Above: Sign up quickly to take part in the Senior Center’s special events, including the long-awaited return of the St. Patrick’s Day party (2018 photo from Facebook)
The Southborough Senior Center opens registration this Thursday, February 29th, for upcoming programs. Here’s what they have in store for March and April.
As usual, registration will open at 10:00 am. 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.)
Bus Trip
These always fill up quickly – so don’t wait too long to put in your name for the only one being offered.
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.
Salem Cross Inn Bus Trip
Wednesday, April 10th, 10:15 am – approx. 3:30 – 4:00 pm
“The Salem Cross Inn Restaurant has established a reputation as one of the finest restaurants in New England. It has been family owned and run since 1961.” The trip is for a luncheon followed by a stop on the return at Brookfield Orchards‘ Country Store, which has a bakery, fudge counter, and sells apples and “much more”. ($25 Suggested Donation, details on page 8)
Special Programs at the Center
As usual, the Senior Center has special guests and presentations planned.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
Wednesday, March 13th, 12:00 pm
The parties are another event that quickly fills up. This year’s features the musical interactive show, “It’s a Great Day for the Irish” over an Irish meal. Entertainers will sing and dance to Irish Music while sharing stories and jokes. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)
Christopher Heights Sponsored Cooking Demo
Wednesday, March 20th, 1:00 pm
The assisted living community is sponsoring the cooking demo of ” tasty entrée for your enjoyment”. There will also be cookies, and an admissions director to discuss “making the transition to assisted living and answer questions. (No fee, details on page 6)
Make Your Own Beautiful Spring Flower Vase
Tuesday, March 26th, 1:00 pm
Make your own fresh flower vase centerpiece with help from Carolyn Gulbankian of Gulbankian Florist ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)
Technology Essentials for Seniors
Wednesday, April 3rd, 11:30 am
A presentation over lunch (sponsored by Therapy Gardens). “This session demystifes the internet and mobile applications that are becoming essential in our daily lives. . . With a focus on practical skills and safety” ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page_8)
Navigating Life through the Occupational Therapy Lens
Friday, April 12th 1:00 pm
Presentation by SpOT on Therapy “Life changes that occur from medical conditions, or simply aging, can be difficult. Join us for an interactive afternoon of navigating life from the viewpoint of an occupational therapist. Take home specific strategies to improve your function and safety that you can begin using right away!” They will also explain their insurance-covered program for clients with dementia and their caregivers (Free, details on page_8)
Spring Porch Pot
Tuesday, April 16th, 1:00 pm
Tina Bemis is back with another program making a spring porch pot to enjoy “for many months” ($20 Suggested Donation)
Center-Run Favorites
These regularly offered monthly programs also require pre-registration.
Bingo
Wednesday, April 24th, 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.)
Movie Matinee
Wednesdays at 12:30 pm
Watching the movies is free, though registration is required. Attendees can also 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 8)
The Holdovers – March 27th – starring Paul Giametti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Rated R for language and behavior; 2 hrs 13 minutes)
Partially filmed on St. Mark’s School campus, the comedy/drama was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. The story focuses on “curmudgeonly” teacher at a New England prep school is forced to babysit a few students over Christmas break in 1970, and one of his students. Randolph won a Golden Globe for her role as the cafeteria manager.
Next Goal Wins – April 17th – directed by and co-written by Taika Waititi, starring Michael Fassbender (PG-13; 1 hr 44 minutes)
A sports-comedy-drama inspired by the true story “the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach”.
Adult Coloring & Lunch
Tuesday, April 30th, 12:00pm
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, details on page 9)
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 March 27th & April 17th, 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_9)
Technology Help
Tuesdays, March 12th & April 9th (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)
Medicare Assistance & a MassHealth “Heads Up”
Book appointments through the center
The trained SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare) volunteer can offer help with your Medicare questions — including a change to coming to MassHealth for its Medicare Savings Plans/Buy-Ins. Depending on the level of your income, you may be eligible to have your Medicare Part B premiums paid as well as Medicare deductibles and co-pays plus automatic qualification for the federal Extra Help program that covers some drug plan premiums and drug costs. (Details on page_3)
Legal Advice
Wednesdays, March 13th & April 10th (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, details on page_9)
Nurses Clinic
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (except April 9th, 26th and 30th)
For a list of the services they offer (including wellness checks, screenings, nurse assessments, Q&A, and much more), click here. (For the Nurse’s tips on Emergency Rooms vs Urgent Care, details on page_3)
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, March 15 & April 19 – 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. (Read more about the group here.)
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, March 4th & 18th, April 1st & 8th, 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)
Other Helpful News
The newsletter includes other information worth checking out, on topics like flagpole gardening, bocce, and billiards.
The letter also includes information to help seniors make ends meet. Since winter’s not over yet, there is a reminder on page 3 about applying for Fuel Assistance. And there’s an alert that applications for the Senior Property Tax Work-off Program will be available starting on March 13th (on the Town website and at the Senior Center, and the window to apply will open on April 2nd. (Read more on page 7.)
*Registration
As usual, seniors can register in person or over the phone at (508) 229-4453. (However, registration can’t be done over voicemail — you must connect with someone live.) 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.
Updated (3/1/25 1:49 pm): I fixed the matinee dates.
