• The COA’s Annual Irish Luncheon will take place on Friday, March 14, at 12:00 pm. The meal is the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner! The cost for this meal is $10 per person and must be paid in advance at sign-up. Space fills up quickly, and the limit is 100, so you must sign-up in advance for this dinner! The deadline to sign-up is Friday, March 7. Call 508-763-8723. Anyone is welcome to attend. A 50/50 Raffle will also be held at the luncheon that day for the Senior Center Building Fund. May you have the “Luck of the Irish” and win 50%!!
• Monday night BINGO resumes on Monday, March 3, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Any Senior Citizen is welcome. The COA plays BINGO two times per week (Monday nights and Wednesday. afternoons, 12:30 – 3:00 pm) and we play by the MA Senior Citizen Recreational BINGO laws. Cost is 50 cents per card, 25 cents per game. No card limit. Average 12 – 15 games played each time, and all money collected is given in prizes that day/night.
• A Balance Clinic will be held on Tuesday, March 4, at 10:30 am, given by Randy Veraguas of CAREtenders. It is a free group presentation on ways to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls. Offered by Tender Hearts, Inc., and held at the Rochester Senior Center. Anyone is welcome to attend.
• The Cosmetology students from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School will be offering free manicures and hand massages to anyone interested here at the Senior Center on Thursday, March 27, beginning at 9:45 am. Anyone is welcome to come!
• Rochester COA March Day Trips:
1. Sunday, March 2: Plymouth Home Show and Lunch Stop; 10:30 am – 4:00 pm.
2. Friday, March 21: Hyannis Shopping Trip (Christmas Tree Shop, Trader Joe’s, Hyannis Mall), and Lunch Stop; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
3. Sunday, March 23: Maple Sugar Days at Old Sturbridge Village; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Note: Advance sign-up is necessary to reserve your seat – call 508-763-8723!
• Housing Options as We Age: Legal and Financial Considerations: A free Panel Presentation at the Rochester Senior Center on Thursday, March 6, 4:00 – 6:00 pm offering information on financial and legal aspects to consider as you contemplate making a housing change. Panelists include Daniel Surprenant, Esq., a Certified Elder Law Attorney; Carol Milligan of Bank of Canton; and others. The public is welcome to attend. Advance registration requested by calling COA at 508-763-8723 or Mary McCann of Jack Conway Mattapoisett office at 617-930-2170. Refreshments will be served.
• Rochester’s Pampered Chef returns on Monday, March 3. Food preparation demonstration begins at 11:30 am, and the complete Luncheon is served at 12:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please call 508-763-8723 in advance to sign-up. Suggested donation for the meal is $4 and includes beverage and dessert.
• Soup & Sandwich Lunch: Mondays at 12:00 pm; suggested donation $4. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please call 508-763-8723 in advance to sign-up.
• The Quarterly Birthday Party for Rochester’s older adult residents having a birthday in the months of January, February or March is scheduled at the Senior Center for Monday, March 31 at 12:00 pm. A complete lunch includes beverage and traditional cake and ice-cream. Anyone can attend the lunch. Suggested donation for non-birthday attendees is $4. Please call 508-763-8723 in advance to sign-up.
• Recently-released current DVD movies are shown each Friday at 1:30 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Movies are free and anyone is welcome to attend. If interested, call by Wednesday each week to learn which movie will be shown that coming Friday. Movies are rented online through Netflix.
• Ballroom Dancing Lessons are given every Wednesday at 10:00 am by Instructor Nancy Barrett. Singles and couples are welcome. No advance registration needed. Just come! Suggested $4 donation per person per week. All levels and abilities are welcome. Come every week, or come when you can!
• Chair Yoga Classes at the Rochester Senior Center on Mondays at 1:00 pm with Instructor Susan Ashley. Suggested donation of $3 per person per class. Prior registration not needed. Just come when you can! Anyone is welcome!
• Weekly Blood Pressure Checks at the Rochester Senior Center on Mondays, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, given by the Rochester Health Department. Free service and anyone is welcome.
• Dental Clinic at the Rochester Senior Center with Holly Petruzzo, a visiting Dental Hygienist in Public Health. The mobile dental program offers cleaning & fluoride, dental cleanings, sealants, and oral health education. Cost: $79 and/or a sliding scale for those who can not afford this price. Accepts Mass Health and Senior Whole Health. Appointments in Rochester are on Tuesday, March 18, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. Call Holly directly at 774-766-7238 to schedule your appointment.
• Free Income Tax Preparation appointments are being scheduled on Wednesdays through Tax Season, and will be processed by Certified AARP Tax Volunteer Ann Cambra at the Rochester Senior Center. Call 508-763-8723 to reserve your appointment! Don’t forget to apply for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax at the same time!
• Rochester COA provides transportation for grocery shopping for Rochester residents to the New Bedford Market Basket on Wednesdays, leaving at 8:30 am. Anyone is welcome to ride the van, but they must reserve their seat in advance by calling 508-763-8723.
• Rochester seniors have a growing Bowling League on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am at the Lanes in Mattapoisett. Anyone of any skill level is welcome to join in!
• Line Dancing Classes are held at the Rochester Senior Center on Tuesday afternoons at 2:30 pm and again on Friday mornings at 9:30 am. Instructor is Nancy Cabral. Suggested donation of $2 per person per class is given directly to instructor. No registration necessary. Just come!
• Stepping & Stretching Exercise Class: Instructor Karen Corcoran offers this class two times a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Program is grant funded through Coastline Elderly Services. Donations for each class are appreciated. Any senior is welcome to attend. No prior registration needed.
• “Ye Olde Breakfast Shoppe”: Anyone of any age is welcome to drop in for breakfast from 7:00 – 9:00 am, Monday through Friday, at the Rochester Senior Center. Breakfast is an expansive varied menu, with weekly specials, and reasonable prices! Includes a bottomless cup of coffee. Sponsored by volunteers from the FRIENDS of the Rochester Senior Center and the Rochester Lions Club. Closed holidays, snow days, and weekends.
• Cardio Dance-Fit Exercise Program: Instructor Ellie Higgins leads this fast-paced program on Tuesdays at 9:00 am. Cost is $4 per person per class, paid directly to instructor. Anyone of any level is welcome to come and participate! No prior sign-up necessary.
• The monthly Veterans Social for area Veterans of all ages will be held on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to come to this free, informal gathering of brothers who share experiences and camaraderie. Refreshments are served. No prior registration needed. Just come!
• Hot Congregate Meals are served at the Rochester Senior Center on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays at 11:30 am. The program is federally funded and operated through Coastline Elderly Services. Call 508-763-8723 for the daily menu. Suggested donation of $2 per meal and 24-hour advance sign-up is requested. Any senior is welcome to attend.
• Cribbage Enthusiasts: Cribbage is scheduled every Monday from 9:00 – 11:30 am. Anyone interested can just drop in and join in with a group. Just bring your cribbage board and a deck of cards. Program is free! Stay for lunch, too!
• The Painters in the Monday morning Art Group at the Rochester Senior Center extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in painting to come and join other artists from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm for friendly encouragement and conversation. All levels welcome! Watercolors or Acrylics, whichever you enjoy! Instruction materials are available. Bring your own supplies. Free! Why not stay for lunch afterwards, too!
• The Rochester COA has the following Volunteer Opportunities available:
1. Breakfast Program Cook: one day a week, or as a substitute
2. Kitchen Assistants (waitresses & dishwashers)
3. Friday afternoon Movie Attendant
4. Computer Teacher to teach organized class on any topic. (The Senior Center is now wireless!)
5. Crafts Instructor (general or one specific craft)
If interested, please call Sharon Lally at 508-763-8723.