Senior Center News
by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator
April 8, 2010, page 17

Much to Do During April and May –
Mark your Calendars Now!

The Senior Center is pleased to host the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, April 15, from 2-7 p.m. The comfortable atmosphere and great snacks make giving the “Gift of Life” at this site most pleasurable.
The Healing Power of Sleep with Susan Fitzgerald, Certified Instructor/Therapist of Deep Relaxation Therapy, begins Friday mornings from 10 a.m. - noon. Dates: April 16 and 23.
Come and learn about Nature’s most powerful healing agent – SLEEP.
Discover how a deep quality of sleep works to balance your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and all vital body functions.
Find out how sleep can be very important for building and maintaining a strong immune system.
Sleep also provides mental and emotional support, through easing and releasing stored-up stress and tension from your whole system.
Learn how the simple practice of Deep Relaxation can significantly improve the depth and quality of sleep to greatly enhance your health and well being on all levels of self. Registration required. Fee: $45 for both classes.
The first of four Spring Road Hikes in the Champlain Valley with Marty Morrissey departs from the center on Tuesday, April 27, at 9 a.m. with a destination of the Causeway in Colchester. Please meet at the center 10 minutes prior to departure with water, good hiking or walking shoes and a snack or lunch. The hike starts at the parking lot on Colchester Point and will follow the bike path onto the old railroad bed that extends out into Lake Champlain. Approximately 3 to 4 miles and all flat. Registration required. No fee.
A new session of Living Strong in Vermont with Margery Rutherford and Dorrice Hammer begins Tuesday and Friday from 11 a.m. - noon. Dates: May 4 through July 23, two days a week. This program helps maintain independence by increasing strength, muscle mass and bone density using hand and ankle weights. Balance exercises enhance agility and decrease the likelihood of falls, while flexibility exercises increase joint mobility and reduce the risk of injury. The weight-bearing exercises are done seated or standing behind the back of a chair. These are particularly effective for osteoarthritis sufferers, who benefit from increased pain-free range of motion. New participants can stop by the center to pick up a doctor’s consent form. Registration required. Suggested donation: $48 for new participants.
Samuel Lurie, MEd and certified hypnotherapist, returns for another session of Get Motivated Through Self-Hypnosis on Friday mornings from 9-10:30 a.m. on May 7 and May 14. Learn what hypnosis is and how to customize it to meet YOUR goals. This workshop will explain ways in which we can increase motivation and focus, and use the power of our subconscious minds to help us feel more vibrant and content. Hypnosis can be used to get better sleep, manage pain, build confidence, change eating habits and more. Registration required. Fee: $10/class for seniors; $20/class for community members.
An Afternoon Tea in Celebration of Mother’s Day sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care will take place on Saturday afternoon, May 8, beginning at 2 p.m. Mothers: invite your mothers, grandmothers and children! Children: invite your mothers and grandmothers! Bring your favorite teacup and join us for tea and very special “tea treats” while honoring mothers of several generations. Hats, gloves and “tea attire” are encouraged or just come as you are, but do come! Guest speakers will discuss what being a mother has meant to them, how mothers have changed the lives of children and how children have changed the lives of mothers and more. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon with Mom or treat yourself to this luxury as we revive a wonderful old tradition for your afternoon enjoyment. Please RSVP by April 30 to assist in food planning. No fee.
Our glorious Senior Luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon. Reservations are necessary in advance and can be made by calling the Senior Center at 425-6345. Suggested donation: $4. 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.
4/14: JAZZ IT UP with The CVU Singers
Singers from CVU will perform songs, both familiar and new, by students who love nothing more than to share their joyful music with dear friends!
4/21: A TRIP ABOVE THE ARTIC CIRCLE with Bob Chutter
Would you like to break up the doldrums of Mud Season? Bob returns with a video presentation of his July/August adventures from the Dismal Lakes, the Kendall River and the Coppermine River to Coronation Gulf. The map references are latitude 66 and longitude 117 in Nunavut Province (formerly Northwest Territories).