Above: Get ready to sign up to take part in the Senior Center’s special events, including early annual celebrations for Veterans Day and Christmas. (images cropped from Facebook posts L-R in 2017 and 2023)
The Southborough Senior Center opens registration this Tuesday, November 4th at 10:00 am for upcoming programs. Here’s what they have in store for the next two months.
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 on the programs and resources promoted. More details, like what’s for lunch, are in the newsletter. Plus the newsletter includes additional information that may be helpful for Southborough Seniors.
Bus Trip
These always fill up quickly – so don’t wait too long to put in your name for the only one being offered.
Midwinter Revels: A Scandinavian Story for Christmas
Sunday, December 14th, 11:30 am departure
The performance is at the historic Sanders Theater in Cambridge. The musical combines a Hans Christen Andersen fairy tale with Scandanavian dancing and an intergenerational chorus. ($45 Suggested Donation, details on page 9)
Parties & Luncheons
Veterans Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 12th, 12:00 pm
Pre-registration for this luncheon to celebrate veterans is open to veterans of all ages and to seniors. It will include the traditional Flag Ceremony, patriotic songs with Woodward 3rd graders, and information on services and resources available for local veterans. Check out the photo and video highlights they posted from last year’s luncheon here. (Free for veterans, $6 Suggested Donation for other attendees, details on page 3)
Blue Plate Special
Monday, November 17th, 12:00 pm
Social lunch featuring a Traditional Turkey Dinner. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)
Holiday Celebration
Wednesday, December 10th, 12:00 pm
Holiday party over lunch with music by the Elderly Brothers Band, a sing-along, and a “special guest from the North Pole”. Check out the fun they shared from last year’s party with the same entertainment below! ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 1)
Blue Plate Special
Monday, December 19th, 12:00 pm
Social lunch featuring a Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)
Special Programs at the Center
As usual, the Senior Center has special guests and presentations planned.
Hydroponics Gardening
Wednesday, November 5th, 10:00 am
Learn how to grow your own lettuce and more to have fresh options in the winter. (Free, details on page 9)
RMV Shifting Gears -Safe Driving Program
Wednesday, November 19th, 1:00 pm
A safe driving workshop (no actual driving) for older drivers. Join to learn how to improve driver safety and assess your driving skills. (Free, details on page 3)
Victorian Centerpieces with Tina Bemis
Monday, December 1st, 1:00 pm
Make your own “holiday masterpiece for your table”. ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)
All About Brain Health
Tuesday, December 9th, 1:00 pm
An interactive presentation by an experienced registered nurse will focus on what you can do to keep your brain active, what’s fact and what’s fiction, and how to plan ahead with confidence. There will also be prizes and giveaways. (Free, details on page 6)
Center-Run Favorites
These regularly offered monthly programs also require pre-registration. (No Bingo in the next two months. But look forward to its return in January.)
Adult Coloring & Lunch
Tuesdays, November 25th & December 30th, 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, details on page 3)
Movie Matinee
Wednesday, December 3rd, 12:30 pm
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – starring Judy Greer (PG; 1 hr 39 minutes)
Based on the bestselling children’s book, the feelgood comedy focuses on the chaos caused when the “worst kids in the history of the world” get involved in the town pageant. The experience is transformational for them and the community. (The movie is free, but attendees can also come early at noon for lunch. Bring your own or register to purchase one for $6 Suggested Donation. Details on page 6)
Fitness Classes
The center offers the following weekly and semi-weekly classes. Signup is for the two month session (Suggested Donation — $3 per day unless otherwise noted, details on page 7)
- 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 12:30 pm
- CrossFit for Senior Fitness — Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 – 10:45 am (at CrossFit Tilt, 12 Southville Road)
- This 16 class beginner-friendly program will run through January 8th, with holiday breaks. It 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.
New Grief Support Group for Seniors
Mondays, bi-weekly, starting November 10th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Southborough Youth & Family Services is partnering with the Senior Center. The program will be run by licensed mental health professionals. Registration for this program is through SYFS. (Details on page 8).
Fat Daddy’s Produce Bus
Wednesdays, November 12th & December 3rd, 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. (You can also learn about their new Winter CSA program with Saturday pickups on page 9)
Technology Help
Tuesdays, November 18th & December 16th (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 3)
Medicare Assistance
Appointments at the center are only available until December 4th
Open enrollment is in full swing, and appointments to get assistance reviewing your 2026 health and drug plans are filling up. Make an appointment to meet with the trained SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare) volunteer. (Details on page 8)
Legal Advice
Wednesdays, November 12th & December 10th (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 12)
Nurses Clinic
Fridays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Colonial Gardens on December 5th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm)
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 Healthbeat focusing on the new Covid Variant, see page 8)
Interactive Groups and Drop-in Games
Unlike the above programs the following free social or activity-based groups don’t require pre-registration.
Spicy Ladies Club
Tuesdays, November 18th & December 16th, 11:00 am
New monthly social club for women.
Book Club
Wednesdays, November 12th & December 10th, 11:00 am
November selection — Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin
December selection — Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
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 & Quilting Club
Mondays, 1:00pm
Chat with others while working on your projects.
Genealogy Club
Thursdays, November 20th & December 18th, 2:30pm
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
- Rummikub — 3rd & 4th Mondays of the month at 11:00 am
- 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)
Community Events
Seniors are encouraged to support the community by attending these events:
Poetry Out Loud at Algonquin Regional High School
Thursdays, November 11th (2:35 pm) & December 18th (12:35 pm)
ARHS students will compete in the annual program, reading aloud poetry. The semi-finals will take place in their small Black Box Theater, and the finals in the auditorium.
Annual Kids Shop at the Center
Saturday, December 6th (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Southborough BSA Troop 92 scouts run this annual fundraiser for charity, selling “quality gifts at reasonable prices” and free gift wrapping. This year, they relocated to hold it in the Senior Center. Seniors are invited to “Enjoy a cup of coffee and a baked good in a safe environment with support from the Scouts.”
*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.
Updated (10/31/25 2:48 pm): Because the newsletter went out later than SYFS realized it would, the Grief Support Group will begin on November 10th, with registration due by November 7th. I also added a link/embedded the Senior Center’s photo and video highlights from last year’s veterans and holiday celebrations.
