Time: 5:30 pm
Join National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Todd Gipstein for a journey to Antarctica. Todd will talk about his experiences and screen “Antarctic Dream,” a documentary he made after his first voyage there in 2010, and “Antarctic Impressions,” a poetic film he created after two recent expeditions there with National Geographic. Take a memorable journey to a place Todd describes as “another planet — someplace out of a dream.”
Free yet registration is required.
Time- 11:30am
Let your Irish show and join us for our annual St Patrick’s day feast.
Dinner will be corned beef and cabbage, boiled potatoes, carrots, soda bread and chocolate cake.
Lunch will be followed by music and dance of the Scottish Highlands by Maggie Carchrie.
Cost: $12 per person
Deadline to register is Friday, March 8
Our FITNESS CENTER POKER CHALLENGE WINNER is Dottie!
Please join us in congratulating Dottie on winning with a straight flush!
Stay tuned for our next FITNESS CENTER CHALLENGE for March.
With at least 65 agencies/vendors at our annual ACTIVE LIVING EXPO it is THE expo to attend for yourself, your loved one and/or for your future. Free information is available to all ages on better living.
ACTIVE LIVING EXPO
WEDNESDAY MAY 15, 2019 10 AM TO 1 PM
Food will be available in our delicious and popular Coastal Cafe.
Get out of the house this winter and please join us for our annual talent show with staff and local seniors (anyone 55 and older) as entertainers!
Mmm the menu:
BBQ Pork Ribs, Baked Catfish, Roasted Potatoes, Spinach, Corn Rolls, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Punch, Coffee
Entertainment after dinner.
Cost: $15 Register online at www.GrotonRec.com or 860-441-6785
Have an act and want to entertain? Call 860-441-6623
We are traveling with Collette again in October to POLAND! Please join us at this trip presentation on Wed Feb 13th at 1 pm.
Discovering Poland
Warsaw, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw & Krakow
October 05 — October 16, 2019 • 12 Days • 14 Meals
Highlights
Warsaw, Malbork Castle, Gdansk, Solidarity Shipyards, Choice on Tour, Torun, Gingerbread Baking, Wroclaw, Black Madonna, Jasna Góra Monastery, Krakow, Auschwitz, Folklore Show & Dinner
Visit the Jasna Góra monastery to witness the world-famous Black Madonna.
Explore the poignant history of Auschwitz
We need to know if you are coming (especially this time of year – “snow”) so please register to attend by calling 860-441-6785 or register online at www.grotonrec.com/seniors/
Where we stay:
-Mercure Grand Warszawa Hotel, Warsaw
-Radisson Hotel Gdansk, Gdansk
-Hotel Bulwar, Torun
-Art Hotel, Wroclaw
-Holiday Inn City Center Krakow, Krakow
Time has a way of passing much faster than we realize. I think they – whoever they are – steal time as we sleep. Haven’t you been shocked when you look in the mirror and see how time has passed. Or looked at your children and been surprised how many years have flown by? And it doesn’t seem possible for all those years have gone by. If you close your eyes and look at yourself as you feel you are, you’re much younger than that darn mirror tells you.
Recently I came across photographer Tom Hussey’s work “Reflections” which shows elderly people looking in the mirror and seeing who they were many years before. A fireman, a nurse, the scholar, the pharmacist, a new mother, a welder.
“Reflections” was inspired by a World War II veteran who said, “I can’t believe I am going to be 80, I feel like I just came back from the war. I look in the mirror and I see this old guy.”
It brings to mind that with retirement and age we lose a big part of our identity. As we enter adulthood we are often asked “What do you want to be?”
But seldom after we retire are, we asked “So what did you used to do?” “Who were you before?”
We have been a big part of building our towns and cities. We have served in many positions be it elected or volunteer. We have been the scout leaders, the umpire, the coaches, the committee member.
And for those of us who feel we might be losing our identity lets share the stories of our past, volunteer to teach others, once again become that committee member, volunteer at the local school, senior center or hospital. Continue to be an active part of the community.
And for those who haven’t reached those later years, the next time you encounter the elders in your community be it at the grocery store, at your place of business or just in passing take a few minutes to find out more about who they are and who they were. You will be surprised just who you are talking to!
Save yourself some money and register for our Souper Bowl Saturday in the next few days!
If you register by February 1st it is $10 per person. If you pay at the door Saturday its is $12 per person.
https://www.facebook.com/events/537624183424499/
Please enjoy February’s featured artist: Patti Hickey and her photography. Her photos will be displayed in our GSC halls for the month.
Although Patti has worked in many different positions in several places around the country over the years, photography has been a long standing passion beginning when her Dad gave her an Argus 75 twin lens camera for Christmas. Her first attempts managed to get everything wrong; lighting, composition, subject – it was the license plate on the family car. Can you just imagine? But, she has continued to polish her skills.
In an interview Patti said, “In capturing an image I look for a spiritual inspiration such as peace, harmony, joy, energy, balance, grace, power. As numerous photographers have remarked, it takes hundreds of shots to achieve just the right one and many a right one comes by surprise. I call the special one a ‘gift.’ When asked about what kind of camera I use, I say ‘any decent camera will do’. The most needed equipment for a perfect image is patience and perseverance.”
U. S. Representative Joe Courtney will be joining us Monday, February 4th at 10 am . All Southeastern CT residents 55 plus are invited to attend to hear the latest and to ask questions.
This is free YET please call ahead to let us know you are coming to this coffee and chat. 860-441-6785
