Senior Friendship Centers

May 12-17, 2024

----- IN THIS ISSUE -----

• Dining Centers in Sarasota County
• Activity Centers' In-Person and Zoom Weekly Calendar
• Activity Centers' Highlights

• Lifelong Learning Programs
• LGBTQ+ Programs
• Development Team Events
• The Caregiving Place

Sarasota Activity Center

Monday

9 am - 3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am - 3 pm - Friendship Treasures Thrift Store Open

9 - 9:45 am - Balance Movement

10 - 11:30 am - German Grammar Conversation and Culture

10 - 11:30 am - Art Class with Retsy

11 am - 12 pm - Intermediate Line Dance Class

12 - 3 pm - Duplicate Bridge (Sign-up with Graeme 941-544-8446)

1 - 3 pm - Live Music & Dancing with Bruno Connection

2:30 - 3:30 pm - Spanish Class via Zoom hermilaperreault@gmail.com

3:30 - 4:30 pm - Intermediate Tap Dance Class

Tuesday

9 am - 3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am - 3 pm - Friendship Treasures Thrift Store Open

9:30-11:30 am - Bingo ($5 Fee)

10am-11am - FL Studio Theater Improv

10 am - 12 pm - Technology Assistance

10-11 am – Chair Yoga

10 am-3 pm - Pinochle

11 am - 12 pm - Mindfulness and Meditation Class

11:30 am–3 pm - Latin Social Group (Spanish Speaker's Welcome!)

11:45 am–12:15 pm – Lunch (need to sign up – see above)

1-3 pm - Mexican Train Dominoes

1-3 pm - Live Music & Dancing with Skip's Dixie Mix

1:30 - 2:30 pm - Aging Rebels Discussion Group (In-Person in Dwyer Room, Next Door) - Tackles topics such as loneliness, finances, physical and mental limitations, responsibilities, fear of aging, fear of dying, grief, isolation, relationships and anything having to do with the aging process. Facilitated by Professor Emerita Dr. Nancy K. Schlossberg, author, speaker and motivator, and Michael Karp. Email beespapa@verizon.net to register.

3:15 - 4:30 pm - Indoor Pickleball Free Play

Wednesday

9 am - 3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am - 3 pm - Friendship Treasures Thrift Store Open

9-9:45 am - Balance Movement

9:30 - 10 am - Advanced Tai Chi Instruction with Marty

10 am - 12 pm - Technology Assistance

10 - 11 am - Intermediate Tai Chi instruction with Marty

10 am - 12 pm - Mosaics Class

10:30-11:30 am - Short Story Book Club - Library

11 am - 12 pm - Beginner Tai Chi with Marty

11am-12pm - Ballroom Dance: Waltz

11 am - 12:30 pm - LGBTQ+ Grief & Loss Support Group - CRC Building (Next Door)

11:30 am – 3 pm - Latin Social Group (Spanish Speaker's Welcome!)

11:45 am–12:15 pm – Lunch (need to sign up – see above)

1pm-3pm - Live Music and Dancing with Pure Gold

1:30-2:30pm - Dog Therapy

1:30-3:30pm - Canasta (new members call Patty 919-208-5514)

3:30-5:30pm International Folk Dancing

Thursday

9 am - 3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am - 3 pm - Friendship Treasures Thrift Store Open

9-9:45 am - Balance Movement

10 - 11 am – Chair Yoga

10 am - 12 pm - Craft Club

10 am - 3 pm - Pinochle

10 - 10:30 am - Instruction Led Pickleball

10:30 am - 12:30 pm - Indoor Pickleball Free Play

11:30 am - 3 pm - Latin Social Group (Spanish Speaker's Welcome!)

11:45 am - 12:15 pm - Lunch (need to sign up - see above)

1pm-2pm - Radio Play and Poetry Reading

1 - 2:30 pm - French for Beginners

1 - 2:30 - Grief & Loss Support Group - CRC Building (Next Door)

12:30-2:30 pm - Friendly Bridge Group (New players contact Ron 443-722-8942)

1-3 pm - Live Music & Dancing with Keith Carman Band

1-3 pm - Mah Jongg

3:30-4:30 pm - Intermediate Tap Dance

Friday

9 am - 3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am - 3 pm - Friendship Treasures Thrift Store Open

9:30 - 11:30 am - Bingo ($5 Fee)

9:30 - 10:15 am - Sing-a-long with Betty Comora

10 am - 12 pm - Technology Assistance

10 - 11 am - Tai Chi

10:30 - 11:15 am - Balance Movement

11:15-12:15pm - SSAS band performance

11:45 am - 12:15 pm - Lunch (need to sign up - see above)

1 - 3 pm - Live Music & Dancing with Buffalo Swing Band

1 - 4 pm - Euchre

1 - 4 pm - Sarasota Duplicate Bridge Group

2 - 4 pm - What's Happening Now Group

Future Events

May 20th - 1 - 3 pm, Senior Prom with DJ Krazy Karaoke Live

*Refreshments provided by HOHO Buys Cars and Estate Registry. 

May 24th 1pm-3pm Memorial Day Performance by Tap Katz

June 8th - 12 - 5 pm, SILVER Pride with Project Pride SRQ & Golden Girls Solutions - Read more about the event here: Silver Pride 2024

June 17th - 1 - 3 pm, Sock Hop Summer Bash with DJ Krazy Karaoke Live

Venice Activity Center

FEATURED EVENT

Garden-to-Table!

Senior Produce Giveaway

Wednesday, May 15th 10-11:30am

Seniors are invited to stop by to pick up free produce while supplies last. Bags are provided by VIPcare Venice.

Monday

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Billiards Room Open

8:30 am-4:30 pm – Horseshoes, Corn Hole and Ping Pong!

9 am-3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am-3 pm - Unique Boutique Open

9 am-10 am - Chair Core Class with S n J Simply Fit

NEW!! 10:30-11:30 am - "Time to Tap" - Tap Dance Class

9 am-11:30 am - Friendly Bridge

9 am-10 am - Beginner Tai Chi, Marty Reichgut, MD, Instructor

10 am-11 am - Intermediate Tai Chi, Marty Reichgut, MD, Instructor

10 am-11:30 am - Hand 'n Foot Card Game

11 am-12 pm - Advanced Tai Chi, Marty Reichgut, MD, Instructor

12 pm-12:30 pm - Nutritious Lunch (need to sign up)

1 pm-3 pm - Live music & dancing The NOKO Band

1 pm-4pm - Hand 'n Foot Card Game

3:15 pm-4:15 pm - Zumba with Bobbie

Tuesday

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Billiards Room Open

8:30 am-4:30 pm – Horseshoes, Corn Hole and Ping Pong!

NEW!! 9:00-10:00 am- Brain Fit Art Class (Alcove)

9 am-3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am-3 pm - Unique Boutique Open

9 am-12 pm - Art Studio Open (fiscal conference room - 2nd floor)

8:30-9 am - Intro to Line Dancing with Jean

9-11 am - Beginners to Improvers - Contemporary Line Dancing Class with Jean

11 am-12:30 pm - Grief and Loss Support Group

9:30-11:30 am - BINGO ($5 Fee)

11 am-1 pm - Tech Help with Chris (contact the front office to schedule appt 941-584-0052 - members only)

12-3 pm - Woodcarvers

12-12:30 pm- Nutritious Lunch (need to sign up – see above)

1-3 pm - Hand 'n Foot Card Game

1-3 pm -PINOCHLE

1:30-3 pm - Caregiver Support Group

1-2 pm -Chair Core Class with S n J Simply Fit

2-2:45 pm - Balance Movement Class with Mike

3-4:30 pm - Clogging Class - Open to all cloggers and non-cloggers - Taps are not required

Wednesday

7:30 am - Produce Distribution Drive-Thru outside while supplies last.

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Billiards Room Open

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Horseshoes, Corn Hole and Ping Pong!!

9 am-3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am-3 pm - Unique Boutique Open

NEW!! 9-11:30 am – Card Making with Cathy 

9:30-11:30 am- BINGO ($5 fee)

9:30-10:30 am - Zumba with Bobbie

NEW!!- 10:00am-11:30am Garden to Table Senior Produce Giveaway presented by VIPcare

10:40-11:40 am YOGA

12-1 pm - ESSENTRICS/Stretch Yoga Senior Class (Cancelled)

12-12:30 pm - Nutritious Lunch (need to sign up – see above)

1-3 pm - Live Music & Dancing with Ray

1-4 pm - Hand 'n Foot Card Game

1:15-2:15 pm - Beginners & Learn to Play Mahjong

1:15-4 pm - Mahjong - Open Play (contact the front office to sign up 941-584-0052) (Cancelled this week only).

3-4 pm - Ballroom Dance Class with Mike & Rana

Thursday

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Billiards Room Open

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Horseshoes, Corn Hole and Ping Pong!!

9 am-3 pm Bistro Open

9 am-3 pm - Unique Boutique Open

9 am-11 am - Tech Help with Mark (contact the front office to schedule a 30-min consultation 941-584-0052)

9:30-11:30 am - BINGO ($5 Fee)

9:30-11 am - Line Dancing Class

10:30-11:30 am - Yoga Class with Denise

11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Zumba with Mary Lynn

11:30 am-1 pm - Intermediate Hawaiian Hula Dance Class

12-12:30 pm - Nutritious Lunch (need to sign up – see above)

12-3 pm - Woodcarvers

1-4 pm Hand 'n Foot Card Game

1-4 pm PINOCHLE

NEW!! 1:00-1:45 pm - Intermediate Tai Chi, Marty Reichgut, MD, Instructor

NEW!!1:45-3:00 pm - Advanced Tai Chi, Marty Reichgut, MD, Instructor

2-4 pm - Clogging Class – 2-2:30 set aside for beginners

Friday

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Billiards Room Open

8:30 am-4:30 pm - Horseshoes, Corn Hole and Ping Pong!!

9 am-3 pm - Bistro Open

9 am-3 pm - Unique Boutique Open

9 am-12 pm - Art Studio Open (fiscal conference room - 2nd floor)

9 am-12 pm - Seniors vs Crime Representative on-site

9:30 am-10:30 am - Zumba with Bobbie

New!!- 9:30am-10:30am- Nutrition and Cooking Class (Community Room)

10 am-12 pm – SCRABBLE

10:30 am- 12:30 pm - GULFCOAST Legal Services Representative

10:35 am-11:20 am - Beginners Hawaiian Hula Dance Class

11 am-12 pm - Neuroboxing Class (Cancelled this week only)

11:30 am-12:30 pm - Learn to Belly Dance for Better Health

12 pm-12:30 pm - Nutritious Lunch (need to sign up – see above)

1 pm-3 pm - Live Music & Dancing with Coastal Keys

Future Events

May 17, 24, and 31- 9:30-10:30am- Nutrition and Cooking Class

May 24- 1-3pm- Spring Formal

May 28-30- Mission Venice (Venice Area youth volunteers)

June 5- Hurricane Preparation Open House

Desoto Satellite Activity Center

917 N Arcadia Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266

(864) 494-5965

Center Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 1 pm

Lunch Served Daily at 11:00 am 

Diana Harms, Center Manager

No membership needed, but being a congregate dining is required

MAY 2024 SCHEDULE

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 

9:30am-10:30am - Low-Impact Exercise Class 

Every Tuesday and Thursday   

9:30am-10:30am - Stationary Pedaling Class    

2nd & 4th Thursday of the month

Beading Classes 

10:30am-11:30am   

1st Friday of the Month

Birthday Celebration

2nd Thursday of the Month

Grandparents Support Group

10 am - 11 am

Monday-Thursday - SHINE Program Counseling - Venice

By appointment as needed

Please call the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337 to schedule an appointment.

Tuesdays - Aging Rebels - Sarasota

In-Person in Sarasota

1:30 pm.

Last Friday of Every Month - United Way - Sarasota

Every Friday - Gulf Coast Legal - Venice (Ending May 31, 2024)

Qualifications for services apply.

Sarasota, please contact Ernie Mack, Business Office Manager, at

(941) 955-2122, to schedule appointments. 11 am - 2 pm.



Venice, please contact the front office (941) 584-0052 to schedule appointments. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Fridays - Seniors vs Crime - 9 am - 12 pm - Venice

Representatives on-site at the Venice location to help seniors who have been victimized.

Lifelong Learning Programs

Please contact us at 941-955-2122 for questions regarding any of the listed programs below. Please note that we host these programs at various locations.

LIFELONG LEARNING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

LGBTQ+ Programs

LGBTQ+ Book Club Zoom

Every Other Monday

3:00-4:30 pm

Contact Bruce for more details and to sign up:

(202) 262-0262 or email bruce@lehmannilon.com.

LGBTQ+ Loss and Grief Support Group

Every Wednesday

Sarasota Campus

11 am - 12:30 pm

LGBTQ+ Loss and Grief support groups help members of the LGBTQ+ community process and deal with ‘loss’ in their lives such as, but not limited to, loss of a partner due to death or breakup, death of a pet, loss of a job, end of a friendship or any other situation that creates feelings of loneliness, sadness, and isolation. It is a peer-directed, community group created to provide mutual support and shared experience to help individuals deal with painful life experiences in a safe and encouraging environment.

Silver Pride

Saturday, June 8th

12 - 5 pm

Event Page: Silver Pride 2024

Project Pride SRQ, Senior Friendship Centers, and Golden Girls Solutions present “Silver Pride Sarasota,” celebrating LGBTQ+ aged 50 and better!

We will celebrate our senior members of the LGBTQ+ community, and this FREE event will feature live music, vendors, food trucks, and more from community partners.

The Development Department

Save the Date!

Friday, February 28, 2025

For more information regarding Event Sponsorship or Underwriting Benefits for

City of Lights Gala: A Fundraising Soiree

contact: Lynne Anast, (941) 556-3269 or lanast@friendshipcenters.org

The Caregiving Place



Adult Day Services are open in Sarasota and Venice and are accepting referrals. Support groups are currently being held virtually AND in person (hybrid). Call (941) 556-3268 to join the group or for more information.

Sarasota

Adult Day Services

8:30-3:30pm. Our fully licensed Adult Day Service is the ideal program for an older adult who is experiencing cognitive impairment or frailties of aging Caregivers are provided peace of mind knowing their loved one is receiving quality, compassionate care.

Caregiver Support Groups

Have you recently become a caregiver? Do you experience feelings of isolation, frustration, or stress? Join us for a weekly support group offering designed to help you regain a sense of control over your situation and provide you with emotional support, useful information, and resources. This group is for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

• Wednesdays | 1pm - 2:30pm | Zoom only
• Thursdays | 10am - 11:30am | In-person + Zoom

Loss & Grief Support Groups

Find a compassionate space to share and connect with others who have experienced loss. Our facilitated group provides camaraderie and shared experiences. Don't face it alone - join us at Senior Friendship Centers.

• LGBTQ+ Loss & Grief Support Group | Wednesdays | 11am- 12:30pm
• Loss & Grief Support Group | Thursdays | 1pm - 2:30pm

Venice

Adult Day Services

8:00-3 pm. Our fully licensed, Adult Day Service is the ideal program for an older adult who is experiencing cognitive impairment or frailties of aging. It’s also a place that offers you, the caregiver, peace of mind – for as many days and hours you choose each week.

Tuesdays - Caregiver Support Group

1:30-3 pm. This group provides active caregivers insight into the journey of caregiving.

Tuesdays - Loss & Grief Support Group

11 am- 12:30 pm. Find a compassionate space to share and connect with others who have experienced loss. Our facilitated group provides camaraderie and shared experiences. Don't face it alone - join us at Senior Friendship Centers

Highlights

Memory Screenings

Danielle Valery, Sarasota Memorial Hospital Memory Disorder Clinic Manager, offers free memory screenings at their location and in Venice. Call (941) 917-7197 to schedule your screening.