UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
Download and print the April 2019 Program Calendar here
Dental Health Care for Older Adults
Presented by Kristin Schiessl-Alf, RDH and Jayne Hull, Patient Coordinator
Thursday, March 21, 1:00 pm
By the year 2030, twenty percent of the U.S. population will be age 65 or older. In Vermont, this percentage is expected to be even greater, at twenty-nine percent. Historically, as people have aged, their oral health has declined. However, a combination of advances in dental technology, public health initiatives, and continued education from dental professionals has allowed people of all ages to improve and maintain their oral health.
Kristin Schiessll-Alf, Registered Dental Hygienist with thirty-three years of experience, and Jayne Hull, Patient Coordinator, with over twenty years of experience, have worked together for many years at Dr. Mark Knott’s and Dr. J. David Laughlin’s offices. Kristin and Jayne will offer a brief, interactive presentation on Dental Health Care for older adults at the Thompson Center. Topics will include: prescription medications and dry mouth, the relationship between oral bacteria and chronic systemic diseases, periodontal disease, jaw joint and jaw muscle issues, and prevention of tooth decay.
Healing Through Art Presented by Artist Willow Bascom
Tuesday, March 26, 1:00 pm
Willow Bascom grew up in Saudi Arabia and Panama, where her father was a pilot on sea vessels. Her early introduction to varying cultures made her a huge fan of tribal art. Later in life she was struck with lupus, and started drawing when it went into remission. Her discussion will focus on her healing from chronic disease through her art to be followed by a drawing session at The Thompson on Tuesday, April 2nd at 1:00 pm.
Foot or Hand Reflexology
Offered by Deborah Neuhof, Certified Reflexologist
March 26 & April 9 & 23, 9:30 – 12:30 pm
Experience Reflexology techniques to de-stress and promote a balanced, wholistic well-being.
30 min/$30, Loose clothing recommended. Call in advance for your 30 minute appointment.
Information Technology Workshop – More About Smart Phones
At The Thompson Center
Wednesday, March 27, 1:00 pm
Now you know a few things about your phone but want to learn more. Meg Brazill, Tech Director from the Norman Williams Public Library, will lead an informal one-hour hands-on workshop about basics and beyond for your smart phones. Learn how to download new and useful apps, find free audio books you can listen to on your phone and other useful things. Bring your questions and help set the agenda!
The Occasional Jug Band
Thursday, March 28, 1:00 pm
Immediately following the Birthday Lunch Celebration
The Occasional Jug Band is a trio of versatile musicians who bring their high enthusiasm and years of professional musical performance to a repertoire packed with traditional Americana, including jug band favorites, blues, fiddle tunes and popular tunes with an irresistible ragtime twist. Please join us for their toe-tapping performance at The Thompson.
10th Annual Empty Bowls Project 
at The Pomfret Town Hall
Sunday, March 31, 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Empty Bowls is an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level. Potters gather together to make and decorate bowls for a community supper of donated bread and soup that is served as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. Bowls are available for purchase and all of the money raised goes to organizations working to end food insecurity.
Empty Bowls in Pomfret is a collaboration between Judi Greene, ArtisTree,
and the community. The 10th Annual Empty Bowls Project dinner will be held on March 31, 2019 at The Pomfret Town Hall. All funds will benefit the Woodstock Food Shelf and Change the World Kids
Drawing with Willow Bascomb
Tuesday, April 2, 1:00 pm
This is a follow-up program from Willow’s March 26th Thompson presentation – Healing Through Art
People everywhere see and experience their surroundings differently. Come for a hands on exploration through Willow Bascom’s World Folk Art coloring pages which include Balinese Cats, Celtic Lizards, Barkcloth Turtles, Talaverra Tile Butterflies, and much more. Provided for you: 12×12 or 8×10 coloring pages, markers, colored pencils and some artifacts from around the world to inspire and inform.
$5.00 material fee. Advanced registration is suggested. 457-3277
Monthly Art Project with ArtisTree at The Thompson
Wednesday, April 3, 1:30 pm
This month we will create a stamp and find the magic of repetition, symmetry and balance in simple eraser block stamping.
Please register in advance by calling The Thompson. 457-3277
Jewelry Repair at The Thompson
Every Tuesday, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Is there jewelry in your jewelry box that needs a new clasp, or to be restrung? Yael Taylor, volunteer receptionist at the Thompson and local jewelry artist, is available to help for a nominal fee. Bring your jewelry to Yael to see if she can help you.
Seven Stars Recorder Ensemble
A Special Music Presentation
Tuesday, April 9, 1:00 pm
The Seven Stars Recorder Ensemble, directed by Chris Rua, will present music by Renaissance composers: dances and a fantasia, a motet by Palestrina, a suite by Pezel, and more, on recorders large and small, joined by viola da gamba and percussion.
Talk, Listen and Connect (TLC) Group
Thursday, April 9, 2:00 pm, All are Welcome!
The TLC Group provides an opportunity to talk about things that are meaningful, to get to know others on a more authentic level and to offer and receive mutual encouragement and support. Our April 9th gathering will provide an opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings about some of the big questions we currently face, where these questions may be taking us, or, in other words, what we are called to at this time in our lives. After this sharing there will be an opportunity to share with a listening and supportive group any special joys or concerns that may be weighing on your mind.
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Banquet
Thursday, April 11th at 5:30 pm
A special event to celebrate and recognize our volunteers. RSVP 457-3277
Hearing Healthcare and Hearing Aid Updates
Monday, April 15, 1:00 pm
Presented by Johnson Audiology
Hearing loss affects over 36 million Americans and is the third most common health problem in the United States. Audiologist, Dr. Julie Johnson, will discuss the changing landscape of hearing healthcare and how to be a savvy hearing aid consumer and what to look for from a hearing aid provider.
Dr. Johnson, graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and completed her externship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She moved to the Upper Valley in 2003 to join Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center as a clinical Audiologist and later as a clinical coordinator. In 2014, Dr. Johnson established Johnson Audiology, a private practice providing hearing health care to continuing care facilities, including Kendal at Hanover. Dr. Johnson has a working proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) and is Board Certified by the American Board of Audiology.
Dr. Rieke graduated with a Doctor of Audiology degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She completed her externship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in 2009. She continues to see patients at DHMC and also works as a research Audiologist for a lab at Dartmouth College. Dr. Rieke is Board Certified by the American Board of Audiology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. In addition, she conducts research related to cochlear changes from noise and ototoxicity. Dr. Rieke is also involved in research related to developing low-cost audiometric technology to improve global hearing healthcare in impoverished rural communities. For more information about their services,visit www.johnsonaudiology.org.
Intro to Medicare for New Enrollees
Tuesday, April 16, 1:00 pm
Presented by Senior Solutions at The Thompson Center
Are you almost 65 year of age and thinking about signing up for Medicare? Are you retiring and losing your health insurance benefits? Come and learn when and how to enroll in Medicare. State Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Coordinator, Pati Kimball, will be presenting this class for those individuals who will be signing up for Medicare. Pati will discuss the different levels of Medicare coverage options such as supplement plans, and Advantage plans as well as the current prescription drug plans. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration is advised by calling The Thompson Center.
Diabetes Self Management: Tools and Tips
Thursday, April 18, 1-2 pm
Come to the Thompson to hear more about how to control your blood sugar.
Discuss the challenges with Nancy McCullough, RN, MS from Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
Thompson Book Group
All are welcome to attend
The following is a list of our upcoming reads:
Monday, April 22, 1:00 pm: Liza Mundy’s Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
Monday, May 20, 1:00 pm: Karen Cleveland’s Need to Know: A Novel
Spring Clean Your Legal Affairs
Estate Attorney Daphne Moritz returns to The Thompson Center
to present this invaluable three-part series
April 29, May 14, and May 28 at 1:00 pm
These programs are open and free to the public. Advance registration is requested by calling The Thompson
Spring is always a good time to take stock of our affairs whether we are cleaning our houses and preparing our garden beds, or clearing out our clutter. Spring is also a great time to get our legal houses in order. With estate planning, that means reviewing your existing documents which may have grown stale, and educating yourself on new aspects of the law which may not have been relevant to you only a few years ago.
Whether you have already completed your estate planning, but you think it needs updating, or you are eager to learn more about the documents you should have, but on which you have not yet taken action, Spring Cleaning your Legal Affairs is a series for you.
April 29 Your Top Five Essential Estate Planning Documents
May 14 Long Term Care Planning and Aging Well (Including Residence Options)
May 28 Specific Topics in Estate Planning family dynamics, real estate matters, pet trusts and more
Come prepared with your questions about estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, long-term care concerns and Medicaid planning, health care powers of attorney, advance directives, guardianship, and unusual topics.
Daphne Moritz is an estate planning and elder law attorney with Sheehey Furlong & Behm P.C. She focuses her practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, elder law, families with special needs, and related matters. She frequently lectures to a variety of audiences about estate planning and elder law matters. Find more information at https://www.sheeheyvt.com.
Painting at ArtisTree: A Collaboration Between The Thompson Center and ArtisTree
Instructor: Murray Ngoima
Class Dates: Two 6-week Sessions
Session 1: March 1 – April 5
Session 2: April 26 – May 31
Day/Time: Fridays, 10–11:30 am
Cost: $60 for 6 weeks or $10 per class
Ages: Adults
Explore the wonderful world of painting in this class for Thompson Center participants. Come paint and learn about painting in ArtisTree’s beautiful indoor and outdoor settings. Receive instruction in how to work with water-based mediums, or work on projects of your own choice amid supportive and congenial company. Materials are provided and all levels of experience are welcome! Van transportation is provided by request from your home or from the Thompson to ArtisTree and back.
Water Aerobics Class
Woodstock Athletic Club
Fridays, March 8—May 17, 2019
1:30 – 2:15 pm, Cost: $80 for 10 week class
The Thompson Center will provide shuttle service to and from class if needed. Please register in
advance by calling 457-3277. Payment is due at time of reservation and must be received prior to the start of class series.
Fall Prevention Clinic at The Thompson
Provided by Upper Valley Rehab Physical Therapists
Balance Clinic hours will resume on June 12th, by appointment. New dates and schedule will be posted on The Thompson website and in this newsletter.
Falls are not a normal part of aging and can result in more serious injuries over time, but the risks can be reduced by working on all the possible causes.
Upper Valley Rehab will be offering a Fall Prevention Clinic at the Thompson Center and will provide free comprehensive fall risk Screenings for people who have fallen or who have a fear of falling. At the Clinic/Assessment, a licensed physical therapist will ask participants to complete a fall assessment screen which will include a history of previous falls and what might be causing them. Additionally, a therapist will screen participant’s gait, balance, range of motion, strength and sensation and ask questions regarding home environment, fear of falling concerns, and pertinent medical history that can contribute to falls. This total assessment will include your screen results, which can be sent to your primary care physician, and recommendations for treatment if needed. Each comprehensive assessment is about fifteen minutes and will require an appointment.
Please wear or bring the shoes you wear most often inside and outside of your home. Please bring devices
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE CLINIC
2nd Monday of the Month
1:00-3:00 pm by appointment, please schedule in advance
Would your loved ones know your about medical care if you were unable to speak for yourself? There is a legal document called an Advance Directive that you can complete to give guidelines about your wishes and appoint someone to represent you if you are not able. We have arranged for a trained and caring volunteer to be at the Thompson Center every 2nd Monday from 1pm – 3pm. These volunteers will take the time to explain both the document and the simple process used to make your wishes known. The most important part of this process is talking to those you love about what matters most to you. You can call 457-3277 to schedule an appointment.
Mah Jongg at The Thompson
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays , 1:30 – 3:30 pm
We have been thrilled by the enthusiastic response to Mah jongg and our group is growing! If you are interested in joining, please contact Gail Stickney by emailing glavinstickney@yahoo.com or call 457-2581.
Open Pickle Ball at Woodstock Athletic Club
Mondays & Wednesdays, 8:30 – 10:00 am
Cost:$10 per 1.5 hr court time session. Walk-ins welcome and equipment is provided. Ride service available from The Thompson with advance notice.
New Duplicate Bridge Club in the Upper Valley at The Quechee Club
Mondays at 1:00 pm. Please arrive by 12:30 pm for sign-in, pairing, and table assignment
All are welcome… Bridge players, social Bridge players, kitchen Bridge players, aspiring Bridge players, new-to-duplicate Bridge players, experienced duplicate Bridge players. No partner necessary.
Cost: $8 per person, light refreshments and comfortable venue
Director: Dick Tray, ACBL sanctioned club game masterpoints awarded
Contact: Karen Randle 802 225-6640 or randlebridge1430@gmail.com