All programs begin at 11 a.m. unless otherwise listed. Please call for lunch reservations by 10 a.m. the day before you wish to come. For more information, contact the appropriate centers.
Somerset County Senior Wellness Center
202 Mt. Airy Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(908) 204-3435
Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Computer Lab – Daily, 9:00 am -3:00 pm (Call for Availability)
Pool Sharks – Pool Table Available Daily, 10:00 am -3:00 pm (Call for Availability)
Stretch & Flex Class – Every Monday and Thursday, 10:45 (Check monthly calendar for schedule updates.)
Zumba Gold – Wednesdays, 10:00 am. Registration Required. (April 3 – May 22)
May 1 – Performance by the Pettet Sisters, 10:30 a.m. A lively variety featuring Kristen and Ashley Pettet. Kristen can be seen singing and dancing in Woody Allen’s movie “Everyone Says I Love You” with Drew Barrymore and Goldie Hawn. Ashley is one of the Broadway Kids, and her theatre credits include “The Sound of Music,” National Tour with Marie Osmond, “Annie” National Tour and Annie Warbucks on Broadway. Don’t miss this one!
May 3 – “Grief Management” by Matthew Liebel, Somerset Treatment Services, 10:30 a.m. We all encounter grief at some point in our lives; everyone handles it differently. Somerset Treatment Services will conduct a discussion on ways we can work through grief. This agency’s goal is to help clients achieve healthy, productive and meaningful lives.
May 7 – “Tales of Wisdom” by Helen Vasko, 10:30 a.m. “Unleash the Power of Age” and its immeasurable wisdom. What have knowledge and skills have you obtained? What advice would you give to your younger self or others? Photos welcome!
May 7 – Free Blood Pressure Screenings by Laura Cummings, RN, BSN, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, 10:30 am
May 8 – Finally, strawberries are back in season! 10:30 a.m. Come sample Strawberry Salsa and Strawberry Smoothies.
May 8 – State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), 10:00 a.m. A counselor will be available to provide free help to New Jersey beneficiaries, who have problems with, or questions about, their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the NJ Dept of Health & Senior Services. Call to make an appointment.
May 10 – Spring Floral Arranging Workshop by the Basking Ridge Garden Club, 10:30 am (Members of the Basking Ridge Garden Club will conduct an informative and interactive flower arranging workshop. Seating is limited. Reservations are required.)
May 13 – “The Life & Music of Cole Porter” by Dan Colodner, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy Dan Colodner’s expertise as he explores the music of this famous American composer and songwriter)
May 15 – “The Healing Power of Plants - Edible Ones Too!” by the Somerset County Park Commission, 10:30 a.m. (This program is based on various plant species at the New York Botanical Gardens. A naturalist will discuss the intersection of plants, health and medicine.)
May 17 – “The Life & Work of Georges Seurat” – Lecture & Paint Markers Workshop, Art of the Master’s Program by Creative Notions, 10:30 am (Registration required.) (Funding has been made possible, in part, by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through funds administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.)
May 17 – An Evening of the Arts features internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Giovanni DeChiaro and art exhibit. Doors open 6:30 pm; concert begins 7:30 pm. Call (908) 704 – 6346 for tickets and more information.
May 21 – Mystery Bag Bingo, 10:30 am (It is anyone’s guess what is in the bingo prize gift bags so you’ll just have to win to find out!)
May 22 – Almond, Rice & Soy Milk Sampling, 10:45 am (There is quite a selection of milk these days and today we will learn about the nutritional differences between them and taste all three types of milk).
May 22 – “Basket Weaving 101” – Lunch & Learn Opportunity with Lois Maknick, Basket Weaver, 12:00-2:00 p.m. If you ever wanted to make a basket, now is your chance. You will have an opportunity to make a round reed basket using patterns and color reeds. The $10.00 program fee for anyone 60 and above includes the cost of lunch and supplies. Reservations are required by Monday, May 20. Class limit is 12 people.
May 24 – The Total Brain Workout: Visual Thinking, 10:30 a.m. The second session in our new series of interactive brain exercises is devoted to the right side (“visual hemisphere”) of the brain. Challenges are designed to help hone your visual logic and problem solving skills.
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 29 – Free Dermaview Skin Screenings by Morristown Memorial Hospital, 10:00 am (Morristown Memorial Hospital will conduct screenings to detect permanent sun damage on your face and provide information on skin cancer detection and prevention. With summer right around the corner, you don’t want to miss this. No appointment necessary.)
May 29 – May Birthday Celebration, 12:15 pm
May 31 – “Jazz Workshop” featuring Big Band Era Music, 10:30 am (This is the second installment of the Jazz Appreciation Series by Gordon James, a sought after jazz performer, composer, arranger and recording artist. This workshop will explore the music of great jazz artists Duke Ellington, Glen Miller, Harry James, Count Basie, Les Brown and others. Dancing is encouraged!)
HILLSBOROUGH SENIOR CENTER
339 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ
(908) 369-8700
Open Monday-Friday, 9:30 – 2:00 pm
Blood Pressure Screening - 3rd Tuesday of Month, 10:30 am
Caram (East Indian Game Similar to Billiards) & Other Games – Every Thursday
Cards – Daily
Flex, Stretch & Tone with Rose – Tuesday & Thursday
May 1 – Free Tai Chi Demonstration with Barbara Joels, 10:30 am
May 3 – Video: “The Future is Wild”
May 6 – Trip to the Manville Senior Center for Franklin High Steppers Performance
May 7 – Mother’s Day Celebration
May 8 – Performance by Leela on the Veena, an Indian String Instrument
May 8 – State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), 10:30 am (A counselor will be available to provide free help to New Jersey beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Please call (908) 369-8700 to make an appointment.)
May 10 – Wii Bowling
May 13 – Planting Flowers for the Center Greenhouse
May 15 & 29 – Bingo
May 17 – Watercolors Workshop by Barbara Gerson, Art 4 All School (This workshop is appropriate for all levels of artistic abilities including beginners. Barbara will teach you the basics to create a landscape in watercolors). (This program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.)
May 20 – Trip to the Montgomery Senior Center for the “It’s on my List: A Photographer’s Pursuit of his Life’s Passion” by Walter Choroszewski
May 22 – Volunteer Appreciation Day
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 28 – Trip to the Manville Senior Center for the Hillsborough Rockers & Rockets Performance
MANVILLE SENIOR CENTER
South Third Ave., Manville, NJ
(908) 526-0175
Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 – 2:30 pm
Bingo – Every Wednesday, 11:15 am
Birthdays – 4th Wednesday of Month
Aerobic Chair Exercise Class sponsored by the Manville Recreation Department - Every Monday and Healthy Bones Exercise Class – Every Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:00 am (Advanced registration required. Doctor’s Note Needed for Class.)
Tai Chi – Every Friday, 9:30-10:30 am (Advanced registration is required.)
Wednesday, 8:45-9:45 a.m.;
May 2 – Visit to the Raritan Senior Center for “The Singer of a Thousand Songs” Performance by Marti Noel, Former Mrs. New Jersey
May 3 – Cinco de Mayo and Its Mexican People
May 6 – State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) (A counselor will be available to provide free help to New Jersey beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Please call Lisa Carra for appointment at (908) 526-0175.)
May 6 – Performance by the Franklin Township High Steppers
May 7 – “Tips for Living Independently as we Age” by Audrey Taffet, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills
May 9 – Name that Sinatra Tune
May 13 – “Animal Totem Cards” by Audrey Oxenhorn, LCSW (Animal totem cards are a series of Native American cards that were used to guide people to live lives more in touch with nature and intuitive knowing. Join us to learn about this interesting approach).
May 14 – Free Glucose Screenings with Somerset Medical Center
May 16 – Gardening Party with the Manville High School Honor Society (Come experience this interactive event featuring educational sessions on plants and flowers, making fruit kabobs, garden – themed crafts and planting flowers to take home).
May 17 – Wii Bowling
May 20 – “Huskie & Huskie Rescue” by Bob Baker (Meet Bob Baker, “Bailey” his Siberian huskie and learn about huskie rescue.)
May 21 – We’ve Got Talent (Do you sing, tell jokes, dance, play an instrument? Come show off your hidden talents!)
May 23 – “Medication Management & Poison Education” by the New Jersey Poison Control Center
May 24 – “Over 90 & Loving It” – An inspiring documentary of nonagenarians who lived life to the fullest
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 28 – Performance by the Hillsborough Rockers & Rockets
May 29 – “Cancer Awareness” by Saint Peter’s Medical Center
May 30 – “Serving Up Good Nutrition” by Cynthia Kusorgbor, MPH, CHES, Somerset County Department of Health
MONTGOMERY SENIOR CENTER
356 Skillman Rd, Skillman, NJ
(609) 466-0846
Open Monday-Friday, 10:00 – 2:00 pm
Beginners Computer Class – First, Third & Fourth Thursday; 1:00 p.m. Limited seating; call to register
Birthday Celebrations – Last Friday of the Month
Blood Pressure Screening – Third Monday of the Month, 9:45 am
Bridge – Every Friday, 10:15 a.m.
Card Game “3-13” – Every Friday, 10:00 am
Computer Resource – Every Thursday, 10:30 am (Limited seating, call to register)
ESL Chinese – Every Tuesday, 10:30 am
Exercise for Arthritis – Every Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 am
Healthy Bones – Every Wednesday, 10:15 am (Doctor’s note required)
Pool Table – Available Daily
Qigong with Bobbi – Wednesday May 8 & 22, 11:00 am
Silver Strength with Linda – Every Monday, 10:15 am
Theater Jazz with Dawn – Every Thursday, 10:15 am
Walking Club – Every Wednesday, 11:00 am
Yoga with Trish – Every Tuesday; 10:30 am
Theatre Jazz with Dawn – Every Thursday, 10:15 am
May 1 & 15 – Tai Chi with Herb
May 1 & 15 – Salsa Dancing, 10:30 am
May 3 – “The Life & Work of Georges Seurat” – Lecture & Paint Markers Workshop, Art of the Master’s Program by Creative Notions, 10:30 am (Registration required.)
May 6 – “Living Wills & Power of Attorney” by Charles Clarkson, Esq., Project Director, New Jersey Senior Medicare Patrol
May 7 – “The Bees Knees” - Somerset County Park Commission Traveling Education Program. A naturalist will discuss all things that are “to bee and not to bee.”
May 13 – “Healthy Living 2013” by Lois Glasser, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker, Cancer Care of New Jersey
May 17 – “Planning a Native Butterfly Garden” - Somerset County Park Commission Traveling Education Program (A naturalist will provide a lesson on plants that attract butterflies and ornamental moths.)
May 20 – “It’s on my List: A Photographer’s Pursuit of His Life’s Passions” by Walter Choroszewski”
May 24 – “Savvy Social Security” – Lunch & Learn Opportunity by Kevin Lynch, Society for Financial Awareness and American Prosperity Group, 1:00 pm
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 29 – “Back Yard Birds” by the Somerset County Park Commission’s Traveling Education Program (A naturalist will provide a lesson on the basics of back yard bird watching.)
QUAIL BROOK SENIOR CENTER
625 New Brunswick Rd., Somerset, NJ
(732) 563-4213
Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 – 3:00 pm
Bingo – Every Thursday
Caram – Daily (East Indian Game Similar to Billiards)
Computer Instruction – Every Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Advance registration required.
Dominoes – Daily
Flex, Stretch & Tone Exercises – Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Healthy Bones Exercise Class – Monday, 1:00 pm (Doctor’s Note Needed for Class)
Line Dancing – Every Friday, 9:30 am
Rummikub – Every Monday & Thursday
Games (Scrabble, Chinese Checkers, Yahtzee, Uno & Quizzle) – Daily
May 2 – “Put Out That Fire: Lecture & Demonstration” by Carl Boenig, Service Manager with Consolidated Fire Protection Systems, Inc., 10:30 am (Carl is a licensed fire technician and professional with over 41 years of service that runs the gamut from volunteer firefighter, to teaching, manufacturing, inspecting and repairing the fire equipment use by firefighters. Carl will provide literature and actually demonstrate the “what and the “when” of a fire extinguisher for home use followed by a how to use a fire extinguisher hands on session.)
May 2, 9, 16 & 23 – Ballroom Dance Lessons with Craig Leake & his partner AnnMarie, 10:30 am (Craig and AnnMarie have a passion for ballroom dancing and teaching. Each Thursday, they will conduct dance lessons along with a brief overview of specific ballroom dance styles; male vs. female.)
May 6 – “Mark That Down: A Word, Mind, Puzzle and Games Competition” created by Saul Schreier, 10:30 am (Saul Scheier turns 82 today. He is a renaissance man whose mantra is truth, honesty, accuracy and reliability. His passion to stimulate the mind, body and spirit just happens to correspond to the mission embraced by the senior centers! Saul is a virtuoso of game, puzzle, song and word games; all created by himself. Saul will be sharing his zest for life through a morning of competitive games for our center teams culminating in a prize.)
May 7 – A Tree Grows in Somerset, 10:45 am (The owner of the Gardner’s Nook has graciously agreed to donate a tree for the front of the Quail Brook Senior Center as a living tribute to Older Americans!)
May 8 & 22 – Bingo, 10:45 am
May 14 – “Speakeasy or Forever Hold Your Peace: The History and Music of the Forbidden Era” with Gordon James, Jazz Musician, 10:45 am (Gordon James is an accomplished musician and historian who is well known to the senior centers. The theme for the Quail Brook senior center is the history on and music during the era when speakeasies were so prolific.)
May 15 – “Affordable Housing, Scams & Theft” by Ella Medalski, Central Jersey Housing Resource Center, 10:45 am
May 20 – “Up Close and Personal with a Galapagos Tortoise” by Sharan & Parveen Jain, 10:45 am (Sharan and Parveen Jain are local retirees who grew up and were educated in India. They will share their stimulating journeys to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Pichu through pictures and information.)
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 29 – Creating a Ballroom, 10:30 am (We will transform the center into a ballroom for the Footloose and Fancy Free Ball on Thursday, May 30.)
May 30 – Footloose & Fancy Free Ball, 10:30 am (This is a culmination of ballroom dance lessons with AnnMarie and Craig with entertainment by DJ Gio. This will be a way for center members to showcase their talents.)
RARITAN SENIOR CENTER
Somerset County Annex
614 First Ave., Raritan, NJ
(908) 203-0001
Open Monday-Friday 10:00 – 3:30 pm
Bingo – Every Tuesday
Caram – Daily (East Indian Game Similar to Billiards)
Cards (Uno, Canasta and Bunko) – Daily
Crocheting – Every Wednesday
Pool – Available Daily
Table Shuffleboard/Rummikub, Air Hockey and Dominoes – Daily
May 1 – Discussion: What it means to be a volunteer!
May 2 – “The Singer of a Thousand Songs” by Marti Noel, Former Mrs. New Jersey
May 6 – Mind Your Mind: Memory Exercises
May 6 – State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) (A counselor will be available to provide free help to New Jersey beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Please call (908) 203-0001 to make an appointment.)
May 8 – Woodworking Demonstration by Gilbert Maldave
May 9 – “Medicare Fraud & Abuse” by Tunde Akinrolabu, Senior Medicare Patrol Outreach Specialist (Fraud and abuse of the system costs us all money. Learn what to look for and how to report what you suspect. Protect yourself against it!)
May 10 – Mother’s Day Celebration
May 13 – Join us to Welcome Joanne Liptak, Mayor of Raritan
May 16 – Free Vision Screenings by Doug Downs, Kessler Rehabilitation Center
May 17 – Wii Games (Bowling, Baseball or Tennis)
May 20 – Biography Trivia
May 22 – Video Match Game
May 23 – You Be the Judge Game! What’s Your Opinion?
May 24 – “The Life & Work of Georges Seurat” – Lecture & Paint Markers Workshop, Art of the Master’s Program by Creative Notions (Registration required.) (Funding has been made possible, in part, by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through funds administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.)
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 29 – “Gluten: What’s It All About?” by Nancy Rosa-Mejias, Program Coordinator, Family and Community Health Sciences, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (What are the symptoms of gluten sensitivity and which foods contain gluten? How do you go about choosing a gluten free diet?)
May 30 – Chair Aerobics
May 31 – Dominoes, Cards, Caram & Ping Pong! You Choose!
WARRENBROOK SENIOR CENTER
500 Warrenville Rd., Warren, NJ
(908) 753-9440
Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 – 3:00 pm
Free Ballroom Dance Lesson – Every Tuesday, 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Ballroom Dancing – Every Tuesday and Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Bingo – Every Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 am
Bridge – Tuesday, 1:00 pm
Caram – Daily (East Indian Game Similar to Billiards)
Chair Exercises – Every Wednesday, 10:45 a.m.
Computer Instructions – Call to Register
Every Monday, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Every Tuesday, 10:30am to12:30pm
Every Wednesday, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Computer Room – Open Monday thru Friday (Call for Availability)
Healthy Bones Exercise Class – Every Wednesday & Friday, 10:00 a.m. (Doctor’s note required.)
Knit ‘N Crochet Circle – 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month, 10:30 a.m.
Line Dancing – Every Monday, 1:00-3:00 pm
Lending Library – Open Daily, Monday through Friday
Oil Painting – Every Wednesday, 9:00-11:00 am
Pool Room – Open Daily, Monday through Friday
Social Dancing – Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 pm
Watercolor Paint Class – Monday and Thursday, 9:00 – 11:30 am; Classes are currently full.
Zumba Gold Exercise Class – Monday, 10:45 am (Class is currently full)
Zumba Gold Exercise Class – Wednesday, 11:30 am (Class is currently full)
Attend a special Unleash The Power of Age program (look for the “J” symbol) and earn a door prize ticket. On Wednesday, May 29, before chair exercises, there will be a door prize drawing. The more themed programs you attend, the more door prize tickets you will accumulate and the better your chance of winning.
Special Community Service Project – Monday, April 8 to Friday, May 17
The Warrenbrook Senior Center members will be collecting food and personal hygiene items and donating them to Operation Shoebox. When selecting food and personal hygiene items to donate, please keep in mind that aerosol products cannot be shipped overseas, items must be in their original packaging and when in doubt, think small. The boxes will be sent to U.S. soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Items may be dropped off at the center, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
May 3, 17 & 31 – Brains and Games with Adrienne, 10:30 am
May 6 – J Performance by the “Ding Dongs” – The Spring Hills Assisted Living Bell Ringers, 10:30 am
May 7 – “Move to Get F.I.T.” by Cynthia Kusorgbor, MPH, CHES, Somerset County Department of Health. This educational HealthEase workshop will provide information to empower individuals to lead healthier lifestyles. Participants will learn the benefits of exercise and how to develop the best strategy for beginning and/or maintaining an exercise program. Specific info & exercises will be suggested.
May 8 – Free Blood Pressure Screenings by Laura Cummings, RN, BSN, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills
May 8 - J Knit ‘N’ Crochet Circle, 10:30 am (This group knits and crochets items that are donated to service organizations such as the Lyons VA Hospital in Basking Ridge and the Raritan Pregnancy Aid and Information Center in Raritan. The hand-made items are created at the center and/or at the member’s home. Last year, the group donated over 100 items and this year their goal is to exceed that number. The group is always looking for new members and for yarn donation. This group meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.)
May 10 - J Operation Shoebox Card Making, 10:30 am (Join us as Donna Hollmann and Jan Wisse show us how to make thank you and encouragement cards that will be placed in the operation shoebox gift boxes we will be assembling on Monday, May 20.)
May 13 - J “Advocacy: For Yourself and Others” by James W. McCracken, M.H.A., New Jersey Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly, 10:30 am (Mr. McCracken will discuss a wide variety of topics affecting senior citizens including: signs of elder abuse, resources for combating elder abuse, volunteer opportunities with the Ombudsman’s office, advance care planning for senior citizens and the availability of home and community-based services for frail elderly individuals).
May 14 – “AARP Defensive Driving Class” by Lois Hockenbury, 9:30-4:30 pm (This is a classroom, driver-improvement course that will teach motorists about new traffic laws and defensive driving techniques. Advanced registration is required. There is a $12.00 fee for AARP members and $14.00 for non-members. A regular or meatless lunch is available for an additional $1.50 for attendees 60 and above and $6.50 for attendees under 60.)
May 16 - J “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” – Lunch & Learn Opportunity by George Marriner Maull, Artistic Director of the Discovery Orchestra, 11:45 am (Today we will explore the music of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.” Holst seemed to consider the planets a progression of life. Perhaps “Jupiter” represents the “prime” of life, even with the overplayed central melody, which was later arranged to the words of “I vow to thee, my country.” The Stravinskyan white-note bustle of the joyous opening bars of Jupiter brings in a feeling of happiness, abundance and even mirth. The high spirits are interrupted by startling brass fanfares in F-sharp major which herald the andante maestoso section, probably one of the most famous aspirational melodies in the world. This song was chosen by Prince William to be played during Princess Diana’s funeral because it was one of her favorite hymns from school. The cost is $5.00 for attendees 60 and above and $10.00 for attendees under 60. Advanced registration is required by Tuesday, May 14.)
May 20 - J Operation Shoebox Community Service Project, 10:30 am (Throughout the month of April and the first two weeks of May, members have been collecting food and personal hygiene items that are being donated to the Operation Shoebox Program. Today, we will hear from Rod Hirsch, Executive Director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey and Earl Wilson, Community Relations Operation Shoebox about this important military service program and then will organize the items collected so that they can be donated to the program.)
May 22 - J Harmonium and Chanting with Nilma Verma, 10:30 am (Listen to the harmonium and learn some chanting and meditation techniques that will help you relax. The harmonium is a type of reed organ that generates sound with the use of bellows.)
May 24 - J Brains and Games with Adrienne: Communication, 10:30 am (ARE YOU LISTENING? Working on your communication skills can improve your interpersonal relations, make you more alert and may even boost your memory. Enjoy doing some exercises that will strengthen your communication skills.)
May 27 – Holiday – Center Closed
May 29 – Free Diabetes Health Screenings - Overlook Medical Center’s Mobile Health Van, 10:15-11:30 a.m. (Call (908) 753-9440 for a 10-minute appointment.)
May 31 – State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), 10:00 am (A counselor will be available to provide free help to New Jersey beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Please call (908) 704-6319 to make an appointment.)