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2000 TOWN OF WAPPINGER SENIOR CENTER REPORT FOR 2000 TOWN OF WAPPINGER SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER 2000 ANNUAL REPORT The Town of Wappinger Senior Center is open five days a week Monday through Friday from lO:OOa.m. to 3:00p.m. As of December 2000 there were 190 members registered at the Center with 3 16 on the waiting list. DAILYIWEEKLY ACTIVITIES: 1. Arts and crafts activities are held daily. 2. Oil painting classes are held Tuesday from IOa.m. to Noon under the direction of Kathi DeLisa 3. Aerobics/Exercise classes are held Wednesday from lOa.m. to 1 Ia.m. under the direction of Sue Borchardt. 4. Aerobics/Exercise classes are held on Thursday from lOa.m. to 1 Ia.m. under the direction of Sue Borchardt 5. Line Dancing classes are held on Friday from IOa.m. to 1 Ia.m.under the direction of Sue Borchardt. 6. Osteoporosis progressive weight training classes are held Tuesday and Thursday under the direction of Eileen Manning. 7. Cards, chess and other board games are played from 12:30p.m.to 3p.m. 3-4 days a week. 8. Bingo is played weekly. When possible, bingo is played twice a week, as this is so popular. Bingo is offered on Mondays allowing many on the waiting list to attend An average of 78 seniors play bingo. 9. The photo club meets at Schlathaus on Monday and is under the direction of Bob English, a senior. Bob volunteers to head the Photo Club. There is a dark room set up for developing and printing photos. The majority of the equipment has been donated. 10. A Bridge Group meets at Schlathaus on Tuesday. 11. Spanish classes are taught by Elena Garrido, a senior originally from Panama. She speaks fluent Spanish and has taught for Adult Education. Elena volunteers her time and knowledge. 12. A chorus has been started and meets on Wednesdays at 11 :a.m. The "Golden Tone Singers" sang at our Center Christmas party and plan on "Going on the Road" to other centers and nursing homes. Chorus is lead by Eileen Manning. 13. Jig Saw puzzles are set up to work on. Several seniors work on these periodically. 14. Videos are shown usually once a month. 15. Basic Computer Classes are on going. John Macek a computer consultant teaches a three-part basic computer class. Six seniors are able to take this course at one time. Over 90 seniors have taken this class. Another 52 are still on a waiting list for this course. 1 MONTHLY ACTIVITIES: 1. There is a monthly birthday party to celebrate birthdays of that month. A special party is given to any senior turning 80,85,90 or 100. (5 seniors turned 85, 3 turned 90). 2. The Heart Association provides a monthly blood pressure screening on the second Thursday of each month from 10a.m. to Noon. GUEST SPEAKERSIPRESENTATIONSfHEALTH CLINICS: 1. In February, Herman London gave a presentation on "The Presidents Who Never Were!" This was followed by cherry pie and ice cream to celebrate the day. 2. In March, Marge, owner of Aristocrat Tours, presented a travel log on "Hidden Treasures in the Hudson Valley" 3. In May, Steven Krakower spoke on Power of Attorneys and health proxies and what is necessary for a "legal checkup." 4. In July, Peter Antonelli from Hudson Valley Karate and his team demonstrated different forms of self-defense; the seven forms of martial arts, Tong Soo Do and lead the seniors in some relaxing breathing and healing exercises. 5. In August, Nina Lynch from the Office of the Aging spoke on "Medicare and the Vanishing HMO's." 6. In November, Irene Reis a representative for Quick and Reilly discussed investment options and answered the many questions on mutual funds and investing. SPECIAL EVENTS: Funded by the seniors from their dues fund and craft sales: January: Millennium Party! A party held in the Large Meeting room to bring in the new Millennium. The party was limited to 90 seniors due to the space constraints. Tom Schoonmacher played music. Channingville Deli catered the food. It was a fun day and great way to ring in 2001. Wheel of Fortune: A great game of Wheel of Fortune. All contestants won prizes And of course a grand prize for the bonus rounds winners. Nana White and "Say Jack" were host and hostess of the game. February: Chinese New Year, The Year of The Golden Dragon. Another New Year's Celebration. This time to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Seniors Learned of some Chinese traditions, folklore and enjoyed Chinese Cuisine. 2 February (cont): Valentine's Day: Was celebrated with a valentine and a special soup called "Cupid's Soup!" Seniors were asked to bring an item to add to a clear broth and a favorite soup bowl and soupspoon. When the soup was done, all enjoyed warm soup to warm their heart. Valentines were handed out to all seniors. Washington's Birthday Party: After an interesting presentation by Herman London, the seniors enjoyed cherry pie and ice cream in honor of this President. March: St. Patrick's Day Party was held at Villa Borghese. Music by Johnny Dell St. Patrick's Day Party on the 17th: Held at the Center. Green bagels and cream cheese were served. Each senior received a green carnation. And to finish the day the seniors enjoyed bingo. Bowling party: at Holiday Hoe Bowl. Coffee and Danish served. Pizza served for lunch. The Fishkill Senior Center and the Zion Church Center joined us for this combined Center activity. April: Easter Luncheon: The luncheon was held at Mamma Marissa. Music by Larry Hazzard on keyboard. The "Easter Bunnies" delivered eggs filled with candy and prizes for the seniors. "Easter Bunnies" were Regina, Maria and Kathi. Trivia Challenge: A group Trivia Challenge game with whistles and buzzers. Prizes for all. May: Bingo!Bango!Bongo! Three Centers, Wappingers, Zion Church and the Fishkill Center combined to enjoy a day of Bingo at the Fishkill Senior Center. Over 135 seniors attended this event. They had pizza, McDonald's orange drink and a good time. Senior Appreciation Day Celebration: This year Anne Orefice was awarded the 6th Annual Wappinger Senior Center Senior Award of the Year! The seniors previously voted and selected this senior to receive the award for her outstanding service to the Center. The Town Supervisor, Connie Smith presented the award. Each senior received a carnation. Food was served to all. Mother's Day was celebrated at the Center with hero sandwiches and soft drinks. 3 JUNE: 12th Anniversary of Senior Center: The seniors celebrated with the annual anniversary barbeque. Our Center Line Dancers danced. Our recreation maintenance dept. cooked burgers and hot dogs for the seniors. Seniors brought salads and desserts. A great day to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate. Father's Day Breakfast: Seniors celebrated Father's Day at the Dutchess Diner. July: T -Shirt Day/Game Day: Seniors wore their "Senior" T-shirts today. Seniors played bocce and shuffleboard. A catered lunch of meatballs and ziti was followed by bingo. August: Office of the Aging Picnic: Provided by the OF A at Robinson Lane Recreation Park. Food included chicken, potato salad, baked beans and fruit. The Town provides the location, the tables and the chairs for this event. T-Shirt Day/Game Day: Seniors wore their "Senior" T-shirts today. Seniors played bocce and shuffleboard. Pizza and soda were served for lunch, followed by bingo. Septem ber: Walking Club Luncheon: Lunch at Bocci's Restaurant for those who participated in the Walking Club. Awards presented to those who walked the most miles. All receive a certificate of achievement. The purpose of the Walking Club is to promote health and exercise. October: Craft Fair: Sale of crafts, books, baked goods, Granny's attic, coffee and donuts, raffle prizes and much more. (open to public.) Halloween Party: Seniors came in costume. Donuts and cider were served, pizza for lunch. Prizes given for best costumes. Treats for all in costume. November: Bingo!Bango!Bongo! Three Centers, Wappingers, Zion Church and the Fishkill Center combined to enjoy a day of Bingo at the Fishkill Senior Center. Over 130 seniors attended this event. Seniors had pizza, McDonald's orange drink and a good time. This was the 2nd combined Bingo for the year. 4 0; November (cont): Thanksgiving Luncheon: This luncheon was held at Christo's to celebrate Thanksgiving. Decem ber: Christmas luncheon at Villa Borghese: Tom Schoonmacher provided Music. Santa arrived with gifts for all the seniors. "Little" Christmas Breakfast/Brunch: Served bagels, cream cheese, fruit, muffins, cheese and crackers and cake. Instead of a Christmas grab bag, the seniors donated gift items to be given to our Homebound/Nursing home seniors. Played a special Christmas Bingo. Extra Events: The seniors at the Center, have started a "Seniors on the Road Again" club open to all the Center seniors. They plan field trips to historical mansions and other places of interests. Each individual is responsible for hislher own transportation and any costs for the day. This has become a popular activity. These field trips included trips to Larsen's Glass Blowing, Wilderstein, DIana, Clermont and Boscobel this year. It is planned that "Seniors on the Road Again" will include some community service in 2001. They plan to go to nursing homes and other senior centers. The Town of Wappinger Recreation Commission in cooperation with the Wappinger Elks Lodge held two Christmas dinner parties for 280 seniors. (140 at each party.) The dinner was open to ALL town seniors. Donations from local community businesses and professionals helped to make this possible. Each senior receive a gift of a small box of candy, a small picture frame, pen, candy cane and small bottle of wine handed out by Santa. The dinner consisted of salad, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and pumpkin pie and coffee. There were numerous raffle prizes awarded. Tom Schoonmacher provided music at the first party and Johnny Dell provided music at the second party. The parties are a great success. This holiday event is very popular and the seniors look forward to a positive start to the holiday season. We hope to continue to provide two such parties in 200 I. Intergenerational Activities: Students from Evans School and R.C.Ketcham went to the homes of several seniors and did a "fall cleanup". They raked leaves, put away lawn furniture and other odd jobs for the seniors. 5 . . Senior Citizen Bus Trips: Williams Lake Hotel Boodles Opera House Waterfront at Earhardt's Opus 40/Hudson River Cruise Duck Cedar Inn Platzlbrauhaus, Pomona Atlantic City MacHayden Theater/WiII Roger's Follies Octoberfest at Villa Borghese Westchester Dinner Theater This year a lottery system was initiated to accommodate the seniors interested in a more fair way. Miscellaneous Information: Once again seniors in the oil painting class and photo club won prizes at the Dutchess Fair. Basic Computer classes continue. Over 80 seniors have taken these basic 3-2hour classes. The response has been overwhelming. There are still seniors on a waiting list to take these classes. There are several requests for advanced computer classes including internet. There are six computers and one Internet connection for use with these classes. There are over 300 Town seniors on a waiting list to join the Senior Center. To accommodate as many seniors as possible, our outside activities such as our luncheons and bowling are open to any senior on the waiting list. Also the exercise and line-dancing program held in the large meeting room is also open to some on the waiting list. Future Needs. Once again, I remind you that the senior population continues to grow and is projected to continue to grow. Our population is living longer and healthier lives. They also want the activities and services that a Senior Center provides. We have an excellent program and need to make this available to ALL Town seniors. It is our hope that the new facility will be available as soon as possible We have outgrown the designated space for our Senior Center. Many special events Must be limited to 80 seniors leaving many on "another waiting list." many events must be held at restaurants allowing more seniors to attend. We continue to "burst at the seams." All efforts are made to accommodate as many town seniors as is possible in this limited space. An activity such as exercise held in different space allows those on the waiting list to participate. Our "satellite" at Schlathaus is used almost to it's maximum. It is used for our Photo Club, Bridge Club and Computer Classes as well as othercrecreational uses 6 Transportation: Beginning in January 2001, an additional Dial-a-Ride bus is added on Tuesday allowing the seniors a choice to come to the Center. Those using this service are very grateful for this addition. It will also allow more participation of activities on this day. The growing senior population will continue to increase the demand of this service. I recommend an annual review of these transportation needs. Kathi DeLisa Director Senior Citizen Center 7