Senior Center Happenings
by Mary Recchia, Activities Coordinator

Please look for the new summer program of activities as an insert in this issue of the Charlotte News. Just a reminder: the Center will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.
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. A $4 donation is requested to help cover costs.
Thursday Evening Bridge starts up again beginning May 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
New sessions of Gentle Yoga and Chair Yoga begin in early June. Drop-ins are welcome if you are unable to make all six classes. Gentle Yoga with Jean White is held on Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Session dates: 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13. Chair Yoga with Tiny Sikkes is on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Session dates: 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6.
Walk on Water! A Virtual Walk to discover Lake Champlain. Our annual summer walking program starts Sunday, June 7 and ends Saturday, August 1. This year we will plot our walking progress following the explorer Samuel de Champlain in celebration of Lake Champlain’s Quadricentennial. This “virtual” walk is a great way to increase your fitness and improve your sense of well-being. Keep track of the steps you take each day using a pedometer; go at your own pace and ability throughout your daily routine. Groups are chosen so that your steps can be pooled together; your group progress is what produces the “virtual” walk on the large map in the foyer. Make up a team yourself or we will help arrange one. Some teams will choose to try to walk the distance while others will walk to see how far they can progress; it’s all for fun. Pedometers will be available to purchase. Registration begins Monday, May 25. No fee.
A Strawberry Shortcake Kickoff for the Virtual Walk on Water will be on Friday, June 5, at 1 p.m. This will be a time to meet your captain and team members, build team spirit, learn or relearn how to use your pedometer, place your flags at the beginning of the trail on the map, and feast on strawberry shortcake!
To further enjoy the lake theme of our annual walk this year, we will be having organized Walking Buddies every Wednesday morning before the luncheon, beginning at 9:30 a.m. from June 10 and July 29. The sites will be planned so that you can do a short, medium or long walk with the short walks being fairly flat. If you are looking for a companion to walk with while adding miles to your team total, come to the Strawberry Shortcake kickoff on June 5 for more details.
Morgan Horse Farm Trip with Barb McDonald on Wednesday, June 3, (rain date: June 10) with a 9:15 a.m. departure from the Senior Center. This National Historic Site sits majestically on 215 acres of lush pasture and woodlands with its palatial 19th-century Victorian barn. It is serene and beautiful; the grounds are gorgeous, the foals are romping in the pastures and the horses are always in beautiful shape. Our 30-minute guided walking tour (there are ramps) will begin at 10 a.m. when we will meet the mares and stallions used in the breeding program, observe up close the beauty and intelligence of the Morgan horse and maybe see a Morgan in the training circle being put through its paces by an apprentice, on voice command alone. There are sumptuous lawns with picnic tables for an al fresco lunch and a gift shop full of goodies for horse lovers. Barn clothes and mud boots are recommended. Grandchildren are welcome! Registration required. No fee.
AARP Driver Safety Class with Jim Inglis, AARP Volunteer Instructor, Thursday, June 11, from 8:45 to 1 p.m. A classroom refresher course for drivers aged 50 and over, this highly effective Defensive Driving Course (which may enable you to receive an auto insurance discount) covers important issues that affect older drivers, such as physical changes and limitations, normal driving situations and environmental conditions, safe driving and vehicle information, and the effects of medication on the motorist. The course provides drivers the opportunity to fine-tune driving skills and become a safer and better driver. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate valid for three years, a course workbook and other instructional material. The course is now taught in one half-day session. Registration required. Class limit: 25.  Fee: $14 ($12 for AARP members).