The Seymour Center, on Homestead Rd in Chapel Hill, remains a hub of activity -- from meeting friends (old and new) to classes to trips to wellness activities, and beyond. Come and join in!

Throughout December, people can sign up to meet with a trained Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteer to find out whether they should change their Medicare Pt D prescription drug plan for 2009. Almost all of the plans have changes for the upcoming year and many people are finding that they can save several hundred to several thousand dollars with a new plan, depending on what medications they're taking. It's much better to check out your individual situation than to spend the next year being sorry.

To make an appointment to meet with a SHIIP volunteer, call the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill at 968-2070 or the Central Orange Senior Center in Hillsborough at 245-2015. If this isn't convenient, people (or family members) can go onto the Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov, or call Medicare 24 hours a day at (800) MEDICARE. People on Medicare Advantage plans should find out if whether it's still the best choice for them. If a plan doesn't offer prescription coverage in 2009, people can sign up for a separate Medicare Part D plan. In addition, people who want to return to original Medicare can do it through Dec. 31.

• On Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. a portrait of Bob and Pearl Seymour will be unveiled in the lobby of the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center, which was named in their honor. The Seymours have contributed to our wonderful community in countless ways. In fact, it wouldn't be as special as it is without their tireless dedication and work throughout the years. Come join us as we honor and visit with them during a special afternoon reception.

• "Ritzy" Royal teas are now being served periodically. The one on Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. be coincide with the opening of an art show featuring Chick Webber and his students. The Royal Teas are $2 each. Pre-registration is appreciated and can be done by calling 968-2070. On Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. there will be a book signing of the Writer's Discussion Group's fourth book, "Lest the Colors Fade." Come and meet the authors while we enjoy tea.

On Dec. 7 at 3 p.m., the Carol Woods Jazz Combo will play at the Seymour Center with a reception following the performance, which will give people the chance to meet the musicians. This is a perfect intergenerational entertainment. The cost for this fundraiser is $5.

• The weekend of Dec. 12-14 will be the Seymour Center's first theater festival. "The Time of Your Life" will open with the Prime Time Players' variety show featuring song, dance and music, and The Prime Time Improv Troupe will make its first public performance. They'll be acting, reacting, miming, moving, playing scenes and interacting with the audience -- which will be fun for all and a challenge for them. Both groups will perform on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m.

The second part of this fun-filled weekend will be a performance of the beloved and popular play, "It's a Wonderful Life," on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m. This is the third year the Odyssey Stage has performed the play in what has become a holiday tradition. Admission is $5, with proceeds benefiting The Friends of the Seymour Center. A combination ticket for the Prime Time Improv show and "It's a Wonderful Life" performance is $8.

• On Dec. 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. a "Declutter for Real Life" class will be held. Additional sessions will be offered in January and February. People who have gone to this have been pleased and been able to declutter their homes of "extra" possessions and to learn techniques to take the first step in cleaning out their space. They also share ideas with other participants. After they go home and put into practice what they've learned, they have more time and energy to do what they really love.

• Seniors on the Road offers journeys ranging from day trips to more extensive excursions -- such as the one to the national parks in September 2009. Many of the trips fill up quickly, so it's a good idea to call and register early. The upcoming day trips include the Ackland Art Museum and High Tea at the Carolina Inn, including the Twelve Days of Christmas special decorations in Chapel Hill (Dec. 9, fee $32); and a North Carolina Symphony concert featuring Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #2 and Handel's concerto Grosso, with a late lunch. (Jan. 9, fee $16 by Dec. 4). In addition to the national parks trip next year there's also one to Atlanta. Ga., to see "Treasures for Kings: King Tut" and "China's Terracotta Army," March 23-26.

• The senior centers offer a wide array of classes. In December, computer classes range from Digital Photography to Files and Folders, to Introduction to Microsoft Office, to Planning Your Travel Online, and so on. The classes are offered by SeniorNet, which developed them especially for older adults. So many people have learned techniques, which enabled them to utilize their computers at home more completely, and you can become one of them. The classes are small and there's lots of help.

There's still time to attend some crafts classes to make holiday gifts and decorations. One popular class is Creative Crafts on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can come for some or all of the sessions. People make wonderful and lovely things, and also enjoy each other's company. On Dec. 5 a Creative Memories Scrapbook/Photo Preservation class will be offered, with additional sessions available. Among the classes beginning in December are Seniors Play, which teaches people to play simple tunes on the piano, and Seniors Sing, which teaches people that singing is easier than they might imagine. Each class is $150 for eight sessions, and begins Dec 2.

Another fun activity is dancing. Tap dance classes are offered for beginners and intermediates. In addition, there is line dancing and ballroom dancing, some during the evening. For those who want some brain exercise, there are all sorts of games. Bridge of different levels is available on a regular basis. For more information, call 968-2070 or pick up a Senior Times.

• For those who like movies, great films continue to be shown on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. If you'd like to have lunch beforehand, call 968-2070. The December schedule includes "The Out-of-Towners" (Dec. 2), "Home Alone" (Dec. 9), The Bishop' Wife (Dec. 16), Meet Me in St. Louis (Dec. 23) and "Grumpy Old Men" (Dec. 30). A Saturday showing on Dec. 13 at 11:30 a.m. will feature "Love Actually."

• In the area of Wellness, events include classes and individual services such as blood pressure checks, physical function screening and therapeutic massages. On Dec. 16 at 8 a.m. a warmup will be held inside University Mall, followed by a buffet breakfast at 8:20 a.m. At 8:45, nutritionist Renee Kemske will speak on Eating Healthy Through the Holidays. All of this is free. For people interested in walking in climate-controlled environment, the mall is open Mondays through Fridays at 7:30 a.m.

Some other offerings include "Foot Health Care" and "Steady Steps: Maintaining Your Balance." There are a wide variety of exercise classes (most of which begin in January), and in addition, you can get physical therapy at the Seymour Center, which is billed through UNC Hospitals. The Seymour Center also offers badminton, basketball, billiards, bocce ball, shuffleboard, table tennis and more.

As you can see, December is a time to not only end 2008, but to investigate a wide variety of possibilities beginning in January. It is a time of joy and holiday spirit, with the element on anticipation of the New Year. Pick up a Senior Times, sit back, read, and select from the many, many offerings. However, don't forget to call 968-2070 to make any reservations, and to mark you calendar!