Programs and services of the Sylvania Senior Center are funded by the local Sylvania City and Township Senior Levy.  Funding is also received from the Title III-B grant under the older Americans Act, State and Community Services Block Grant funds, and the Lucas County Senior Services Levy and are administered through the Area Office on Aging. Some program fees are charged for specialty services. Donations to the Center, for its programs and services, are gratefully accepted.

Click on a link below to learn more about the programs through the Center:

Art Classes

Art Studio I & II  with Elaine Scarvelis, instructor is ongoing and each participant works on their own project. Art Studio I is Friday from 9-11 and Art Studio II is Tuesday from 9-11am.  The cost is $20 per month.

Ceramics Class with Julia Shirkey, instructor, welcomes beginners and advanced students.  Ceramics meets Wednesday from 9-11am in the Art Studio.  The cost is $15 per month.

Check the monthly newsletter for information about special art classes offered throughout the year.

Booster Club
Participants at the senior center have the option of joining the Booster Club.  The nominal membership “dues” are used to defray operating costs.  Quarterly Booster Club breakfast meetings are held for members where there will be a prize drawing and updates.

Cards & Games Groups

Bingo – Monday and Thursday from 1-3 p.m.  This game plays for prizes.

Party Bridge – Monday 9-11:00 and Thursday from 1-3:30.

Duplicate Bridge – Thursday 1-3:30 and the 4th Tuesday of each month from 3:30-7:15.

Contract Bridge – Tuesday 12:30-3:30pm in the River Birch Room.

Bunco – 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:00

Mahjongg – Monday 12:30-4:00 more info call Dorie 419-882-3375.

Ping Pong – for use during Open Gym times only, see Health & Wellness.

Pinochle – Wednesday from 12:30-3:30 in the River Birch Room.

Poker – Thursday 12:15-4:15pm and the 1st Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:15 in the Willow Room.

Pool/Billiards – Monday-Friday two 9’ tables are for you to enjoy.

Scrabble – Friday 1:30-4:30 in the Art Studio.

Slush – Thursday 10:30 in the dining room.

Party Euchre – Wednesday 10:00 in the River Birch Room

Timed Euchre – Monday & Friday from 12-2:30 in the River Birch Room.

Computer Classes
Computer Classes are offered regularly throughout the year.  There are classes available for every skill level. Check the newsletter each month for current class information.

Educational Programs
Speakers – Regular and irregular speakers are scheduled to come to the center to discuss issues of concern for older adults.  Check the newsletter for the current topic of discussion.

“Visit with the Doctor” – 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11:00, sponsored by Toledo Hospital, Flower Hospital Family Medicine residency & the AOoA .

“Natural Healing” – last Tuesday of the month at 10:30, sponsored by Dr. Rahman.     

“Pharmacist Chat” – 3rd Monday of the month at 11:00 sponsored by WW Knight & The Toledo Hospital Family Practice Residency.

SWELL – (Senior Wellness Educational Living and Learning) 2nd Monday of the month at 10:30, sponsored by Southern Care Hospice.

Exercise Classes
Exercise is important to maintaining health and wellness.  The senior center offers classes that are appropriate for seniors.

Aquatic Therapy – Tuesday & Thursday 11-11:45 at Kingston Residence of Sylvania; focusing on range of motion, strength and flexibility in a 90 degree heated pool. Cost is $40 for six weeks. Transportation is provided, just park and ride. Call 419-517-8200.

Body Recall – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30-12:30, 10 weeks for $50. Sheila Johnson, certified Body Recall Instructor, will guide participants to increase strength and flexibility.

“Gentle” Yoga  – Wednesday 3-4:30 six week class for $35; Sheila Johnson, Yoga Instructor teaches breathing and relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

Line Dancing –Wednesday 2:30-3:30 Claudette Davis, Instructor; Intermediate: $4 payable in the office before each session; (watch the monthly newsletter for the beginner classes).

“Simply Lite” Jazzercise – Monday from 3:45- 4:45pm, Wednesday from 9-10:00 and 3:45-4:45pm, and Friday 9-10:00, Christy Owed, certified instructor; $30 per month paid directly to the instructor.  For more info call Christy Owed 419-841-4549.

Strength and Balance – Wednesday from 1:00-2:00, Cara Jones Instructor, $25.00 for 8 weeks.  The main focus is working on balance through different exercises, along with cardio and strength training.  Check the newsletter for new start dates.

Strength Training – Thursday 10-11:00, Connie Nuzum Instructor; $30 for 10 weeks.  Improve your mobility and preserve bone density through weight bearing exercises.  Check the newsletter for new start dates.

Tai Chi – Beginners & Intermediate, Tuesday 1:30-3:15~Beginners Friday 1:30-3:15, $20 a month for seniors with a one time registration fee of $20 which pays for the first month, 13 week long sessions.  The regular practice of Tai Chi can help improve overall health by strengthening the cardiovascular system and help with balance issues. For more info call 419-537-0131

Follies Performance
The Senior Follies is an annual talent showcase.  With six months of preparation, a group of our participants come together to write, direct, and perform a wonderful comedic, singing and dancing production. This is a very popular event in which all proceeds are donated to the center.  Check the newsletter for dates.

Gift Shop
Our gift shop is full of items that are handmade by our seniors.  When an item sells, 10% of the selling price goes to the center.  Stop in the Dining Room and see the wonderful items on display.

Health & Wellness 
The senior center offers programs that enhance the health and wellness of seniors and to promote activity and independence.

Blood pressure checks 60+ Nurses Clinic Tuesday from 9-11:45 a.m. and Sylvania Harborside Healthcare the last Thursday of each month from 9-11 a.m.

Blood sugar screenings are sponsored by Parrish HomeCare the 3rd Monday of each month from 9:30-11 a.m. and Sylvania Harborside Healthcare the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 9-11 a.m.

Podiatrist – Seniors can make appointments to see Dr. Thomas McCabe on the last Thursday of the month.  He accepts most medical cards and referrals. Appointment Necessary 419-885-3913.

Walking – Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8-9:30 & 1:30-3:00, Wednesdays 8-9:30 only. Tam-O-Shanter makes their indoor soccer field available for seniors to walk during the winter months.  Check the newsletter for availability.  

Monday: 8-11 am, 1-3:30 pm

Tuesday: 8-9:30 am, 3:30-5 pm & 5-7:30 1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday

Wednesday: 8-8:45 am, 10 am-12:45 pm

Thursday:  8-9:30 am, 4-5 pm

Friday:8-8:45 am, 10:15 am -1:15 pm 

Home Maintenance Program
Through this program, the center refers service providers to senior’s homes to do jobs such as seasonal yard maintenance, household cleaning, small repair jobs and painting. The prospective providers are interviewed and go through a federal criminal background check, before being brought into the program. The service providers are independent contractors from the community and are not employed by the Center. They are aware that these jobs are for seniors in the community and are asked to keep the cost as low as possible.  For more info please call Susan at 419-885-3913.

Outreach Programs/Senior Services
The center has information about numerous services available to seniors in our community.  We can help determine eligibility, help with paperwork and other requirements needed for seniors to be able to take advantage of these services.

AARP Income Tax Service – From the beginning of February through April 15th, seniors and low income people can have their income taxes e-filed by trained AARP volunteers. This is a free service and appointments are required. 

Economic Opportunity Planning Association  (E.O.P.A.) – This program provides information and referrals to help older adults remain independent.  Services include home visits, nutrition, help with medical forms, utilities and appliances.  For more information, please call Paola Mesa at 419-242-7304, ext. 205.

Hall Pass – The Sylvania City Schools offer passes to seniors in Sylvania City & Township school district, that allow free admittance and reduced fees to Sylvania sporting events.  Sylvania City & Township senior residents are eligible.

Home Energy Assistance Program (H.E.A.P.) – Eligible Ohio residents receive help meeting the rising cost of home heating in the winter.  Applications, income levels for eligibility and other information is available in the office.  For more information or help filling out the forms, please call Susan at 419-885-3913.

Golden Buckeye Card – Participation in the Golden Buckeye Program is free.  Ohio residents who are 60 years and older and adults 18-59 years old who have a permanent disability and are unable to work are eligible.  Applications are available in the office.

Medical Benefits Assistance – Managed Care Advocacy is available the third Thursday of each month to answer questions about health insurance.  Appointment necessary, 419-885-3913.                                  

Ohio Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney – “Advance Directive” is a general term referring to a person’s verbal and written instructions about future medical care in the event that the person becomes unable to speak for him or herself.  Information on Living Wills and Health Care Power of Attorney is available in the office.

Ombudsman Program – this program assists with complaints a person might have with long term health care.  For information, call the ABLE Long Term Ombudsman Program at 419-259-2891 or 1-800-542-1874.

Senior Legal Services – The last Tuesday of every other month, Attorney Mark Lindberg, from Legal Services of NW Ohio, a non-profit law firm that serves 30 counties in northwest and western Ohio.  There is no charge for this service. Appointment necessary, 419-885-3913.

Notary Public – Sylvania Senior Center is now able to provide that service, call for an appointment,  419-885-3913

Sylvania Senior Center Fee Assistance Program – available for 60+ please see Julie or Susan for more information.

Participants’ Council
The Participant’s Council is an organized group of Sylvania Senior Center participants who help to serve the participants as a whole by assisting the senior center in achieving its goals. Anyone who participates at the senior center is automatically a member of the Participant’s Council and has voting rights.  Officers are elected    annually. Monthly meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m.  Participant Council activities are varied and help raise funds for the Center.

Senior Nutrition Meals
Hot meals are served at the center Monday-Friday 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. on Tuesdays. The meals come from the Senior Nutrition Program through the Area Office on Aging. If you are interested in eating lunch at the center, call to make a reservation by noon the day before. A donation of $2.00 is suggested for anyone 60 years and older. For those under 60, a donation of $4.18 is suggested. Monthly menus are available at the greeters’ desk or in the office. If you cannot attend and already made your reservation, please call the center to cancel.

Special Interest/Social Groups
(Times subject to change periodically throughout the year)

China Dolls – This group meets on Monday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the Art Studio to paint china.  There is a display case across from the coatroom that displays samples of their work.

Choral Group – This group practices in the Great Room on Tuesday from 9:45-11:15 a.m. for community performances. There is always a need for more singers, especially male voices.  The only requirement for joining is that you enjoy singing and sharing music.

Computer Club - meets on the Wednesdays from 3-4:30p.m.  Anyone with computer questions is welcome to attend.

Current Events Discussion Group – Are you interested in the news of Toledo and the world? Do you enjoy a healthy exchange of ideas and opinions with others? If so, join the Current Events Discussion Group on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room.

Investment Club – This club meets the 1st Monday of the month at 8:30 a.m.  David Patton will answer your questions about investing and the stock market.

“K” Band – The “K” Band is an eclectic group of musicians who get together and perform in the community.  New band members are always needed and welcomed. You don’t have to be the best...you just have to love music.

Knitting & Crocheting – The Willow Room, Wednesday from 9-11 a.m.  Along with their own projects, the group knits and crochets blankets and other items that the center donates to various charities.

Music Jam Session – These musicians get together every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. in the Willow Room and the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 3-6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and listen.

Quilting – The devoted quilters of the center meet in the quilting room from 8am until about noon or later Monday-Thursday.  Much of the work they do is on quilts brought in from the community.  They charge a very reasonable amount for their work, and that money is donated to the center. 

Rug Hookers – Stop in the Conference Room on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:45am to see how this historic craft is done. 

Woodshop – Bring your broken tables, chairs and other wood items to the woodshop, and the wood experts will fix it.  The charge for this service is “a donation to the center”.  They’re who we turn to when props, bookcases or other items need to be built for the center.

Writer’s Group – Do you have a passion for the written word in all forms? There are two groups, one meets on Wednesday at 1pm in the Art Room, the other group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month from 1:30-3 p.m., in the conference room.

Support Groups
Life Changes – Jayne Klinger LWS, MSW, facilitates this support group.   Open to all seniors dealing with the inevitable changes that life brings.  Come and share your experiences and talk to others who are going through similar trying times.  All information is kept confidential. This group meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10 am

Transportation Services
Monday thru Friday, transportation to and from the senior center is available to anyone 60 years and older who live in the Sylvania School District. There are weekly grocery shopping trips, stops at local banks, the pharmacy and post office. There is a small charge for round trip.

“Senior Connections” is a van transportation service for seniors who are 60 years and older. Trips are scheduled to physical therapy   sessions, for nursing home visits, hospital visits and beauty shop appointments. The service is available Monday thru Friday with appointment times from 9 a.m. into the afternoon.  You must be able to attend your appointment on your own.  A friend can ride to assist you.  The charge for a round trip within our service boundaries is $9.

Transportation Services for Seniors – This service is through Black and White Cab and is for Lucas County residents 60 years and older. Transportation is provided to doctor and dentist appointments. It is available twice a month at a reduced cost. Applications are available in the office.

Volunteer Opportunities
The Sylvania Senior Center has various opportunities available to those willing to donate their time and talents.  Some of the areas of opportunity are: Greeters, Office, Special Events, Computer Coaches, Community Needs, Pen Pals, Collections, Dining Room, Campaigning, Teddy Bear Dressing, Special Sales, Knitting/Crocheting, Bingo Callers, Committees, Gardening, and many more areas.  The volunteer board in the hall lists current volunteer needs and sign up is in the office if interested.  The monthly newsletter has a current listing of volunteer opportunities.