Here’s What Is Happening!

April 25, 2024

Newsletter Corrections:

• The date for the June offering of Ceramics: Sgraffito Tiles will be Tuesday, June 4 from 4 – 6 PM
• The date for the Beginner Jewelry Making - Caged Bead Pendants will be Tuesday, June 11 from 4 – 6 PM

REMINDER: Cancellation/ Refund Policy for Classes & Programs

Please make sure to register early for all programs and classes offered by PZSC to ensure you get a spot and to avoid the cancellation of classes due to low enrollment. 

Effective immediately, the PZSC Cancellation Policy requires a 72-business hour (3 days) notice for all cancellations of classes and programs. If you need to cancel your reservation in a class, please do so at least 72-business hours in advance of the scheduled start time. Failure to provide the required notice will result in no refund or credit. Refunds will not be given after a program has begun unless there is a valid medical concern or emergency. 

However, if the cancellation is due to the discretion of PZSC, including weather advisories or instructor illness, a partial credit will be placed into the member’s account. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. 

Please note that the cancellation/refund policy for travel-related reservations are handled differently.

Free Injury Screenings

Armor Physical Therapy

Wednesday, May 1

2 – 3 PM

Free- Call to register for your appointment at (269) 329-4555

• FREE 15-minute screen to assess injuries/condition to determine next step in care and recovery.  
• May be acute (sudden/short-term) injury or chronic (long-term/on-going) injury/condition.  
• Performed only by a licensed Physical Therapist.  
• Will be offered on-site, but available to schedule at any Armor Physical Therapy location if not able to make it during designated time. Still free. Just call to schedule.  
• If necessary, the Physical Therapist can communicate with Primary Care Provider or Specialist for treatment options to ensure an optimal plan of care.  

PZSC Social Golf League

States Golf Course, 20 East W Ave, Vicksburg

Thursdays, May 2 – August 29 

Arrive: 8:30 AM / Tee Off: 9 AM 

PZSC One-Time League Fee: $15 

States Golf Course Fee: $12 - 9 holes / $9 - Half-Cart  

League Coordinator: Alta Dekema  

The PZSC Social Golf League is exclusively for PZSC members. It is a mixed social golf league where you only pay for the days you play and you never have to worry about finding a substitute player. Individuals can join the league anytime they want. If you don't have a foursome, we'll find one for you. The rate is at a senior discount and must be paid to States Golf Course every day you play. Participants must be PZSC members, and the league fees must be paid to the PZSC Reception Desk or to Alta at the course during the first week of playing. 

Fascinating Facts About Birds

Tuesday, April 30 

2 – 4 PM  

$3 Members / $5 Non-Members 

Presented by: Randall Schau      

Birds are fascinating creatures, and this class will highlight a number of ways that's true. We'll talk about migration, breeding, population numbers, eating habits, etc, as well as behavioral oddities that make some birds extra special. With scores of colorful slides and videos, this class will cause your appreciation of our feathered friends to soar! The format of this class will be similar to that presented last July, but the material will be all new. To register, please call (269) 329-4555. 

Spring “Bruncheon”  

Friday, May 3  

10 AM – 12 PM  

$12 Members / $14 Non-Members   

We’re shaking things up for the month of May! Join us at the PZSC for this special bruncheon in lieu of our regular luncheon. What better way to connect with old friends AND make new ones! This event is generously sponsored by Vineyard Assisted Living. Registration for this event is required. For planning purposes, we kindly request that you RSVP at least a week prior to the brunch by calling (269) 329-4555. 

Menu 

Main Course – Savory Egg Bake, French Toast Casserole 

Side - Arranged Fruit, Sausage Patties  

Dessert - Seasonal Trifle 

How To Be A Dementia Friend

Wednesday, May 8

3 - 4 PM

 On August 22, 2023, Mayor Randall announced that Portage is now a Dementia Friendly Community. As part of this initiative, City of Portage staff received education on how to better serve community members living with Dementia, such as Alzheimer's.

A Dementia Friendly Community is one where people, businesses, and organizations welcome those living with Dementia and make it easier for them to interact with others.

To help individuals, businesses and organizations become Dementia Friendly, a free 45-minute workshop will be provided at the Portage Zhang Senior Center on May 8 at 3 pm. Attending this workshop will show you, your business, or your organization easy ways to make it less difficult for people with Dementia to live, shop, do business, and enjoy Portage.

There are more people living with Dementia than you may realize. By becoming Dementia Friendly, businesses and organizations can attract more customers and clients and show that they understand and welcome our citizens with memory and communication difficulties.

Please register for the workshop by calling the Portage Zhang Senior Center at 269.329.4555. Let's work together to increase the number of Dementia Friendly establishments in Portage and make our community more welcoming for all.

Ukulele Class for Beginners I  

Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12  

10 – 11 AM    

$75 Members / $85 Non-members  

Instructed by: Josh Holcomb        

Learning a new instrument is good for your health and has many health benefits including increased eye-hand coordination, lower stress levels, improved brain function, focus, and mental clarity.  Join us at the PSC for a six-week ukulele class for beginners taught by Josh Holcomb. Learn chords, and techniques and learn to play beginner-level ukulele songs. All materials, including ukuleles, will be provided for students during the class. Participants are welcome to bring their own ukulele, however ukuleles are available for use if needed. To register, please call (269) 329-4555.  *Financial Assistance is available.

The Day “Granny” Came to Town    

Tuesday, May 8  

2 - 3:30pm 

$3 Members / $5 Non-Members 

Presented by: Steve Ellis 

Spark Magazine publisher Steve Ellis, has spent the last several years researching stories about celebrities the came to Kalamazoo. He will give a lively talk and photo presentation about visits by Irene Ryan (Granny),  Buddy Holly,  Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Tarzan, Kevin Costner, Ty Cobb, Buffalo Bill, Jackie Robinson, Elvis and others. To register, please call (269) 329-4555.  

Ceramics: Sgraffito Tiles     

Thursday, May 16 

4 – 6 PM 

$30 Members / $35 Non-Members  

Instructed by: Kimberly Barrett

Always wanted to try your hand at ceramics? Join us as ceramicist Kimberly Barrett teaches this beginner class on the Italian art of sgraffito! Together we will look at sgraffito style ceramics, discuss how this technique is applied on clay with underglazes. We will walk through the clay process and students will try different clay tools and learn hands on how they can be used to scrape away underglaze to create their own sgraffito ceramic tile. Final pieces will be bisque fired, coated with clear gloss and glaze fired by the instructor. To register for this fun new class, call (269) 329-4555.  

Travel with the PZSC! 

• 5/1 Ikea & More, Canton, MI $80 M / $90 NM – Spots Available
• 5/14 Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles at Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo, MI $75 M / $85 NM (Minibus) - Sports Available
• 6/6 Lake Michigan Vintners Wine Education and Tasting Tour, Southwest, MI $150 M / $160 NM (Minibus) – Spots Available
• 6/12 Shipshwewana Flea Market, Shipshewana, IN $25 M / $35 NM (Minibus) Spots Available
• 6/16 Putnam County Spelling Bee at Festival Playhouse, Kalamazoo, MI $95 M / $105 NM (Minibus) - Spots Available
• 6/24-6/27Experiencing Thunder Bay & Alpena, Alpena, MI $150 PP Double Occupancy / $1375 PP Single Occupancy - Spots Available
• 7/9 Southwest Michigan’s Underground Railroad, Vandalia & Schoolcraft, MI $55 M / $65 NM (Minibus)- Spots Available 
• 7/11 MJ The Musical at DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids, MI $160 M / $170 NM (Minibus) - Spots Available
• 7/18 Fish Boil & More, Shelby, MI $170 M / $180 NM - Spots Available
• 8/28 Million Dollar Quartet at Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck, MI $160 M / $170 NM (Minibus) Spots Available

To view all the PZSC Travel opportunities please visit 

the Travel page on our website!

New Cancellation Policy for PZSC Travel

The PZSC Travel Office has updated its cancellation policy due to an increase in last-minute cancellations. Please take note of the following changes regarding day trip cancellations: 

1. All cancellations are accepted up to 45 days before the travel date. However, any prepaid expenses will be deducted from the refund amount. 
2. If you need to cancel your reservation, please inform the Travel Manager in writing via letter, email, or via phone. 
3. If there is a waitlist available, the Travel Manager or another staff member will try to secure a substitute for your spot. 
4. A refund will be issued to the person canceling, with a service fee of $20.00 for all motorcoach travel and $10.00 for minibus travel deducted from the refund amount. 
5. If a substitute is unavailable and you cancel within the 45-day period, no refund will be issued. 
6. In case of emergencies, a refund may be allowed with the approval of the Executive Director. 

Travel Presentation – Collette

Tuesday, June 4, 2024  

1-3 PM  

Registration Requested  

Register for an in-person presentation with Ed Mckenna of Collette at the PZSC. Join us to learn about the fun and exciting trips offered through Collette for 2025. Ed will be presenting details on Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights, South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana, and France Magnifique!  Spots are limited. Call 269-324-9239 to register.  

Travel Presentation – Premier World Discovery 

Thursday, June 27, 2024  

3-5 PM  

Registration Requested  

Register for an in-person presentation with Tracey Schenk of Premier World Discovery at the PZSC. Join us to learn about the fun and exciting trips offered through Premier World Discovery for 2024 & 2025. To finish out 2024 Tracey will be presenting details on Great Trains & Grand Canyons, Music Cities Christmas, and New Orleans Holiday.  She will also showcase the beginning of 2025 with Colorful Costa Rica, Puerto Vallarta, Sunny San Diego, England, Scotland, & Wales, and National Parks & Canyons of the Southwest! Whether you enjoy staying stateside or traveling abroad, we will surely have something for everyone. Spots are limited. Call 269-324-9239 to register.