Charlestown
Senior Citizen News
01:00 AM EDT on Friday, April 6, 2007

Among the activities offered at the Narragansett Senior Center is a painting class on Monday afternoons. At left, Virginia Sharkey of Narragansett works on a chalk painting of flowers.
The Providence Journal / Kathy Borchers
Swim program: URI’s Office of Recreational Services sponsors a swim program for senior citizens each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 8, 9 and 10 a.m., in Tootell Aquatic Center.
Registration may be made in the foyer of Mackal Field House. For information, call 874-7035.
Y programs: The YMCA of South County, 165 Broad Rock Rd., Peace Dale, offers several fitness classes for older adults, including water exercise, “Light ’n Lively” low-impact aerobics and stretching, and “Sit to Be Fit” flexibility and strength, as well as monthly health lectures.
A walking group meets Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., for walks preceded by stretching, strengthening and endurance building For information, call 783-3900.
The Charlestown Senior Center, at Ninigret Park, hosts the following activities, except holidays:
Monday, cribbage, 1:30 p.m.; Tuesday, painting, 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday: bridge class, 10 a.m., and games, 1 p.m.; and Thursday: knitting, 1 p.m., and scrabble, 1:15 p.m. Money bingo games are played the third Thursday each month, 1:30 p.m.
Help with Medicare or other senior issues is available by calling Joan Pistone or Andrea Chesky at the Westerly Senior Center, 596-2404.
Reservations for noontime meals may be made, or canceled, by calling 364-9955 two days in advance. Each meal costs $2.50.
The center is looking for volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels. For information, call 364-9955.
Trips: The center will sponsor a trip to the Newport Playhouse this summer.
For information, call 364-9955.
Canonchet Cliffs trips: Canonchet Cliffs Senior Center is sponsoring the following trips:
Quebec, May 14 through 18, $600 and $800; lobsterfest and show at Chez Josef, Agawam, Mass., $75; Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Mass., $52; and Christmas at White Mountain Hotel and Resort, North Conway, N.H., Dec. 5 through 7.
For information or to register, call Marilyn Rathbun at 783-8534.
The Narragansett Senior/Community Center, 53 Mumford Rd., is the site of the following weekly activities:
Monday: quilting, 9:30 a.m. to noon, and painting, 1 to 3 p.m.; Wednesday: bingo, 10 a.m.; Thursday: ceramics, 9:30 a.m., knitting, 10 a.m., and chorus, 1:30 p.m.; and Friday: line dancing, 10:30 a.m., bridge, 12:30 to 3 p.m., and games, 1 to 3 p.m. A knitting instructor is available with help at that group’s meeting the second Thursday of the month, for a $5 fee.
The Narragansett Notables choral group rehearses Thursday at 2 p.m.
A health clinic is scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m.
The senior association meets the first and third Tuesday at noon, followed by a social at 1 p.m.
Transportation is available to the following:
URI’s “Senior Swim,” every Monday, and second, third and fourth Friday, 8 a.m., returning 10 a.m.; to local medical appointments, with pick-up at home, Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday bingo, with home pick-up; and Salt Pond Shopping Center, Thursday, home pick-up available.
Reservations should be made by calling 782-0675 at least two working days in advance for home pick-up.
Safe driving course: The center will administer the “55-Alive” safe driving course next Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The fee is $10; for reservations, call 782-0675
Trips: The center has scheduled the following trips:
Cabaret Lulu, Groton Inn April 25, $70; Blackstone River cruise, May 9, $52; Ottawa Tulip Festival and Niagara Falls, May 19 through 23, $661; Cape Cod cruise and lobster bake, June 11, $70; and Tall Ships/Bay Queen cruise, June 29, $74. For information or reservations, call 782-0675.
Beechwood House Senior Center, 10 Beach St., North Kingstown, hosts the following weekly activities, except on holidays:
Monday: “dancercise,” 9 a.m., computer class, 9:30 a.m., health clinic (first and third), 10 a.m. to noon, stamp club (second and fourth), Red Hat Society (third), and Italian class, 1 p.m., and “People With Arthritis Can Exercise,” 3 p.m.; Tuesday: gardening and computer class, 9 a.m., craft workshop, 10 a.m., pinochle, 1 p.m., and yoga, 3 p.m.; Wednesday: line dancing, 9:30 a.m., reflexology, 10 a.m., military whist, (second and fourth), 1 p.m., tai chi, 1:30 p.m., and “P.A.C.E.” (first and second), 3 p.m.; Thursday: bridge, 9 a.m. (10:30 for beginners), low-impact aerobics, 9:30 a.m., beginners’ bridge, 10:30 a.m., senior care clinic (first and third), 12:30 p.m., “Swingers,” 1 p.m., nutrition program (first, second and third), 4 to 6 p.m., and “T.O.P.S.” (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), 5:30 p.m.; and Friday: “fun fitness,” 9:30 a.m., library hour, 10 a.m., and bingo and quilting (second, third and fourth), 1 p.m.
A support group for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Kingston Free Library librarian Pamela Mead will lead a discussion of Michael Cunningham’s Atonement, April 11 at 10:30 a.m. Copies are available at the library; for information or to register, call 789-0268 or 783-8254.
Volunteer counselors from the Senior Health Insurance Program are available to provide one-to-one assistance to seniors needing information on health insurance eligibility and benefits.
To schedule an appointment, call 268-1591.
A shopping bus is available to pick up residents at their homes each Tuesday morning for a trip to Stop & Shop. Transportation is provided each Thursday morning at 10 to Dave’s Marketplace, to local doctors’ offices each Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. Rides to medical appointments that day may be arranged by calling 461-9760 or 295-1121.
Lunch is served every weekday at noon. To make reservations for the following week, or to cancel them, call 268-1592cq by 1 p.m. Thursday. The requested donation is $2.50.
Reflexology is offered each Wednesday; massage therapy, Friday; and Reiki each Tuesday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fee is $10 for 15 minutes; for an appointment, call 294-3331, ext. 402.A certified massage therapist will be at Beechwood House March 15 from 12:30 to 4 p.m., for a fee of $25 for 30 minutes, or $45 per hour. Appointments are required and may be made by 294-3331, ext. 402.
Manicures are available each Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The fee is $7; to make an appointment, call 294-3331, ext. 402. Podiatry services are available; for an appointment, call 268-1590.
The center’s book club meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. For information, call 294-3331, ext. 402.
“Life Strategies” group: Nurse and social worker Joanne Waites leads a group addressed to issues affecting senior citizens, including loss, depression and anxiety, physical challenges, family concerns, adjusting, and coping skills, at 1 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month.
For information or to register, call 294-3331, ext. 402.
Tax preparation assistance: Representatives from the AARP-sponsored Tax Aide Program will be at Beechwood House to assist seniors and low-income tax filers with preparation and filing of federal and state income tax returns each Thursday and Friday morning, through April 13, from 9 to noon.
Appointments are required, and may be made by calling 268-1590. Appointments for assistance to shut-ins may be arranged by calling 295-8083 or 295-7194.
All returns will be prepared by the trained volunteers and transmitted electronically.
The Richmond Senior Center, 1168 Main St., Wyoming, conducts the following activities on a weekly basis:
Monday: quilting and tai chi, 9 a.m., coffee circle, 10 a.m., and cardio-fitness, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday: walking group and art class, 9:30 a.m., and board games and bingo, 6 p.m.; Wednesday: “Sit Down/Get Fit,” 9 a.m., cribbage, 1:30 p.m., and “T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly),” 4:30 p.m.; Thursday: crocheting/needlepoint and knitting, 9 a.m., computer class, 10 a.m., gardening group (second and fourth) and board games (first and third), 1:30 p.m., and cardio-fitness, 5:30 p.m.; and Friday: “Sit Down/Get Fit,” 9 a.m., and board games and chorus, 1:30 p.m.
A veterans group meets the last Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m., and a book club meets the last Friday of the month at 2:30 p.m.
Registration may be made for art classes, meeting Tuesday morning from 9:45 to 11:45, by calling 539-6144.
The Senior Affairs Association meets the first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Richmond Town Hall.
An elder information specialist is at the center from 10 to 11 a.m. the second Monday of the month.
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