Author: norwichadmin

Museums to go – Content by Judy

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Norwich

As we continue down this untraveled road, we keep looking for new things to do. We often wonder what is open. What is closed? Have the hours changed? Have they gone virtual? Are they using Zoom or something like that?

So, let’s see if we can figure some of that out… Let’s take a look at what’s going on with Museums….

And once you start looking, I think you will find amazing opportunities!! You will be able to visit places you have only read about or learned about in school. And the visit is very real and much better than just looking at pictures!!

One site I found – upgradepoints.com – has 75 best museum tours around the world that include art, history, science, and technology. From this site I visited…

The Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. In the main museum complex, you are able to visit all 3 stories and see 1,000’s of pieces of art plus the entire building which of course is a work of art in itself. And do not forget to look at the ceilings!! To a degree you can move around almost as if you were there. The added bonus of these virtual tours is no one is in your way!!

Katie Bourque posted an article in March with a massive list of 30 amazing virtual tours of museums, zoos, and theme parks. I visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This tour is so clear that you can read the plaques for each display. You touch on blue arrows to move and then can zoom in for unbelievable details.

How about going to a children’s museum?? The Minnesota Children’s Museum even has activity ideas and hands on activities you can do at home. You will have some new things to do with the kids.

So, when you are sitting home you can travel the world and see amazing works! You can even revisit a museum you have been to years ago. See what is different and what is the same!

And do not overlook visiting a zoo or a theme park. At many zoos you can watch livestream cameras of pandas, penguins, elephants, koalas or go on a home safari daily at the Cincinnati Zoo.

All of this is a great escape!! Invite others to go with you. You can all visit the same day and conference call as you tour or even afterwards over a glass of wine. Perhaps on another day invite your grandchildren to come along as you go to the zoo.

Hey, visit several art museums. Browse around. Find what you like and be inspired… Order some watercolors or acrylics and paint your own picture. You might discover you have talent or even if you do not have talent it might still be a whole lot of fun and when things are better you can take some lessons. Almost all Senior Centers have art classes. From drawing to painting to collage and more.

So, do something different today!!

Virtual Presentations

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

The Elmwood and West Hartford Senior Centers are generously sharing their online classes and presentations for our Members to join!

Harry Truman: Keeping the “Cold War” Thurs., July 9^th, 16^th & 23^rd 3:00p.m.

This 3-week set of lectures will focus on one of America’s most consequential and controversial presidents in recent US history, Harry Truman. From the Berlin airlift to the Marshall Plan to the Korean War and the Red Scare of the McCarthy era, Truman presided over a nation finding its way out of World War II and creating foundations for the coming struggle, the Cold War.

Pre-registration required by emailing Lisa.Hanse@westhartfordct.gov or calling (860) 561-7583 to receive the link.

An Invitation to Mindfulness Wed., July 15th 1:00p.m.

What are you thinking about right now? Dwelling on the past or obsessing about the future? An Invitation to Mindfulness presents an opportunity for you to learn how sweet it is to live in the present moment and use new ways to work with challenges and difficulties.

Email Hilary for the link to sign up. hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Estate Planning – What You Need to Know. Thurs., July 16^th 10:00a.m.

Attorney Ruth Fortune will explain estate planning basics, including: What is the difference between a Will and a trust? Do you need a power of attorney? What are health care directives?

Pre-registration required by emailing Deborah.Kennedy@westhartfordct.gov or calling (860) 561-7583 to receive the link.

How our Pets Keep Us Alive and Well Wed., July 22^nd 1:00p.m.

Audrey B. Carlson, a public speaker, writer and owner of the Happiness Club in Hartford, CT will present a talk on how our pets can play a positive role in our lives. Audrey will tell stories of how animals teach us unconditional love, forgiveness and how to tap into that forgotten kid in all of us . Email Hilary for the link to sign up. hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Guide Dogs and the Positive Impact On a Sight Impaired Person Thurs., July 23^rd 1:00p.m.

William DeMaio, gives a firsthand presentation about his personal need for a guide dog presented to him by the organization Fidelco. Having a guide dog has changed his life giving him independence. He will explain how someone can become a puppy raiser for Fidelco. This is a feel-good story and an opportunity to hear what a difference a guide dog can make in a blind person’s life.

Email Hilary for the link to sign up. hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Highlights of Hill Stead Museum. Tues., July 28^th 1:00p.m.

Join us for a 30-minute zoom presentation by Hill-Stead Museum featuring an up-close look at select works of art from their collection. There will be time for questions and discussion following the presentation. Pre-registration required by emailing Deborah.Kennedy@westhartfordct.gov or calling (860) 561-7583 to receive the Zoom invitation.

If you have any questions, need help using Zoom, or would like more suggestions for additional online programs, please call or email Hilary. hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Stay Home and Stay Safe!

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Governor Lamont and the CDC are recommending that people aged 65 and older and anyone with severe health conditions should continue to stay home and stay safe.

For more information please visit

https://cdc.gov and https://ct.gov/coronavirus

Chair Strength & Balance with Kelly Harper on YouTube

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

https://youtu.be/Eg4fhdgwItc

This Strength & Balance video is a chair based class using a small workout ball. It’s a great 11 minute workout for anyone to try and it is free on YouTube. The best part of the video (well…besides the great workout) is a brief visit from Kelly’s pet cat Ferdinand! YouTube link above or email Hilary to have the YouTube link emailed to you. hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

AARP Driver Safety- Smart Driver Course ONLINE CLASS

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Take the AARP Driver Safety Smart Driver Course online in the comfort (and safety) of your own home and still receive the same auto insurance discount as the in-person class! The 4-hour online class can be taken at your own pace and does not have to be completed all at one time. Do as much or as little as you want until all 4 hours are complete. The class is available any time of the day or night!

The AARP Smart Driver Course is the nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers age 50 and older. You may get an auto insurance discount after taking this course. Auto insurance companies in most states provide a multi-year discount to course graduates! Please consult your insurance agent for more information about discounts available to you from taking this class.

Go to www.aarpdriversafety.org for more information and to take the class.

Use coupon code DRIVINGSKILLS for 25% off

Coupon code expires on 7/31/2020

If you have already signed up to take an in-person class and now decide to take the class online,

please call the Senior Center so we can take your name off the in-person class list!

Home delivery is available for our monthly newsletter, VOICES!

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Subscriptions are available for $8 a year and begin with any month you choose.

Your newsletter will be mailed to your home as soon as it is ready for distribution.

There are 3 ways to sign up for home delivery:

Include an additional $8 when you mail in your Membership dues
Call and sign up over the phone and pay by credit card
Mail in your $8 check along with your name, mailing address and phone number

If mailed, please send to: Rose City Senior Center-VOICES, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT 06360

Thank you for your continued support of the Rose City Senior Center

Renter’s Rebate Program

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Assistance is available over the phone to apply.

No in-person appointments at this time.

Please contact the appropriate person (below) for more information.

A program for low income elderly (65+) or disabled individuals who have rented in CT in 2019 and have not applied for the homeowners Circuit Breaker Program. Program open through October 1, 2020.

Income Limits: Single: $37,000 yearly or less

Couple: $45,100 yearly or less

For assistance, please call:

Norwich residents, 55 and older call the Rose City Senior Center at (860) 889-5960.

Ask for Carolyn’s voicemail and leave a message. Carolyn will call you back.

If you are under 55 and a Norwich resident, call Norwich Human Services at (860) 823-3778.

► If you reside in Senior Housing, please call your

Resident Services Coordinator at your housing complex for information.

Membership Credit

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

For those of you who chose to get a credit towards your Membership dues in lieu of a refund for your Corned Beef and Cabbage ticket purchase, please be sure to indicate this on your

Membership Form and only pay the balance due if you will be mailing it in or calling to pay over the phone. If you do not remember the amount of your Membership credit, please call the Senior Center or email Hilary to find out. hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

Thank you for helping to support Rose City Senior Center!

Membership Renewal

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

Norwich Residents: Suggested $25 yearly Membership*

Out of Town: $40 yearly Membership

*Financial Assistance Available For Norwich Residents (Please Call for Information)

Membership renewal in normally due starting July 1^st. Since the Senior Center is still closed to the public until further notice, we are accepting renewals by mail only at this point.

We have already begun receiving renewals from some of our current Members. If you are not currently using any of our services and would prefer to wait until we reopen to renew your Membership, that is fine and we understand. If you are currently using one of our services (such as Transportation) we ask that you renew at this time.

For those of you who would like to pay your Membership dues now, please fill out the Membership Form on the adjacent page and mail it in with your payment. You can also call and pay over the phone with a credit card. Filling out the Membership Form is important for us to make sure we have all of your up-to-date information, including correct emergency contact information. If you call to pay over the phone, please go over your information with us or still mail in the completed Membership Form.

As a reminder, Membership dues paid to the Senior Center go directly towards providing services, programs, classes, activities and events. They help us pay instructors for different classes we offer and provide needed supplies for different senior center groups. Money we receive from dues stays with the Senior Center and does not go into the City of Norwich’s general fund. The Senior Center controls how and when we use the money in order to provide you with the best services.

We appreciate all the donations and Memberships that we receive in order for us

to bring you as much as we can. Thank you!

Incontinence Supplies

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Norwich

The Senior Center occasionally has packages of disposable underwear (adult diapers) donated which are available to seniors in need. Please call to see what we have available. Be aware that we cannot take requests for certain brand names. We can let you know if we have the size and type you are looking for (pull-on, side-tab, pads or liners). We occasionally have bed pads or underpads available as well.

Please call (860) 889-5960 if you are in need.