This support group meets the 1st Wednesday of every month.  Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease is a challenge.  Changes in the person’s behavior, caused by the progress of the disease, can lead to frustration and anxiety for a caregiver.  Join us in  a discussion where you can share your experiences and offer suggestions for handling specific medical, legal, behavioral, and financial problems. The group facilitator will also provide information about services available from other sources.  Refreshments will be served.

Irene Scrima returns each month with a special creation for our Senior Center gift shop.  She would love her friends to join her this month in making a selection of miscellaneous items using needlepoint.  Just bring your scissors, needle and of course a great, big smile!  Group is limited to 8 people.  Please register with receptionist.

Join us for the last Hoorah before summer ends as we celebrate Labor Day.  Frank Castle will be here to get the party going with some great line dances and sing- a- longs.  Everyone is welcome to join us for an hour of music, fun and laughter.  If you would like to stay for lunch, please make your reservation early by contacting Terri ,meal site manager at extension #110.

Francine will be visiting SMRAC with her collection of printed and studded sweatshirts and T-shirts.  Her popular designs include florals, hearts, butterflies, Bingo and more.  She has many colors and sizes, from children to adult XXL.  Special orders are available.   Our agency receives a profit for every shirt sold!  Stop by and support this mini-fundraiser.

This is a support group for persons who are visually impaired.  The mission of In-Sight is to inspire confidence, build skills and empower persons who are visually impaired to become fully integrated, equal members of society by providing diverse services that produce opportunities and choices. 

Jackie Silva from Independent Shoes, will be here for a morning session on shoes for diabetics.  Jackie  has been providing footwear for people with diabetes since 1999.  She has had extensive training and education in the field and is a Certified Pedorthist.  Please stop by to learn more.

When we think of September we think of enjoying the end of Summer’s best weather with warm days and cool nights, apple picking in the morning and baking delicious apple pies in the afternoon and of course our September Birthday Celebration!  If your birthday celebration is in the month of September, come and celebrate with a delicious lunch and live entertainment with the sensational Robert Black.  Everyone is welcome to join us for an hour of great sing along and dance favorites.  After lunch, there will be scrumptious birthday cake courtesy of North Bay Manor.  Famous people whose birthdays fall in the month of September are the only undefeated heavyweight champion, Rocky Marciano; country singer, Faith Hill; famous actor from Seinfeld, Jason Alexander; former Red Sox pitcher, Donald Aase and famous actor who was known for his performance in “The Wrestler”, Mickey Rourke.

The Mancini Breakfast Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday each month. This group visits local restaurants and cafes for breakfast and lively conversation among friends. New participants are always welcome!  Contact the Senior Center  with any questions. 

The URI Pharmaceutical Outreach Program will be here to discuss “Pain Management”.  Pain may be unavoidable but controllable.  Learn how to effectively manage pain and what you should know about pain medications.  There will be plenty of time for questions and concerns.

Dr. Brian Pontarelli will be at the Center to address foot health concerns on Thursday, September 9th. Appointments may  be made with the Podiatrist by calling his office at 231-0500.  When making your appointment you must  speak with Alice and mention that your visit will be at the Senior Health Center at SMRAC. 

Farmer Marie Pary and her staff from Oakdale Farms in Rehoboth will be here to visit us for our “Summer Farmer’s Market”.  There will be a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for you to choose from.  You may purchase your fruits and vegetables with the DEM Senior Farmer’s Market vouchers previously distributed.  Cash and VISA are also accepted.

Our friends from Cherry Hill Manor are hosting   Wii Bowling every Monday afternoon.  Come join us as we combine fun and fitness all in one.   New participants are welcome.

Massage Therapist, Jen Johnson, will be available at our Center this  month to offer a “relaxing chair massage”.  Each session is $10.00 for 15 minutes.  Chair massage has become more popular today and is the ideal alternative to a more expensive spa treatment.  You must make an appointment with our receptionist for this service.

SMRAC & The Wellness Company will sponsor a Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic open to our members only on Friday, October 8th  from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  Appointments must be made ahead of time to insure availability of the vaccine.  You must come in to register and receive your appointment card on September 13th, 14th or 15th from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon.  Telephone reservations will not be accepted.

There will  also be flu clinics open to the public on Fridays: October 15th, 22nd, 29th and November 5th, 12th and 19th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  No appointments are necessary for the public flu clinics.

A new Hi Lo Jack League will begin Monday, September 13th at 12:45 pm.  This league meets each Monday afternoon through January 28th.  If you are interested in joining, kindly register with Gloria Mamis at 353-0688 or with Linda Giorgio at the Center.  

Remember those good old days when we gathered around the piano and sang to all our favorite tunes?

Connie Giso, a local pianist, will be here to entertain us with lots of tunes to those golden oldies and popular songs of the past.  We welcome everyone to attend as we gather together for this fabulous sing-a-long.  If you forget the words, don’t worry, we will have copies of popular tunes music sheets.

The fabulous 50’s era!   The cars, hairstyles, fashion and of course the MUSIC!  Let’s go back in time and reminisce with the music of the 1950’s.  Well known DJ and Entertainer, Lou Paz, will be here to give us all a blast from the past.  You won’t want to miss this enjoyable morning.  Get your dancing shoes ready everyone!  If you would like to stay for lunch, please make your reservation with Terri DiFruscio our meal site manager.  After lunch our friend Janice Contillo of Oakland Grove Health Care Center will be treating us all to a good old fashion “Ice Cream Soda” made with vanilla ice cream and your choice of soda flavors.

  Why not get out the bowling shirt and bobbie socks to wear to this special event.  Make sure you sign up at reception desk for this event.  Deadline is September 9th.

Elaine Vota, quilting instructor, and her creative students will have a special sale of their handmade quilting work.  Everyone is welcome to stop in.  Items made by over 15 participants at our Senior Center will be available.

Join us in this free discussion group, which teaches us how to deal with bereavement, the loss of loved ones and changes in our lives. This group is led by our Social Worker, Cheryl Sadler.  NO FEE.

 Introducing the “Rhode Island Strummers”

The “Rhode Island Strummers” are a senior musical group featuring both melody and rhythm ukulele players.  They will get the party going this morning with a variety of pop hits and sing-a-longs. Joanne Clukey of Cherry Hill Manor will be providing us all with a colorful Hawaiian Lei as she greets us at the door.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Please sign up for this event at  reception desk.  If you plan to stay to enjoy lunch, you must make a separate reservation.

Join Susan Hunter, Fitness Director at Atria Lincoln Place for this complimentary recreational exercise class.  Learn  exercises that will help to increase your strength.  Improved strength helps you to move with more ease.  Susan will show us how to use the thera-band, or you may do exercises  without the band.  Please sign up at reception desk for this class.  Space is limited.

Dr.   Mary   Kay   Uchmanowicz    is  a   board    certified audiologist   and    college   professor   specializing    in communications.  She has over 25 years in the field of audiology and hearing health.  The following services    will  be  provided:   professional  hearing   aid    analysis, hearing  aid  cleaning,  consultations,  minor  hearing aid repair  and  video  ear  inspections.  The screenings and consultations are free of charge.  Appointments are not required.

Please join Mia Florio of Shamrock, Inc. as she explains important information on reverse mortgages.  She will be addressing the basics of a reverse mortgage, the misconceptions, the benefits and the changes in the reverse mortgage program.

Reiki Treatment sessions are offered on the third Thursday of every month from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The cost is $7.00 per ten minute session.  You must  pre-register at the receptionist desk for your 10 minute session with practitioner, Claire Carlino.   Come  experience this wonderful form of healing and relaxation!

Join us for our annual luncheon honoring members of our Center who are 90 years of age and older this year.  The sensational Vini Ames will be providing an entertaining musical  program to our honorees and guests.   Congratulations to all of our 90+ members.  If you are not an honoree and are planning to attend this luncheon you must make a reservation with Terri.

Our friends from Cortland Place will join us for a morning game of pool with their league members. Beginners and pros are welcome.  Join us for a day of games, socializing and fun.   Space is limited, so please sign up with Linda Giorgio, Activities Director, if you would like to attend.  NO TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED.

 A Moment In Time Photography will be at our Senior Center for private photo sessions.  Your sitting fee of $75.00 will be waived by making your appointment here and a portion of the sales will be donated to our Senior Center.  Package prices start at $65.00.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get your Christmas Card Photos taken or a “Special” photo with your closest friends and family.  Please make your appointment by calling our receptionist at 231-0742.

 3RD  ANNUAL PASTA DINNER

This support group regularly meets on the 3rd Monday of every month.  If you, or a loved one, has Parkinson’s Disease, we invite you to join our monthly meeting group.  Meet other people to share interests, ideas, solutions and support, and learn about the resources available to you!  

To celebrate the one year anniversary of our “Wii Bowling League”, Joanne Clukey of Cherry Hill Manor has invited our “Wii” ladies for a delectable lunch held at The Bridge At Cherry Hill.  What a “Wii-licious”   afternoon it will be.  Our Wii ladies must sign up at reception desk no later than September 15th.

Attention all SMRAC BOOK LOVERS!  We will have a selection of hard and soft covered used books that look like new!  Come in and browse.  All proceeds will go to our Senior Center.  Help support this mini fundraiser.  Hardcovers - $3.00; Paperbacks - $1.00.

As the Autumn breeze rolls in so do our friends Jean & Kathy of Cherry Hill as they host our fun Bingo event.  As always, there will be great prizes and plenty of fun!  Everyone is welcome…why not bring some friends along

Attention all SMRAC jewelry lovers!  We will have a gorgeous selection of assorted jewelry for sale.  Why not treat yourself or do a little gift shopping? All proceeds will go to our Senior Center.  Please stop by and support this fundraiser.

Everyone loves ice cream!  Our friends from Atria Place will be here with a sweet sensational visit.  What a wonderful way to top off the afternoon!  There will be lots of scooping with all your favorite toppings.  Everyone is invited, please join us.

Join Jan Silvestri, Certified Yoga Instructor, and experience the benefits of gentle Hatha Yoga.  It improves health through relaxation and breathing techniques. Yoga also relieves stress, improves flexibility, and slows the aging process.  Please register for this class at our reception desk.

RIPTA staff will be here to process photo identification cards for RIPTA Bus Passes.  Seniors must present proof of age such as a driver’s license or birth certificate.  Persons with a disability must present a current 2010 Social Security Disability Award Letter, Medicaid or RIPAE card. 

Our friends at Cortland Place have invited a small group of our senior members (limited to 13) for a special tour and a delightful lunch.  Julie Fox, Director of Marketing, will personalize a guided tour of their beautiful facility. After a tour you will relax to an exquisite lunch especially made by Executive Chef, Marc Ruggio and his staff.  Payment must be made at time of reservation with our receptionist. 

 Our Book Club meets at the Senior Center on the last Tuesday of each month.  Liz D’Amore from the North Providence Union Free Library assists in obtaining the books for our members.  The book to be discussed is “Mudbound” by Hillary Jordan. The book to be distributed will be “The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon.”  Happy Reading everyone!

Our friends Jamielynn Salisbury and Michelle Pelletier of North Bay Manor have invited us for a delightful tour of their beautiful facility along with a delectable lunch especially made by their Executive Chef, Harry Feather and his wonderful staff.  Payment must be made at time of reservation with our receptionist. 

 REMINDER...all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to       receive sales calls.

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will permanently close the Rhode Island Mall branch location, effective Saturday, August 7, 2010.  To accommodate the closing, the Wakefield branch will expand operations to four days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) starting August 11, 2010.   In addition, the public is able to process certain transactions on line at www.dmv.ri.gov, at local AAA offices and through the mail.  For a list of services provided at each branch, please see www.dmv.ri.gov.

Beginning in August the Senior Advisory meeting times will change.  Open meetings, which are held in the Dining Room, will now start at 11:00 am and closed meetings, which are held in the Conference Room, will remain at 10:30 am.

As part of our “34th Anniversary”, we are developing a Commemorative Sponsor Book and are asking members to participate by placing a memorial ad or a booster ad.  The memorial ad is $50.00 and is 1/4 page; a booster ad is $25.00 and just displays a name. Participants that are interested may call 231-0742 for more information or get an ad book donor form at our reception desk.

Our Senior Center Stamp Club meets every Thursday afternoon at 1:00PM.  If you love to collect stamps and would enjoy sharing your collection as well as discussing the authenticity and values they may have, you may want to join our “Stamp Club”.  We are looking for members to join our group.  Please call Austin at  231-1133.

Please note, there will be no collections of any kind  allowed at the Senior Center unless approved by the Executive Director, Karen Testa.

Effective January 1, 2010 our agency will offer a   “Drop-In Pass” for all exercise classes and the gym.   You may purchase a “Drop-In Pass" for $2.00 which entitles you to one visit to any of our exercise classes (as listed below) or to our gym.