A cool place to hang out in more ways than one
The lazy days of summer have arrived, and in Vermont it feels like there is always this balance between spending as much time outside while also looking for ways to escape the heat.
The Charlotte Senior Center and Charlotte Library are designated cooling centers with air-conditioned facilities to cool down during hot weather. Feel free to come out of the heat, play board and card games, watch a movie, enjoy a tasty lunch or spend time catching up with friends.
There are also opportunities to spend time outdoors whether it is kayaking, joining a birding expedition, playing croquet on the side lawn or just hanging out on the patio and reading a book.
Community cooling centers help provide temporary relief and are especially helpful when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or excessive heat warning. During a heat advisory or excessive heat warning, notices will be placed in Front Porch Forum in addition to notices on other social media, the senior center and the library websites.
The July/August newsletter is now available at the senior center and on the website.
Programs
Italian for Total Beginners
Fridays, 10-11 a.m., July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5 and 12 (six weeks)
Are you interested in learning Italian? Do you dream of traveling to Italy and ordering your morning cappuccino in a sun-drenched piazza? Then this class is for you. Join Nicole Librandi and begin your study of Italian — while also having fun. Cost: $48. Register by July 5.
Writing group
Personal non-fiction: Memoir, poetry and personal essays
Tuesdays, July 12 and Aug. 9, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
This new writing group, focused on writing memoirs, poetry or personal essays, will meet monthly during the summer and weekly in the fall. It’s free but registration is required. Space is limited.
Outdoor activities
Birding
Wednesdays, July 13 & Aug. 17, 9 a.m.
Join Hank Kaestner for the July and August birding expeditions. It’s free but registration is required. Group size is limited. To register, email and include your name and phone number.
Kayak trips for women Friday mornings
July 8: Kayak Missisquoi Bay and July 22: Kayak Lamoille River
Kayak trips for active women who share a love for exploring local lakes, ponds and rivers. Weather permitting, the kayak trips will happen on the second and fourth Friday mornings of the month throughout the summer and early fall. To register your interest, email Susan Hyde at to be placed on a list of paddlers. An email will be sent to the list regarding the details of the specific kayak trips.
Presentations
Clear the clutter
Wednesday, July 6, at 1 p.m.
Feeling confused, overwhelmed or even ashamed of the clutter around your home? Looking to downsize but don’t know where to begin? Join Vermont professional organizer Ellen Gurwitz of De-clutter Me! for a discussion on how to clear clutter in the different rooms of your home and tips on how to get started.
Understanding terrorist ideologies
Wednesday, July 13, 1 p.m.
In the past decades the news highlights an increasing level of criminal activity and terrorism both internationally and domestically on U.S. soil. What are the common ideologies of criminals and terrorists and what risks and vulnerabilities allow for the rise in these criminal attacks? Join Victor Vella, retired director of the Antiterrorism Service Program U.S. Department of Defense, as he shares his experience in federal law enforcement, as a security director for the U.S. Navy, United Kingdom and Northern Europe.
Dragonheart Vermont
Wednesday, July 27, 1 p.m.
Join Dragonheart Vermont’s executive director Nina Atkinson and team paddler Ellen Gurwitz for a preview of the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival, benefitting local cancer survivors, on Sunday, Aug. 7. Just back from the Club Crew World Championships, they also will share stories about competing there, representing Dragonheart Vermont and the United States.
Community health
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Tuesdays, July 12, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and July 26, 9:30-3:30 p.m.
Free Garnet Healthcare walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics — no appointments necessary. Vaccines and boosters are available for Pediatric Pfizer (ages 5-11); Adult Pfizer (12+) and Moderna (18+). As the state of Vermont releases details about the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, the senior center’s website will be updated about the availability of these vaccines. Also check out the state of Vermont website for the most updated information.
Volunteer opportunities
The Charlotte Senior Center would not be able to provide the wide variety of programming without the support of dedicated volunteers. Please share your time and talents to build a stronger community. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kerrie Pughe.
Senior center contact info:
Lori York, director, email
Kerrie Pughe, coordinator, email
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345
Follow the senior center on Facebook or Instagram.