Registered Yoga teacher Theresa Conlon progresses flawlessly through her routine in the gazebo at Wesleyan Arms in Red Bank.

Press release from Wesleyan Arms

On Wednesday, June 24, the Red Bank-based senior housing community Wesleyan Arms hosted the grand opening of The Arms Café, a new senior resource hub to the area’s growing population of older adults.

A partnership between Wesleyan Arms and Home Helpers Home Care of Monmouth County with the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey, the Cafe is dedicated to a mission of providing opportunities for essential social interaction, physical exercise and continuing learning to people aged 65 and older who live alone.

Located at 9 Wall Street in Red Bank and part of the United Methodist Homes of New Jersey (UMHNJ), the Cafe welcomes older adults in the area to participate each week in a casual setting with a “drop-in center” feel. Open every Wednesday between 10 am and 2 pm, the facility is staffed with a resource coordinator who can offer information about elder care resources to individuals and their families.

Examples of the varied calendar activities include: chair yoga or Zumba, art, technology, reading and book club discussions, meeting new friends, walking groups, finding information, enjoying the company of others, and more. While The Arms Café has some structure, seniors may do as much or as little as they prefer. All resource information and most classes are free. Occasionally, a special offering requires a fee.

Guest artists from Little Silver Ballroom Dancers perform to Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” in a recent appearance at Wesleyan Arms.

Punctuated by perfect weather, the grand opening event held many attractions. Music by the Beth Ann Clayton Band played as guests visited tables manned by Zumba Fitness, Visiting Physician/Geriatric House Call Specialists, Angel’s Tough Mobile Phlebotomy Service, JBJ Soul Kitchen, We Care Adult Care, Red Bank YMCA, Atlas Advisory Group, A Time to Kiln, Medieval Storyteller Lord Andrew MacRobb, local artist Wesley Fox, 54U, Jest for Fun, and others.

Following lunch, an old-fashioned Good Humor truck, complete with an attendant in a crisp white uniform, gave out ice cream outdoors. Performers from the Little Silver Ballroom Dancers demonstrated several dance routines, followed by a performance from Kid’s Comedy Magician Tom Durnin, who drafted both children and adults to assist in making magic.

UMHNJ President and CEO Larry Carlson, expressed his thanks to the large group for supporting the grand opening. Wesleyan Arms Housing Administrator Gertrude Kehleay, offered a warm welcome and encouraged all to return. Also present were Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna; James W. McCracken, New Jersey Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly; and Wesleyan board members Lawrence Johnston and Helen Vetter.

The Arms Café monthly calendar listing will be available. For more information about Wesleyan Arms, the monthly calendar for The Arms Café, or to sign up for the mailing list, please call Mary Patichio at (732)936-0670.