Day Trip Reservation Line
Day trips, long trips, eating outside, playing inside… whatever you join us for, please remember to let us know you are attending. Leave a message on our phone. Thanks so much. 618-234-4410 ext.7042 (Melissa) or 7043 (Theresa). Thank you and see you soon!
Download the PSOP trip reservation form.
Big News!!
BIG NEWS- This will be the first time we are having a PSOP Talent Show! We will be selling tickets for $15 for the show and luncheon at a later date. Right now, we need your talent! Can you dance, sing, play an instrument, recite poetry, stand-up comic… the floor is yours! Try-outs will be January 26-28, 2027 from 1-3pm. Sign up for an audition on one of the dates. The fantastic show will be Thursday, February 25, 2027. We can’t wait to see what you can do!
PSOP Activities with Melissa and Theresa
September is back to school for the grandkids and trying something new for us older folks! Have you done Chair Yoga, Pinochle, a new line dance or go out on your own on a day trip? September is a great time to do all of that.
CARDS! Here at PSOP we love playing cards. We have different groups playing almost every day. Please remember when you come in, there is a binder on the table to sign-in. Please always leave your name and phone number so if there are ever any changes we can contact you.
Bridge – Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. This group is for players who already know how to play. New players are always welcome.
Pinochle – Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. This group is for pinochle players who already know how to play and new players are always welcome. Although, we do have a few people who are willing to teach if you are interested in learning to play.
Hand and Foot – Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. This little group is willing to teach new people interested in how to play hand and foot. Already know how? What are you waiting for? Join the fun.
Canasta – Fridays 12:30 p.m. Know how to play? Join the game! Don’t know how? They will teach you!
Euchre– We have had some interest in starting Euchre again. If you would like to play, please call Activities. Once we have a few of you we will begin again.
Flowers 101
Wednesday, September 9, 10 a.m. Let’s embrace all the fall colors with a beautiful arrangement with Jeff and his staff from Grimm and Gorly. Please RSVP by September 7 so we have plenty of flowers for everyone! Cost is $35.00 618-234-4410 ext. 7042 or 7043.
PSOP Book Club
This group welcomes everyone to join them at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Check out this new lineup created by our very own PSOP Book Worms. Happy Reading Friends!
Sept. 10, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt-discussion leader-Donna Margiotta
Oct. 8, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi-discussion leader-June Wolz
Nov. 12, Take Me To Your Leader by Neil Degrasse-discussion leader-Peter Will
Dec. 10, Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade-discussion leader-Lynn Amos
Jan. 14, 2027, Death in the Truffle Wood by Pierre Magnan-discussion leader-Marlyne Wilder
Feb. 11, 2027, Arcadia by Lauren Groff- discussion leader Denise Sechrest
Mar. 18, 2027, Silence by Shusaku Endo-discussion leader-John Laker
Apr. 8, 2027, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans-discussion leader-Gloria Blaes
May 13, 2027, Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon-discussion leader-Marilyn Merwin
Bingo
BINGO –Bingo is free with a different sponsor every week bringing the prizes. Our sponsors furnish the prizes, we furnish the fun. Come join us! Bingo begins at 10 a.m. The first Tuesday of each month is always a theme! Come dressed for the special day if you wish!
September 1- Farm Bingo – Sponsored by Fordyce Insurance
September 8 – Sponsored by Residential Hospice
September 15 – Sponsored by Cambridge House
September 22 – Sponsored by Fordyce Insurance
September 29 – Sponsored by Hospice of Southern Illinois
Dances
Dances are on THURSDAYS in Belleville and Shiloh. Both the Orchestra and the Country Western Band will be playing on Thursdays from now on. Dances are $5. $1 entry fee and $4 for lunch. It is VERY important to make your reservation so we have enough lunch ordered. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and Band starts at 10:30 a.m. We take a 30-minute break for lunch. Dances last until approx. 1:30 p.m. Reservations later than two days before the dance may not be guaranteed a lunch, so please make reservations early! 618-234-4410 ext. 7042 (Melissa) or 7020 (Kathy) for reservations.
Should a’ Been a Cowboy Dance
Thursday, September 24, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Bring those cowboy boots to scoot across the dance floor with the fantastic Country Western Band! We will have music, dancing, and a great lunch. $5.00 – reserve your spot before September 22nd so we have the right amount of lunch please.
Corn Hole League
First and Third Mondays of the month at 10 a.m. – Come perfect your bean bag launching skills while having fun.
Shiloh!
Did you know we do activities and events in Shiloh too?
Mondays- 10:00am- Join us for Bunko and Dominoes. We alternate Bunko and Dominoes. This is a lively group with Ron, our famous volunteer leading the group. No cost and everyone welcome!
Wednesdays- If you don’t get enough pinochle on Tuesdays and Thursday at PSOP they play in Shiloh on Wednesdays too! 10:00 am
Bunko and Dominoes
Every Monday in Shiloh. Every Monday in Shiloh. They alternate Bunko and Dominoes, playing begins at 10 a.m., but they start coming in around 9:30 to have coffee and chat. We are not sure if our seniors come to play Bunko, or to chat with Ron Hilgedieck and hear his jokes! Held at Shiloh Community Center # 7 Park Drive.
Tai Chi
Tuesday and Wednesday, noon
Led by Tai Chi instructor Dolores Gordon. Tai Chi enhances physical and mental health, as well as improves posture, balance, flexibility, and strength. Tai Chi is said to boost mood, strengthen the immune system, improve health and it’s cool too. Call Activities to reserve a space, class is limited. Regular Tai Chi is Tuesday, beginner is Wednesday. Each class is an hour long and is $5. Call 618-234-4410, ext. 7042.
Euchre
Fridays, 10:00am– Great new group! Always looking for more players!
Chair Yoga – NEW!
Mondays and Fridays, 11 a.m.
Chair yoga is an accessible, low-impact practice that adapts traditional yoga poses using a chair for support. It is excellent for all fitness levels, delivering increased flexibility, improved strength, reduced joint strain, and significant mental stress relief without requiring floor work or heavy impact. Join local instructor Edna Jeffries for this new offering, and leave feeling better in mind, body, and spirit. Investment is $5 per class.
Crafts and Conversation
Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
Call to see what this month’s craft will be and check out the sample by the receptionist desk. Please make sure to reserve a spot so we have enough supplies for everyone. Please call Melissa or Theresa to join or lead the group at 618-234-4410, ext. 7042 or 7043.
Knitting and Crochet
Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.
Bring what you are working on and sit with other knitters and crocheters. They talk and laugh more than they knit.
Fingerstyle Ukulele
Noon on Fridays. This group is for advanced Ukulele players
Ukulele Jam Session
Fridays at 1 p.m. This group is with both instructors combining the talents of the advanced ukulele players and the confident beginners (can play 12 chords or more).
Line Dancing
Wednesdays, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
“Dance is an antidote to stress, a way to combat negative emotions, an elixir for the body, mind and brain”. Another benefit of line dancing is that you do not need a partner to participate. Anyone can join the line and have fun dancing along with the group. And Donna Holcomb is great at keeping you in step! Cost is $2/class.
Art Group
Fridays, 9 a.m.
These artists bring whatever they are working on and bring it to the group to be creative together. If you are working on a painting or something at home and would like feedback from others or just want to paint with other artists, come on in. If you have a fun craft you like to make and are willing to show others, please call Activities and we will have a craft day! We love to see what others are doing and learn how to make it.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club – Friday, September 18, 9 a.m. If you love the Round Table, you will love Spring Garden in Collinsville. It has an extensive breakfast menu, known for its delicious biscuits and gravy and homemade skillets, and yummy Swedish pancakes. 921 Vandalia St. (just stay on 159)
Dine Around
Dine Around – Wednesday, September 2, 5 p.m. We are venturing out to Freeburg to go to one of our favorites for lunch, Reifschneider’s Grill & Grape. Bring your appetite for menu items like the Gooey Louie (a burger that instead of a bun its between two grilled cheese sandwiches, award winning wings and House made stuffed jalapenos. 700 N State St. Freeburg, Il.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch – Wednesday, September 9, 11:30 a.m. When we are in the mood for really good pub food we like to head to No Jacks in Smithton. They have classic favorites with daily specials that are easy on the wallet. 4001 IL-159.Please call us so we can save a seat at the table for you.
Travel Meeting
Travel Meeting – Tuesday, September 15, 1:00 p.m. If you are one of our travelers for our Boston, Cape Cod trip this meeting is for you. We will be handing out lots of information about the trip.
Shiloh Picnic – Picnic in the Park
Shiloh Picnic – Picnic in the Park – Thursday, October 8, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. A lot of you were asking what happened to the Shiloh Picnic we have in June. Well, it’s here, only cooler! Please save the date to come to Shiloh for free lunch, band, dancing, door prizes, music and of course, BINGO! You do not need to register for this one.
Village of Shiloh – Going Above and Beyond!!!
PSOP is so thankful for the financial backing from the Village of Shiloh. They once again have contributed $20,000 to support PSOP programming for seniors.
These funds help provide valuable social, wellness, and recreational opportunities in the Shiloh community. From monthly dances and weekly card games in our building to trips staged from Shiloh to exciting tourist attractions, PSOP brings joy, connection, and lifelong learning to seniors.
PSOP is thankful to be a partner with the Village of Shiloh to enrich the lives of older adults throughout the region. Thank you to Mayor Bob Weilmuenster and the Shiloh community for your support!
Activities Adventures and Outings
If you feel like you’re out of the loop there are several ways to find out about Activities and things happening. First, get the newsletter either by email or mailed to your home. Second, when you are in the building, check the bulletin boards in the Activities Room and in Mildred Feurer Hall. Also, if you do social media check us out on Facebook for plenty of fun pictures and last-minute announcements. Check out PSOP Adventures. Or Southwestern Illinois College PSOP Facebook page. We don’t want you to miss a thing!
Fabulous Fox
The price behind each one includes motorcoach transportation (not having to walk far and pay $20 to park) tickets on Orchestra floor (no elevator line or climbing stairs to get to your seat) and a wonderful meal right there at the Fox (it has scrumptious food that is geared to the theme of the play). So, if it seems like a big price, see what it would be if you did it all on your own. Come join us! All of the shows always sell very quickly, please pay card or check. No holds.
The Fabulous Fox is calling and we must go! We asked you to choose your favorites and here they are! This time we have four shows.
Death Becomes Her – Thursday, October 22, $136. A hilarious musical that is filled with “tuneful music to die for” and “a cheek-aching laughter roller coaster”.
Beauty and the Beast – Thursday, March 11, 2027, $140. Come see the classic tale as old as time. A spirited young woman named Belle who is imprisoned by a cursed monstrous prince in his enchanted castle. By looking past his exterior she uncovers his kind heart and falls in love with the Beast.
Mama Mia – Thursday, April 1, 2027, $148. Finish this sentence “Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the ______________” Then you know Abba songs and the story of Mama Mia. Join us for the songs, the costumes and did I say the songs? So good! SOLD OUT. We can put your name on the wait list.
Wicked – Thursday May 13, 2027, $135. We can all wear our pointy hats and see the story of the good witch and bad witch, who show us she really wasn’t bad at all. Great story of friendship and acceptance. You will be green with envy if you don’t go see this with us.
As always price will include Charter bus and a fantastic meal at the Fox after the show.
Meet Me At the Muny!
“We’re gonna wash that man right out of our hair” and head over to the Muny to see the classic South Pacific. We know you love the songs like “Some Enchanted Evening” and” There is Nothing Like a Dame” ! We have excellent seats in the first section by the stage to see this classic musical. The show is Wednesday, July 8th at 8:15 p.m. Price is $125 for bus and great seats! We accept checks or card. This will sell fast so don’t delay.
PSOP at the SYMPHONY!
Friday, December 18, 9 a.m. We are once again going to one of our most popular outings, Christmas at the Symphony and Hotel St. Louis. After leaving Schnucks on North Belt West at 9 a.m. we are off to Powell Hall. Surround yourself with their beautiful Christmas music! Think it’s too early? Don’t worry, they will have coffee and donuts for us! We have great seats on the Orchestra floor. After we get in the Christmas spirit with all the festivities we will have a gourmet plated lunch at Hotel St. Louis. Choose between Chardonnay chicken or St. Louis braised short ribs. Price is: $172 for charter bus, tickets to Powell Hall Christmas and lunch.
Overnight Trips:
Veterans’ Day in Branson- November 9-12, 2026 We have always wanted to do this trip with our Veterans and families, so here we are! We will visit the Military Wall with 1000’s of patches, walk through the military museum and dine in the mess hall. We will also see several shows including the Sight and Sound Theater with the Miracle of Christmas. We also upgraded our hotel to a Hilton in Downtown Branson. $998. per person, double room. Come into the Activities Office for more info.