Thompson Winter Gala Raffle
Senior Centers: Delivering Vital Connections!
This year’s theme for national senior center month was chosen by the National Council on Aging to highlight how senior centers deliver vital connections to support older adults aging well. This is more evident now than ever before! Critical home delivered meals, grocery delivery, friendly check-in calls, virtual & onsite programs, and even phone Bingo have helped to keep our community members safer and happier at home during this challenging time. Preventing social isolation is vital and a core senior center mission. While the delivery methods have changed during the pandemic, centers have succeeded in continuing to provide knowledge, programming, and resources.
The Thompson plays a vital role in our community! Our staff, volunteers, and participants promote a positive image of aging. Together we are a vibrant, supportive senior center that thrives inside and outside of our walls and reaches far into the towns and countryside of our beautiful area. If you’re not a regular participant or volunteer, we invite you to get engaged by trying out a class, volunteering, or checking in with staff about other opportunities to enrich your life.
Fun Facts that show just how vital The Thompson has been these last months at keeping community members safe:
- Meals on Wheels served since March 16th: 5,542 (same time frame last year 3,546)
- We’ve had 69 new recipients for home delivered Meals on Wheels!
- Curbside take-out meals with our dining room closed: 2,710 meals to more than 300 unique individuals.
- Hundreds of check-in calls, grocery & prescription deliveries, & virtual programs to help beat the Covid blues!
National Senior Center Month Celebration & Senior Center Volunteer Appreciation
Friday, September 25, 12:00 pm
Join us for our annual chicken BBQ and senior center month celebration – TAKE-OUT STYLE – on Friday September 25th!
Although we are operating under much different circumstances than this time last year, it will not deter us from celebrating National Senior Center month AND, our beloved Thompson Center volunteers!
These have been trying times, and we acknowledge each and every volunteer whether you were sidelined by pandemic restrictions, or jumping in to help as a new volunteer. You play a critical role in making The Thompson one of the very best senior centers around! We have so much to celebrate!
On Friday, September 25th our favorite guest BBQ Chef, Nate Willard, and family will be grilling the chicken and Chef Ryan will serve potato salad, coleslaw, corn bread and lemon fool on the hill with blueberries. You must RSVP, but take-out lunches will be free for all of our volunteers and raffle prizes will be drawn from all who are registered for lunch! $5 minimum suggested donation for non-volunteers.
Thank you to all of you for your continued contribution to the success of our Center – your Center!
Please pre-register by calling The Thompson Center. We look forward to celebrating with you!
“The Thompson at Home”
Your Virtual Senior Center
Coffee Talk – Let’s Connect and Chat!
Mondays at 9:00 am
Dial in to 1-802-448-5745 and connect with us. You never know who will be on the other end of the line or where our happy chatter may lead.
Please note that coffee is always on in the morning at The Thompson. Come in for a cup, bring a friend, and enjoy our front porch or any comfortable place to relax and chat.
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 call-in number, call 457-3277.
Virtual programing offered by New Hampshire’s AVA Gallery
Fridays, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
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.
To learn about each week’s program and to register visit their website here
Coping with COVID: Managing Re-Entry Anxiety
A virtual program Presented by COVID Support VT
Wednesday, July 7, 1:00 pm
With an end in sight to the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, the re-entry back into “normalcy” has been a surprising source of worry for many. Being “deployed” back to original positions, returning to social gatherings, and changes to personal schedules are difficult even if the changes are positive. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 50% of Americans feel anxious about resuming in-person contact, regardless of vaccination status. Join COVID Support VT staff for this one-hour interactive workshop to explore how “re-entry” might be affecting you and how best to manage the stress effectively.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Medicare Boot Camp for Those New to Medicare
A virtual presentation offered by Senior Solutions
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.
Strength, Stretch & Stability via Zoom
Led by Liz Hatfield, Certified Fitness Trainer
Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Motion is Lotion! Now is the time to focus on ourselves. We must stay positive and strong. In the short term, exercise can help the immune system find and deal with pathogens, and in the long term, regular exercise slows down changes that happen to the immune system with aging, therefore reducing the risk of infection.
Join this class, move your body and feel physically, mentally and emotionally better.
Suggested Equipment:
- Dumbbells, Soup Cans (14oz is approx. 1lb), Bag of Beans or Rice (1lb) or Filled Water Bottles
- Dish Towel or Pillowcase
- Two Paper plates, Rags or Furniture Gliders/Coaster (NOT RUBBER)
- 12Plastic cups (e.g. “Solo” cups) – 6 Red & 6 Blue – Linda Grant has left 10 sets at The Thompson in a bag if you would like to pick them up.
For information on how to access the Zoom classes, contact Liz directly at 802-522-9273 or email at ebhatfield@aol.com
(Archive) Generation to Generation week at The Thompson 2019
August 5 – 8, 2019, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm
Summer matters! Many children jump for joy for summer break, but not all. For some, summer is a time when learning stops, meals are scarce, and caring adults during the day are less accessible. Older people have abundant skills and life experience to share. Younger people thrive with the support of caring adults in their lives!
The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, VT, has dedicated a special week when young people in our community come together with seniors for learning, fun, and to make meaningful connections. This year, the week of August 5th will be “Generation to Generation” week at The Thompson with programs offered by ArtisTree, The Woodstock History Center, and teacher, Barbara Leonard.
The proven benefits of intergenerational activities are numerous and meaningful to both generations.
Join us for a week of kid and adult-friendly lunch menus, arts & crafts, music, games, ice cream, dancing, and more!
Daily Schedule:
Other details:
Cost: FREE. Donations for meals are welcome, but not required for children or adult volunteers.
Programs are ideal for children ages 8-12. Children who are 8 years old or older are invited to attend without a parent or caregiver. Children under age 8 are welcome with a parent or caregiver. Participation will be on a first come, first serve basis and all families will be required to complete a permission slip.
HOW TO REGISTER:
Children’s permission slip and sign up at 457-3277 or in person at the Thompson, 99 Senior Lane, Woodstock, VT (Located just off of Route 4 near the high school), or online here. Permission slip and sign-up must be completed in advance of arriving at Gen2Gen camp. Space is limited to 20 children and completed forms are required to hold your space. Participants may attend all programs or just a few.
If transportation is an issue, please let us know so that we can try to accommodate.
Please contact Deanna Jones, Executive Director at The Thompson, with any questions. info@thompsonseniorcenter.org or 457-3277
More about Generation to Generation and The Thompson Senior Center:
The Gen2Gen Summer Challenge is part of Encore.org’s Generation to Generation campaign, a national effort to inspire adults over 50 to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth. Encore.org
The Thompson addresses the social, intellectual and physical well being of seniors and offers information and support for Vermont communities on issues and opportunities involved in aging. Located at 99 Senior Lane, Woodstock, the Thompson engages and supports seniors of all ages and backgrounds living in Barnard, Bridgewater, Pomfret, Quechee, Hartland, Reading, Woodstock, and the surrounding areas. More information is available by calling (802) 457-3277, online at www.ThompsonSeniorCenter.org, and on Facebook at The Thompson Senior Center.
(Archives) Annual Meeting 2018: Inspiration to Age Well
We are surrounded by inspiration. In spending time at The Thompson, it is the thing most loved – the people. We’re a group of vibrant volunteers and participants, talented artists, fitness enthusiasts, activists, life-long learners, Veterans, teachers, spiritual examples, travelers, interesting Vermonters, and caring friends.
On Wednesday, October 24th at our Annual Meeting we gave the spotlight to a few of the people that make our community so vibrant and inspire us all to Age Well!
“Being new to the area, I find The Thompson’s daily meal to be a wonderful place to make new friends and get a balanced meal with no shopping, cooking, or cleanup involved (which is a real draw for people who don’t like to cook for one)! I participate regularly in the language tables at lunchtime, as well as Italian lessons, Bone Builder exercise classes, special programs and Meals on Wheels delivery. I look forward to Aging Well with The Thompson for decades to come!” – Laurie Marshall
“My thoughts on aging well is to stay active and creative and the Thompson gives me that opportunity. I especially enjoy the Generation to Generation camp in the summer. It is very rewarding to see the interaction between the adults and the children. We are very fortunate to have all the wonderful programs available to us at the Thompson Senior Center.” – Beverly Audsley
“We age well or better by simply coming here with a purpose.
Those of us who participate in the language tables, some up to 3 different each week, keep the brains working with conversation, constant challenges, research, and also a lot of fun. In my 20 years here, I have managed to make NEW FRIENDS, not merely acquaintances, not an easy task at our age, when we tend to hang on to the past. We also go on trips and meet in our homes for various celebrations that would previously have been shared with family, long gone or too far away for everyday participation. That means we care for each other, help out when needed with driving or other practical chores. We still learn every day. We feel we have an extended family. For some it is also of utmost importance to come here daily and eat a proper meal, as one may tend to skip that when living alone. Lastly, just knowing that I can call here one day when it is really needed, is a tremendous help, making me not worry what is ahead of us. They know us here, and I know that they with their enormous resources, knowledge and caring will step up and connect us with the right people.” – Rita Post
Jim had a long career with the Navy beginning when he was 17, Jim was a Seabee and retired after over 40 years when he was 60.
A few years ago, he was recognized as a Vermont Super Senior and we certainly agree. He keeps busy with a number of things … Among them has been volunteering as a tour guide at the Calvin Coolidge exhibits in Plymouth and here at the Thompson as one of our favorite Generation to Generation participants. At the close of this summer’s event, he shared with all the children and adults in our closing circle that this had been the “most fun he had had in ages” — He chuckled and said, “sometimes people my age end up talking about their ailments. It was refreshing to be here having fun with no time to think about my age.”
This past year after Jim had visited the high school with a group of veterans for interviews with the students, 3 teenage guys wrote a letter about their interview and time with Jim. They said, “HOPE is the word that comes to mine when we think of you because of the story from the beginning of the war when you were crying and that soldier came up and comforted you. You still had your whole deployment and career ahead of you, and you found a way to keep going. Thank you for coming up to us and for taking the time out of your day just to do an interview with us.”
“The aging process embraces both QUANTITY and QUALITY. My family genes have bequeathed the quantity and The Thompson Senior Center has added to the QUALITY — friendship, courtesy, help, education, healthful food, fun, relaxation, physical and mental exercise.
My gratitude, like aging, embraces both my life’s genes and my life’s experiences at the senior center.” – Gina Moore
Jane, our dear centarian, a vibrant speaker, talented artist, and activist who organized and led a protest on immigration issues this past June just after her 100th birthday. I had the pleasure of viewing her artwork on exhibit within the last few years and am continusously delighted by her sometimes irreverant way of speaking the truth always. When I called her on her 100 birthday, she took the phone from her daughter and exclaimed, “I made it to 100 years because of the The Thompson.” Certainly we know there are other factors, but it is absolutely an honor to hear in Jane’s words, “ I could not live in my lovely house without “the Thompson.” After 73 years of cooking, those lovely meals arrive in my kitchen ready to enjoy. It’s a wonderful thing, EVEN the brussell sprouts are great! Long Live the THOMPSON!”