Special March Activities
Please visit 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. To register for a program please call 860-844-5352.
AARP Tax Preparation: By appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 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 860-844-5350 to set up an appointment.
NEW Hiking Club: Kick-off and information session on Thursday, March 12, 1 p.m. Sponsored by Aetna Retiree Services. Learn more about our new Hiking Club that will start later in March. You will have the opportunity to share ideas for hikes in our area, get more information about club membership and meet other hiking enthusiasts. We have scheduled the first two hikes, but the club will help select future locations. No experience necessary. Register by March 5.
NEW Singing Group Forming, Sing Your Hartt Out Choir: Mondays, March 23 – May 18 (no April 13). Jennifer Fijal, director from Hartt School of Music will lead a choral singing group here at the Senior Center. This 8-week session is designed for anyone who enjoys singing. No experience necessary. We must get 15 people to join in order to hold the class. Register by March 9. Cost $45 members, $50 non-members.
Aging Mastery Program: Mondays, April 6 – June 22, at 1 p.m. The Granby Senior Center is thrilled to be offering the AMP Program again. This national, evidence based program is designed to help millions of baby boomers and older adults take critical steps to improve their well-being, add stability to their lives, and strengthen their ties to the community. The ten-week series explores how to repurpose and support the Bonus Years that many Boomers and seniors will enjoy. Includes lectures, expert speakers, sharing and creating the kind of life you want as you age. Generously supported and funded by the North Central Area Agency on Aging, The CT Healthy Living Collective and Anthem Foundation. This program is valued at $150 per person, but we are offering it at no charge. We only have a few spots still available.
Senior Day: Wednesday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Save the date, this event will offer fun activities and games, local companies offering resources and information on everything from health screenings including blood pressure, blood sugar, Biosway balance testing and memory screening, to housing options, to travel, and more. Door prizes include trip tickets to one of our upcoming Road Trips plus other fun prizes (must be present to win). All participants who pre-register will be sent home with a bagged lunch, compliments of Anthology of Simsbury, a Senior Living Community, distributed after the door prizes are announced. Vendors include: Anthology of Simsbury, Collette Travel, Residence at Brookside/Suffield by the River, Hartford HealthCare, MeadowBrook of Granby, McLean Home Care and Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association, Hayes-Huling and Carmon Funeral Home, Stonebrook Village, Edward Jones, Czepiga, Daly, Pope and Perri, Nurse Next Door, Arden Courts of Farmington and Avon, Primary Eye Care, Farmington Valley VNA, Home Helpers Home Care and Anthem. Van transportation available with a current van pass. Register by April 22. Free.
New Travel Opportunity—Shades of Ireland: An information session is Thursday, March 5, 10 a.m. The Granby Senior Center, in conjunction with Collette Travel, will offer a trip to Ireland in November 2020. On March 5, learn more about this fantastic 10-day trip. The presentation includes a slideshow, brochures and detailed itinerary and pricing information. Get information on future trips including a Canyons Tour of the Southwest. Light refreshments will be served. Register by Feb. 27. No charge to attend.
Lifetime Learning Academy
Survey of the New Testament: Mondays, March 2 – April 27 (no March 9 or April 13), at 10 a.m. Skip Mission, Bible teacher. This seven-week overview of the New Testament will familiarize you with the key New Testament people, events and promises. The discussion will include the Gospels of Jesus, the growth of Christianity and letters to the churches as well as the prophecy and eternal state in Revelation. Register by Feb. 24. Cost $15 members, $20 non-members.
Bald Eagles in Connecticut: Wednesday, March 18 at 1 p.m. Presented by Ginny Apple, master wildlife conservationist. It’s a bird, it’s a plane…NO it’s an eagle. Bald eagles were once so endangered that many considered whether to replace them as America’s symbol. Connecticut’s healthy eagle population is a comeback story worth hearing. Register by March 11. Cost $5 members, $7 non-members.
Violin Lessons, The Suzuki Method: Fridays, March 20 – June 26 (no April 10, May 1, 22 or 29) at 9 a.m. These are intermediate-level violin lessons, so must have experience to join in. Register by March 13. Cost $110 members, $130 non-members.
Violin Recital: Wednesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. Join the adult violin students for their first recital. They have been working hard for the past several months and are ready to share their progress with you. Please come and support their efforts. Light refreshments will be served. Register by March 15. Free.
The World’s Greatest Fair, St. Louis 1904: Tuesday, March 24, at 1 p.m. The 1904 World’s Fair was intended to be the biggest and best World’s Fair ever. It featured the first Olympics on American soil where competitors were openly administered drugs, marathon runners were chased off course by dogs, and the first Ferris Wheel—so large that a wedding was held on horseback in one of its cars. This engaging movie presents the fair as never before through stories and more. Register by March 14. Cost $5 members, $7 non-members.
Familiar Favorites
Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, March 4, 8:30 a.m. Myths and Facts About Granby’s McLean Game Refuge, with Connor Hogan, director. Cost $4. To register, call 860-653-9891.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, March 13, at 8:30 a.m. National Grange: It’s Impact in 2020, with Phil Prelli. Cost $2. To register, call 860-844-5352.
Stamping: The third Thursday of the month, 9:30 a.m. Instructor, Sharyn Holness. Create four beautiful cards. Cost $5 includes all materials.
Lend A Helping Hand: Please join Days for Girls International (daysforgirls.org) on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m., sewing for women in need of sanitary products. Need sewers and non-sewers to volunteer. To learn more, please contact Josie Klein at 860-653-5752 or josiklein640@gmail.com.
Health And Wellness
NEW Reiki Sessions: By appointment on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Tannia Hotchkiss, Reiki Practitioner. Reiki promotes healing, stress relief and relaxation in a calm, quiet setting. Half hour session $20.
Alzheimer’s Support Group: This group has a new day and time, the first Monday of the month at 1 p.m. Peggy Coburn, McLean Home Care. 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.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Thursdays at noon. Join other grandparents, to share friendships, tips and ideas on being a parent again. Free.
MS Support Group: The second and fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. Self-help group for persons with Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers.
Foot Care Clinic with Pedi-Care: By appointment on Monday, March 16, and Friday, March 27. 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: The first, third and fifth (when applicable) Tuesdays of the month. 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 for shopping and activities at the Senior Center. Please call 860-844-5353 one week in advance for scheduling.
The Benton Art Museum: Friday, March 6, departs 9 a.m., returns 3 p.m. The William Benton Museum of Art is Connecticut’s State art museum, located on the University of Connecticut campus at Storrs. Drawing largely from its collection of over 6,500 works of art, the museum presents exhibitions of art dating from the 15th through the 21st centuries. Lunch on your own at Trattoria Toscana. Register by Feb. 28. Cost $7.
Adventure Excursion: Bowling: Wednesday, March 11, departs 12:15 p.m., returns 3:30 p.m. Get limbered up and ready for two hours of fun and competitive bowling at Sparetime Entertainment Bowling, Windsor Locks. Pair up for a team competition or everyone for themselves. Register by March 4. The café is not open, so please make sure you eat before you board the bus. Limited space available. Register by March 5. Cost $23, includes lane fees and shoe rental.
Shopping
Buckland Hills/Trader Joe’s/Christmas Tree Shop, Manchester on Monday, March 23. Departs 9 a.m., returns 3 p.m. Cost $5
Dine And Drive, BlackRock Tavern in Plymouth on Friday, March 20. Departs 9:30 a.m., returns 2:30 p.m., with stops at Cleveland’s Country Store/Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shop. Cost $5.