7. Senior Center UpdateCITYOF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Marke: Boulevard
PO Box 147
C'an!~asse~, MN 55317
Phone 9522271100
Fax 952227 1110
Building Inspections
Phon~ 952 227 1180
Fax 952 227 1190
Engineering
Phc, ne: 952.2271160
F~x 952 2271170
Finance
Phone 952 2271140
Fax: 952 2271110
Park & Recreation
PilC'i/8 952 2271120
Fax 9522271110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boule.~'ard
Phone 952227 i400
Pax 952 2271404
Planning &
Natural Resources
P i('~e 9522271130
Fax 952 2271110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952 227 1300
Fax 952227.!310
Senior Center
Phone: 952 2271125
Fax: 952 227 1110
Web Site
¢¢¢,¢, ( ~ ;hanhassen mn us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUB J:
Todd Hoffman, Parks and Recreation Director
Susan Bill, Senior Center Coordinator
June 9, 2004
Senior Center Activities Update
First and foremost, t would like to introduce myself (Susan Bill) as the new Senior Center
Coordinator. I replaced Kara Wickenhauser in April and have to say that I am glad to be
onboard and part of such a wonderful and thriving Senior Center. I would also like to
thank the City of Chanhassen, and more specifically, the Park and Recreation Department
for their ongoing commitment and vision. The environment that has been created provides
sufficient and meaningful opportunities for continued growth in recreation, education,
companionship and settings that nurture the many gifts and talents of the older adult,
enabling them to age with pride and dignity.
Participation in all of the events and programs at the Senior Center this winter and spring
has been great! We continue to accept new participants and have organized new programs
to help attract additional participants. This winter we added several new activities such as
Foot Care Service, Book Club, Walking Club and several educational seminars and
events.
The Senior Center continues to work with the Chaska & Parks Recreation Department and
the Eden Prairie Senior Center to support and create new opportunities for area seniors.
We have also partnered with local elementary schools for intergenerational programs for
seniors.
Listed below are the averages for each daily activity for the months of April and May and
the monthly attendance numbers for January - June 2004.
Regular Monthly Activities
Bridge 52 people Men's Club I0 men
Stamping Club 5 people CHAN-o-laires 24 people
Bowling 8 people Woodcarving 18 people
Women's Club 18 women Card Club 34 people
Bingo 15 people Foot Care Clinic 4 people per month
Free Movie Day 15 people Health Insurance Ast. 3 people per month
Golf 20 people
The City of Chanhassen · a grow~ ~g community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming do,.x,t¢.,*.~, thri'~ ~g busn,essea '.z,~rCinq trails and beautifu! parks A great plat(: to ii,v(} .¢,ork an'..', piav
Recorded Number of Visitors at the Center
January 606 people April 718 people
February 643 people May 738 people
March 737 people June 367 people (As of 6/9/04)
Trips - Upcoming trips include; New Fogey Follies, Mississippi Boat Cruise and Tea
Room Luncheon, Minnesota Twins Game, Grand Hinckley Casino Trip, Twin Cities
Tour, Fall production at the John Hassle Theatre in Plainview, Tour of WCCO and
Christmas shopping at downtown Marshfield Fields and a Christmas play at the History
Theatre in St Paul.
Extended Trips - Upcoming extended tours for 2004 include Mackinaw Island
(September) and Eau Claire Christmas (December). This June, 8 people participated in
the Nova Scotia trip. I am exploring options for the 2005 extended trip. Based on a
suggestion from the Senior Advisory Board I will be looking into travel options within the
United States (possibly The Carolinas and San Antonio) because of the uncertain climate
of international travel.
Monthly Programs -The Senior Center continues to offer Health Insurance Assistance once a
month on the second Tuesday from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. This service is provided by MAAA
(Minnesota Area Agency on Aging). This program is FREE of charge.
The Senior Center offers monthly Saturday catered meals and entertainment on a monthly
basis from September - April. The average number for these meals has been
approximately 30 seniors.
Defensive driving classes for people 55 and older are held once a month. These classes
have been very successful and in high demand. Each month we attract about 25 people.
New Programs - Foot Care service is back at the Senior Center! Brenda Anderson, a
local R.N. has offered to provide foot care service for seniors in the Chanhassen
community once a month every 1st Tuesday from 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Our clinic is full
each month with 4 participants...
The Senior Center Book Club began in January 2004 and has 15 active participants.
group will be meeting in the Library until the Senior Center remodeling project is
complete.
This
Beginning in fall of 2004, we will be piloting a video "Senior Specialty Exercise class"
held weekly at the Senior Center.
Special Programs -Each May, which is known as "Senior Awareness/Older American
month" we host a variety of special programs and activities. This May our annual
Breakfast with the Mayor was attended by 40 people. The mayor gave an update on
"what's new in Chanhassen" and answered a variety of questions from the group. The
Woodcarvers and the Senior Center had a booth at the Carver Co Senior Expo in Mayer
which is attended by 300+ seniors.
Card Club, Bridge, Bingo and the Golf group held month long tournaments with prizes
awarded to top players.
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Healthy Living Series - Carver County Health Services received a grant and has
contracted with Lutheran Social Services to offer free health education programs twice
monthly for Carver County seniors. The Chanhassen Senior Center is a site for the bi-
monthly programs. The topics have been very informative and the attendance had been
good, with an average of 15 people for each session.
The Tax Aide Assistance program went very well this year. Appropriately 25 people
received tax assistance from Carver County Social Service personnel.
A Senior Housing Seminar was held in March informing people of the various types of
senior housing options and choices. Local information and representation was available,
specifically representation from the new Summer Wood -Senior Living Community.
Chanhassen Villager - beginning the end of May, the Chanhassen Senior Center, has a
weekly column in the Gallery section of the paper. Each week one of the center's
programs (with a description and photo) is featured. The column will announce the
upcoming programs, events and activities. This is being done to heighten the awareness
and attract new members while working toward the grand opening of the new center.
On June 2, 2004 Beth Woods from MAAA (Metropolitan Area on Aging) gave a talk to
20 seniors on the "Facts about the Upcoming Changes and New Benefits in Medicare."
Miscellaneous- May 2004, the Senior Center received a $1000 donation from a generous
benefactor of the Chan-o-laries Chorus Group. The group did not require any special
designation for the gift other then it be used to support the senior center.
G:\Senior Center\Senior Center Update for ToddLPark & Recreation Report 6-04.doc
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