SOAR@Dorr Monthly Activities
We have been extremely busy this past year adding many new programs at SOAR@Dorr! Please check the calendar regarding our upcoming events in April. There are special events that are planned which require registration and occasionally a small fee. If at any time you, or someone you know, cannot afford the fee, please speak privately to any one of us at the Township. WE want YOU to be HERE!!
There is no registration necessary for our Drop-in Programs: Balance, Strength & Stretching, Bingo, Bunco, Canasta, Cribbage, Euchre, Loss of a Child Grief Group, Mah Jongg, Movers & Shakers Advisory Council, Pinochle, Poker, SOAR Reads! Book Club, Tai Chi, Keep Fit & Strong, Walkie Talkies and The Jeff and Tom Show, otherwise known as Trivia Night. To register for other programs, you can sign up in person, call Laura Wassinger at (815) 338-0125 or you can email Laura at lauraw@dorrtownship.com.
Daily activities and special events take place between 9am and 4pm, with the exception of Monday evening’s Tai Chi class at 6pm. However, if there is no activity planned for the day or all activities have ended for the day, the SOAR@Dorr entance may be locked. If it is, please proceed to the front of the Dorr Township office building during regular office hours.
BALANCE, STRENGTH & STRETCH with Cindy
Need to get a little more movement in your day? Have you been thinking about starting a gentle exercise program and were not sure where to begin? Come to this drop in class that is offered each Monday. The class will begin seated and progress to whatever level you are comfortable with. Equipment is provided by Dorr Township but you are welcome to bring your own, too. Each class is $5.00 or you can purchase a Wellness & Fitness Punch Card, eligible for any 8 wellness and fitness classes for $25.00-such a deal! (And, there is NO expiration date!) Learn more about this awesome strengthening class here.
BEADING (BRACELET WORKSHOP)
Get your creative juices flowing with this great opportunity at this Beading Bracelet Workshop to make yourself, or a friend, a little bling. $5.00 per person and ALL supplies are included! ALL OF THEM! How cool is that?
BINGO
Bingo is on the first four Thursdays of the month. Coffee and refreshments begin at 11:00 am with Bingo starting at 12:00 pm. SOAR@Dorr often has one or two special lunch events planned each month for a $5.00 fee. Please check out the dates and the menu for April! Also, don’t forget $3.00 for “the pot.” **SOAR@Dorr does not collect any money for BINGO. It is handled by the BINGO Committee.
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve had some piping, cheesey goodness…Sign up for Pizza & Bingo! $5.00 per person-MUST REGISTER AND PREPAY!
And, later this month, we thought we would celebrate Spring with an Bingo & Afternoon Tea with a variety of sweet and savory bites! And, if tea is just not your jam, we will have some coffee, too! Please register in advance so we have enough for all! $5.00 each!
Did you know about the BINGO BUDDY BONUS? Bring a NEW person and you each get 2 FREE bingo lunches of your choice! Learn more about it HERE!
BOOK CLUB-SOAR READS!
Who doesn’t love to curl up with a good book? Now is the perfect time to join SOAR Reads! Members will be part of the process of deciding what books to read from a wide variety of different genres and authors. We will meet on the first Monday of the the month to discuss how much we loved (or didn’t love) our latest read. Come on – you know you always wanted to join a book club…now is the perfect time! In May we will be discussing Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. Members will be voting on the books for July through December at the April meeting. Please bring your nominations with you-and remember it is one Non-Fiction book for every two Fiction books.
BRAINSTORMERS
What’s BRAINSTORMERS you ask? Well, that’s the group that meets once a month (low commitment) to help discuss the future and direction of SOAR@Dorr! Bring your ideas, and let us know what’s working for you at SOAR (and what’s not) and what you’d like to see here. We have grown so much in the past few years and we couldn’t have done it without all of you! MOVERS & SHAKER is like a front row seat to all the happenings at SOAR! So, bring your can-do attitude (and your lunch!) and be a part of this magnificent ride! This April is the perfect time to try out something new…and…it’s not a big commitment but you will help make a difference in many people’s lives!
BROWN BAG LUNCH & MOVIE
Bring your lunch and come watch some of the latest flicks with us! Movies will be shown twice a month on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Bring your lunch and we will always have some movie snacks! This April we will be showing This Beautiful Fantastic and the documentary A Life on Our Planet in honor of Earth Day! Please note the new start time is 1pm!
BUNCO
Bunco is offered twice a month on Tuesdays (the 1st and 3rd of each month) from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Please check the calendar for upcoming dates. If you’re not familiar with this fun, easy to learn dice game-no worries! It’s a great game to play while you have stimulating conversation with your friends-laughter is guaranteed! There is a $2.00 fee for this program-handled by the BUNCO Committee.
CANASTA
Canasta, also known as the Argentine Rummy game, was originally created to be a quicker version of Bridge. Canasta gained quick fame in the 1950’s and is still enjoyed by many today. Canasta will be played on Wednesdays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm! Check out the calendar for dates!
CHAIR YOGA
Chair Yoga…a perfect introduction to the world of Yoga without having to get up off the ground! Chair Yoga offers so many, many benefits, including improved posture, quality of sleep, balance, coordination, flexibility, and our coordination (reducing the risk of falls!) But, did you know it also helps with Cardiovascular health? So many more benefits, not listed here. Come and check it out! Some Yoga studios charge $20 per class…but at SOAR@Dorr, we are able to bring this great opportunity to you for just $5.00 per class…and if you buy a punch card for $25.00 it brings it down to a little over $3.00 per class. It is an amazing deal that has far reaching benfits! Commit to yourself in 2024! Check out our calendar for more information!
CRIBBAGE
Ahh-the classic game, Cribbage, is offered on Wednesday from 9-10am. We’ve got the Cribbage boards and the cards-now we just need YOU! Check out our calendar, for dates and times!
DIY CREATIVE WORKSHOP
DIY Creative Workshop is led by our very own Jen Hill! Each month Jen will feature a fun new project to work on. This month we are having a super fun and unique idea! We want everyone to have a little more joy in life, so we will also be hosting a plant swap ! Mark your calendars! Please register and pay in advance so we have enough materials for everyone!
EUCHRE
Our Euchre group is really growing! Come join the fun and the camaraderie! Novices welcome!! Euchre is a fun, social game that is played in groups of 2 to 4 players, usually played with the thirty-two highest cards, the aim being to win at least three of the five tricks played. If that sounds a little complicated, have no fear, the great Roxie Kaminski will be here to lead the group and help you get the hang of it! Euchre will be played on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
HAPPY SHINY PEOPLE MAKING PLANS
New to the area? Recently widowed or divorced? This is YOUR perfect time to come out and meet new people and make a few new friends!! Happy Shiny People Making Plans will be focused on planning outings to Exhibits, catching a flick at the movie theater, meeting at local Concerts in parks, going to plays, etc. Got a different idea? Join us and let’s plan it! Come to our planning meeting to learn more about the newest addition to SOAR@Dorr this month and help us create a new group that focuses on positivity and enjoyment!
KEEP FIT & STRONG
Keep Fit & Strong is a spin off of our wildly successful “Fit & Strong” class! This progressive exercise class is offered once a week and is designed to help prevent falls, increase flexibility and reduce joint pain. This class is awesome if you have arthritis as it is a gentle, total body workout designed for your pace. Modifications will always be demonstrated. Each class consists of a warm up, light aerobic session, weight training and then a cool down. All of the equipment used is provided at no cost! Each class is offered on Fridays and is $5.00 per class. Check the schedule/calendar for April dates. You can also purchase a Wellness & Fitness Punch Card for $25.00 for 8 classes. The wellness and fitness punch card is good for ANY fitness class at SOAR@Dorr!
LUNCH DATE
Come on out and join us for lunch! Each month we will be meeting at a local restaurant! This is a great way to get out, meet some new friends and patronize our awesome, local restaurants. Mark your calendars for this month! This April we will be meeting at a totally new spot, Hazel’s in Hebron. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump down the road from Woodstock! Pre-registration is required for this event so the restaurant can set aside enough seating for us! Please arrive at 11am sharp as they will NOT be able to seat us any earlier than our 11am reservation!
MAH JONGG
You know you’ve heard of it – but you may not be sure what it is. This is your opportunity to find out in a small, comfortable group where all members help one another to learn, improve and develop their Mah Jongg skills. Mah Jongg is a game that originated in the mid to late 1800’s. The game of Mah Jongg has recently become popular once again. Mah Jongg has been proven to help slow dementia, improve memory skills, brain function, mental health and teaches patience. Come and be part of Dorr Township’s Mah Jongg community. Mah Jongg is played every Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The very talented and patient Dolly Gibson is always available to teach and mentor all novice and experienced players.
OPEN SEW
We are so excited to bring you Open Sew! This group is open to all quilters and sewers! This is not a class but rather a supportive space where you can bring all of your current projects or your UFO’s! We will have a table, an ironing board, iron, cutting mat and rotary cutter with blades and safety glove. You need to bring your machine, projects and your sewing supplies! We will have two dynamic ladies here who are ready and willing to answer some of your simpler questions. This group will meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month. There is no charge to utilize the space, but we do ask that you call or stop in to reserve your table! More information coming soon, but in the meantime, check out our calendar so you know when to come!
PINOCHLE
Pinochle is played every Friday in the Community Room from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. No experience necessary-they are excellent instructors! Come for the game, but stay for the conversation! Coffee and refreshments served. *There is a $1 fee for pinochle every week collected by the Pinochle Committee.
POKER
Calling all card sharks! Get your poker face on and head over to SOAR@Dorr for a little friendly competition. Poker is every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. Bring your poker face and skills and we will provide the refreshments!
SENIOR CARE VOLUNTEER NETWORK
A representative from Senior Care Volunteer Network will be at SOAR@Dorr quarterly on Thursdays from 11:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Check the calendar for dates! Senior Care Volunteer Network is a not for profit organization that coordinates many different services for seniors from transportation to appointments, yard work and minor home repairs, durable medical equipment lending closet, friendly phone calls and visits and even shopping and errands. Come by to find out more about the amazing services they have. Who knows? Maybe there is even a way you could volunteer and help make a positive impact in someone else’s life! Bingo is at about the same time, so bring your lunch and stay for a while! Check out more information about SCVN here.
SHIP COUNSELING
We are very excited to bring to you here at SOAR@Dorr SHIP Counseling! Medicare A, B, D and supplemental insurance confuses everyone! SHIP stands for Senior Health Insurance Program-a government program that trains individuals to help counsel and GUIDE senior citizens in choosing the correct insurance programs. There is NO selling of insurance! Even though Open Enrollment hs ended, it is still a good time to review your plan and see what changes you could make later in 2024 during Open Enrollment. We will have the incredible Medicare Plan Guru, Lynda Rohe, at our office guiding you to the best plan that works for your individual needs. Please check the calendar for dates. YOU MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT for SHIP Counseling. There is also a form to fill out ahead of time, so please check with Laura or Amy for the paperwork.
SOCIAL HOUR-NEW
Don’t let the cold and wintry weather keep you inside! This fun, lively and welcoming group is just what you need! Each month we will meet at a local restaurant or pub for a little good cheer! Social Hour will take place in the evening on the 4th Thursday of each month. This month we will be meeting at Duke’s Inferno. Hope to see your smilling face there!
SUPPER CLUB
Supper Club is one of our most popular offerings at SOAR@Dorr. Each monthwe will visit a different McHenry County restaurant for dinner. Bring a friend, make a friend….or both! Please register for this event so that we can make reservations for our group! This month we will be meeting at Crandall’s in Hebron! If you know, you know, they have the best chicken around! Pease sign up for this event so we have appropriate seating for all. **Please note the start time for this event is 4:30 this month!
TAI CHI
Tai Chi is often called “meditation in motion”. It is a wonderful, gentle form of exercise that maintains strength, improves your balance and your flexibility. Classes are on Monday evenings from 6-7pm and on Thursday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30am weekly. Each class is $5.00 or you can buy an 8 class punch card for $25.00! The Wellness & Fitness punch card can be used for any fitness class at SOAR! A new form of exercise AND a deal on it, too! What more could you ask for?!
TECH WIZARDS-NEW
Got a cell phone? A Tablet? An Ipad? Questions always come with technology – no matter your age (well, unless you’re a teenager and know everything)! We could all use a little help! So, if your grandchild does not have time to fix your technology problems this month, then bring your device to SOAR@Dorr! Our tech gurus will help solve those pesky problems! This opportunity is offered once a month and we appreciate it if you would kindly sign up for this! If you have a tablet from MC Tech Connect, feel free to bring that, too! Learn more about Tech Wizards here for this month.
TOPS
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) will be offered every Wednesday from 9:30 am-11:00 am. This wonderful group of supportive individuals help cheer you on towards your weight loss goals. We all need a little help from our friends, right? The initial meeting is at no charge. There is a yearly fee of $30.00 thereafter required by TOPS.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB (FOR MEN)
Calling all MEN!! This group is for you! The Breakfast Club is a guys group that will be meeting this month at McDonald’s from 8am to 9:30. This is a great opportunity to meet some new guys in the area that participate in some of SOAR’S many activities. What’s better than some great male bonding over coffee and some bacon? You can talk shop, cars, motors, tools…whatever floats your boat! Seriously…we can hear the Tim Allen grunts already!
TRIVIA NIGHT
Join us once a month as we head out one night to Trivia Night at Stage Left Café in Woodstock! We will be there on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9pm! Think you’re not good at Trivia? No worries! Just come for the laughs and the camaraderie! (Or, bring a smart friend!)
OTHER AMENITIES
- Lending Library for both books and puzzles
- Permanent Puzzle Table