Written by Carolyn Kulik, published in The Charlotte News.
“Life is all about balance. You don’t always need to be getting stuff done. Sometimes it’s perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary, to shut down, kick back, and do nothing.
~ Lori Deschene
“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.”
~ Jana Kingsfo
The two Better Balance courses that Dee PT has presented have been very enthusiastically received. It is exciting that more than 30 people signed up for each of them—an expanded class size is definitely one of the advantages of Zooming. And, because having good balance and avoiding falls is so important for everyone, I will be exploring the options for offering something with this focus in the coming months. Stay tuned.
10/21. Another way to find balance is to practice Mindfulness Meditation. The Wednesday afternoon sessions at 2:30 p.m. are open to all; there is no fee, but you will need to register for the invitation/link. Whether or not you are experienced with the approach, you are welcome to join in. (See below for how to register). Please note that there will be another Mindfulness for Life intro course in the winter if you would like the full orientation. It is a very simple and effective approach—and you can sit comfortably—the lotus position is not required. Dates will be in the Winter Schedule at the end of November.
Two of the ongoing exercise courses that have some space are looking to expand a little:
10/20 & 10/22. T’ai Chi Ch’uan for Beginners with John Creech on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The flowing movements and postures will increase flexibility, improve balance, and strengthen core muscles. Cultivate a deeper sense of relaxation, gain an increased energy level, and experience a sense of confidence. (You could attend either or both sessions.) Fee: $5 per class, paid at the end of the month.
10/21& 10/23. Essentrics™ with Sherry Senior on Wednesday mornings, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and also Friday mornings, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A dynamic combination of stretching and strengthening works through all the joints and releases tight muscles. It promotes improvement in flexibility, mobility and posture, as well as relief of pain. (You could attend either or both sessions.) Fee: $5 per class, paid at the end of the month.
How to register for a course
All courses are online—and all require registration. To register, send us your name and mailing address. Be sure to note the name of the course in the memo line. You will receive confirmation that you are registered.
Payment
If there is a fee, kindly pay by check (made out to CSC) and send to P.O. Box 207, Charlotte, VT 05445. Be sure to note the name of the course in the memo line. Those in ongoing exercise courses pay that the end of the month for the classes they attended. For courses with limited dates, kindly pay prior to the start of the course.
Courses starting soon
10/23. Writing Your Life Story with Laurie McMillan. Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dates: 10/23, 10/30, 11/6 & 11/13. How can you make your memories interesting to a reader? Explore storytelling techniques and utilize in-class exercises to help launch your own meaningful and important stories. Newcomers welcome. Registration required by 10/21. Fee: $30 for the 4-part series of 90-minute classes.
11/6. You will have another chance to dive into Italian language and culture in case your schedule has been too busy in the past. On Friday, 11/6, Italian Intro–B (1:30 p.m.) and Italian Refresher–B (3:00 p.m.) will both begin and run for 6 sessions into December—with a break for Thanksgiving. The suggested fee is $30, but donations of any amount are accepted.
Outdoor activities
After a robust signup for the 10/3 trip to Lemon Fair Sculpture Park, it had to be cancelled for this season. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Frank was not able to make it this month. But do consider taking a trip down on your own as the park is open every day until November. Lemon Fair will be back on the schedule next year—either in late spring or fall.
10/20. Fall Road Hikes in the Champlain Valley with Joan Mollica continue next Tuesday. There is some space, so if you are interested, please call and leave a message at (802) 425-6345. Be sure to include your name, phone number and email address for the contact tracing log. The next hike is to Rock Point Trails, Burlington. If there have been any weather cancellations during this month, the makeup date will be on 10/27. No fee.
Events on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m
All free, Wednesday events have now morphed into online Zoom gatherings. The invitation/link for each week will be posted at the Senior Center website by the day before the presentation. As well, this link will be supplied in Front Porch Forum in Charlotte and in surrounding towns. Please note: Registration is not required.
10/21. Medical Imaging: 1895 To the Present with Rick Goldman. Take a look at the changes in medical imaging, particularly Neuroradiology, which parallel the advances we have seen in the technology we use in our daily lives. Neuroradiologists interpret X-rays, magnetic resonance images (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans showing the effect of strokes and cerebral hemorrhages, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and brain trauma. Dr. Goldman was Head of Neuroradiology at Hartford Hospital from 1977-2010.
10/28. A Mile of Ice Above Us with Craig Heindel. Learn about the most recent geologic history of Vermont and the Champlain Valley—from more than a mile of ice over us, to raging meltwater rivers, to a salty sea (home of the ill-fated beluga whose skeleton was found in Charlotte), and then, finally, to some large, higher-elevation lakes.
Art exhibit
The Senior Center’s monthly art exhibits continue and visitors are welcome. To see an art exhibit, please schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Viewing days are Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Leave a message anytime at (802) 425-6345 and include your name and phone number for a confirmation of your appointment.
The new show this month is Photography by Mike Sipe and Photography by James Regan. These two photographers have very different approaches to photographing nature and are certainly worth a visit. Remember, the space will be distinctly uncrowded and you can take your time. Mike’s pieces are up only for this month since he had another commitment; James’s photos will be up through November. Take a break for art.
Be careful. Keep your spirits up. We are all in this together.
The Senior Center’s mission is to serve those 50 and up; if a course is not full, pre-seniors may also enroll. Feel free to leave a message anytime at (802) 425-6345; voicemail is checked frequently.
Life is like riding a bicycle: In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.
~ Anon.
Charlotte Senior Center
(802) 425-6345