Lifetime Learning Academy Fall Semester: History
United Nations, Past, Present and Future: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m. Presented by Dr. Joseph Baxer, who will explore the creation of the UN after WWII, its present make up and the issues surrounding its future development and relevance. Cost $5.
World War II Remembered, The Generals and Admirals: Tuesdays, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, 1:30 p.m. Presented by Lieutenant Colonel James Shelmerdine. Learn about the lives of those who made history and how they changed the outcome of WWII. Cost $10 for both classes.
Creative Arts
Soap Making: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. Learn a natural, inexpensive way to make laundry soap, laundry softener, and body wash for yourself or others. Contains no dyes or perfumes. Instructor Valerie Galinski. Cost $10.
Pumpkin Centerpieces: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1 p.m. Learn how to make a beautiful arrangement of flowers in a pumpkin that will give your home a touch of fall. Instructor Linda Markee. Cost $25.
Wire Wrapped Jewelry Making: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. Learn basic wire wrapping techniques and use your new skill to make a beautiful piece of jewelry. All materials provided. Students should bring glasses or safety glasses to this class. Fortieth Muse Designs. Cost $25.
Fabric Wreaths: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1 p.m. If you love crafting or making handmade gifts, this fabric wreath class is for you. Instructor Valerie Galinski. Cost $25.
Wheat Ornament Workshop: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m. Make a beautiful ornament for giving or your own tree made out of wheat stalks. Instructor Liz Carnes. Cost $15.
Christmas in a Teacup: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m. Make this beautiful, petite flower arrangement in one of your own special teacups or one that will be provided. This is a great hostess gift or to decorate your own home. Instructor Linda Markee. Cost $25.
Health And Wellness
Healing Meals, Healthy Cooking Series: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. Presented by Sarah Leathers, Healing Meals Project. The series continues as you learn how to use all the wonderful local produce available through CSAs, the Holcomb Farm program at the Senior Center and local Farmer’s Markets. Discover how to prepare the vegetables in both traditional and new ways. Free, registration required.
Chronic Pain Self-Management Program: Monday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. Presented by the Farmington Valley Health District. This 6-week course offers tips, techniques and tools for everyone regardless of ability or pain level. Make a choice to be an active manager or passive manager of your condition. Cost $25, includes handbook.
Eating for Life, You Are What You Eat: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. Presented by Dr. Andrew Paterna. Learn about good nutrition, nutrients, vegetarian diets and more. You will also explore the “food-like” substances in supermarkets that are part of the typical American diet. Register by Sept. 12. Cost $5.
Intro to Home Herbalism Course: Fridays, Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. Instructor Sara Thornton, Ravenswood Natural Health. Learn how to incorporate herbs into your daily routine to support, strengthen and sustain. We will explore what herbalism is, what it can do, and how it fits into the modern world. We will have an overview of herbs for immune support. Cost $35 for the course.
The Symphony of Nutrition: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. Presenter Dr. Andrew Paterna. As your body functions, it does not look for just one nutrient—nutrition is like a symphony orchestra, when all the nutrients work together, your body functions properly. Cost $5.
Great Courses—Video Based
Experiencing the Hubble, Understanding the Greatest Images of the Universe: Fridays, Sept. 21 through Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. This 6-week course includes iconic Hubble images based on their visual beauty, scientific impact, and breadth of subject matter. Each image is the focus of its own lecture, which uses the iconic picture as a jumping-off point for exploring different aspects of the cosmos that Hubble has revealed in startling new detail. Cost $25.
The World’s Greatest Paintings, Part I: Mondays, Oct. 15 through Nov. 26 at 1 p.m., (no Nov. 12). This 6-week course takes you from the 14th century to the 17th century. Great Courses Professor William Kloss reveals a group of works that, in his expert judgment, rank among the greatest paintings ever made. Artists include Van Eyck, Michelangelo, El Rubens, Rembrandt and more. Part II will be offered in 2019. Cost $25.
Travel
NH Foliage Tour: Saturday, Oct. 6. Cruise Lake Winnipesaukee on board the M/S Mount Washington. Enjoy lunch on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and end your trip at The Kellerhaus, New Hampshire’s oldest candy and ice cream makers. $179pp.
VT Fall Foliage: Sunday, Oct. 14. Ride the Green Mountain Flyer through Chester and Ludlow. Next stop is the Vermont Country Store for all of your favorites. End your day with dinner at the New England House with your choice of pot roast, roast turkey or herb crusted whitefish. $159pp.
Newport, RI Servant Life Tour at the Elms: Sunday, Oct. 14. For Downton Abbey fans, experience life at the Elms in the Gilded Age. Visit the Breakers Mansion and enjoy a 10-mile ocean drive. End your day at Bowen Wharf for shopping and lunch. $109pp.
Kittery, ME Holiday Shopping and Lobster Bake: Saturday, Nov. 10. This coastal town is probably best known for having some of the best outlet shopping in New England—and the best lobster. Enjoy shopping along Route 1 in Kittery and then head to Foster’s for a Lobster Bake. $119pp with lobster bake, $81pp shopping only.
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village: Saturday, Dec. 8. This is a celebration of favorite holiday traditions, music and food—carolers, horse-drawn sleigh rides, Father Christmas and more. Learn the origins of your favorite holiday traditions and enjoy a four-course traditional turkey dinner. $149pp.
Special Extended Tours
For a complete list of available travel opportunities stop by the Senior Center. All trips are non-refundable. Double and single rates provided; call for triple rates.
Florida Snowbird-Clearwater Beach: Jan. 4–31, 2019. Escape the harsh New England winter for a fabulous vacation in warm and sunny Florida. Your accommodations will be at the Marriott Residence Inn. Each suite has separate sleeping, dining, lounging space and complete kitchen. Full breakfast daily, planned and independent activities and more. Cost $3,799 double occupancy, $5,799 single occupancy.
Quebec Winter Carnival: Feb. 1–4, 2019. The world’s largest winter carnival featuring special events, parades, parties and a Quebec City highlights tour. Visit Montmorency Falls and Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. Cost $729 double occupancy, $999 single occupancy.
Savannah, Charleston and Myrtle Beach: March 17–25, 2019. Celebrate spring in these spectacular southern cities. Eight nights’ hotel accommodations, full breakfast each morning, four dinners included several historic tours, leisure beach time and more. Cost $1,649 double occupancy, $2,399 single occupancy.
Reflections of Italy: April 3–12, 2019. Revel in the magic of Italy on this tour that explores Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, Assisi, Perugia and Milan. Includes round trip airfare from Boston, hotels, 13 meals, sightseeing and admission costs. Cost $3,949 double occupancy, $4,449 single occupancy. Passports required.
Additional Programming
Fall Chef Series: We are excited to bring back our Chef Series this fall, offering three fabulous entrees prepared by some of our favorite local Chefs. Free, register by Sept. 12.
Monday, Sept. 17, 1:30 p.m. Residence at Brookside in Avon, Chef Brian Sevarino will be cooking Beef Tenderloin.
Thursday, Sept. 27, 1:30 p.m. MeadowBrook of Granby, Chef Dave will be making a roasted sweet potato and butternut casserole as well as a broccoli rabe with garlic pasta dish.
Monday, Oct. 1, 1:30 p.m. Suffield by the River, a Senior Living Community, Chef Carlos returns with a fabulous harvest soup that you can make at home.
Healthy Living
Holcomb Farm Fresh Access, for Senior Center Members: Available Thursdays after 11 a.m. This highly successful program is back for another season. Enjoy fresh produce graciously donated from the Fresh Access Program through the Holcomb Farm CSA. Please bring your reusable bag. Must be a senior with paid membership. Limit one bag per household.
Caregiver Private Consultations: Fridays, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5, starting at 10 a.m. Esther Corcoran from the Alzheimer’s Association. Come with questions and concerns, Corcoran will offer half-hour personal consultations if you are a family member or caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s. Call for an appointment.
Hearing Clinic with Audiology Concierge: Thursday, Sept. 13, by appointment. Audiology Concierge is our new Hearing Clinic Provider. They will be at the Senior Center on a quarterly basis offering complete audiological evaluations, ear wax inspection and removal, hearing aid cleaning and repair, wireless solutions for TV, telephones and audio and more. Call 860-844-5352 for your appointment.
Parkinson’s Support Group: Mondays, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15, 1:30 p.m. Facilitated by Krisztina Jarai, Residence at Brookside. A support group for those with Parkinson’s and their families. Free, please call 860-844-5350 to register.
Veteran’s Coffee: Tuesdays, Sept. 18 and Oct. 16, 10 a.m. Presented by Hartford HealthCare at Home. A monthly coffee to learn about benefits, entitlements and other services. Veteran liaison Wayne Rioux will facilitate the group discussion. Free, registration is requested but drop-ins are welcome. Call 860-844-5352.
Familiar Favorites
Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, Sept. 5, 8:30 a.m. Program is a Virtual Visit to the Wadsworth Atheneum. Cost $4. Register by calling 860-653-9891.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m. Guest Speaker is Jack Lareau, Solar Eclipse 2017. Cost $2. Register by calling 860-844-5350.
Helping Hands Needed: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please join Days for Girls International (www.daysforgirls.org) sewing for women in need of sanitary products. Need both sewers and non-sewers to volunteer. To learn more please call Josie Klein at 860-653-5752 or email josiklein640@gmail.com.
Senior Van Service And Excursions
The Granby Senior Van provides rides for adults 60 and over to shopping and activities at the Senior Center. Please call 860-844-5353 one week in advance for scheduling.
Canton-Kohl’s/HomeGoods on Friday, Sept. 7, departs at 9:30 a.m. $4
Dine and Drive on Monday, Sept. 17, Suffield Country Club $4
Ocean State Job Lot and Big Y in Southwick every Tuesday, departs at 1:30 p.m. Big Y’s offers 10 percent senior discount every Tuesday.
Geissler’s every Wednesday, call to arrange a time. Geissler’s offers 5 percent senior discount every Wednesday.
Stop & Shop every Thursday, departs at 1:30 p.m.
Trips
Outer Island Hike, Branford: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m. We are returning to Outer Island for a hike around this historic site. Cost $30 includes round trip ferry service and guided hike. Bring plenty of water, a bagged lunch and snacks.
Grass Island Cruise, Guilford: Friday, Sept. 21, 8:45 a.m. Enjoy Guilford’s only one-hour scenic Connecticut Shore and River Boat cruise. Enjoy the beauty of the sounds and inlets from Guilford to Madison. Lunch on your own at Guilford Lobster Pound Dock. Cost $17. Register by Sept. 14.
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford: Friday, Sept. 28, 10:15 a.m. You can expect a conversational, interactive tour where you can participate along with your guide. Learn about Stowe’s childhood, travels, marriage and her courage. Lunch on your own at the Pond House. Cost $17. Register by Sept. 14.
Fitness And Exercise
The Granby Senior Center offers a variety of affordable exercise classes throughout the week including yoga, Chi Gong, line dancing, aerobics and more. Intensity levels range from house cat to cheetah. Classes run by session or you can pay a drop-in fee. For the complete listing of classes visit www.granby-ct.gov/senior-services.
September’s Featured Class: Peak Fitness, Sunday’s at 7:30 a.m. This class combines vigorous aerobics and weights that will leave you feeling invigorated. It’s a great way to start your day. Instructor, Jennifer Dzielak.