Figuratively, literally, senior center is cool summer space

The heat and humidity of summer have arrived. If you are looking for a cool space to spend your summer days, consider joining activities at the senior center. A perfect opportunity to make new friendships while enjoying the cool air conditioning. There is a wide range of activities offered for active and engaged seniors age 50 and older. Join a language conversation group, play board or card games, participate in an exercise class or go on a birding or kayak trip.

The senior center is looking to offer a weekly chair yoga class starting in the fall. If you are a certified instructor who is interested in offering this class at the center, please reach out to Lori York.

Outdoor activities

Birding trip
Wednesday, July 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. Registration required.

Women’s kayak trips
Second & fourth Friday mornings
These kayak trips are for active women who share a love for exploring Vermont’s many local lakes, ponds and rivers. Trips listed are tentative, dependent on water and weather conditions. To be placed on a master list of paddlers to receive trip information, email Susan Hyde. Free. Registration required.

Community events

July artist exhibit
Husband and wife Tom Wright and Liza Woodruff will be exhibiting their artwork at the senior center from July 1-31. Wright is a fine artist creating abstract paintings with mixed media on paper and wood using mythological and psychological imagery. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and has exhibited in both Boston and Vermont. Woodruff is a children’s book illustrator and artist. Work in this show will include nature-themed silkscreen prints inspired by the Vermont landscape.

Alzheimer’s caregivers support group
Wednesday, July 10, 4-5 p.m.
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? Do you know someone who is? Please join us for 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. For additional information please contact Susan Cartwright.

Programs

Beginner watercolor workshop
Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
If you’ve always wanted to try watercolor but were too intimidated, this is the class for you. This month Ginny will demonstrate a variety of ways to paint trees in the landscape. There will be plenty of time to practice and create a chart to take home for future reference. Class limit 10 students. For more information about Ginny Joyner, please check out her website. Cost: $40.00 plus $6.00 supply fee* Registration and payment required by June 12. *The supply fee is paid directly to the instructor.

Photo by Lori York. A group gathers on Tuesday afternoons at the senior center to play Shanghai mahjong.
Photo by Lori York. A group gathers on Tuesday afternoons at the senior center to play Shanghai mahjong.

Backgammon league
Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.
Backgammon is a tactical table game with a 5,000-year history. The group welcomes players at all levels. If you have questions, please contact Jonathan. Cost: $3. No registration required.

Brain games
Fridays, 2-4 p.m.
There are many ways adults can stimulate their brains to increase mental health, improve memory skills and contribute to overall well-being. Research finds that positive interaction with others and engagement in stimulating group activities sharpens cognition and increases memory ability. Join to play various games, share laughter and enjoy one another’s company. Some games are available, but also feel free to bring your own games. Free. No registration required.

Creative arts & crafts group
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon
Come create, experiment, share ideas, encourage others and have fun with the creative arts & crafts group on Wednesday mornings. Bring whatever creative endeavor you’re working on, enjoy doing or thinking about trying out — painting, drawing, writing, scrapbooking, coloring, origami, cardmaking, knitting — the opportunities are limitless. Any questions, call Katie Franko at 802-425-6270. Free. No registration required.

German conversation
Tuesdays, 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.

Pilates fitness
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Join Phyllis Bartling in this pilates class for folks 55+. It includes upper-body strength work with hand weights and mat exercises. You will work core muscles to improve balance, strength, and posture. Cost: $10 a class. No registration required.

Samba-canasta
Tuesdays, noon, & Fridays, 12:30 p.m.
Samba is a new version of canasta that has quickly become very popular due to its variety of melds, which keeps the game interesting. If you are curious to learn how to play Samba, call Sandy Armell at 802-425-3248. Free. No registration required.

Eccentrics, a full-body exercise class that focuses on stretching and building strength and mobility, is very popular at the senior center.
Eccentrics, a full-body exercise class that focuses on stretching and building strength and mobility, is very popular at the senior center.

Shanghai mahjong
Tuesdays, 12:45-3:45 p.m.
New to or experienced in the Shanghai style of mahjong, you are welcome to join this informal get-together. For questions email Nan Mason. Free. No registration required.

Yoga strength-building practice
Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon
Join Heidi Kvasnak for an integrative practice that builds strength and stability while maintaining a sense of ease and spaciousness in both body and mind. You will practice longer-held postures that strengthen muscles, bones and core, as well as breath-led flowing movement, including sun salutations. Prerequisite: Must be able to easily get down to and up from the floor with or without props. Cost: $10 a class. No registration required.

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 is $5. No registration required.

Weekly Age Well Grab & Go meals
Pick up on Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m., at the Charlotte Senior Center. Registration is required by Monday by 8 a.m. for the Wednesday meal. $5 suggested 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. 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
Tracy Brown, coordinator
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345

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