Townspeople

Senior Notes: Events offered at the Andover Senior Center


Published: November 13, 2008

Birding group: Preregistration. If it's fall, then it's time to head out with the Retelles to explore and enjoy some of the local conservation areas. We'll be meeting at and heading out from the center at 8 a.m. on Fridays. Be sure and give us a call if you're planning to come with us.

Craft corner: We're gearing up to work on items for the upcoming holiday fair season. If you enjoy crafts, come on down and join us on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

Art For Everyone: A new 10-week session of instructional art is now meeting on Monday afternoons from 1:15 to 3:15. The cost is $50 for the 10-week session. Come and work from still life or a subject of your choice. Emphasis will be on the effects of light, color and value. Students will work in a supportive atmosphere with individualized instruction. All mediums and levels welcome.

Peabody Essex Museum Trip: "Painting The Polar Landscape," Friday, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m., $30. Driven by the promise of adventure and the allure of the polar landscape, Fredric Edwin Church, William Bradford, Rockwell Kent and other artist/explorers sought inspiration at the ends of the earth. Some embarked on personal pilgrimages, others accompanied the official expeditions of explorers like Admiral Byrd and Sir Ernest Shackelton. Their experiences in the Arctic and Antarctic inspired a breathtaking array of works ranging from monumental romantic canvases to intimate early modernist pastels. Cost includes museum admission, guided tour and bus transportation. Lunch on your own.

Thanksgiving pie sale: Order your homemade Thanksgiving pies from us. Ten-inch apple, mince and pumpkin pies will be baked at the center and available for pick up on either Nov. 25 or Nov. 26. All pies must be pre-ordered and paid for by Nov. 14. The cost is $8 per pie.

Money Saving Programs for Seniors: Friday, Nov. 14, at 9:30 a.m. come learn about a variety of programs available to seniors such as deferring property taxes, statutory exemptions, the Circuit Breaker Program and more.

Men's Breakfast: Friday, Nov. 21, at 8:30 a.m., cost is $3, advance reservations. "Hiking The Appalachian Trail". join us as we hear about Rob Anctil's amazing journey which took him across 14 states and over 2,000 miles. Learn what it's like for a "thru-hiker" as you leave your life-style, loved ones and creature comforts for 6 months. We'll begin with the "Hiking Hobos" on Springer Mountain in Georgia and end 5 million steps later at Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

Fix-It-Shop: Open on Monday, Nov. 17, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Seniors who have small appliances or household items in need of repair can stop in without an appointment.

Exercise Registration: For the winter semester of exercise classes will take place at the center the week of Nov. 17. Classes will be offered in strength training for women, tap dancing, low impact aerobics and modified yoga. The twelve week winter semester will get underway on Dec. 1 and run through Feb. 20. Nordic walking will resume in the

Book Club: Thursday, Nov. 20, at 1:30 p.m., we'll be discussing "The Center of Everything" by Laura Moriarty. Discussions are open to all who enjoy reading a good book and gathering for a friendly discussion. Books are available for check out at the center approximately two weeks prior to each monthly discussion.

Holiday Fair: The Andover Senior Center on Whittier Court will hold their annual holiday craft fair and bake sale on Friday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will feature holiday flowers and arrangements, Christmas crafts, seasonal decorations, knit goods, gifts items, quilted bags, a bake table and more. Community welcome.

Shingles vaccine: The Andover health department has announced that it is the recipient of a generous grant from the Andover Home for Aged People. This money will allow the continued offering of the shingles vaccine Zostavax. The vaccine, at a cost of $10, is available for Andover residents age 60 and older who have had chicken pox but never had shingles. For further information, contact the health department at 978-623-8295.

Knit-Wits: A drop-in group for those who enjoy knitting will be on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. Instruction will also be provided for those who would like to learn or improve their technique. You can bring your own project, or if you'd like to knit for the senior center, we'll supply the yarn if you lend your expertise. Group leader is Sue Finn.

Massage: A licensed massage therapist will be on site every Monday morning for seated upper-body chair massage. Therapeutic massage provides many health benefits including relaxation, improved circulation and joint mobility and improvement in muscular tension and body aches. Advance appointments are necessary and the reduced cost is $12 for a 20-minute treatment.