Enthusiastic director has plans for seniors
Sheri Silversmith wants Jackson's older adults to remain active
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Sheri SIlversmith

JACKSON - Sheri Silversmith is the new program administrator at the Jackson Senior Center and she has a lot of ideas for activities and programs.

Silversmith succeeds Janice Connor, who recently retired.

MayorMark Seda said, "Ms. Silversmith has excellent credentials and she met all the criteria. She jumped right into the job and is doing a fabulous job. I sat with her during the interviews and I sat with her once I hired her. She knows the direction we want to take the program and she's done a very good job of moving it forward."

Silversmith holds a degree in public health administration from Richard Stockton College and a certificate of gerontology.

Silversmith's work experience includes more than two-and-a-half years at a nursing home and subacute rehabilitation center, The Rose Garden in Toms River. While there she worked as the recreation director and as the admissions director.

Silversmith also worked at Bella Terra in Jackson, serving as the recreation director of the senior facility.

"I have been working with seniors [in different types of settings] ever since I was in the sixth grade," she said.

At the Jackson Senior Center, Silversmith has a staff of five employees (one person who teaches arts and crafts, and fitness; two clerks; and two bus drivers).

"A lot of the seniors are volunteers," she said. "They volunteer to do the cooking for many of the events and they also help with the set-up for a lot of the events."

Silversmith said some of the programs offered to Jackson's senior population entail working with students at JacksonMemorial High School in the Interact Club and the Art Club.

"We also work with the Jackson Rotary Club and the Girl Scouts," she said. "Whenever there is a special event a lot of the seniors will volunteer to help."

Silversmith began working at the senior center on Don Connor Boulevard on Nov. 5 and has been busy ever since.

"We've had a huge RockingAround the Christmas Tree party and over 150 people came," she said. "We had lunch and some great entertainment, which featured Mr. Smooth and the Smoothettes. One of the seniors said it was so great that she

thought she was at a show in

Las Vegas. They were really

good."

Seniors also enjoyed a Christmas concert performed

by fifth-graders

from the Johnson Elementary

School.

Also featured during

December were the Twilighters, a group of seniors who sang carols at the Care One nursing home. The Twilighters also distributed a stuffed animal to each Care One resident.

Trips are on the agenda, with transportation provided by the township.

Seniors also enjoyed participating in the Mayor's Thanksgiving, which Silversmith said was a success.

"It was attended by many seniors, some of whom would have been by themselves for the holiday," she said. "The mayor came with his family and the Township Council members came and helped serve the food."

Silversmith said Councilwoman Emily Ingram conducted the Veterans Day ceremonies and councilmen Scott Martin and Angelo Stallone came to the Christmas party.

A calendar of activities for the new year is being developed. Upcoming events could bring seniors together with high school and middle school students.

On the calendar now are the following:

Jan. 16, 10 a.m., "Pirates of the Caribbean:AtWorld's End" will be shown. After the movie there will be a cheese steak and soda lunch. Fee is $3. Registration is required for this event.

Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m., a program will explain the differences between assisted living, independent living, nursing home or continuing care retirement community. Luncheon, Bingo to follow the presentation. Register by Jan. 14.

Jan. 22, 10 a.m., T-shirt designing. Fee, $3, registration required.

computers, every Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m.

knitting and crocheting, every Friday at 11 a.m.

Jan 24, 11 a.m., Sheri Silversmith will demonstrate how to make a Taco Wreath.

Jan 29 and Jan. 31, seniors will be able to make a ceramic Valentine box for chocolates. There is a $5 fee.

Silversmith thanked the mayor, council and everyone in the recreation department for supporting the programs that are offered to Jackson's senior citizens.

For more information contact the Department of Senior Services at (732) 928- 1200, ext. 255 or (732) 928-2313. Additional information can be obtained by going to www.jacksontwpnj.net.