The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
QUAIL BROOK SENIOR CENTER
625 New Brunswick Road
Somerset, NJ 08873
908-203-6151
Meet a Care Manager From the Office on Aging and Disability Services, Shaquana Thompson, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shaquana will be available on the first Thursday of each month to answer questions about the Office on Aging and Disability Services, assist with referrals for services, and provide information and support. **Shaquana will be available to meet one-on-one upon request.**
Stretching Exercise with Karen – Mondays, 10 a.m. Start the week with seated, gentle stretching from fingers to toes.
Stronger Seniors Stretch – Mondays, 1 p.m. Join this simple 45-minute pre-recorded exercise program and use a chair for a safe and thorough stretching routine to feel more flexible.
Stretch & Strength with Mikaela Kane, Rutgers Co-operative Extension – Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Take this 10-week exercise class to keep muscles flexible, strong, and healthy for a better range of motion in the joints and to enhance daily functioning. **Classes begin on Nov. 12 and continue on Nov. 26, Dec. 10, 17, 31, Jan 7, 21, 28, and Feb. 4 and 11. The exercises can be practiced with or without weights, but two to five-pound hand weights are recommended. Classes are free. For more information, call 908-753-9440.**
Geri-Fit with Deborah and Susan – Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Rebuild the strength lost through the aging process to gain a higher level of functioning. This class combines strength training with stretching and range-of-motion exercises, stability, and balance training for fall prevention, cardiovascular activity for heart health, and gait exercises to help improve walking. **Participants should bring a set of light dumbbell weights (two lbs. to start), a sturdy chair, a stretch band, and water to drink during the workout. Standing is optional. Space is limited. **
Take Control with Exercise –Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility and balance while boosting stamina in this gentle exercise program. **There is no cost for these classes. Participants can practice exercises while either standing or sitting.**
Walking Club –Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. Join fellow senior wellness center members to walk outside for exercise, which can help improve one’s balance, mood, memory, and sleep.**This club will meet when the weather permits.**
Geri-Fit with Karen – Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. Rebuild strength lost through the aging process to gain a higher level of functioning. This class combines strength training with stretching and range of motion exercises, stability, and balance training for fall prevention, cardiovascular activity for heart health, and gait exercises to help improve walking. **This unique and beneficial 45-minute exercise program is facilitated two times per week, for 12 weeks for a total of 24 classes. This class can be practiced while sitting or standing. Participants should bring a set of light dumbbell weights (two lbs. to start), a sturdy chair, a stretch band, and water to drink during the workout. Space is limited. **
Rediscovering Your Happiness with Antonia – Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Find out how to rediscover and enhance your happiness with Antonia, a Quail Brook Senior Center client, who has been studying happiness since childhood.
Rummikub – Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Play this fast-moving board game, which requires a little bit of luck and the use of one’s strategic thinking skills. Playing Rummikub promotes social interaction, mental stimulation, and relaxation. Time flies when participants play this game. **All levels of playing ability are welcome.**
Yoga with Beatriz – Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. Increase bone density, and improve strength, flexibility, and balance while immersed in a relaxing class. Expect lots of gentle stretching to bring movement to joints and muscles. This class is perfect for facilitating mindfulness, relieving stress, and gaining an overall sense of well-being. **The cost is $40 for the eight-week program. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 908-203-6151.**
Gentle Aerobics with Lisa –Thursdays, 10:15 a.m. Exercise and move without putting undue pressure or strain on the body. Learn movements to increase blood circulation, lubricate joints for flexibility, and strengthen and stabilize individual muscles. Gentle aerobics can decrease the risk of falls and make it easier to accomplish day-to-day activities. **Exercises can be practiced while standing or sitting. The class is open to all skill levels.**
Line Dancing 101 with Deborah Gibson –Thursdays, 1 p.m. Learn how to line dance. In this class, participants will become familiar with line dancing steps and movements. Each class will prepare participants for the next class by incorporating a new movement to build on the line dancing skills learned in previous classes.
Project Healthy Bones with Peer Leader Lori Stevens, Parker Health Group, Inc. –Thursdays, 2 p.m. Improve balance, strength, flexibility, and posture in this peer-led, 24-week exercise and education program for individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis or have the medical diagnosis. **Pre-registration is required. A doctor’s note is also required before the first class and then once every year. To pre-register or for more information, call Karen Kowalski at 908-704-6327.**
Line Dancing with Deborah – Fridays, 9 a.m. Improve cardiovascular and muscular strength and balance while line dancing, which is so much fun it doesn’t even seem like exercise! Participants don’t need a partner, and it’s a great way to improve one’s mental and physical health.
Mahjong Meet Up – Fridays, 9:30 a.m. Play this fun game requiring participants to use their strategic thinking skills. **This program is open to beginners and for those who need a refresher course.**
Your Essence of Yoga – Fridays, 1 p.m. Learn about signal paths and how to find one’s essence through yoga.
Dec. 2, 11 a.m. – Painting Fun Winter Themes onto Charger Plates with Karen Haake. Use acrylic paints to create a realistic winter theme on a charger plate for decoration at home. **Pre-registration is required. Supplies will be provided. This program was made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
- 3, 11 a.m. – Holiday Card Creation. Help spread kindness by creating handmade cards to give to hospital patients and nursing homes residents. **Supplies will be provided.**
Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – Decreasing Stress with Patricia Sihlanick, Health New Life. Learn effective methods to manage and reduce stress in the body, which is essential for overall health, according to recent studies.
Dec. 5, 11 a.m. – Holiday Event with Kelly Carpenter, Sponsored By Arbor Terrace. Enjoy this festive time of year when the atmosphere will be joyful with laughter, music, and a sense of togetherness.
Dec. 6, 11 a.m. – A W.A.S.P. Takes Wing: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II with Carol Simon Levin. Hear the amazing story of Women Airforce Service Pilots through Carol’s portrayal of Ann Baumgartner Carl, the Jersey girl who trained as a WASP, test-flew experimental planes during the war, and became the first American woman to fly a jet airplane. **This program was made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.**
Dec. 9, 11 a.m. – The Swinging, Singing Seniors. Enjoy this amazingly talented choral group of local seniors who will show off their vocal talents while performing songs such as “Hello Dolly,” “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da,” “Lullaby on Broadway,” and many more.
Dec. 10, 11 a.m. – “Clinical Trials and the Research Process” with Ryan Moulton, Rutgers Cancer Institute. Learn about clinical trials for cancer, how people are protected in clinical trials, and what to expect when participating in a clinical trial. We will also touch on the research process, including ethical milestones in research and how cancer research is carried out.
Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – Maple Sugaring with Somerset County Park Commission. Discover the secrets of maple sugar, such as techniques for maple sugaring, as well as the history of maple sugaring, beginning with the Native Americans.
Dec. 12, 11 a.m. – “Heads Up, Seniors: A Fall Prevention Presentation with Debbie Aidelman, Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. Learn fall prevention strategies and pedestrian safety tips for older adults. Each participant will receive a Home and Community Safety Checklist.
Dec. 13, 11 a.m. – Bingo. Bingo is more than an exciting activity. Researchers have found that playing Bingo has multiple health benefits such as promoting socialization, strengthening hand-eye coordination, and improving concentration, listening, and short-term memory.
Dec. 16, 11 a.m. – Crafts with Anthony. Decorate, paint, and embellish with sparkles a miniature tree to enhance the holiday home décor. **Pre-registration is required. Supplies will be provided.**
Dec. 17, 11 a.m. – Terrific Ted, Sponsored By Sunrise Senior Living. Enjoy this musical performance of great vocals and favorite hits from music’s best decades from the 40s to the 60s.
Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – Painting with Lisa. Paint a tree portrait with step-by-step guidance about how to add layers and details, and blend and highlight with acrylic paints. **Pre-registration is required. Supplies will be provided.**
Dec. 19, 11 a.m. – “Be Wise About Your Medications” with Nicole Katula, MPH, CHES, Somerset County Department of Health. Learn why aging bodies can affect how medication is metabolized and how to avoid common drug-drug and drug-food interactions, as well as learn strategies for safe medication use.
Dec. 20, 11 a.m. – The Somerset County System Traveling Library. Browse a collection of books, movies, and music, renew or register for a library card, return a book from any branch, learn about the services and programs the library offers, or find out how to set up your phone or tablet. Each month the library will visit the senior wellness center to offer new books and information.
Dec. 24 and 25 – The senior center is closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Dec. 26, 11 a.m. – Fun and Games with Lisa. Relax while playing your favorite games such as Dominoes, Left-Right-Center, and Pass the Pigs.
Dec. 27, 11 a.m. – Hanukkah Celebration. Celebrate and learn about Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday observed by lighting a menorah, reciting prayers, and enjoying traditional foods.
Dec. 30, 11 a.m. – Bingo. Partake in a friendly game of Bingo, which is more than an exciting activity. Researchers have found that playing Bingo provides multiple health benefits, such as promoting socialization, strengthening hand-eye coordination, and improving concentration, listening, and short-term memory skills.
Dec. 31, 11 a.m. – New Year’s Celebration with DJ Gio. Say farewell to 2024 and hello to 2025 at this festive celebration. Dress for the occasion!
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