Charlotte Central School students connect with seniors

How do we connect Charlotte residents across the generations and help students learn about Vermont? To help with this, sixth grade students from Charlotte Central School visited the senior center as part of a community-based project to provide the students with deeper connections with Charlotte and Vermont.

As part of this project, the students interviewed community members about their lives in Vermont, what they love about the state and fond memories of their own adolescence.

The senior center also hosted the annual veterans lunch followed by a Quilts of Valor Dedication Ceremony. The vet center was present to provide assistance for veterans and their families regarding available VA benefits.

Community

November art exhibit
Visit the senior center during November to view The Power & Poetry of Water, an exhibit of fine-art photography by Jonathan Hart of water and the results of water in natural settings. Check out his website.

AARP smart driver course
Saturday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The AARP Smart Driver course is designed especially for older drivers, will help you refresh your driving skills and may even help you save on your auto insurance. AARP members can take the course at a discounted rate. Please plan to bring lunch. Class size is limited. Checks should be made out to AARP. $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Registration required at 802-425-6345.

Death Café
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 4-5 p.m.
The senior center is offering a monthly Death Café. Join this group to come together in human fellowship to celebrate life by voicing concerns, 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. Looking forward to sharing the journey and building community together. Email for more inof. Free. Registration required at 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 Yang international short form is the most popular form of tai chi practice. It consists of slow continuous soft circular movements which are coordinated with breathing. Regular practice helps to improve balance, mind-body connection, mental awareness, flexibility, stability, coordination and overall health. When practiced in the company of others, it is both uplifting and energizing. Taught by a certified instructor who has studied with the founder of the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association. Email for questions. $10 a class. No registration required. No class on Nov. 21 and 28.

Gentle walking group
Thursday, Nov. 21, 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. The group will take a break in December and January and resume in February for some winter walks. For questions or to register, call 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 to and up from the floor with or without props. $10/class. No registration required.

Programs

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.

Boxwood tabletop tree workshop
Thursday, Nov. 21, 1-3 p.m.
Designer Diane Boucher will lead this class in making traditional tabletop boxwood trees to enjoy or give as a festive gift for the holidays. Using fresh English boxwood, you will learn to assemble your own boxwood Christmas tree. Once assembled, you will decorate your tree choosing from a variety of festive decorations being offered. These popular arrangements last up to 12 weeks with regular watering and make a perfect gift. Cost includes all supplies for creating this special tree to take home. Class size is limited. Cost: $40. Registration required.

Italian for total beginners
Fridays, Nov. 22, Dec. 6-20 & Dec. 3 & 10, 10-11 a.m.
Are you interested in beginning your study of Italian? Join the group to explore the beauty of the Italian language and culture. For questions about whether this class is the correct level, email Nicole Librandi at [email protected]. Cost: $60. Registration and payment required by Monday, Nov. 11.

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.

Shape-note singing
Sunday, Nov. 24, 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, please contact Kerry Cullinan. 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.

Lori York, director
212 Ferry Road, Charlotte
802-425-6345
website

Follow the senior center on Facebook or Instagram.