The Rochester Council on Aging has announced its August schedule of programs and services.

Bingo - Join us on Monday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Senior Bingo. All money collected will be given in prizes that evening. Any Senior Citizen is welcome to play. Refreshments will be served.

Bingo- Join us on Wednesday afternoons  at 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. for Senior Bingo. Any Senior Citizen is welcome to attend. Refreshments are served.

Ye Olde Breakfast Shoppe – Start your morning off by joining us for breakfast any Monday through Friday morning at the Senior Center from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a varied selection of breakfast items. This Program is made possible by a joint effort of the Friends of the Senior Center and the Rochester Lions Club. Anyone is welcome to stop on by.

Coupons Needed – Do you have store coupons you’re not using? Please bring them in to the Senior Center to be clipped and filed. This is a great way for our Seniors to save on their grocery bills. Seniors are welcome to take as many coupons as they can use from our coupon file.

Stepping and Stretching – Join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. for an hour of easy exercise, bending and stretching and building up your strength and improving your balance. Most exercises are done from the comfort of your chair. You go at your own pace. This program is made possible through a grant from Coastline Elderly Services, Inc.

Line Dancing – Traditional and Country/Western line dances are held every Friday Morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join us for a full hour and a half of exercise with our line dancing instructor, Nancy Cabral. No registration needed. NOTE: No Line Dancing on the Friday of the Cobb Luncheon, due to set up/ space issues.

Additional line Dancing Class – Due to its popularity, Line Dancing Instructor Nancy Cabral has agreed to offer additional weekly Line Dancing Class on Tuesday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. here at the Senior Center. Everyone is welcome.

Ballroom Dancing Lessons – Instructor Nancy Barrett, a member of Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston, will continue with a month full of dance fun on Wednesdays 10 a.m.  All singles and couples are welcome.

Monday Barbeque lunches are back – Join us on Mondays at noon for a tasty meal. We prepare a variety of BBQ treats each week right here on our own patio. Everyone is welcome. Please call in advance to reserve your meal, so that we may prepare enough for everyone who attends. There is no charge, but a donation of $4 would be appreciated.

Scrabble– Join Judy MacGregor on Tuesdays at 9 a.m., here at the senior Center, for Scrabble games. Anyone is welcome. Just drop in or join a group.

Grocery Shopping Moves to Wednesday – The weekly grocery shopping trips are now being scheduled for every week on Wednesdays for your personal grocery shopping needs. We will shop at Market Basket in New Bedford. Any senior is welcome to ride the van, but must sign up in advance to reserve a seat. The van leaves at 8:30 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m. depending on the number of people.

Weekly Blood Pressure Checks – The weekly blood pressure checks have moved to Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Town Nurse Betsy Dunn holds a weekly Blood Pressure Clinic at the Senior Center. All are welcome to stop in to check their pressure. It’s free.

Cardio-Fit Groovercise – All are welcome to join this new Senior exercise class on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The class is led by certified instructor Ellie Higgins. A mix of Zumba Fitness, African, Belly Dance, Jazz and other easy to do dance styles and classic aerobic moves. The cost is $3 per class. No sign-up necessary.

Free Legal Consults – Rochester resident Attorney Matt Beaulieu has offered to give his time on the first Thursday of every month , at 3 p.m. , here at the Senior Center, for any Rochester Senior who would like assistance with their Health Care Proxy and/or their Living Will. Matt is very experienced in these senior issues, having practiced Elder Law in his private practice. Just drop in if you’d like to speak to, or meet with Attorney Beaulieu.

State Senator Michael  Rodriques or His legislative Aid, Maria Conners  will hold office hours at the Rochester Senior Center on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone wishing to speak individually to the Senator, or Maria, with questions or concerns, or for information, should drop in to the Senior Center during that time to speak with him/her.

Chair Yoga Classes –Join us for this new exercise program here at the Senior Center on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Susan Ashley, a professional certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. This modified format offers the ability to participate in a yoga practice without having to get down on the floor. Flowing yoga poses are practiced while seated or in a standing position, allowing use of a chair for balance and stabilization work. No advance registration necessary. Anyone is welcome.

Pampered Chef Returns –Pampered Chef, Linda Medeiros returns on Monday, August 13.  Anyone is welcome to attend. Please call in advance to sign up, so we have enough food for everyone. The menu will be sandwiches and salad.

Pig Roast Fundraiser – Saturday, August 4 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $18 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under.

August Trips –

Sunday, August 5 – Mashpee Summer Arts & Crafts Festival. The van will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. There is no cost. Lunch at festival on your own.

Sunday, August 12 – Freetown Historical Society Museum. The van will leave at 12:30 p.m. and return at 4:30 p.m. There is no cost.

Free Fun Friday August 17 - The Whaling Museum. The trip is free. Lunch nearby at your own cost. The van will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 3 p.m.

Free Fun Friday August 31 - Plymouth Plantation. Lunch nearby at your cost. The van will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m. There will be a stop for ice cream.

Veteran’s Corner–  The monthly Veteran’s gathering in Rochester will take place on Wednesday, August 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rochester Senior Center. Rochester veterans of any age are welcome to attend. Refreshments are served. No charge for this event.

Attention all Senior Knitters – The Kennedy Donovan Center in New Bedford is in need of knitted hats, mittens, booties and sweaters for newborns, infants and toddlers for its “at risk mom’s and families” program. All colors and patterns are welcome. Donated hand knitted items can be brought to the Senior Center for delivery to the Kennedy Donovan center at your convenience.

Volunteers Needed –

We need a few volunteers to help us with our Monday night Bingo game. This would entail helping to set up the game, put away the game and to be a runner during the games to collect the coins and distribute the winnings. Please call 508-763-8723 if you are interested

Buy A Brick Fundraiser

The Friends of Rochester Senior Center have launched a “Buy A Brick” Program as a fundraiser towards the new Senior Supportive Day Program addition. Consider buying a brick or two for the walkway and entrance of the addition in memory of or, in honor of a loved one, or a treasured event. It’s a lasting memorial and a fine tribute for a good cause. Get your form at the Senior Center and all donations are tax deductable. For more information, please call the Senior Center at 508-763-8723.                                       

Friday Movies – Movies are free and anyone is welcome to attend. Popcorn is served. All movies start at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, August 17 – The Ides of March

Friday, August 24 – A Little Bit of Heaven

Friday, August 31 – Big Miracle

Computer Lab – The newly updated Computer Lab is available for use by the public daily. All five computers are now online and printing is available. Send emails, do research, or simply play a game of solitaire. The computers are here for your use.

Beginners and Basic Computer Assistance – Volunteer Dawn Larson is available on Fridays at 11:15 a.m. If you cannot make that time and would like to speak with Dawn, call the Center at 508-763-8723 and leave your name and number, and we will have Dawn contact you directly.