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.

SNOWMAN ROLL- SELFIE SCAVENGER HUNT

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

We provide the clues—you provide the selfies!

Groton Senior Center provides the clues that lead up to finding 10 destination sites in Groton.  Find the marker site then take your selfie shot with it.

Winners will be awarded:

1st place -earliest time stamp, Hot cocoa gift basket

2nd place – funniest photos, Snow fun basket

3rd place- most creative photos, Snow fun basket

FREE yet you need to register by Friday, January 15th. To register please contact the front desk at 860-441-6785.

You will receive the clues for the Snowman Hunt upon registration. A pamphlet of clues will also be located on  our GSC front doors to be picked up beginning Friday, January 15th.

Send selfies/ photos to tstanley@groton-ct.gov by Sunday, January 29th at 11:59 pm.

Wednesday, January 20th- M.L.K. HERITAGELUNCH

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Groton

Time: 11:30 AM

Bourbon BBQ Cornish hen, collard greens with ham, scalloped potatoes w/ bacon, black-eyed peas with hot sausage, okra & tomatoes, mayo biscuits, watermelon.  $10.00 per meal.

You must pre register for this by Friday, January 15 2021.

OPTIONAL FEATURE CHOW AND CHAT

You are welcome to chow and chat with us  after lunch pick up via Zoom at 1:00 pm.  We will check in with one another and then chat about Dr Martin Luther King Jr.; what you thought then and what you think now of his mark on our society and similar thoughts.  Interested in joining us for the Chow and Chat?

Please call or email colsen@groton-ct.gov

ATTENTION PLEASE KEEP WATCH ON YOUR NEIGHBORS

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Griswold

We all know the saying 

“If you see something, say something”

 

Please call the state troopers non-emergency line at 860-848-6500

or the Senior Center if you are concerned about a neighbor or friend.

 

Ask to have a welfare check on the person.

 

Happy News Year and Senior Center Update

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Griswold

2020 has proven to be a very different year!  It has changed our way of life.   Here at the Senior Center, it has been strange not to have our daily crews and weekly programs.  If you saw the  Center now you wouldn’t believe it.   ALL of the two back rooms are filled with furniture/furnishings/plants for the new center.   The main room has essentially become a grocery store because of the meals and deliveries that we’ve been doing.   We miss all of you!    Please do all that you can to stay healthy.   REMEMBER to wear your masks!!!  Limit your exposure with other people.   When information on the vaccine becomes available, we will communicate with you.   In the meantime, we’ll see you in the New Year at your new Senior Center!