Page 5 - Spring 2017

Senior Center offers Urban Ballroom Dancing instead of just dancing; and the Capac Senior Center now offers Needles and Hooks instead of knitting and crocheting.
The beautiful OPC building in Rochester.
Is this my senior center?
In addition to the freshening being given to programming, some facilities have been given a facelift too. One example is the Older Person’s Commission (OPC) building in Rochester. It has the look of a beautiful, upscale mountain lodge. This premier 90,000 square feet center offers lap and therapy aquatic pools, a billiard room, pottery area with four pottery wheels, fully furnished wood shop, gift shop, exercise rooms, cardio and aerobics meeting rooms, performing stage and auditorium, walking track, gymnasium, full-service commercial kitchen, cafe and dining room.
Do you like my new ‘do?
In addition to the many programs, classes and clubs housed under the roof of many senior centers are services you can get for free, at discounted rate or for a small donation. Every center is different, so check with the one near you to see what they offer. Here are a few we found:
• Wash and style, haircuts, beard trims
• Manicures, pedicures
• Health screenings to check blood pressure, sugar level, memory, bone density, hearing, and PSA
• Refurbished tech equipment (cell phone, desk top computer, lap top, etc.)
• Eyeglass and hearing aide recycling programs
• Weekly loaf of bread
• Document shredding
• Medical equipment loan closet (crutches,
wheelchair, walkers, canes, etc.) • Notary public
• Sewing/mending repairs
• Much, much more
What’s the best thing there?
Check out the list of senior centers listed by county on the Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s website at www.aaa1b.org. Click on Services for Seniors, then Senior Centers, then find the area where you live. Take a look at day and away trip offerings, as well as endearing intergenerational programs and events. Just to give you a sense of what’s going on– and
a reason to look at that list online– here are some highlights of unique senior offerings in the region.
Brighton Senior Center 810-299-3817
•Laugh and Learn Presentations: Health Topics paired with Amazing Animal Therapy Sessions
Hartland Senior Activity Center 810-626-2135
•Who done it with Sherlock Session (Detective reasoning: catch the thief using puzzles, riddles and brainteaser clues)
Clinton Township Senior Adult Life Center 586-286-9333
•Speed dating (To be scheduled) Marvin Blank Senior Center (Macomb)
586-992-2900, ext. 2800
•Murder Mystery Dinner Romeo-Washington Senior Activity Center
586-752-9601
•American Sign Language classes
Sterling Heights Senior Center 586-446-2750
•Geektime (Help with tech devices)
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living 734-508-6229
•Walk MI Lighthouses Program (Created by Executive Director Jennifer Michalak. Log
your steps, class mileage is compiled to get to
a particular Michigan lighthouse. When walkers “arrive” they learn about the lighthouse. Center was awarded the NuStep Bronze for empowering seniors to take steps toward healthy aging.)
Auburn Hills Senior Services 248-370-9353
•How to Write a Book in 30 Days course Highland Activity Center 248-887-1707
•Community garden (Located behind the center. Garden for a $5 fee.)
NEXT (Birmingham) 248-203-5270
•Essentrics: Restore, Rebalance, Renew (10-class series to rebalance joints with an age-reversing workout)
Older Person’s Commission (Rochester) 248-656-1403
•Rewired not Retired® (A program for pre-and post-retirees, exploring passions and strengths to determine a post-retirement path.)
Waterford Senior Center 248-682-9450
•Seniors and You Video Group (Learn how to host, produce or direct a cable TV show.)
West Bloomfield Senior Programming 248-451-1900
•Yagua (Yoga, pilates, aquatics and stretching) Jewish Community Center (Ann Arbor)
734-971-0990
•Yiddish Reading Group
Ypsilanti Township 50 and Beyond 734-544-3838
•Hawaiian Dance for Exercise
Looking for an afternoon
or evening of fun? Mark these on your calendar:
• Detroit Tigers Opening Day Party at the Marvin Blank Senior Center in Macomb on April 7, from 12:30-4:00 p.m. Tiger Trivia for prizes and enjoy the game on the big screen with lunch and more. Cost: $3/residents, $4/non-residents. Call 586-992-2900 or visit online at www.gomtpr.org/senior-services.
• Easter Bonnet Luncheon at the Romeo- Washington Senior Activity Center on April 13, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost: $6/ residents, $7/non-residents. Prize for best bonnet. Call 586-752-9601 or visit online at https://registration.rwbparksrec.org/ CourseActivities.aspx.
• Used Jewelry and Purse Sale at the Madison Heights Senior Center on April 13, from
9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 248-545-3464 or visit online at www.madison-heights.org/ departments/senior_center/index.php.
• Spring Expo at the Chelsea Senior Center on April 22 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Call 734-475-9242 or visit online at www.chelseaseniors.org.
• Seniorstock (like Woodstock with a twist) at Older Adult Services in Novi on April 27 from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. $8 per person. Call 248-347-0403 or visit online at www.cityofnovi.org.
• Italian Dinner featuring Guest Chef Mario Pace at the Monroe Center for Healthy Aging in Monroe on April 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $10 each
person. Call 734-241-0404 or visit online at www.monroectr.org.
• Doing the Derby (The Kentucky Derby) at Older Adult Services in Novi on May 4 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Cost is $7.50 residents and $9 non-residents. Call 248-347-0403 or visit online at www.cityofnovi.org.
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The folks in Highland know how to entertain.