Click here for a printable version of this guide (pdf).
The Pemberton Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 4:00pm. It is for senior citizens age 55 and over and resident adults with a disability. Center membership is free of charge with completion of a one-page application.
The Senior Center features spacious, handicap accessible 1st floor rooms including: a large dining/social room, bingo room, exercise area, computer lab, library, sitting area, an office and kitchen. The exterior of the building was recently re-painted, a new bay window, side stairs and handrails were installed. The 2nd floor is soon to be remodeled to include an elevator, restroom, offices and additional recreation rooms.
Highlights of the Senior Center include a daily hot lunch program, free transportation to and from the center (for those who do not drive), bus trips (with fees) and many daily activities. Free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and light breakfast foods are provided every morning in an open atmosphere. You will often find a group of seniors playing cards, reading new magazines from our magazine rack (sponsored by Power's Pharmacy), reading a book from the center Library Room, surfing the internet on one of the two computers in the Computer Lab, watching the news on the big screen TV in the Dining Room or Sitting Room, participating in the Chit Chat Program or simply socializing with each other. Whatever your interests, there are bound to be several you will enjoy at the center.
There are two full-time and three part-time employees who operate the center daily. Many senior volunteers also help to keep the center lively by teaching programs, assisting staff, decorating the center and co-coordinating special events. Volunteer Ella Nesbit gathers center activities each month and produces the Senior Gazette. The gazette is a main source of senior center information and includes the monthly activity calendar, lunch menu, Senior of the Month, Movie of the Month, crosswords/word finds, upcoming bus trips (Senior Council and Senior Club trips) and important contact numbers.
There is a Senior Council that meets the 1st Thursday of each month at 12:30pm. These members are appointed by the Mayor and Township Council. The Council oversees coordination of bus trips and some of our special events/activities. The council also serves as the ?voice' of our senior residents by bringing issues and concerns to the Director, Business Administrator and/or elected officials.
Senior Council:
Fred Liguori, President
James Saffo, Vice President
Barbara Cronk, Secretary
Michael Mielcarek, Treasurer
Ebba Liguori, Activities/Bus Coordinator
Ella Nesbit, Chaplain
Mary Saffo, Member at Large
Lunch Program
Daily lunch is provided at the site for $2 (residents) and $3 (non-residents). Food is contracted with Buttonwood Hospital and is picked up prior to lunchtime, which is 11:30am. To enjoy this full-course meal, you must order before 7am the day of lunch or pre-order up to one week ahead of time. Monthly meal schedule is available at the center and in the monthly Gazette. Main courses include: Crab cakes, Seafood Newburg, Baked Chicken, Meatloaf, Turkey, Pork Roll, Pork Chops, Meatball Sandwiches and Ham & Cheese Sandwiches. All meals include a vegetable, starch, two drinks and dessert.
Transportation Program
Free to all seniors age 55 and over and adults with disabilities who do not drive. Pick-up from your home begins at 7:45am. Drop-off back to your home from the center begins at 12:30pm or 2:00pm, depending on the day of the week. On Thursday mornings, at approximately 9:30am, the senior bus takes seniors to Acme (from the center) for small quantity grocery shopping. Local special trips are also planned throughout the year during the day or night. Some of these include trips to: Pemberton's Annual Water Carnival, Burlington County Amphitheater music concert, Columbus Farmers Market, Burlington Center Mall, Pemberton Holiday Decoration sightseeing, Pemberton High School plays and concerts and Golden Eagle Community Band concerts at BCIT.
Penny Bingo
Every morning from 9:30am-11:15am this favorite is held in the Bingo Room. An afternoon session is held on Monday's and Thursday's from 12:30-2pm. Different games are incorporated into each session (four corners, squares, etc.).
Exercise Program
This senior center staple is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am-11:15am in the large social/dining area. Funky music, exercise videos, hand-weights, resistance bands and chairs are incorporated into the program. Seniors run this program themselves. Medical release required to participate. In addition to this group program, seniors may come in and enjoy the 10 piece circuit training equipment that was recently donated by Personal Protection Academy.
Movie of the Month
Come to the center on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:30pm and enjoy a new release on the widescreen located in the large dining room. Free snack and refreshments are served with the movie. Ice Cream Sundae's, Rita's Water Ice, Fruit Bowls and Popcorn are just a few snacks served at movie time. June movie is "Night at the Museum" with Ben Stiller.
One-Stroke Painting with Rose Walker
This free class is held in the Craft Room Every Tuesday from 9:30am-11:30am. Acrylic paint, brushes and additional supplies are provided for the special projects which include work with glass and wood.
Bible Study with Edward B. Nesbit
Every Wednesday morning at 10am come and join fellow seniors in the Library for an hour of bible study. Open discussion and thanksgiving are highlights of this class.
Craft Program
Join fellow seniors in the Craft Room every Tuesday and Thursday morning in the Craft Room to make projects such as centerpieces for the Senior Center dining room tables, site decorations, curtains and individual craft projects. All materials are provided.
Quilting Program
Heide Blankenship volunteers her time to bring this favorite to the seniors. The first and third Monday from 11am-12noon the seniors gather together to work on their individual projects. If new to the craft, Heide and fellow seniors are available to teach you.
Bowling Program
Two 10-week sessions are coordinated with Thunderbird Lanes in Wrightstown during the year. Transportation from the Senior Center is provided for those who do not drive. It is held Monday mornings with each senior averaging three games each. Cost is $3/senior (township subsidizes this program in order to get this low rate).
Book of the Month Club
If you like to read and would love to discuss the story with fellow seniors, than this is your club! Each month features a new book with the club meeting the third Tuesday of the month in the sitting room.
Silver Strollers Group
Join us at the Rails to Trails in Pemberton (next to the Train Station) from 10am-11am on Thursday's in the fall to enjoy the scenic, peaceful trail while exercising. Pedometers are provided.
Farmers Against Hunger Site
Thanks to senior center volunteers, members receive donations of produce, breads, and drinks from local farmers. Cases of these items are picked up every Wednesday and transported to the center for everyone to take home.
Bus Trips
The Senior Council coordinates various trips for senior citizens. The trip fees are low-cost and affordable for all seniors due to subsidization from the township. For detailed information on the trips, please call the center and ask for Ebba, Senior Bus Coordinator.
2007 Senior Council Bus Trip Schedule:
June - Flying Cloud Cruise Restaurant & Atlantic City Casino
July - Renault Winery & Atlantic City Casino
September - Quakertown Farmers Market & Mastoris Diner
October - Captain's Inn Restaurant & Smithville
October - Franklin Mills Mall
November - American Music Theatre & Shady Maple Restaurant
December - Sweetwater Casino Restaurant & Holiday Light Display tour
December - Holiday Dinner at Garden State Diner
Special Events & Parties
Several special parties and events are coordinated by the center staff each year. Approximately 100 seniors come out to the center to enjoy a bash of some sort! Free lunch, entertainment and a guaranteed good time are to be had by all. Senior Prom, New Year's Celebration, Comedy Show, Fashion Show, Thanksgiving Dinner, Senior Picnic, Mardi Gras Party, Senior Weddings (yes, the real thing) and Western themed-parties are a few parties and special events of the recent past. Pemberton schools choral programs, W.H.Y. (We Help You) puppet shows and theatre groups come to the center to share their talent with the seniors.
Service, Education and Prevention Programs
The Burlington County Sheriff's Department is coming to the Senior Center on June 19th from 10:00am until 12:00noon to take free Senior Identification Cards. The Burlington County Office on Aging helps with implementation and coordination of our Reassurance Program for homebound seniors who would appreciate a regularly scheduled phone call. It assures good health, shows compassion for our senior neighbors and emergency follow-ups if needed. AARP 55 & Alive driver education classes are held every three years (at time of expiration) at the center. The Pemberton PBA recently donated a defibrillator to the senior center and is currently planning to implement a senior safety program for Pemberton seniors. NJ State Department of Consumer Affairs brings a yearly seminar on Identity Theft and Estate Planning. Local Fire and Emergency Services Departments teach annual home and fire safety classes. Burlington County Health Department provides free vision screening and flu shots at the center. Pemberton Township School District Business Administrator, Pat Austin, comes to the center each year to explain the Abbott Program (state funding) and school tax impact on each resident.
