Above: Sign up starting tomorrow to take part in the Senior Center’s Veterans Day and Holiday celebrations, along with other special events. (images cropped from Facebook posts of last year’s parties and a YouTube video featuring the Elderly Brothers)
The Southborough Senior Center has mailed out its latest newsletter covering programs in November and December. Registration for the early fall programs opens tomorrow, October 31st at 10:00 am.
Events include bus trips, special programming, and more..
Given that most programs fill up, you’ll want to take a look in advance at what’s on offer to be prepared. (Scroll to the bottom for more info on registration.)*
Below are my highlights. (More details, like what’s for lunch, are in the newsletter.)
Bus Trips
These always fill up quickly – so don’t wait too long to put in your name. (Southborough residents will be given priority.)
Note: Most attendees will board the bus at the Senior Center. But residents of Colonial Garden can let the center know if they would prefer to be picked up at the housing complex.
Luncheon at Publick House Historic Inn
Thursday, November 16th, 11:00 am – approx. 3:00 pm
An offsite luncheon at the historic Sturbridge inn established in the 1700s. Please share your menu selections (see p. 8 of the newsletter).
Reagle Theatre Christmas Time Show
Sunday, December 3rd, 1:00 – approx. 5:15 pm
“Reagle’s beloved Christmas extravaganza returns to the stage. Featuring a cast of more than 100 performers and a live orchestra, the 2023 edition of Christmas Time includes precision dancers, a living nativity a visit to the North Pole, a glimpse of Victorian Christmas in Boston, and more than twenty yuletide tunes.”
Special Programs at the Center
As usual, the Senior Center has special guests and presentations planned.
Veterans Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 8th – 12:00 pm
The event celebrating veterans includes a luncheon followed by a ceremony and patriotic songs with the Southborough Songsters. (Free to veterans, $6 Suggested Donation for others. Residents will take priority. Details on p. 6.)
Succulent Tree Plaque with Tina Bemis
Friday, December 1st – 1:00 pm
Create a “living tree” to hang on your wall using succulents and botanicals. ($20 Suggested Donation)
Holiday Party with the Elderly Brothers Band
Wednesday, December 6th – 12:30 pm
Luncheon followed by a concert with dancing and a sing-a-long. ($6 Suggested Donation. Residents will take priority. Details on p. 9.)
Center-Run Favorites
These regularly offered monthly programs also require pre-registration.
Adult Coloring & Lunch
Tuesdays, November 21st & December 19th –12:00pm
The event begins with lunch, followed by coloring while chatting. All supplies will be available or feel free to bring your own (Suggested Donation — $3; details on p. 6)
Movie Matinees
Wednesday, November 15th, 12:30 pm — Father of the Bride – 2022 version starring Andy Garcia and Gloria Estefan (PG-13; 2 hrs)
Wednesday, December 13th, 12:30 pm — A Christmas Story Christmas – sequel to the nostalgic look at Christmas season in the 50’s, that takes place in the 1970s with “Ralphie” all grown up. (Rated PG; 1 hour and 40 minutes)
The movies are free, though registration is required. Attendees can come in early, at noon, for an optional lunch. (Bring your own or register to purchase a lunch for Suggested Donation — $6; details on p. 6)
Bingo
Wednesday, November 29th, 1:00 pm
Bingo and prizes. Tickets are sold promptly starting at 1:00 pm and snacks provided at break time. (If there are multiple winners of the same game, a raffle will determine who gets the main prize vs a smaller prize.)
Fitness Classes
The center offers the following weekly and semi-weekly classes. Signup is for the two month session (Suggested Donation — $3 per day)
- Stretch Break — Mondays at 10:15 am
- Strength Class — Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30 am
- Advanced Tai Chi — Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:45 am
- Chair Yoga — Thursdays at 12:30 pm
- Yoga — Tuesdays at 9:30 am (at Pilgrim Church)
Services and Resources
The Senior Center regularly offers free services and resources for Southborough Seniors. This summer, in addition to ongoing weekly/monthly resources, there is one special event.
Fat Daddy’s Produce Bus
Wednesdays, November 15th & December 13th from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at the center (Plus at Colonial Gardens from 1:00 – 2:00 pm)
The “small family owned ‘hydroponic farm'” will be selling chemical/pesticide-free organic lettuce, herbs, greens, microgreens, mushrooms, and baked goods at wholesale costs. (Farmers Market coupons accepted.)
Technology Help
Tuesdays, November 14th & December 12th (one hour time slots)
A local tech services company will answer seniors’ questions about smartphones, e-readers, laptops, tablets, Alexa, zoom and more. Sign up for a time slot (starting at 10:00 am) and bring your device with you. (See p. 3 of newsletter.)
Medicare open enrollment support
Book appointments through December 7th
Bok an appointment with a trained SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare) volunteer who can offer free, confidential and unbiased counseling to help you make decisions on your Medicare plan options during this open enrollment period. (For details, see p. 9)
Legal Advice
Wednesdays, November 8th & December 13th (15 minute sessions)
Elder Law Attorney Arthur Bergeron offers free consultation over the phone. Call the senior center to book a time slot between 10:00 – 10:45 am. (You can also check out special legal advice for seniors programs recorded for Southborough Access Media. See p. 10)
Nurses Clinic
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Plus at Colonial Gardens on November 7th and December 5th, 10:00 -11:30 am)
For a list of the services they offer (including wellness checks, screenings, nurse assessments, Q&A, and much more), click here.
Interactive Groups and Drop-in Games
Unlike the above programs the following free social or activity-based groups don’t require pre-registration.
Book Club
Fridays, November 17 & December 15 – 1:00 pm
Dull Men’s Club
Fridays, 10:00 am
Casual social club for senior men. New members are always welcome to drop in.
Walking Group (Depending on Weather Conditions)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 am
Walkers generally go for an hour. The location is a loop, so feel free to join late (or leave early/late). (No fee.)
Mondays are at Trottier Middle School’s (49 Parkerville Road) outdoor track. Wednesdays are at Southborough’s Rural Cemetery (11 Cordaville Road, next to the Senior Center).
Knitting Club
Mondays, November 13 & 27, December 11 & 18 – 1:00pm
Beginners Welcome — Supplies are provided, but knitters are welcome to bring any projects they are working on.
Drop-in Games
- Bridge — Tuesdays at 12:00 pm
- Mah Jongg — Thursdays at 10:00 am
- Canasta — Fridays at 11:15 am
- Billiards — Daily from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm (except for on “large program dates” – see calendar in newsletter)
Voting Information
The newsletter was accompanied by an insert from the Town Clerk with details on voting in 2024 (plus a Trivia question and answer.)
*Registration
Again, registration doesn’t open until 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 31st. As usual, seniors can register in person or over the phone at (508) 229-4453. (You must connect with a staff member on that first day, not leave a voicemail.) Payment for programs needs to be made one week after signing up to avoid being removed from the list.
Because the programs tend to have waitlists, residents are asked to cancel if there plans change. (For full refunds, bus trips must be cancelled two weeks in advance and other events one week in advance.)
For more details on registration policies, plus more information on the above programs and other tips and info, see the newsletter here.
**Friends of Southborough Council on Aging Membership: Membership dues are $15 per year. You can find the registration form on the last page of the newsletter.
