In tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in
their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again in Groton as
friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other.
In our community, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through their
experiences, successes, and difficulties, they have built resilience that helps them to
face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too.
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of
Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength,
recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and
engagement that build strong, resilient communities.
Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life – a conversation shared
with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when
we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build
resilience too.
This year, our Groton Senior Center celebrates Older Americans Month by encouraging community members to
share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.
Here are some ways to share and connect:
Look for joy in the everyday: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a
gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment
or to say thank you.
Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors.
Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores, or deliver a home cooked meal.
Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try
a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Have a skill to share?
Find an opportunity to teach someone, even casually.
Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world
helps us grow. Interviewing family, friends, and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our
connections.
When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or
service—we help build strong communities. And that’s something to celebrate! Please join the Groton Senior
Center in strengthening our community.
Author: grotonadmin
Thrive55+ Active Living Center (powered by Groton Senior Center) is the premiere location for nutrition, health and technology and recreational classes, special events and trips, transportation, information and referral services for Groton residents 55 years and older. Programs in health, computers/technology, finance, fitness, art, enrichment and more are offered year-round and there are special events constantly throughout the year.
We are active, social and involved and welcome all not only Groton residents. You have to see us to believe us; stop by for a tour of our fun and friendly Thrive55+ Active Living Center (powered by Groton Senior Center)
Visit Thrive55+ Active Living Center for a delicious breakfast, snack and/or lunch prepared daily by our chef in Coastal Cafe.
Wednesday, May 12th from 10am to 1pm- Active Living Expo
Join us for our annual Active Living Expo Wednesday, May 12th 10 am to 1 pm. This event is open to all- great for yourself, caretakers and family members to check out!
As always we will have agencies and vendors covering varying topics for you such as Health, Insurance, Homecare, State programs, Nutrition, Legal issues, Volunteer opportunities, Technical Support, Outreach, Trips/Travel and much more!
This year it will look a little different as we are following COVID guidelines. The event is scheduled to take place outside, in the rink next to the center. This will allow for proper social distancing. We ask that all attendees wear a mask. This is open to the public and FREE.
Club 55 Flea Market and Bake Sale Saturday, May 15
Club 55 Flea Market and Bake Sale Saturday, May 15
Rain date is May 22nd
Outdoors $15 per spot Call 860-441-6785 to reserve your spot!
Basket Raffle as well!
Also, please bring your returnable cans and bottles to
donate to Club 55 for recycling.
Club 55 events are fundraisers for their High School Senior
Achievement Awards. Please support Club 55 as they
continue to support our local high school seniors and our
local community.
Classes- Spring 2 Session- May 3 to June 26, 2021
If you have been fully vaccinated– great! We still need each person to adhere to the COVID 19 regulations. For Groton Senior Center, one must correctly wear a face mask on our buses and in our center.
PLEASE NOTE we still have to distance at 6 feet so there is limited numbers of patrons per class or if possible move a class to a larger room. Fitness is still to be 12 feet apart. Fitness classes will be outdoors during day and indoors or virtually during evening.
Ceramics, quilting, scrapbooking, guitar lessons, bingo and mind aerobics with limited numbers of persons will begin again as well.
Tuesday, May 18th at 2:00 pm- GARDEN VOLUNTEERS
GARDEN VOLUNTEERS
We will be meeting at the Groton Senior Center raised garden beds on
Tuesday, May 18th at 2:00 pm to discuss the beds and make a plan/
schedule. Rain date for the meeting is Thursday, May 20th at 2:00 pm
Please call Tomi with any questions 860-441-6782
Tuesday, May 25th from 5pm to 6pm- Sunset Serenade
Cost: FREE
Come be entertained by the energetic singing duo Jenna & Brittany for a Memorial Day USO Tribute Concert during our SUNSET SERENADE event. Our entertainment is sponsored by Club 55. RSVP 860-441-6785. This is an outdoor event so please bring your own chair. Community First Dinner Program is prior (4-5 pm) – get your meal then and enjoy during our event.
We invite local artists to display your talents for a great cause!
Art with Purpose
TO BENEFIT GROTON SENIOR CENTER PROJECT LIFESAVER
CALL FOR ARTISTS
We invite local artists to display your talents for a great cause!
– JULY 2021 –
Giving you the much-deserved exposure of your piece(s) and a place to display your work for the
month of JULY all while giving to an incredible cause.
Interested? For more details, please contact
KWilliams@groton-ct.gov or TStanley@groton-ct.gov or call 860-441-6785
Beginning Sewing- Wednesday at 3:30-5:00pm
This class provides instruction in basic sewing skills including seams, hems, working with a pattern and sewing on buttons. Students do individual projects based on goals they want to attain.
Cost: $8.00
Classroom: CR3
Ceramics (Painting Pottery)- Mondays and Thursdays
Monday Time: 10:00-11:30am and Thursday Time 1:00-3:00pm
Cost: $32 +Greenware Resident/$42 +Greenware Non-Resident
Call Senior Center for more information on this activity at 860-441-6785.
Classroom: CR4
COASTAL CAFÉ TAKE OUT Weekdays
TAKE OUT MENU FOR April 26th-April 30th
Monday – bacon Cheese burger, tater tots and vegetable
Tuesday – honey mustard chicken, scalloped potatoes and vegetable
Wednesday – stuffed cabbage, rice and cheesy califlower
Thursday – vegetable lasagna, side salad and garlic bread
Friday – maple salmon, roasted potatoes and vegetable
Each meal is $5. Orders can be called in starting at 9 am the day of.
At this time, we are only providing hot meals (NO soups, sandwiches, salad bar)
*MAKE SURE YOU ASK ON FRIDAYS WHAT THE $3 LEFTOVER SPECIAL IS*
Groton Senior Center 102 Newtown Road, Groton CT 06340 860-441-6785
Orders will be picked up curbside—just pull up-11:30am-12:30pm.