Seniors

• Reprints

Updated: October 13, 2011 1:10PM

Oak Park Arms

Oak Park Arms Retirement Community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave., offers events for adults of all ages. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information visit www.oakparkarms.com or call Jill Wagner at (708) 386-4040. The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay — a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

Cancer Awareness Talk: 10 a.m. Oct. 11. Interim Healthcare nurse Patricia Dezinski will present the program. Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Dezinski’s presentation will end with time for questions and answers.

“View and Review: You be the Critic,” at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 14, the 1960 Oscar-winning movie, “Elmer Gantry,” starring Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones and Arthur Kennedy. Hosted by radio announcer Dan Kane who will lead a lively discussion after the film. Elmer Gantry is a fast talking, hard drinking traveling salesman who always has a risqué story and a hip flask to entertain cronies and customers alike. He is immediately taken with Sister Sharon Falconer, a lay preacher whose hellfire and damnation revivalism has attracted quite a following. Gantry uses his own quick wit and knowledge of the Bible to become an indispensable part of Sister Sharon’s roadshow but soon finds that his past catches up with him in the form of Lulu Bains, now a prostitute. While Gantry seeks and eventually gets forgiveness from Sharon, tragedy strikes when she finally manages to get out of her revivalist tent and opens a permanent church.

Pie Baking Contest: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 15 at an Open House. Apples are the theme at this fun-filled event. Attention all amateur bakers. The first annual Pie-Baking Contest will take place at the open house. Homemade nonrefrigerated pies will be on display and judging, based on taste and presentation, will begin at 12:15 p.m. First prize is $100, second prize is $50 and third prize is $25. For an entry form and a complete list of rules, go to: http://www.oakparkarms.com. Anyone who takes a tour of the Oak Park Arms will receive an apple pie. Tours include meeting the Chef of the Georgian Room Restaurant, meeting the on-site health care team and viewing community spaces and meeting rooms. In addition, there will be entertainment, an 11:30 a.m. health lecture titled, “An Apple a Day,” live music, apple treats and prizes.

Free Lecture by Dr. Mary: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 15. “An Apple a Day. ”Mary Maryland, Ph.D., and registered nurse. At the talk’s conclusion, Dr. Mary will answer questions from the audience.

Monday Night Concert: Series 7 p.m. Oct. 17 presents “The Boys from Indiana” singers Anjali Asokan Karia and Howard McClaine accompanied by Jeremy Kahn on piano. A tribute to legendary American musicians and Indiana natives Hoagie Carmichael and Cole Porter. They will be playing Carmichael’s “Up a Lazy River” and Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Miss Otis Regrets” among other classics.

Oak Park
Township

Oak Park Township Senior Services, 418 S. Oak Park Ave. E-mail seniors@oakparktownship.org; call Dana Ferdinand, (708) 383-8060; or visit Web site, www.oakparktownship.org. Events in fifth floor lunch room unless otherwise noted.

SHIP: (Senior Health Insurance Program). Offers free insurance counseling that assists Medicare recipients with their claims, supplemental insurance and drug plan, as well as, applying for other state and federal benefits. A SHIP volunteer is available by appointment only to offer assistance. Counseling is conducted at Oak Park Township Senior Services on the sixth floor offices. Those seeking guidance are asked to phone (708) 386-8060 to arrange a day and time to be seen. Next available day is Oct. 14.

Caregiver Support Group: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 14 in the sixth floor offices. Open to all individuals who have issues which they would like to share with others. This ongoing support group is free. Participants are afforded the opportunity to share their experiences and provide encouragement through group interaction. For more information contact Steven Smith at Oak Park Township Senior Services (708) 383-8060.

Lunch Program: Served 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, for suggested contribution $1.50/meal. All residents 60 and older are welcome and encouraged to attend. Transportation available, call (708) 383-4806. Upcoming menu: Today, Meatloaf; Oct. 7, White fish; Oct. 10, Closed-Columbus Day; Oct. 11, Smoked sausage; Oct. 12, Pesto chicken; Oct. 13, Meat lasagna.

Get Coupons for Dine Out Program: 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, offers seniors the opportunity to enjoy affordable, nutritious lunches or dinners at specified local restaurants. Suggested donation $3.50.

Park District
of Oak Park

The Park District of Oak Park offers a variety of programs and trips for Seniors and Active Adults. To find out more or to register visit www.oakparkparks.com.

Book Worms Book Club: 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave. The Club is continuing this fall with an engaging discussion of a different book each month. October’s selection is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Copies of the book are reserved for the Book Worms Book Club at the Oak Park Public Library main branch under “Park District of Oak Park Book Worms.”

Veteran’s Day Celebration: 12:30-3 p.m. Nov. 11 at Longfellow Center. Event begins with a short flag ceremony. Lunch will be served followed by activities including games and prizes. he afternoon will conclude with a historical presentation by John Borland, war history enthusiast. For more information or to sign up call Meredith at (708) 725-2150. Fee: $15 Oak Park residents/$22 nonresidents.

The Lifelong
Learning Center

The Senior Citizens’ Center of OPRF, The Lifelong Learning Center, 414 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Membership open to individuals 50+. Membership $50 per year. More than 14 weekly activities offered including language classes, arts programming and more. Call (708) 848-5251 or contact sccoprf@sbcglobal.net.

Beading Class: 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Next date Oct. 11. Learn how to make beaded jewelry.

Beginning Crochet: 10 a.m. Mondays. Never picked up a crochet needle before? This class is for you.

Weaving: 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Join others in the weaving room under the eye of experienced and artisan weavers who will guide you in your project. Looms are open at this time.

“Scribblers”: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Join a group of individuals to share your writing. Get support and inspiration.

Lapidary Workshop: 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Lapidary equipment and knowledgeable instructor on hand with Patricia Koko, co-teacher.

Woodshop: 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Woodworking and other workshop tools under the guidance of an experienced woodworker.

Ceramics: 1 p.m. Thursdays. Come and learn a variety of techniques in working with clay. Beginners and experienced welcome.

German Language: 12:30 p.m. Fridays.

Fine Arts: 1 p.m. Fridays. Watercolor or acrylics, you will be guided by a master teacher, Nancy Fong.

Italian Language: 9:30 a.m. Saturdays.

River Forest
Community Center

River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison St. Register for trips (708) 771-6159, Ext. 200. Annual membership dues $20.

Card Club: Bridge, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 6 and Oct. 20. Refreshments served. All levels welcome, but, must have basic knowledge of game. Call (708) 771-6159, Ext. 277 if you plan to attend so there will be enough refreshments.

YMCA

West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., in Oak Park. Call Barb Usmial (708) 434-0202; e-mail busmial@opymca.org; fax (708) 383-0159.

Free Senior Fridays: Age 62 and older invited to visit free on Fridays. Swim, walk/jog, use fitness center, play racquetball, much more.