Category: Programs

OLD SCHOOL PEN PAL PROGRAM

SUMMER 2020 PEN PAL PROGRAM
Enough of all the virtual programs!? We are going “old school” this summer for our partnership with the Groton Public Library Teen Scape Program and running a PEN PAL Program. Teens and Seniors (55 plus) will apply to be part of the program. All letters will be vetted through GLP and GSC so no addresses are shared.

Safely socializing through the form of letters, we are aiming at 20 participants- 10 pairings. This will be a 7 week program with a minimum commitment of one letter a week to participate. To be considered to be part of the Summer 2020 Pen Pal Program, anyone 55 plus may call Cindy at 860-441-6623 or email colsen@groton-ct.gov.

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.

Annual Senior Art Show July 1 – 31, 2020

This art show is for those 55 and older. Judging will be Tuesday, July 16.  Photos of each piece of art within categories will be shared on Facebook on July 16.  This year YOU get to help judge. Please visit Facebook.com/GrotonSC to view the show.

COASTAL CAFÉ TAKE OUT IS AVAILABLE WEEKDAYS

AT GROTON SENIOR CENTER
102 NEWTOWN ROAD, GROTON CT 06340
860-441-6785
 Orders can be called in starting at 9:00 am weekdays.
 At this time, we are only providing hot meals (NO soups,  sandwiches, salad bar).
 Orders will be picked up curbside- just pull up-11:30am-12:30pm.

Weekly menu is posted on Groton Senior Center Facebook page
Facebook.com/GrotonSC

RESOURCE SERVICES DURING COVID19

Both CHOICES Health Insurance Counseling and Benefits Counseling are going to continue via phone while we continue to deal with COVID19. Please call Senior Resources at 860-887-3561 for either program.

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 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 you know ahead of time the name of the leader. Contact Lori Rygielski, Regional Coordinator at Senior Resources at 860-997-3561 extension 127 or lrygielski@seniorresourcesec.org if interested.

Facebook

Visit our Facebook page online at Facebook.com/GrotonSC
We share A LOT of our information on our TOWN OF GROTON SENIOR CENTER Facebook page daily.
We recommend you “follow us” to have us end up in your daily news feed. 🙂

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS * SUMMER 2020 * JULY 6 – AUGUST 29

We encourage you to join us, see and make friends and socialize with safe distancing. Everyone is welcome you do not need to be a Groton resident to join us. Having trouble logging on? Please call us 860-441-6785.


DISCOVER CONNECTIONS meets Tuesday and Thursdays 10:00 am – 10:30 am virtually through ZOOM. This virtual class offers stimulating activities such as mind aerobics, music, reminiscing , poetry, exercise and more. This virtual program is designed for adults with beginning to mild cognitive challenges or anyone at risk for social isolation.
The meeting ID is 784-3589-4247. No password is required just the ID


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 / Password 9QvDdj


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

Groton Senior Center Health and Wellness

We realize that these are very difficult times for everyone. We at Groton Senior Center are here for  you  even though our building is still closed to the public at this time.

Please call us for assistance at 860-441-6785.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Groton Senior Center in collaboration with Town of Groton Police Department, Town of Groton Recreation Division and Groton Board Of Education Offices is proud to have brought the “Community First Dinner Program” to Groton. Our own fantastic Kathy Williams spearheaded the effort and never let up in creating this program to provide dinners twice a week to families and individuals struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Offering nutritionally balanced meals to the community at ZERO cost. The meal preparation, is headed by our own Lynnsie Manza, of our Coastal Café. The meals are prepared at the center and then individually packaged to be distributed at several meal sites in Groton. At this writing, over 1,400 dinners have been provided to Groton.

After a lot of behind the scenes work and collaboration, Kathy Williams and Jennifer Meakem scheduled numerous volunteers and the program kicked off on June 3rd. The individual dinners are packaged up, delivered and then distributed Wednesdays and Fridays between 4:30pm and 5:30pm at the following sites: St. John’s Christian Church, TVCAA on Central Avenue, Charles Barnum School /now Beacon Point Homes (Gungywamp Road). A first come, first served basis most nights we had just enough meals or ran out early! Rain or shine! 🙂

We are proud to announce many of the weeks meals were provided generously by Children First Groton Collaborative, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund Covid Relief, Pfizer, Pepsi, Utz, Hartford HealthCare, Village Market, Paul And Angela McGuirk and a very large amount of generous people of our community who have donated to this cause. THANK YOU ALL!