Senior center abbreviating hours for the holidays

Recently retired or new to the area? Looking to make new connections and friendships?

Visit the Charlotte Senior Center, tour the building and learn about the classes and volunteer opportunities. The senior center offers programming for adults age 50 and older from Charlotte and surrounding communities.

There is no membership fee to attend, though the center relies on volunteers to provide the wide variety of programming. The senior center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and it also offers some weeknight and weekend programming. Stop by and check it out.

Photo by Lori York. Ruth Whitaker of Shelburne stands with a quilt created by members of Quilts of Valor, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with quilts.
Photo by Lori York.
Ruth Whitaker of Shelburne stands with a quilt created by members of Quilts of Valor, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with quilts.

Interested in receiving a weekly reminder about what is happening at the senior center? Sign up for the email newsletters. The “Week Ahead” email is sent out on Friday mornings with activities, lunch menus and special programming for the upcoming week.

Holiday hours
Friday, Dec. 23, closing at noon.
Monday, Dec 26, closed in observance of Christmas.
Monday, Jan. 2, closed in observance of New Year’s Day.
For the week between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec. 27-Dec. 30), the Charlotte Senior Center will be closing at noon. Please check the calendar to confirm that a program is being held.

Community events

Blood drive
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2-7 p.m.
Please consider donating blood during the holiday season at the American Red Cross blood drive at the senior center. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit the Red Cross website and enter CHARLOTTE to schedule an appointment.

Presentations
Quinlan Schoolhouse
Thursday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.
Join members of the Quinlan Schoolhouse committee to learn more about this historical gem in the community. A video will be shown (length: 39 minutes) about the story of the historic Quinlan Schoolhouse. After the video, there will be a guided tour of the schoolhouse that is located between the Charlotte Library and the Town offices. Come learn about this gem in Charlotte.

Art exhibit
Wind Castles — and Beyond. Photography by Rachel Doran
Photographer Rachel Doran has been exhibiting for about 25 years. This exhibit includes many photographs of Vermont landscapes, as well as glimpses of New York State and Ontario, Canada. It is designed to show the beauty around the region, as well as hints of what is happening because of climate change.

Exercise classes
The senior center offers daily exercise programs for a wide range of fitness and activity levels. A complete list of exercise programs and class descriptions is on the website.

Programs
Shape-note singing
Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-3 p.m.
Traditional a cappella, four-part harmony sung for the joy of singing, not as a practice for performance. Search “sacred harp” on YouTube for examples, then come and sing. Introduction to shape notes and scales is recommended and offered 30 minutes before each first Sunday singing. Contact Kerry Cullinan to schedule. There is no cost.

Holiday glass ornament decorating
Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-2 p.m.
Join Lynn Cummings and learn to decorate one-of-a-kind transparent glass or glass-like ornaments in this short, fun workshop. Inks, two transparent balls and other necessary supplies will be provided. If you wish to make more than two ornaments, please bring a few transparent glass or plastic balls. Ribbons will be provided, but feel free to bring additional small ribbons (1/8 to half-inch ribbons about 18 inches long). Registration and pre-payment required. Space is limited, so register soon. Cost is $25 and includes supplies.

Play reading
Thursday, Dec. 15, 1-3:30 p.m.
This is table reading fun — no experience is needed. The group meets monthly and is for people who enjoy reading plays aloud or listening to others. This is a good-sized group but always welcomes newcomers. There are many women to play the roles but the group is currently short on men. Scripts are provided and parts assigned. If you have questions or would just like to stop by and listen to the group, email us.

Coffee & canvas — winterscapes
Friday, Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Unlike traditional paint & sips, this “coffee & canvas” will allow for exploring and creating a unique painting. No prior painting experience needed. All materials included. The cost is $25. Registration and payment required to hold your space. Register by Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Volunteer opportunities
A key component of the Senior Center’s continuing success is the involvement of many volunteers, without whose work the center could not operate as it does. Hosts greet and direct participants; cooking crews dish up delicious weekly lunches, wash dishes, bake and make treats. Volunteers maintain our garden areas; present special lectures and programs; and staff the plant sale, social events and Red Cross blood drives. Interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities at the senior center? Contact Kerrie Pughe or call 802-425-6345.

Meals

Menus are posted on the website.

Men’s breakfast
Thursday, Dec. 8, 7-9:30 a.m.
On the second Thursday of the month, the men gather for breakfast and conversation. December’s guest speaker is John Cohn, an expert in artificial intelligence and distinguishing fantasy from reality. Register by noon Tuesday, Dec. 6, by emailing contact Tim McCullough. Suggested breakfast donation is $6.

Monday lunches
Served weekly. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., or until the food runs out. No registration required. Suggested lunch donation, $5.

Weekly Age Well Grab & Go meals
Pick up on Thursdays 10-11 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. Menus are posted on the Charlotte Senior Center website at charlotteseniorcentervt.org. Registration is required by Monday for the Thursday meal. To register, contact Kerrie Pughe or call 802-425-6345. A $5 donation is suggested.

Senior center contact info:
Lori York, director
Kerrie Pughe, coordinator
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345
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