Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center                   301-681-1255

1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901

About the Program
The Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center is a welcoming place with a wide range of activities and amenities that is available to seniors Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:00pm and Saturdays, 9:30am to 3:00pm. The center includes a large auditorium with a full stage, an arts and crafts room, a self-serve library, a card room, and the best billiard room available to seniors in Montgomery County. Besides having an attractive and accommodating setting with ample parking, the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center offers weekly entertainment programs, health screening and education, exercise and fitness classes, craft projects, informational speakers, dances, theme parties, and special events. Mini-trips to local points of interest are also part of the offerings, as are a number of exercise classes, special interest clubs and educational programs.

You may read the current copy of the monthly newsletter, Forest Glen Angles, by clicking on the title.  It includes the calendar of events.  The publication is available when you visit the center; or you may request a sample copy by clicking here.

Seniors, ages 55 and older who live in the surrounding community and wish to lead active and interesting lives, will find the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center a stimulating and welcoming place. Whether you are looking for friendship, useful information, or great entertainment, you'll find that the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center has many opportunities for seniors to stay connected with life.

General Information
The Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center is one of four senior centers sponsored by Montgomery County Department of Recreation. It is distinguished by being the first senior center to be built in the state of Maryland in 1972. A Staff or one of the Center's many competent volunteers will be happy to give you a tour and introduction to the center and programs, and introduce you to some of the wonderful folks who enjoy coming. We guarantee that one visit will convince you that the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center is a friendly, active and interesting place to spend your day.

Directions
From Rockville: Go south on Georgia Avenue, and turn left on Dennis Avenue. Turn right on Sligo Creek Parkway. At the traffic light, turn left on Forest Glen Road. The senior center is approximately one half mile on the right.

From Silver Spring: Go north on Georgia Avenue, and take the first right after the beltway onto Forest Glen Road. Continue past Holy Cross Hospital. The senior center is approximately one half mile on the right after crossing Sligo Creek Parkway.

Nutrition Lunch Program
A nutritious lunch is served at the center Monday through Friday at 11:45am. Reservations may be made by calling 301-681-1269 Monday through Friday between 10:00 and 11:00am the previous business day; or in person with the site manager by at least 1:00pm the previous day. The full cost of the meal is $6.74. For persons aged 60 or older and spouses of any age, a voluntary contribution is requested. Contributions are used to purchase meals, so people are encouraged to contribute to the fullest extent possible. Guests under age 60 must pay the full cost. To cancel your reservation, you must call before 12:00pm the day before (301-681-1269).

Health and Counseling Services
Blood Pressure Screening
Blood pressure monitoring is provided by a trained volunteer or retired nurse the 2nd Friday of each month, 12:30pm-1:30pm and Holy Cross, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 12:15pm-1:15pm, and Suburban Hospital every Thursday, 10:00am-2:30pm.

Senior Information & Assistance
A counselor from Senior Information & Assistance, which is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, will be at the center monthly on the second Tuesday to provide information on senior housing and financial assistance.

Senior Health Information Program
Medicare and Medicaid information is provided by individual counseling on the second Monday of the month by this program.  They can also assist you in filling out complicated medical forms.  For schedule information or an appointment, call the Center at 301-681-1255.

Available Transportation
Limited transportation is available on Mondays through Fridays. The pick-up boundaries are: east of Georgia Avenue, west of New Hampshire Avenue, north of the Beltway, and south of Randolph Road. Once your application has been received and approved, you must make reservations by 12:00noon two business days in advance. You will be picked up between 9:00 and 10:00am and leave the center at 2:00pm.

Inclement Weather Policy
When Montgomery County Public Schools are closed due to snow, ice or severe weather, all classes, activities and mini-trips will be cancelled. There will be no lunch served and no transportation. If County Schools have a delayed opening, all classes scheduled to begin at 10:00am or later may be held as usual and lunch will be served. When County schools close early, the center may close early, and activities are cancelled. If in doubt, call the center before you attempt to go (301-681-1255), or call the Senior Programs Office (240-777-4925).

Rental Information
The center provides a variety of spaces for rent for meetings, parties and other activities.

Tables and chairs are available for use with all rentals at no additional cost.
The renter is responsible for all set-up and takedown of the room.
The kitchen facility is available for use with the rental of the Social Hall only.
Light alcoholic beverages, beer and wine are permitted only for rentals contained in the Social Hall. An alcohol permit must be submitted with your rental application.
Smoking is strictly prohibited on all county properties.

Steps to renting space at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center:
1. Before calling, have an idea of your tentative plans regarding the type of event and a proposed date and time of day. Please have an alternate date, if possible. It takes 4 to 6 weeks to process an application; no requests are accepted with less lead-time. (Hint: Renting space at this center is very popular, and people book many months in advance.)

2. Give all of the information listed above to the center staff in charge of rentals. He/she will let you know if space is available and what the cost of the rental will be. (The cost will vary according to the type of event, time of day, room available, etc.)

3. Along with the cost of the rental, a security deposit is required.

4. If space is available, you will need to fill out and sign a Facility Permit, an application for light alcohol (if applicable) and a Renter's Code of Conduct form.

5. To book a room, you must submit half of the rental fee with the completed forms. The balance of the fee and the security deposit will be due no later than two weeks prior to the event.

Customer Satisfaction
The Montgomery County Department of Recreation strives to provide high quality programs and opportunities for seniors, and we value your input. Please take a moment to share your ideas, comments and suggestions to help us continue to improve recreation services to seniors. Click here to give us your valuable feedback by completing a Customer Satisfaction Survey.

You may also contact us by email: mailto:rec%20seniors@montgomerycountymd.gov

ADA Information
Montgomery County Government is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and seniors with disabilities are encouraged to participate in senior programs. If you need auxiliary aids or services in order to participate, call 240-777-4925/TTY 240-777-6974 two weeks prior to the start of the program.

Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance is available for low-income residents. For information, call the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center at 301-681-1255.