FACILITY HOURS: Monday-Thursday – 10:00am-3:00pm
The Senior Center will be CLOSED on Monday, July 14th due to the water being shut off in City Hall!
Sorry for the inconvenience.
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.
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
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!​​​​
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Thursdays
12:30pm
Games of Choice & Card Games
Drop in to join a variety of card games including: Hand & Foot, 500, and Kings Corner.
​In July, we will re-visit some of the games that we have highlighted.
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Wednesday, July 2 10:30-11:30am Left Right Center
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Wednesday, July 9 10:30-11:30am Sheephead
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Wednesday, July 16 10:30-11:30am 500
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August 27, from 10:30-11:30am, we will highlight Left, Center, Right (LCR)! 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
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
Waconia Walk
Let’s get MOVING and enjoy the beauty of being outdoors! Join us at the Senior Center every Thursday morning and together let’s reap the many benefits of walking! All walking levels are welcome. We will walk inside if weather doesn’t permit us to be outside!
Thursdays
10:30am
Monthly Events
Quilting Group
All quilters, including beginners, are invited to join this group each month.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Monday, July 14th
10-11:45am
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, July 14th
11:45am-12:30pm
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, July 15th
8am-4pm
Cost: $65
Craft Projects:
Thursday, July 17th
10am-12pm
Come & enjoy craft therapy and socializing! Choose your own Barn Quilt Square design and create your own color palette. All materials will be provided. Limited to 12 people. Please bring your fee with you the day of the event!
Healthy Living Presentation
Tuesday, July 22nd
10:30am-12pm
Join Michelle Kuske, RN, and Nancy Schad, RN, as they discuss ways to take control of your health, risk factors for cancer, and screening for cancer.
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, July 23rd
10:30-11:30am
Arm Chair Travel Club
Come and experience the wonderful world of travel! This new club will meet monthly and will take you palces throughout the world and learn about their culture, landscape, customs, and more! This will be done a variety of ways: virtually from your arm chair, a presentation from an individual’s personal trip, or possibly planning a group trip somewhere fun. Our first adventure will be presented by Gudrun Spitzig. She just came back from Portugal and is very excited to share her experience. Let your travel journey begin!
Thursday, July 24th
11am-12pm
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 Egg Cetera at 10am! We’ll do the planning and then breakfast is on you!
Friday, July 25th
10am
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, July 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, July 28th
11:45am-12:30pm
Andrew Petereson Farmstead Tour
Join us for a tour of the Andrew Peterson Farmstead. Learn about Andrew Peterson’s story, the agricultural history, and the house rehabilitation. Please make sure to wear appropriate foot wear. There will be uneven ground throughout the tour and limited seating. Transportation is not provided. Meet at the site, located at 8060 MN-5, Waconia, MN 55387.
Tuesday, July 29th
10am-12pm
Birthday Parties
Celebrate all birthdays during the month with an ice cream social!
Wednesday, July 30th
Poetry Reading
Thursday, July 31st
11:30am-12:30pm
(Oak Room)
Explore poetry themed around Minnesota poets & Emily Dickinson. A refreshing beverage will be provided for your while sharing the joy of reading poetry aloud, as it is meant to be.
TV Theme Songs Trivia
Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. This month’s theme...TV Them Songs Trivia. A catchy song might top radio charts for a few weeks, but TV tunes can linger for years in syndication, until they become a permanent part of pop culture. Test your knowledge to see how much you know about some of TV's top theme songs. 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, July 31st
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, August 4th
11am-12pm
Book Club
Join us for a discussion of the book "One Thousand White Women" by Jim Fergus. It is a historical fiction novel told through the fictional diaries of May Dodd. The story revolves around a secret U.S. government program in 1875 where white women volunteer to marry Cheyenne men to help assimilate the Cheyenne into white society. May Dodd, a woman from a wealthy Chicago family, finds this her only path to freedom after being institutionalized. The novel explores themes of cultural clash, assimilation, and the complexities of identity in the American West.
Tuesday, August 5th
1-3pm
Waconia Brewing Tour
The Waconia Brewing Company opened its doors in October of 2014. This family-owned and operated company prides themselves in crafting quality beer and providing an enjoyable taproom experience. Come tour the Waconia Brewing Company! You’ll get an up-close look at the brewing equipment and facilities and learn about the different stages of the brewing process.
Wednesday, August 6th
10:30-11:30am
Class of '65
Meet other “65ers” to connect and reminisce!
Thursday, August 7th
10am
Senior Citizen Day @ the Carver County Fair
Let’s head over to the Carver County Fair in Waconia and share time exploring the exhibits, animal barns, entertainment and more!!! Come hungry to splurge on all the variety of food the fair offers! Admission cost is $3.50. We will meet at the Senior Center and carpool over to enjoy this FUN community event!!
Thursday, August 7th
10am
Quilting Group
All quilters, including beginners, are invited to join this group each month.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Monday, August 11th
10-11:45am
Al & Alma's Cruise
Join us for a beautiful cruise on Lake Minnetonka. Bussing will be provided, leaving the Senior Center at 10:45am. The cruise will be from 11:30am-1pm. Lunch will be provided. You will arrive back at the Senior Center around 1:30pm. Registration required by August 4. Space is limited!
Monday, August 11th
10:45am-1:30pm
Personal Technology Support
Volunteers from Senior Community Services’ Technology Education, Connection & Help (TECH) Services team can help you:
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Troubleshoot device settings or errors
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Find and use helpful device features
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Manage online security and safety
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Download and manage applications
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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, August 12th
12:30-3pm
The Science of Sleep
What does the latest research tell about sleep? How do we manage sleep? How much sleep do I need? What is SLEEP DRUNK? How can I adjust to working different shifts? What can I do to make the most of the time I have to sleep? New information and tips will be shared. Presented by CareBuilders at Home.
Tuesday, August 12th
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,August 12th
8am-4pm
Cost: $65
See the Good Presentation
Join Abbey Rolf, MA, OTR/L Low Vision Occupational Therapist, share about low vision. Low vision is vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses, contacts or surgery. She will talk about common causes, signs, and how occupational therapy services make your life easier.
Wednesday, August 13th
10-11am
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 Barbara and Narvel Brooks. They recently took a trip to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Come hear all about their incredible journey!
Thursday, August 14th
11am-12pm
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, August 18th
11:45am-12:30pm
Nutrition Presentation
Join Olivia Riegert, Mackenthun’s Dietetic Intern, and Andrew Akhaphong, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian, for our monthly nutrition topic. The leading cause of blindness and poor vision are attributed to age-related eye disorders. These include macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and vision loss due to uncontrolled diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). In this presentation we will briefly go over the parts and functions of the eye. We will review common eye disorders and identify interventions - pharmaceutical, dietary, and lifestyle, to support eye health.
Tuesday, August 19th
10:30-11:30am
(Oak Room)
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, August 20th
10:30-11:30am
Craft: Diamond Painting Sun Catchers
Come & enjoy craft therapy and socializing!!
This month we will be Diamond Painting Suncatchers! All materials will be provided. Limit to 12 people. Please bring your fee with you the day of the event.
Thursday, August 21st
10am-12pm
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Donuts with the City Administrator
Join us for coffee and donuts as we listen to updates from Shane Fineran, the Waconia City Administrator. Find out what he does to manage the day-to-day operations of the city government. You won’t want to miss it!
Monday, August 25th
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, August 25th
11:45am-12:30pm
Birthday Parties
Celebrate all birthdays during the month with an ice cream social!
Wednesday, August 27th
Poetry Group Trip to the Arboretum
This month the Poetry Group will be heading to the beautiful Arboretum setting for lunch and then share time reading poetry in the library. Transportation will not provided, but carpooling will be available.
Thursday, August 28th
11am
U.S.Trivia
Join us for our monthly trivia event. Each month we will pick a different theme. This month’s theme...U.S. Trivia. Test your knowledge about little-known facts about the United States. Topics could include American history, geography, culture, pop culture, and notable people. 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, August 28th
12:30-1:30pm
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 Bakery on Main at 10am! We’ll do the planning and then breakfast is on you!
Friday, August 29th
10am
Monthly Breakfast Outing
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Join this weekly class that aims to help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for others. Any caregiver who is caring for an older adult with a chronic condition is welcome to register. You will:
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Improve self-care practices, such as exercise, relaxation, and medical care.
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Improve your ability to manage emotions, including reducing guilt, anger, and depression.
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Increase self confidence in coping with the demands of caregiving.
This program is offered virtually, through Zoom. There is no cost for the program; optional contributions to a cost-share program are accepted.​
Thursdays, Sep.18-Oct.23
2-3:30pm
COMING SOON...
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September 23: Arboretum Visit
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October 14: National Eagle Center Tour
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November 12: Chanhassen Dinner Theater - White Christmas
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December 9: SideKick Theater - A Christmas Carol