Senior Center News – March 10, 2022

Photo by Lori York Jonathan Hart teaches beginners the game of backgammon on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons at the senior center.
Jonathan Hart teaches beginners the game of backgammon on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons at the senior center. Photo by Lori York.

What do Scrabble, backgammon, cribbage and Texas hold ‘em have in common?

They are all new groups forming at the senior center. If board and card games are not your cup of tea, then grab a bowl of popcorn from our café and join us for a film screening.

The senior center is buzzing with lots of conversation, laughter, many new faces and returning friends. How refreshing it is to be able to start socializing again.

New this month are a coffee and canvas session, a program about navigating Zoom and a workshop on how to record your oral history using your smart phone.

Welcome spring with the return of birding expeditions with Hank Kaestner. And don’t forget to join the Zoom presentation about the Charlotte Land Trust’s new farm study and what it reveals about farming, our economy and way of life in Vermont.

The senior center’s March newsletter is now posted on the website, or follow us on Facebook.

Meals and conversation
Monday lunches: Lunch is served every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Take-out is an option. Suggested lunch donation of $5.
Monday, March 14: Chicken tortilla soup served with salad and a homemade dessert.
Monday, March 21: Homemade macaroni & cheese, salad and frosted German chocolate cupcakes with ice cream.

Men’s breakfast
For breakfast and conversation, join the next men’s breakfast on Thursday, April 14, from 7-9 a.m. The guest speaker is Andrea Rodgers, founding member and former CEO of the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. Rodgers will be speaking about the issues around performing arts in Vermont, especially during COVID. To register, please email Tim McCullough at by Tuesday, April 12. Suggested breakfast donation: $5.

Grab & Go Meals provided by Age Well:
Pick up on Thursdays 11 a.m. – noon at the Charlotte Senior Center. Pre-register by Monday for the Thursday meal by email at or call 802-425-6345.
Thursday, March 17: Beef round, boiled potatoes, cabbage and carrots in beef stock and leprechaun cake with frosting.
Thursday, March 24: Roast pork with sauce, mashed potatoes, peas and onions, and oatmeal raisin cookie.

Open café
Friday mornings, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Come join us for some coffee or tea and enjoy a morning treat. This is a great opportunity to join your friends or meet new ones while spending time in our sunny café.

Upcoming program and events
Passing, Thursday, March 31, 1-3 p.m.
Award-winning film screened with Sean Moran of the adaptation of 1929 novel by Nella Larsen. Set in the 1920s New York City, this is the story of a Black woman finding her world upended when her life intersects with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white. Free, but registration is required as there is limited seating. Call 802-425-6345 or stop by the Senior Center.

Coffee and canvas
Wednesday, March 16, 10-11:30 a.m., $25. Register by Monday, March 14.
Limited to 12. Bring a friend and enjoy a relaxing morning sipping coffee and Picasso-inspired acrylic painting on canvas with Sherry Senior. Explore and create your own unique painting, but don’t worry, there will be plenty of inspiration and lots of instruction. No prior experience needed. All materials included.

Birding expedition with Hank Kaestner
On Wednesday, March 16, meet at the center 10 minutes prior to 9 a.m. departure to carpool to spectacular bird-watching location. Free but registration required by email. Include your name and phone number.

Capturing your oral history by audio recording with Dan York
Friday, March 18, 1-2:30 p.m.
You may have heard that story from a relative a hundred times, but is it actually captured anywhere for future generations? In this workshop you’ll learn about—and try out—some of the tools and techniques for recording audio stories, including remote interviews using just a smartphone. Registration required by Wednesday, March 16. Group size is limited. Free.

Navigate Zoom with Susanna Kahn
Wednesday, March 23, 11 a.m. – noon
Everyone is on Zoom these days. Join tech librarian Susanna Kahn and learn the Zoom basics. Take-home instructions will be provided as well as an opportunity to practice your new skills with a follow-up meeting on Zoom. Registration required by Monday, March 21. Free.

Duplicate bridge
The senior center is looking for someone to teach a class on duplicate bridge for beginners. There is also interest in a duplicate bridge class for students having some bridge experience. If you are available to instruct a six- to eight-week program on the basics of duplicate bridge, contact Lane Morrison.

Farms in Charlotte: Who, what, where and how?
Wednesday, March 23, 1 p.m. Zoom only.
Presented on behalf of the Charlotte Land Trust and facilitated by the Charlotte Grange. Learn what a new study by the Charlotte Land Trust reveals about farming as it impacts our economy and way of life.

Ongoing exercise and health classes
The center offers daily exercise programs for a wide range of fitness and activities levels. A complete list of our exercise programs is on our website at charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

Questions? New to the area? Thinking of Volunteering?
The senior center is at 212 Ferry Road in Charlotte. Hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, or call 802-425-6345, or email director Lori York.

Residents over 50 from other communities are always welcome.


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