Senior Center news

A springtime tradition continues at the Chestnut Hill Senior Center. Next Tuesday, May 17, at noon, the Women’s Exchange of the Chestnut Hill Community Center will cater a luncheon. There will be tea sandwiches, salad and aspic, fruit tartlets and cookies all served beautifully on tables decorated with fresh flowers — a gift from the Women’s Exchange to the seniors. Following lunch, pianist Fran Schwartz will perform. There is a nominal charge for this event ($3 to Senior Center members, $5 non-members); reservations must be made by May 14.

The Senior Center has begun a new hook and needle group on Fridays at 1:15 p.m. Members and non-members are invited to learn knitting with Bob Thomson. If you already knit, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider or needlepoint, come and share your talents with others. The center has needles, hooks and yarn, or you may bring your own works-in-progress. Also on Fridays at 1:15 p.m., a chess group has begun for those who already play or who want to learn. Alicia Dennis is looking for worthy opponents and is also willing to teach anyone new to the game. The center has chess sets waiting for players.

Seniors (and others) just love to be out and about, and the Chestnut Hill Senior Center is always looking for ways to satisfy that need. On May 25, the center is hosting a trolley tour through the Philadelphia Mural Arts in South Philadelphia. That trip is sold out, but we will schedule another in early November to a different part of the city. On Thursday, June 23, the Woodmere Art Museum is providing a docent-led tour through their new exhibit titled “The Martinos - A Family Legacy” at 11 a.m. (the cost is $5). On Sunday, July 10, the Japanese Tea House in Fairmount Park will host the Senior Center at 1 p.m. for a traditional tea ceremony.

On a summer day to be determined, the seniors will experience minor league baseball in Camden as the River Sharks take on a Triple-A opponent. Hot dogs will be $1 each. A group will travel to Bristol Riverside Theater on Wednesday, August 10 for a matinee performance of “Broadway Showstoppers.” Soon after Labor Day we will go over the Delaware River again to explore the great battleship New Jersey and eat lunch in the “mess.” Early October promises a tour of the Pearl S. Buck home with a gourmet Chinese luncheon. Call the Chestnut Hill Senior Center at 215-248-0180 for details and reservations for these trips.

You will also want to mark your calendars now for a special Memorial Day/Flag Day program at the center. On Tuesday, June 14 we will have a gathering of our veterans from all conflicts. Bring your old and tattered flags for recycling by the VFW, enjoy a free lunch of soup and dessert, and share your “war stories” and memorabilia. Remember, “they also serve who only stand and wait” (John Milton).

The Chestnut Hill Community Association sponsors the Chestnut Hill Senior Center for the benefit of all adults in the greater Chestnut Hill community. We are located at 7999 Crittenden Street, up the block from the Market Square shopping center and post office.