Fun happenings at The Charlotte Senior Center

The Charlotte Nature Trail. Photo by Sarah Soule.

A reminder that the Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, for the Labor Day Holiday.

Please look for the fall schedule of programs and activities as an insert in the next issue of The Charlotte News. Until then, here are a few offerings to close out the summer season as we transition to fall.

Mark your calendars for the annual Senior Center BBQ Celebrating Summer on Friday, Aug. 25. Join us to celebrate the lazy, hazy days of summer. Bring your family and friends for a great time. Rain or shine the party will begin with appetizers at 5:00 p.m. and dinner “hot off the grill” at 6. Registration necessary. Fee: $12 per person.

Calling All Creative Spirits! The Senior Center Community Art Show, now in its 11th year, has become a favorite among our community of artists. The show will be held during the month of September and is open to everyone 50 years or older. All mediums are welcome, and we will have a two-piece limit so everyone will have a chance to see their work displayed in the Great Room. Registration forms with specific details are available on the foyer table, and the deadline for submitting is Friday, Aug. 25. A reception for the artists, friends and relatives will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Our collection of lectures, performances and special events showcasing the diverse interests of our community resumes for the fall on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon showing of Imagine: A Contemporary Dance Performance, created by celebrated local dancers and choreographers, including Sara McMahon and Movement for Parkinson’s Dancers; Hanna Satterlee, director of the Vermont Dance Alliance; Laurael Jenkins, Middlebury dance professor; and Liesje Smith, choreographer and Rolfer.

For generations, dance was held in the center of social gatherings of all kinds. Dance provided the opportunity to develop incredibly valuable skills, such as sequencing movement, being precise in expressivity and rhythm, and engaging socially through movement. All of these qualities are critically important in sharpening neuro-pathways of the brain that enhance our quality of life, no matter what our age. These learning challenges, when taught in a group with good music, can be irresistible!

Join Liesje Smith for a new class this fall, Moving Better, Living Better Through Dance Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 8. Liesje Smith, dancer, performer and certified Rolfer, is an inspiring and experienced teacher who brings an opportunity for you to develop the above skills in a fun and inspiring atmosphere. And these classes still provide all the good things other movement classes offer, such as building strength, stamina, flexibility and postural stability—so you’re getting your workout. Registration necessary. Fee: $60 per session.

Memoir Writing with Sandy Detwiler returns this fall on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 7. Everyone has a story to tell and lessons to share—your life story from your own unique perspective. Capture priceless memories in what is a once-a-week “write and share,” with some guidelines. Join us for the opportunity to reflect on your life, meet new folks and improve your writing. Registration required. Limit 10. No fee.

Join Hank Kaestner on Wednesday morning Sept. 12 at 9 as we continue our Birding Expeditions. Please meet at the Center so we can carpool together to the location Hank has scouted for spectacular bird watching. Good views are guaranteed through Hank’s “Oh my God” telescope. Register for this event, and if we have to change the date due to bird migration or weather, we will call you. Registration necessary. No fee.