Please visit granby-ct.gov/senior-services or check your Center Life Newsletter for a complete listing of health services, support groups, clubs and ongoing activities.
May Highlights
Mother’s Day High Tea: Thursday, May 9, 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by Suffield By the River, a Senior Living Community. This event is for all women. Enjoy elegant pastries and tea while listening to the lovely sound of harp music provided by Debbie Vinick. Cost $5
Lovely Roses—Favorites From a Rosarian’s Garden: Tuesday, May 28, 1 p.m. Presented by Marci Martin, Rosarian, who will impart her extensive knowledge of the cultivation of roses and share some of her favorites. You will have time to ask questions. Cost $5
Patriotic Dinner: Wednesday, May 29, 5 p.m. Break out your red, white and blue in honor of Memorial Day. Dinner includes baked ham, mac and cheese, vegetables, with a special red, white and blue dessert. Ashly Cruz will perform patriotic songs as well as many other favorites. Cost $8
Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, May 1, 8:30 a.m. The Expressive Beauty Bunch, presented by Tainted Beauty Studios. Cost $4. To register call 860-653-9891.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, May 10, 8:30 a.m. Essential Tremor Movement Disorder, presented by Dr. Machado. Cost $2. To register call 860-844-5352.
Open Studio: Thursday, May 30, 1 p.m. Instructor, Katherine Torve. Bring your favorite project and receive instruction on how to complete your piece. Class size limited. Cost $5.
Billiards Clinics: Thursdays, May 16 and June 13, 1 p.m. Presented by Mark Rondeau, certified professional pool instructor, who will help perfect your billiard game with tips, tricks and techniques. Cost $5 per session.
AARP Fraud Watch: Tuesday, May 21, 10 a.m. Presented by AARP. Learn about all the latest scams by phone, email and other social media. Protect yourself so you don’t become a victim. Free.
Lifetime Learning Academy
First Amendment—A Citizen’s Guide: Tuesday, May 14, 1 p.m. Presenter is professor emeritus and author, John Finn. It’s been a long time since history class. This presentation will help you understand first principles and fundamentals about the First Amendment and freedom of speech as well as its latest interpretation in the age of rapidly changing technology. Cost $5
Master Gardening—Your Questions, My Answers: Wednesday, May 15, 10:30 a.m. Presented by Barry Avery, master gardener. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. Topics from abscission to Zoysia and anything in between are fair game. Cost $5
Exploring Rock Hounding: Friday, May 17, 1 p.m. Presented by Jack Marcy, past president of the CT Valley Mineral Club. Learn all about rocks and minerals with a special showing of fluorescent minerals under ultraviolet light. You will have the opportunity to view many specimens up close throughout the presentation. Cost $5
Health and Wellness
Stroke Awareness: Friday, May 17, 1 p.m. Knowledge is power. Kate Coupe from the Granby Ambulance Association and Jean Pickens from the Farmington Valley VNA will be presenting information on strokes from a medical viewpoint. Learn symptoms and signs and what you can do to try and prevent them. Free. Register by May 10.
Liver Wellness, What You Can Do To Keep Your Liver Healthy: Thursday, May 23, 1 p.m. Presented by the Liver Foundation. Liver health is often overlooked, but there are many things you can do to keep your liver from becoming overworked and unhealthy. Learn how to keep your liver functioning at its best. Free.
Lend A Helping Hand
Helping Hands Needed: Wednesday, May 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please join Days for Girls International (daysforgirls.org) sewing for women in need of sanitary products. Need both sewers and non-sewers to volunteer. To learn more please contact Josie Klein at 860-653-5752 or josiklein640@gmail.com.
Health And Wellness
Alzheimer’s Support Group: Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. 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, May 10, starting at 10 a.m. Esther Corcoran, the Alzheimer’s Association. Offering half hour personal consultations if you are a family member or caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s. Call 860-844-5352 for an appointment.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Thursdays at noon. 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, May 13, 1 p.m. Self-help group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers.
On Grief and Loss: Wednesdays, May 8 and 22, 2:30 p.m. Led by Jane Johnson. Through discussion this non-therapeutic support group will help you in understanding and coping with grief. You will find support, information and strategies.
Foot Care Clinic with Pedi-Care: By appointment, Monday, May 20, and Friday, May 24. A specially trained nurse will assess feet and lower extremities, trim, file and clean nails. Cost is $29. (Not covered by insurance). Call 860-844-5352 for an appointment.
Free Blood Pressure Checks: Every Thursday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Farmington Valley VNA. Held in the Senior Center Community Room.
Free Blood Sugar Checks: First Thursday of the month, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Farmington Valley VNA. Held in the Senior Center Community Room.
Chair Massage with Bev Harris: Tuesdays, May 7 and 21. Concentration is on upper and lower back and shoulders. Fifteen minute appointment is $10.
TRAVEL
For extended tours and travel please visit granby-ct.gov.
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 our Transportation Coordinators at 860-844-5353 one week in advance for scheduling. Please call 860-844-5352 to register for all trips.
Dine and Drive: Friday, May 31, Bernie’s Dining Depot, Chicopee. Cost $5.
Shopping: Friday, May 10, West Farms Mall, West Hartford. Cost $5
Hill-Stead Museum: Wednesday, May 8, 9 a.m. The Hill-Stead Museum is a Colonial Revival house and art museum, best known for its French Impressionist pieces, architecture and stately grounds. Lunch on your own at River’s Edge Bistro and Mediterranean Cuisine. Cost $17. Registration starts immediately.
Thankful Arnold House: Wednesday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. This historic home in Haddam has a rich family story providing visitors with a look into the life and times of the late 17th century. Lunch at the Blue Oar (on your own, they accept cash only) and a picturesque ride through Haddam rounds out the day. Cost $8. Register by May 8.
Shore Drive to Old Saybrook Point: Wednesday, May 22, 9:30 a.m. Ride to the shore to enjoy the water views. Time allowed for stops at local shops and for lunch at the Aspen Restaurant, on your own. Cost $5. Register by May 8.
FITNESS and EXERCISE
The Granby Senior Center offers a variety of affordable exercise classes throughout the week. Only $6 per class for Granby residents when you pay the session price. Intensity levels range from house cat to cheetah. Classes run by session or you can pay a drop-in fee.
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 strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. Will help to improve activities of daily living in a fun and social environment. Instructor, Paula Pirog.
Cardio and Strength: Mondays at 4:30 p.m. Vigorous cardio workout in a fun and encouraging environment. Instructor, Mellanee Harmon.
Chair Yoga: Tuesdays 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: Tuesdays 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.
Line Dancing: Fridays at 1 p.m. This class is 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. Vigorous aerobics and weights. With Jennifer Dzielak.