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.
If you are a Granby Senior Center member, please register for programs through SchedulesPlus.com/granby If you are not a member of the Granby Senior Center or you do not have access to a computer, please call 860-844-5352.
Special Programs
The Secret Life of Owls by Horizon Wings: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1–2:30 p.m. Horizon Wings was formed in 2001 by Mary-Beth Kaeser as a 501c3 non-profit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center specializing in Birds of Prey located in Ashford. Owls have always been surrounded by an air of mystery, probably because most are nocturnal and not easily spotted in the wild. This is your chance to be only a few feet away from a Northern saw-whet owl, an Eastern screech owl, a barred owl, a barn owl and a great-horned owl. Discover the extraordinary features of owls, such as exceptional eyesight, hearing, and ability to fly silently. Cost: $5.
DIY Decoupage Pumpkin: Thursday, Oct. 6, 1–3 p.m. Spruce up your mantle or table decor with this fun artificial pumpkin project. Participants will be guided in creating a set of matching pumpkins that vary in size, shape and personal taste. Instructed by local artist Katherine Tolve. Cost: $15.
Magic and Mind Show: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2–4 p.m. Presented by Jim Sisti, mystery performer, who will amaze the audience with his brand of comedy magic and mentalism. He has performed for numerous Fortune 500 companies and celebrities, and performs at Mohegan Sun. Register by Oct. 13. Cost: $8.
Special Events
Italian Dinner: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5–6:30 p.m. Join us for homemade lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert with entertainment by Jack Sings Dino. Learn about Collette Travel and Granby Senior Center’s partnership to bring you Italian Vistas traveling in 2023. Register by Oct. 19. Cost: $10.
Lifetime Learning Academy
Let’s Get Technical: Tuesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 1–2 p.m. Presented by Gail Altschwager. Oct. 4, Basic Functions: What’s an operating system and why you need to know which operating system your devices use, calling, texting, voice mail, managing contacts, E-mail, and being security savvy online. Oct. 11, Finding Stuff: What search engines are, how to use them and how to learn how to use your device. Oct. 18, Pictures: Taking, storing and sending them. Oct. 25, Apps: What are apps, passwords, how to find apps, how to install apps, how to use apps and how to delete them. Free.
The Messiah of the Old Testament: Wednesdays, Oct. 5–Nov. 16, 10–11:30 a.m. Review and discuss messianic passages in the Old Testament from Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, other prophets and more. Instructor, Skip Mission. Free.
Trips
Lyman Orchards: Monday, Oct. 3, 9:30 a.m. –3 p.m. Lyman Orchards is the perfect trip for fall apple and pumpkin picking. Then it’s on to the Apple Barrel Farm Market. The enticing aroma of fresh baked products fills the market all day long with fresh pies, apple cider donuts, muffins, cookies, breads, pastries, and many other desserts made in the Farm Kitchen Bakery. Lunch will be on your own at the deli. Cost: $5.
Road Trip to Great Barrington: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9:15 a.m. –4 p.m. Great Barrington’s Main Street offers great shopping and restaurants. You will have time to explore and have lunch. Next stop is Freunds Farm Market, which offers a bakery, prepared meals, gourmet preserves, pickles, gifts, seasonal produce, pumpkins, and flowers. Cost: $10.
Cathedral of the Pines: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m. –6:30 p.m. At Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, N.H., stand among the tall pines overlooking the valley. Listen to the wind whisper through the branches in this place of beauty, inspiration and peace. On your guided tour, explore the sanctuary, sacred spaces, monuments and burial grounds built as a memorial to those fallen in service. Lunch will be at the nearby Woodbound Inn with its rustic and cozy atmosphere. The innkeepers will welcome you to a lovely lunch of either stuffed chicken or baked haddock, salad, vegetables, potato, dessert and beverage. Covered bridges (or “Kissing Bridges”) are practically a trademark of New England life. Grab your camera and explore several bridges. Cost: $104.
Dine and Drive at The Tavern: Friday, Oct. 21, 10:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m. The Tavern Restaurant, in Westfield, is located in a former post office built in 1910. The building was decommissioned as a post office in 1974 and sat vacant for nearly 30 years before it was purchased and renovated into a restaurant in 2004. With its granite foundation and limestone block walls the building served as a former civil defense shelter during the Cold War. The structure might be what brings you in but the quality of food and service will surely bring you back. The menu offers something for everyone with a full assortment of dinner and lunch entrees plus a large variety of sandwich and salad offerings. Cost: $5.
Olde Mystic Village: Monday, Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. There are quaint shops featuring jewelry, specialty foods, eyeglasses, general store, gardening, kitchen, Irish gifts, Scandinavian gifts, chocolates, Christmas decor, teas, toys and more. Lunch on your own at one of the several restaurants onsite. Cost: $10.
Ongoing Programs
CRT Hot Lunch: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12–1 p.m. Community Café offers seniors 60+ a healthy, low-cost lunch and the opportunity to join with others. Monthly menus are available at the Senior Center. All participants are required to complete a one-time informational survey. A donation of $3 per meal is suggested to help cover costs, however no one is denied a meal if unable to pay. Reservations are accepted until noon on Friday for the following week by calling 860-844-5350.
Ask the Attorney: First Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. –12 p.m. by appointment. Specializing in Elder Law. Please call to set up an appointment for a free half-hour consultation.
History Revisited: Every Tuesday,10 a.m. –12 p.m. Jerry Perkins, former professor and history instructor has a unique way of bringing history to life. Join this informative and fun view of events from Pre-Columbian times to the present. Class attendees will have the opportunity to request specific subjects to review. Limited to six attendees. Masks and social distancing required.
Cribbage: Every Friday,1–3:30 p.m. and every Tuesday, 6 p.m. Free.
Set Back: Every Tuesday, 1–3:30 p.m. Free.
Music Jam: Every Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. –1 p.m. Bring your instrument and join in. Music from the 60s-80s. Free
Stamping: Thursday, Oct. 20, 9:30–11 a.m. Make beautiful cards for all occasions. All materials provided. Cost: $5.
Makers Club: Mondays at 10 a.m. Bring your latest project to work on and enjoy some great conversation. Free.
Camera Club: First Monday of the month at 7 p.m. For photography enthusiasts. Each month a different topic of interest is discussed. Annual membership is $10.
Crafting for the Center: Second Thursday every month, 10 a.m. –12 p.m. Join the Center’s program coordinator, Jennifer, to create centerpieces, decor and more for our themed events throughout the year. Take pride in your work, share your creation with your friends and take it home after the event. Free.
Center Council: Fourth Monday every month, 1–2 p.m. Do you have ideas or feedback you want to share? Is there something you would like to see added to the calendar? This upbeat group will be led by program coordinator Jennifer Kielbasa—all are welcome to attend. Free.
Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 8:30–10 a.m. Major Melinda Rizer Gould, the guest speaker, presents Former Life of a Retired Female Helicopter Pilot. Cost: $5.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, Oct. 14, 8:30–10 a.m. See Center Life Newsletter for current program schedule. Cost: $3.
Health and Wellness
Hearing Screenings: Second Tuesday of the month, 9–11 a.m. Hearing Care Centers will be onsite conducting hearing screenings that include hearing aid cleaning and evaluation. Free.
Pedicare Footcare: Third Monday and Fourth Friday each month, 8:30 a.m. –2:30 p.m. by appointment only. Cost $35, not covered by insurance.
Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Clinic: Every Thursday, 11 a.m. –12:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Courtesy of the FV VNA. Free.
Healthy Minds: By appointment only. A death of a loved one, failing health or strained family relationships can be daunting to face alone. Working with a Marriage and Family Therapist may help you move forward. To schedule a confidential appointment, call 860-844-5350
Matter of Balance: Wednesdays, Oct. 5–Nov. 23, 2–3:30 p.m. Provided by FV Health District. This award-winning program is designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Free.
Exercise Programs
Chi Gong via Zoom: Wednesdays, Oct. 12–Nov. 30, 9–9:45 a.m. The practice of Chi Gong helps us to feel grounded, nurtured and relaxed so that our body’s energy can be naturally directed to help our organs function optimally, create flexibility in the muscles, suppleness in the joints and bring balance to our emotions. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins. Cost for 8 weeks: $54 residents; $63 non-residents.
Gentle Movement for Strength and Balance: Mondays, Oct. 3–Nov. 28 (no Oct. 10), 11:15 a.m. This class will gently increase your strength, help your ability to balance, and provide stretching to maintain and increase mobility. Instructor, Paula Pirog. Cost for 8 weeks: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.
Chair Yoga: Tuesdays, Oct 4–Nov. 29, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Enhanced breathing, seated and standing classic Yoga poses, plus balance training and core strengthening. Guided meditation finishes the class in a calm and relaxing manner. Instructor, Paula Pirog. Cost for 9 weeks: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.
Tai Chi/Qi Gong: Thursdays, Oct. 13–Nov. 17, 9-10 a.m. Continuing the forms learned in previous sessions, this class will move on to learn Forms 9–12 of the Yang style Tai Chi. The first half of class will consist of Qi Gong warmups. Experience in first eight forms required to participate. Instructor, Maryellen Mullins. Cost for 6 weeks: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.
Yoga: Tuesdays, Oct. 4–Nov. 29, 4–5 p.m. Strength building sequences, standing and on the mat. Includes balance and Pilates floor work. Instructor, Paula Pirog. Cost for 9 weeks: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.
Line Dancing with Mary Root: Thursdays, Sept. 8–Oct. 27, 1:30–2:30 p.m. A line dance is a choregraphed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. No experience needed, learn as you go. Instructor, Mary Root. Cost for 8 weeks: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.