival—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. Cost is $64 (including tips).

Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad Turkey Train—Monday, Oct. 15. Enjoy this two-hour scenic trip around Lake Winnipesaukee while enjoying a full turkey dinner with all the fixin's. The day will start with a stop at the Christmas Tree Shop and ends with a stop at Apple Hill Farms—a perfect fall adventure. Your motor coach will depart at 8:15 a.m. from Linden and Chambers and at 8:30 a.m. from the Senior Center, returning between 6:15 and 6:45 p.m. Cost is $76 including tips. This tour does require a minimum of 40 passengers to operate—so tell your friends and book early.

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: Needham Senior Center, 83 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02492, Attn: Trips. (No refunds if cancellation is received within 10 days prior to departure, unless a replacement can be found.)

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.

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. 28, Lake Waban, Wellesley College

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

Meeting Regularly

The Council Players—Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Like acting or thought about being in a play but you don’t want a huge commitment? Then the Council Players may be just what you are looking for. Starting in the fall, a play reading group will begin that will meet once a week and present a performance toward the end November. All you have to do is show up and read lines—no memorization or complicated staging. Just fun!

Judie Strauss has volunteered to facilitate this group. As soon as we have enough members to join, the group will begin in September or October. If you think you might be interested, contact Sherry Jackson at sjackson@needhamma.gov or 781-455-7555 ext. 205.

Computer Lessons—The Council on Aging offers computer lessons on Thursday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m., by appointment. Those who would like to learn about computers in a one-on-one session with an instructor are invited to these classes. There is no fee for this class. To make a 45-minute appointment, call the COA at 781-455-7555.

Singers Needed for New Group—Tuesdays, 12:45-1:45 p.m. at the Senior Center. If you can read music or can carry a tune, please join us on Tuesday afternoons with Fred Shaw, who will lead us in song as we sing to our hearts’ content. Fred will provide the lyrics to songs old and new. Fred says 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 781-455-7555.