Senior spotlight

Friday, March 12, 2010

Center information

Contact the Loffler Senior Activity Center at 301-737-5670, ext. 1652; the Garvey Senior Activity Center at 301-475-4200, ext. 1050; the Northern Senior Activity Center at 301-475-4002, ext. 1001; and Ridge at 301-475-4200, ext. 1050. Call the Vivian Ripple Adult Day Services Center at 301-373-6515.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.stmarysmd.com/aging.

Dining out can benefit Meals on Wheels program

Area residents can support the St. Mary's County Meals on Wheels Program at Cici's Pizza in California on Wednesday, March 17, when they eat there for lunch or dinner, dine in or carry out. Cici's Pizza in San Souci Plaza will donate a portion of the proceeds raised to support this program that serves homebound county seniors.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels or for more information about the program, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1060.

Trip planned for Riverside Center Dinner Theatre

The St. Mary's County Department of Aging will host a trip to Riverside Center Dinner Theatre on Wednesday, March 31, to see "Smokey Joe's Cafe," a musical theatrical revue showcasing 39 of "the greatest rock ‘n' roll and rhythm and blues hits ever recorded" — the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The show is designed to celebrate both the songs and the famous artists — including Elvis, The Coasters, Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones — who made them icons of the American musical scene. The bus leaves Loffler at 9 a.m., Garvey at 9:30 a.m. and Northern at 10 a.m. Cost is $86, which includes ticket for meal and show, motor coach bus, snacks, taxes and gratuities. For information or to sign up, call Brandy at 301-475-4200, ext. 1062.

Deadline extended for Brandywine Valley trip

The deadline has been extended for the upcoming trip to Winterthur and Longwood Gardens. Organizers will continue to take reservations and payment until March 19.

This trip will take place April 15 and 16. Cost is $372 for double occupancy; $442 for single occupancy. Participants will take an overnight trip to the Brandywine Valley to see Winterthur and Longwood Gardens. The gardens should have azalea's blooming and there will be antiques at Winterthur.

Cost of this trip will include motorcoach transportation, admission to Winterthur mansion and garden tours, admission to the Hagley Museum, overnight stay and dinner at Mendenhall Inn, followed by a Victorian costume demonstration, continental breakfast buffet, admission to the Brandywine River Museum, admission to Longwood Gardens, snack and water on the way up and back and all taxes, tips and gratuities.

To sign up for this trip go to any senior activity center with full payment. (Loffler is temporarily located at the Hall of Fame building at Chancellor's Run Park.) For more information call Shellie at 301-737-5670, ext. 1655, or 240-561-0281.

Northern center looks west for upcoming event

The Northern Senior Activity Center Council and the St. Mary's County Department of Aging are sponsoring a country western event on Wednesday, March 31, at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. The requested donation is $8 per person, and tickets are now available at the Northern center.

It will be a day of music, entertainment, drawings, lottery and a catered meal of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, cornbread and apple cobbler. The deadline for purchasing tickets at the center is Friday, March 19.

Loffler activities temporarily moved at Chancellor's Run Park

Many of Loffler's fitness and social programs are now being held in the Hall of Fame building located at Chancellor's Run Park. Staff can be contacted at 301-737-5670 or 301-475-4200. Whichever number dialed, the extensions are as follows: Joyce Raum, 1656; Shellie Graziano, 1655; Tammy Gillingham, 1658; Kathleen Bellinger, 1663; and Jayne Hunsinger, 1653.

Lyme disease to be focus of documentary

On Thursday, March 18, at 1 p.m., area seniors are invited to see the award-winning documentary, "Under Your Skin," which explores one of the fastest-growing health concerns today, Lyme disease. Sign up by calling 301-475-4002, ext. 1001. Ask about the discussion groups following the showing of the video.

Get out your green

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Area seniors are encouraged to wear green and come to the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Wednesday, March 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a traditional St. Patrick's Day meal of corned beef, Irish soda bread, potatoes and cabbage, carrots and Irish Brambrack cake. There will be a St. Patrick's Day treasure hunt and a singalong to favorite Irish tunes. There will be homemade Irish party favors for everyone. Lunch cost is $5 for those younger than 60 and by donation for those 60 and older. Space is limited; make a reservation by calling 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.