Written by Carolyn Kulik, published in The Charlotte News.
How is Charlotte like Utah? Both have snowbirds.
There is Snowbird, a ski area in Little Cottonwood Canyon, outside Salt Lake City; and in Charlotte and environs we have our snowbirds flying back from points south. Now is a great time for everyone to reconnect and catch up on winter stories.
Those who stayed behind were certainly not holed up. There are Senior Center folks who enjoy the winter season and who may also fly off to travel or babysit grandbabies all across the country. The record, however, is held by one set of grandparents who flew to Qatar to grand-baby sit for three weeks. Amazing!
Another season is upon us as spring has just barely come and is almost gone. This issue has an insert of the Charlotte Senior Center summer schedule. In case the insert looks a little overwhelming to start with, here is a brief summary of the truly impressive number classes and activities many of which are free.
Potpourri
Once again, our friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable neighbors across the street at the Charlotte Library will be coming by to present some free courses. In June, an iPhone Series of three sessions will be given by Tech Librarian Susanna Kahn. A July Book Group and a different August Book Group will be led by Library Director Margaret Woodruff. And both Susanna and Margaret will team up again in mid-July for the one-day, inter-generational baking project, Bake for Good, in conjunction with King Arthur Flour.
Other ongoing courses with no fees include: Mindfulness, Spanish Conversation, T’ai Chi Practice, Strength Maintenance, Friday Morning Arts Group, Friday Writers Group, Mahjong and Duplicate Bridge.
Art
In the Art section, there are two new courses: Collage Experiences, with Linda Finkelstein, who showed her work in April at the Senior Center; and Poetry By Heart, with Ginger Lambert, who will teach memorization techniques. Lynn Cummings, our (almost) resident watercolor instructor, is back to teach Watercolor Gone Wild! which will incorporate some unique materials and processes.
The Center hosts monthly art shows, along with artist’s receptions. The June Art Exhibit: Group Show has five artists from the advanced oil painting class at the Shelburne Craft School. Each has a distinctive style, from classic to contemporary. The artists are Jane Guyette, Diane Lavallee, Sid Miller, Fred Morgan, Deborah Boutilier Paolantonio and Suzie Quinn. The artists’ reception is on June 8, from 6–8 p.m.
Since the Center is utilized for many classes and events, the best times to see the art shows are Tuesdays after 2:30, Wednesdays after 3 p.m, and Thursdays and Fridays after 12:30 p.m. Call the Center during the week to check on availability on Sundays.
Health & Exercise
To stay in shape and keep healthy, there are our popular exercise classes that have very modest prices of between $7 and $10 a class: Fitness At Any Age, Pilates, Dance: Moving Better, Chair Yoga, Gentle Yoga and Yang Tai Chi Chuan. As you can see, there is a wide choice of activity levels.
On Thursday, June 7, from 2–7 p.m., the Senior Center is happy to host the American Red Cross blood drive. Come by and give blood, while you enjoy the comfortable atmosphere, great snacks and friendly folks.
Events
New this summer are a Tour of the McNeil Generating Station on June 6 and a Tour of the Clemmons Farm Barn House with Susan Crockenburg on June 22. Our next-door neighbors, the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, will host Center visitors in July to see their equipment and gear and to learn about their procedures for fire and rescue. (Please register for these events.)
Beginning again in June are the very popular Dream Day on Lake Champlain boat trips with Al and Nancy Martin; Birding Expeditions, with Hank Kaestner; and multiple trips with Kayaking for Women, coordinated by Susan Hyde.
In July, the AARP Driver Safety Class returns, with AARP volunteer instructor Baird Morgan to help you improve your driving and perhaps qualify for a discount on insurance. As well, the Hour-Glass Youth Theatre comes to us at the Center to perform Shakespeare’s As You Like It in the Great Room for no charge.
And mark your calendars for August 17, when the season winds down with the Senior Center’s not-to-be missed BBQ Celebrating Summer, masterfully coordinated by Sukey Condict.
But don’t wait for the BBQ— why not stop in for lunch on a Monday or a Wednesday? Or you can always come by just to have a look at our lovely space, find out about volunteer opportunities or view the current art show. Whether you are active, contemplative, artistic or just love the camaraderie of a good game—or great food—the Senior Center has something for you
See you soon!