Happy Fourth of July! 

Due to COVID19, Groton Fourth of July parade is virtual this year! That’s a first!

Groton’s primary goal is to ensure the health and well-being of all parade participants and spectators, while still providing an opportunity for our community to celebrate our greatest national holiday. This year, groups submitted short video clips to be united into the virtual parade that will premier on Groton Municipal Television (GMTV) on Saturday, July 4th at 10 am.

GMTV can be viewed on Comcast XFINITY Channel 2, Thames Valley Channel 2, and Frontier Vantage TV Channel 6110. Also, GMTV “Live” (at no cost) on the GMTV YouTube channel online.

The Parade will appear on the Town’s social media accounts, GMTV YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBk-9Ahudi4nbh26x3jZxlA), and on cable-access channel 2 on Saturday, July 4^th at 10 am.

Lamont Hill, our Coastal Café Chef, has worked here at Groton Senior Center since 1996. In 2013 he became our Food Service Supervisor. To say he misses the daily interactions with our patrons during COVID19 is an understatement. He especially appreciates and misses the “straight forwardness of our seniors”. We sat with Lamont between all his meal prepping, cooking and planning to hear more.
Planning meal options for a household is a task many of us know is difficult. So take a moment to think about planning weeks ahead. It is quite a feat! Now add in a 2020 national pandemic in which ordering food supplies becomes extremely tricky. As Lamont told us, “either the companies were out of stock or utilizing different brands of product we were used to” so it became an even bigger challenge for Lamont, Lynnsie and Steve to make all those delicious meals we are now enjoying as Take Out Meals.

Since March 17th our Coastal Café staff has been busy “making inexpensive nutritional meals and then adding desserts or breads where we can”. Let’s talk numbers for a minute. In all of 2019, the kitchen did a total of 3,019 takeout meals. Since COVID19, he and his crew have made 3,581 take out meals! This surpasses their total Take Out numbers for 2019 big time!

Take Out Meals have been greatly received during the “lockdown” of the center during COVID19. Orders are taken 9:00 to 10:30 am (see page 3). Our phones are a ringing like crazy at the front desk and the numbers show it- most days selling out before 10 am. Then the front desk ladies report to the kitchen how many meals are needed for pick up and delivery (within Groton). That leaves the amazing kitchen staff a small window to get an average of 60 meals ready for pick up to begin at 11:30 am. PHEW!

Lamont told us “a large perk of this has been the growth of the our customer base”. We have had many new faces participate in the Take Out Meals. Groton Senior Center plans to continue the Take Out Meals until further notice. Which means until our beloved patrons are allowed to dine in house again.
Well Done Lamont, Lynnsie and Steve! And THANK YOU!!

SUMMER 2020 PEN PAL PROGRAM
Enough of all the virtual programs!? We are going “old school” this summer for our partnership with the Groton Public Library Teen Scape Program and running a PEN PAL Program. Teens and Seniors (55 plus) will apply to be part of the program. All letters will be vetted through GLP and GSC so no addresses are shared.

Safely socializing through the form of letters, we are aiming at 20 participants- 10 pairings. This will be a 7 week program with a minimum commitment of one letter a week to participate. To be considered to be part of the Summer 2020 Pen Pal Program, anyone 55 plus may call Cindy at 860-441-6623 or email colsen@groton-ct.gov.

As we are under directives of the State of CT and Ledge Light Health District, we appreciate your patience while we work through the phases to reopen our center for all of you. At the time of this printing, the State of Connecticut is developing guidelines for the reopening of CT Senior Centers. This newsletter is coming out in Phase 2 of the reopening plan where persons 65 years and older and those with compromised immune systems are still under the STAY HOME – STAY SAFE order. CT Senior Centers will be one of the last areas to open because of the population we serve and because there currently is no treatment or vaccine for the Corona Virus. Currently, it looks like the state will not recommend senior centers open until after September 1.
Social isolation has a purpose though we know it is hard for you. Please contact the senior center staff so we can help you with ways to socialize online using computers, tablets or your smart phone and to stay busy.

Due to COVID19, Groton Fourth of July parade is virtual this year! That’s a first!
Groton’s primary goal is to ensure the health and well-being of all parade participants and spectators, while still providing an opportunity for our community to celebrate our greatest national holiday. This year, groups submitted short video clips to be united into the virtual parade that will premier on Groton Municipal Television (GMTV) on Saturday, July 4th at 10 am.
GMTV can be viewed on Comcast XFINITY Channel 2, Thames Valley Channel 2, and Frontier Vantage TV Channel 6110. Also, GMTV “Live” (at no cost) on the GMTV YouTube channel online.

This art show is for those 55 and older. Judging will be Tuesday, July 16.  Photos of each piece of art within categories will be shared on Facebook on July 16.  This year YOU get to help judge. Please visit Facebook.com/GrotonSC to view the show.