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 & Trips
Holiday Dinner: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with a fabulous catered meal and entertainment by the one and only, The Elderly Brothers! Be sure to wear your dancing shoes because they can get the crowd going! Cost: $8.
Florence Griswold Museum Holiday Display: Tuesday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. This year’s celebration features new twists on 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 objects 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, more than 250 painted palettes adorn four stunning Artist Trees. Lunch on your own at The Hangry Goose afterwards. Cost: $10.
Christmas in Newport, Friendship Tours: Thursday, Dec. 7, 8–7 p.m. Visit two magnificent mansions. The Breakers is the grand and sumptuous mansion of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. Upon arrival everyone receives an audio guide so you can walk through at your leisure listening to the story of the mansion. Enjoy magnificently decorated rooms, poinsettias, charming ornaments, trees and wreaths. Lunch will be at the Johnny’s Restaurant at the Wyndham, a beautiful new hotel on the water in Middletown, R.I. Then on to The Elms, built as a summer retreat for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind and his wife Herminie and completed in 1901. At Christmastime, the house is dressed like a giant jewel box, letting the rooms inspire the color scheme and motifs. You’ll find antique toys in the library and sumptuous mantle decorations throughout. Cost: $133 includes lunch.
Lifelong Learning
Coping for the Holidays: Tuesdays, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12, 10:30 a.m. The weeks between mid-November and early January are not necessarily “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Seasonal fatigue, stress and anxiety may test our emotions and drain the holidays of festivity. Even our own expectations can sabotage our joy. Nearly 40 percent of Americans report that they become more stressed out during this time of year, according to the American Psychological Association. Do the holidays have you feeling overwhelmed or simply not jolly? That’s OK—Megyn, a marriage and family therapist, will be here to listen and share some coping skills to get your through the next few weeks. Free.
New Testament Survey Class: Wednesdays: Jan. 3–Feb. 21, 10 a.m. This seven-week Bible 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 in Acts, the letters to the churches from Paul and others, as well as the prophecy and eternal state in the book of Revelation. Skip Mission of Granby will again be the instructor and host. Free.
Ongoing Programs
CRT Hot Lunch: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 12–1 p.m. Community Café offers healthy, low-cost lunches 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: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 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 60s – 80s. Open to any type of musicians! 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, Dec. 4, 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. 6, Welcome the Holidays with GMHS Chamber Singers, directed by Mindy Shilansky. Wednesday, Jan. 10 (note date change), What’s Going On in Granby, with Abby Kenyon, Granby Community Development Director. Breakfast at 8:30 a.m., program to follow around 9 a.m. Cost: $5 per meeting.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, Dec. 8, Welcome the Holidays with GMHS Chamber Singers, directed by Mindy Shilansky. Breakfast at 8:30 a.m., program to follow around 9 a.m. Cost: $5.
Health & Wellness
Chair Massage: Tuesdays, Dec. 5 and 19, 10 a.m.–12:45 p.m. by appointment only. Bev offers 15-minute chair massages for $10. Must have a 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.
Exercise Programs
See the current Center Life newsletter for costs for programs.
Gentle Movement: Mondays, 11:15 a.m. Next session Dec. 4–Jan. 29 (no Dec 25, Jan 1, 15).
This class will gently increase your strength, help your ability to balance and provide stretching to maintain and increase mobility. Instructor, Paula Pirog.
Chair Yoga: Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m. Next session: Dec. 5–Jan. 30. 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.
Yoga: Thursdays, 4 p.m. Next session: Dec. 7–Jan. 25. Strength building sequences, standing and on the mat. Includes balance and Pilates floor work. Instructor, Paula Pirog.
Chi Gong–Virtual: Wednesdays, 9–9:45 a.m. Next session: Dec. 6–Jan. 31. 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 joints 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, next session starts Jan. 6. 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 Yang Style 24 Forms 1-6: Wednesdays, 2:45–3:45 p.m. Next session: Dec. 6–Jan. 31. This class is 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. People of all ages, especially seniors, can benefit from Tai Chi such as improved balance, flexibility and increased energy. The balanced work of Tai Chi can also help reduce inflammation, improve mental health, chronic pain and increase longevity.
It takes time and a commitment to learn Tai Chi as the forms are linked together and
progressive. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins.
Tai Chi/Qi Gong: Thursdays, 9 a.m. Next session: Dec. 7–Jan. 25. 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 that are suitable for abilities. Experience in first eight forms required to participate. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins.
Everybody’s Exercise: Thursdays, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Currently in session, next session starts Jan. 4. Suitable for everyone, this class will include strength and weights, some cardio, balance, and flexibility. All movements can be modified for chair or standing. Instructor Mary Root will personalize your routine based off current flexibility, strength, etc.
All about Balance: Thursdays, 2:45 p.m. Currently in session, next session starts Jan. 4. 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.
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