Senior Center News – May 30, 2019
“And so, with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
At the Senior Center, the summer is definitely beginning over again with our new Summer Schedule inserted in this issue. In it are some returning seasonal favorites seen in the Outdoors section: Kayaking for Women (7 trips), Boating Lake Champlain with Al and Nancy Martin (6/20, 7/18, 8/15 & 9/5), and Birding Expeditions with Hank Kaestner (6/1, 7/17, 8/14). These activities all require registration, which begins on June 1.
Cycling back this June is the popular AARP Smart Driver Class (6/21), a classroom refresher course that may enable you to receive an auto insurance discount; it provides drivers the opportunity to fine-tune driving skills and become safer and better drivers. Registration necessary. Fee: $20 ($15 for AARP members).
Another popular returnee is the third annual Bake for Good (7/11), which connects seniors with young friends for a fun morning of baking rolls, eating and feeling a sense of accomplishment! Sponsored by King Arthur Flour, this event is free.
There are also new carpooling trips that take advantage of the (hopefully) warmer weather: Shelburne Farm’s Sun to Cheese Tour (6/12), a daytrip to Middlebury College Museum of Art with lunch at the Middlebury Inn (8/9), visiting Lemon Fair Sculpture Park in Shoreham (8/17) and a tour to the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh (8/28) that “brings the story of the Underground Railroad to life.” Please note that these all require advance registration and some have fees.
To help kick off the start of summer, our Annual Plant Sale took place last weekend and was a great success—helped along by a sunny morning. A big thank you to coordinator Sukey Condict and the many volunteers who contributed in a variety of ways, from digging up plants, potting, making signs, etc.—as well to as to the many people who came to enjoy the plant bargains.
During the next three months, there is quite a wide variety of topics for the after-lunch Wednesday events: from Music of the 50s and 60s, to Japanese Ceramics, to Fun with Donkeys, to Downsizing, and much more. Be sure to plan ahead and reserve your meal beforehand.
June Wednesday Afternoon Events at 1:00 p.m.
6/5: Charlotte Central School Concert, directed by Monica Littlefield. Come listen to the 6th Grade Chorus perform in their last event. This enthusiastic group will perform a variety of songs they have learned this school year.
6/12: Sun to Cheese at Shelburne Farm, with Sandi Detwiler. On this 2-hour tour, we first go to the Farm Barn to watch cheddar cheese being made, taste all the different Farm cheeses and visit the dairy to see cows, calves and the milking process. Please register and pay in advance. Cost is $20 per person, maximum is 11.
6/19: Music of the 50s & 60s, Oldies Revival, with Peter and Helen Rosenblum. Join the musical fun as this Hinesburg duo strums and sings the hits that will forever live in our hearts and minds—from the romantic ballads of the Everly Brothers to the rockin’ rhythms of Chuck Berry.
6/26: iLearning: iPhone & iPad Tips & Tricks, with Susann Kahn. Bring your iPad or iPad for some hands-on learning with Charlotte’s tech librarian, Susanna Kahn. Get tips on searching, helpful apps and organizing them, the share menu and more. Registration required. No fee. Held at the Senior Center.
Courses
Due to strong interest this year, the Book Discussion Group is being offered again for a new four-week session in July. The book is Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying, by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush, with discussion facilitated by Charlotte Library’s Margaret Woodruff and Pam MacPherson. This group meets at 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center, and there is no charge; however, registration is necessary. Dates: 7/10, 7/17, 7/24 & 7/31.
Starting in June, there will be a monthly Book Discussion Group, Part II for those who have already participated in a previous four-week course based on Walking Each Other Home. This groups meets on the second Monday of the month from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on 6/10 & 7/8; on 8/12, only, it meets at 1:00 p.m. No fee.
For those of you who are not “morning people,” Mindfulness Practice, with Jill Abilock, is returning for the summer in the afternoon at 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.; a regular class is to be offered in the fall. It provides tools to help change how your experience things, increasing fulfillment and happiness, and reducing stress. This course welcomes walk-ins and is free. Begins on 6/5.
French for Travelers and the French Conversation Circle, with Alysse Anton, will be taking a summer vacation but will return in the fall. It is possible that there will also be an Italian for Travelers class at that time as well.
Please don’t forget all the wonderful exercise classes (Pilates, Yoga, T’ai Chi, Moving Better, Strength Maintenance) and activities (Mahjong, Duplicate Bridge, Sunday Games) that the Center offers on an ongoing basis. And did I mention the art courses and gathering of creative folk (Fiber Arts, Arts Group on Fridays, Writers Group, Shape-Note Singing)? You are always welcome to come and try something out—with no charge—to see if it’s right for you.
Art News
The June Art Exhibit features the colorful, abstract acrylic paintings of Robin Grace. She says, “I was born in Western Australia and throughout many changes, painting has always been a sustaining factor in my life. Color and the exploration of shape and line, along with gesture and music, are all part of my intuitive abstract paintings.” You are invited to the artist’s casual reception on June 9, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
When you plan to visit the show, please note the best times to see art exhibits below since the Center’s exhibition space is used for many other events and classes. Call ahead to check if you can.
Best times to see art exhibits in June are after 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays (except 6/13 and 8/18) & Fridays. 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.
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. (We are probably not what you expected!)
The Center is at 212 Ferry Road, Charlotte and is open Monday – 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. No membership fees.
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
If you enjoy The Charlotte News, please consider making a donation. Your gift will help us produce more stories like this. The majority of our budget comes from charitable contributions. Your gift helps sustain The Charlotte News, keeping it a free service for everyone in town. Thank you.
Scooter MacMillan, Editor