Lots of ways to get artsy and find artistic inspiration

The Charlotte Senior Center offers a variety of art programming. There is a beginner watercolor workshop and weekly artists groups that gather for companionship while working on individual projects.

Check out the artists exhibit with instructor Lynn Cummings and her students displaying their work this month.

There are also opportunities to find artistic inspiration by spending time outdoors with the women’s kayak group, the monthly birding trip, a gentle walk or by learning to play pickleball.

Art

August artist exhibit
Lynn Cummings and her students will be showing a variety of paintings in watercolor, acrylics and collage. For almost 15 years, Cummings has taught hundreds of students at the senior center.

Arts group
Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon
This weekly group includes a wide range of artists looking to socialize and make new friendships. You are invited to bring whatever you are working on and enjoy the ideas and encouragement that this friendly and relaxed group has to offer. Cost: Free. No registration required.

Beginner watercolor workshop
Saturday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Explore the wonder of flower shapes and leaves by trying out a variety of unusual brushes. This is a beginner-level workshop, and if you’ve always wanted to try watercolor but were too intimidated, this is the class for you. Class limit 10 students. For more information about Ginny Joyner, please check out her website. Cost: $40 plus $6 supply fee. Registration and payment required by July 24. The supply fee is paid directly to the instructor.

Creative arts & crafts
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon
Come create, share ideas and have fun with the creative arts & crafts group on Wednesday mornings. Bring whatever creative endeavor you’re working on. Any questions, call Katie Franko at 802-425-6270. Cost: Free. No registration required.

Outdoors

Birding Trip
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 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. Cost: Free. Registration required.

Pickleball for seniors
Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m.- 11a.m.
Are you curious about this sport called pickleball? Playing pickleball allows you to work on your balance, agility, reflexes and hand-eye coordination without putting excessive strains on your body. Bring folding chairs to the Charlotte Beach pickleball courts to watch how pickleball is played. Afterwards, there will be the opportunity to try out pickleball. Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Paddles provided. Questions? Call or text David at 802-425-4567. Cost: Free. Registration required. Consider carpooling with friends. You will need a Charlotte Beach season or day pass to park. (Rain date Aug. 31.)

Walking group
Thursday, Aug. 22, 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 local walks. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. Questions? Contact Penny Burman at 916-753-7279. Cost: Free. Registration appreciated.

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.

Exercise

Gentle yoga
Mondays, 11 a.m.-noon
This gentle yoga class led by Heidi Kvasnak focuses on breath-led movement, building bone strength and improving mobility, balance and flexibility. Suggestions are given for adapting the practice. Please bring a blanket or pillow to sit on. Suitable for all levels. Cost: $10 a class. No registration required.

Pilates fitness
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Join Phyllis Bartling in this pilates class for folks 55 and over. 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.

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.

Community

Alzheimer’s Caregivers support group
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 4-5 p.m.
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? Please join the monthly Caregivers Support Group on the second Wednesday of each month, 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 more information contact Susan Cartwright. Free. No registration required.

Red Cross blood drive
Thursday, Aug. 15, 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 RedCrossBlood.org and enter: CHARLOTTE to schedule an appointment.

Programs

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, email. Cost: $3. No registration required.

Play reading
Thursday, Aug. 22, 1-3:30 p.m.
Join Sue Foley and Wally Gates for table-reading fun. No tryouts, no rehearsals, no critical reviews. The group meets monthly and is for people who enjoy reading plays aloud or listening to others. Each month a play is selected, parts are assigned and scripts are distributed. It is suggested that a good way to test the waters is to attend a session as a guest. If you have questions or would like to sit in, email. Free. 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, contact Sandy Armell at 802-425-3248. Free. No registration required.

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.

Meals
Menus are posted on the website.

Monday lunches
Served weekly at 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 meal
Pick up on Wednesdays, 10-11a.m., at the Charlotte Senior Center. Registration is required by 8 a.m. Monday for the Wednesday 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. 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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