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.
Special Activities
Benefits, Entitlements and Services for Veterans: Wednesday, June 5, 1 p.m. Presented by Wayne Rioux, Veteran’s Liaison Hartford Healthcare at Home. We will host a free seminar for veterans and their families that offers information on services and benefits. Free
Strawberry Shortcake Social: Wednesday, June 26, 12 p.m. Let’s celebrate summer and strawberries with a fun luncheon including turkey wraps, potato chips, pickles and, of course, strawberry shortcake for dessert. Music for listening and dancing will be provided by The Boogie Boys. Register by June 19. Cost $7pp.
Camp CONNRI for Seniors: July 9 – 12. This summer camp in Ashford is for seniors and includes overnight accommodations for four nights, meals and activities including shuffleboard, swimming, arts and crafts, mini golf, campfires and more. Space is very limited. Register by June 17. Cost $215pp for double occupancy, $305pp for single occupancy.
Familiar Favorites
Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, June 5, 8:30 a.m. Yellowstone National Park—A Rangers Perspective. Cost $4. To register call 860-653-9891.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. GMHS Robotics, Don Rethke. Cost $2. To register call 860-844-5352.
Lifetime Learning Academy
Natural First Aid and Repellents—Be Prepared For the Outdoors: Tuesday, June 4, 10 a.m. Presented by Sara Thornton, Ravenswood Health. Summer is the time to be outside; learn ways to treat bites, cuts and scrapes as well as how to repel mosquitos and ticks in an all-natural way. Cost $5
First Ladies, An Adventure in Glamour, Guts and Gumption: Wednesday, June 19, 1 p.m. Presented by Mariann Millard. Lively, humorous and entertaining presentation about our country’s First Ladies beginning with Martha Washington to current times. Cost $7
American Pop Culture Series
Presented by Jared Day, PhD., former professor at Carnegie Mellon University
The Big Band Era: Tuesday, June 25, 1 p.m. Examine the origins of jazz and the era of Great American Swing Bands from the 1920s through the 1940s including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and more. Cost $6
American Popular Music in the 50s: Thursday, July 18, 1 p.m. Learn about the convergence of two distinctive American musical forms, rhythm & blues and country & western to form rock & roll. Groundbreaking singers like Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, Chuck Berry and, of course, Elvis Presley will be discussed. Cost $6
Great Early TV Shows Part I: Thursday, Aug. 15, 1 p.m. Day will delve into the most popular early TV shows from the late 1940s and early 1950s with special attention to network shows like the Ed Sullivan Show, Milton Berle and the Lone Ranger. Cost $6
Great Early TV Shows Part II: Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1 p.m. Explore the most popular TV shows in the 1950s as the whole medium began to mature. Particular attention will be given to the Jackie Gleason Show, I Love Lucy, Dragnet, You Bet Your Life and others. Cost $6
Health and Wellness
Chronic Pain Self-Management Program: Wednesdays, June 5 through July 17 at 10 a.m. (no June 26). Presented by Justine Ginsberg, Farmington Valley Health District. This 6-week program was created by Stanford University to address the issue of living with chronic pain. Gain knowledge and learn strategies to help self-manage your pain. Cost $25 includes book.
Theraputty—Stress and Strengthening: Tuesday, June 11, 1 p.m. Presented by Tully Meyer, McLean Home Care and Hospice. Make your own therapeutic putty to help increase hand strength, coordination, flexibility and dexterity. Also a great tension tamer. Free
Personal Development
Ask the Attorney with Kraner and Hess: Wednesday, June 5. Specializing in Elder Law. Please call for an appointment for a free consultation. Free.
Billiards Clinics: Thursday, June 13, 1 p.m. Presented by Mark Rondeau, Certified Professional Pool Instructor. Perfect your billiard game with tips, tricks and techniques. Cost $5.
Important Conversations as We Age, Part 1: Tuesday, June 18, 1 p.m. The Other Conversation, presented by Justine Ginsberg, Farmington Valley Health District. Whether you already have plans in place or you haven’t started, this presentation will give insight and review into living wills, advanced directives, end of life matters and more. Free
Important Conversations as We Age, Part 2: Thursday, June 20, 1 p.m. Moving Forward on Your Own, presented by Justine Ginsberg, Farmington Valley VNA. This program for the widowed, couples, families and friends will help you take a look at financial decisions, grief and how to ensure you are getting the best advice and not being taken advantage of. Free.
Lend a Helping Hand
Helping Hands Needed: Wednesday, June 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please join Days for Girls International (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 Josie Klein at 860-653-5752 or josiklein640@gmail.com.
Health And Wellness
Alzheimer’s Support Group: Tuesday, June 11, 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, June 7, starting at 10 a.m. Esther Corcoran, the Alzheimer’s Association. Come with questions and concerns; offering half hour personal consultations for a family member or caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s. Call 860-844-5352 for an appointment. Free.
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: Mondays, June 10 and 24 at 1 p.m. Self-help group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers.
On Grief and Loss: Wednesdays, June 12 and 26 at 2:30 p.m. Led by Jane Johnson. Through discussion this non-therapeutic support group will help you understand and cope with grief. You will find support, information and strategies.
Foot Care Clinic with Pedi-Care: By appointment, Monday, June 17, and Friday, June 28. 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: Each 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, June 6, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Farmington Valley VNA, held in the Senior Center Community Room.
Chair Massage with Bev Harris: Tuesdays, June 4 and 18. Concentration is on upper and lower back and shoulders. Fifteen minutes 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 860-844-5353 one week in advance for scheduling.
Trips
Please call 860-844-5352 to register for all trips.
Shopping at Evergreen Walk, departing at 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 21. Cost $5.
Dine and Drive, Log House, Barkhamsted. Monday, June 24. Cost $5.
Day Excursions
Roseland Cottage, Vanilla Bean Café and Shops and Martha’s Herbary in Woodstock, Friday, June 7, 9:30 a.m. An elegant example of Victorian Age craftsmanship both inside and out, this national historic landmark is a delight. Lunch on your own at the Vanilla Bean Café. Limited seating. Cost $14. Register by May 24.
Country Ride, White Flower Farm Store, Bellamy and Ferriday House, Litchfield/Bethlehem: Friday, June 14, 9:30 a.m. A landmark and example of the evolution of a home built in 1754, surrounded by a truly inspiring garden with rare plants. Lunch on your own at the Good News Restaurant. Cost $15. Register by May 31.
Shore Drive, Meig’s Point Nature Center, Hammonasset Beach: Wednesday, June 19, 8 a.m. Come see the newly renovated Nature Center, put your feet in the sand and have lunch on your own afterwards at Bill’s Seafood. Cost $5. Register by June 12.
The Delaney House, All You Can Eat Lobster Buffet: Monday, July 8, 9:30 a.m. Lobster, lobster, lobster is on the buffet, with plenty of other choices too. Enjoy outstanding singing and comedy by John Tampanelli. Cost $85. Register and pay by June 7.
Fitness And Exercise
The Granby Senior Center offers a variety of affordable exercise classes throughout the week. Only $6/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 9:45 a.m. Emphasis is given to finding a balance between flexibility and strength and exploring how, with practice, to 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 & Strength: Mondays at 4:30 p.m. Vigorous cardio workout in a fun and encouraging environment. Instructor, Mellanee HarMonday.
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 9:45 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 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 9:45 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.