Many ways to engage with community at senior center

This month at the Charlotte Senior Center, there are plenty of ways to connect and engage with the community.

Get involved in the conversation about the upcoming Champlain Valley School District budget, meet local candidates at the Grange Candidates Night, explore creative crafts at the Senior Craft Night with Champlain Valley Union High’s Volunteer Club and discover practical housing solutions at the HomeShare Vermont presentation.

Programs

School budget discussion
Friday, Feb. 7, 12-1p.m.
Residents are invited to listen, learn and share thoughts about the Champlain Valley School District and its budget. Your input is essential to shaping a strong future for our schools. Guests will include school district board chair Meghan Metzler and representative Chea Waters Evans.

Charlotte Grange candidates night
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Ask questions and share concerns with the candidates on this year’s ballot. Learn more about each candidate, their priorities, reasons for running and points of view. Questions for the candidates can be emailed to Tai Dinnan at [email protected] or posed during the event. Attend in person at the senior center or join by Zoom or go to the calendar.

HomeShare Vermont presentation
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Housing costs in Vermont are on the rise. Are you looking for ways to reduce your housing expenses? Join Ric Cengeri to learn about HomeShare Vermont and discover if home sharing might be the right solution for you. HomeShare Vermont is built on the idea of people helping people. Every home-sharing match is unique, thoughtfully tailored to the needs, interests and lifestyles of the individuals involved. The program includes a thorough screening process, ensuring a strong pool of potential housemates, but ultimately, the decision about who to live with is in your hands. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a cost-effective living arrangement that might work for you. Free. Registration suggested at 802-425-6345.

Alzheimer’s caregivers support group
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 3-4 p.m.
Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? Do you know someone who is? Please join us for our monthly caregivers support group on the second Wednesday of each month 3-4 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. Note the earlier time during the winter months. Email for more info. Free. No registration required.

February exhibit
The February art exhibit will feature a diverse collection of works from several artists from the Wake Robin community, showcasing a variety of artistic mediums.

Flower arranging
Monday, Feb. 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Discover the art of flower arranging with Diane Boucher in this hands-on, one-hour class. You’ll learn essential techniques and tips for creating stunning arrangements using seasonal flowers provided by Trader Joe’s. Depending on availability, you may even have the chance to take home multiple beautiful arrangements. Please bring your own vases and let your creativity bloom. Cost: $25. Registration and payment required by Friday, Feb. 7, by calling 802-425-6345.

Italian for beginners
Fridays, Feb. 14-28, March 21 & 28 & April 4, 10-11 a.m.
Are you interested in beginning your study of Italian? This class is for those who want to start with the basics. We’ll explore the beauty of the Italian language and culture through conversation, reading, writing, singing and humor. For questions about whether this class is the correct level, contact Nicole Librandi. Cost: $60. Registration and payment required by Monday, Feb. 10.

Craft night
Thursday, Feb. 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Join students from the Champlain Valley Union High service club for fun and creative crafts on Feb. 6 at the Charlotte Senior Center from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Whether you’re into making paper snowflakes, crafting valentines or joining Gail Martin as she teaches how to fold origami hearts and tea bag holders, there’s something for everyone. Service club students will guide you through each project. Come enjoy an evening of crafting, conversation and creativity — perfect for celebrating the season. All materials provided. Free. Registration is required.

Photo discussion group
Sunday, Feb. 9, 2-4 p.m.
Join us for our monthly photo discussion group, where photographers of all skill levels are welcome to share their work, ideas and experiences. Bring a photo and a story to share with the group. This is a great chance to engage in creative dialogue, get feedback and explore the impact of your images in a supportive and collaborative environment. For questions or more information, please contact Emily Cross. Cost: by donation. No registration required.

Watercolor
Tuesdays, Feb. 11, 18 & 25, 9 a.m.-noon
In this watercolor class, we’ll explore techniques such as painting whites, understanding the importance of negative space and shadows and how to use strong composition in both winter landscapes and still life. Engaging exercises will make learning these concepts fun and accessible, all in a supportive and upbeat atmosphere. Cost: $125. Please register by February 4 to allow time to gather the necessary supplies. To register, call 802-425-6345.

Exercise

Yoga dance
Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Let Your Yoga Dance incorporates basic dance-like movements to music, guided by the body’s energy system (chakras). It is a safe, compassionate, gentle movement practice, allowing for individual expression and nonjudgemental acceptance. This class is appropriate for all levels of fitness and abilities. Everyone can “let their yoga dance.” Cost: $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.

Bone Builders
Mondays, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., & Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30 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.

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.

Meals
Menus are posted on the website: charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

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. The “Week Ahead” email is sent out on Friday mornings with activities, lunch menus and special programs for the upcoming week.

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