Tai chi classes for arthritis start April 2
Tai Chi for Arthritis classes will meet Mondays and Fridays from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. starting Monday, April 2, at the Kingston Town Hall, 906 Sawkill Road.
The benefits of tai chi include increased strength, improved balance and posture and fall prevention. It also reduces stress and supports relaxation. It is asked that participants are willing to make the commitment to be at the class twice a week for all eight weeks. This is a program that builds on each class.
Priority will be given to new participants. An RSVP is required, as space is limited.
Call the Ulster County Office for the Aging at (845) 340-3456 to RSVP or for more information.
Training to assist Medicare recipients available
The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program is offering training for people who would like to help people navigate their Medicare health insurance options.
The training will take place on Wednesdays from April 18 to May 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ulster County Office for the Aging, 1003 Development court.
Program volunteers provide free, accurate and objective information, counseling, assistance and advocacy on Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare drug plans, private health insurance and related health insurance concerns. Call the Office for the Aging at (845) 340-3456 for more information.
Hospital’s Wellness Series begins April 9
This spring’s Wellness Series, hosted by The Center for Healthy Aging at Northern Dutchess Hospital will take place on the second Mondays of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the cafeteria conference room of the hospital, 6511 Springbrook Ave.
The schedule and topics are as follows:
• April 9, “Care and Maintenance Manual for Men (model years 19221952). Dr. Peter Fish, medical director of the Thompson House skilled nursing center, will address medical issues of concern to men age 64 and older. Those include prostate cancer, high blood pressure, preventive medicine, sexual problems and urinary dysfunction.
• May 14, “Embrace the Aging Experience.” Dr. Jodi Friedman, medical director of the Center for Healthy Aging, will discuss the misconceptions about aging and what we can do to age with grace and dignity.
• June 11, “Know Your Roots: Genealogy and Family History Research.” Historian and genealogist Melissa Betts will discuss her work as a family history researcher and share the many ways that exploring the past may enhance your well-being, sense of satisfaction and interpersonal relationships.
Admission is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Call (845) 876-4745 or TTY (800) 421-1220, or visit healthquest.org/wellness to register or for more information.
Senior groups list meeting schedules
The Retired Men of the New Paltz Community will have their monthly breakfast meeting on Monday, April 2, at 8 a.m. at the New Paltz Plaza Diner, 27 New Paltz Plaza.
The speaker will be Joshua Weinerman, associate wealth management advisor for Northwestern Mutual. He will talk about retirement and financial planning, focusing on preserving your income and not outliving your wealth.
Call Rob Greene at (845) 256-9003 or send an email to rasjgreene@earthlink. net for more information. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Church pilgrimage takes place March 29
Thirty-five churches in Ulster and Dutchess counties will participate March 29 in the Holy Thursday tradition whereby people make pilgrimages to seven churches.
The tradition was begun by St. Philip Neri in the 16th century. It spread to the United States and was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The custom was revived in Ulster County in 2011, with churches in Dutchess County taking part for the first time last year.
The self-directed pilgrimage begins after the evening Mass of The Lord’s Supper, usually at one’s home parish, and continues on to six additional churches. The pilgrimage to seven churches usually takes about three hours. Fewer churches may be visited.
The Mass commemorates Jesus’ institution of The Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders. After the supper, Jesus took three of the apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane; while he prayed, he asked his apostles to watch and pray.
In supplementing the Mass of the Lord’s Supper with the visits, pilgrims comply with Jesus’ request to watch and pray.
A pamphlet listing the churches participating in the pilgrim visits will be available in churches in Ulster and Dutchess counties on Palm Sunday, March 25. The pamphlet lists the time of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, place of Altar of Repose and closing time of each church, as the Mass times, place of Altar of Repose and duration of Adoration differ from church to church.
Also included in the pamphlet are Pope Francis’ prayer intention for March, suggested scriptural verses to say at each church and a note about
the plenary indulgence to be gained on Holy Thursday.
Holy Thursday bread, a Mexican custom, will be available as a pilgrim respite at St. Mary’s Church, 166 Broadway, Kingston.
To request a pamphlet or more information, contact coordinator Gloria Ausubel by calling (845) 3383150 or sending an email to dausubel@aol.com.
Red Hook church plans Easter week services, children’s party
Northern Dutchess Bible Church, 59 Fisk St., will have a traditional Good Friday service on March 30 at 7 p.m.
There will be a Scripture reading, singing and a brief message titled “He Died for Our Sins.”
The church will have its Easter service on April 1 at 10:30 a.m. It will include a Scripture reading, singing and a brief message. Refreshments will follow. All are welcome to attend either service.
On Saturday, March 31, at 11 a.m. the church will host a free Easter party for children.
The event will include face painting, games, a bouncy hut, a puppet show, free food, an Easter egg hunt, prizes and more. All families are invited.
Call the church at (845) 758-3141 or visit ndbiblechurch.org for more information.
Saugerties church schedules Easter service
The Reformed Church of Saugerties, 173 Main St., will have an Easter service on April 1 at 10:30 a.m.
As this year Easter Sunday falls on April Fools’ Day, the service will incorporate elements from a tradition called “Holy Humor Sunday.” Call (845) 246-2867 for more information.