Senior Center News – April 3, 2019

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”
– Doug Larson

Well, yes—and sometimes, no. The numbered spot where I park my car in front of my place has a significant indentation and loves to gather all the water available from surrounding areas. Not a puddle—more like a pond. Maddeningly, the water is only at the driver’s side rear door and not on the passenger’s side at all. Of course, this rear door is the one I use to stash my items to take to work, etc. At times, I have parked in the carport across the often-slippery pavement, and I am ashamed to admit that it took me quite a while to realize that all I had to do to avoid the water dance was to maneuver my car with the back facing my front door—and leave some space to walk behind it. A little inconvenient but oh-so-much drier.

Free Wednesday afternoon events at 1:00 p.m.
Today, 4/3 garden designer Charlotte Albers will present English Gardens of the Cotswolds. She will show highlights of her tour last spring to England’s National Trust Hidcote Manor, Sezincote, and the garden designed by Rosemary Verey in Gloucestershire.

On 4/10, Susanna Kahn, the Charlotte Library’s tech librarian, will discuss Accessing Mental Health Services on Your iPad. This will be a brief review of how to access trustworthy health information on the library’s new iPads—or your own. There will be plenty of time for general questions and a few tips. Please bring your iPad, if you have one. Registration is requested.

On 4/17, everyone is invited to the CCS Music Concert directed by Monica Littlefield. The Senior Center welcomes back middle school students from Charlotte Central School who will be performing a short concert as part of the Ukulele Band and the Concert Choir.

On 3/27, Vince Crockenberg gave his twice-delayed presentation on Cuba After Fidel, and it was worth the wait. His years in the classroom were evident (in a good way), and people have already asked when he is coming back with a geo-political topic. (Great question!)

One of the things that is truly wonderful about the Senior Center is how engaged audiences are with the presenters, as well as with the topics being presented. People do not come to just be passively entertained, but rather they bring their own experiences and understanding of the topic to learn more and be part of an exchange. It just doesn’t get any better than that—at any age!

Courses and Other Events
Today, 4/3, Mindfulness for Life begins with Jill Abilock. She has recently taught the Wednesday classes at 9:00 a.m. and will be offering this series on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. The entire series offers mindfulness techniques to help you meet life’s challenges with strength and ease and deepen fulfillment from all of life’s joys. Beginners are welcome. Fee: $20 for the 8-week series.

If you missed today’s Birding Expeditions with Hank Kaestner, you can still sign up for the trips next month on 5/8 and 5/22. (Please note that the original dates have changed.) The group carpools and meets 10 minutes before departure at 9 a.m. Registration is required. No fee.

On Wed., 4/10, is our recurring Foot Clinic, starting at 9:15 a.m. with the kind assistance of Martha McAuliffe, R.N.; Julia Jacques, LPN, AEMT; and Samantha Wendell. This clinic does require pre-registration and is now taking names only for the waiting list, but the Blood Pressure Clinic at 11:30 a.m. welcomes walk-ins. Call to sign up for the next Foot Clinic on 5/15.

On Thurs., 4/11, is the Blood Drive from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. If you have been considering it, now is the time to act; it is your chance to help save a life by donating blood at the Senior Center. We are always happy to host the American Red Cross blood drives, and our friendly volunteers, comfortable space and great snacks make giving blood here a pleasure.

Disappointingly, the series on Living with Chronic Pain, which was to begin on 4/18, has been canceled. Both a staffing change and low enrollment were reasons that UVM ended the enrollment time earlier than expected. And this is an opportunity to stress that if you see a course or an event that requires registration, please do not wait until the week it begins (or the day before) to enroll. Keep in mind that it is always fine to call and cancel your sign-up (no reason required), but it is best to indicate interest as soon as possible. We will be looking to offer other UVM Community Health Improvement series in the future. Stay tuned.

Coming Soon
Avoiding Fraud and Con Artists, on 4/24, sponsored by People’s United Bank and AARP.
Road Hike #1, on 4/30 at 9 a.m. with Marty Morrissey.
Pastel Painting, on 5/7 with Shirley Reid-Thompson.
Play Reading, on 5/23 with Sean Moran.
And much more. . .

Art News
The April Art Exhibit is “Potpourri.” It is a variety of colorful, interesting and varied works in watercolor, acrylic and mixed media by Lynn Cummings and her students. The public is invited to an Artists’ Reception for the above show on Friday, 4/12, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. It will be a chance to speak with the artists about their work and creative process and enjoy some light refreshments.

Whenever you plan to stop by to visit any exhibits, please note the best times to see Art Exhibits below since the Center’s exhibition space is used for many other events and classes. Please note that the times do change every month.

See you soon!

Best times to see Art Exhibits in April are: Tuesdays after 2:30 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays after 12:30 p.m. You might also catch a quick peek at about noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please call the Center during the week to check on Sunday afternoon availability.