Newsletters

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 16^th: 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 25^th 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!

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.

Coffee Talk – Let’s Connect and 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!

It’s as simple as using your telephone. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, find a cozy chair & dial 1-802-448-5745 to get connected!

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 new the call-in number, call 457-3277.

Rehabbing Bats in the Time of COVID-19

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.

Art in Bloom with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts

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

Special Thanks to Art in Bloom Sponsors:

Hope Home Care and the Woodstock Garden Club

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

Virtual programing offered by New Hampshire’s AVA Gallery

Posted every Friday in our weekly 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.

To register, email Shari at sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org or call 457-3277

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.

Learn More About The Woodstock Town Hall

Rejuvenation Project

A Virtual Presentation – Monday, May 17 at 10:00 am

Perhaps you’ve heard that the Woodstock Selectboard has authorized the project to rejuvenate the Town Hall and Theater. If you’d like to learn more details, please join a Zoom presentation with Wendy Spector, chair of the Campaign to Save The Town Hall and member of the Town Hall Rejuvenation Project Leadership Team.

Wendy will take you through some of the fascinating history of the building, the genesis of the rejuvenation effort, current stage of the project, and the Leadership Team’s vision for the building. The kick-off of the public phase of the project will follow soon, but this will give you an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts in a more direct way. Please register in advance by contacting The Thompson Center at sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org and a zoom link will be provided.

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

Register for a Virtual Tai Chi Class

Instructor, Anne Bower, is offering 5 classes a week and we encourage you to try a new class or continue Tai Chi. It’s slow, gentle but powerful movements will give you energy and multiple health benefits. For more information on any of these classes, please email Anne at anniebower@yahoo.com. Zoom links will be provided at registration with The Thompson.

Monday: 10-11 Tai Chi with a Chair

Monday: 11:10-12:10 Introduction to Sun 73 forms (prior knowledge of Fall Prevention Tai Chi is required)

Wednesday: 10-11 Fall Prevention Tai Chi

Wednesday: 11:10-12:10 Sun 73 continuing practice and learning

Friday: 10-11 Yang 24 continuing practice and learning

Bone Builders Class

Zoom meetings continue weekly and are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays for current students. Participants are also encouraged to continue their practice at home. Exercise routines provided by Althea are available via email or by calling The Thompson.

Chair Yoga by Zoom

Wednesdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

This class is available on Zoom and suggested $3.00 minimum per class.

We invite you to join this yoga class focusing on gentle stretching, strengthening and balance using a chair for support. Breathing and relaxation are part of the practice we all need in these times of change and challenges. Instructor, Linda Harvey, is a registered physical therapist and certified yoga teacher who has worked in multiple settings with an interest in falls prevention and overall wellness.

Linda is presently working at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Otauquechee Health Center in outpatient rehab and aquatic therapy. Her practice includes a therapeutic approach and inclusivity for all people who are curious about the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of yoga.

$3.00/class. Questions for her can be directed to llharvey56@gmail.com. Payments should be made out to Linda Harvey and mailed to The Thompson Center. Punch cards are available for $15/5 classes or $30/10, and the cards will also be honored when we return to in-person classes at The Thompson Center.

Senior Centers: Delivering Vital Connections!