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
Memorial Day Luncheon: Thursday, May 30, 12 noon. We will be honoring our veterans and remembering the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice with a special lunch and entertainment by the one and only, Elderly Brothers. Cost: $8, Granby Senior Center Veterans are free.
Lifelong Learning
To Granby, With Love, Carol Laun’s legacy: Friday, May 17, 10 a.m. Join author Faith Tyldsley as she discusses her motivation to compile and edit To Granby, with Love, a guide to Carol Laun’s history articles as published in The Granby Drummer from 1971–2021. Free.
The Sport of Prohibition: Friday, May 2, 10 a.m. The Prohibition Era began in 1920 when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed. Bootlegging wasn’t new then, but the amendment expanded bootleggers’ markets. Needless to say, the law was difficult to enforce. The competition between the bootleggers producing and transporting illegal liquor and police trying to stop them almost became a sport. Sometimes the sport had a deadly outcome. Free.
Trips
See Center Life Newsletter for monthly shopping and Dine & Drive trips.
Hill-Stead May Market: Friday, May 3, depart at 9:30 a.m. May Market is produced with enormous support by The Hill-Steaders, volunteer ambassadors of Hill-Stead, who have supported the museum with fundraising and outreach initiatives for more than 30 years. One of its largest events, this fundraiser supports Hill-Stead’s gardens, grounds and trails. Lunch after at Butchers and Bakers. Cost: $15.
Friendship Tours’ Lexington and Concord: Wednesday, May 22, departs at 7:30 a.m. Visit Orchard House, where the Alcotts lived from 1858 until 1877. The house is most noted for being where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set her beloved classic, Little Women, in 1868 at a “shelf desk’ her father built especially for her. The rooms look very much as they did when the family lived here.
The elegant 1716 Colonial Inn, set on the Concord Village Green, is one of America’s oldest and most enduring country inns. Enjoy a delicious luncheon of chicken piccata with lemon caper butter sauce or Ritz cracker crusted cod with citrus beurre blanc, with potato, seasonal vegetable, salad, dessert and coffee. Notify of meal choice when registering.
After lunch begin a memorable visit with a costumed guide to the birthplace of American Liberty, Lexington, famous for “the shot heard ‘round the world” that began the American Revolution. Ride along historic Battle Road while your guide recounts the exciting events on April 19, 1775. Visit Old North Bridge and Minute Man National Park.
The Peter Pan bus departs from the Senior Center at 7:30 a.m. with an estimated return of 7 p.m. Cost: $145.
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+ with 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, May 1,10 a.m.–12 p.m. by appointment. Specializing in Elder Law. Please call senior center to set up an appointment for a free half-hour consultation.
Ask the Realtor: Wednesday, May 8,10 a.m.–12 p.m. by appointment. Granby’s Judy Guarco has worked for 20+ years representing both buyers and sellers with the goal to always be a trusted advisor when navigating the ever-changing world of home ownership. Guarco will offer good advice, solid market knowledge, customer service and attention to detail in a free 30-minute 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 at 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, May 6 at 7 p.m. For photography enthusiasts. Each month a different topic of interest is discussed. Annual membership is $10.
Women’s Breakfast: Wednesday, May 1 at 8:30 a.m. Cost: $5.
Men’s Breakfast: Friday, May 10 at 8:30 a.m. Cost: $5.
Health and Wellness
Chair Massage: Tuesdays, May 7 and 21, 10 a.m.–12:45 p.m. by appointment. Bev offers 15-minute chair massages for $10.
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 Center Life newsletter for program dates and costs.
Gentle Movement: Mondays at 11:15 a.m. Currently in session. 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 at 2:30 p.m. Currently in session. 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 at 4 p.m. Currently in session. 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. Currently in session. 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. 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. Currently in session. 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. People of all ages 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. This first session works on Forms 1-6. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins.
Tai Chi/Qi Gong: Thursdays at 9 a.m. Currently in session. 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. Suitable for anyone and everyone, this class includes 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 at 2:45 p.m. Currently in session. 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.