1996
1996 ANNUAL REPORT
TOWN OF WAPPINGER SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER
The Town of Wappinger senior Center is open five days a
week Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As
of December, 1996 there were 196 members registered at the
Center with 206 on the waiting list.
DAILY ACTIVITIES:
1. Arts and crafts activities are held daily.
2. Oil painting classes are held Tuesday from 10:a.m. to
Noon under the direction of Kathi DeLisa. An average of
5 Seniors participated in this program weekly. (Total of
212 for 46 weeks.)
3, Aerobics/Exercise classes are held wednesday from 10:00
to 11:00 a.m. under the direction of Sue Borchardt. An
average of 16 seniors participated in this program
weekly. (Total of 705 for ap~rox. 44 weeks. ~
4. Aerobics/Exercise Classes are held on Thursday from
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. under the direction of Sue
Borchardt. An average of 15 Seniors participated in
this program weekly. (Total of 619 for approx. 42
weeks. )
5. Line Dancing Classes are held on Friday from 10:00 a.m.
to 11:00 a.m. under the direction of Sue Borchardt. An
average of 11 Seniors participated in this program
weekly. (Total of 432 for approx. 41 weeks.) The Line
Dancing Class performed at the 8th Anniversary Party
and a picnic on the grounds at Town Hall.
6. Videos are shown on alternating Thursdays and Fridays
from 12:30-3:00 p.m. Video Treats donates the videos
for this activity.
7. cards and pokeno are played from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
daily.
8. Bingo is now played weekly on alternating wednesday and
Thursdays. When possible, Bingo is played twice a week
as this is so popular. An average of 75 seniors play
Bingo each week.
9. The photo club meets on Monday (Thursday in the summer)
and is under the direction of Bob English, a senior.
Bob volunteers to head the Photo Club. An average of 5
seniors participate in this program weekly.
10. A creat~ve Writing class began in June. Ronnie
Badowski, a semi professional writer h~s volunteered to
lead this class Thurs. a.m. This is a small class of 2
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to 3 seniors.
11. Jig Saw puzzles are set up to work on. several seniors
work on these periodically.
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. (9 seniors turned 80; 1
turned 85.)
2. The Heart Association provides a monthlY blood pressure
screening on the second wednesday of each month from
10:00 a.m. to Noon. An average of 50 people participate
in this program monthly.
GUEST SPEAKERS/PRESENTATIONS/HEALTH CLINICS:
1. A Representative from Miracle Ear spoke on HQaring Loss
and what You can Do in February
2. John Butler from NYNEX spoke on the new and coming
changes in telecommunications and how they effect
seniors in March.
3. Jim Torrisi from NY Life spoke on Medigap and LOng Term
Care Insurance in June.
4. A representative from Wellcare spoke on HMO'S and
Medicare in July.
5. Dr. sorrentino, dentist, spoke on Denture and Dental
care in september.
6. Fire prevention program sponsored by the HUghsonville
Fire Dept in oct.
7. The Dutchess Co. Dept. of Health provided a Flu Clinic
in oct.
8. Mr. Sam Khoury, Pharmacist from Rite Aid pharmacy
provided a Brown Bag Medicine Check. Seniors brought
all their medicines in a brown bag and Mr. Khoury
explained any possible side effects, reactions etc.
9. A representative from U.S. Health Care spoke on
Medicare/Medigap. He also provided a light lunch for
the seniors in December.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Funded by the seniors from their dues fund
and craft sales.
January: Hat Day: seniors wore a funny, pretty, silly or
unusual hat for the day.- There were prizes for
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the best hats and pizza for all. (15 Seniors
attended; it snowed all day!)
CLASH DAY: Seniors dressed in outfits that
clashed. Prizes for the ugliest, clashiest etc.
Seniors were treated to a BB Que. Food was
cooked outside on the grill but served indoors.
(75 Seniors enjoyed this great day!)
February: VALENTINE'S DAY: Seniors all received a Valentine
from "Guess Who?" Children from James Evans
School sent handmade Valentines to the Seniors.
celebrated with pizza and soda and Bingo. (40
seniors participated. It was a snowy day.)
George Washington Day Party: A birthday party for
"George" was celebrated with cherry pie and ice
cream. (36 Seniors present/snowy conditions).
SADIE HAWKI~S DAY COUNTRY HOE DOWN: Seniors
celebrated this day at the Holiday Inn. Prizes
for the best "Country Bumpkins", music by Johnny
Dell. (90 seniors present)
March: Bowling Party: at Holiday Hoe Bowl. Cpffee and
danish served. Pizza served for lunch. The
Fishkill Senior center and the Zion Church Center
joined us for the first ever combined Center
activity. (100 Seniors (50 ours) attended.)
st. Patrick's Day Party: Had green bagels and
cream cheese and green cake. Each senior
received a green carnation. Pizza was served for
lunch. stop & Shop donated shamrock plants for
all and some balloons (22 Seniors present>
Easter Luncheon: at Mamma Marissa (82 seniors
attended)
April: Easter Egg Hunt: Because of bad weather, the Egg
Hunt was held inside. Colored sticks were hidden
instead of eggs. Seniors hunted "sticks" then
turned them in for an egg of the same color.
Prizes hidden in eggs. Many Seniors wore hats
and joined in an Easter Bonnet Parade. Prizes
given for best hats. (56 seniors present.)
May: WHEELESS FORTUNE: Cindy Starke and Lori Reighn
from the Fishkill Senior Center brought their
"Wheeless Fortune" game to Wappinger and led
the seniors in this fun game. Prizes were
lottery tickets for all, wine for game winners.
The "big winner" received wine and ticket. (55
seniors participated.)
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June:
July:
Breakfast at Fishkill plains School: sponsored by
the PTA, bagels, muffins,juice, coffee and tea
were served by the students. The chorus
entertained the seniors. Seniors gave each
child a pencil with a topper on it. (65 seniors
attended)
Mother's Day Luncheon: seniors celebrated
Mother's Day at the Dynasty Restaurant. Each lady
received a carnation. (83 seniors present.)
senior citizen APpreciation Day celebration:
This year Helen socha was awarded the 2nd Annual
Wappinger senior center senior Award of the Year!
, An Honorable Mention was awarded to Ruth
speedling and walter Mauthe. The seniors
previouslY voted and selected these seniors to
receive the awards for their outstanding service
to the center. sandwiches, cake and
coffee were served. The Town supervisor, connie
smith presented the awards. Cable News center 6
and southern Dutchess News covered this story.
(65 seniors attended)
GIANT BINGO BANGO!: Three centers, the wappinger
Fishkill and the Zion church center combined to
enjoy a day of Bingo together. This First Giant
Bingo was held at the zion church. over 125
seniors attended this event. We had pizza,
McDonald's orange drink and a good time.
All seniors present have requested more of these
combined Bingo games. The Town center is too
small to accommodate this many. The Fishkill has
offered to host a Bingo day in the future.
HEALTH & FITNESS DAY: Led by Sue Borchardt, a day
devoted to health & fitness. Did scavenger hunt,
poker walk, mind games. Had light snacks and
fruit. (50 seniors attended.)
ath Anniversary of senior center: Block party
with music, dancing, barbeque, hot dogs,
hamburgers, salads, soda, dessert, bocce contest,
prizes. Line Dancing class performed. A Senior
T-shirt presented to connie smith and Ralph Holt
in appreciation for their support. (over 100
seniors present.)
Father's Day Luncheon: Luncheon was held at
Mariner's Harbor. (75 seniors attended.)
Office of the Aging picnic: provided by the OFA.
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at Schlathaus park. Music by Bill paroli. Food
included B-B-Gue chicken, potato salad, baked
beans and fruit.
GIANT BINGO BANGO: Three centers combined to have
a Bingo day. This was held at the Fishkill
Center. pizza and orange drink was served. (130
seniors attended)
August: HAWAIIAN LUAU: Held at the Holiday Inn. seniors
made their own leis from silk flowers and wore to
Luau. Music by Johnny Dell. Hula contest and
prizes given. centerpieces were raffled. (85
seniors attended)
september:BOWLING PARTY: Once again the 3 centers combined
for a bowling party. Coffee, danish, pizza and
soda served. Over 100 senors attended, 40
wappinger seniors.
Walking Club Luncheon: Lunch at Hudson's Ribs and
Fish Restaurant for those who participated in
Walking Club. Awards presented to those who
walked the most miles. All receive a certificate
of achievement. (35 seniors attended.)
october: T-SHIRT DAY: All wore their center T-shirts. Had
pizza and soda and a great game of Bingo. (55
seniors attended.)
craft Fair: Raffle prizes, coffee/donuts
served. crafts, bake sale, Granny's Attic, Book
sale and much more. (opened to public.)
Halloween party: all came in costume; donuts,
cider, and BBGue for lunch, burgers, hot dogs and
salads served; prizes for costumes. Treats for
all. (67 seniors present.)
November: Thanksgiving luncheon: Elk's Lodge, Music by the
Hot Flashes (95 seniors attended.)
December: Christmas luncheon at Villa BOrghese: Music by
Johnny Dell, Santa arrived with gifts for all.
(110 Seniors attended).
Christmas Breakfast/Brunch: Served bagels, cream
cheese, fruit cake, muffins, cheese and crackers,
cake. Instead of a Christmas grab bag, the
seniors donated food items and gifts to be given
to a needy family of 8. played a special
Christmas Bingo. (85 seniors present)
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EXTRA EVENTS:
The Town of Wappinger Recreation commission in cooperation
with the Wappinger Elks Lodge held a Christmas dinner for
185 seniors. The dinner was open to all town seniors.
Donations from local community businesses and professionals
helped to make this possible. Each senior received a gift
of a small box of candy, an ornament and small bottle of
wine handed out by santa. The dinner consisted of fruit
cup, salad, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy,
green beans and pumpkin pie and coffee. There were several
raffle prizes awarded. Music was provided by the Nite Life
band. The dinner was a great success.
INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS:
The Fifth Grade and PTA at Fishkill plains Elementary school
invited the Wappinger Seniors for breakfast and a show in
May. The Fifth Grade with the help of school staff and
members of the PTA served breakfast of bagels, muffins,
juice, coffee and tea. This was followed by ent~rtainment
from several different classes. Our line dancing class
taught several line dances to one of the classes. The
seniors were thrilled with the entire program and presented
each child with pin they had made. (52 seniors attended.)
students from James Evans school brought bags of Valentines
to the seniors for valentines Day. All were handmade, some
with sayings other just to and from. Very creative!
students from James Evans school brought decorated pumpkins
and a basket of Halloween "goodies" for Halloween. The
items were raffled to'the seniors.
SENIOR CITIZEN TRIPS:
Westchester Dinner Theater
Hunt's Landing
Platzel Brau Haus
Foxwood (2 buses)
candlewood Dinner Theater
Gillette castle, Riverboat Cruise
saratoga Races
Mystic seaport
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
1. Seven seniors in the oil painting class won prizes at
the Dutchess Co. Fair this year. One senior was awarded
Chairman's Choice and Excellence award for his 3-D
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diorama. A total of 14 awards to our oil painters and
Diorama maker.
2. A creative writing class began under the direction of
Ronnie Badowski in June and although a small class it
continues.
FUTURE NEEDS:
1. The Expanded Senior.center is wonderful and yet we have
already outgrown the space. Many special events must be
limited to 80 people leaving many on "another waiting
list." Many e",Ients must be held at restaurants allowin';?
more ,seniors to attend. The growing senior population
has us "bursting at the seams." It may be necessary to
look for other sites and/or additional space. There are
206 Seniors waiting to be members at the center.
2. The Senior center at Town Hall permits the occupancy
of 80 people. The center has now doubled its occupancy,
however, the number of staff remains the same. The
Director is full time. The craft teacher positions are
both part time, one working 2 days, the other 3 days.
With the potential of 80 people in most days, the
current staff is not sufficient. Additional staff would
allow additional programs possibly in other locations as
well as assisting at the center on very busy days. I
still recommend a full time craft/activity person.
3. Although there were several intergenerational programs
this past year, there is still a need for more. The
school budget has curtailed previously planned
activities. However, I will continue to work on this to
bring more intergenerational programs to the center.
4. off site programs such as tennis, golf and/or other
activities are being pursued.
Kathi DeL-isa
Director
senior Citizen center
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