Senior Center News – May 2, 2019
We don’t need bigger cars or fancier clothes. We need self-respect, identity, community, love, variety, beauty, challenge and a purpose in living that is greater than material accumulation.
~ Donella Meadows
As you know, the Senior Center does not sell cars or clothes, but it certainly does embody the other values mentioned in the quote. After having been at the wonderful Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner last week at the Old Lantern, it is very evident that it takes a veritable village of volunteers to make the Senior Center community possible. We have more than 100 volunteers who contribute in dozens of ways to not only help run the Center but also to help create the atmosphere that makes people want to be there in the first place. The most wonderful thing is that volunteering is, well, 100 percent voluntary; a certain number of hours are not a prerequisite for participation in any part of what the Center offers. If you would like a chance to get involved and make new friends, there are a wide variety of options with many choices of hours. Interested? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Peggy Sharpe at (802) 425-6345 to learn more.
New courses and activities
5/7 Spring Road Hike #2 to USFS Rd. #59, Ripton. Join veteran hiker Marty Morrissey and meet at the Center 10 minutes prior to the 9:00 a.m. departure. Bring water, good hiking or walking shoes, and a snack or bag lunch. More details of each hike in the sign-up book at the host desk. Registration required. No fee.
5/7, Tuesday, Pastel Painting with Shirley Reid-Thompson meets afternoons 1:00 p.m. –3:30 p.m. Dates: 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 & 5/28. Emphasis will be on pastel painting techniques. Color theory will be explained, and you will work from real life set-ups; one afternoon we will use photographs. All levels of skill are welcome—including beginners. Registration necessary. Limit 10. Fee: $115 for the series.
5/9, Thursday, the Gents Breakfast meets from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., in the Café. Please make a reservation by Tuesday and come for good food, interesting discussion and camaraderie. Donation of $5 is requested.
5/14, Tuesday, Acrylic Adventures with Lynn Cummings meets 9:00 a.m. to noon. Dates 5/14, 5/21, 5/28. Students will be guided in steps to produce unique, intuitive art. Fluid acrylics, heavy body paints, pens, stencils, texturizing materials, and found objects will be used to create stunning pieces. Fee: $110 for the series.
5/23, Thursday, Play Reading, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Starts 5/23 and continues monthly on fourth Thursdays through November. Want to take part in a rollicking, fun activity with like-minded individuals? No physical exertion, just reading aloud from scripts around a table. Forget any performance anxiety you may think is involved—there is none. Good short plays or selections are chosen by enthusiastic and supportive leader, Sean Moran, who is a theater pro. Parts are assigned, and copies are made available at the Senior Center about a week before the group gathers to read—with refreshments! Many have participated in this group for several years and wouldn’t miss it! Sign up and find out what part you’ll be playing. No fee.
Free Wednesday Afternoon Events at 1:00 p.m.
5/8: A Photographer Looks at Nature. Join noted nature photographer, musician and raconteur Peter Riley for an hour-long slide show and talk about his images of birds, dragonflies and other natural wonders. He will talk about how each photo was made as well as about the natural history of his subjects. Questions are encouraged.
5/15: Do Community Newspapers Have a Future? With founder Nancy Wood, publisher Vince Crockenberg, and the editors and managers of The Charlotte News. How and why is a community newspaper important? Is there a place for The Charlotte News, now 60 years old, in the 21st century? Learn about news operations, financial challenges and the need for new business models to ensure that The News is still around to celebrate its 70th birthday. Bring your own ideas to the discussion.
Art News
The May Art Exhibit showcases the stunning photography of Peter Riley, an award-winning local nature photographer. Riley is known for his methodical approach and for capturing the most interesting moments of animal behavior—be they songbirds, raptors or dragonflies. Most images were taken here in Vermont, while others were taken in nearby states and abroad during his travels as a musician and singer. Please note that this exhibit opens on 5/5.
The Great Room is busier than usual in May, and the best times to see the Art Exhibit are:
Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Thursdays after 12:30 p.m. (except 5/9) and Fridays after 12:30 p.m. Take a quick peek at noon Mondays. Please call the Center during the week to check on Sunday availability.
Even if you are not ready to sign up for a class or to volunteer, stop in and say hello—we love to show people around. The Senior Center is located at 212 Ferry Road, Charlotte and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. Or give us a call us at (802) 425-6345. Residents from other communities are always welcome. Our mission is to serve those over 50.
To learn more about the Senior Center, other courses and our menus for the month, please visit our new website.
See you soon!
Charlotte Senior Center
(802) 425-6345