Senior Center News

December Doings at the Senior Center
by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

You will find the new Winter Program of events and activities as an insert in this issue of The Charlotte News. Please feel free to pick up an extra copy in the front foyer to share with a friend. A few December offerings are highlighted below.
The December Art Exhibit - Aileen’s Quilts
Currently a member of the Champlain Valley Quilters’ Guild and active with a wonderful group of friends called Quilters by the Lake, Aileen has always loved needlework and started sewing at a very young age. Her creations have ranged from patchwork to pieced quilts. She adapts traditional designs, adding original borders, which she then hand quilts. This fall she departs from the traditional after discovering some beautiful contemporary fabrics designed by Kaffe Fassett.
It’s magic! Come and celebrate Vermont’s newest Christmas tradition with Tchaikovsky’s classic score, The Vermont Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker on Sunday, December 21, at 1 p.m. at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. This is an all-local professional production with beautiful sets and costumes, charming children, dancing dolls, mystifying magic, mischievous mice and graceful, pre-professional ballerinas. Reservations and prepayment are through the Senior Center and required by December 12 to receive a special group rate of $27 per ticket. Transportation available.
The center is pleased to host the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, December 18, from 2 to 7 p.m. The comfortable atmosphere and great snacks make giving the “Gift of Life” at this site most pleasurable.
Survive and THRIVE the Holidays with experienced health educator and hypnotherapist Samuel Lurie. This workshop series will teach you how to reduce stress and feel happier by building up positive thoughts and beliefs. The process will increase your ability to relax and manage stressful situations. It will also help you identify some specific ways to alleviate tension when your buttons get pushed. Use self-hypnosis to reduce stress and boost joy! Tuesdays, 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Please note date changes: December 9, 16, 23. Registration required. $10 per session, $25 for all three.
Our glorious Senior Luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. A $4 donation is requested to help cover costs. Those who do not wish to share lunch with us are welcome to drop in around 1 p.m. to enjoy the after lunch offerings.
12/10: CVU Madrigal Singers
The CVU Madrigal Singers make their appearance at the center in the midst of a very busy season that includes performing for the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation at its annual “Polar Express” event, recording for “Across the Fence,” and singing at the Flynn on December 16 with Eileen Ivers for “A Celtic Christmas.” The 14 singers have been in rehearsal since September and bring a variety of songs that will offer hope for the winter season – and for this generation of young people!
12/17: Holiday Harp Concert
Intergenerational performers Ruby Ladd (age 10, Charlotte) and Norine Grand (age 80, Richmond), will perform a harp duet concert featuring music of the season and pieces from the classical and pre-classical eras. Ruby was inspired to play the harp only recently, and her interest in the instrument inspired her piano teacher to take up the harp again after a 50-year hiatus. Ruby recently won the MTNA Vermont state junior level competition for her composition on the harp, “Rainy Playdate.” This is their first public performance together.