The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
625 New Brunswick Rd.
Somerset, NJ 08873
908-231-7312
Open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OOA&DS Satellite Office Opportunity – Adalin Ball, M.S.W., eldercare educator, Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services, Third Wednesday of the Month, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Adalin will be at the center on Dec. 18, to provide assistance, support and answer any questions about the services and programs, which the Office on Aging & Disability Services provides. Adalin will be available to meet one-on-one as requested.
State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) – State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). A counselor will be available to provide FREE help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems, or questions about their health benefits. SHIP is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Call 732-563-4213 to schedule an appointment.
A Variety of Board & Card Games (Monopoly, Po-Ke-No, Yahtzee, Dominoes & Checkers) – Available Monday – Friday. If one of your favorite games is not listed, or if you are interested in starting a club featuring the game of your choice, please inform the staff.
Bridge, Cards & Board Game Lessons with Quail Brook Seniors & Volunteers – Thursdays & Fridays, 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 would like to play a game that is not listed and/or if you are interested in starting a club featuring the game of your choice, please inform the staff.
Indoor Shuffleboard – Available Monday – Friday.
Table Tennis (Ping-Pong) – Available Monday – Friday. Did you know that ping-pong (table tennis) has been an Olympic sport since 1988? Go ahead and take a shot at this fun game, and play either singles or doubles. It’s a great way to improve hand/eye coordination, concentration and agility.
Healthy Bones Exercise Class with Joan Ackerman – Monday, 9:15 a.m. This is a peer-led, 24-week exercise and education program for individuals either who are at risk of having osteoporosis or have it. Exercises help improve balance, strength, flexibility, and posture. Advanced registration is required. A doctor’s note is also required before the first class and then once every year. For new participants, the price is $45. The cost 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 – 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 hot topics of the day.
The Regime Exercise Class – Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays, 1 p.m. Get a head-to-toe workout when you use weights, and perform stretching and aerobic movements. Learn movements that will lubricate joints for flexibility to strengthen and stabilize muscles, increase blood circulation – and with the proper diet, you may lose weight! These exercises can help decrease falls and increase the ability to 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 and Friday – Lower Body Routine. Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing; sneakers are required.
Mindful Meditation and Breathing Techniques – Monday, 2 – 3 p.m. with Dr. Prahba Srinivas Council for Yoga Accreditation International at the S-Vyasa University of Yogic Sciences, Bangalore India. Learn how to improve your breathing techniques through mindful meditation. Most people who rush through the day take short shallow breaths. Learning how to breathe properly can promote muscle relaxation, skeletal alignment and relieve stress. Please bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing. The cost is $40 for the eight-week program; the session begins in February 2020. Call 732-563-4213 for more information.
Continuing Art Institute with Karen Haake – Tuesday, 1 – 3 p.m. Music Genres & Art: Inspired Creativity with Drawing, Painting and Designing; Module 1 – Classical Genre; Module 2 – Pop Genre; Module 3 – Jazz Genre; Module 4 – Easy Listening & Ambient Chill Genre. $10.00 fee per class. Supplies are included.
Functional Fitness – Thursday, 9:15 a.m. Have fun while performing cardiovascular exercises that raise your heart rate, tone muscles in the upper and lower body and strengthen your core. Improve your balance, overall agility and increase your ability to move more easily while performing everyday activities. Sneakers are required. The cost is $40 for the eight-week program; the next session begins on Feb. 6. Register by Jan. 27. Call 732-563-4213 for more information.
Yoga Calm with Jade Ko – Friday, 2 p.m. Take a holistic approach to health and wellness. Practice physical poses, breathwork and meditation, while aligning the body and relieving stress. Please bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing to allow for movement. Cost is $35 for the seven-week program; the next session begins Jan. 3. Register by De. 20. Call 732-563-4213 for more information.
Line Dancing – Friday, 9:30 a.m. Line dancing is so much fun that it doesn’t even seem like exercise! Dancing is an easy way to stay healthy both mentally and physically. It’s suitable for participants with limited mobility and has been shown to increase cardiovascular and muscular strength and improve coordination and balance while participants practice certain moves.
Dec. 2 – “Football and New Jersey: A Historical Celebration” by Alan Delozier, Seton Hall University, 10:30 a.m. Learn about the development of the modern-day game, which has Greek and British ties. This fun and informative look at the sport focuses on the memorable players, teams, and the overall spirit that makes football so appealing to millions. This program is sponsored by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
Dec. 3 – “Holiday Bake Off” with Kim Minerly, community liaison and chef, Rehab at River’s Edge, 10:30 a.m. What is the holiday season without holiday cookies? Join the center to practice your baking skills (under the tutelage of a kitchen expert) and whip up three healthy cookie recipes to WOW your friends and family. It’s not too early to make, bake and freeze your treats for the holiday!
Dec. 4 & 18 – 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, analytical thinking, creativity and kinesthetic thinking). The program is for participants of all abilities. Participants who are seated in a chair will receive the same benefits as those who are not.
Dec. 4 – “Demonstration: Meditation and Breathing Techniques for Seniors” with Dr. Prahba Srinivas Council for Yoga Accreditation International at the S-Vyasa University of Yogic Sciences, Bangalore India, 11:15 a.m. Gain a high-level introduction to the mind-body-spirit connection by using meditation and proper breathing techniques.
Dec. 4, 11 & 18 – Yoga for Mental & Physical Wellness with Dr. Prabha Srinivas, Council for Yoga Accreditation International at the S-Vyasa University of Yogic Sciences, Bangalore, India, 2 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 to allow for movement.
Dec. 5 & 19 – Zumba Gold with Laurie Fetcher, 10:30 a.m. Are you looking for a hearty workout? Join Zumba Gold, class that is easy for people age 60 plus, beginners or others needing modifications in their exercise routine. Zumba Gold builds cardiovascular health by challenging the heart and exercising the muscles of the hips, legs, and arms with fun, energetic and rhythmic moves. This class can be practiced when seated in a chair or standing up. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows for dynamic movement.
Dec. 5 – “FREE Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Screenings: Knowing Your Numbers” with Saint Peter’s University Hospital, 11 a.m. Learn key risk factors and wellness tips to incorporate into your life for better health management and helpful prevention.
Dec. 6 – “Financial Literacy for Seniors” by Susie Suter, Central Jersey Housing Resource Center, 10:30 a.m. Immerse yourself in the language of budgeting basics, understanding interest rates, prioritizing savings and debt-credit traps. Hear what’s important and how to prevent/avoid identity theft and senior scams, available resources, housing and assistance programs. It’s not too late to acquire the necessary skills for informed and effective decisions regarding earning, spending, and the management of your money. Towards the end of the session, put your knowledge to the test and play Financial Jeopardy!
Dec. 9, 23 & 30 – Chair Yoga with Jade Ko, certified yoga instructor, 10:30 a.m. Practice this gentle form of yoga using specific poses while seated in a chair, which is an effective way to improve one’s strength, flexibility, mental clarity, proprioception, and helps reduce stress.
Dec. 10 – “Vintage Christmas Bingo Bash” with Caitlyn Campbell, Foothill Acres, 10:30 a.m. Did you know that playing Bingo could help improve concentration, enhance socialization? Play today and get a chance to win holiday prizes!
Dec. 11 – “Gift Giving: An Improv Theatre Experience” by Ellen Tillson Parker, 10:30 a.m. Learn how to use your voice and movement as you act out scenes about shopping, creating, and opening presents. Participants will also help write group poetry about the holidays. ** This program is made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts**
Dec. 12 – Center is closed for a staff in-service meeting.
Dec. 13 – A Vintage Christmas: Quail Brook’s Annual Holiday Party with DJ Giovanni, 10:30 a.m. The legend of Good, Ol’e St. Nick is the backdrop for Quail Brook’s Annual Holiday Party. Enjoy vintage (nostalgic) Christmas songs and music provided by DJ Giovanni, savory food, comradery, and an opportunity to dance for a ‘Jolly Ol’e Time’! Rumor has it Santa might make an appearance.
Dec. 16 – “State of Emergency: Disasters, Catastrophes and Goof-Ups that Shaped New Jersey History” by Jim DelGiudice, photographer and educator, the Judson Lecture Series, 10:30 a.m. Learn about the sabotage that got us into WWI and the history from that time period up to the superstorm that changed our coastline. This program is made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
Dec. 17 – “Comprehending Glaucoma: FREE Vision Screenings” with Chaitali Shah, New Jersey Department of Human Services, 10:30 a.m. Receive a FREE vision screening test and learn about the symptoms, causes, and available medication/medical treatment for glaucoma, a chronic eye disease that threatens vision if left undetected and/or untreated.
Dec. 19 – “Hanukkah: Understanding Through Celebrating” by Rabbi Ronald Kaplan, doctor of ministry, certified pastoral counselor & psychotherapist, 11 a.m. Learn all about Hanukkah, a holiday that is also known as the Festival of Lights, and is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays. This festive, eight-day celebration occurs during the darkest, coldest season of the year, but also brings light, joy, and warmth through a celebration with candles, food, family, and friends.
Dec. 20 – Choral Concert with the Sing’n Swing’n Seniors, 11 a.m. Enjoy this amazingly talented choral group, which is comprised of local seniors who will share their vocal talents while spreading holiday joy. Performances include songs such as “Hello Dolly,” “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da” and the “Lullaby on Broadway.”
Dec. 24 & 25 – Center is closed.
Dec. 26 – “Tap and Ballet Demo” with Franklin High School Student, Jordan Brown, 10:30 a.m. Watch a wonderful combination and artistic blend of movement and expression of tap and ballet.
Dec. 27 – Back on Track: Commitments for 2020 with Rocky Schwartz, family support/coalition outreach coordinator, 10:30 a.m. Get back into the swing of life while improving your personal wellness. Learn how to “recover” from the holidays and get tips for getting back on track by preparing healthy meals and snacks, planning, and implementing a daily exercise routine, which includes meditation, at-home chair stretching and Chi Gong movement.
Dec. 31 – Disco Dance Party in December: A Happy New Year Event with Neal Doshi, professional dance instructor, 10:30 a.m. Visit the Quail Brook Senior Center for this groovy New Year’s Eve that will capture the essence of a memorable decade by bringing to life the decade’s fashion, music and dance.
