Charlotte is vibrant with resources helping people live well while aging
A vibrant community has the resources in place for adults to live well as they age. In Charlotte, we are fortunate to have the senior center as a community resource providing access to many support services such as Age Well meals, Alzheimer’s support, veterans assistance, and Bone Builders through the United Way.
There are regular social services organizations presentations geared towards issues facing aging adults and activities that provide socialization and a community gathering place. This month check out the new watercolor workshop for beginners, a birding trip, the walking and gentle hiking group or consider taking a beginner Italian class.
Community services
Alzheimer’s caregivers support group
Wednesday, April 10, 4-5 p.m.
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? Do you know someone who is? Please join the monthly Caregivers Support Group on the second Wednesday of each month from 4-5 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. New date and time option to attend by Zoom or in-person. For additional information or to receive the Zoom meeting link, email Susan Cartwright.
Navigating VA benefits
Tuesday, April 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join Bob Stock, veterans outreach specialist with the South Burlington Vet Center. He will assist veterans and their families regarding available VA benefits and related issues. No registration necessary. Drop-in anytime on Tuesday, April 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Plant sale planning meeting
Friday, April 19, 1 p.m.
It is time to plan for the Friends of the Charlotte Senior Center’s annual plant sale. If you are interested in attending this planning meeting or helping out with the plant sale, please sign up at the senior center. Questions? Email Email Polly.
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.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, April 25, 1-6 p.m.
Please consider donating blood at the Charlotte Senior Center. 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.
Programs & events
April artist exhibit
Found and Fiddled With
This month’s exhibit, “Found and Fiddled With” pretty much describes Jan Lawson’s style, themes, palette and materials. Many of her pieces reflect her emotions, ranging from the whimsical light-heartedness of snagging a mermaid and parading chickens to the despair of an earthquake, hunger, and the horror of war. Jan enjoys experimenting with the juxtaposition of colors and shapes in abstracts and collage. Most of her frames and surfaces are found at yard sales and resale shops. She paints over what she finds and fiddles with the various frames. Some dents, dings, and scratches remain, lending patina and history.
Kirtan
Friday, April 12, 5-6:30 p.m.
Join Charlie Nardozzi and Heidi Kvasnak for a spring kirtan on April 12. Kirtans are heart-centered practices where participants sing ancient yogic chants or songs that are simple and repetitive with the intention of creating a feeling of connection to yourself and others. Everyone is encouraged to join in and sing in unison or in call and response. If you prefer to listen, you’ll still experience the peaceful benefits of coming together in community and taking in this beautiful ancient practice. Chant sheets will be available and there will be time between the chants for short, quiet meditation. Registration suggested. Suggested donation of $5-$15.
Italian for total beginners
Fridays, April 12-May 17, 10-11 a.m.
Are you interested in beginning your study of Italian? Join this group to explore the beauty of the Italian language and culture. For questions about whether this class is the correct level, email Nicole Librandi. Cost: $60. Registration and payment required by Monday, April 8
Beginner watercolor workshop
Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
If you’ve always wanted to try watercolor but were too intimidated, “The Sky’s The Limit!” with Ginny Joyner is the class for you. Every landscape painting starts with a great sky. Learn the basics of water and washes while exploring ways to create clouds, gradations and depth. You will learn the properties of a variety of blue shades and experience the “zen” of watching paint dry. Each month you will add to your repertoire of subject matter and explore new techniques. Class limit 10 students. For more information about Ginny Joyner, please check out her website. Registration required. Cost: $35.00 plus $6.00 supply fee which is paid to the instructor.
Outdoors
Birding expedition
Wednesday, April 17, 9 a.m. departure
There is 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 to 20 participants. Free, but registration required.
Walking and gentle hiking group
Thursday, April 25, 9 a.m.
Enjoy the beauty of nature. Come walk at a gentle pace with other seniors. The group will meet each month for a congenial non-strenuous walk. Location to be determined based on conditions of the local walks. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Charlotte Senior Center. Questions? Call Penny Burman at 916-753-7279. Registration appreciated. Free.
Meals
Menus are posted on the website.
Monday lunches
Served weekly. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or until the food runs out. Suggested lunch donation $5. No registration required.
Men’s breakfast
Friday, April 12, 7:30 a.m.
On the second Friday of the month, the men gather for breakfast and conversation. The doors open at 7 a.m., and breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. The speaker this month is Robert Caldwell, who will discuss Vermont’s 911 emergency response system (EMS). A member of Charlotte Fire and Rescue Services, he also currently serves as a dispatcher for the 911 system. He will also provide a refresher session on how to use the Senior Center’s AED (automated external defibrillator). Registration required. Suggested donation: $6. If you are planning to attend the men’s breakfast, please email Lane Morrison before Tuesday, April 9.
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
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345