GSC Annual Senior Art Show will take place July 1 – 31, 2020
Artwork must be in by Friday, June 26th.
This art show is for those 55 and older. Judging will be Tuesday, July 16.
Inquiries? Please call Tomi at 860-441-6782
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.
In-home Version of the popular Live Well with Chronic Conditions workshop
Senior Resources is pleased to announce the in-home version of the popular Live Well with Chronic Conditions workshop is now available to seniors in the comfort of their home without having to use technology beyond the telephone. The Active Living Everyday Toolkit can be sent directly to participants at no cost and includes a Living a Healthy Life Book, instruction booklet and exercise and relaxation CD’s. 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 toolkits. 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. The Agency on Aging Regional Coordinator will arrange to let them know ahead of time the name of the leader who will contact them. Contact Lori Rygielski, Regional Coordinator at Senior Resources lrygielski@seniorresourcesec.org or 860-997-3561 extension 127 if interested.
Diabetes Self-Management and Chronic Pain Self-Management will be available sometimes in July. We are currently accepting names and address for the upcoming in-home workshops.
“Seniors for Seniors” radio show 7:00 am, June 14th
We are sharing this from a sister center for you to enjoy- Farmington Community Services is excited to announce a special radio show dedicated to you!
The Farmington High School Music Department and FCS have collaborated with iHeartRadio to air a show featuring “songs of hope” for seniors in isolation due to the pandemic.
The show, titled “Seniors for Seniors” is generously sponsored by Companions and Homemakers and will air across every CT iHeartRadio station at 7:00 am on Sunday, June 14th (a repeat of the show will also air at 8:00 pm on the River 105.9). It features songs and compositions recorded by Farmington High School students from their own bedrooms, living rooms and personal “studios.”
Through staff and volunteer phone calls, emails, and virtual programming, FCS has been able to connect with many seniors in town. But we need the community’s help to reach them all. Please share this show with neighbors, friends and relatives in isolation, in need of an uplifting message from the voices of the future.
Tune in to hear the “Seniors for Seniors” show, hosted by Renee DiNino at 7:00 am, June 14th on the following CT stations:
KISS 95.7
The River 105.9
Country 92.5
97.9 ESPN
Newsradio 1410
KC101
96.9 WELI
ESPN Radio 1300
100.9 The Beat
The show will also be available online at www.mycommunityaccess.com or via the iHeart Radio app (available for ios and android).
For more information, contact Amanda Moffo at Farmington Community Services at 860-675-2390.
Grannys and Grandkids – Content by Judy
Of the many stages of life there are wins and losses. There are gifts and disasters. There are blessings and tragedies. We can all compare notes of what each of these has been for us, but I will declare loudly my biggest blessing has been being a Granny.
Nothing holds a candle to the moment you hold your first grandchild and realize that new baby is a part of you. In that moment, your life changes forever as you hope to help grow that baby into adulthood. And with each new grandchild that realization continues to grow.
You hold them. You watch that baby grow. You watch them and their parents grow into a family…….. Remembering to be supportive of the parents. Remembering you wanted to raise your kids your way. They do too. So, help the parents by following their schedules and rules.
Build a closeness with those babies because ties between Grandparents and Grandchildren can be so valuable for both groups.
And today’s ways of staying in touch help so much. We have Smart phones, Alexa, text, messenger, Zoom, Facetime, WebEx and so much more. Options seem limitless and sure help Grandparents watch those babies grow even when families live far apart. Plus we can still write a letter. Send a card.
Studies show these relationships have benefits for both. There is less depression in both groups and fewer behavior and emotional problems for the Grandchildren. Even fewer difficulties with peers. Grandparents can help by telling how they handled similar situations when they were growing up. Offer solutions and different ways of looking at things.
And grandkids keep the Grandparents in touch and up to date with what’s happening in today’s world. Expose Grandparents to different ideas and the new meanings of age-old problems.
Grandparents often have the time to spend with the kids. They can often do the things with the grandkids they did not have the time or money to do as they raised their own children.
Grandparents can help teach values. Right from wrong. Reinforce manners and other lessons parents encourage the Grandparents to share. Sometimes Grandparents become the confidant for the kids. The one who they can turn to. The adult who it is safe to share worries or problems with.
And remember it is not all easy!! Like the rest of life there are bumps in the road. Mistakes are made. Things are misunderstood.
Plus keep in mind sometimes a child’s grandparent might really be Great Aunt or Uncle. Or they might not even be related at all. It could a neighbor, a family friend, the babysitter, or someone else who is close to the family. So whoever you are, remember you are important and can truly make a difference in that child’s life. And your life will be much richer for it too.
So, help the parents. Offer date nights. Babysit. Have a sleepover.
Get out there and take a kid to a museum, a park, for a walk, play a game and you will both have a great, meaningful time.
COVID19 Reopening Update
COVID 19 update https://youtu.be/eotBv4GphsI from our Groton Town Police
Groton Senior Center will NOT be opening at this time
Groton Senior Center will NOT be opening at this time. Due to the concern for our patrons, the center will continue providing Grab and Go hot meals, Medical and Shopping transportation. CT is working on a gradual reopening of Senior Centers and as soon as we at GSC have more information on those plans, we will be letting everyone know. Stay safe, stay healthy and we miss you all.
Virtual Mind Aerobics
Groton Senior Center is now offering Mind Aerobics virtually through Zoom.
Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00-11:30 beginning Tuesday 4/28/2020. 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 log in ID IS 726-0483-2646
If you have questions or difficulty logging in please call 860-441-6785 and someone at Groton Senior Center would be happy to help you.
Weekly WE Wednesdays Virtual Gathering
GSC Programming staff will take turns hosting a ZOOM virtual gathering for any of our GSC friends to be part of! We are calling it WE WEDNESDAYS. Please won’t you join us too? Here is help on ZOOM basics https://youtu.be/8wVVbAlCM-w
WE WEDNESDAYS weekly at 10:00 am virtually through Zoom so that we may socialize with you while safe distancing.
We will keep it casual with one of us as the moderator and just allow for everyone to have a chance to say how they’re doing and we can have an idea of a positive topic we can bring it up and it will encourage positive conversation
The log in ID is 719 3534 4254 Password 9QvDdj
If you have questions or difficulty logging in please call 860-441-6785 and we at Groton Senior Center would be happy to help you.
Groton Sr Center hot meal TAKE OUT 5/25 -5/29
Well, well here we are going into Memorial Day weekend – Reminder- staff is off Monday so NO MEALS Monday.
Week 11 of COASTAL CAFÉ TAKE OUT at GROTON SENIOR CENTER
- Orders can be called in starting at 9 am at 860-441-6785.
- At this time, we are only providing hot meals (NO soups, sandwiches, salad bar).
- We are delivering meals to anyone 55 and older in Groton.
- Orders will be picked up curbside—just pull up-between 11:30am-12:30pm.
Groton Sr Center hot meal TAKE OUT 5/25 -5/29
May 25, Monday – Closed- MEMORIAL DAY
May 26, Tuesday – BBQ chicken legs, scalloped potatoes, green beans.
May 27, Wednesday – Stuffed peppers, rice, carrots.
May 28, Thursday – Meat lasagna, side salad, garlic bread.
May 29, Friday – Baked seasoned haddock, roasted potatoes, coleslaw
Friday, May 15 We Are Offering BAKED HAM Hot Meal
Lately, we have been serving fish on Fridays but tomorrow, May 15, we are offering BAKED HAM with baked beans and a broccoli mix. Remember – call in after 9 am if you would like to order 860-441-6785. Each hot meal is $5 each with curbside pick-up 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at our center. We also are doing deliveries for seniors in Groton. Do you know someone who needs a meal? We can help with that too! Please call us – we can help.
Also, in case you miss the faces of Mary Jo or Cindy – here is a link to our latest SENIOR BEAT public access show giving an update on what we are doing currently. It is about half an hour in length. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM-1clVLOHQ