Activities & Programs

The Waconia Area Senior Center offers activities, classes, and programs for a wide variety of ages, groups, and interests. Registration only required for highlighted events. Please click on the links next to the events to register.

Arts & Crafts

Weekly Events

Cribbage: Learn & Play

A card game, usually for two players, in which each player tries to form various counting combinations of cards. Each player receives six cards, and the score is kept by moving pegs on a narrow rectangular board. Beginners and experts are invited to play.

Tuesdays

10am

Bridge is a four-player partnership trick-taking game with thirteen tricks per deal. The dominant variations of the game are rubber bridge, more common in social play; and duplicate bridge, which enables comparative scoring in tournament play. Each player is dealt thirteen cards from a standard 52-card deck. Open to beginners and experienced players!

Thursdays

12:30pm

Weekly Events

BINGO

Join us for classic and Yahoo BINGO. On Nov. 26 we’ll celebrate the birthdays this month by giving away a book with every BINGO!

Wednesdays
12:30pm

Come and enjoy your favorite board games with your friends! Channel your competitive spirit and enjoy the element of chance.

Thursdays

10am

Board Games

Bridge

Games of Choice & Card Games

Drop in to join a variety of card games including: Hand & Foot, 500, and Kings Corner.

Check out the upcoming new games!

Wednesday, Oct. 29: Yahtzee and Rummikub
Wednesday, Nov. 5 10:30-11:30am Left Right Center
Wednesday, Nov. 26 10:30-11:30am Sequence & Cornhole

Mondays & Wednesdays

10am

Mahjong:
Learn & Play

Beginners and experts are welcome! Mahjong is a tile-matching game where players race to create a winning hand before their opponents. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles that depict Chinese characters, symbols, dots, bamboo, winds, dragons, flowers, and seasons. The goal is to form four sets and one pair, also known as a meld and an eye, respectively. Mahjong sets provided by the Senior Center.

Mondays

12:45pm

Mexican Train Dominoes

Mexican Train is a game played with dominoes. The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from his or her hand onto one or more chains, or trains, emanating from a central hub or "station". The game's most popular name comes from a special optional train that belongs to all players. Dominoes provided by the Senior Center.

Tuesdays

10am

Cards & Games at the Waconia Senior Center

Books & Reading

Fitness & Health

Sheephead: Learn & Play

Sheepshead is a trick-taking card game, often called American Schafkopf, played with a deck of 32 cards (7-A of each suit). It typically involves 4 players, but variations exist for 2-8 players. The game revolves around trick-taking and point-gathering, with a goal of reaching 61 points to win a hand.

Tuesdays

10am

Monthly Events

Craft: Felt Hoop Art

Come & enjoy craft therapy, socializing and discover your creativity! This month we will be doing Felt Hoop Art with a Fall Season flavor! All materials will be provided. Limited to 12 people. Please bring your fee with you the day of the event!

Thursday, Oct. 16th

10am-12pm

Dementia Conversations

When someone is showing signs of dementia, it’s time to talk. Often, conversations with fmaily about changing behaviors can be challenging and uncomfortable. This program provides tips for breaking the ice with your family so you can address some common issues that are difficult to discuss: going to the doctor for diagnosis or medical treatment, deciding when to stop driving, and make legal and financial plans for future care.

Monday, Oct. 20th

11am-12pm

Call 651.829.3944 to schedule your appointment at Safari Island.

Healthy feet enable you to maintain mobility and independence. Regular foot care is important for increased comfort and improved overall well-being. Registered nurses provide the following services: assessment of feet and skin, trim toenails, manage fungal nails, reduce corns/callus, and diabetic foot care.

Tuesday, Oct. 21st

8am-4pm

Cost: $65

Foot Clinic

Keep In Balance

One of the main risk factors for falling is poor balance! Using a chair for support this 60-minute class will use a variety of exercises that target your balance and lower body strength! (Classes are provided by Safari Island Community Center. Members of Safari Island can attend class for free. Non-members pay a $5 fee. Not registered as a member of Safari Island? Most insurances provide a FREE membership. Please contact Kristi Sherlock at 952.442.3105 or ksherlock@waconia.org to see if you qualify!)

Wednesday, Oct. 22nd

10:30-11:30am

Fun & Games

Fire Station Tour

Celebrate Fire Prevention month with a guided tour of the Waconia Fire Station, meet firefighters, learn about fire safety, and see the equipment, vehicles, and living areas used to keep the community safe.

Thursday, Oct. 23rd

10:30-11:30am

Start your weekend off on the right foot! Every month we will plan a breakfast outing to a different local restaurant. This month join a group of senior center friends at Mocha Monkey (Olive Street) at 10am! We’ll do the planning and then breakfast is on you!

Friday, Oct. 24th

10am

Monthly Breakfast Outing

Donuts with the Director of Public Services

Join us for coffee and donuts as we listen to updates from Jon Haukaas, the Waconia Director of Public Services. He oversees all areas of Public Works including streets, stormwater, parks, utilities, and fleet management. He also manages the contract engineers through Bolton & Menk.Find out what he does to manage the day-to-day operations of Waconia. You won’t want to miss it!

Monday, Oct. 27th

10-11am

SilverSneakers Chair Yoga

Move your body through a series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support helps you safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility and improve balance and range of motion. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation promote stress reduction and mental clarity. (Classes are provided by Safari Island Community Center. Members of Safari Island can attend class for free. Non-members pay a $5 fee. Not registered as a member of Safari Island? Most insurances provide a FREE membership. Please contact Kristi Sherlock at 952.442.3105 or ksherlock@waconia.org to see if you qualify!)

Monday, Oct. 27th

11:45am-12:30pm

Nutrition Presentation

Join Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, for our monthly nutrition topic. Nutrition significantly impacts cancer risk, with about a third of cancers linked to diet and obesity, and a healthy eating pattern can help prevent cancer by promoting a healthy weight and reducing the risk of obesity-associated cancers like those of the breast, colon, and pancreas. Come and find out what recommendations Andrew has that can positively impact your body for cancer prevention!

Tuesday, Oct. 28th

10:30-11:30am

(Maple Room)

Birthday Parties

Celebrate all birthdays during the month with an ice cream social!

Wednesday, Oct. 29th

Poetry Group

In the Halloween Spirt, this month we will explore poetry by reading the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. A refreshing beverage will be provided for you while sharing the joy of reading poetry aloud as it is meant to be.

Thursday, Oct. 30th

11:30am-12:30pm

(Oak Room)

Halloween Costume Pizza Party

Come and have a SPOOKTACULAR time at the Halloween Pizza Party. Pizza & beverages will be provided. Bring your favorite salad or dessert to share. Costumes and theme attire encouraged as your name will go in for a great prize drawing! PLUS some FUN games will be played!!

Thursday, Oct. 30th

11:30am-12:30pm

Weekly Card Games at the Waconia Senior Center

Halloween Trivia

Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. This month’s theme...Halloween Trivia. Get ready for an afternoon of ghoulish games and trivia! Test your knowledge of spooky films, candy history, and Halloween lore. Will you be the trivia champion or get tricked?

Thursday, Oct. 30th

12:30-1:30pm

Senior Strength Exercise Classs

This is a total body workout with a focus on strengthening the core and limbs while amplifying the body’s movement through stretch, improving overall balance, posture, muscle tone and mobility. By learning how to move the body in a healthy way, one can reduce pain, improve body awareness, avoid injury and reinforce proper movement principles. (Classes are provided by Safari Island Community Center. Members of Safari Island can attend class for free. Non-members pay a $5 fee. Not registered as a member of Safari Island? Most insurances provide a FREE membership. Please contact Kristi Sherlock at 952.442.3105 or ksherlock@waconia.org to see if you qualify!)

Monday, Nov. 3rd

11am-12pm

Nutrition Presentation

Join Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, and his Dietetic Intern, Janessa Withers, for our monthly nutrition topic, Beat Diabetes with Every Step: Fitness for Prevention and Control. Diabetes is a common but manageable condition. Awareness, early action, and daily self-care are the most powerful tools to stay healthy and prevent complications.We will briefly explore type-1 and type-2 diabetes, along with additional diabetes-like conditions. Thereafter we will explore how fitness supports the prevention and control of diabetes, along with additional lifestyle interventions.

Monday, Nov. 3rd

2-3pm

(Oak Room)

Presentations & Special Events

Book Club

Join us for a discussion of the book "Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez. This is a novel about recently retired and widowed immigrant writer Antonia Vega, who is confronted by both her grief and a series of unexpected events, including the disappearance of her unstable sister and the arrival of a pregnant, undocumented teenager. The book explores themes of grief, identity, family, and immigration, set against a backdrop of contemporary political and social divides.

Tuesday, Nov. 4th

1-3pm

Transit Link Update

Wednesday, Nov. 5th

11:45am-12:15pm

Carver County residents have asked for additional transportation services to get where they needed to go during non-traditional business hours. And now, Carver County Transit Services has fulfilled that request. Come to this informative session to find out the latest updates!

Class of '65

Meet other “65ers” to connect and reminisce!

Thursday, Nov. 6th

10am

Thursday, Nov. 6th

11:30am-12:30pm

SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life)

SAIL is an evidence based strength, balance,

and flexibility fitness program for adults 65+ focusing on falls prevention. You’ll be stronger, have better balance, feel better, and it will help you stay independent and active and prevent falls. The fitness class includes warm-up, aerobics, balance, strength training, and stretching exercises that can be done in a

seated or standing position. The instructors are experienced and skilled and exercises have bene tested with seniors!

Personal Technology Support

Volunteers from Senior Community Services’ Technology Education, Connection & Help (TECH) Services team can help you:

Troubleshoot device settings or errors
Find and use helpful device features
Manage online security and safety
Download and manage applications
Virtually connect via Zoom or Facetime

There is no cost, but you must sign up for an appointment. Bring your device with you. (If this is your first time using this service, please complete the registration form with Senior Community Services: https://bit.ly/3VZAY76)

Thursday, Nov. 6th

12:30-3pm

Quilting Group

All quilters, including beginners, are invited to join this group each month.

Monday, Nov. 10th

10-11:45am

SilverSneakers Chair Yoga

Monday, Nov. 10th

11:45am-12:30pm

Veteran's Education Program

Care Builders at Home facilitates presentations by County Veteran’s Service Officer and Veteran’s Service Officer from Ft. Snelling as a free service to let Veterans know what is available to them without paying fees as advertised for this same service. The CVSO will share Veteran’s benefits, important contact information, and answer questions about obtaining benefits. Ft. Snelling will share important information about burial benefits.Both will cover benefits for the Vet and their spouse.

Monday, Nov. 10th

12:30-1:30pm

(Oak Room)

Chanhassen Dinner Theater: White Christmas

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is the must-see holiday event of the season on the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Main Stage! This newer musical work written in 2000, landed on Broadway in 2008, and is a delightful adaptation of the beloved 1954 film classic, with added Irving Berlin hit songs including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano” and “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.” This production is a remount of the 2024 show, honoring the original direction of Michael Brindisi.

Bussing will be provided for this event, leaving the Waconia Senior Center at 11am. Please arrive a little early to board the bus. Lunch will be served at 11:30am and the show runs from 1-3pm, including an intermission. Prices include the dinner, show, and gratuity. The bus will bring you back to the Senior Center after the show, around 3:30pm.

Registration is required by October 31st. Reserve your spot, since space is limited!

Wednesday, Nov. 12th

11am-3:30pm

Arm Chair Travel Club

Come and experience the wonderful world of travel. This club will meet monthly and take you places throughout the world to learn about their culture, landscape, customs and more! Our next travel adventure will be presented by Landmark Tours. Come and learn what they have to offer!

Thursday, Nov. 13th

11am-12pm

Line Dancing

Grab your friends and let’s get together for a little fun and exercise! Line dancing is a low impact activity which provides an excellent therapeutic exercise for our body, mind, and soul. You will learn a variety of line dancing steps to current and classic country music, as well as pop and rock! You will progress from basic to more advanced steps. Reserve your spot online today. Classes are offered by Jane Breeggemann. Jane has taught for over 10 years, to beginners of all ages. She loves to share her passion of line dancing. “Remember life may not be the party that we hoped for...but as long as we are here we should dance.”

Thursday, Nov. 13th

1:30-2:30pm

Holiday Blues Presentation

The holidays can be a time of joy, festivities, and celebrations. But paradoxically, it can also be a time when people feel sad, depressed, or lonely. Come learn ways to fight off the “holiday blues” this season through discussion and exercises that will strengthen your winter coping toolbox for staying connected and taking care of yourself!

Presented by: Sue Monson-White, LICSW, Ridgeview Hospice Bereavement Coordinator

Monday, Nov. 17th

11am-12pm

Call 651.829.3944 to schedule your appointment at Safari Island.

Tuesday, Nov. 18th

8am-4pm

Cost: $65