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 Events/Programs
Holiday Dinner: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 5–6:30 p.m. Enjoy a wonderful holiday dinner with hors d’oeuvres, entree, vegetable, and dessert. Entertainment by the always fabulous Elderly Brothers.
Holiday Card Making Workshop: Thursday, Dec. 1, 1–3 p.m. Stamps, scrapbook paper, buttons and ribbon are just a few materials used to create a 10-piece set of handmade holiday cards just in time for holiday card sending. Instructed by local artist Katherine Tolve. Cost $10.
Christmas Lights and Song: 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 meal will be choice of roast pork with apple glaze, baked scrod with crumb topping or chicken schnitzel with gravy plus salad, vegetable, potato, apple strudel a la mode and coffee.
Be entertained during lunch by the Fort Street Holiday Carolers Sing Along. Feel the spirit of the season. 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 Bright Nights at Forest Park, pure magic with over 2 1/2 miles of lighting displays and 250,000 lights. This is a riding tour in a deluxe motor coach through one of the Top Ten Holiday Happenings in America. Listen to Christmas carols as we drive through Winter Garden, Jurassic World, Toy Land, Blizzard Tunnel and more. Cost $105.
Lifetime Learning Academy
Bible Hour with Skip: Wednesdays, 10–11:30 a.m. Skip Mission hosts a weekly Bible Hour discussion group. The Bible topics can be those of interest to the class and can range from the Bible itself, the Life of Christ, particular passages, prophecy, how the Bible applies to us today and much more. Free.
Kumihimo Jewelry Making Class: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1–3 p.m. Kumihimo is a form of Japanese braiding using various types of stringing material, often combined with beads to make exceptional jewelry. The term Kumihimo in Japanese means the gathering of threads. Gail Altschwager will instruct you how to make your own Kumihimo jewelry. Cost $10.
Trips
Shopping Trip to Canton/Avon: Monday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Shop at Walmart, Kohl’s, The Shops at Farmington Valley, Home Goods. If the group wants lunch, it will be on your own wherever you would like in the area. Cost $5.
Dine and Drive, Munich Haus: Friday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. The Munich Haus Restaurant embodies the best of the Gottschlichts’ Bavarian heritage and knowledge, bringing diners traditional home–cooked meals with the same flavor, quality, and love that the family is known for. Cost $5.
Florence Griswold Museum: Friday, Dec. 16, 9:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Situated along the picturesque Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, the museum embodies the artistic spirit of its legacy as the home of the Lyme Art Colony. From the impressive Georgian architecture of the home of namesake Florence Griswold, to the light-filled and modern spaces of the Krieble Gallery, to the rolling landscape of our 12-acre site, the Florence Griswold is a truly special place that is privileged to serve as the home of American Impressionism.
This year’s celebration features new twists on the traditional décor. Imagine a fictional mantel-decorating contest in the Griswold boardinghouse between the historic Lyme Art Colony artists. Inspired by their paintings, they rummage through their studios as well as old trunks in Miss Florence’s attic for festive objets d’art and holiday decorations. Miss Florence announces the winner and awards ribbons on her birthday—Christmas Day! In addition to the traditional decorations, three Fantasy Trees add bespoke sparkle in the historic house.
In the Krieble Gallery, over 220 painted palettes, including a dozen new ones created this year, adorn four stunning artist trees. Lunch on your own at The Hangry Goose afterwards.
Cost $10, plus consider bringing a non-perishable donation for the shoreline soup kitchens and pantries.
Ongoing Programs
CRT Hot Lunch: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12 –1 p.m. Let someone else do the cooking. Community Café offers a healthy, low-cost lunch for seniors 60+ 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 Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. by appointment only.
At the Granby Senior Center, specializing in Elder Law. Please call to set up an appointment for a free half-hour consultation. Free.
History Revisited: Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Jerry Perkins, former professor and high school history instructor, has a way of bringing history to life. Join this informational 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, Dec. 15, 9:30–11 a.m. Make beautiful cards for all occasions. All materials provided. Cost $5 per class.
Makers Club: Mondays, 10 a.m. Bring your latest project to work on and enjoy some great conversation. Free.
Camera Club: First Mondays 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, Dec. 7, 8:30–10 a.m. The Choral Voices of GMHS, directed by Mindy Shilansky. Cost $5.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, Dec. 9, 8:30–10 a.m. The Choral Voices of GMHS, directed by Mindy Shilansky. Cost $3.
Health and Wellness
Hearing Screenings: Second Tuesdays, 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 a.m.–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 our 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, Dec. 14, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. By appointment only. Cost $35 not covered by insurance.
Exercise Programs
Chi Gong via Zoom: Wednesdays, Dec. 7–Jan. 25, 9–9:45 a.m. The practice of Chi Gong helps us to feel grounded, nurtured and relaxed so the 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. Accessible and beneficial to all skill levels. Instructor is Mary Ellen Mullins. Cost for 8 classes in session: $54 residents; $63 non-residents.
Gentle Movement for Strength and Balance: Mondays, Dec. 5–Jan. 30 (no Dec. 26 or Jan 2), 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 is Paula Pirog. Cost for 7 classes in session: $42 residents; $49 non-residents.
Chair Yoga: Tuesdays, Dec. 6–Jan. 31, 2:30–3:30 p.m. And Thursdays, Dec. 1–Jan. 26, 2:45-3:45 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 is Paula Pirog. Cost for 9 classes in session: $56 residents; $63 non-residents.
Tai Chi/Qi Gong: Thursdays, Dec. 1–Jan. 26, 9–10 a.m. Experience in first 8 forms required to participate. 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. Instructor is Maryellen Mullins. Cost for 9 classes in session: $54 residents; $63 non-residents.
Yoga: Tuesdays, Dec. 6–Jan. 31, 4–5 p.m. Strength building sequences, standing and on the mat. Includes balance and Pilates floor work. Instructor is Paula Pirog. Cost for 9 classes in session: $56 residents; $63 non-residents.
Line Dancing with Mary Root: Thursdays, Nov. 3–Dec. 29 (no Nov. 24), 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 line or rows. No experience needed, learn as you go. Cost for 8 classes in session: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.
Upcoming Programs for 2023
Over the Counter Hearing Aid Seminar: Monday, Jan. 9, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Join Dorreen from the Hearing Care Center for an educational lecture on OTC Hearing Aids. Opportunity for questions as well. Free.
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance: Wednesdays and Fridays, Jan. 11–June 30, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Moving for Better Balance® (TJQMBB) is a research-based balance training regimen designed for older adults at risk of falling and people with balance disorders. Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., a Senior Scientist at Oregon Research Institute, developed the program.
This class meets twice a week for 24 weeks and is free thanks to the Connecticut Healthy Living Collective awarding the Center with a grant.
AARP Safe Driving Course: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. The AARP Smart Driver course is the nation’s first refresher course specifically designed for drivers age 50 and older. In many states, drivers may benefit from a discount on their auto insurance premium upon completing the course. And you will learn something new along the way. In fact, an evaluation of the course found that 97 percent of participants changed at least one driving habit as a result of what they learned. Free.