Learn a new language or brush up on your conversation skills

Lori York, Charlotte Senior Center Director

Trying to brush up on your language conversation skills?

A conversation group is a great way to practice and build a community of people interested in learning a language. At the senior center, conversation groups include French, German, Italian and Spanish.

The senior center continues to provide services ranging from weekly meals, complimentary hearing tests and hearing aid cleanings, the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group and fresh vegetables from Full Moon Farm.

And save the date for local author Marilyn Webb Neagley who will lead a discussion around her latest memoir.

If you haven’t been to the senior center, please stop by and visit. The senior center offers programs for adults 50 and older from Charlotte and surrounding communities.

Photo by Lori York. From left, Cheryl Sloan, Sean Moran and Ruth Whitaker stand with some of the produce from Full Moon Farm that is given away weekly at the senior center to those who are over 60 years old as part of the Locally Yours program.
Photo by Lori York. From left, Cheryl Sloan, Sean Moran and Ruth Whitaker stand with some of the produce from Full Moon Farm that is given away weekly at the senior center to those who are over 60 years old as part of the Locally Yours program.

Priority is given to seniors, but programs are open to adults of all ages. Interested in receiving a weekly reminder about what is happening? Sign up for the email newsletters at CharlotteSeniorCenterVT.org. The “Week Ahead” email is sent out on Friday mornings with activities, lunch menus and special programs for the upcoming week.

Languages

French conversation
Mondays, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Parlez-vous français? This is a group of intermediate group of French speakers who meet weekly for French conversation. As the group grows, there may be opportunities to split according to skill levels. Questions? Contact Roberta Whitmore at [email protected]. Free. No registration required.

Spanish conversation
Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m.
¿Hablas español? This group meets weekly. At each session one member of the group will announce the topic of conversation for the following week. Come join the group for conversation in Spanish. Questions? Contact Bernice Wesseling. Free. No registration required.

German conversation
Thursdays, 3-4 p.m.
Möchtest du dein Deutsch üben? Come join this group to meet other German speakers and practice your German. No agenda, just a casual conversation. All experience levels are welcome. Questions? Contact Dan York. Free. No registration required.

Italian conversation
Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon
Ciao amici! Do you have a passion for all things Italian? Are you eager to brush up on your Italian language skills and to meet others who share your love for the Italian language and lifestyle? This self-led conversation group welcomes Italian language enthusiasts at all levels and provides an opportunity to practice conversational Italian in a relaxed environment. Feel free to spread the word and invite others who might be interested. Free. No registration required.

Community programs

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group
Thursday, Sept. 14, 5-6 p.m.
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? Do you know someone who is? Please join us for the monthly Caregiver Support Group on the second Thursday of each month from 5-6 p.m. The meetings provide a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. For additional information or questions please contact Susan Cartwright.

Hearing loss presentation with free hearing test & hearing aid cleaning
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m.
Join Julie Bier, audiologist at Better Living Audiology, for a short presentation about the first signs of hearing loss and dealing with tinnitus and balance issues to help prevent falls. One in three people over age 60 have hearing loss and only about 13 percent of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical, so it can go untreated. The presentation will last about 15 minutes and be followed by a complimentary hearing screening with free cleanings of hearing aids. Registration required.

Author discussion: Marilyn Webb Neagley
Thursday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Join local non-fiction author Marilyn Webb Neagley for a discussion about her newest book “Attic of Dreams: A Memoir.” Neagley has spent most of her life in Shelburne. Starting her career as an architectural interior designer, Neagley veered toward environmental stewardship and became president of Shelburne Farms. She has been a commentator for Vermont Public Radio and written essays for her local newspaper. She previously wrote “Walking through the Seasons,” which won an award for best Northeastern non-fiction. Registration recommended. Free.

Photo by Karen Tuininga. Boats wait for paddlers at the Try Out A Boat outing to Ferrisburgh Town Beach. This was the fourth time the event was scheduled and the first time it wasn’t rained out.
Photo by Karen Tuininga. Boats wait for paddlers at the Try Out A Boat outing to Ferrisburgh Town Beach. This was the fourth time the event was scheduled and the first time it wasn’t rained out.

Free local produce and fruit
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.
The senior center is participating in the Locally Yours community supported agriculture program, and produce from Full Moon Farm in Hinesburg is dropped at the senior center weekly free for participants 60 and over. It’s first-come, first-served with the intention that one or two people won’t take all the produce, instead taking only what they will use. No registration required.

Weekly Age Well Grab & Go meals
Pick up on Thursdays 10-11a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. Registration is required by Monday for the Thursday meal. $5 suggested meal donation but not required. To register, call 802-425-6345 or email.

Programs & activities

Backgammon league
Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.
Backgammon is a tactical table game with a 5,000-year history. Open to all adults, not just seniors. If you are interested in joining the Tuesday evening backgammon league, email [email protected]. No registration required. Cost: $3.

Photo by Lori York. From left, Judy Tuttle, Katie Franko and John Hammer hang artwork for the Senior Art Show at the Charlotte Senior Center.
Photo by Lori York. From left, Judy Tuttle, Katie Franko and John Hammer hang artwork for the Senior Art Show at the Charlotte Senior Center.

Birding expedition
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m.
There are a wide range of birding habitats in Chittenden County. Join avid bird watcher Hank Kaestner and learn to identify the various bird species and habitats right here in Vermont. Group size is limited. Free. Registration required.

Glorious fall watercolor class
Tuesdays, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10 & 17, 9 a.m.-noon
This four-week session with Lynn Cummings will explore color mixing and color choices for fall paintings, creating texture, getting more light into paintings and painting fall-themed still lifes and landscapes. Some experience with watercolor is helpful. Supply list will be emailed a week before class begins. Questions? Please email. Cost: $165. Registration and payment required to reserve a space.

Meals
Menus are posted on the website.

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

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