Rotary bike racks: That’s the way senior center rolls

Check out the new bike rack at the senior center. The senior center is grateful to the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary club for their recent donation of this bike rack.

Many seniors bike to the senior center to attend programming. This bike rack has larger spacing to allow e-bikes to also be locked in the rack.

Community

October art exhibit
For the month of October, the Essex Art League will exhibit their artwork at the Senior Center. The Essex Art League’s mission is to have an exchange of ideas among Vermont visual artists and to educate and encourage each other through monthly speakers, weekly plein air sessions, exhibitions and social events.

‘Gather’ book discussion
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.
Ron Miller leads an informal discussion of “Gather” by Kenneth M. Cadow at the Charlotte Senior Center. This program is open to all ages and focuses on the connections across generations. Copies of the book are available at the Charlotte Library. Miller is a historian and educator at the University of Vermont. Free. To register, call 802-425-6345.

Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, Oct. 17, 1:30-6:30 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.

Death Café
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 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, share 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. Looking forward to sharing the journey and building community together. Free, but registration required by calling (802) 425-6345.

Exercise

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.

Pilates fitness
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Join Phyllis Bartling in this pilates class, geared to folks 55+. This class is challenging and includes upper-body strength work with hand weights and mat exercises while working on core muscles to improve balance, strength and posture. $10 a class. No registration required.

Tai chi
Thursdays, 9:45 a.m.-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. Questions? Contact. $10 a class. No registration required.

Walking group
Thursday, Oct. 24, 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 a.m. in the foyer at the Charlotte Senior Center. Free. For questions or to register, contact Penny Burman at 916-753-7279.

Yoga strength-building practice
Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon
Heidi Kvasnak leads an integrative practice that builds strength and stability while maintaining a sense of ease and spaciousness in both body and mind. The group 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 and up from the floor with or without props. $10 a class. No registration required.

Languages

French conversation
Mondays, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Parlez-vous français? This is an intermediate group of French speakers who meet weekly for French conversation. As the group grows, there may be opportunities to split according to skill levels. Questions? Contact Roberta Whitmore. 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.

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

Programs

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. Come 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.

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 an afternoon. No registration required.

Shape-note singing
Sunday, Oct. 27, 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. 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.

Shanghai mahjong
Tuesdays, 12:45-3:45 p.m.
New 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. Lunch is served 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. 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.

Charlotte Senior Center
Lori York, director
Tracy Brown, coordinator
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345
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