February Highlights
Please visit our website at granby-ct.gov/senior-services or check your Center Life Newsletter for a complete listing of our health services, support groups, clubs and ongoing activities.
AARP Tax Preparers Q & A Session
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m. New Connecticut tax withholding rules for pensions and annuities went into effect Jan. 1, 2018. If you have not had to file tax returns in the past several years this could mean you may now have to file a state income tax return in 2019. Come learn more about the new rules and get your questions answered. Free, please register by Jan. 30.
AARP Tax Preparation
By appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning mid-February. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest tax assistance and preparation service. These trained volunteer professionals will assist those 60 years and over with Form 1040 and the standard schedules, including A and B. Electronic filing is available. Call 860-844-5352 for an appointment. Free.
Adventures in Living
Mondays, Feb. 25 through April 8, 3 to 5 p.m. Do you love children? Would you like to help bridge the Generation Gap? This six-week intergenerational program will bring seniors together with 4th and 5th grade children to explore aging as a lifelong process and bring understanding between the two groups. Lives are compared and contrasted through fun, engaging, interactive and purposeful activities. Commitment is two hours, one day a week for six weeks. Call 860-844-5352 for more information. Register by Feb. 11.
Lifetime Learning Academy
Winter Semester
Made possible, in part, by a grant from the Granby Education Foundation. The Lifetime Learning Academy offers courses to expand your mind, better your health and trigger your creative imagination.
MUSIC
Learn to Play the Violin, the Suzuki Method: Fridays, Feb. 22 to June 28, 9 a.m. No class March 15, April 19, April 26. Instructor, Kasey Calebaugh. Come learn a new talent, it’s never too late. No experience required. The Suzuki Method is considered one of the easiest learning methods. Cost for the 16-week session is $160 (payable in two installments). Violin rental is $21.27 for the entire 16 weeks. Register by Feb. 1.
Music Jam Sessions: Every other Wednesday at 11:45 a.m., facilitated by Michael Walter. Do you play an instrument and long to play with others? Come to our fun, informal music jam session and play along! All instruments are welcome. Bring your own instrument (we have a piano). Free. Call 860-844-5352 to let us know you will be coming.
CREATIVE ARTS
Writing Children’s Books: Fridays, Feb. 1, 8 and 15, 10–11:30 a.m. Presented by author Robert Thompson. This three-part course will teach you how to write and publish a children’s book. Be inspired by this award-winning author. Cost $10 for the series.
Pottery Flowers: Fridays, Feb. 22 and March 8, 1 p.m. Instructor, Cooley Buy, potter. You will be making several pottery flowers to insert into your flower pots or on a copper pipe for your garden. Bring newspaper. The second class you will be glazing your artwork for firing. Cost $25. Register by Feb. 15.
Greeting Card Stamping Class: Thursday, Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m. Instructor, Sharyn Holness. Create four beautiful cards. Cost $5 includes all materials.
WELLNESS
Stress Management, Relaxation and Meditation: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. Presented by Dr. Thomas Pirnie. Stress affects everyone so learn to relax and calm yourself using stress management techniques, meditation and visualization. Learn to apply these methods to create and achieve life changes. Cost $20. Register by Feb. 8.
LEND A HELPING HAND
Helping Hands Needed: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Please join Days for Girls International (www.daysforgirls.org) who will sew for women in need of sanitary products. Need both sewers and non-sewers to volunteer. To learn more please contact Josi Klein at 860-653-5752 or josiklein640@gmail.com.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Hearing Clinic with Audiology Concierge: By appointment, Wednesday, March 13. Services include complete audiological evaluations, ear wax inspection and removal, hearing aid cleaning and repair, wireless solutions for TV, telephones, audio and more. Call 860-844-5352 to schedule.
Alzheimer’s Support Group: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. Facilitated by Peggy Coburn, McLean Home Care and Hospice. Caring for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Learning to cope with the changes in their behavior and understanding how to handle it is sometimes best explained by those who are dealing with a similar situation. Free.
Caregiver Private Consultations: Friday, Feb. 1, by appointment starting at 10 a.m. with Esther Corcoran, of the Alzheimer’s Association. Come with your questions and concerns. These are half-hour personal consultations if you are a family member or caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s. Call for an appointment.
TRAVEL
Through partnership with Silver Mill Tours, the Granby Senior Center is able to offer the following travel opportunities. Call the Senior Center for triple rates on extended tours, and to confirm availability. For a complete list of available travel opportunities stop by the Senior Center. Trips fees are non-refundable.
Day Trips
Boston Flower and Garden Show: Saturday, March 16. The Boston Flower and Garden Show is the biggest horticultural happening in the area. Your day includes transportation, admission to the show with leisure time at Quincy Market, Newbury Street, Copley Place, Downtown Crossing and Haymarket Square. Cost $89 with Flower Show admission, $79 for Boston on your own.
New York City Food and Markets Tour: Saturday, May 4. For all you foodie fans—weave your way through Asian, Italian, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Eastern European and American bakeries, deli’s, pizzeria’s, gourmet shops, candy shops, pasta makers, meat markets, street vendors and more. You will be visiting Katz’s Deli, Eataly and Arthur Avenue. Cost $79.
Broadway Your Way: Saturday, July 20. Design your own day on Broadway. Round trip motor coach travel and Orchestra/Mezzanine Seating to the matinee performance of your choice. Available shows options will be finalized in January. Cost from $199.
Whale Watch: Saturday, Aug. 10. Imagine being within feet of some of the most graceful, rare animals in the world. Your trip includes transportation to Plymouth, Mass., the Whale Watch and a trip to Plymouth Rock. Cost $99.
Special Extended Tours
Montreal: April 6–8. Tour Montreal including Old Town and the Notre-Dame Basilica. See the city from the top of Parc du Mont-Royal. Enjoy nightlife and entertainment on your own. Find fashionable boutiques and vintage clothing stores on Saint-Denis Street, Saint Paul Street and the side streets of Vieux-Montreal. Cost: Single $699, Double $499. Passports required.
Atlantic Canada: June 30–July 6. Your trip includes guided tours of Nova Scotia (Lunenberg and Peggy’s Cove), Halifax and beautiful Prince Edward Island, motor coach transportation, cruise to Nova Scotia, six nights hotel, six breakfasts and five dinners, all sightseeing and admission fees, tickets to the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (military bands and display teams). Cost: single $2,639, double $1,849.
Mackinaw Island, Back in Time: Aug. 18–25. Enjoy a horse drawn carriage tour and lunch at the Grand Hotel. Explore Greenfield Village and the innovative Henry Ford Museum. Visit the Bavarian influenced town of Frankenmuth. Overnight in Niagara Falls, Canada and stop in the Finger Lakes for a tasting and Wine Tour. Have dinner at the Skylon Tower high above the falls. Cost: single $2,199, double: $1,739. Passports required.
Lake George in the Fall: Sept. 13–15. Called the “Queen of the American Lakes” with over 300 islands as a magnificent landscape. Your trip includes round trip transportation, two nights at the Clarion Lake George, two breakfasts, lunch cruise on Lac du Saint Sacrament and a tour with a local guide including Millionaire’s Row, Prospect Mt. Scenic Highway, Fort William Henry and more. Cost: single $599, double $489.
SENIOR VAN
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, and call 860-844-5352 to register for all trips.
Shopping
Home Goods, Canton Shops on Friday, Feb. 15, departs 9:30 a.m., cost $5.
Trips
Dine and Drive, Red Onion on Friday, Feb. 22, departs 10:45 a.m., cost $5.
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington: Wednesday, Feb. 6, departs 9 a.m. This Colonial Revival house and art museum is best known for its French Impressionist masterpieces and stately grounds. Lunch on your own at River’s Edge Bistro and Mediterranean Cuisine. Cost $17 includes van and admission.
Dom’s for Breakfast, Windsor: Friday, Feb. 8, departs at 9 a.m. Start your day with a healthy breakfast, you can create your own Dom’s Omelet served with a side order of home fries and toast. Van cost $5, breakfast is on your own.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, South Deerfield: Wednesday, Feb. 13, departs 8:30 a.m. The conservancy includes an 8,000 square foot glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation. Enjoy the gift shop then lunch on your own at Wolfie’s Family Restaurant. Cost $17.50. Register by Feb. 6.
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London: Wednesday, Feb. 20, departs 8:45 a.m. View an exhibition of 77 iconic and rarely seen images of John F. Kennedy. Lunch on your own at On the Waterfront Restaurant followed by a brisk stroll at Ocean Beach. Cost $16. Register by Feb. 13.
Springfield Museums: Wednesday, Feb. 27, departs 8:45 a.m. Visit five separate museums including the Dr. Seuss museum, collections of art, historical objects, artifacts and more. Lunch on your own at Red Rose Pizzeria. Cost $18. Register by Feb. 20.
Reminder: Van drivers cannot make stops in driveways that have not been cleared of snow and ice. Safety is our top priority.
FITNESS AND EXERCISE
The Granby Senior Center offers a variety of affordable exercise classes throughout the week, only $6 per class for Granby residents. Intensity levels range from house cat to cheetah, and classes run by session or you can pay a drop-in fee.
February’s Featured Class
Line Dancing: Fridays at 1 p.m. with Jim Gregory. This class is a great workout while having a lot of fun. Appropriate for beginner to advanced dancers.
Yoga Flow: Mondays at 10:15 a.m. Emphasis is given to finding a balance between flexibility and strength and exploring how, with practice, we can find increased fluidity of movement. Yoga experience is somewhat helpful but not required. Instructor, Mary Fuller.
Gentle Movement and Balance: Mondays at 11:15 a.m. Designed to increase your strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. Instructor Paula Pirog will focus on improving voice power and speech clarity.
Cardio and Strength: Mondays at 4:30 p.m. Vigorous cardio workout in a fun and encouraging environment. Instructor, Mary Fuller.
Chair Yoga: Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Enhanced breathing, increased blood flow, reduced tension and better posture are achieved through the various yoga poses. Great for those with limited mobility. Instructor, Paula Pirog.
Yoga: Tuesday at 4 p.m. Thoughtful breathing and controlled postures. Instructor, Paula Pirog.
Tone-up Tune-up: Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. A low impact cardiovascular workout with intervals of weight work for upper and lower body strengthening. Does not go to the floor; core training performed seated or standing. Instructor, Mary Fuller.
Body Blast: Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. This fast paced class gives you an all around great workout. Instructor, Mary Fuller
Chi Gong: Fridays at 8:30 a.m. A gentle, low-impact, standing or seated class focusing on flexibility, balance, healing and pain management. Chi Gong is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins
Cardio Combo: Fridays at 10:15 a.m. Quicker pace and more aerobics. Instructor, Mary Fuller.
Peak: Sundays at 7:30 a.m. Vigorous aerobics and weights. Instructor, Jennifer Dzielak.