Activities and Travel - PSOP Center - Southwestern Illinois College
Seniors dancing

Activities and Travel – PSOP Center

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

Fall is here! We love sitting outside at restaurants, going to Shiloh picnic on a pretty autumn day, and playing bingo with pumpkin spice in our coffee! There’s so much color to enjoy this month.

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, Oct 14, 10:00am – We love fall flowers with Jeff from Grimm & Gorly. This month we have our favorite flowers in a pumpkin! Cost is $35.00 to be paid at the beginning of class. Please make a reservation before Oct 12, so you are not holding flowers without a pumpkin! 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!

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!

Oct 6 – Pumpkin Bingo- Wear your favorite pumpkin shirt and have fun with our sponsor

Oct. 13 – Sponsored by LINC

Oct. 20 – Sponsored by Parkway Gardens

Oct.27 – Halloween party Bingo-Sponsored by Nexus

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.

Picnic in the Park

Shiloh Picnic- ā€œPicnic in the Parkā€ Thursday, October 8, 10:30 am- 1:30 pm. 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, country western band, dancing, door prizes, music, and of course, BINGO! You do not need to register for this one. The band will be inside Klucker Hall to take advantage of their awesome wooden dance floor. Bingo is outside in the pavilion.

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. – 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

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 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, 10:00 am– 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. ā€œDance is an antidote to stress, a way to combat negative emotions, an elixir for the body, mind and brainā€. 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.

Men’s Sports Club

Friday, October 9, 11:00 am. – This month’s speaker is retired principal and baseball coach Daren Depew. Come hear all about his glory days as a coach and hear from Art Voellinger as well. Please RSVP by October 7 to be guaranteed a lunch. Lunch is $5.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club –Ā Friday, October 23, 9 a.m. – We knew it as Moores; now it is brand new and called Rockin Robin’s. This little diner is a vibrant, veteran-owned 1950s-themed establishment. 7309 Old St. Louis Road, Belleville, across from the old K- Mart.

Dine Around

Dine Around – Monday, October 5, 5 p.m. – We are taking a country drive and enjoying the fall fresh air to go to Spikes in Millstadt. Known for their pub fare, specialty tacos, and unique Cajun-inspired twist, I am sure there is something good for you! 4 E Washington St., Millstadt.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch Ā – Wednesday, October 14, 11:30 a.m. – We are hoping it is a beautiful Fall Day while we sit outside at Tavern on Main. If we feel energetic, we can walk there after the flower class. 301 East Main St., Belleville. Let’s eat at Tavern then walk across the street and buy something!

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!

Downtown Belleville Senior Day

Friday, October 16th, 10:00 am -1:00 pm. – Start at PSOP and pay $10 for your passport and receive $5.00 back in Belleville Bucks to use towards your purchases in the shop or towards your lunch. Then you are off to explore Main Street, where the shops are waiting for us with coupons and giveaways. A shuttle will be available to seniors for transportation to/from PSOP all along Main Street. Then return to PSOP for drawings and giveaways. No reservations required.

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.

We have three you can sign up for right now! All shows are fantastic seats with dinner after each show. If you’ve never done this before, we love dinners at the Fox. They coordinate the meals to reflect what show we are seeing, and the food is always top-notch. We leave from Schnucks by the drive-in on a charter bus.

Death Becomes Her – Thursday, October 22, $136. A hilarious musical that is filled with ā€œtuneful music to die forā€ and ā€œa cheek-aching laughter roller coasterā€.

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.

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.

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.

Save the Date

Thursday, November 19, 10:30-1:30. We love our veterans, and we are celebrating the men and women who fought for our freedom. Country Western Band will be playing, Mayor Jennifer Gaines will be honoring veterans, veterans will be talking, and all of us will be eating! Bring a picture of yourself in your uniform for our Table of Honor.

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