“Don’t Let the Old Man In” – Content by Judy

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

Toby Keith was inspired to write this song by Clint Eastwood who was about to turn 88. Toby Keith wanted to know what Clint Eastwood was going to do for his birthday and Clint said he was starting to make his new movie “The Mule” that next week.

Amazed Toby wrote about keeping that “Old Man” at bay. As the song says, “How old would you be if you didn’t know the day you were born?”

We all say “I don’t feel as old as I am” which is so true. There are times we are shocked when we look in the mirror because we have forgotten the number of years that have passed by. If we do not think about it, we can do what we have always done regardless of our age.

And as we move into this new year it is time to think and decide how we want to live. How we do not want to let that old man in. How we want to live, do what we love and expand what we are doing.

It is time to make our Bucket List for 2021 and 2022. What do you want your 2021 and 2022 to look like? What is your next act? If we do not plan for our future that old man just might seek in when we are not looking!

It does not have to be just huge things. What are the little things…?

Maybe… Enjoy the sunset more. Visit with family and friends more. Make 2 new friends. Read a good book. Maybe join a book club. Garden. Grow your own salad. Take a walk. Go someplace new each month. Redo a room in your house. Paint the walls and rearrange the furniture. Clean out the garage or the shed or both. Make a scrapbook of past vacations. Plan new vacations. Take an online class. Learn how to do 3 new things on your computer or smart phone. Do something kind for someone you hardly know.

For bigger things it might be take that road trip. Volunteer weekly at a school, hospital, or Senior Center. Do a makeover – you, the backyard, or your wardrobe. Brew your own beer. Learn a craft – maybe counted cross-stitch, carving, knitting. Reread your favorite book. Learn to meditate, then meditate daily for a month. Eat healthy and learn to cook new recipes. Redo your budget so you free up money to do the things you are always talking about doing! Book your next big trip!!

And as you make your Bucket List include another list of all the things you want to do as places open back up!! What have you missed the most? What was it you were planning for 2020 you never got to do?

And remember you are never ever “TOO OLD” to do anything!! Get out there and live. “Don’t let the old man in”

GROTON SENIOR CENTER TRANSPORTATION

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

Due to the continued COVID19 crisis, transportation by Groton Senior Center will still be very limited. GSC medical and shopping transportation will continue as they have throughout the pandemic. Safety measures are required on all rides– face masks and safe distancing will be required. In addition, to maintain social distancing protocol the number of passengers/riders are limited for these services currently.
Transportation to and from our center will only resume when we are fully staffed again. We are looking out for the health and safety of not only our patrons but also our staff. Thank you for your support in this matter.
The center has continued to offer Medical, Shopping and Bank runs during the pandemic. All persons getting on the van are screened for symptoms before boarding the bus. Everyone must wear a mask when on the bus. The bus is cleaned regularly by the drivers as people disembark off the bus. Everyone’s health and safety is kept in mind with transportation.
Any concerns or questions? For more information or a detailed flyer of our transportation program please call (860)441-6785 Monday – Friday 1– 4 pm. *Please be aware that GSC does not provide assistance to and from the vehicle.

Volunteers of 2020

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

Pictured in the paper copy of the newsletter are just a few of our fabulous volunteers who have continued helping out behind the scenes while our center has been closed to the public during the pandemic. Boy, 2020– what a year!

Yet, these amazing persons helped us through it! Our volunteers have been so dedicated and enthusiastic about keeping day to day things at the center running smoothly and also helping with community projects. Volunteers weekly handed out Community First Dinners, distributed hundreds of food boxes on several occasions, passed out daily grab and go lunches, tended our GSC garden beds and prepped them for the winter. They also called for our 2020 outdoor bingo, helped at our special luncheons and decorated the center for the holidays.

During these trying times it’s special folks like these that help us to maintain a sense of normalcy for all of our friends that visit the center. We couldn’t do all we do without you! THANK YOU!

COMMUNITY WIDE PROGRAMS

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

In November, Groton Senior Center staff started scavenger hunt programs in our community to help get our minds off the pandemic. The response has been fabulous! We started with the TURKEY CHASE scavenger hunt in November and with the weather being great we added a pop up NICE WEATHER CHALLENGE. Not only did people find the markers but they also improved their selfie skills! Seeing you all out and about in our wonderful community is great!
In December, our spirits were lifted with a large amount of homes participating in our HOLIDAY LIGHTS TOUR which was much needed this year. We are so thankful for all the homes that participated! We lost count of how many tour directions we gave out but we heard rave reviews of those who drove around admiring the decorated homes.  We also had great participation with our PARKS ARE PRESENTS scavenger hunt! This program was created to get people actively out and about and to learn locations of parks and trails in Groton.
With such great response to these programs, Groton Senior Center staff will continue to do more of these in 2021. Next up is our SNOWMAN ROLL scavenger hunt to start 2021 off in a fun way. Please see the front cover for more details. You can also check us out on our centers Facebook page at Facebook.com/GrotonSC
Want to get updates on programs like this? We can add you to our OATS (Outdoor Active Traveling Seniors) email list—just email us at colsen@groton-ct.gov asking to be added.

Thursday, January 7th- O.A.T.S. OUTDOOR ACTIVE TRAVELING SENIORS

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

(55+) A group with a shared interest of being outdoors and adventure.Registration required –for any OATS outing- please call 860-441-6785.

• Thursday, January 7th 10 am OATS hike at Avery Farm Nature Preserve. Our GOSA friends will lead us again on this approx. 2 mile hike —we will make several small stops to tell stories. Make sure you wear sturdy hiking shoes with good support and traction.

*Outside COVID19 safety protocols will be adhered to. Masks must be worn and we will adhere to safe distancing. If you are not feeling well the day of a hike please do not attend.

Call senior center with any questions.

CERAMICS ON THE GO JANUARY PROJECT– COFFEE MUG

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

We know you miss our clayworks class. So we have worked out a way that you can still get your artistic juices flowing again while we wait to have you back in the classroom. We are putting together Ceramics on the Go kits for you to pick up. Kits will include: greenware, paint, brush(es)and instructions. After you are done painting your project, you return it to us. At that point, our Clayworks instructor, Nancy, will come in and do the firing for us. Then we let you know when it is ready for pick up. $12 per kit. Please call 860-441-6785 to register after 10:30 am weekdays.

“Don’t Let the Old Man In” – Content by Judy

Posted on January 3, 2021 by East Lyme

Toby Keith was inspired to write this song by Clint Eastwood who was about to turn 88. Toby Keith wanted to know what Clint Eastwood was going to do for his birthday and Clint said he was starting to make his new movie “The Mule” that next week.

Amazed Toby wrote about keeping that “Old Man” at bay. As the song says, “How old would you be if you didn’t know the day you were born?”

We all say “I don’t feel as old as I am” which is so true. There are times we are shocked when we look in the mirror because we have forgotten the number of years that have passed by. If we do not think about it, we can do what we have always done regardless of our age.

And as we move into this new year it is time to think and decide how we want to live. How we do not want to let that old man in. How we want to live, do what we love and expand what we are doing.

It is time to make our Bucket List for 2021 and 2022. What do you want your 2021 and 2022 to look like? What is your next act? If we do not plan for our future that old man just might seek in when we are not looking!

It does not have to be just huge things. What are the little things…?

Maybe… Enjoy the sunset more. Visit with family and friends more. Make 2 new friends. Read a good book. Maybe join a book club. Garden. Grow your own salad. Take a walk. Go someplace new each month. Redo a room in your house. Paint the walls and rearrange the furniture. Clean out the garage or the shed or both. Make a scrapbook of past vacations. Plan new vacations. Take an online class. Learn how to do 3 new things on your computer or smart phone. Do something kind for someone you hardly know.

For bigger things it might be take that road trip. Volunteer weekly at a school, hospital, or Senior Center. Do a makeover – you, the backyard, or your wardrobe. Brew your own beer. Learn a craft – maybe counted cross-stitch, carving, knitting. Reread your favorite book. Learn to meditate, then meditate daily for a month. Eat healthy and learn to cook new recipes. Redo your budget so you free up money to do the things you are always talking about doing! Book your next big trip!!

And as you make your Bucket List include another list of all the things you want to do as places open back up!! What have you missed the most? What was it you were planning for 2020 you never got to do?

And remember you are never ever “TOO OLD” to do anything!! Get out there and live. “Don’t let the old man in”

Tuesday, January 5th- Virtual Pub Trivia Night on Zoom

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

Time: 6:00 to 7:00pm

Come join us for a fun night of trivia and laughter!!! BYOB

You can only participate if you call the front desk to register and receive the Zoom ID.  Call 860-441-6785.

FROM THE DESK OF MARY JO RILEY

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

Oh wow, its January! We all can’t believe it has been almost a year since we have seen many of you. Staff has been actively planning and sometimes re-planning programs to keep you all active and engaged while social distancing and staying safe. We have become the gurus of the virtual world. One project that has begun is a look at rebranding and possibly renaming the senior center. This is not just done lightly. We have researched users and nonusers of the senior center about why they do or don’t utilize our programs and services. Surprisingly, many nonusers don’t really know what the center has to offer or even that they are eligible to come. Due to so many misconceptions about what our senior center is or what we offer, the rebranding goal is to bring more people to the center and encourage using the programs and services. As this project progresses and as we hope the Covid 19 vaccines roll out more, we look forward to seeing you all back at the center in 2021.