The Community Matters
MESSENGER: Seniors
News from the Center.
December is, for many, a time of joy and celebration; we get set for more holiday gatherings and prepare for the New Year. However, please keep in mind that some of your friends and family members may be feeling lonely. Perhaps they couldn’t make it to see their loved ones, or the amount of holiday parties are leaving them drained physically and emotionally. There is something you can do to combat feelings of loneliness, bring your friends to a holiday event or take them shopping. If they are feeling like their energy is zapped find a quiet place to sip back, relax and maybe enjoy a cup of coffee, which you can do any weekday at the Community Center’s lounge area. It’s much more relaxing and stress levels are limited when you have someone to talk with-even when you are busy as a bee.
Another way to combat stress is to ask to make a holiday party a potluck, rather than a meal made by the host. Each person can attend the gathering with one dish in hand, no need to slave over an oven for hours on end. We have a Senior Potluck Dinner on the third Friday of the month, this month and every month; where you can enjoy food, friends, and great conversation. Potluck gatherings are a simple way to enjoy a variety of culinary delights, while making it easy to keep cooking time to a minimumyou could even swing by the store and pick-up somethingsaving even more time and limiting stress. Please keep in mind that many of our senior activities will be cancelled December 24th to January 2nd. Have a safe and joyous holiday season and we look forward to seeing you at the Community Center this month and in the New Year!
December 2012 Issue
In this Issue: Active Aging: Wii Fitness Continuing Education: Masterpiece Theater, New Tech Skills, Seminars, Book Club & Culinary Classes. Social Opportunities: Senior Socials in Dec Senior Spotlight: Meet Virgie Mitchell Senior Scoop: Get the “Scoop” on local deals
Active Aging
We offer a variety of Active Aging programs that fit your needs. This month we are featuring our Wii Fitness Class. What is Wii? Wii is a motion controlled video game system developed by Nintendo®. The Wii has wireless motion sensing controllers that the player holds in his or her hand, while participating in a variety of video games. What games can I play on the Wii? Anything you can imagine-baseball, tennis, soccer, archery, wakeboarding, cycling, balance puzzle games, golf, and even bowling. Will Wii work for me? The Nintendo Wii goes off of motion. It’s the perfect adaptable activity because the controller weighs about a half pound. You can even play from the comfort of a seat!
Social Opportunities This month we have a number of social opportunities to get you motivated, come have fun and meet new friends at our Social Gatherings. This month we’ll be delving into a number of different opportunities to talk, enjoy food, and celebrate the holiday season. December 5th: Mr. Todd Sprow, the Community Center’s resident artist, is going to be teaching more basics of art, come check out the class and unleash your creativity using paints, pencils and paper! December 12th: Come to our end of the year holiday potluck! We’ll be playing BINGO for prizes, making holiday crafts and enjoy1
ing lunch potluck-style. Please bring a cover dish and a $5 gift to be used for a BINGO prize. It’s a great time of the year to reflect and catch up with your old friends. With all you have going on this month, we hope you find time to make it out to the Community Center to join in our holiday social opportunities. December 19th: We share the Community Center everyday with the Preschoolers, so it’s fitting that we’ll be joining them for a Holiday Extravaganza. You’ll be able to snack on cookies, drink cocoa and enjoy a holiday film.
If you’re up for a good time and looking to get your exercise in stop by and play a round of golf or serve up that ace during Wii Fitness, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am.
Weekly Active Aging Classes:
Monday: Aqua-cise 9a-9:50a Senior Yoga 10:45a-11:30a Tuesday: Pickle Ball 9a-10a Wii Fitness 11a-12:30p Wednesday: Table Tennis 8:45a-10:15a Senior Strength & Sculpt 10a-10:50a Thursday: Restorative Aquafit 10:30a-11:20a Wii Fitness 11a-12:30p Friday: Friday Frolics 9a-9:45a Friday Free Shoot 10a-11:15a
Weekly Social Opportunity Classes: Monday: Morning Mochas 8:30a-10:30a Potluck Picnic in the Park 11a-1p Tuesday: Gardening Gurus 9a-10:15a Board Bonanza 12p-2p Wednesday: Senior Socials 10:30a-12p Mystery of the Month 12p-2p Thursday: Gardening Gurus 9a-10:15a Bingo “Night” 11a-12:30p Friday: Morning Mochas 8:30a-10:30a Senior Potluck Dinner 4:30p-6p
703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com
Continuing Education It is important for everyone to keep physically and mentally active during these winter months. We have a variety of Continuing Education courses to teach you more about the things you love as well as things you may not know anything about at all! Spend some time making your own holiday gifts instead of purchasing them, learn more about music, sit in on a seminar or book discussion and even learn how to eat healthy snacks on the go.
New School Skills:
Masterpiece Theater:
This month’s Senior Seminar is on December 19th, come by to learn about holiday home safety tips. We’ll also explore the how to manage houseguests, in homes they aren’t accustomed to.
Do you desire to learn how to use a computer, a particular program on a laptop, or just trying to figure out how to send an e-mail? Our expert teacher will show you everything you need to know. Dec 4: Safe Surfing-Shopping Online Dec 11: Digital Creations-Turning Photos In Holiday Masterpieces Dec 18: PowerPoint-Creating Presentations Quick & Easy
Senior Seminars:
Make sure to bring your creativity and imagination to this class every Monday. We will cover everything from painting and drawing to poetry and dance. Dec 3: Music AppreciationHoliday Music Culinary Delights Dec 10: Creative Crafting-Making Dec 5: Holiday Cookies-Shapes & Your Holiday Gifts More Dec 17: Gingerbread Creations Dec 12: Holiday Side Items-Quick Sides for Entertaining Dec 19: Bring in a treat along with your recipe to add to our recipe book!
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Virgie Mitchell
Virgie is always in a positive, upbeat mood! Having taught kindergarten for several years, she knows how to put creativity and ingenuity to use, something that is often needed completing the arts and crafts projects at the Senior Socials. She likes to come because she can “talk with friends and have fun.”
Book Club:
On the first Friday of each month, we’ll be reading and sharing our thoughts on the story and characters from historical novels to romantic classic books, and everything in between. The plot twist for this book club: we’ll be sharing our thoughts over potluck food that follows the story. Accommodating for holiday gatherings and travel, the Book Club participants couldn’t meet in December, so you have a chance to read the selection from November: the classic novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
Virgie puts her outgoing, happy spirit into everything she does, even dressing up for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween. She even said that she was looking forward to going all out again this year with her holiday decorations, and hopes that she gets a good view of Santa this year as the Light Parade rolls by her home.
She also regularly comes to exercise in the Fitness Center and you could find her at Come meet Virgie and the rest of our different social gatherings around town on Manassas Park Seniors today, you’ll be any given day, such as the Senior BINGO glad you did. Party at Chick-Fil-A on Tuesday Afternoons. 703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com
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Senior Scoop We’re going to give you the “Scoop” on local deals, local resources and even local activities that you can be a part of!
We Can’t Wait to Meet You!
Where to Save After Holiday Sales Stores often hold massive clearance sales on merchandise that was marketed for holiday shopping season. And it’s not just candy and decor. Everything from Coffee Creamer to crackers-even air fresheners, are seasonal items because of the design of the package. Check out the clearance section of your local store to find great deals on items you use every day from cheese to chips, that have holiday marketing. Hotel Reservations Last month, we told you about some great deals for car rentals that are perfect for trips. Well, if you are traveling this holiday season and you find that sleeping in your family’s guest cottage isn’t as peaceful as you thought. Major hotel chains offer discounts of up to 20% off. Ask for a senior discount when you place your reservation for complete details and offers. Where to Play Holiday Events Use your creative touch to build holiday masterpieces and take in the sites at some of our holiday events. Better yet bring your grandkids for a fun, cheerful holiday experience that won’t break the bank! December 6th: Dough Ornaments December 8th: Light Parade on Manassas DriveView for FREE! December 13th: Gingerbread House Decorating December 15th: Breakfast with Santa
703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com