Manistee Senior Center Hosts Full Week of Activities

The Manistee County Senior Center is preparing for a lively week ahead, offering a range of programs and events for area seniors. From music and tours to health clinics and recreational activities, the center continues to be a central hub for the community’s older adults. Executive Director Sarah Howard invites all manistee county seniors to participate and says there’s something for everyone on the schedule.

Senior Exercise Classes and Recreational Programs

The center offers a robust lineup of senior exercise classes to cater to different fitness levels and interests. Free classes include Sit and Get Fit, Balance and Stretching, Cardio Drumming, Zumba Gold, Line Dancing, and Tai Chi. These senior recreational programs are designed to promote health and wellness, and donations are accepted from participants under 60. In addition to exercise, seniors can join games like dominoes, pinochle, Mah Jongg, hand & foot, cribbage, bunco, and euchre throughout the week.

Sample Weekly Schedule

• Monday: Chair Massages, Pinochle, Balance & Stretching, Mah Jongg, Dominoes, and Board Games
• Tuesday: Sit & Get Fit, Music with Playing It Forward, Medicare sessions, Sign Language, Line Dancing, Knit & Crochet
• Wednesday: Blood Pressure Clinic, Zumba Gold, Produce Bingo, Cardio Drumming, and Trip Information Session
• Thursday: Mobile Secretary of State, Color Tour, Parkinson’s Support Group, Cribbage, Chess, Cardio Drumming
• Friday: Senior Food Bank, Balance & Stretching, Hand & Foot, Euchre

Music and Social Events at the Senior Center

Music continues to be a central part of senior center activities. This week, highlights include Music Buddy, who performs guitar and brings a new sound to Toe Tapping Tuesdays, and a performance by the band Playing It Forward. Special mention goes to upcoming events such as tickets now on sale for the Halloween Party on Friday, Nov. 30, featuring an Elvis impersonator show by Jake Slater and catering by Jerry Zupin. In addition, local musicians such as Virgil Baker and the Just 4 Fun Band are part of the community’s music at senior center and social events calendar.

Senior Support Services and Resources

The Senior Center provides a wide range of senior support services to assist local older adults. The center maintains a chore provider list for essential paid services such as lawn mowing, housekeeping, snow shoveling, and transportation. The senior reimbursement program offers financial assistance for eligible expenses, helping seniors stay independent at home. Additional services include a blood pressure clinic and various health-related resources.

Support groups are also available. Grief support meets on the first Thursday of the month, facilitated by Munson Healthcare Hospice staff, while a Parkinson’s support group meets the third Thursday, providing emotional and practical support to participants.

Food Security and Emergency Assistance

The senior food bank is open the third Friday of each month from 9–11 a.m. at 260 St. Mary’s Parkway for Manistee County seniors aged 60 or older. The center operates an emergency food pantry for those experiencing immediate need, and donations are welcomed. Congregate meal sites across Manistee County, including Wagoner Community Center, Wellston, Marilla, Arcadia, and Maple Grove Township, serve lunch on various days throughout the week. Menus are subject to change due to food shortages.

Special Events and Community Happenings

The upcoming week includes unique opportunities such as a Color Tour to see autumn foliage with a stop at Lenz’s Country Kitchen, informational meetings for an upcoming Quebec and Ontario trip, and appearances by the Mobile Secretary of State, providing on-site services with no appointment required. The Senior Center also encourages community members to donate to local food banks to support neighbors in need, especially with rising costs of essentials.

For more information or to register for programs, contact the Manistee County Council on Aging at 231-723-6477.

Source: manisteenews.com.