SOMERS — With a wide range of activities, programs and services, the Somers Senior Center aims to fit the needs of Somers’ older population.
“We may be a small community, but we offer so many vital resources for our aging community,” said Donna Richardson, supervisor of the Somers Senior Center. “It is our goal to create a warm and welcoming environment where members can take part in recreational, educational and social activities.”
According to Richardson, some of the most popular activities at the Senior Center are those that bring people together and keep them active, such as meal events, chair aerobics, pickleball, bingo, bridge and trips.
New for this spring and summer will be “Cornhole and Coffee” on Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m., which will be played rain or shine either outside on the patio or inside the center.
“We are [also] starting a new Grief Support Program with Visiting Nurse & Health Services of Connecticut,” noted Richardson. “This is a six-week session on Mondays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. starting on June 3 and is for anyone who may need help healing after losing a loved one.”
June will also bring the center’s third annual summer barbeque, with entertainment from musician Dee Reilly and a visit from the Udder Delights ice cream truck, and a class on making greeting cards. In July, senior citizens will enjoy a Fourth of July celebration, a Paint-Sip-Fun class, an Escape from Albania presentation, a Lunch Bunch trip to Aqua Turf and a Celebrate Italia show. August will see a Friendship Tour trip.
In addition to the wealth of activities, the Senior Center also provides many services to assist people with any needs they may have. Dial-A-Ride offers free curb-to-curb transportation for all Somers residents aged 60 and older, as well as those aged 18 and older who are on Social Security disability, anywhere in Somers, and to Enfield and Johnson Memorial Hospital.
“We would like to bring in a licensed masseuse and offer chair massages to go along with our personal care items that we offer such as foot care, spa services, haircuts and beard trimmings,” said Richardson. “We work closely with our local police and fire departments to continue to educate on fraud and scam concerns, safety issues and basic CPR training.”
Richardson noted that the center would like to add a beginner watercolor painting class to complement the art group that creates art to be displayed at the center.
“Our older population deserves to be taken care of and we have fun doing it,” explained Richardson. “We have many members who say, ‘The Senior Center has saved their lives, and they appreciate what we do.’ They get on a weekly routine and look forward to seeing our newsletter every month.”
Somers Senior Center is located at 10 Battle St. and is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 860-763-4379 or check out the monthly newsletter available at the center and on its Facebook page.
