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

BINGO

Join us for Classic and Yahoo BINGO.

Wednesdays
12:30pm

Board Games

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

Thursdays

10am

Bridge

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

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

Games of Choice & Card Games

Drop in to join a variety of card games including: Hand & Foot, 500, and Kings Corner. This month we will highlight Left Center Right (LCR) on Wednesday, May 28 from 10-11am! Not sure how to play? This it the perfect time to check it out. Just roll the dice and do what they say – pass a token to the left, center, or right. Roll a dot & keep what you've got. Last player with tokens wins. Bring dimes to play!

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

Walking Group

Let’s get moving! Join us at Safari Island Community Center to walk the track and chat with friends. Reap the benefits of walking...strengthen your heart, ease joint pain, boost immune function, and improve your mood!

Thursdays

9-9:30am

Cards & Games at the Waconia Senior Center

Books & Reading

Monthly Events

Fitness & Health

Lowry Nature Center:
Monarch Butterflies Presentation

Learn about this amazing insect, its life cycle, and its amazing journey to Mexico through a PowerPoint presentation and artifacts to see up-close.

Monday, Apr. 21st

11am-12pm

Brain Health

Brain Health will be presented by Jennifer Ische OTR/L, Rehab Supervisor from Ridgeview, and will review changes in brain function due to normal aging processes and factors that place your brain health at risk. The presentation will also educate on strategies to prevent cognitive decline and even improve cognitive function.

Tuesday, Apr. 22nd

12:30-1:30pm

Keep In Balance

One of the main risk factors for falling is poor balance! Using a chair for support this 45-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, Apr. 23rd

10:30-11:15am

Poetry Reading

Explore poetry themed around birthdays. A bubbly beverage will be provided for you while you listen.

Thursday, Apr. 24th

11:30am

(Oak Room)

TV Trivia

Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. This month’s theme...TV Trivia. How much TV do you watch in a day? Is there a show (or more than one) that you can recite episodes by heart? Test your TV knowledge with a variety of TV trivia throughout the ages. Compete against your friends to get the correct answer in the fastest time. The highest score at the end of the round will win a gift card. All you need to bring is your phone and your knowledge!

Thursday, Apr. 24th

12:30-1:30pm

Fun & Games

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 Molly’s (formerly St. Boni Bistro) at 11am for a delicious brunch or cup of coffee. We’ll do the planning and then breakfast is on you!

Friday, Apr. 25th

11am

Monthly Breakfast Outing

Donuts with the Deputy

Join us for coffee and donuts as we listen to updates from one of the Carver County Sheriffs. His updates are always entertaining and informative. You won’t want to miss it!

Monday, Apr. 28th

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, Apr. 28th

11:45am-12:30pm

Birthday Parties

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

Wednesday, Apr. 30th

Class of '65

Meet other “65ers” to connect and reminisce!

Thursday, May 1st

10am

Book BINGO
w/Waconia Library

Join us as the Carver County Library presents BINGO. Win gently used books as prizes. This project is made possible by the Charles J. Dahlke Grant Program.

Thursday, May 1st

1-2pm

Weekly Card Games at the Waconia Senior Center

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, May 5th

11am-12pm

Presentations & Special Events

Cinco De Mayo Potluck w/Mayor Tim

Join us for a festive Cinco de Mayo potluck with a taco bar hosted by Mayor Tim! Please sign up to bring an item to share. Whether you're craving crunchy or soft tacos, there's something for everyone to enjoy as we celebrate with good food, great company, and plenty of fun! Don’t forget to stick around and enjoy some fun games, selected by the Mayor at noon.

Tuesday, May 6th

11am-12:30pm

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)

Tuesday, May 6th

12:30-3pm

Book Club

Join us for a discussion of the book “News of the World” by Paulette Jiles. The book is set in post-Civil War Texas, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a news reader, is tasked with escorting a Kiowa-raised girl, Johanna, to her relatives, a journey that tests his resilience and explores themes of family, responsibility, and cultural assimilation.

Tuesday, May 6th

1-3pm

Fall Prevention Presentation

Join Jenna Steiner, DPT and Jennifer Ische, OTR/L, Rehab Supervisor, from Ridgeview for a presentation on fall prevention. They will review fall statistics and hazards. The presentation will provide an in-depth review of fall prevention strategies and educate on general exercises for strength and balance. We will also review home modifications and adaptive equipment to reduce fall risk in each room of your home.

Thursday, May 8th

10:30-11:30am

Quilting Group

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

Monday, May 12th

10-11:45am

SilverSneakers Chair Yoga

Monday, May 12th

11:45am-12:30pm

Feed My Starving
Children Packing

Volunteer to hand-pack nutritious meals for hungry children worldwide, during this Senior Session. Feed My Starving Children is a nonprofit organization that strives to eliminate malnutrition and starvation in children around the world. 15 spots are available. Reserve your spot online! Packing will take place at the Chanhassen location: 18732 Lake Dr E, Chanhassen, MN 55317 *Transportation will not provided.

Monday, May 12th

2:30-4pm

(At Chanhassen Location)

Cyclone! Waconia History

Join Jayna Hulleman, with the Carver County Historical Society, for this presentation! The skyline of Waconia in 1904 was different than today and for more reasons than being over 100 years ago. Some of its most iconic buildings didn’t see the year out and others were damaged severely. Join us as we recount the cyclone that tore through Waconia in August of 1904, forever altering our landmarks. Listen to a first-hand account from the newspaper of a man who survived the storm, and why we call this a cyclone and not a tornado.

Tuesday, May 13th

12:30-1:30pm

Foot Clinic

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, May 13th

8am-4pm

Cost: $65

CapTel Phone Service Presentation

Come and learn more about CapTel services. These phones automatically connect to a free captioning service. The captioning service transcribes everything the caller is saying into captions, so you can read it, too. This fully funded federal government service is provided free of charge, phone, service, and installation. The service works with a landline, internet, or cellphone service and they do complete setup!

Wednesday, May 14th

11:45am-12:15pm

Mill City Museum/
Stone Arch Bridge Trip

Join us for a visit to Mill City Museum, a walk along the Stone Arch Bridge, and lunch! The Mill City Museum is located in Minneapolis within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, c former flour mill, explores the history of flour milling, its impact on Minneapolis, and the Mississippi River. Bussing will be provided and will leave the Senior Center at 10:30am. Lunch will be included at Bushel & Peck at 11:30am. Once you are finished with lunch, you are welcome to walk along the Stone Arch Bridge or head into the Mill City Museum to explore on your own. You will enjoy the Flour Tower experience from 2-3pm. The bus will leave the museum at 3pm and arrive home around 4pm. Tickets are limited to 20! Make sure to reserve your spot today. (Price includes tickets to the museum, lunch, gratuity, and transportation.)

Thursday, May 15th

10:30am-4pm

$40

Donuts with the Deputy

Join us for coffee and donuts as we listen to updates from one of the Carver County Sheriffs. His updates are always entertaining and informative. You won’t want to miss it!

Monday, May 19th

10-11am

SilverSneakers Chair Yoga

Monday, May 19th

11:45am-12:30pm

Nutrition Presentation

Gut Health: Join Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, for our monthly nutrition topic. This month we will look at how nutrition plays a vital role in supporting a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for overall well-being. Focus is on a balanced diet rich in fiber, probiotics and prebiotics, while limiting processed foods and added sugars. Find out what tips Andrew has to share!

Tuesday, May 20th

10:30-11am

(Oak Room)

Craft Projects:

Tuesday, May 20th 12-2pm & Thursday, May 22nd

10am-12pm

Egg Carton Flowers

Come & enjoy craft therapy and socializing! Spring is in the air! Come & enjoy this two-part craft making an egg carton flower. Part one is on Tuesday, May 20 to cut and glue. Part two is on Thursday, May 22 to paint and decorate. Participants must attend both sessions. Limited to 10 people. Please bring your fee with you the day of the event. The cost will go into the Senior Center budget to cover the cost of crafts.