Great time, wonderful place for connecting with others

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to focus on building meaningful connections, especially as many are feeling the effects of isolation and loneliness. The Charlotte Senior Center offers a variety of opportunities to help bridge that gap, creating a welcoming and supportive space for individuals to connect.

Whether you’re looking to make new friends through the new Gen-hub group or find a moment of peace during the busy holiday season with a winter solstice meditation, there are plenty of ways to come together and recharge.

Community

Magical World of Birds exhibit
Dec. 9-Jan. 31
The Magical World of Birds center with photography by Barbara Motyka will be the next art exhibit at the senior center.

Gen-hub
Friday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m.
Gen-hub is a new group of social gatherings for seniors interested in building friendships and making new connections in a cozy environment. Join for light refreshments and lots of conversations and mingling. If there is interest, the group will plan for gatherings monthly. Registration required at 802-425-6345, so there is enough refreshments. Free.

Gingerbread house-building party
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Join the Champlain Valley Union High School Senior Community Service Club for a festive gingerbread house-building party, Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Seniors are invited to get creative, share some laughs and enjoy delicious treats while celebrating the holiday season. Free, but registration required at 802-425-6345.

Charlotte Death Cafe
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2-3:30 p.m.
Come together in human fellowship to celebrate life by voicing concerns, share questions, ideas and stories around death and dying at the monthly Death Cafe. These are not always easy conversations, but when we share, heart to heart, we build community and experience a joy that enhances our lives. Questions? Free. Registration required at 802-425-6345.

Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, Dec. 19, 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 Red Cross website and enter: CHARLOTTE to schedule an appointment.

Winter solstice mediation
Friday, Dec. 20, 5-6 p.m.
Join Charlie Nardozzi and Heidi Kvasnak in celebration of the winter solstice for a candlelight meditation on Dec. 20, 5-6 p.m. Beginning with seated, gentle movements, followed by soft chanting, a longer sitting meditation and a closing chant. No experience necessary. Suggested donation: $5-$20. Registration recommended at 802-425-6345.

Shape-note singing
Sunday, Dec. 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.

Looking ahead 2025

Chair yoga sit, stretch & smile
Tuesdays, Jan. 14-Feb. 18, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Join Lynn Alpeter, former co-owner of Yoga Roots, teaches a gentle and accessible chair yoga designed to help you connect with your breath, move your body and lift your mood. Whether you’re new to yoga or looking for a more supportive practice, this class is perfect for anyone seeking to increase flexibility, balance and relaxation. Using a chair for support, we’ll explore mindful movement and simple stretches that can be easily adapted for all levels. Leave feeling uplifted, energized and centered. Cost: $60 for the 6-week series. Registration and payment required by January 10. To register, call 802-425-6345.

Meditation
Thursdays, Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6 & Wednesday, Feb. 12, 5-6 p.m.
The New Year provides an opportunity to focus our attention on those habits that will help us thrive. Meditation is one of those practices that can help reduce pain, anxiety and stress, while making our life more joyful and peaceful. Come join Charlie Nardozzi for this six-week series on meditation exploring how to meditate and use it in our daily living. You can join the class live, via Zoom or just get the recording afterward. The final class will be held on Wednesday due to the blood drive scheduled for Thursday. Contact Charlie for more information. Cost: $60 for the six-week session. Registration and payment required by Jan. 7. Register 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, 9:45-10:45 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 questions. $10 a class. No registration required. No class on Nov. 21 and 28.

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 a class. 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.

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

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
Senior Center website

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