Senior Center News – July 15, 2021

“One does not grow wiser by knowing more but by becoming less certain.”
~ Robert Brault

“Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age.
Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.”
~ Tom Wilson.

After many months, we are finally open again! The OPEN flag is out. If you’d like to stop by to participate or to visit between 9:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m./ during the week, please check out our guidance about wearing a mask here:

Mask notes
If you are . . . fully vaccinated:
No mask required. No social distancing required.
If you are … not vaccinated:
Mask required. (Also in exercise classes). Social distancing required – six feet. (Also in exercise classes).
If you are … not vaccinated and not wearing a mask (for any reason):
Kindly do not plan to visit at this time. We ask that you come back when the mask guidance for the Senior Center is updated. We want to keep everyone safe and comfortable.

Lunches
The next two lunches in July are scheduled for Monday, 7/26, at 11:30 a.m., and Wednesday, 7/28, at noon.

Monday Munch is prepared by volunteer cook teams. Currently, we are planning on two Mondays a month. We are looking for a few more folks who can lend a hand on this day of the week. More cook teams up and running will mean more Monday lunches. A volunteer cook commitment can be for a little as two – three hours a month. If you have questions, please email Lori York or call (802) 425-6345 for more information.

7/26, Monday, at 11:30 a.m.
No reservations are needed for Mondays. Serving time is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—just like before. First come, first served. Menu to be announced.

7/28, Wednesday, at noon
Reservations are required; be sure to call in yours to (802) 425-6345 by noon, July 26.
This meal will be prepared by Chef Arnd of The Residence at Shelburne Bay. Menu to be announced.

Dates for August lunches will be announced.

Dishwashers are needed for both Mondays and Wednesdays. Looking for a few good hands to wash dishes and clean up. The volunteer commitment would be roughly 60–90 minutes for one day (or more) a month. A delicious lunch is included. Please email Lori York or call (802) 425-6345 for more information.

The summer months are a transition period, and that means some Activities and Courses are back to being in person, while others remain on Zoom through August.

In-person courses & activities
Chair yoga – Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Duplicate bridge – Monday, 12:30 p.m.
Essentrics – Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., and Friday, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber arts group – Thursday, 9:15 a.m.–noon
Fri. Arts group – Friday, 10 a.m. – noon
Gents breakfast – Thursday, 7:00 a.m., 7/15 & 8/12
Mahjong – Tuesday, 12:30 p.m.
Pilates plus+ – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Pilates – Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
Play reading – Thursday, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7/22 & 8/19
Strength maintenance – Tuesday & Friday, 11:00 a.m.
T’ai chi – advanced – Thursday, 11:00 a.m.

7/30. Kayaking for women (change from 7/23)
Destination: Waterbury Reservoir – Susan Hyde and Nancy Brentschneider. For more information, please email Susan Hyde directly. Registration required. Maximum is determined by leaders.

New courses in July
If you act quickly, you can still sign up for these art courses. Both are in person; one is in the Senior Center café, and one is outdoors. If possible, please register for these online. (See how to register at the end of this article). Or, you can call (802) 425-6345 and register with a volunteer host.

7/21. Painting in scenic places, with Linda Reynolds. Register by 7/16. Fee $100 for the series of four. Outdoors. Four three-hour classes, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Dates: 7/21 or 7/22; 7/28 or 7/29; 8/4 or 8/5; and 8/11 or 8/12 (The better weather report for either Wednesday or Thursday decides the day; rain dates, if necessary). Bring your watercolors or pastels for painting outdoors in beautiful, inspiring spots. With demonstrations, exercises, encouragement and gentle advice, learn new ways of observing and using alternative drawing/painting tools and techniques. Limited to six participants. After registration, you will receive a list of locations and what to bring. Registration and payment are due by 7/16 to hold your spot.

7/27. Watercolor – Summer splash! with Lynn Cummings. Register by 7/20. Fee $77. In person at the Senior Center. Tuesday, 7/27. All-day workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Get your creative juices flowing in a one-day workshop where we’ll explore a few non-traditional methods of painting summer flowers with interesting backgrounds. Some experience with watercolor helpful. The materials list will be sent to you upon completion of your registration. Questions? Email Lynn Cummings. Registration and payment must be received by 7/20 to hold your spot.

Zoom courses & activities (These will remain on ZOOM through August).
Better balance – Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.
French conversation gathering – Monday, 2:00 p.m.
Gentle yoga – Monday, 11:00 a.m.
Italian – all four classes
Mindfulness meditation practice – Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.
Spanish conversation – Tuesday, 11:00 a.m.
T’ai chi for beginners – Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Talks at 1:00 p.m. – Wednesdays
These free talks are continuing online throughout August. They do not require advance registration, and closed captioning is included. The Zoom invitation/link to each talk is posted on the website the day before.

Note: The following three talks have all been rescheduled to these dates.

7/21. The beauty and goodness of trees, with Jonathan Silverman. Integral to our planet’s health and used as important resources, trees are also seen as powerful symbols and artistic inspiration in the folklore of different cultures throughout history. Emeritus Professor Silverman will survey drawn, painted and sculpted interpretations of trees to enrich our relationship to and aesthetic awareness of them. Co-sponsored by The Charlotte Library.

7/28. Biking in the Dolomites with Don Porter. Follow a troupe of intrepid bikers on a short sprint in Italy through some of the most beautiful mountain terrain in the world.

8/4. Who Was Mark Rothko? with Linda Finkelstein. Marcus Rotkovitch was born in Dvinsk, Latvia, and immigrated to Portland, Oregon, as a youngster. After being recruited to Yale, he eventually settled in New York City to become a world-renowned abstract painter. His journey will be a journey for all into the spirit of color, form and space. Linda Finkelstein is a mixed media artist and former art teacher, with degrees in art history and art education (Rescheduled from 7/21).

How to register for a course
To register, email your name, mailing address and phone number. Be sure to type in the title of the course in the subject line of your email. You will receive confirmation that you are registered. The invitation/link for the course will be sent to you by the instructor the week the class starts.

How to pay

  • If there is a fee, kindly pay by check (made out to CSC) and send to: CSC, P.O. Box 207, Charlotte, VT 05445. Be sure to note the full title of the course in the memo line of your check.
  • For ongoing exercise courses, please pay at the end of each month for the classes attended. Unless otherwise stated, tally your attendance and figure $5 per class hour. (This price will continue through August—for both in-person and Zoom courses.)
  • For all courses with specific starting and ending dates, please pay at the start, and note the fee listed in the course description.

Questions? Need help with Zooming? Please send an email.

For expanded course descriptions see the printed summer schedule or visit the Senior Center website. The mission of the Senior Center is to serve those 50 and up; some course enrollments are limited, and if a course is not full, younger participants are welcome to enroll. This transition time is confusing, so please call with any questions: (802) 425-6345. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Charlotte Senior Center
(802) 425-6345