The Charlotte Senior Center News
It is no surprise that the Senior Center primarily serves residents of Charlotte, but did you know that we also welcome those from surrounding communities? What’s more, these participants also contribute financially as Friends of the Senior Center, donate their time and expertise as volunteer instructors and help in many other crucial volunteer jobs around the Center. Two of our mainstay volunteer cooks who put together and cook four delicious lunches every month, serving nearly 150—month in and month out, year after year —are from Williston and Hinesburg! The Senior Center is tremendously lucky to have so many great neighbors.
Sign-ups for courses
Our Summer Schedule began on June 1, and please note that even though many classes have already started—or are ongoing—you are welcome to begin at any time. To make things easy, you have the choice of paying for each class when you come or, if you wish, for the rest of the multi-class session. (You can access the schedule online.)
Monday, June 18, is the second iPhone Workshop in the series with Susanna Kahn, Charlotte Library’s tech librarian. This one is titled Help! General Tips with Q & A. Each workshop is held at the Senior Center from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. On June 25, photos will be the topic for the third, and last, of the workshop series.
Mindfulness class is running through the summer for 45 minutes on Wednesday mornings and is held on a drop-in basis. That means you do not need to commit yourself to being there every week but can come and still benefit. What is “mindfulness” you ask? This form of meditation is the simple practice of bringing moment-to-moment awareness to experience, and it has been shown to reduce stress, improve health, increase mental clarity and enhance enjoyment of life.
Another class that can lead to more aliveness and responsivity is Dance: Moving Better, Living Better with Liesje Smith on Friday mornings at 9:30. With lively music, this movement class benefits students by building strength, stamina, flexibility and postural stability. It sharpens the neuro-pathways of the brain, provides the opportunity to learn how to move fluidly without causing injury, and much more. Registration is required, and there is a fee.
Even though the July Book Group starts on July 9, it is not too early to get the book from the Charlotte Library and dive in. Serve It Forth by M.F.K. Fisher is a series of essays taking “the reader on an animated journey though culinary history.” Both the July and the August book groups meet at the Senior Center for discussion, while the books can be borrowed at the library.
Events in June
This month has the first Birding Expedition of the summer. If you missed the one on the calendar for today (6/13), the next outings are on July 18 and August 15.
Friday, June 15, is the first trip of the twice-monthly Kayaking for Women. Most of the trips require you to bring your own kayak. However, on Friday, August 24, there will be a trip from Bert’s Boats on the Lamoille River, which rents kayaks for $40 per person. The trip will leave from near Jeffersonville, and Bert will take us to a put-in location and meet us at the end to take out the kayaks. Easy as pie! If interested in this, email Susan Foster Hyde now so we can reserve the date soon.
Also taking place on the water are the delightful Boat Trips with Al and Nancy Martin (known as Dream Day on Lake Champlain), and these are filling up. Note that the June 14 trip has been changed to June 21, and is now only adding names to the waiting list. Please call to sign up for July 12, August 16 or Sept. 13. Don’t be discouraged if you are put on the waiting list because things do change!
On Friday, June 22, is the Tour of the Clemmons Farm Barn House at 9:30 a.m. This event has a maximum of 12 and is almost full now. This is a chance to visit a very special space for the local community to celebrate African American art, culture and heritage. The Barn House, designed by Jackson Clemmons, combines two 19th century buildings; it displays posters from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as a collection of African art from Jackson and Lydia Clemmons’ travels in Africa.
On June 28, the AARP Driver Safety Class will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This classroom refresher may enable participants to receive an auto insurance discount. The course provides drivers the opportunity to fine-tune driving skills and become a safer and better driver. Please call the Senior Center for more information and to register.
All About Art
The Senior Center Community Art Show, now in its 12th year, is scheduled for September and is open to everyone 50 years or older. All mediums and skill levels are welcome—with a two-piece limit. Come in to pick up registration material, which is now available at the Center. (Deadline for submitting forms is August 24.)
Do you enjoy writing or creating artwork? If so, you are invited to join the informal gatherings of artists in the Friday Morning Arts Group which meets every week from 10 a.m. to noon. The Friday Writers Group meets at 1 in afternoon once a month in the Café on 6/15, 7/13 and 8/10. Come to meet like-minded folks, hang out, and get feedback on your projects if you wish. There is no fee for these two separate groups.
June Art Exhibit: Group Show. Five artists from the advanced oil painting class at the Shelburne Craft School are showing their works extended through the first week of July. The pieces are landscapes and still lifes with distinctive styles from classic to contemporary. The artists are: Jane Guyette, Diane Lavallee, Sid Miller, Fred Morgan, Deborah Boutilier Paolantonio and Suzie Quinn. Most paintings are available for purchase, with a small percentage of the sale price donated to the Center.
Best Times to View Art Shows. The Senior Center’s Great Room is utilized for many classes or events, so the best times to see the art shows are Tuesdays after 2:30 p.m., Wednesdays after 3:00 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays after 12:30 p.m.. Call the Center during the week to check on availability on Sunday and other possibilities during the week.
Of course, art is a feast for the eyes, but don’t forget your stomach. Come by for Monday Munch, or sign up for the Wednesday luncheon. If you are a guy who likes early mornings, get on board with the Men’s Breakfast and sign up by Tuesday.
There is so much more. Check your previous issue of The Charlotte News for the Summer Schedule insert, or stop by the Center to pick one up. Do call if you have any questions: (802) 425-6345, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
As George Burns said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” And if you come to the Center, you will see many older folks who are not old at all! Seriously.
See you soon.