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 24^th 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!”