The “Living Legacies” project, recognized as a 2012 National Award Winning Program of Excellence, is scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 12:30 at the South Brunswick Senior Center. Students from the South Brunswick High School English Department will present this year’s theme, “Living Legacies: Celebrating Our Cultural Diversity.”  Public Speaking students, under the direction of teacher Catherine LaMoreaux, interviewed local residents about their backgrounds and cultural traditions.  Students then wrote monologues which they will present, in a uniquely created theatre piece, speaking as …

Have fun playing the Native American Flute at a workshop on April 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the South Brunswick Public Library. Anyone over the age of 13 is welcome. No music background is necessary. For a nominal fee of $15, you will leave with your own flute and the ability to play with other flute players and drummers at a novice level. There will be free follow-up sessions where you can learn more and have more fun. The Native American Flute (NAF) is probably the most accessible musical instrument for blind and visually impaired people.  It is very easy to learn it and one does …

  Sitting in a room at Pierre’s Restaurant filled with culturally diverse people of all ages and genders enjoying a fabulous breakfast, the feeling of community was palpable. As I watched neighbors and friends hugging each other, greeting those they didn’t know with a friendly smile and a tap on the shoulder, reinforced why I believe South Brunswick is the place to continue to live in, retire to and to age in place. I have been committed to that vision for more than 20 years when I bought my home in Kendall Park recognizing how easily it could accommodate shared housing with mother/daughter …

From visiting physicians to mobile dentistry, Native American flute playing, jewelry from buttons, to care givers/care giving and everything in between. Oct. 20 will be a day of discovery. Listen and learn current information about Medicare/Medicaid; Veterans’ services; energy savings; affordable housing; blind, deaf and hard of hearing assistance; choosing the right care giver; transportation; end of life planning, legal, financial and emergency preparedness and more from more than 30 experts.   The annual October FORUM, “Preparing Today for Tomorrow” at the South Brunswick Senior Center, in…

Too many young seniors turn a deaf ear when they hear words such as “aging,” “senior,” “elderly,” and many respond too quickly stating, “that’s not me,” or “I’m not ready to hear that!”  Some smile politely and move on. I respond stating, “we’re all on the same journey, just in different places in time, but remember we are all on this journey.” Some will stop and listen and before long they recount an episode with a grandmother, an aunt, a neighbor and I can actually see the lights go on in their eyes and I know they are on the path to getting it. No one wakes up on a given day and says I …

American Opera Projects This is AIPP’s fourth year working with Opera New Jersey to bring quality opera to South Brunswick residents via our OPERA Encore programming. Following last season's exciting workshop premiere of "The Family Room," Opera New Jersey once again joins with Brooklyn-based American Opera Projects to present Blessed Art Thou Amongst Women — staged readings of two virtuosic operatic monodramas meditating on the religious and feminine icon The Virgin Mary: Gregory Spears' Our Lady (from medieval Provençal texts) and Tarik O’Regan's The Wanton Sublime (with a libretto by A. …

Arts training is crucial to developing creativity. With this in mind, a two-week creative arts summer program entitled “In a Kaleidoscope,” infused with the 4C's, (Critical thinking and problem solving, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity) will be offered at Crossroads North Middle School from July 30 through Aug. 10. “In A Kaleidoscope” was recognized by the State of New Jersey in 2000, and awarded the prestigious title of “Best Practice,” the only middle school arts literacy project to be so honored.  This enjoyable, visual arts-based writing program combining left and right …

Opera New Jersey artists will perform great songs from opera and Broadway in, “In an Afternoon Interlude,” on May 31 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the South Brunswick Senior Center. The program will include favorite songs and arias sung by the opera stars of tomorrow. Opera New Jersey is recognized nationally as a leader among regional opera companies and is the Garden State's largest and most prolific opera company. It has garnered the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' highest award, the Citation of Excellence, for several straight seasons. A special treat is in store when vocal …

“There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, those who will need caregivers.” -- Roslyn Carter  I am willing to bet that you will identify with at least two, if not all of the above descriptions. If I am correct you will want to be part of the participatory forum, “Preparing Today for Tomorrow: Discovering Your Home Care/Care Giving Options.” The forum will be held on June 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Brunswick Public Works Building in the Municipal Complex, located on Route 522W. …

A participatory forum bringing together leaders and innovators from multiple sectors is scheduled for June 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Brunswick Public Works Building in the Municipal Complex.  Lowell Arye, Deputy Commissioner of NJ Department of Human Services, is the headline speaker and will establish the day as an opportunity to meet and learn from state, county and local government, non profit and business leaders. The forum is designed to encourage the boomer and sandwich generations (children of families and the seniors themselves) to learn more about known resources, …

The Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP'S mission is to generate interest in and support for South Brunswick as a model for an arts centered, elder friendly, inter-generational Community, offering options for maintaining a vibrant, independent and healthy life style at any stage of life. With that in mind, please save the date for two great sessions designed to promote understanding and respect for all people in our community during the Continuing Cultural Conversations series 1. “Developing Respect and Understanding of People of Other Cultures” An American soldier raises his arm in traditional stop …

On Thursday, April 19, at 12:15 p.m., the South Brunswick Senior Center will present a performance of this year’s Living Legacies, an annual Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP event. Living Legacies was developed in cooperation with AIPP PARTNERS the South Brunswick Board of Education and the Senior Center.  This year’s lead partner is the Dayton Village Citizens’ Coalition (DVCC), whose members have been the primary source for students’ research and interviews. South Brunswick Township has grown from sleepy farmland to a bustling suburb because of the work and talents of many diverse groups of …

April will be a busy month for the Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP. On April 16, the South Brunswick Community Car project begins. Transportation Meetings will be held at the South Brunswick Senior Center, each Thursday through April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On April 17, join a group to explore the M-1 Shuttle to Walmart, with lunch and special discounts along the way. Add a quick grocery stop. Travel aides will be on hand to assist you.   Reserve NOW by calling AIPP. Act Now! We need retirees, part time workers, and/or community volunteers who: like meeting new people, helping friends and …

April 1, 2012 is the start date for a new Community Car Service, part of the Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP (AIPP) transportation plans for a seamless transit service. Created in partnership with the long time established, non-profit EZ RIDE organization from North Jersey, this project is the first pilot for a community such as South Brunswick. To reach its potential, the Community Car program is seeking volunteer drivers over 21 years of age to drive cars provided, insured, gassed and maintained by EZ RIDE, which will be parked in strategic areas within the Township.  Drivers can sign up for any…

South Brunswick residents will have a chance on Thursday to meet county, township and Aging in Place Partnership representatives to discuss important transportation issues affecting the community. The workshop is geared for: An individual caring for another (parent, child, neighbor, friend) and need help A parent of a high school student who wants to work but has no transportation   A parent tired of being the family chauffeur Someone who has not heard of the transportation options in South Brunswick A senior who wants to maintain your independence and choice A commuter but never considered …

Pat Kay, Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP Board Facilitator for Transportation, has championed the community cars pilot project since she learned of its potential more than a year ago. “As a socially, active blind person, this is a vital addition to the existing transportation services not only where I live but would be in most communities, especially those serving the 55 and over population,” she said. “With Community Cars scheduled to begin in April, 2012, we are poised to become a state leader in transportation services for townships like South Brunswick. “I treasure my independence and ability …

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 26 at 12:15 p.m. the Aging in Place PARTNERSHIP (AIPP) will meet with all those interested in learning about South Brunswick Transportation. Starting on Feb. 9,  these new bi-monthly sessions will be held every other Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lobby of the Senior Center and run through April 19. Learn more about the Community Car program scheduled to begin April 1. Sign up to become a Volunteer Driver.  The car you drive is provided by the EZ RIDE program. It’s insured, with gas and maintenance included. Volunteering just a few hours makes a ride …

The Senior Mentor Program (SMP) is being implemented as an innovative, instructional method in the Robert Wood Johnson medical school curriculum designed to enhance and strengthen student training in geriatrics. The SMP matches medical students, in pairs, with community-dwelling, relatively healthy adults over age 65 years. Each student/mentor pair meets three to four times during the year. The purposes of the program are to: • Increase student exposure to healthy older adults. • Establish a long-term relationship with an older person to foster a more positive orientation towards older adults…

April 2012 will find a Community Car available throughout South Brunswick.  Planned in cooperation with the Township, Meadowlink and the Aging In Place PARTNERSHIP this new service will help fill the gaps between public transportation on Routes 27 and 130 and the Senior Busing between homes and the South Brunswick Senior Center. The Community Car is conceived as an in-town service not a source for long extended trips. It is designed to be flexible, serve as a source for independent living and provide options. Reservations require 24 hours advance notice.  In order to participate individuals …

If your shopping ideas include: not the usual gifts gifts that keep on giving affordable ($12 to $25) ease and convenience then the following suggestions can be your solution by:  Providing transportation services by registering an individual for the new South Brunswick Community Car Service by “banking” as little as $15.  There is no limit to the amount you want “banked." Reserving tickets for 2012 theatre and opera performances at the areas finest cultural venues. ($12.50 to $22.50). Providing access to a wide variety of services ranging from home care to home maintenance to quality of life…