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March Highlights

St Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Wednesday, March 13 at 12 p.m. A traditional corn beef and cabbage luncheon, with decorative cake for dessert. Entertainment will be the Small Planet Dancers who will perform Irish dancing. Wear your green. Call 860-844-5352 to register by March 6. Cost $7.

Winter Wildlife and Eagle Cruises, Essex, Ct.

Wednesday, March 6, departing 10 a.m. Enjoy the river and its wildlife on this two-hour cruise plus the museum and special Eagles of Essex Exhibit. This is prime time for eagle spotting on the Connecticut River. Lunch on your own at the Griswold Inn. Cost $47. Registration starts immediately.

AARP Tax Preparation

By appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Availability March to April 3. 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.

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.

Please visit our website at https://www.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.


MUSIC

Music Jam Sessions every other Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. on March 6 and 20. Facilitated by Michael Walter, Musician. Do you play an instrument and long to play with others? Come to an informal music jam session and play along.  All instruments welcome. Bring your own instrument (we have a piano). Free. Call 860-844-5352 to let us know you’re coming.

CREATIVE ARTS 

Rolled Paper Coil Art, March 19 at 10 a.m., Instructor, Susan Schmidt Ranstead Make rolled paper coil crosses for Easter or Spring birds. Paper is rolled into small coil circles and placed in a form outline of a cross or bird. The circles fill in the design. Call 860-844-5352 to register by March 5. Cost: $12 includes materials.

Art Class with Deborah Leonard March 18 at 10 a.m. Instructor, Deborah Leonard, Artist. Bring in your supplies in whatever media you prefer. Instruction for acrylics, watercolor, oils, etc. This is a rare opportunity to take lessons from this well-known and award-winning artist. Call to register by March 4. Cost $15.

Greeting Card Stamping Class Thursday, March 21 at 9:30 a.m., instructor, Sharyn Holness. Create four beautiful cards. Cost $5 includes all materials.

YOUR PERSONAL BEST

Spring Makeover Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m. Instructor, Lori Wagner, makeup artist and owner of “Hello Lovely” will offer makeup tips and techniques as you apply makeup, eyelashes, etc. provided. Try out a new look as she guides your personal makeover. Call 860-844-5352 to register by March 8. Cost $5

CUE SPORTS

Billiards Clinic 1: Thursday, March 7 at 1 p.m. Mark Kulugian, National Trick Shot Champion, will present the first of several billiard clinics planned for this spring. Enjoy some trick shooting by a National Champion followed by instruction and help with the game. Class size limited. Call 860-844-5352 to register. Cost $5.

GAMES

Cribbage Club Mondays at 1 p.m. starting March 11 Facilitator, Robert Coughlin. Cribbage involves playing and grouping cards in combinations to gain points. The object is to be the first player to score a target number of points. Group meets for approximately two hours. Beginners to advanced players welcome. Group will meet every Monday. Call 860-844-5352 to register. Free

GARDENING SERIES

Getting the Basics Right Wednesday, March 20 at 10:30 a.m. with instructor Barry Avery, Master Gardener. The second of four in our maser gardening series Barry will teach you basic garden requirements— soil, light, nutrition, water— and all the things required for a healthy productive garden. Register by calling 860-844-5352 by March 15.  Cost $5. 

GREAT COURSES (DVD BASED)

Life in the World’s Ocean’s (Part 2) Friday, March 22 at 1 p.m. The series continues with award winning Professor of Marine Science, Sean K. Todd. Explore whales and marine mammals; the importance of sound in the oceans, breeding and reproduction in a large ocean, behavior and sociality of marine mammals and finally, intelligence in marine mammals. The photography in this final series is exciting and colorfu. Register by March 15. Cost $25.  

NATURE

Songbirds of the Northeast: Monday, March 25 at 1 p.m., naturalist John Root presents Northeast songbirds that you learn to identify by sight and the sound of their songs.  Featuring both photographs and recordings of our region’s songbirds. Learn the role song plays in a bird’s life, their diet, social behavior, and adaptations for survival.  Participants also learn how to provide attractive habitat for songbirds. Register by March 11.  Cost $15.

LEND A HELPING HAND

Helping Hands Needed Wednesday, March 27, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please join Days for Girls International (daysforgirls.org) who will be sewing for women in need of sanitary products. Need sewers and non-sewers to volunteer. To learn more, please call Josie Klein at 860-653-5752 or email josiklein640@gmail.com.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Hearing Clinic w/ 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 March 12 at 10 a.m. Peggy Coburn, McLean Home Care and Hospice. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Learning to cope with the changes in their behavior and understanding how to handle it is best explained by those dealing with a similar situation. Free.

Caregiver Private Consultations: Friday March 1, starting at 10 a.m. Esther Corcoran of  the Alzheimer’s Association is offering half hour personal consultations if you are a family member or caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s. Call for an appointment.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Thursdays at 12 p.m.. A group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Join others, to share friendships, tips and ideas on being a parent again. Free.

MS Support Group Monday, March 11 and 25 at 1 p.m. Self-help group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers.

On Grief and Loss Wednesday March 13 and 27 at 2:30 p.m.  Led by Jane Johnson. Through discussion, this non-therapeutic support group helps you in understanding and coping with grief. Support, information and strategies. 

Parkinson’s Support Group Monday March 18 at 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 860-844-5352 to register.

Foot Care Clinic with Pedi-Care By appointment. Monday, March 18 and Friday, March 22. A specially trained nurse will perform an assessment of the feet and lower extremities, trimming, filing and cleaning of nails. Cost is $29. (Not covered by insurance) 

Free Blood Pressure Checks  Every Thursday 11 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Farmington Valley Visiting Nurses Association.  Held in the Senior Center Community Room.

Free Blood Sugar Checks First Thursday of the month, March 7, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Farmington Valley VNA.Held in the Senior Center Community Room.

Chair Massage with Bev Harris Tuesday, March 5 and 19. Concentration is on upper and lower back and shoulders. Fifteen minutes is $10.

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. 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. 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’ll visit 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. Call the Senior Center for available shows. Cost from $199.

Whale Watch from Plymouth, Mass. Saturday, August 10. Imagine being within feet of some of the most graceful, rare animals in the world. Your trip includes transportation, 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.  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. Passports required.

Mackinaw Island, Back in Time:  August 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:  September 13–15  Called the “Queen of the American Lakes” with 300-plus islands, 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 SERVICE & EXCURSIONS

The Granby Senior Van provides rides for adults 60 and over to shopping and activities at the Senior Center. Please call our Transportation Coordinators at 860-844-5353 one week in advance for scheduling.

Shopping Trips 

Enfield Square: Enfield  March 22, departs 10 a.m. Register by March 15. Cost $5

Lee Premium Outlets: Lee, Mass. Friday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. Ann Taylor, Chico’s, Coach, J. Crew, Michael Kors and Talbots are just some of the wonderful outlets you will find at this premium outlet mall. Lunch on your own. Cost $5.

Trips

Please call 860-844-5352 to register for all trips.

Dine and Drive The Corner Pug: Friday, March 25, departs at 10:45 a.m. Register by March 11. Cost $5. Chow down on Mac’s Big Burger or a heaping plate of Mac-N-Cheese with a side of good company.

Spring Bulb Show at Smith College: Northampton, Mass Friday, March 15 at 9 a.m Dive into spring with a spectacular array of hyacinths, narcissi, lilies and tulips. Lunch on your own at Sylvester’s; shopping afterwards at Webb’s and Main Street Shops. Cost $5. Register by March 8.

FITNESS AND EXERCISE

The Granby Senior Center offers a variety of affordable exercise classes throughout the week. $6/class for Granby residents when you pay the session price. Intensity levels range from house cat to cheetah. Classes run by session or pay a drop-in fee.

March’s Featured Class

Yoga: Tuesdays at 4 p.m. with Paula Pirog. Thoughtful breathing and controlled postures

Yoga Flow: Mondays at 10:15 a.m. Emphasis on finding a balance between flexibility and strength and exploring how, with practice finding 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 strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. Focus on improving voice power and speech clarity. With Paula Pirog.

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 achieved through the various yoga poses. Great for those with limited mobility. 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. Fast-paced class provides 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 is routed in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins

Cardio Combo: Fridays at 10:15 a.m. Quicker pace and more aerobics. Instructor, Mary Fuller.

Line Dancing: Fridays at 1 p.m. A great workout while having a lot of fun. Appropriate for beginner to advanced dancers. Instructor Jim Gregory.

Peak: Sundays at 7:30 a.m. For the weekend warrior. Vigorous aerobics and weights with Jennifer Dzielak.