Spanish, tai chi, Bone Builders, Death Café on fall sked

The fall programming is starting back up with the return of Spanish conversation, a new tai chi for arthritis class, an afternoon Bone Builders and the new Death Café.

Save the date of Oct. 3 for Peter’s Playlist, an afternoon of oldies music from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Community

Death Café
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4-5 p.m.
Join this group on the fourth Wednesday of the month as they come together in human fellowship to celebrate life by voicing concerns and sharing questions, ideas and stories around death and dying. These are not always easy conversations. But when we share, heart to heart, we build community and experience a special joy that enhances our lives. Please register to attend. Looking forward to sharing the journey and building community together. Free, but registration required by calling (802) 425-6345. Email for more info.

Peter’s Playlist
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2-3 p.m.
Join us as Peter and Helen Rosemblum, the popular duo from Hinesburg, return to the Senior Center. They will sing and strum from their large playlist of music that includes folk songs, romantic ballads, blues and rock. Free. No registration required.

Senior Art Show reception
Friday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m.
Join the artist reception, enjoy light refreshments, view the 2024 Senior Art Show and meet the talented artists. For the month of September, a wide variety of artwork will be on display from seniors age 50 and older in our community.

Shape-note singing
Sunday, Sept. 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Traditional a capella, four-part harmony sung for the joy of singing, not as a practice for performance. Search “Sacred Harp” on YouTube for examples, then come and sing with us. Introduction to shape notes and scales is recommended and offered 30 minutes before each fourth Sunday singing. The first hour will be Sacred Harp singing and the second hour will be singing from an alternate Shape Note book. Books will be provided. For questions or to schedule your introduction to shape notes and scales, contact Kerry Cullinan. Free. No registration required.

Walking group
Thursday, Sept. 26, 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 foyer at the Charlotte Senior Center. Questions? Contact Penny Burman at 916-753-7279. Free. Registration appreciated by calling Penny.

Programs

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. Free. No registration required.

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 or want to register to attend, contact Jonathan Hart. Cost: $3. Registration by email required.

Beginner watercolor workshop
Friday, Sept. 20, 1-2:30 p.m.
If you’ve always wanted to try watercolor but were too intimidated, this is the class for you. In this workshop you will learn how to paint a sunset in watercolor without everything turning green. For more information about Ginny Joyner, check out her website. Cost: $40 plus $6 supply fee. Registration required by calling 802-425-6345.

Bone Builders
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., & Fridays, 11 a.m.-noon
RSVP Bone Builders, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont, is a no-impact, weight-training program designed to prevent and even reverse the negative effects of osteoporosis in older adults. Bone Builders consists of a warm-up, balance exercises, arm and leg exercises, and a cool down with stretching. Free. No registration required, but there is paperwork to complete for the RSVP Bone Builders program.

Duplicate bridge
Mondays, 12:30-4 p.m.
This group plays an intermediate level of duplicate bridge using the basic American Contract Bridge League conventions. Names are drawn for partners, and friendly games ensue. Those unfamiliar with duplicate bridge are welcome and paired with an experienced player to help for a few weeks of open dialogue training. The group is always looking for new players who have basic bridge knowledge. $3. 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. $10/class. No registration required.

Shanghai mahjong
Tuesdays, 12:45-3:45 p.m.
Whether you are 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.

Spanish conversation
Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m.
?Hablas español? This group will meet weekly. At each session one member of the group will announce the topic of conversation for the following week. Come join the group for conversation in Spanish. Questions? Contact Bernice Wesseling. Free. No registration required.

Tai Chi for arthritis
Thursdays, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
The benefits of a tai chi practice include reduced pain and stiffness and improved muscle strength and joint flexibility. Through learning the tai chi movements and practicing regularly, many have found significant relief from arthritis symptoms. The instructor is a certified instructor who has studied with the founder of the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association. Questions? Email. $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. $10 a class. 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.

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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