The following programs will take place at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester St. For information, call 617-730-2770 or brooklineseniorcenter.org.
May Spotlighted Volunteer Opportunities: This month’s spotlighted opportunities include: Preparing coffee and breakfast snacks early morning weekdays at the BSC; Food Commodity program on third Wednesday of each month — Russian interpreters afternoons and people able to help lift 30-35 pounds in the morning; and assistance for seniors with their Smartphones from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. To apply, contact Patricia at 617-730-2743 or pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Annual Volunteer File Audit: Check your mail! In the next few weeks we will be mailing you any missing or very outdated forms from your particular volunteer file. Keeping our records up-to-date is a requirement of the town of Brookline and must be taken seriously. The mailing will include a self-addressed envelope to either mail or drop off for Patricia, the volunteer coordinator, in her mailbox on the second floor or in her office. Any questions, or if you need a new copy of the forms, please contact her at 617-730-2743 or pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Integrative Wellness Workshop: 11:00 a.m. May 11. Allyson Steinmetz, an Integrative Wellness practitioner licensed in North American herbalism and restorative yoga, leads an engaging workshop comparing prescription drugs to their herbal counterparts and what actions hinder or harness a body’s natural ability to combat some of the most common ailments experienced by adults and seniors today. To register: 617-730-2777.
Greater Boston Food Bank Food Commodity Program: The Greater Boston Food Bank Commodity Program provides shelf-stable food to low-income seniors. Two shopping bags of food for each approved participant are delivered to the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester St.; Sussman House, 50 Pleasant St.; and O’Shea House, 61 Park St. on the third Wednesday of each month. New applicants are being recruited to participate in this program. Those interested in applying or finding out more about the program, call Patricia at 617-730-2743 to set up an appointment.
Individual Job Search Skills Appointments: Patricia Burns, the REAP Program Job Skills counselor, is available for one-on-one/individual appointments to assist with essential job search tools — resume writing or updating, job-specific cover letters and LinkedIn profile development, interviewing — phone, Skype, in-person or mock — as well as identifying transferable skills from past experience to use in your next job. Appointments required. Contact Patricia at 617-730-2743 or pburns@brooklinema.gov.
SHOP Program: The Students Helping Older People Program has been a community service program at Brookline High School for many years. It is a win-win volunteer opportunity where students grocery shop for an elder in Brookline, and seniors share their actual history and experience with students. It is a weekly to biweekly commitment that is usually shared with a partner. It starts with visiting the elder’s home to get a grocery list and money, then shopping, and returning with the groceries. Besides getting the groceries for the senior, the most important part of this program is developing meaningful multigenerational relationships. Some students have shopped for the same person throughout high school and consider their elder an important part of their life. And the feeling is always mutual. Brookline High School will start recruiting students to shop. For senior who would like to have a student shop for them: Patricia, volunteer coordinator, 617-730-2743; pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Modern Beading Bead Expo: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 12: A jewelry exhibition in Marlborough by the Recreation Deptartment. The expo brings hundreds of companies, designers and manufacturers together to provide customers with high quality jewelry at the lowest prices. The show features gems, beads, fine jewelry, estate collections and more. Marge Harvey will be at the Senior Center at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the show. Cost: $22; $16 for residents. To register: 617-730-2069.
Ukulele Fun: 1:00 -2:30 p.m. May 15. For those who like singing and want to pick up the ukulele as well. The group plays and sings mostly oldies but also some modern songs. Also open to those who just want to sing along.
Balance Exercise Workshop: 1:00 p.m. May 15. Improving strength and balance can often help to minimize the risk of serious injury in the event of a fall. Personal trainer Steve Shain will hold a one-hour workshop in which attendees learn valuable exercises to help improve balance. Space is limited to first 30 registrants. To register: 617-730-2770.
American Songbook Reimagined: 1:00 p.m. May 22. Artists-in-residence from the Metropolitan Chorale celebrate the heritage of American music. Bethany Worrell, soprano; Megan Roth, mezzo-soprano; and Julia Scott Carey, pianist, will perform tunes from the Golden Age of Song by composers like Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter as well as songs by contemporary American composers. To register: 617-730-2770.
Telling Your Story: 10:15 a.m. May 24. The annual public reading of memoirs by members of the BA&CE autobiographical writing group, Telling Your Story. Attendees will hear stories that reaffirm the richness of resources that older writers offer. Free; open to all.
Wisdom and Memories: Brookline Seniors and The Reunion Project: The Brookline Senior Center and Goddard House are hosting the Reunion Project, a photography exhibit displaying photos by Lora Brody of about 50 women from age 65-100 as they appear now as well as photos of their younger selves. This exhibit may be viewed at both the Senior Center and Goddard House until June 30. A reception will be held from at 2:00 p.m. April 29-30 at Goddard House. The project is sponsored by Brookline Senior Center, Brookline CAN, Goddard House and Center Communities.
Blood pressure screening: Barbara Westley, the nurse from the Brookline Department of Public Health will provide blood pressure screening from 1-2 May 18 at the Senior Center and 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. May 24 at O’Shea House, 61 Park St. There will be no screening at the Senior Center this month.
Brookline Hearing: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. May 18. The staff from Brookline Hearing Services will be visiting the Brookline Senior Center to provide hearing aid cleanings maintenance and patient counseling at no charge. They will also be selling all sizes of hearing and batteries for $5 per pack. All services will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
Memory Connections Café: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. May 24. A free monthly Memory Connections Café for people with early memory challenges and their carepartners to connect with their peers. Both participate in socialization and can partake in refreshments and a variety of programming to gain support and engage with others in a relaxing environment. Either party can attend by themselves but a carepartner must accompany those who require any care assistance. For information or RSVP: Jamie, 617-730-2753. This program is supported by a grant from the Brookline Community Foundation. This month’s event is sponsored by Rogerson House Assisted Living & Day Program.
Zumba Gold: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, through May 11. Led by Emily Brenner, the Zumba Gold instructor. Cost: $7 per class; free to Brookline Housing Authority residents.
South Brookline Senior Game Day: 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. Thursdays, Putterham Branch Library Community Room. Games to bring out one’s inner child. Open to all levels. For information or to volunteer: Regina Millette Frawley, 617-469-0052.
Low Vision Group: 1:00 p.m. May 17. A peer-led support group for individuals with limited eyesight.
Acupuncture update: We want to say a big thank you to our wonderful acupuncturist, Julia Herskowitz, who has volunteered her time for the last several months by providing acupuncture consultations to seniors in need at the center. Julia is retiring her license in May, and so she will no longer be able to provide this service. However, Julia is an active participant at the center, and so we are glad that we’ll still be able to enjoy her company.
Luncheon Specials: Reservations for all lunches must be made by 10:30 a.m. on the weekday preceding the day on which you want to have lunch. For reservations for Monday, call the previous Friday by 10:30 a.m. Call 617-730-2747 to reserve a lunch on the business day prior before 10:30 a.m. Please be aware that Springwell can only guarantee your lunch reservation until 12:15 p.m. each day. If you are going to be arriving late for lunch, please let Kristine know in advance. If you arrive after 12:15 p.m. with no advance notice, Springwell cannot guarantee that you will receive a meal for that day. May birthdays will be celebrated at the monthly Birthday Lunch on May 16. Wingate at Chestnut Hill will provide birthday cake. Springwell will also offer a Mother’s Day brunch at noon May 11. Those interested should call 617-730 2747 to reserve a lunch on the business day prior before 10:30 a.m. to register for this lunch.
Book Discussion Group at the Putterham Library: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. May 15. A discussion of “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough. Meetings are in the community room at the Putterham Branch Library led by Charlotte Millman and Roberta Winitzer. Open to new members. The book club will be taking a vacation for the month of April.
LGBT Out 2 Brunch Bunch: 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. May 20, Goddard House, 165 Chestnut Street, Brookline. Goddard House, in partnership with the Brookline Council on Aging, ETHOS, the LGBT Aging Project and the city of Boston Commission on the Affairs of the Elderly, supports the LGBT Older Adult Out 2 Brunch Bunch. The group meets monthly on the third Saturday of the month. RSVP: Zoraida, meals@ethocare.org; 617-522-6700, ext. 306.
Public Issues Nonfiction Book Discussion Group: May 23. Tom Faulhaber challenges the thinking of attendees every month with a nonfiction book discussion centered on public issues, history, current events and other nonfiction topics. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot will be discussed. The Coolidge Corner Branch Library will have copies of the books available several weeks ahead of each meeting.
TRIPPS – MIT Age Lab Presentation: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. May 23. Lisa D-Ambrosio, from the MIT AgeLab. will give a talk titled “Keeping People Mobile Today and Tomorrow: Research at the MIT Age-Lab.” This talk will describe the purpose and perspective of the MIT AgeLab and present the results of several recent projects at the lab. She will describe research on changes drivers make to how they drive and get around as they age, and what older drivers think about new vehicle technologies and self-driving cars. She will introduce AGNES, The Age Gain Now Empathy Systems Suit, to the audience and describe how this tool is used in AgeLab work. To register: 617-730-2644.
ELF: The Equipment Loan Fund has two floor peddlers available for one’s exercise needs. If you or anyone you know could use these, call Jamie at 617-730-2753.
Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group: The Senior Center offers two ongoing support groups designed to help caregivers cope with the stress and demands of loved ones struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. The daytime group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, May 23. If you are interested in this group, please call the facilitator Debby Rosenkrantz at 617-571-3741. The evening group is primarily composed of adult child caregivers and meets on the last Thursday of each month, April 27. If you are interested in this group, please call the facilitator Susan Kanian‐Andriole at 617-730-2754. Note: This group is currently full. Please call to add your name to the waiting list.
Mahjongg: 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. A social game of mahjongg.
Tuesday Morning Dance Party: 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays. Led by Lynn Modell. Suggested donation: $2 per class.
