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, are 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 for each class.

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

Ceramics Group with Julia Shirkey, instructor, welcomes beginners and advanced students.  Ceramics meets each Wednesday from 9-11am in the Art Studio.  The cost is $10 per month.

Booster Club
The Booster Club members are the backbone of our senior center.  Participants, their families and community members are encouraged to become a Sylvania Senior Center Booster Club Member.  The nominal membership donations are used to defray operating costs.  Members enjoy a quarterly Booster Club Breakfast meeting that includes prize drawings and center updates.

Cards & Games Groups

     Bingo - Monday and Thursday from 1-3:00, play for prizes.

     Bunco-1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month 1-3:00

     Party Bridge-Thursday from 1-3:30

     Duplicate Bridge-Thursday 1-4:00

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

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

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

     Poker - Thursday 12:15-4:15pm, in the Willow Room.

     Pool Room - Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00

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

     Slush-Monday & Thursday 10:30 in the dining room.

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

     Table Tennis - during Open Gym times, schedule on page 6

     Timed Euchre-Monday & Friday from 12-2:30,River Birch Room.

Computer Classes
Computer Classes are available for every skill level. Check the newsletter for current class information. 

• Classes on demand
• Diagnostics
• Digital Camera
• Evening Classes
• Internet
• Introduction to Computers
• Photoshop
• Tips & Tricks
• Webcam
• Word Processing

Computer Club –  Wednesday afternoons 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Discuss technology, problems, and how to get the most out of your computer.

Events/Trips
Due to strong business community support, we are able to present at our center many events such as a spring and a fall “Here’s To Your Health” Fair; The “Swinging On A Star Dance” in the Spring and The “Oktoberfest” Dance in the Fall both with live bands;  a “Celebrate Women” event; “The Guy’s Afternoon Off” event; The SSC Anniversary Celebration; Arbor Day Celebration; the Flag Box Ceremony near Veteran’s Day in November; music and fine arts presentations; A “Greet the New Year” party and other holiday observances. Summertime brings back our monthly potlucks, and throughout the year a free monthly movie day with root beer floats, munchies and prizes is enjoyed by many as well as a monthly free movie night after Tuesday night dinner, on the 4th Tuesday, which includes dessert.

Trips include area points of interest such as the Mud Hens baseball games, Canal Boat rides, lodge parties, fishing outings and educational tours of local metro parks and museums. Also popular are area specialty restaurants, spring charter fishing trips on Lake Erie, theatre and music performances.

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.  Follies performance dates are September 30- October 3.  Check your newsletter for further information.

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 & Fitness Classes
Check the newsletter for start dates for each class

Body Recall -Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 11:30 - 12:30 $50, 8 weeks.  Sheila Johnson, certified Instructor, guides participants to increase strength & flexibility.

Core Balance - Tuesday evenings, 6:30 - 7:15p.m., $30 for 6 weeks, Cara Jones Instructor. Floor exercises designed to strengthen core muscles to improve balance.

Jazzercise  - Monday & Wednesday, 3:45 - 4:45pm; Wednesday & Friday 9:00-10:00 am, Christy Owed, certified instructor; $30 per month, for more info call Christy Owed 419-841-4549.

Step it Up! - Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 - 9:30, monthly, $25.00 with Connie Nuzum Instructor.Low impact, walk/march, continuous foot movement for cardio-aerobic health.

Strength & Balance I - Wednesday from 1:00 - 2:00, Cara Jones Instructor, $25.00 for 6 weeks.  Working on balance through different exercises, along with cardio & strength training.

Strength & Balance II - Friday, 10:30 - 11:30, Cara Jones    Instructor, $25.00 for 6 weeks.  Working on balance through different exercises, along with cardio & strength training.

Strength Training - Thursday, 10 - 11:00, Connie Nuzum    Instructor; $30.00 for 8 weeks.  Improve your mobility and preserve bone density through weight bearing exercises. 

Swimming - Tuesday & Thursday 10-10:45, at Kingston Residence of Sylvania; focusing on range of motion, $35 for six weeks. For more information or to register, call 419-517-8202.

Tai Chi - Beginners & Intermediate, Tuesday & Friday 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.  Tai Chi can help improve overall health by strengthening the cardiovascular system and help with balance issues. For more info call 419-537-0131.

Yoga  - Wednesday,  3 - 4:30, $35,  six week session,  Sheila Johnson, Yoga Instructor.  Relaxation techniques to help reduce stress.

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

Blood pressure checks :
Tuesdays, 9 - 11 am, 60+ Nurses
2nd Monday, 9 - 11 am, SouthernCare Hospice
Last Thursday, Sylvania Harborside Healthcare

Blood Glucose:
2nd Tuesday, Sylvania Harborside Healthcare

“Healthy Kneads” Massage Therapy:
Quarterly, Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30 am, with Susan Mackey, LMT

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.

Winter Walking - October - April;  Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8-9:30 & 1:30-3:00, Wednesday 8-9:30 only. Tam-O-Shanter makes their indoor soccer field available for seniors to walk during the winter months.  Access is through Senior Center great room green double doors. 

Open Gym Schedule
Monday: 8 - 11:15 am, 1 - 3:30 pm
Tuesday: 8 - 9:30 am, 3:30 - 7:30 pm
Wednesday: 8 - 8:45 am, 10 - 12:45 pm
Thursday:  8 - 9:30 am, 4:15 - 5 pm
Friday: 8 - 8:45 am, 11:45 am - 1:15 pm, 3:30 - 5 pm

Subject to change due to availability of great room.  Changes will be posted on the dry erase board in the Great Room.

 Please note : Before using any exercise equipment you must sign a waiver located in the office.

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. However, they are aware that the services are for seniors in the community and are asked to keep the cost as low as possible.  For more info please call 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. 

Caring for the Caregiver - Sponsored by Hospice of  Northwest Ohio. 4 wk series, scheduled throughout the year.

Forward Focus - opportunity for confidential discussion with a Licensed Independent Social Worker, group educational series, outreach services that could provide direct assistance when making difficult decisions

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 available in the office.

Hall Pass - The Sylvania City Schools offer passes to seniors that live in Sylvania City & Township school district.  Free admittance and reduced fees to Sylvania sporting events.

Home Energy Assistance Program - (H.E.A.P.) - assistance with rising heating costs.  Applications, income levels for eligibility is available in the office. For more info please call Susan 419-885-3913.

Managed Care Advocacy - Help with health insurance issues is available the third Thursday of each month; by appointment.

Notary Public - This free service is available by appointment. Please call Donna, 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. 

Ombudsman Program - assistance with concerns regarding long term health care.  For information, call the ABLE Long Term Ombudsman Program at 419-259-2891 or 1-800-542-1874.

Senior Legal - The last Tuesday, every other month, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, free legal counsel by appointment, 419-885-3913.

Sylvania Senior Center Fee Assistance Program - available for seniors 60+.  This program is strictly confidential and is to help the senior participate in programming where there is a fee attached. Please see 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.  Quarterly meetings will be held on a Friday in conjunction with the Booster Club Breakfast.   Participant Council activities are varied and help raise funds for the Center.

Senior Nutrition Meals
Hot meals are served at the center Monday-Friday 11:45am-1pm and 5-6:00pm 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, you must call and make a reservation by noon the day before. Reservations for the Tuesday evening meal must be made by noon the Friday before.  A donation of $2.00 is requested for anyone 60 years and older.  For those under 60, a donation of $4.41 is requested.  Monthly menus are available at the Greeter’s desk or in the office.  If you can’t make your reservation, please call the center to cancel.

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

Book Revue Club - 2nd Tuesday of each month, 5-6:30 pm.  Join this group in discovering the world of literature. Each month a new book is chosen and discussed.

China Painting - Monday from 9-12:30pm, in the Art Studio.  A display case across from the conference room displays samples of their work.

Chorus - Tuesday from 9:45-11:15am, this group practices in the Great Room 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.

Current Events  2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month from 3-4:30pm in the Conference Room.  Join this group If you enjoy a healthy exchange of ideas and opinions.

Investment Club - 1st Monday of the month, 8:30am.  David Patton answers your questions about investing and the stock market.

The Joe LaConey Band - 1st Wednesday of the month, 1-3pm practice session.  The Joe LaConey 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 - Wednesdays, 9-11am, 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 3-5pm in the Willow Room.  Come and listen or join in. 

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.

Rug Hooking - 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30 am.  Join in or stop in the Conference Room 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 - Two groups, one meets every Wednesday, 1-3pm in the Art Studio, the Friday group meets the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month from 1:30-3pm, in the conference room.

Transportation Services
Monday thru Friday, transportation to and from the senior center is available to anyone 60 years and older who lives 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 9am 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 within Lucas County.  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.  Be sure to check the volunteer board in the hall for current volunteer needs and sign up in the green folder in the office if interested.  We have in-house and community opportunity referrals available.  The monthly newsletter has a current listing of volunteer opportunities.