From the Desk of
Stefanie Theroux,
LCSW, Coordinator of
Senior Services
May is Older Americans Month! Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.
This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.
This month, join us as we recognize the 60th anniversary of OAM and challenge the narrative on aging. Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:
Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of wellbeing, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.
Come join us at the Cheshire Senior Center and explore our many programs, services, and events! Call (203) 272-8286 or or email stheroux@cheshirect.org. Also, follow the Cheshire Senior Center on Facebook.
For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.
Please note … The In-person Lunch Program, which was to be served on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the Senior Center dining room, is on hold until further notice.
Special Programs
To register for any of the following programs, call (203) 272-8286 or email LGravel@cheshirect.org.
Hearing Solutions – Today, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. Join Dr. Willa Horowitz from Acuity Hearing Solutions, who will cover the following topics and discuss how they can affect quality of life: Identifying Hearing Loss, Qualifying Hearing Loss, Quantifying Hearing Loss, Improve Communications, Reduce Isolation. Registration is requested.
Mother’s Day Tea & Entertainment – Monday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m. Come celebrate all moms with tea and desserts, and music performed by singer/songwriter/entertainer Bill Benson. Desserts sponsored by Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center. Please register in advance.
Free Barre Class – Wednesday, May 17, at 9:45 a.m. Register today to try a 20-minute sample Barre exercise class with Brenda. Barre is a new class that will be offered this summer.
Crochet for Kindness – Wednesday, May 17, at 10 a.m. Join our friend Lucy to create special crochet projects and learn all about a very special group “Random Acts of Crochet Kindness.” Bring your hook and we will provide the patterns and yarn. Register today!
Move Your Mind – Thursday, May 18, at 10:30 a.m. Hartford HealthCare Senior Services will give this fun, interactive presentation on the latest trends in Health Eating — MIND Diet, free balance screening, information and recommendations for staying active and moving. Participants will receive healthy recipes, samples of food made, and a Good Life Fitness gift certificate. Refreshments will be provided. Register by May 16.
Assisted Devices Presentation – Monday, May 22, at 1:30 p.m. Learn about the multitude of devices available to help with daily tasks. Presented by Assisted Living Technologies Inc. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is requested.
Veterans Coffee House – Tuesday, May 23, at 10 a.m., at the Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington St., Wallingford. Guest speaker will be Major David Flood.
Martinis for Memories Fundraiser – Wednesday, May 24, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Serafino’s Restaurant, 72 South Turnpike Rd. (across from Oakdale Theater) in Wallingford. Four martinis will be demonstrated and tasted. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for appetizers and mingling, meeting sponsors and purchasing raffle tickets. Martini demo and tasting will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. Everyone will leave with a martini glass and recipes for all four martinis. Cost is $40 per person, $35 for anyone currently caring for a person with dementia. All proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut chapter. Space is limited and registration is required. Transportation is available upon request.
Boogie Boys – Thursday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m. Celebrate Older Americans Month with a performance by the Boogie Boys. Spend the afternoon singing and dancing. Refreshments will be available. Cost per person: $5. Register by May 23.
Movie Matinee: “80 for Brady” – Wednesday, May 31, at 1:30 p.m. Four best friends live life to the fullest when they embark on a trip to see their hero, Tom Brady, play in the 2017 Super Bowl. Stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno and Sally Field. Rated PG-13 (1 hour, 38 minutes). Registration is required.
Save The Date!
Blood Drive – Wednesday, June 21, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Cheshire Senior Center. Contact Tracey at (203) 272-8236 to reserve a spot.
Monthly Programs
Sit Down with Stefanie – Today, May 11, at 11:15 a.m. Stefanie will answer questions regarding the Senior Center. Please register in advance.
Cheshire Readers Book Club – Tuesday, May 16, at 10:45 a.m. Book for discussion is “The Girls with No Names” by Serena Burdick. New members welcome!
The Cheshire Sherlock Holmes Society – Thursday, May 18, at 1 p.m. Visit a re-creation of the 221B Baker Street sitting room of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, with artifacts and souvenirs of their most famous cases. Pose for a photo as Sherlock Holmes, pipe in hand or deerstalker hat on head. Members of the CSHS will be available to answer questions about the group. For additional information, contact Andy Tranquilli at tranquilli@hotmail.com. All are welcome!
Ask the Probate Judge – Tuesday, May 30, at 10 a.m. Drop-in probate question-and-answer program with Judge Matt Jalowiec.
Cheshire Senior Singles
Register in advance for all events by calling (203) 272-8286.
Walking on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail – Friday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Cornwall Avenue parking lot. Rain date: June 23.
Weekly Programs
To register for any of the following programs, call (203) 272-8286 or email LGravel@cheshirect.org.
Moderate Exercise Drop-in – Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10:30 a.m.
Nickel, Nickel – Wednesdays at 11 a.m. (note new start time). Playing fee is 11 nickels and one quarter per person, per week.
Technology Help with Jared – Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jared from the Cheshire Library returns to the Senior Center to help with computer/tablet/cellphone technology questions. Appointments are recommended: call (203) 272-8286.
Golf Card Game – Fridays at 10:30 a.m. on the lower level. Weekly fee: $3.
Advanced Conversational Italian – Fridays at 11 a.m. Spend some time speaking Italian with Dea, Kimberly and friends. Registration is required.
Bridge – Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
Setback – Fridays at 12:30 p.m. The group is always looking for more players!
Line Dancing – Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. (note new time). Drop-ins are welcome to attend this free, relaxed instructional line dancing class. NOTE: No class on Jan. 30.
Move & Groove Workout – Mondays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Drop-ins are welcome to attend this low-impact DVD exercise class.
Walking Group – Walking is a wonderful way for older adults to stay physically and mentally active. Call Marge at (203) 272-3316 for more information about her walking group.
Travel Opportunities
Travel Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m. Anyone who is interested in helping to plan future trips is invited to attend.
Flyers are available for the following trips. Contact Laura Gravel, program supervisor, at (203) 272-8286.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania Bus Trip – May 23–25. Enjoy two nights at the lovely four-star Eden Resort, two breakfast buffets, dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, a family-style dinner in an Amish home, reserved orchestra seat for “Moses” at Sight & Sound Theater, a guided Amish Country farmlands tour, and more. Cost per person: $527 double, $517 triple, $667 single.
Exploring Britain & Ireland – Sept. 24 to Oct. 8. Sign up by March 25 and save $100.
Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise – July 24–Aug. 4.
Transportation Services
Call Coleen in the Transportation Office at (203) 272-0047 for information and reservations.
Transportation is available for medical appointments in the service area, grocery shopping, pharmacy, visits to the Cheshire Senior Center, and personal appointments based on availability. Ride requests are accepted two weeks in advance. Call by 11 a.m. the day before a ride is needed; any request made after 11 a.m. is subject to availability. Please allow a 10-minute window on both sides of your scheduled pickup time for the bus to arrive.
Drivers accept cash donations each time a rider steps on the bus. Suggested donation: $1 each way for in-town rides, and $6 round trip for out-of-town appointments.
Schedule for Out-of-Town Medical Appointments:
Monday – Meriden
Tuesday – North Haven and Hamden
Wednesday – Wallingford
Thursday – New Haven and West Haven VA
Friday – Southington and Waterbury Outpatient VA Clinic
Ride requests are accepted for appointments between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Dial-A-Ride is available on Fridays for the Waterbury area.
GWTD Dial-A-Ride:
Residents of any of the seven municipalities in the Greater Waterbury Transit District (GWTD) may use the Dial-A-Ride service, free of charge. Dial-A-Ride serves Cheshire on Fridays. To be eligible, a rider must be:
•60 years of age or older OR
•a person with a disability AND
•a resident of Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Waterbury, Watertown, or Wolcott.
GWTD Dial-A-Ride applications may be obtained by calling the Cheshire Senior Center Transportation Office at (203) 272-0047.
Reservations must be made at least two days before and up to 14 days before each trip. Riders may call the phone number on their ID card between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, to schedule a trip.
Support the Senior Center
Financial support for the Senior Center is very much appreciated and provides additional assistance to the Center in serving our seniors today and throughout the coming years. A gift can be made anonymously, in recognition of the donor(s) or in honor of, or in memory of a friend or loved one.
Donations can be made payable to the Town of Cheshire Senior Center and can be designated for a specific purpose or as an undesignated gift, which will be used at the discretion of the staff. Donations to the Senior Center will be held in a gift account to support the mission of the Senior Center. All donations should be sent to: The Cheshire Senior Center, 240 Maple Ave., Cheshire, CT 06410.