Category: News

We look around in today’s world and often notice we are looking down at a devise rather than at each other. It wasn’t long ago if you were waiting for your appointment, your turn to check out or for the movie to start that people were actually talking to each other.

The chatting might have been about the wait, the weather or other insignificant things but we were engaging with each other.

We humans are social animals. We fail to thrive as babies if we are not held, talked to and loved by others. The same holds true throughout our lives. We don’t want to be by ourselves 100% of the time. Oh, we like our alone time but soon find we want to be out and with others.

Often the problem arises in today’s world of how do we make new friends? How do we gather?

We have our routines where we go to family for the holidays. Off to this friend for Fourth of July. We belong to this club and volunteer over there.

Then time passes. We have moved. They have moved. There was a spat. The club or volunteer work is no longer rewarding. Friends and family have died.

We are more alone than we want to be… And it’s hard.

It has become harder to make new friends. Where do you find them? How do you start?

You could start by making a list of your friends and add to that list people you know who you would like to get to know better.

Now think about the things you like to do or want to do. Try to pair up those things and those people on your list.

When you think it might work, invite them to join you on that yard sale adventure or to go to the museum or how about the Farmer’s Market.

You won’t get a yes, every time but keep trying. Don’t give up. Try, try again.

And just try saying Hi to everyone you encounter during your week. Be the person you are looking for. Yes, I know it’s hard, but they are looking for friends too.

And remember SeniorCenterCt.org is there to help you find those activities, events and trips to ask others to join you in.

Set a goal. Make two new friends this year and do three things you have never done before. And that can lead to a fuller and more engaging life!

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Tomi Stanley. A lifelong resident of Groton, she is extremely involved within our community, family and sons school.

A certified Therapeutic Recreation Director and has worked/volunteered in the recreational field for over 20 years. Tomi’s responsibilities will be to implement  Discover Connections program (see page 8) and to manage the volunteer program at the center. She also will support the Full Time program supervisors and assist with other programs the center offers.

As Tomi said, “ I look forward to being very active within my role at the senior center, meeting all of the great folks that utilize the center  and am excited to be involved in all of the great activities that are offered.”

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!

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!

We are happy to reserve a table for you. We will only reserve tables of 8 or tables of 4. You must provide the names of everyone & full payment when you reserve a table.

*Walk-ins will only be taken if there is space available.

Fee for walking in will be an additional $3.00 to the event.

Floor repair

“You’re not too old and it’s not too late” – Rainer Maria Rilke

Have you heard this statement? Now think about it…

As we work longer and care for others, time for ourselves can be limited but that lack of social engagement does affect our brain health as well. Now you might ask how do I increase my interactions with others?

Think of those things you would like to do. Make a written list.  Explore other ideas. A book club, a dance class, lunch out, a day trip, learning a new skill. Whatever it is, now look for those things on your list. Ahh, they have that very thing at your Senior Center, Parks and Rec, Adult Ed…

Now to go for the first time. Just how scary is that. Yup, that’s why you haven’t gone in the past, isn’t it? You don’t know anyone who will go with you and you don’t want to go alone…

Do you remember your first day of school? The first day of every new school you ever went to? The first day of every new job? The first day at a new church? The first time you went to a new doctor’s office?

All of those were scary too! But you got very comfortable in a short period of time didn’t you? Most times it worked out really well by the end of the first week.

Well do the same thing now. Pick that thing you have always wanted to do. Sign up. Then show up. There will be other people there for their first time as well. In a few visits you’ll be making new friends and perhaps finding folks you know from the past.

But now you’ll be getting out, having some “me” time and experiencing new activities and making new friends. All very good things to be doing!

Give it a try! “You’re not too old and it’s not too late” – Rainer Maria Rilke

We hope you’re enjoying this newsletter and the information you get on SeniorCenterCt.org. “Like us on Facebook” and you’ll see a great number of articles covering a wide range of topics. We’re also on Twitter and LinkedIn. And we just started doing Instagram!

We’re everywhere and growing! For the first quarter of 2018 we have 3,936 users on 5,620 sessions with 18,907 pageviews! Watch on Facebook for the chart that shows our growth from the time we started in 2016.

Tell your family and friends about SeniorCenterCt.org and to “like us on Facebook” so they are up to date too.

Thanks for your support – Judy

WOOT WOOT! We are honored and very happy to be a part of this list.

Announcing our 2018 Mini Grant awardees who will be expanding dissemination and delivery of Walk With Ease (WWE) through innovative programming that reaches a diverse audience. Read the news release on our website for a brief synopsis of each awardee and their proposed projects.

Learn more: http://unc.live/2DFutQ

Detroit Area Agency on Aging Fairhill Partners Five County Association of Governments National Kidney Foundation of Michigan NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville Town of Groton Senior Center Washington County Commission on Aging, Inc. Michigan State University Extension Northwest Human Services