Author: grotonadmin

Live Well with Diabetes

The in-home version of the popular Live Well with Diabetes workshop is now available to adults in the comfort of their home without having to use technology beyond the telephone.  The toolkit can be sent directly to participants at no cost and includes a Living a Healthy Life Book, instruction booklet and exercise and relaxation CDs. Weekly phone calls from a trained Live Well leader enhances the experience and can help to alleviate social isolation during the COVID epidemic.

Please note there is a limited supply of tool kits. Participants must be willing to share their name, address and phone number so the toolkit can be mailed directly to them and the leader can place the weekly call.  Calls are approximately 45 minutes in length and take place conference-call style with 4 -6 participants.

Participants will learn about:

• Physical activity, exercise and healthy eating
• Dealing with difficult emotions
• Decision-making and communications skills
• Working with healthcare providers
• Action Planning

Dates: Wednesdays August 14, 21, 28, Sept 4, 11, and 18, 2020

Time: Two classes to choose from: 9:30-10:30 am or 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Provided by: Ledge Light Health District and the Groton Senior Center

Location: Phone conference call from your own home

Register: This FREE program is open to Groton residents and non-residents.

For more information or to register call Cindy Barry at Ledge Light Health District at (860) 448-4883.

Travel with us virtually on Zoom

Tuesday, July 21,2020

1:45p.m.-3:00p.m.

Senior Learning Presents:
Ready for a “Rocky Mountain High?”! Join us as our Park Ranger takes us on a tour of what makes Rocky Mountain National Park so unique- an encompassing overview of the Park in addition to some historical changes throughout the park over the years such as wildlife, the elk population, and wildfire.  

Please call the front desk for the ID and Password to Zoom for the program. 860-441-6785

MIND AEROBICS meets virtually through Zoom Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00-11:30 am . Everyone is welcome you do not need to be a Groton resident to join us. This class is going to offer things such as trivia, name that tune, math equations and much more!!! If you’re looking for something to challenge your mind than this is the class for you. The meeting  ID is 726-0483-2646

WE WEDNESDAYS meets weekly Wednesdays 10– 10:30 am virtually through ZOOM so that we may socialize with you while safe distancing. We will keep it casual with one staff member and just allow for everyone to have a chance to say hello and let everyone how they have been doing and what they have been doing.

The meeting ID is 719 3534 4254 Groton mom/ Password 9QvDdj

O.A.T.S.  a 55+ Outdoor Active Traveling Seniors group

• Tuesday, July 14th GOSA Sheep Farm Hike 9:30 am. This hike is about one mile with uneven ground and rocks. It is a little steep going down to the waterfall but people can stay on the top area overlook. Bring your picnic lunch if you wish. There are picnic tables there.  (rain date Thursday, June 16).  Registration is required  please call 860-441-6623

*Safety protocols with COVID19 in mind will be adhered to. We strongly encourage that anyone with a compromised immune system should continue to stay safe and socially distanced.

Our latest July/August newsletter. We will have it in hard copy at our front doors  next week.   Yet, here is the link to it online:  https://www.ourseniorcenter.com/find/groton-senior-center/bulletin/file/06-5014-20200701N.pdf

To subscribe to our ONLINE  Discover55 newsletter (click on link above) scroll down to UNDER the displayed newsletter and under that on the right hand side is SUBSCRIBE button.

Once your email is submitted you will receive an email asking them to confirm the subscription.

Groton Senior Center COVID-19 Reopening

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.

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!!