Above: Sign up quickly to take part in the Senior Center’s special events, including a Summer BBQ, trip to the New England Botanical Gardens, and movie matinees. (images cropped from Facebook posts and movie promos)
The Southborough Senior Center opens registration at 10:00 am this Wednesday (September 3rd) for upcoming programs. Here’s what they have in store for September and October (plus one program in early November).
Given that most programs fill up, you’ll want to take an advance look at what you want to sign up for. (Scroll to the bottom for more info on registration.)*
Below are my highlights. (More details, like what’s for lunch, are in the newsletter.)
Launching new programs
New Women’s Group
Tuesdays, September 16th & October 21st, 10:00 –11:00 am.
The Senior Center’s social group for men has been successful for more than 10 years. (Scroll down for info on the Dull Men’s Club.) Now the center is making a renewed attempt to organize a group for women.
The first meeting will focus on future planning:
Be part of our inaugural meeting to shape a special group with meaningful discussions, guest speakers, and shared experiences. Plus, help us choose the perfect name! Enjoy a light brunch, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. We’re excited to bring joy, support, and lasting friendships to many. Women are Amazing! Thank you to Leena Dasgupta for volunteering to run this new group. If anyone would like to share co-leadership with Leena, please let Peg know or come to the first meeting and see if it’s something you would enjoy.
Sign up on Registration Day or anytime after!
Rummikub
Mondays, September 15th & 22nd, and October 20th & 27th, 11:00 am –12:00 pm
Play “the classic tile game that blends strategy, luck, and quick thinking” (Free, details on page 6.)
Bocce
Fridays, 11:00 am
Sign up to join organized weekly games on the new court. (The court is also open for drop-in casual play anytime.) (Free, details on page 7.)
Bus Trip
These always fill up quickly – so don’t wait too long to put in your name for the only one being offered.
New England Botanical Gardens at Tower Hill
Wednesday, October 1st, 9:15 am – approx. 2:30 pm
Enjoy a guided group tour. The nearly 200 acre property includes conservatories, formal and naturalistic gardens, a café, Garden Shop, walking trails, accessible pathways, and expansive views of the Wachusett Reservoir, plus the Art in Motion exhibit. ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 9)
Parties & Luncheons
Summer BBQ
Wednesday, September 17th, 12:00 pm
Summer’s not over yet. Party on the front lawn with a BBQ lunch, bocce, corn hole, live music, and a sundae bar. ($8 Suggested Donation, details on page 7.)
Blue Plate Special
Monday, September 29th, 12:00 pm
Meatloaf lunch ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 9.)
Blue Plate Special
Monday, October 27th, 12:00 pm
Meatball & Pasta lunch ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 9.)
Special Programs at the Center
As usual, the Senior Center has special guests and presentations planned.
Fall Recovery & Movement Confidence Class
Friday, September 5th, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
A hands-on, participatory class exploring safe and practical fall recovery techniques, along with exercises done lying down, seated, standing, and at floor level to support mobility and transitions. Participate at your comfort level. (Free, details on page 3.)
Crafting/Decor Workshops
Pumpkin Trio Craft
Wednesday, September 24th, 1:00 pm
Paint and decorate three wooden pumpkin silhouettes of different sizes ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 8.)
Dried Flower Botanical Broom
Tuesday, October 14, 1:00 pm
Create a decorative Botanical Broom made of dried flowers. ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 9.)
Ponzi, Madoff, & Scams Thru the Ages
Wednesday, November 5th, 12:30 pm lunch & 1:00 pm presentation
They’re opening registration in advance for this early November program. Bob Ainsworth will talk about famous fraudsters through history. ($6 Suggested Donation for taco bar lunch, details on page 12.)
Center-Run Favorites
These regularly offered monthly programs also require pre-registration.
Bingo
Wednesday, October 29th, 1:00 pm
Bingo and prizes. Tickets are sold promptly starting at 1:00 pm and Halloween treats & snacks provided at break time. (Details on page 9.)
Movie Matinees
Watching the movie is 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 $6 Suggested Donation, details on page 6.)
Wednesday, September 10, 12:30 pm
The Penguin Lessons – comedy–drama (PG-13; 1hr 50min)
Based on the true story of an English teacher who rescues a penguin from an oil slick in Uruguay. “Their unlikely bond unfolds against Argentina’s political turmoil in 1976, bringing joy and personal growth to all involved.”
Twisters – action movie (PG, 2 hrs)
A standalone sequel to the 1996 movie “Twister”, this film follows new groups of storm chasers, this time testing methods for tracking and reducing the intensity of tornadoes.
Adult Coloring & Lunch
Tuesdays, September 30th & October 28, 12:00 pm
The event begins with lunch, followed by coloring while chatting. All supplies will be available or feel free to bring your own ($3 Suggested Donation with lunch included)
Fitness Classes
The center offers the following weekly and semi-weekly classes. Signup is for the two month session (Suggested Donation — is $3 per day unless otherwise noted, details on page 3.)
- Stretch — 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 1:00 pm
- Yoga — Tuesdays at 9:30 am (at Pilgrim Church)
- CrossFit — Tuesdays at 10:00 am (at CrossFit Tilt, 12 Southville Road)
- This program is subsidized to offer a discount ($5 per class, $80 total)
[Note: For Medical Insurance reimbursement, see Peg Leonard at the end of your yearly enrollment period to have the form signed.]
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
Wednesday, September 10th & October 15, 10:30 am – 12:30 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, details on page 7.)
Technology Help
Tuesdays, September 23rd & October 21st (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. (Details on page 8.)
Legal Advice
Wednesdays, September 10th & October 8th (15 minute sessions)
Elder Law Attorney Christine Boutin offers free consultation over the phone. Call the senior center to book a time slot between 10:00 – 10:45 am. (Details on page 10.)
Nurses Clinic
Fridays, 10:00 am
This isn’t detailed in the newsletter, but is listed on the newsletter’s calendar as now on Fridays only. (Plus a special clinic at Colonial Gardens at 2:00 pm on Friday, September 3rd.) For a list of the services they offer (including wellness checks, screenings, nurse assessments, Q&A, and much more), click here.
Mental Health Support for Southborough Residents
Alternate Thursdays (dates) 9:00 – 11:00 am
Southborough Youth & Family Services Office Hours at the Senior Center. (For support they can provide, see page 9).
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
Wednesdays, 11:00 AM
- September 10th — Discuss The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan
- October 8th — Discuss Voyage of Mercy by Stephen Puleo
Dull Men’s Club
Fridays, 10:00 am
Casual social club for senior men. New members are always welcome to drop in. (Read more about the group here.)
Walking Group (Depending on Weather Conditions)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 am (except for Labor Day & Columbus Day)
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 & Quilting Club
Mondays, (except for Labor Day and Columbus Day), 1:00 pm
Chat with others while working on your projects.
Genealogy Club
Thursdays, September 18th, & October 16th, 2:30 pm
Group for people interested in learning more about their own family history and genealogy. Members share their own experiences and helps each other with research, (sometimes with special discussion topics or presenters).
Drop-in Games
- Bridge — Tuesdays at 12:00 pm
- Mah Jongg — Thursdays at 10:00 am
- Canasta (Hand & Foot) — Fridays at 10:00 am
- Billiards — Daily from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm (except for on “large program dates” – see calendar in newsletter)
Important Alert
House Numbering Program
The Worcester County Sheriff’s House Numbering Program is designed to assist all emergency personnel in identifying residences that do not have a highly visible number on their homes. The Community Outreach Department will create a custom wooden sign with your house number, free of charge. To receive a new house number please fill out a form at the front desk of the Senior Center.
*Registration
See pages 1&2 of the newsletter for registration & cancellation details, but here are some of the highlights.
In-person registrations are using a form and must include payment.
Phone registration (508-229-4453) can’t be done over voicemail — you must connect with someone live. Payment for programs needs to be made within 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 their plans change. For full refunds, bus trips must be cancelled two weeks in advance and other events one week in advance.
