Senior Center News
by Mary Recchia,
December 16, 2010, page 14.....
With Monday & Wednesday menus through January 12. Note: The Senior Center is closed the week between Christmas and New Years.

A very Happy Holidays from the all of us at the Charlotte Senior Center!

Just a reminder about SNOW DAYS! If there is ever a question whether the Senior Center is closed due to weather, we follow the Charlotte Central School closing, which is posted on local TV and radio stations as well as cssu.org.

For those of you planning ahead or maybe looking for an unusual gift, the following classes will begin the first week of January.

FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP with Annette Zeff
Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. beginning January 5, ongoing.
Challenge your brain! With an eye toward speaking and understanding the language better, this group comes together to chat about the week’s activities or interests with a goal of improving their fluency through listening and speaking.  This is a fun, no-pressure way to meet some new folks, sharpen your mind and practice your French.  Registration required. No fee.

SNOW GLOW – A Watercolor Workshop with Lynn Cummings
Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, January 11 and 18.
Put some color in your January! In this workshop entitled “Snow Glow,” we will focus on painting snowy Vermont sunrises and sunsets. Some familiarity with watercolor helpful, but all are welcome. A supply list is available at the host desk. Registration required. Fee: $48.

PILATES with Phyllis Bartling
Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Dates: January 13, 20 and 27, February 3, 10, 17.
This is not your granddaughter’s Pilates class! This Mat Pilates class has been designed for folks 55 years and older to be challenging yet with safety in mind. Pilates specifically targets the core muscle groups, including the lower abdominals, lower back and gluteals, to improve balance, strength and posture. Exercises will be done on the floor on mats (a rolled up towel to put under your head is a good idea). Phyllis has been a certified Pilates instructor for four years, specifically teaching senior programs for three of those years. Registration required. Fee: $42.

CHASE THE BLUES AWAY with Samuel Lurie, M.Ed., CHt
Friday mornings from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on January 14 and 21.
Winter blues getting you down? Long nights and short days keeping you from connecting with other people? Learn how to use the power of your mind to reduce stress and feel happier, healthier and more vibrant. Learn what hypnosis is all about and how to use it to meet goals that you choose. The instructor is an experienced health educator as well as a clinical hypnotherapist. We will focus on some techniques to help you relax, rejuvenate and be a better YOU! Registration required. Fee: $20 for seniors, $40 for community members.

THE ART OF INDIAN COOKING with Gopi Advani
Friday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. Dates: January 7, 14, 21 and 28. Add some spice to your life! Learn the art of Indian cooking with Gopi Advani. She will have four lessons lasting two hours each. The lessons will start with simple staple foods and gradually progress to fancier items. Each day will have typical menu items that you can learn with lots of hands-on experience. You will have the opportunity to modify the recipes to your desire and also test the foods. If you have any favorites that you would like to learn, Gopi will take special requests during the first session and will try to incorporate them into subsequent classes. Registration necessary. Maximum 10. Fee: $20 per lesson (includes all materials).

BEGINNER BRIDGE with Dot Myers
Friday afternoons from 1 to 2:30 p.m. beginning January 7, ongoing.
If you have always wanted to learn the game of bridge, this “hands-on” teaching approach will have you doing exercises with actual cards at the table, giving you knowledge of the basic bidding system and card-playing skills to build on with continued practice. Registration required. No fee.

Events Following the Wednesday Luncheon at approximately 1 p.m.:

1/12: THE GREAT AMERICAN ADVENTURE with Don Kjelleren
Faced with retirement, Don chose a unique approach to the transition. He spent a year traveling the U.S. in a personal challenge to climb the highest point, complete a century (100-mile bike ride), run 10 miles and swim a mile within each state. Don shares his memorable experiences, relates some of the challenges and gives us a peek at some of the many gems this country has to offer.

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The Café Menu

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20
Chicken tortellini soup, salad and homemade dessert.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Herbed chicken, cauliflower gratin, carrot and pineapple salad, cheesecake bars.

Senior Center Closed
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, and WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29

MONDAY, JANUARY 3
Mushroom barley soup, salad and homemade dessert.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
Hoppin’ John, cornbread, birthday cake and ice cream.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Split pea and ham soup, salad and homemade dessert.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12 
Enchilada casserole, sweet pea guacamole, brownies and orange slices.

Reservations are required for the
Wednesday luncheons.
Please call 425-6345.