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
Senior Fall Social: Friday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at the North Barn Pavilion at Holcomb Farm. Come enjoy great company along with your soup and sandwich. Meet and greet your fellow seniors. Register by Sept. 29. Free.
Trips
Old Drake Hill Bridge Foliage Views: Thursday, Oct. 5, departs at 10 a.m. Rain date, Oct. 6. Located in Simsbury, this is an amazing 1892 metal truss flower bridge spanning the Farmington River. The Flower Bridge committee will do a 20-minute interactive presentation on the history and transformation of this one-lane car bridge into a pedestrian-only flower bridge. After a tour, enjoy an outdoor boxed lunch including a sandwich or wrap of choice (turkey, ham, tuna, or veggie (w/ or w/out cheese), bottle of water, bag of potato chips and a chocolate chip cookie. (Gluten free options.) Please specify meal choice when registering. Cost: $15, lunch included.
Dine and Drive, Cheesecake Factory: Friday, Oct. 13, departs at 11 a.m. Choose from more than 250 dishes made fresh from scratch every day and more than 40 legendary cheesecakes and desserts. Cost: $5
Shopping, Target in Enfield: Monday, Oct. 16, departs at 9:30 a.m. Cost: $5.
Mohegan Sun: Monday, Oct. 30, departs at 8:45 a.m. Test your luck on winning big or take time to explore some of the lovely shops, or do both! Enjoy lunch at the buffet or one of the amazing restaurants Mohegan Sun has to offer. Cost: $10.
Lifelong Learning
Elder Fraud Presentation: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 10–11 a.m. Join Thomas Faeth, vice president and security officer, of Northwest Community Bank for a seminar on Elder Fraud, defined as a financial fraud scheme that targets senior citizens. Faeth will go over the most common types of elder fraud and, more importantly, how to protect yourself against them. Free.
Old Testament Survey Class: Wednesdays, Oct. 4–Nov. 15, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. This seven-week overview of Old Testament history will familiarize you with the key biblical people, events and promises to Israel. The class will be led by Skip Mission, a lifelong Granby resident with more than 20 years of adult Bible teaching experience. Free.
Stonewall Speakers via Zoom: Friday, Oct. 6, 10–11 a.m. The Stonewall Speakers, an LGBT speakers bureau, will have three speakers representing the LGBTQ+ community who tell their individual stories touching on personal history, their coming out and their experiences along their journey. You will hear about the founding of the Stonewall Speakers—when how and why it was formed. Free.
Edna In Millbrook with author Faith Tyldsley: Friday, Oct. 13, 10–11 a.m. Faith Tyldsley attended St. Mary’s School for Girls in Peekskill, N.Y.; Wells College in Aurora, N.Y.; and the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to retirement, she was a guidance counselor and school psychologist and now lives in Granby with her cat, Lily. Tyldsley’s tribute to her mother, Edna Feely Tyldsley, for a life well-lived was culled from Edna’s letters and journals, church records, newspaper articles, and personal memories. Free.
Let’s Get Technical! Tuesday, Oct. 17–Nov. 7, 1–2 p.m. Gail Altschwager is back to teach this four-week series. Class 1: Basic Functions: What’s an operating system and why you need to know which operating system your devices use, calling, texting, voicemail, managing contacts, email, and being security savvy online. Class 2: What search engines are, how to use them and how to learn how to use your device. Class 3: Taking, storing and sending photos. Class 4: What are apps, passwords, how to find apps, how to install apps, how to use apps and how to delete them. Free.
Iconography of Tombstones: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 10–11 a.m. Take a stroll through a cemetery, and you’ll see intricate carvings on the monuments to the deceased. Join us and learn about some of the carvings, carvers and how some of our forefathers wanted to remember a person passed. John Cilio is a historian, storyteller, a member of the Organization of American Historians and the Association for the Study of Connecticut History. His goal is to make history relevant, engaging, and enlightening. Free.
Medicare Made Perfectly Clear: Friday, Oct. 20, 1–2:30 p.m. New to Medicare, coming off group sponsored employer plan, or already have Medicare but not sure if you’re on the right plan? These questions will be answered by Madison Roberson, from Roberson Tierney and Associates, during this free class.
Ongoing Programs
CRT Hot Lunch: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12–1 p.m. Community Café offers a healthy, low-cost lunch for seniors 60+ plus 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: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 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.
Cribbage: Fridays 3–5 p.m. and Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Join this lively group. Experienced players will assist with refreshing your game play. Free.
Set Back: Tuesdays, 1–3:30 p.m. Free.
Music Jam Back in Time: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring your instrument and join in. Music from the 60s to the 80s. Free.
Makers Club: Mondays, 10 a.m. Bring your latest project to work on and enjoy some great conversation. Free.
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. Free.
Camera Club: Monday, Oct. 2, 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, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m. Guest speaker is Walter Banzhaf presenting The Incredible Story of a Sea Survivor. Cost: $5.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, Oct. 13, 8:30 a.m. Guest speaker is Dr. Jason Hawley talking about the Connecticut Bobcat Project. Cost: $5.
Exercise Programs
See current Center Life newsletter for cost of programs.
Gentle Movement: Mondays, 11:15 a.m. Next session is Oct. 16–Nov. 27. Instructor, Paula Pirog. This class will gently increase your strength, help your ability to balance, and provide stretching to maintain and increase mobility.
Chair Yoga: Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m. Next session is Oct. 10–Nov. 28. 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.
Yoga: Thursdays, 4 p.m. Next session is Oct. 10–Nov. 28. Instructor, Paula Pirog. Strength building sequences, standing and on the mat. Includes balance and Pilates floor work.
Chi Gong via Zoom: Wednesdays 9–9:45 a.m. Next session is Oct. 4–Nov. 29. 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. Beneficial to all skill levels. Instructor: Mary Ellen Mullins
Line Dancing with Jim: Wednesdays, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Class currently in session. Instructor Jim Gregory has been teaching dance full-time for 40 years. His expertise will have you learning the steps in no time and having a blast too. This class is for beginners to advanced dancers.
Tai Chi/Qi Gong: Thursdays, 9 a.m. Next session is Oct. 5–Nov. 23. Continuing the forms learned in previous sessions, this class will move on to learn Forms 9-12 of Yang style Tai Chi. The first half of class will consist of Qi Gong warm ups that are suitable for all abilities. Experience in first eight forms required to participate. Instructor: Mary Ellen Mullins.
Everybody’s Exercise with Mary Root: Thursdays, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Class currently in session.
This exercise class is suitable for anyone and everyone, and includes strength and weights, some cardio, balance and flexibility. All movements can be modified for chair or standing. Mary will personalize your routine based off current flexibility, strength, etc.
All About Balance: Thursdays, 2:45 p.m. Next session is Oct. 12–Nov. 16. This class focuses on strength for balance efficiency, such as squats, handheld weight maneuvers, and walking drills, as well as core conditioning. Instructor: Paula Pirog.
Tai Chi Yang Style 24 Forms 1-6: Wednesdays, 2:45 p.m. Next session: Oct. 4–Nov. 22. This class is suitable and encouraged for beginners. Tai Chi is a practice that involves a series of slow, gentle, low impact movements, a relaxed, meditative mind set and controlled breathing.
Health and Wellness
Chair Massage: Tuesdays Oct. 3, 17 and 31, 10 a.m.–12:45 p.m. by appointment only.
Bev offers 15-minute chair massages for $10. Must have current Senior Center membership to participate.
Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Clinic: Thursdays, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. No appointment needed. 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, Oct. 11, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sarah, from Mobile Manicures, will assess feet and lower extremities, trim, file and clean nails. By appointment only. Cost $35 not covered by insurance.
Hearing Screenings: Friday, Oct. 13, 9:30–11:30 a.m. by appointment only. Nova Hearing is our new Hearing Screening vendor. Free.
Flu shot clinic by Farmington Valley VNA: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2–4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.