Join Groton Senior Center Program Supervisor, Cindy Olsen and the Outdoor Active Traveling Seniors Program (O.A.T.S.) as they hike Copp Family Park in gorgeous Groton, Connecticut! Please let us know if you enjoy this. For more information on our OATS program, please email colsen@groton-ct.gov
If you are a current member of our fitness center, you can start calling in on Monday, April 12th between 1pm-4pm to schedule your time in the fitness center. Appointments will be between 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday. Each appointment will be for an hour. You can schedule three sessions per week and book for two weeks at a time. The fitness center will open officially on Monday, April 19th. You will be required to wear a mask the entire time you are in the building and bring your own water as the water fountains are still shut off. We can’t wait to see you all!
COMMUNITY FIRST DINNER
THURSDAY, APRIL 8TH, 2021
4:00PM-5:00PM
BAKED HAM, YAMS, BAKED BEANS & VEGETABLES FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THIS IS A DRIVE THRU STYLE AND CONTACTLESS SO WE ASK THAT YOU POP OPEN
YOUR TRUNK SO MEALS CAN BE PLACED IN.
COVID 19 MASKS ARE MANDATORY AT PICK UP
As I worked on my Vision Board for 2021, I searched for that all important key word – for me and for SeniorCenterCt.org. What one word was the best fit? What word would portray and define my path for 2021?
Many businesses and individuals pick one word that best describes how they want to be characterized and/or strive to achieve in the upcoming year.
Well, I wanted to do this as well but as much as I searched, I just could not find the right word. I kept at it. I would revisit and wander down the path of words I’d see from time to time. And yeah, there wasn’t ever quite the right fit until…
This week I was walking along the ocean in Westbrook for the second day in a row and as I let my mind wander, there it was – fortitude. Wow, I mulled it over. Said it out loud and knew it was the word I had been searching for.
FORTITUDE – courage in adversity. Isn’t this exactly what we all have been doing since COVID came to visit and did not leave just like an unwanted house guest. We all discovered that we have the strength of mind to endure a 2-week shelter in place that has turned into a year plus. We have discovered we have gumption, spunk, moxie and determination. We can and are surviving.
And as I traveled down 2020, I struggled just as many businesses did on whether SeniorCenterCt.org would survive or was it time to shut the doors and close down Jencks Network, LLC. There were no new sales happening and little money coming in. But the bills continued arriving. The question became “Is today the time to file for bankruptcy?”
But I also knew I have a product that is stunning and needed by so many. Also, that as we come out of COVID I know other businesses are going to be looking for “new” ways to advertise. That post COVID we all will be in a “new world” and SeniorCenterCt.org is in the best position ever to thrive and grow into the business I have always know it will be.
So, I reached out for grants, PPP, EIDL and anything else that might give me the money I needed to survive. And as I said “FORTITUDE” on the beach, I knew that is exactly what I have been doing. What I will continue to do as SeniorCenterCt.org grows in 2021. A new Senior Center is being added. A different calendar platform will be used. Other changes are in the works. I know that FORTITUDE is the strength and strong will that carries me patiently forward with firm courage.
This word – FORTITUDE — reflects back at me as I read my 2021 Vision Board. It says – I will experience everyday humility, curiosity, courage and confidence. I will always ask “Why?” I will look for and see the clues.
Because I have the ability to carry on, because I and all of us who have survived COVID we all have FORTITUDE!
And yes, you have been traveling this same journey even if your path looks a little different, we all have had the strength to bear through a pandemic and have the ability to carry on!! We have guts, grit, backbone and FORTITUDE!!
Please register now to join us for our annual Bakers Battle Saturday, April 24th 11 am to 1 pm. PROFESSIONAL & RECREATIONAL BAKERS competing to be declared the best!
Do you love baked goods? Be a TASTER at our BAKERS BATTLE fundraiser!
Please join us for this delicious event as we sample delectable treats from Professional and Recreational bakers in a friendly competition to be named BEST.
Tasters $10 PP in advance OR $12 PP at the door This great community event is open to all ages.
Flea Market donations will be accepted Tuesdays, April 13, 2021 and 27th from 1:30 -4:00 pm at Groton Senior Center.
Save the Date – the Club 55 Flea Market and Bake Sale is Saturday, May 15th
Outdoors $15 per spot Call 860-441-6785 to reserve your spot!
Club 55 events are fundraisers for their High School Senior Achievement Award . Please support Club 55 as they continue to support our local high school seniors.
9:00-11:00 AM
We want to thank you for everything you have done for us all throughout this past year! In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 18th-24th we would like to invite you to a breakfast social on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
This is a drop in event. Please if you have volunteered with us in this last year, come say “Hi” and join us for a bite to eat and socialize with other awesome center volunteers!! We couldn’t do all we do without you!!!
COVID Vaccination Videos for residents 55+, sponsored by the Aging and Disability Services State Unit on Aging, have been posted. They can be found linked to the ADS Covid Page (the videos themselves are hosted on YouTube, direct video links below):
Information for those over 55
(Please watch the videos below for more information)
Additionally, The COVID Vaccination Video for residents who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing has been posted In American Sign Language. It can be found linked to the ADS Covid Page (the video itself is hosted on YouTube, direct video link below):
Vaccination Information In American Sign Language
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Back by popular demand! Ledge Light Health District will offer “Cook Well with Diabetes” a four-week, FREE program for adults living with diabetes – April 20, 27, & May 4, and 11, from 11:00am – 1:00pm.
Due to the Corona virus pandemic, the Cook Well Program has been modified to an online video format using Zoom. This allows those participating to follow along and cook from their own kitchen, while joining new friends (virtually) for a healthy lunch. Participants will need to drive to the Groton Senior Center on Monday afternoon to pick up all the food needed to prepare our recipes the following day and must have a laptop, tablet or phone access to Zoom. Cindy Barry will be co-facilitating the program with our dietician, Erica Benvenuti, who you may know from UConn Extension Services.
With funding from the CT Department of Public Health, this program will be offered twice this year – once in the spring and again in the fall. We are hopeful that you can help us spread the word. We look forward to welcoming those you serve!
Please join us for our safely distanced PARKING LOT BINGO program on Thursday, April 8th 1-2 pm and/or April 22nd 1-2 pm.
We request that you bring yourself a lawn chair as we will be doing this program in our back parking lot.
Space is limited so be sure to register at 860-441-6785
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
