Get into the festive holiday spirit at the senior center
The holiday season is upon us and there are plenty of opportunities to get into the festive spirit.
Join librarians from Charlotte, Hinesburg and Shelburne for an afternoon filled with book recommendations and light refreshments as a relaxing way to search for the perfect gift. Age Well will offer a sit-down holiday meal followed by the Segel Family Christmas concert.
And to find some calm within the hectic holiday season, focus on self-care by participating in the winter solstice meditation.
Don’t forget the gift of life and consider donating blood at this month’s Red Cross Blood Drive at the senior center.
Please note that the senior center will be closed on Friday, Dec. 22 at noon and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Age Well Grab-&-Go meals will be distributed on Thursday, Dec. 28 even though the senior center is closed.
Programs
December artist exhibit
The Champlain Valley Quilt Guild of Vermont is a non-profit organization that strives to promote an interest in the art of quilting while also providing comfort to those in the community by donating quilts to organizations, such as the Vermont Respite House, The Ronald McDonald House, Vermont Quilts of Valor and UVM Medical Center. Every year the guild has a different quilt theme challenge for its members. This year’s quilt challenge is the theme of animals.
AARP Smart Driver course
Thursday, Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The AARP Smart Driver course is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older, to help refresh 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. Register early as class size is limited to 15. Checks should be made out to AARP. Cost:$25 or $20 for AARP members. Register by Monday, Dec. 4.
Wrapping up a good read
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of gift shopping and good cheer as librarians from the Charlotte, Hinesburg and Shelburne libraries come to the senior center to share their favorite reads for the season. Refreshments served. Book copies will be available for purchase thanks to the Flying Pig Bookstore. Free but registration recommended.
Age Well holiday meal
Wednesday, Dec. 13, noon
Join into a festive holiday sit-down dinner provided by Age Well. The menu is stuffed chicken breast with apple-cranberry stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll and pumpkin bar with white chips and craisins for dessert. Registration and $5 lunch donation required by Thursday, Dec. 7. You will need to have a completed 24FY Age Well Registration form on file.
Segel family Christmas concert
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m.
Come and hear the Segel children perform a Christmas piano and violin concert at the Senior Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. Juna (16), Jack (14), Hannah (9) and Ada (6) will be playing a variety of festive arrangements, including a special violin trio. Free but registration recommended.
Alzheimer’s caregivers support group
Thursday, Dec. 14, 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 contact Susan Cartwright.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, Dec. 21, 1-6 p.m.
Please consider donating blood. The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit the website and enter: CHARLOTTE to schedule an appointment.
Winter solstice meditation
Friday, Dec. 22, 5-6 p.m.
Join Charlie Nardozzi and Heidi Kvasnak for a candlelight, winter-solstice meditation, which will include gentle seated movement and soft chanting, to prepare your body for a time of quiet, silent meditation, ending in chant. On this auspicious evening you will practice to anchor yourself in the inner stillness and light of your being, so that you may welcome the holidays with grounded awareness. Let’s celebrate the transition from the longest night of the year to the lengthening days of light. No experience necessary. Suggested donation of $5-$15. Registration suggested,
Meals
Menus are posted on the website.
Monday lunches
Lunch is served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or until the food runs out. Suggested lunch donation $5. No registration required.
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.
Note: For Christmas week, there will be an Age Well Grab & Go meal pick-up on Thursday, Dec. 28, 10-11 a.m. No late pick-ups as the senior center is closed this week.
Weather cancellation policy
When the local schools are in session, the Charlotte Senior Center follows the Champlain Valley School District for weather-related cancellations. When school is not in session and there is inclement weather, a cancellation determination will be made by 8 a.m. Cancellation notices will be posted on the senior center website and on the outgoing voice message. An email will be sent to those who have signed up to receive the email newsletter.
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.
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.
Lori York, director
Jenn Lawson, coordinator
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345