Celebrate ‘Packed-tober,’ a month full of programming

October is another packed month of programming at the senior center.

There is a new tai chi movement class and the return of evening meditation with Charlie Nardozzi. There is an afternoon author discussion on The Long Grief Journey and an evening presentation about Green Energy — the Greening of Energy Electric Cars and the Rise of the Lithium-ion Battery.

New this month will be a lunch-and-learn about reading and understanding the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) and a presentation about transitioning to senior housing.

Programs

Introduction to tai chi
Mondays, Oct. 9-30, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Join Kristin Borquist for a four-week tai chi movement series. Rather than learning the tai chi set, each class explores one of the movement principles of tai chi that you can integrate into your daily life and all your other activities. For questions, email. $40 for the four-week session or $10 per drop-in class. Registration recommended.

Meditation
Wednesdays, Oct. 18-Nov. 15, 5-6 p.m.
As the days shorten and the weather turns cooler, it’s a great time to start meditating again. Come join Charlie Nardozzi for this five-week meditation series. No experience necessary. The meditation class will be broadcast live via Zoom (and recorded). Even if you miss a class everyone, who signs up will get the recording each week! $50 for the five-week session. Registration and payment required.

Presentations

Lunch & Learn: How to read your medicare summary notice (MSN)
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 12:30-2 p.m.
Medicare summary notices, or MSNs, are monthly statements from Medicare that detail medical expenses and reimbursements. These are important documents, but it can be difficult to read and even a little bit intimidating to open and really take a look. Join Vermont Senior Medicare Patrol for this lunch and learn on how to read your Medicare summary notices. Learn how to break down the information simply and explore how to be protected from Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. Cost: $5 for the lunch.

Transitioning to a senior living community
Thursday, Oct. 12, 1 p.m.
Transitioning from a long-time home to a senior living community can be emotionally challenging, particularly when it comes to letting go of belongings. Join Alicia Fleming, founder and owner of Golden Guide Senior Living Advisor, as she discusses home-based, person-centered solutions, resources to help remove obstacles and how to manage emotional ties with greater ease. Registration recommended. Free. Light refreshments provided.

The “Greening” of Energy: Electric Cars and the Rise of the Lithium-ion Battery
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.
Join The “Greening” of Energy: Electric Cars and the Rise of the Lithium-ion Battery, Paul Wagenhofer’s presentation on his personal views on “green energy.” Wagenhofer has spent his 40-year career as a geophysicist in oil and gas exploration. With the current global warming crisis, it becomes necessary to re-think the use of energy and the need to develop mitigating and practical solutions to the warming situation. Free.

Internet browsing basics
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 1-2 p.m.
Build skills and get comfortable using a web browser, performing searches and navigating websites in this hands-on workshop. Learn helpful terminology and practice with other learners in a supportive environment. Laptops and snacks provided. Registration required. Free. Supported by AT&T and the Public Library Association.

‘The Long Grief Journey’
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m.
Grief can be messy and does not follow a specific timeline. Join co-authors Pamela Blair and Bradie Hansen as they discuss their book, “The Long Grief Journey.” This book is a resource that covers the challenges that long-term grievers encounter and discusses finding hope again after death. Registration recommended. Free.

Programs

AARP Smart Driver course
Thursday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The AARP Smart Driver course is designed especially for drivers 50 and older. It will help you refresh your driving skills and may even help save on auto insurance. AARP members can take the course at a discounted rate. Please plan to bring lunch. Checks should be made out to AARP. Cost: $25 or $20 for AARP members. Register by Monday, Oct. 16.

Art exhibit: Playing with Sticks
Check out this unique art show where botanical materials from Vermont gardens, fields and woods are given prominence by artist Alice Trageser, who is a Charlotte gardener and retired art teacher. There is an artist reception on Friday, Oct. 20, 4-6 p.m.

Alzheimer’s caregivers support group
Thursday, Oct. 12, 5-6 p.m.
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? Do you know someone who is? Please join 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 more information or questions email Susan Cartwright.

Meals

Menus are posted on the website.

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

Men’s breakfast
Thursday, Oct. 12, 7-9:30 a.m.
On the second Thursday of the month, the men gather for breakfast and conversation. This month, Ken Albert will talk about vineyards and winemaking. Afterward, for those interested, there will be a tour of the Shelburne Vineyard and winery. Registration required by Tuesday for the Thursday breakfast. Suggested donation: $6.

Weekly Age Well Grab & Go meals
Pick up on Thursdays, 10-11 a.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.

Senior center info:
The senior center offers programs for adults 50 and older from Charlotte and surrounding communities. Priority is given to seniors, but programs are open to adults of all ages. Programs include weekly lunches, daily exercise classes and many opportunities to connect through board and card games and art and language programming. If you haven’t been to the Senior Center, please stop by and visit.

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

Lori York, director
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345
charlotteseniorcentervt.org

Follow the senior center on Facebook or Instagram.