Games - The COA has new programs to offer to those finding themselves bored in the afternoon and hoping to interact with others: cribbage, bridge, Wii virtual games, 45s and table shuffleboard. Those who already have a team of players are invited to meet at the air-conditioned Hilton Senior Center (on Lafayette Road beside the Fire Station) to enjoy a game or two.

Casino Games / Poker - Thursdays at Noon. Do you like to play poker, texas hold-em, black jack, our professional dealer will teach you and deal the cards each Thursday at noon at the Center. Call to sign up.

Cribbage  - Wednesdays 10:30am. Experience this fun, active group! Join our current players and learn to play "Cribbage" regardless of experience.

Daily Hot Lunch - Served each weekday at 11:20 a.m. at the Hilton Center. The suggested donation is $2 per meal for a person 60 and older. Reservations are a must and should be made two working days in advance. Call 978-462-2412 to register.

Home Delivered Meals - Meals are available for homebound elders. Please call Elder Services of Merrimack Valley at 800-892-0890 extension 490 to make arrangements.

Transportation - Council on Aging wheelchair accessible van is available to seniors for transport to local appointments.  The Van operates Monday, Tuesday from 8:30am to 2:00pm. On Wednesday the Van provides transportation to Market Basket Plaza and Wal-Mart Plaza in Seabrook. Pickup begins @ 9:00am. The cost for shopping is $4.00 donation roundtrip. Confirm pickup time when you call.  Call 978-462-2412 to schedule a ride. Reservations must be scheduled at least two working days in advance.

Ring & Ride - Curb to Curb transportation for Salisbury residents for shopping, visiting friends, running errands, going to and from medical appointments, or to and from work, the Ring & Ride allows clients to commute within Salisbury and throughout Amesbury and Newburyport, this van service also accommodates wheelchair clients, program operates from 5am to 7pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling 978-469-6878 option 3. There is a $2.00 fee each way.  Rides to out of town appointments are also available through a volunteer (N.E.E.T.) program.

Outreach Program - The Council on Aging Outreach program is committed to connecting Salisbury residents with programs and services that are available to support their needs and enhance their lives. The outreach coordinator is available to assist you. Call Joanne at 978-462-2412. Meetings may be scheduled at the Senior Center or in your home.

Elder Services - Monthly Health & Welfare Day - Elder services case manager Linda Lynehan will be at the Hilton Center once a month from 10:30 to noon for one on one discussions and question. Talk to Linda to see what services are available for you or your loved ones.

SHINE - Questions on your health or prescription coverage? Our SHINE counselor holds monthly consults. Please call for a private appointment.

Hearing Clinic - Free hearing exams, hearing aide adjustment, battery replacement and minor repairs by Joe Saofeen of Rogers Hearing Solutions on Wednesdays every month at the Hilton Center. Call 978-462-2412 to schedule an appointment.

Monthly Health Clinic - Monthly from10:30am to 12:30pm. VNA nurse will take blood pressure and check blood glucose levels.

Monthly Foot Care - Dr. Santos will be at the Center monthly by appointment only. The fee is $30. Call 978-462-2412 to schedule an appointment.

911 CELL PHONE - This program provides seniors with free cell phones for emergency use during winter months and /or travel. Free to Salisbury residents. Available through the TRIAD Program at the Hilton Senior Center.

Tax preparation - AARP tax assistance aide providing free tax preparation for those with low to moderate incomes.

Internet & Wi-Fi Access - At the Salisbury Council on Aging Hilton Center wireless internet connection is now available ... bring your own laptop if you don't want to use the 6 upgraded computers in the Computer Room! We also have a fax machine and copy machine available. The Computer Lab is open to the public Tues.& Thurs. 9:00am to 2:00pm, and Fridays till noon.

One-on-One Computer Training - Call to schedule your 1 hour one on one appointment. Learn basic Internet and Email functions. Learn about Search Engines and how to find what you are looking for! Learn email, including opening attachments and adding your own attachments, such as a photos or other documents. Taught by UMass Lowell intern.

Intermediate Computer Training - Wed 8:30 to 10:30 or 10:30 to 12:30. thru Mar 16^th. Microsoft Word &/or Excel will be offered depending on interest. Course is focused on the basic application, it is preferred that applicants have had some previous basic training or at least be familiar with basic computer functions. Instructor is Tom Keane.

Pre registration required. Class is limited to four students per class. Fee for each session is $3 for Salisbury residents and $5 for non-residents. Call 978 462 2412 to register.

Computer & Internet Class - Mondays 10am - 12pm. Learn to browse the internet, set up a FREE email account. Our Instructor, Laura, will have handouts each week to help you find fun & interesting web sites to go to. This class will take easy, slow steps to connect you to the World Wide Web! Learn to set up a personal Facebook page as well as uploading digital images of your pictures. This will be a classroom setting although you may also receive one on one attention as well.

Knitting & Crocheting & Pretty Punch Group - Meets every Thursday @ 9am at the Hilton Senior Center. Want to learn to knit? Open to all, group knitting and crocheting session and lessons. Individuals are welcome to bring their own projects or help us work on making baby bonnets for the premature babies at Anna Jaques Hospital. Free yarn available.

Granny Square Class -  Thursdays 9am. Interested in learning to make Granny Squares? We will teach you and together we will make a blanket. Open to all. Call the center at (978) 462-2412, or stop by for more info.

Quilting Group - Meets Tuesdays at noon. If you have talent and would like to share, come in and join us! It is that easy. Some of our quilters have begun making lap quilts for the rehabilitation patients at Anna Jaques Hospital.

Bingo - Held each Monday from 12:30 to 2:30pm.  All are welcome.

Birthday Party - Third Thursday of every month we have a birthday party for all seniors whose birthday falls in the month. Everybody is invited to help the birthday seniors enjoy the day. Reservations are required, also please notify if you must cancel. There is no longer a charge!

TRIPS - Salisbury Council on Aging has joined forces with Newburyport, Amesbury and Merrimac COA’s to offer you trips and social outings with local pickups and drop-offs. Call us at 978-462-2412 for more information on any future trips being planned.

Sing-alongs - Wednesdays, at noon, led by Don Ketzler, starting May 7th. Men and women welcome. If you love to sing, this is the group for you. Good therapy and lots of fun.

Zumba Gold - Wednesdays @ 9am with Stephanie Smith. Low impact Latin inspired dance class that is easy to follow. Combination of fitness and dance moves on swinging Latin music. Designed to take the easy dance rhythms created in the original Zumba and bring them to seniors. Suggested donation $3.00 per class.

Zumba - Thursdays from 5:30pm - 6:30pm with Amy Nigrelli. Intergenerational, All Ages Welcome! A faster pace, great exercise.  Join the fastest growing workout program in the world! $5.00 per class.

Exercise to Music - Tuesdays, 9 to 10am.  We focus on cardio and strength conditioning. You can modify the intensify of the workout to your own level, chair exercise or standing. Open to all. Come and have some fun! Suggested donation $2.00 per class.

Yoga - Gentle Stretching - Tuesdays 10:15-11:00am. Increase your muscular strength and flexibility, body alignment and improved posture while increasing cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency, your energy and endurance.  Yoga improves concentration, attention and memory and increases feelings of well—being. Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel. Suggested donation $2.00 per class.

Tai Chi - Friday @ 9am, starting September 11th. Increase flexibility and improve circulation. Various breathing techniques for health will be taught. Some of the benefits of Tai Chi include improvements in balance, reduction in falls, increased range of motion, lower blood pressure and even better sleep. *If you are using a wheelchair, walker, cane or crutches this class can benefit you.  Instructor Marna Badavas has been a practitioner of Tai Chi at Great Bay Tai Chi and the Newburyport Adult Education Program.

"So You Think You Can't Exercise?" - Wednesdays 10:15-11:00am. This class features flexibility, cardiovascular exercises and strengthening modified for a senior audience. Includes seated chair exercises with props. Work on coordination and balance. If you're functionally independent and want to stay physically fit, you're encouraged to attend this fun, supportive class. Using balls and rubber tubing we will work to improve strength, mobility and endurance. Salisbury resident and owner of Bodytrends Personal Fitness Debbie Choate is the instructor. Suggested donation $2.00 per class.

Line Dancing - Line Dancing Ongoing Thursdays 9:30 – 10:30am. Get in shape and have fun doing it with popular instructor Jason McCollin. New music, new dances. Join the fun. Suggested donation $3.00 per class.

Walking Group - Thursday mornings, Feb. & March 2011 meet @ 9:00am at Latitude’s Gym. Why walk alone? Join us, walk the indoor track, make new friends and get in shape. Free: Sponsored by Latitude’s & AJH. Latitude Sports Club Staff invites you to their weekly Senior Mixer Thursday mornings 9:45am following the Walking Group Open to members and non-members age 60 and above. Enjoy coffee/tea/bagels and camaraderie!

Volunteer Opportunities: Do you have a special talent or interest you would like to share with others? We are always looking for facilitators to start new groups, perhaps a book club or computer class. Do you have a knack for telling a story to a home-bound senior? How about helping out on decorations for a special event or working as a receptionist, transporting folks to medical appointments or joining the Board of the Council on Aging or the Friends of the Salisbury Council on Aging Board. Contact Liz Pettis, COA director, at 978-462-2412 or by e-mail at epettis@salisburyma.gov

Call the Council on Aging for more information about any of these programs, 978-462-2412.