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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 at the Waconia Senior Center

Download the form and complete as many challenges as you can to be eligible for the prize drawing.

Arts & Crafts

Arts & Crafts

Quilting Group

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

Monday, Feb. 10th

10am

Craft Projects:

Diamond Painting

Come & enjoy creating a diamond painting. Diamond painting is a new art hobby popularized in the US and Europe in 2015. It involves applying hundreds of multi-colored rhinestones on a canvas. Each detail on the canvas is numbered, and you simply have to stick the corresponding piece of rhinestone to the detail.

Limited to 10 people.

Tuesday, Jan. 28th

12-2pm

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Tuesday, Feb. 11th

12-2pm

Valentine's &  Origami

In this exciting workshop you will make eye catching ornaments for windows, doors, trees, or wherever you need something cheerful. Artist – instructor Kathleen Sheridan is a seasoned origami artist who will lead you step by step into creating meaningful things from beautiful papers.

*This art activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota State Art Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Registration required; limited to 10 people.​​​​

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Press Flower Art: Come & enjoy creating press flower art, which is the art of creating pictures using dried and flattened flowers and leaves. The process of pressing flowers removes moisture and light, which helps to preserve the flower's natural color.  Limited to 10 people.  Please bring your fee with you the day of the event.

Thursday, Feb. 20th

10am-12pm

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Books & Reading

Books & Reading

Book Club

Join us for a discussion of the book “Hillbilly Elegy - A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” by J.D. Vance. The Vance family story begins hopefully in postwar America. J. D.'s grandparents were "dirt poor and in love," and moved north from Kentucky's Appalachia region to Ohio in the hopes of escaping the dreadful poverty around them. They raised a middle-class family, and eventually one of their grandchildren would graduate from Yale Law School, a conventional marker of success in achieving generational upward mobility. But as the family saga of Hillbilly Elegy plays out, we learn that J.D.'s grandparents, aunt, uncle, and, most of all, his mother struggled profoundly with the demands of their new middle-class life, never fully escaping the legacy of abuse, alcoholism, poverty, and trauma so characteristic of their part of America. With piercing honesty, Vance shows how he himself still carries around the demons of his chaotic family history.

Tuesday, Feb. 4th

1-3pm

Cards & Games at the Waconia Senior Center

Poetry Reading

Explore poetry themed around New Years and limericks, while tying in some art. A bubbly beverage will be provided for you while you listen.

Thursday, Jan. 16th

11:30am

Explore poetry themed around LOVE and Valentine's.  A bubbly beverage will be provided for you while you listen!

Thursday, Feb. 27th

11:30am

Fitness & Health

Fitness & Health

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!

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! 

Wednesdays, Jan. 22nd &

Feb. 19th 

10:30-11:15am

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.

Monday, Feb. 3rd

11am-12pm

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

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.

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Mondays, Jan. 27th,

Feb. 10th, & Feb. 24th

12-12:45pm

Fun & Games

Fun & Games

BINGO

Join us for Classic and Yahoo BINGO.

Wednesdays 12:30pm

Birthday Parties

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

Wednesdays,

Jan. 29th & Feb. 26th

Weekly Card Games at the Waconia Senior Center

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

Games of Choice & Card Games

Drop in to join a variety of card games including: Hand & Foot, 500, and Kings Corner. We will highlight 500 on Wednesdays, Jan. 15 & Feb. 12th! Not sure how to play or looking for a group of players? This it the perfect time to check it out. 500 is a partnership trick-taking game where players bid to set trump and the number of tricks the team can capture. The team winning the bid and making their bid earns points based on both the level and suit of the bid.

Mondays & Wednesdays

10am

Class of '65

Meet other “65ers” to connect and reminisce!

Thursday, Feb. 6th

10am

Cribbage

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

Mahjong

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

Presentations & Special Events

Presentations & Special Events

$5 Movie

Enjoy a movie at Emagine theater in Waconia with your friends! The time and movie title will be announced during the week of February 10th. On Tuesdays, you also receive FREE popcorn! (Each Emagine Rewards member gets a free 85oz. popcorn.)

Tuesday, Feb. 25th

Time TBD

Cost: $5

Building a Culture of Kindness

Kindness is an introspection into self-awareness. We will discuss how one has to be kind to “self” first to enable sharing kindness. This kindness course offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities for the learner to feel uplifted and better prepared to pay it forward. Presented by CareBuilders at Home.

Wednesday, Feb. 26th

10:30-11:30am

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, Feb. 24th

10-11am

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.

Tuesdays, Jan. 21st & Feb. 18th

8am-4pm

Cost: $60

Friends & Co. Presentation

Friends & Co, formerly Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, offers a wide array of services throughout Minnesota! Join Georgia Afton to learn more about what services they have to offer, various volunteer opportunities, and a little history about the organization.

Wednesday, Jan. 22nd

11:45am-12:15pm

Healthy Living For Your Brain & Body

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science can provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us in learning about research in diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity, and social engagement. Use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.

Monday, Jan. 27th

1-2pm

History of Cookbooks

Have you ever looked at a recipe and wondered how it came to be? How have cookbooks changed since they were first published? This program explores the history of cookbooks and the evolutions of their recipes. Do you know what a gill is or what they mean when a recipe calls for sweet milk? You’ll find out as the program breaks down recipes from the Buckeye, the oldest cookbook in the Midwest. Make sure to bring your favorite recipe to share! We will take all submissions and put together our own Senior Center recipe book.

Tuesday, Jan. 14th.

12:30-1:30pm

Intro to Square Dancing

Learn a few square dance calls while you walk to music. Join us for fun, fitness, and fellowship! All ages are welcome. Please wear casual attire. Partners will be provided.

Thursday, Jan. 16th 

10:30-11:30am

Lowry Nature Center:
Sap to Syrup Presentation

Visit Lowry Nature Center with us! Taste real maple syrup and sugar. Touch and see tools used to tap maple trees. Learn the history behind how this food was discovered. Transportation is not provided.  Cost: $6

Monday, Feb. 24th

12:30-2pm

Meet the Mayor

Join us for coffee and donuts with Mayor Tim Litfin. You won’t want to miss it!

Monday, Jan. 27th

10-11am

Minnesota Trivia

Do you think you know a lot about Minnesota and it’s history? Here’s your chance to prove it! Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. Compete against your friends to get the correct answer in the fastest time. All you need to bring is your phone and your knowledge!

Thursday, Jan. 30th

12:30-1:30pm

Monthly Breakfast
Outing

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 Pangea in Waconia at 8am for a delicious breakfast or cup of coffee. We’ll do the planning and then breakfast is on you!

Friday, Jan. 31st

8am

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 Egg-Cetera in Waconia at 8am for a delicious breakfast or cup of coffee. We’ll do the planning and then breakfast is on you!

Friday, Feb. 28th

8am

National Pie Day
Potluck

Celebrate National Pie Day by sharing a slice of pie with your friends. Bring your favorite pie to share. Sign up available at the Senior Center.

Thursday, Jan. 23rd

11:30am-12:30pm

 Outings & Events at Waconia Senior Center

Nutrition Presentation

Thyroid Awareness: Join Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, for our monthly nutrition topic. January is Thyroid Awareness Month. One in ten people suffer from a thyroid disorder. Nutrition is closely linked to thyroid function, and dietary changes can help prevent thyroid disorders. Come and learn some tips for eating well to support your thyroid!

Tuesday, Jan. 21st

10:30-11am

Tuesday, Feb. 18th

10:30-11am

Heart Health: Join Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, for our monthly nutrition topic. February is American Heart Month. Diet is an important risk factor in coronary heart disease. Let Andrew give you tips on a heart-healthy diet, including low-saturated fats, high in fiber, and much more!

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, Feb. 4th

12-3pm

SideKick Theater:
On the Road Again

On the Road Again is a memorable concert filled with your favorite country music from decades past.  Get ready for some fantastic fiddling and even more lush harmonies.  Featuring music of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

 

Bussing will be provided for this event, leaving the Waconia Senior Center at 10:45am. 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 3:45pm.

 

Registration is required. Reserve your spot, since space is limited!

Tuesday, March 18th

10:45am-3:45pm

Trivia of LOVE

Do you feel like you know a lot of trivia about love? Here’s your chance to prove it during the month of love! Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. Compete against your friends to get the correct answer in the fastest time. All you need to bring is your phone and your knowledge!

Thursday, Feb. 27th

12:30-1:30pm

Valentine Sundaes & Smoothies

Roses are red.  Violets are blue.  This Valentine's Party is waiting for you!  Come and celebrate the holiday of LOVE and share a "sweet" treat with friends, while playing some fun games.  Wear red or pink for a chance to win a prize!

Thursday, Feb. 13th

11am-12:30pm

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