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!

Your Virtual Senior Center

Senior Learning Network Virtual Programming at The Thompson

Please call to reserve your spot. Let us know if you would prefer to view from home or watch from the Thompson and leave the technology to us.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park

“Give me a child until he is 7, and I will show you the man” – Aristotle

Tuesday, September 20, 2:00 pm

The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park located in Hodgenville, Kentucky is home to the Sinking Spring Farm, also known as the birthplace of our 16th President Abraham Lincoln. The park is made up of 2 units: The Birthplace Unit and the Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek. It was here on these 2 farms, that Abraham Lincoln spent the first 7 years of his life. His Kentucky roots would have a lasting impact on the boy, who would later become President. In the early 20th Century, private citizens would band together to create the park, and the first national monument to Lincoln in the United States. Join Stacy Humphreys, the park’s Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management as we explore Lincoln’s Kentucky roots and influences, and she shares stories of the park’s creation and detail the work that is still being done to tell the story of the early formative years of Lincoln’s life.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Tuesday, September 27, 2:00 pm

The building of the Casa Grande was a major event of the Classic Period (1100 – 1450. C.E.). The best dating methods available indicate that this large, caliche structure was built during the 1300’s. The construction appears to have been well planned and organized, requiring tons of material and a huge cooperative effort on the part of many people.

Today we can only marvel at the Casa Grande and try to imagine what it was used for. Though many theories have been suggested, we still aren’t sure as to its purpose. All we can assume is that the Casa Grande must have been very important to the people who built it. Join us as we learn about this fascinating mystery in Arizona!

“Powerful Partnerships”- Civil War Era Couples

National Portrait Gallery

Tuesday, October 4, 2:00 pm

Long before the term “power couple” found its way into English lexicon, dynamic duos had been making their mark on U.S. history. “Powerful Partnerships: Civil War-Era Couples” sheds light on the stories and faces of five couples whose work and lives shaped the nation around them during tumultuous times. Featuring photography by the iconic Mathew Brady Studio, the exhibition introduces visitors to the exploits of Nathaniel and Mary Banks, John and Jessie Frémont, Ulysses and Julia Grant, George and Ellen McClellan, and Charles and Lavinia Stratton (better known to the public as Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thumb).

Celebrate Eleanor’s Birthday – at home viewing only

with the FDR Presidential Library and Museum

“Eleanor Roosevelt, Tireless Advocate for Change“

Tuesday, October 11, 2:00 pm

Having been First Lady for 12 years, and then pursuing a career as a social activist for 17 years on her own, Eleanor Roosevelt had a tremendous impact on the social conditions in this country, and around the world. This session explores some of the causes to which she lent her considerable skills and encouragement.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, DC

“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

Tuesday, October 18, 2:00 pm

Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. People everywhere still find inspiration today in his tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity. Douglass’s legacy is preserved here at Cedar Hill, where he lived his last 17 years.

“The Tabors: An Epic Tale of the West”

National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum

Tuesday, October 25, 2:00 pm

H.A.W Tabor lived the 19^th century dream migrating to the west and finding wealth. After working as a stone cutter he moved west from Maine with an abolitionist party He took up a farm in Kansas. In 1855 he married a long time sweet heart Augusta Pierce and brought her from Maine to the Kansas farm. In 1859 they joined the Pikes Peak gold rush. The family including Augusta and their one and one half year old son Maxcy traveled 600 miles in a covered wagon to Auraria (now Denver Colorado where they struck it rich in CA. Gulch (near what is now) Leadville Colorado. According to the 1860 census Augusta was one of 36 women and 2000 men in the gulch. They stayed in the area where he, Augusta and Maxcy were successful in business and mining. In 1874 silver was discovered in the area. By the end of 1878 H.A.W. had accumulated immense wealth from his mining interests. He was elected Lt. Governor of Colorado and served a brief term as U. S. Senator. In 1883 he divorced Augusta his wife of 26 years and married Elizabeth Bonduel McCourt Doe (later known as Baby Doe) 24 years his junior. Stay tuned for the fascinating “ rest of the story!”

Senior Centers: Delivering Vital Connections!