Senior Center of the Chathams

From: Gail Gannon, Program Director

            Senior Center of the Chathams

            58 Meyersville Rd. Chatham, NJ 07928

973-635-4565

FOR  RELEASE FIRST WEEK IN SEPTEMBER – REPEAT THROUGHOUT THE MONTH WHEN POSSIBLE

An Open House is planned for September at the Senior Enrichment Center of the Chathams. With 23 years of service to the community, the Center offers enrichment activities for active adults, bus service for Chatham seniors, and resource information for seniors and their families. All are encouraged to come by at any time, Monday through Friday 9:15 am – 3 pm to meet the staff, tour the spacious facility and to learn about the variety of programs and activities the Center has to offer.

The Center focuses on enriching activities for the “active adult” and encourages men and women of all ages to participate. The lectures, instruction classes and activities are designed to maintain optimal mental and physical well-being. Whether it is learning a new skill or subject matter, pursuing a lifelong interest, beginning an exercise routine or simply wanting to get out of the house and socialize, you can find an avenue at the Senior Center.

A special barbecue luncheon will take place from noon – 2 pm on Mon Sept 23 with grilling done by members of the Center’s Board of Trustees. The free luncheon is sponsored by TD Bank. At 1 o’clock, Gregory Quinn, Brain Management Consultant, will make a short presentation on “Brain Education for Successful Living,” an introduction to a brain education mini-workshop he will be conducting starting in October at the Senior Center. 

The Senior Center also offers several special enrichment and entertainment programs this month:

            On Tues Sept 10th, 12:45 pm, join ShopRite Dietitian Jessica Guarnieri for another installment of her monthly Nutrition Series: “Building a Better Breakfast.” 

            Chatham resident, Dan Perkins, will speak about his novel: The Brotherhood of the Red Nile: A Terrorist Perspective on Tues Sept 17 at 12 o’clock. Mr Perkins will discuss the story behind the story and the book’s plot, concluding with an interactive presentation where the group and author develop the plot for a new thriller.

            At 12:30 on Friday, Sept 20th, Jack McCoy delivers his “What’s Happening” Review of Current Events. His presentation covers entertainment, politics, significant world and local events, sports, and much more. All are invited to attend.

            Overlook Medical Center will bring representatives from the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and SHIP to talk about the expansion of Medicare benefits and networking. The presentation is on Tues Sept 24 at 12:30.

            On Fri Sept 27th at 12:30, Walter Choroszewski presents “It’s On My List” with photos and stories about a golden boomer’s life passions. “Walter C,” as he is also known, is a renowned NJ photographer and the primary photographer of the “New Jersey and You, Perfect Together” campaign in the 1980’s and 90’s. His programs are full of magnificent photos as well as humor and entertaining stories.

For those who are looking for some fun social time the Senior Center offers:

            “Bridge” - Play begins on Mondays & Fridays at noon. In addition, Rick Hartley will lead Duplicate Lite every other Thursday from 10 – 1 and “Play of the Hand Instruction” on the alternate Thursdays. ($5 fee for Thursday sessions). On Thurs Sept 12, all proceeds from the Duplicate Lite will be donated to the Senior Center.         

            “Canasta” – This group meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 – 3 and anyone interested in learning this fairly simple card game can come in during that time period and players will teach you.

            “Pinochle” – This group meets on Tuesdays at 9:30. There will be a special lesson on Tues Sept 10 to help anyone who wants to learn or “re-learn” the game.

            “Mah Jongg” – This Chinese tile game has been growing in popularity in our area and our players will be happy to teach newcomers how to play Wednesdays from 9:30-3.

            “Scrabble” players set up their board at 10 am on Wednesdays and are always looking to add some more players to the table.

For the more artistic minded, the Senior Center has a few options:

            “Nifty Knitters” have an active group that meets on Wednesdays at 1 pm. Their handiwork has provided many newborns with adorable hats and blankets and given comfort to many sick children with their contributions to the Linus project as well as warm blankets to veterans in the VA hospital.  

            “Watercolor Workshop,” led by accomplished watercolorist Ed Schuh, teaches the fundamental principles of watercolor for the beginner and the experienced artist. Mr. Schuh was an official artist/illustrator during his time of service in the military and currently a member of the Chatham Township Art League. The series of 6 classes starts Thurs Sept 12 from 10 am – 12 for $46 ($56 for those under age 60).

            “Drawing Essentials,” also taught by Ed Schuh, is designed for all levels of experience. The 6-class course, starting Mon Sept 16 from 1 pm – 3,  teaches the principles of composition, form, light, shade value and perspective—important for the beginner as well as experienced artist.

Some of the regularly scheduled programs and activities include:

            On Mondays at 10 am, DVD travelogues are screened. On the 9th: “5000 Years of Magnificent Wonders—Secrets of the Holy Land;” on the 16th: “Discovering Greece;” and on the 30th: “Hidden Turkey.” There is no charge and no sign-up is necessary.

            On Thursdays at 12:30, recently released movies can be viewed. Attendees are encouraged to come in a little early for some friendly conversation and refreshments. This month’s schedule is: “Hyde Park on the Hudson” on Sept 5th; “Quartet” on the 12th; “The Yellow Handkerchief” on the 19th and “The Magic of Belle Isle” on the 26th. Friday’s Foreign Film, “My Afternoons with Margueritte” will be shown on the 13th at 12:30.

            Men are invited to an “Interactive Review of Current Events” on Fri Sept 13, 11 am. Jack McCoy has been leading this group for several years, providing a discussion of sports, entertainment, politics, local and international events and much more. The group meets one Friday a month and all gentlemen are invited to attend; no registration is necessary.

            The Senior Center offers a woman’s friendship and support group—“Reflections” led by an experienced facilitator, Christine Hester, CSW.  The group gathers together to share past memories and discuss current topics of interest, offering a comfortable atmosphere for women to connect with their peers and discuss issues of common concern.  This may include family backgrounds, traveling abroad, careers and hobbies to name a few.   The group has been particularly helpful for those relocating to the area or recently retired and feeling disconnected from the community. The group meets on Tuesdays from 2 – 3 pm.  On Tues Sept 24th, there will be a dessert and coffee meeting with the current members and anyone interested in hearing about the group. All women are invited.

If you are interested in exercise, the Center offers several options:

            “Tone and Flex,” on Mon, Wed and Fri from 9-10 am is led by Donna Sue Dowton, a Madison YMCA instructor certified in Exercise & Arthritis and Exercise for Knee & Hip Replacement; Balance Training; and Exercise for Osteoporosis. She also has certificates of completion in Stretching Anatomy, Yoga Prevention for Low Back Pain, Yoga Anatomy, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CE Course). The class starts out with a warm–up period of low impact aerobics followed by strength, balance and flexibility exercises using weights, bands and stability balls. All classes are designed to accommodate any level of ability and fitness. Participants are encouraged to work at his or her own pace and use appropriate weights for their individual situation. Ms Dowton’s class is fun as well as challenging. Participants receive a good workout with a variety of exercises that work and stretch all muscle groups and develop strong balance. Students have reported an improvement in stamina, strength, flexibility and balance. The fee for the 12-class session is $50 with other payment options available.

            “Tai Chi – Qi Gong,” on Tues and Thurs from 11-12, under the direction of Cesar Godoy, combines slow movements with breathing exercises specific to that motion which gently tones and strengthens the organs, joints, bones and muscles, relaxing mind, body and spirit. Participants also find an improvement in balance, thereby preventing falls and injuries. Mr. Godoy brings a variety of experiences to the class--an architect for many years, he was introduced to Tai Chi in the late 1970’s and has been practicing and teaching it since. He also pursued the study of hypnosis becoming a Master Hypnotist and Hypno-Counselor and is also a practitioner of meditation and a shamanic work facilitator. The cost of a 10-class session is $60.

            “Kati’s Yoga” is offered on Tuesdays at 10:30 led by Kati Walker RYT, a Chatham resident and Certified Yoga Instructor.  The class encourages the body and mind to relax into each pose with emphasis on alignment. The poses address muscle strength and joint flexibility, working towards a greater range of motion, and better balance. Yoga teaches the student to breathe deeper moving more oxygen to the brain and muscles and allowing us to think clearer and have more energy.  Kati believes “Yoga should never hurt. Exercises can be modified for each individual student’s situation - i.e. mats are used for those able to get down on the floor or modified so that they can be done from a chair. Ms Walker has received her certificate to teach breast cancer survivors, in addition to her certifications in meditation and sleeping disorders. She has taught at Studio Yoga in Madison, Frantastic Yoga in Springfield, Juniper Village in Chatham and Morristown Memorial Hospital. She works with young children, healthy adults and those with physical disabilities. The cost is $36 for 6 classes.

            The Senior Center invites all interested to stop by during the normal operating hours of 9:15 am - 3 pm Monday through Friday. For those needing transportation, the Center’s bus runs Tues, Thurs and Fri from 9 am – 2 pm and will take Chatham Borough or Township residents anywhere in the Chathams, Madison or Green Village. It is available for transportation to the Senior Center, grocery store, doctor’s appointment, hairdresser, bank, restaurant, etc. Extra days this month include: Mon Sept 23 for the Senior Center barbecue luncheon plus local trips and on Wed Sept 18 for trips to the Short Hills or Livingston Malls plus local destinations. Riders are asked to make a nominal donation of $1 for the roundtrip ride to help defray the cost of operation. Please call (973)635-4565 for further information on how to make a reservation for door-to-door rides or other questions about the Center. The Center is located on the lower level of the Chatham Township Municipal building at 58 Meyersville Rd.   The Senior Center newsletter as well as other information can be accessed on the website: www.chathamseniorcenter.org