Among the special workshops and classes the Seymour Center is offering in April is one designed to help seniors establish a strategic plan for retirement.

Cynthia Wallis-Hill, a certified retirement life coach, will lead a workshop called "Retirement: Are you Ready for the Adventure" on April 5 from 9 a.m. until noon.

Wallis-Hill will focus on four life factors essential for a successful transition into a satisfying retirement life. Yes, having enough money is important, and where to retire is, too, but without a strategic plan for how you will live, how will you live?

The four factors include: work reorientation, health perception, adaptability, and perception of age. Be ready to roll up your sleeves, have fun, and most important, gain powerful personal insights and your plan for living a unique second adulthood.

Fee is $18. Please call the Seymour Center, 968-2070, to register for this workshop.


Developmental disabilities class

The Orange County Department on Aging, along with the Project Compassion, will host a workshop called "What Will Happen to Me? End of Life Support for Persons with Development Disabilities," on April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The keynote speaker will be Jeffery Kauffman, author of "Guidebook on Helping Persons with Mental Retardation Mourn." Other presentations include sessions on discussing end of life issues, advance care planning, end of life care legal issues, and grief and loss.

Fee is $25 before Monday and $35 after Monday. To register, call 402-1844 or visit www.project-compassion.org/index.html.


Senior Net computer workshop

Senior Net will offer a computer maintenance workshop on Friday. Routine maintenance is vital in keeping a computer system running smoothly and efficiently. The objective of this workshop is to make you aware what things you should be doing on a regular basis to maintain your computer's security and improve its overall performance and efficiency. Class fee $10.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Senior Net program, call Francis Coyle at 403-6259 or Art Lebo at 259-7330.


Orange County Senior Games

The 2008 Orange County Senior Games is rapidly approaching. The registration deadline for participating has past, but organizers still are looking for spectators and volunteers. This year's Games will be held April 21-May 21. The SilverArts competition is being held now at the Seymour Center. This is a juried show, so visit the exhibition and check out this year's winners.

This year's athletic events include racquetball, billiards, golf, badminton, horseshoes, croquet, basketball, shuffleboard, track and field events, cycling, bocce ball, bowling swimming, archery and table tennis. To volunteer, call Dana Hughes at 918-7372.


Free tax assistance

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is a free tax service continuing through April 15 for low- to middle-income households, with special assistance for the homebound, elderly, or disabled. No restrictions on age or county of residence apply. Tax situations that are complex or lengthy may be referred to IRS. Volunteers trained according to IRS and N.C. guidelines will be available to prepare computerized federal or North Carolina returns. Returns are filed electronically at no charge.

Non-English-speaking clients need to bring an interpreter, although a limited number of trained VITA volunteers do speak Spanish and may be available by appointment. Spanish-speaking clients may call 245-2010 (Orange County) or 742-1448 (Chatham County) to be matched with a Spanish-speaking tax preparer.

For appointments or information call 968-2070 or 245-2015 in Orange County, 542-4512 in Chatham County.

Schedules and information can be found at www.co.orange.nc.us.

Plans are being made to assist persons in applying for the economic stimulus rebates most taxpayers will receive. For most people this will be taken care of by filing their regular income tax return. Those who do not file taxes must complete a form in order to receive their payments.

The VITA program will be offering assistance in completing a simple 1040A return now through Oct. 15.


Seymour Center

A special reading from "Betty Smith: Life of the Author of 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'" by author Betty Yow will be presented Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Yow, a former history professor, psychologist and playwright, has written several books.

A meeting of people interested in participating in a holiday craft show at the Seymour Center will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. The Seymour programming division is seeking a group of individuals to help start an annual craft show fundraiser. If you would like to be a part of this organizational team, please attend.

Bingo will be held Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Prizes and refreshments are available. Sign up at the front desk or call 968-2070 to register.

The Seymour Center potluck dinner will be held April 10. This month's potluck will feature fried chicken. Please bring a dessert or a side dish to serve at least 8 people. Marc Napolitano will provide entertainment. Call 968-2070 to register.

Marc Napolitano will discuss "Charles Dickens: The Man and the Masterpieces" on April 10 at 6:15 p.m. Napolitano will discuss the tragedies and triumphs of Dickens' life, and how the author's experiences helped mold his fiction. As Napolitano recounts the story of Dickens' life and works, he will also dramatize episodes from the author's fiction.

A Sudoku tournament will be held April 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m Prizes will be given based on completion of puzzles within a specific time frame. Call the center to register.

The Village Elders Lecture Series will present Frances Gravely of Vietri, Inc., to speak about "Family Entrepreneurial Success in Orange County: Pottery from Italy," on April 17.

The center will preseent "In the Eyes of Opera with Victoria Windler" on April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This week's opera is "Julius Caesar." Watch opera performances and then participate in a group discussion. Bring a lunch. Sign up at the front desk, or call 968-2070 to register.

The Book Discussion Group will discuss "The Buffalo Soldier" by Chris Bohjalian on April 21 at 2 p.m. For iformation, call Linda Swierczewski, 490-9795.

The Distinguished Artist Series will present East Indian Dancers on April 27 at 3 p.m. Cost at the door is $7.


Seymour Center bridge classes

Bidding Brush Up will be offered on April 29 and May 1, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. This is a two-day course aimed at bringing bridge players up to date on the modern bidding system. Players of all levels are welcome. Fee is $25. To register, call 968-2070.

Learning to Play Bridge in the 21st Century will be held on Wednesdays from April 23 to June 11, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Fee is $80, book fee is $20, payable to the instructor at the first class.

A Bridge Workshop will be held Apr. 9, 11, 16 and 18, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Fee is $50.


Seymour Center art classes

Beginning Watercolor will be held on Wednesdays from April 2 to June 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. Obtain a supply list by calling instructor Chick Weber at 929-9478. Fee is $75.

Learn to Draw by Learning to See will be held on Wednesdays from April 2 to June 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn basic composition and value drawing. Fee is $75.

Acrylic Painting will be held Thursdays from April 3 to June 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. Obtain a supply list by calling instructor Chick Weber at 929-9478. Fee is $75.

Drawing & Painting will be offered on Thursdays from April 3 to June 5, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Learn to draw as well as paint by learning basic shapes. Fee is $75.

Creative Memories Scrapbook/Photo Preservation will be held Friday and April 11, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Newcomer fee of $10 includes handouts and supplies to complete 1-2 pages. There is no charge for the beginner class if an album is purchased at the time of the class. Follow-up workshops are $5. Additional supplies are available from instructor Sherry Handfinger at 929-3264. Pre-registration is mandatory.


Movement classes at Seymour Center

Tap dance classes will be held Wednesdays from April 2 to 23 at 2 p.m. Fee is $52. Sign up at the front desk or call 968-2070 to register.

Beginning T'ai Chi will be held on Mondays from March 31 to May 12, from 7 to 8:15 p.m., and Wednesdays from April 2 to May 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. For information and to determine skill level, call instructor Frank Wong at 929-9467. Fee is $53.

Intermediate T'ai Chi will be held Mondays from March 31 to May 12, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. For information and to determine skill level, call instructor Frank Wong at 929-9467. Fee is $53.

Walking Club is held on Tuesdays starting this week, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free.

Awareness Through Movement Lessons will be held on April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. Fee is $15. Pre-registration is preferred but not required. Call 968-2070 to register. Call 563-3998 if you have questions.


Wellness programs at Seymour Center

The Wellness Program at the Seymour Center offers a wide variety of classes and services. Fees vary for classes and services. For details pick up a copy of Senior Times at the Center.

Safe Steps Fall Prevention Program will be held Tuesdays from April 1 to April 22, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program will inform older adults on home and fall prevention safety. Participation is voluntary and participants will complete a research booklet; no personal information will be disclosed or link participants to the research. Call the front desk to register.

From the Health Expert presents "What everyone should know about Colorectal Cancer" Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call 968-2070, to register.


Wed., Apr. 2

The Healthy Food Demo will feature Michael Opdyke of the Franklin Hotel showcase several courses on Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. Limited to the first 25 people (or fewer if the chef requests) to register. Registration deadline is Monday at noon. Commitment fee is $7, payable at registration at the front desk.


Trips and tours

For the following trips call the Central Orange Senior Center at 245-2015 to register.

A guided tour will be held at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem on Friday. Observe students as they rehearse for performances in dance, music, film and drama and build sets for plays and film. This trip requires a lot of walking. For those who need some assistance, there is limited seating on a large golf cart. Send $5 for transportation. Bus leaves Hillsborough at 8:15 a.m./Chapel Hill at 8:45 a.m.; returns to Chapel Hill at 4:30 p.m./Hillsborough at 5 p.m.

A trip is scheduled to the Big Bloomers Garden Center in Sanford on April 11. This is our annual foray to purchase annuals, perennials and yard art. Bring or buy lunch. Bus leaves Hillsborough at 8:30 a.m./Chapel Hill at 9 a.m.; returns to Chapel Hill at 3 p.m./Hillsborough at 3:30 p.m.

A visit to the Temple Theater for "Ain't Misbehavin'" is scheduled for June 12. We will have lunch at Renalds Restaurant prior to the play. Tickets must be purchased in advance by April 23. The cost of ticket is $17 plus $5 for transportation. Bus leaves Hillsborough at 10 a.m./Chapel Hill at 10:30 a.m.; returns to Chapel Hill at 5 p.m./Hillsborough at 5:30 p.m.

Just a couple seats are left for our Alaska Trip scheduled for Aug. 28-Sept.7. Call Cydnee Sims at 969-3025 for information and to register.

Registration is being taken for the Christmastime River Cruise to Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic Dec. 8-17. Registrations made before May 12 will receive a $100 discount. Call the center for information.

A visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens will be made on May 17. A boxed lunch will be provided. Bus will leave the Seymour Center at 7 a.m. and Central Orange at 7:30 a.m. Approximate return time will be 7 p.m. for Central Orange and 7:30 p.m. for the Seymour Center. The $60 cost will include transportation, driver gratuity, tour attraction and lunch. Call 968-2070.


Central Orange Senior Center

International Tea Time will be held April 15 at 3 p.m. In celebration of spring we will have a traditional English tea party. Bring flowers from your garden to use around the room. Reservations are required. Contact the center to register. Deadline to register is one week prior to the event.

Bingo will be held Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Make new friends and enjoy a morning of fun, prizes, and refreshments.

Acrylic Painting will be offered on Tuesdays from April 22 to May 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. Lean general skills in drawing, perspective, design, composition, color, and brush techniques. Fee is $60.

One Stroke Painting will be offered on Friday and April 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. The April 4 session is Spring Flowers. Bring your own surface to paint such as umbrella, apron, or pillowcase and create a beautiful bouquet on fabric. The April 18 session is Landscape on Canvas. You will create a beautiful landscape ready to hang. Fee is $20 for each session.

The Wellness Program at the Central Orange Senior Center offers classes and services including Inspired Movement; Aerobics; Beginning T'ai Chi; Senior Yoga; Strong and Steady; Seated Tai Chi; and Sit to be Fit. See the current issue of Senior Times for a complete listing of the classes.