The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
625 New Brunswick Rd.
Somerset, NJ 08873
(732) 563-4213
Open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Variety of Board & Card Games (Monopoly, Po-Ke-No, Yahtzee, Dominoes & Checkers) – Available Monday to Friday. If you have a favorite game not listed that you would like to play, and/or if you are interested in starting a club featuring the game of your choice, please inform the staff.
Indoor Shuffleboard – Monday to Friday.
Individual Computer & PED (Personal Electronic Devices) Instruction with Mike Dias – Tuesday,
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. **Call (732) 563-4213 to schedule an appointment. Check the monthly calendar for an updated schedule.**
Healthy Bones Exercise Class with Joan Ackerman – Monday, 9:15 a.m. This either is a peer-led, 24-week exercise and education program for individuals who are at risk of having osteoporosis or have it. Exercises will help improve balance, strength, flexibility, and posture. Advanced registration is required. A doctor’s note is also required prior to the first class and then once every year. **For a new participant, the price is $45. This includes ankle weights, a participant’s manual and the class fee. If ankle weights are not needed the price is $15. Call Caitlin Witucki at (908) 704-6339 for more information.**
QBC News – Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. Enjoy discussing global breaking news and current events in a stimulating Q&A session. Fellow center members will take turns researching and sharing the hot topics of the day.
The Regime Exercise Class – Monday, Thursday & Friday, 1 p.m. A head-to-toe workout that also uses intervals of weights, stretching and aerobic movements. Learn movements that lubricate joints for flexibility, strengthen and stabilize muscles, and increase blood circulation. With proper diet, you may lose weight! These exercises can help decrease falls and increase the ability to better accomplish day-to-day activities. This program can be practiced while either standing or sitting and with or without hand weights. Monday – Upper Body Routine, Thursday – Mid Section Routine, Friday – Lower Body Routine/Total Routine. **Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing; sneakers are required.**
Continuing Art Institute with Karen Haake – Tuesday, 1 – 3 p.m. Back to Basic Drawing Skills Module 1 – Still Life Studies; emphasis on sketching and drawing techniques to master line, shape, value perspective, form and composition Module 2 – Reflective Properties; a point of reference and shapes of objects. Module 3 – Nature and Landscape; textures, realism, and retail. Module 4 – Portrait Studies; facial expressions/details. Module 5 – Students’ Free Choice; personal drawing composition. All modules will utilize various mediums (graphite pencils, colored pencils, markers, pastels). **$10.00 fee per class includes supplies.**
Bridge, Cards & Board Games with the Quail Brook Seniors – Thursday & Friday, 10:30 a.m. Classic games of strategy are a great opportunity for people of all skill levels to meet and socialize. Join the Quail Brook Seniors and volunteers for mind-stimulating and competitive games of Bridge, Texas Hold ‘Em,’ Monopoly, Dominoes and more! If you have a favorite game not listed that you would like to play, and/or you are interested in starting up a club, please inform the staff.
Crochet & Knitting with Esther Fowlkes – Thursday & Friday, 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Learn the difference between the two methods of creating artistic patterns using fabric and yarn, a single hook or two needles. Which method do you think is easier? This class is for beginners, experts and those wishing to brush up on their skills. **Check the monthly calendar for an updated schedule.**
Line Dancing – Friday, 9:30 a.m. Line Dancing is so much fun that it doesn’t even seem like exercise! You don’t need a partner; and dancing is an easy way to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. It’s suitable for participants with limited mobility, has been shown to increase cardiovascular and muscular strength, and improve coordination and balance as participants work through different moves.
Table Tennis (Ping Pong) – Monday to Friday. Take a shot at being a tournament master by playing singles or doubles games. This competitive game has been an Olympic sport since 1988 and it is a great way to maintain and improve hand-eye coordination, concentration, and agility.
April 1 – “Low to No Vision” Blind Rehabilitation & Low Vision Therapy Seminar” by Jill Feigelis, blind rehabilitation outpatient specialist, VA Medical Center, East Orange, 10:30 a.m. If you suffer from impaired sight or if you know someone who does, join us and get the latest information about how to reclaim your quality of life and improve mobility.
April 2, 16, 23 & 30 – Body and Brain Yoga with Lucy Pagnetti, certified yoga instructor, 10:30 a.m. This class teaches a mind-body practice that combines stretching, flowing movement, deep breathing exercises and meditation in a simple and easy-to-learn format that focuses on the development of the body’s core strength as the basis of physical, mental and spiritual health.
April 3, 10, 17 & 24 – Ageless Grace Fitness Program with Roz Gerken, certified ageless grace educator, 10:30 a.m. Ageless Grace is based on the cutting-edge science of neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain and central nervous system to change structurally and functionally. This program is designed to activate all five functions of the brain (i.e. strategic planning, memory and recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination and kinesthetic thinking). This program is intended for participants of all skill levels who are thoroughly engaged while seated in a chair.
April 3, 10, 17 & 24 – Yoga with Dr. Prabha Srinivas, Council for Yoga Accreditation International at the S-Vyasa University of Yogic Sciences, Bangalore India, 1 p.m. Take control of your emotional and physical well-being through the practice of yoga and meditation while reducing stress in your life. Please bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing that will allow for movement.
April 4 – Bubbles 4 Autism with Paulann Pierson, disability services coordinator, Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services. The Quail Brook Senior Center is supporting Autism Awareness Month by participating in a Bubbles 4 Autism event. Bubbles are symbols of joy, hope, and laughter and blowing bubbles is simple, fun and brings people together. During the month of April, people all over the world will be blowing bubbles of support as a way to promote autism awareness. The purpose of this event is to educate people about autism and to promote inclusion and acceptance for people with autism. Come join us as we blow some bubbles!
April 4, 11, 18 & 25 – Zumba Gold with Laurie Fetcher, 10:30 a.m. This class has popular music designed to inspire a heart workout. Zumba Gold is accessible for people age 60 and above, beginners or others needing modifications to their exercise routine. Zumba Gold builds cardiovascular health by challenging the heart and working the muscles of the hips, legs, and arms using fun, and rhythmic moves.
April 5 – “The Legend of the Jersey Devil” Angus Gillespie, Ph.D., professor of American studies at Rutgers University, Fulbright professor, New York Times best-selling author, 10:30 a.m. Professor Gillespie will bring the 1730’s alive when he discusses the Leeds family, his research in the Pine Barrens, and his search for the true Jersey Devil; a creature with the head of a horse, the wings of a bat, the torso of a man and the feet of a goat still thought to be lurking in the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey.
April 8 – April Showers: Umbrella Art with Karen Haake, local artist, 10:30 a.m. With a plethora of unique items such as beads, sequins, shells, gemstones, paint, stencils and fabric, an everyday umbrella will be transformed into an extraordinary masterpiece. Now “April showers bring May flowers,” will take on a completely new meaning! The umbrellas can be given as unique gifts or used as décor in one’s home.
April 9 – “Through the Eyes of a Photographer: A Pictorial Cross County Journey” by Brien Szabo, photographer and author, 10:30 a.m. Travel with a photographer in your mind’s eye through cross country trips, hikes in the mountains, strolls in cities and a few other exotic locations. The next time you take a trip (even if it’s around the block), you will be inspired to engage, embrace and click away!
April 10 – “What is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?” by Rutgers University, 2 p.m. Affectionately known as OLLI-RU, this Rutgers University curriculum for learning opportunities is designed for participants age 50 years and above who want to continue their learning experience and share knowledge with others. It is a noncompetitive, noncredit education that is stimulating, friendly, and informal. Please stop in for more information.
April 11 – Knitting Lessons with Esther Fowlkes. The basics of knitting will unwind for you in this progressive learning platform that is sure to be rewarding as you learn creative ways to use colorful yarn. Choose your style and learn the lingo – cast on, knit stitch, purl, and cast off. Meet in a friendly environment and treat yourself to a meditative, creative and eco-friendly hobby that is known to help reduce stress and anxiety!
April 12 – Tai Chi with Laurina Kuligowski, activities director, Regency Jewish Heritage Rehabilitation Center, 10:30 a.m. Tai Chi is based on the practice of shifting body weight through a series of light, controlled movements that flow rhythmically into one long gesture. Studies have shown that some participants have experienced a reduction in pain, fatigue and stiffness and have gained a greater sense of well-being. Regular Tai Chi can help reduce falls, especially for those with balance programs. This program can be practiced while either standing or sitting.
April 15 – “Sweet Georgia Brown: Impact, Courage, Sacrifice and WWII” by Lawrence E. Walker, filmmaker and Somerset County resident, 10:30 a.m. This documentary film shares the consequences and changes in race and gender policies for the status of African-American women in the U.S. armed services during World War II. Opportunities for women in the military expanded, during this era; learn what social, and political factors influenced change in racial and gender policies in the military during World War II. Share your thoughts, opinions and questions during a Q&A session at the end of the program.
April 18 – Magic Mirror Players (Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital). The Magic Mirror Players is a group of volunteer actors who portray real-life issues using improvisational and role-playing techniques in a dramatic presentation. This vignette will highlight the positive effects of behavioral changes such as eliminating negative comments and replacing those with praise.
April 19 – Center is closed.
April 22 – Interfaith Panel Discussion with Multi-Denominational Representation, 10:30 a.m. The intent is to create an opportunity for thoughtful conversation and is a vibrant learning opportunity.
April 25 – “Choices…Chances!” by Leonie Infantry, Quail Brook Senior Center volunteer. It only takes a second to have your life changed forever. Ms. Infantry will speak about her personal wellness journey and mission of gratitude during her one-woman play.
April 26 – “A 1,000 B.C. Language Comes Alive” by the Franklin Township High School Latin Club, 10:30 a.m. Did you know you are already speaking Latin words in everyday use even though it is
considered a dead language? Although Latin is still used in specific contexts, Latin native speakers don’t exist anymore. Latin really didn’t die, but is actually used in other languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Romanian.
April 29 – “Wild, But Mild Senior Ecology Series, Part 1” by Kate Reilly, Duke Farms educator, 10:30 a.m. The Quail Brook Senior Center’s participants will be designing and creating educational tool (boxes) highlighting each letter of the alphabet that corresponds to an animal and the environment. These boxes will be used in the Duke Farm’s classrooms so that young children can learn letters, words, and be exposed to native fauna and flora.
