Meet me at the Center

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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 Event and Programs

Thanksgiving Luncheon: Thursday, Nov. 17, 12–1:30 p.m. Sponsored by SafePals Home Care.
We will be serving a traditional turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie for dessert. Cost: $8

MakeUp for Mature Women Workshop: Thursday, Nov. 10, 1–3:30 p.m. This workshop is the perfect place for women to learn how to create a makeup style that compliments their personal features and skin tone. We will explore products and tools and must-haves for your personal makeup collection. You will participate in hands-on makeup demonstrations. Workshop led by Joby Rogers, a certified, professional makeup artist with 30+ years’ experience. Cost: $20.

Christmas Lights and Song Trip: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m. –6 p.m. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Student Prince, a charming, German-style restaurant in the heart of downtown Springfield, known for its fine food and service and beautifully decorated for the holidays. The full course meal will offer a choice of roast pork with apple glaze or baked scrod with crumb topping or chicken schnitzel with gravy, and includes salad, vegetable, potato, apple strudel a la mode and coffee. Be entertained during lunch by the famous Fort Street Holiday Carolers Sing Along!

Following lunch spend time at MGM Springfield Casino with its slots and table games. Casino bonus not available at this time. After the casino head to the pure magic of Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield, with over 2 1/2 miles of lighting displays and 250,000 lights. This is a riding tour on our deluxe motor coach through one of the Top Ten Holiday Happenings in America while listening to Christmas carols. Cost: $105.

Lifetime Learning Academy

Katharine Hepburn: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 10–11 a.m. Katharine Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage and television. Hepburn’s career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned more than 60 years. Known for her headstrong independence and spirited personality, she cultivated a screen persona that matched the public image, and regularly played strong-willed, sophisticated women. Presenter: Joseph Ouellette. Cost: $5.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: Tuesdays, Nov. 1 to Dec. 27, 1–2 p.m. Since 1979, Betty Edwards’s book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain®, has enabled millions of people around the world to learn to draw. Would you like to learn to draw and paint skillfully and beautifully? Or perhaps you just want to enhance your creativity and learn to see the world in new ways? If so, you are in the right place! Instructor: Gail Altschwager. Cost: $25, includes workbook and kit.

Southwick Jog Story: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1–2 p.m. How did the Southwick Jog come to be? The one-square-mile piece of Southwick that descends below the border and resides in Connecticut, was the subject of controversy between the two states for 150 years. What made this piece of land so attractive? How did a surveyor’s mistake start this long dispute? Learn how this happened from noted story-teller Mike Allen. Cost: $5.

Cookie Decorating: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. –1 p.m. You will learn how to beautifully decorate holiday cookies with an instructor from Mimi’s School of Cake Decorating. You will get one dozen cookies to decorate and take home with you. Limited to 12 students. Register by Nov. 18. Cost: $10, includes all supplies and a gift.

Trips

Smith College Chrysanthemum Show: Monday, Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m. Botanic Garden staff and horticulture students begin preparing for the Chrysanthemum Show months ahead to ensure that everything is ready opening night. The show is a look at how they create some of the floral pyrotechnics. Cost: $10.

Corbin Corner: Friday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Shopping at the Corbin Corner stores and lunch on your own. Cost: $5.

Dine and Drive–Maine Fish Market: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m. –3 p.m. The Vamvilis family began a Fish Market in 1980 that had a retail market and served take out fish and chips and other entrées. Nick and John Vamvilis have run the restaurant in the current location since 1986. Cost: $5.

Ongoing Programs

CRT Hot Lunch: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12–1 p.m. Community Café offers the opportunity to join with others for a healthy, low-cost lunch for seniors 60+. 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 at the Granby Senior Center. Specializing in Elder Law. Please call to set up an appointment for a free half-hour consultation.

History Revisited: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Jerry Perkins, former professor and high school 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: Fridays, 1–3:30 p.m. and Tuesdays, 6 p.m. Free.

Set Back: Tuesdays, 1–3:30 p.m. Free.

Music Jam: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. –1 p.m. Bring your instrument and join in. Music from 60s-80s. Free.

Stamping: Thursday, Nov. 17, 9:30–11 a.m. Make beautiful cards for all occasions. All materials provided. Cost: $5.

Makers Club: Mondays, 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. The club is for photography enthusiasts. Each month a different topic of interest is discussed. Annual membership is $10.

Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 8:30–10 a.m. On the Road Again, with world traveler Charmaine Glew. Cost: $5.

Men’s Breakfast: Friday, Nov. 4, 8:30-10 a.m. Cost: $3.

Health and Wellness

Hearing Screenings: Second Tuesday of the month, 9–11 a.m. Hearing Care Centers will be on-site conducting hearing screenings that include hearing aid cleaning and evaluation. Free.

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Clinic: Thursdays, 11–12:30 p.m. Courtesy of the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurses Association. Held in the Senior Center Community Room.

Healthy Minds: By appointment only. Situations such as the 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 with the better part of life. To schedule a confidential appointment, call 860-844-5350

Footcare with Sarah: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m. –2:30 p.m. By appointment only. Cost $35, not covered by insurance.

Medicare 101 and 2023 Updates: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1:30-2:30 p.m. What are the differences between Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, HMO, POS, PPO, and PDP? What is new in 2023 for Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D? What are your choices and when can you make changes? Come learn about these things and more, presented by Chris O’Neil from AIM Insurance Agency. Free.

Hospice and Palliative Care Informational Presentation: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 10–11 a.m. November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month. “Death is not something I want to think about” is a common sentiment, but are you aware of the different options for end-of-life care? Tully Meyer from McLean Home Care and Hospice will provide an educational presentation regarding Hospice, Palliative Care and different end-of-life options. Free.

Medicare Made Perfectly Clear: Monday, Nov. 14, 1–2 p.m. New to Medicare? Coming off Group sponsored employer plan? Already have Medicare but not sure if you’re on the right plan? All of these questions will be answered by Madison Roberson, from Roberson Tierney and Associates. Register by Nov. 10. 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 the body’s energy can be naturally directed to help our organs function optimally, create flexibility in the muscles, suppleness in the joins and bring balance to our emotions. Accessible and beneficial to all skill levels. Instructor: Mary Ellen Mullins. Cost for 8 classes: $54 residents, $63 non-residents.

Gentle Movement for Strength and Balance: Mondays, Oct. 3–Nov. 28, 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 classes: $48 residents, $56 non-residents.

Chair Yoga: Tuesdays, Oct. 4–Nov. 29, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Instructor, Paula Pirog. 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. Cost for 9 classes: $48 residents, $56 non-residents.

Tai Chi/Qi Gong: Thursdays, Oct. 13–Nov. 17, 9–10 a.m. Instructor, Maryellen Mullins. 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. Cost for 6 classes: $48 residents, $56 non-residents.

Yoga: Tuesdays, Oct. 4–Nov. 29, 4-5 p.m. Instructor, Paula Pirog. Strength building sequences, standing and on the mat. Includes balance and Pilates floor work. Cost for 9 classes: $48 residents, $56 non-residents.

Line Dancing with Mary Root: Thursdays, Nov. 3–Dec. 29 (no Nov. 24), 1:30–2:30 p.m. Instructor, Mary Root. A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more line or rows. No experience needed, learn as you go. Cost for 8 classes: $48 residents, $56 non-residents.