Above: Get ready to sign up to take part in the Senior Center’s special events, including early celebrations for Veterans Day and Christmas. (images cropped from Facebook posts L-R in 2017 and 2023)
Registration opens at 10:00 am tomorrow (Wednesday, October 30th), for the late fall session of programs at/through the Southborough Senior Center.
Given that most programs fill up, you’ll want to take a look the offerings in time to get your name in quickly for the ones that most interest you.
Below is my breakdown of the options. (Program details, like what’s for lunch, are in the newsletter.)
Bus Trip
These usually fill up quickly – so don’t wait too long to put in your name for the only one being offered.
Gate City Casino
Wednesday, November 13, 9:30 am – approx. 4:30 pm
Trip to the Nashua casino with acoustic music comes with a $10 free slot play and $10 comp on food and beverages. Note: You must bring a state ID/license to enter the casino and get your discounts. ($10 Suggested Donation, details on page 3)
Special Programs at the Center
As usual, the Senior Center has special guests, presentations, and workshops planned.
Neary School Building Project Presentation
Monday, November 18, 1:00 pm
Roger Challen, member of the Southborough School Committee, and the Neary Building Committee, will provide an update and answer any questions about the proposed new four grade Neary Elementary School. (Free.)
Festive Fall Floral Centerpiece
Tuesday, November 26, 1:00 pm
Make your own Thanksgiving Centerpiece in this Gulbankian Farms workshop. ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)
How to Use Chat GPT
Thursday, December 5, 2:00 pm
Experience how AI tools can help find new hobbies, access research, entertainment, and advocate for yourself in various situations. This interactive session for beginners and intermediate users of AI tools will connect you with local and online resources. (Free, details on page 6)
Charcuterie Board
Friday, December 13, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Design your own board with floral details in this Board and Blossom workshop ($20 Suggested Donation, details on page 9)
Red Candle Centerpiece
Tuesday, December 17, time
Make your own holiday centerpiece in this Tina Bemis Workshop ($15 Suggested Donation, details on page 9)
Parties & Luncheons
The parties are usually big draws. So again, sign up quickly.
Veterans Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 6, 12:00 pm
The annual luncheon honoring veterans includes patriotic songs by the former Southborough Songsters chorus and Woodward 3rd graders, (Free to veterans, a $6 Suggested Donation for others, details on page 3)
Awesome Ambulators
Friday, November 8, 11:30 am
This lunch is specifically for members of the center’s Winter Walkers program and those interested in joining them. (Details on page 9)
November Blue Plate Special
Monday, November 25, 11:45 am
Social lunch with Chinese Buffet. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 8)
Holiday Party
December 11, 12:30 pm
The celebratory luncheon includes the Elderly Brothers Band’s Christmas Musical Show with a sing along and dancing. Note: Southborough residents will get priority for registration. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 7)
December Blue Plate Special
Monday, December 30, 11:45 am
Social lunch with Lasagna and Meatballs. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 8)
More lunches are included in a couple of the programs below:
Center-Run Favorites
These regularly offered monthly programs also require pre-registration.
Bingo
Wednesday, December 4, 12:30 pm
Bingo and prizes. Tickets are sold promptly starting at 12:30 pm (a half hour earlier than usual) and snacks provided at break time. (Details on page 6)
Movie Matinee
Wednesday, November 20, 12:30 pm
Thelma – (PG-13; 1 hr 40 min)
An action comedy about a 93 year old woman and her friend set out to get her money back from scammers. 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)
Adult Coloring & Lunch
Tuesday, November 19, 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 — $3 per day, details on page 7)
- 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)
[Note: For Medical Insurance reimbursement, see Pam LeFrancois at the end of your yearly enrollment period to have the form signed.]
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, November 13 & December 11 – 11:00 am
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
Every Monday except for Veterans Day – 1:00 pm
The Knitting Club has expanded to include Quilters!
Genealogy Club
Thursdays, November 21 & December 19, 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
Except for when the center is closed for the holidays
- 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”)
Services and Resources
The Senior Center regularly offers free services and resources for Southborough Seniors. Some of these are drop-in opportunities, but some require registration through the center.
Fat Daddy’s Produce Bus
Wednesday, November 20, 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, November 12 & December 17 (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)
Legal Advice
Wednesdays, November 13 & December 11 (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
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm except for November 1st
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 tips on resources to discuss Palliative Care, see page 8)
Southborough Youth & Family Services Office Hours
Thursdays 9:00 – 11:00 am (except for Thanksgiving and December 26th)
Mental Health support for Southborough residents, including free consultations, referral services, and info on upcoming workshops. (Details on page 9)
Medicare Assistance
Book appointments through the center
With Open Enrollment now through early December, the trained SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare) volunteers can offer confidential counseling to help make your decisions. (Details on page 8)
Fuel Assistance Program
Information to help apply for the federal program. (Details on page 8)
*Registration
See pages 1&2 of the newsletter for important registration & cancellation details, Again, registration opens Wednesday, November 30th at 10:00 am.
