Thompson Re-opening Update
We’re very happy to be getting closer to being together in person again. While the Governor has recently announced that Senior Centers may re-open for group activities, there are still guidelines in place at this time that recommend only 1 person per 100 square feet, mask-wearing, 6 foot distancing, and other safety procedures. For the month of May, The Thompson plans to continue as we have been with our Meals on Wheels, Curbside pick-up, one-on-one services, and virtual programs. Senior Center staff were not prioritized for vaccination so our younger staff has only just become eligible to get their vaccinations. With this in mind, we are tentatively planning that the first week of June could be the right timing for our tent and group activities to resume. We will also be monitoring the current, active cases in Vermont and our area. We hope the update in our next newsletter will bring more concrete plans. Please let Deanna know if you have any questions or concerns. 802-457-3277 or djones@thompsonseniorcenter.org
THANK YOU Woodstock Farmers’ Market
We are so excited that the Woodstock Farmers’ Market Round-Up Campaign raised $8,700 for The Thompson Meals on Wheels program! It feels wonderful to know that the Woodstock Farmers’ Market shoppers so often said YES to rounding up for Meals on Wheels. THANK YOU to each and every shopper and to the Woodstock Farmers’ Market and staff for supporting us this way.
New London Barn Playhouse Announces
it’s 2021 Summer Season
Though The Thompson will not be able to offer trips this summer, we know that many of you have enjoyed theater trips of summers past. New London Barn Playhouse has just announced it’s 2021 Summer Season when they proudly welcome back a live audience for a “Summer Under the Stars.” The never-been-done before season, starting June 29th, will take place under an open-air tent in Ivey Field on the campus of Colby-Sawyer College, located less than a mile from the Barn Playhouse. The five-performance line-up features exciting concert-style shows, in rotating repertory, and the season finale of Always…Patsy Cline. 5-adult ticket packages are available for $175.00 and single adult tickets are also available for $40.00/person. For more information visit www.nlbarn.org or call 603-526-6710.
BINGO at HOME with The Thompson
Friday mornings,10:00 am
Use your phone to call in and join. Fun prizes for winners!
For a BINGO card and the new call-in number, call 457-3277.
Individual Benefits Assistance—
Medicare, Medicaid, Food & Fuel Assistance
One on One Meetings are available at the Thompson Center, Call for an appointment
The Windsor Community Health Clinic (WCHC) is available for 1:1 appointments at The Thompson Center. A staff member can answer your individual questions about Medicaid, Medicare parts A, B, and D, food and fuel assistance, and dental and medication help. Although now they are offering in person appointments, WCHC staff continue to offer assistance over the phone or via Zoom.
All CDC and state guidelines for infection control and distancing will be strictly adhered to including the wearing of face coverings.
To schedule a one on one, in person appointment, please call the Thompson at 802-457-3277 or WCHC directly if you have any questions about Medicaid, Medicare, food or fuel assistance, dental or medication help at 802-674-7213.
Foot Clinic Returns to The Thompson Center
with Beverly Sinclair, RN
April 8, May 13 & 20, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Cost: $30 payable by cash or check. Towels are supplied.
Call for your appointment and please plan on earlier arrival for COVID-19 screening
Beverly Sinclair has been a practicing registered nurse for 22 years with extensive experience as a staff nurse and in nurse management. She has been providing local foot care service for older Vermonters for the past 6 years.
Coffee Talk – Let’s Connect & Chat!
Mondays at 9:00 am
Our Coffee Talk on Monday mornings is becoming quite popular as more people call in. We have discussed all types of topics, like back yard bird feeding, skiing on barrels stays, and even 3 holers! Our special guests have included VINS research coordinator, Jim Ambruster, Woodstock Pharmacy owner Gary Smith, and the Woodstock History Center. Dial in on Monday mornings and connect with us – you never know who will be on the other end of the line!
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, find a cozy chair & dial 1-802-448-5745 to get connected.
Senior Learning Network Programming on Pause
For those of you who have enjoyed the past many months of diverse virtual programming offered by the Senior Learning Network, we regret to inform you that they have decided to temporarily pause programming beginning in April. Please be assured that we will continue to search for creative virtual programs while our Center’s access remains limited. We strive to find the best options to reach the greatest amount of viewers as we look forward to re-opening slowly as directed by state guidelines. As always, your comments and suggestions regarding programming are encouraged and always appreciated.
Caregiver Support Group Returns via Zoom
Carla and Anne will continue to facilitate this group virtually on the second Tuesday of each month beginning May 11, 1:00-2:00 pm with plans to meet in person under The Thompsn Tent when opening and weather permits. Newcomers are always welcome!
We welcome the return of the Caregiver Support Group where support and education can make a critical difference for family members and caregivers of people with memory loss or disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Carla and Anne welcome you to join this confidential support group virtually, until the group is able to meet again in person at The Thompson. This gathering remains a safe place to share ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback with others facing similar challenges.
Complimentary curb-side bagged lunch will be provided by request with registration. Please let us know if you need assistance with using zoom.
Medicare Boot Camp for Those New to Medicare
A virtual presentation offered by Senior Solutions
Thursday, May 10, 4:00 pm
Thursday, June 10, 2:00 pm
Thursday, July 15, 11:00 am
Senior Solutions staff provides unbiased information about the Medicare system at Medicare Boot Camp. These virtual presentations are presented using zoom.
The classes are for Vermonters who reside in Windsor and Windham counties and are new to Medicare. Family members who help these beneficiaries may also find it useful. Medicare has strict enrollment periods, and Medicare Boot Camp prepares participants to make timely decisions about drug plans and supplemental plans as well as many other issues.
Space is limited, so please call The Thompson Center to register.
Rehabbing Bats in the Time of COVID-19
Virtual Events offered through VINS
FREE and Open to the Public*
April 15, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Take a tour through the Vermont Bat Center rehab facilities and get a first-hand look at what it takes to rescue and rehabilitate these tiny animals. Learn what protocols are in place to protect vulnerable bat populations.
*A $10 donation is suggested.
Before Your Time: Send Me a Box
Vermont Humanities Council Pre-recorded program from Feb 19th
In this virtual program they examine some of the products that people have mailed from and to Vermont, from maple syrup to complete houses and almost everything in between. To listen to this recording visit their website here.
Lucy Mackenzie’s Cabin Fever Dinner is back in 2021!
Our Meals For Pets partner, Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, is offering their delicious Cabin Fever dinner on Saturday, April 24th. Enjoy a dinner of mac & cheese, salad and dessert for $15. You can even pick-up your meal right at the Thompson Senior Center parking lot! Call 802-484-LUCY or
visit www.lucymac.org for details and to purchase your meals today.
Virtual programing offered by New Hampshire’s AVA Gallery
Weekly programs announced in Friday’s eNews
Get a glimpse into the creative minds of individual artists as they take you through the art making process – from beginning with a blank canvas or raw materials, through all the decisions they make about themes, materials, media, colors, techniques, and other aspects of their art making. Free one-hour Zoom programs each week with different artists giving demonstrations and presentations on their work, every Friday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Weekly programs will be announced in Friday’s eNews.
Art in Bloom with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Special Thanks to our Sponsors Hope Home Care and the Woodstock Garden Club
Saturday, May 1, 11:00 am
We’ll be saluting the spring virtually this year with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts as they showcase fine art and floral design for the 45th year of Art in Bloom. The theme this year is Women and Art. Our one-hour private tour will feature art objects along with a floral interpretation and will be hosted by an art guide and a floral design guide. The tour will include a live Q & A session at the end. One significant benefit of the virtual approach is that participants will be able to see both the flowers and the art closer than ever before. Register through The Thompson to receive your Zoom link. 802.457.3277 or sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org
Art With Finnie
It’s Cinco de Mayo! Let’s paint in the style of Amate Bark
Paintings from Mexico!
Wednesday, May 5, 1;30-3:00 pm
Amate bark painting is a Mexican folk art developed in the state of Puebla, but today it is mainly practiced in the state of Guerrero. The process involves both the creating of the bark paper and the painting of it, which is often done to depict brightly colored scenes of daily life, history, or nature.
You will need a clean brown paper bag, pencil, sharpie, and some brightly colored paints.
To register for April’s session please email Finnie Trimpi: outreach@artistreevt.org
Creating Natural Balance in our Neighborhood
A Virtual Photo Essay Presented by
Extension Master Gardener, Bob Little Tree
Tuesday, May 11, 10:30 am
This two-part photo essay will begin with slides on invasive plants and animals. Part two will illustrate good plants; the many beneficial, naturalized, or indigenous plants and their common names, what environments they prefer, uses, their growing seasons and why gardeners should strive to preserve habitat for these beneficial plants. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion concluding this 1 hour presentation. Please contact The Thompson Center to pre-register for your zoom link at sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org.
Spring Tea
Wednesday, May 12, 2:00 pm
All ages are invited to our first ever intergenerational tea party! This virtual Spring Tea will be a lovely opportunity to connect with our youngest friends and share a cup of tea and some treats.
Please RSVP by Friday, May 7th, and plan to pick up your “Tea Party Kit” at The Thompson on either May 4th or 5th. Your tea party kit will include tea bags, sweet and savory tea treats, a pretty teacup, and a fun project for our tea party. If you’re too far away to pick up a kit, you can still join us with your own tea.
The Thompson and Tri-Valley Transit are partnering in new ways to bring more transportation options to our region.
The Thompson Senior Center and Tri-Valley Transit, formerly Stagecoach, are excited to announce an expansion to their long-time partnership providing transportation services to people in need in the Woodstock area (Woodstock, Bridgewater, Barnard, & Pomfret). For many years, the two organizations have worked together to provide people access to services in the community. Now, these services will continue, but with Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) playing a more visible role in providing rides, additional benefits for volunteer drivers, and increased access for riders.
TVT will now provide up to four (4) door-to-door rides each month for people 60 years of age or older and those with ADA recognized disabilities through the recently revamped Ticket-to-Ride program. Riders can schedule trips for any purpose, but rides are most frequently requested for access to shopping and medical appointments. People needing rides to appointments for cancer treatment or kidney dialysis are given the highest priority and offered 100% of the rides needed to these appointments.
The Thompson will continue to manage a local transportation program to help older participants access programming at the Thompson Center and offer local trips to stores and services in the downtown Woodstock area.
The “Woodstock Shopper” bus route continues but the twice monthly trips now go to Rutland for shopping instead of West Lebanon due to Covid restrictions. This route connects Randolph, Barnard, Bridgewater, Pomfret, and Woodstock to any retail store in Rutland on the first and third Wednesday each month (advance reservations on this route must be made by the previous Friday).
To schedule rides for medical appointments or shopping, or to volunteer with TVT as a volunteer driver, please call 802-728-3773.
For a ride to/from The Thompson, or for local errands in Woodstock, please call 802-457-3277.