Welcome Back! We have been waiting so long to say that to you all. We know that some of you are still
concerned with COVID even with the vaccines. Please be assured that we continue with our extensive cleaning and
we encourage you to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Staff have been diligently working during this past year on virtual programming,
drive through events and parking lot events. We also have received grants or
Project Lifesaver a program for persons with dementia/Alzheimer’s who
wander. This is a police search and rescue program using radio bracelets. Also we
will continue Community First Meals once a month through the summer. This
program created by Kathy Williams has received national recognition with a
Program of Excellence award from the National Institute of Senior Centers.
One of the unfortunate realities from the pandemic is that finances at the center
are going to be very tight for the next few years. You will see that class prices have
gone up slightly to keep up with increased costs. Pricing has not increased for
many years at the center and we had hoped not to do this. Please feel free to speak to me if you are feeling the
financial burden and we can discuss options for you.
We have also had to say goodbye to several instructors due to the pandemic. Julie Oliver, fitness instructor/
personal trainer, Liz McGee, watercolor instructor and Carol Dunn, Zentangle instructor have moved on to
other things. We wish them all well.
Again, we are so happy to see you all and hope you enjoy being back at the center.

Summer session – July 6 to August 28
NO MAKEUP TIME

Residents register beginning June 7
Nonresidents register beginning June 14

Registration Deadline – Please register before the first
week of class. Classes not meeting the minimum will
be cancelled for the session.

Register ONLINE at www.GrotonRec.com/Discover55

Everyone needs a face cover!

Our Summer classes begin July 6th and run eight weeks for most. Want to see our selection of programs?  Please visit our Town of Groton webpage  https://www.groton-ct.gov/departments/parksrec/seniors/index.php .  Click on  Summer Classes 2021.  Registration begins Monday  June 7th for our Groton, CT residents.

A group with a shared interest of being outdoors and adventure who happen to be 55 and older. Interested?
Email colsen@groton-ct.gov Registration required –for any OATS outing- please call 860-441-6785.

KAYAKING PROGRAM
We are partnering with our brother division – Recreation- to make this happen
again. We shall start on June 29th and meet every other week. (June 29, July 13, 27,
August 10 and 24) We go out on Beebe Cove. Depending upon our group’s level
of experience we may even go out on to the Mystic River. We provide the kayaks
and the life jackets-if you prefer to bring your own that is welcome. You MUST be
signed up for this program prior to participating. Please RSVP at 860-441-6623 or
email colsen@groton-ct.gov

HIKING Thursday, July 15th 9:00 am Bluff Point State Park. We meet there by
the BPSP large sign. We will walk/hike the approx. 3.4mi – the main loop.

We’re offering an educational event to review Medicare and how it can impact you and if you’re getting all the
benefits you qualify for. We’ll be discussing the difference between Original Medicare, Medicare Supplements,
Medicare Advantage and Prescription drug plans. The state assistance qualifications for the Medicare Saving
Program will be covered and who fits into which tier. We’ll also review how the Part D coverage gap or
doughnut hole works and how the Insulin Saving program can impact your annual drug cost. This event is being
facilitated by Senior Health and Retirement Service, located in Clinton CT.

This FREE program is an intergenerational event that is open to the public Tuesday, July 6th at 1:00 pm. Immediately following , we are having an ice cream social sponsored by Visiting Angels.

THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE OUTDOORS UNDER THE LARGE WHITE TENT LOCATED IN THE UPPER PARKING LOT AT THE GROTON SENIOR CENTER TO REGISTER PLEASE CALL 860-441-6785 BY JULY 2, 2021

Pappy has around 40 bee colonies distributed across 4 bee yards located in Salem,
Waterford, East Lyme and Old Lyme. He is what is called “sideline beekeeper’ as
opposed to what is called a “backyard beekeeper”. The distinction is not only the
size of the operation, but also the fact that the sideliner operates as a business. In his
case, the operation is called “Pappy’s Bees LLC”.
Sideline operations are usually run by one or more experienced beekeepers, and have
a substantial investment in equipment needed to process several hundred pounds of
honey in a given year. He has been keeping bees for over 8 years, and the learning
curve has been steep. Having been both a large and small animal veterinarian for 40
years has given him the right mindset to manage bees as livestock. Bees are important
not so much as individuals but as members of a “superorganism” called a bee colony. The one exception to this
rule is the queen, on whose health the entire colony depends. Without a good queen, a colony is doomed to
failure. However, bees have evolved several failsafe methods to provide for the colony if the queen should be
injured or die. Please join us to learn more at this intergenerational presentation. Registration is necessary.