Special Events & Programs in Order by Date
Please pre-register for all programs. In the event that scheduling changes need to be made, we can let you know. Call 802-457-3277 or email sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org.
In Person Tax Assistance is Available at The Thompson
Call The Thompson to schedule your one-hour appointment for tax preparation. Tax booklets are available if you would like one in advance.
Please be sure to bring these items:
- Last year’s tax return envelope that contains the printed returns (Federal and VT) AND all of your supporting documents
- Driver’s license/picture ID AND Social Security Card
- Tax documents you have received in January which may include:
- Social Security statement (SSA-1099, pink)
- W-2 for wages earned
- 1099s for all retirement income (pensions, IRA distributions) as well as interest, dividends, broker statements for sales of stocks/bonds, unemployment income, any self-employment income.
- List of deductible expenses (charitable donations, medical, etc)
- VT Property Tax bill for 2022-23
Thompson COVID protocols will be followed AND masks will be required for our one-on-one meetings.
Language Tables at Thompson!
Our long tradition of offering a lunch space for those speaking French and Spanish is back. For those who enjoy conversing in French, the French language table meets every Wednesday at noon. If Spanish is your language, your group meets on Thursdays at noon. Registration is required for anyone attending lunch.
Living a Healthy Life: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
This is a virtual event offered by the Dartmouth Health Aging Resource Center
Wednesdays, January 11 – February 15 2023
9:30 am to 12:00 pm
This is a free 6-week, online, evidence-based program to help you with symptoms of chronic illness. Participants will receive a copy of the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions,” an exercise CD, and a relaxation CD. They will also make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other address any issues with their self-management.
If you have any questions or would like to register, call 603-653-6847 or email Sharon.M.Feeney@hitchock.org. Space is limited.
An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon
Thursday, January 12, 1:00 pm
Loons are one of the North Country’s icons. Their haunting calls echoing are a highlight of living near a pond. The chance to see them carrying their chicks on their backs is a treat. Join us as photographer Ian Clark gives us an inside view of their lives with his presentation “An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon.” Since 2012, Ian has spent a couple thousand hours photographing on ponds throughout New England and the Adirondacks following loons. Common loons are large, territorial birds. Loons are devoted parents and a pair will raise one or two chicks each year. Ian’s presentation will show them courting, defending their territory and raising their chicks.
SLN Virtual Program at The Thompson
National Museum of the Pacific War: Admiral Nimitz-Lessons in Leadership
Tuesday, January 17, 2:00 pm
This is museum is a favorite, and we return for a new program– on Admiral Nimitz. Chester W Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg TX in 1885, and served as the Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, Pacific Ocean Area during World War II ,rising to the rank of Fleet Admiral. “As considerable as his tactical skills were, perhaps Nimitz’s greatest gift was his leadership ability. Naval historian Robert Love writes that Nimitz possessed “a sense of inner balance and calm that steadied those around him.” He also “had the ability to pick able subordinates and the courage to let them do their jobs without interference. He molded such disparate personalities as the quiet, introspective Raymond A. Spruance and the ebullient, aggressive William F. Halsey, Jr. into an effective team.” Join us as we learn what made this remarkable man’s life a lesson in leadership.
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.
Share and Listen: Thoughtful Aging
Meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month
Beginning on January 19, 1:00 pm
The Thoughtful Aging Group provides an opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings about getting older and, in the process, to hear and support others sharing their stories. In the first five meetings of the group, we will talk about (1) Being Older: The Good and the Bad, (2) the “Morning” and the “Afternoon” of our Lives, (3) Strategies for Aging Positively, (4) Aging and Creativity, and (5) Aging Responsibly: The Role of Elders.
There will be a few short readings and prompting questions for each session. The group gathering will be facilitated, a talking stick will be used, everyone will be asked to speak from their experience and to listen without comment to what others have to say, and everything shared will be considered confidential.
The first five meetings of the group will be facilitated by Richard Schramm, a retired professor and the founder and convenor of the North Chapel Amazing Grays. Please register by calling The Thompson.
Writing a “Legacy Letter”: Sharing Your Values with Loved Ones
An online presentation by Jay Sherwin
Tuesday, January 24, 1:00-2:30 PM, Cost: $20
A legacy letter (also called an “ethical will”) is a written document that allows you to share your life lessons, express your values and transmit your blessings to future generations. A Legacy letter is not a formal legal document or a full-length memoir; it’s a brief personal statement, typically just a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for your family, friends and loved ones. This workshop is designed to introduce the concept of legacy letters and to help you craft your own legacy letter. It includes discussion and a few brief writing exercises. Jay will offer advice to help you complete your legacy letter, share it with loved ones and preserve it for future generations.
Jay Sherwin has practiced law, given away money for five charitable foundations and served as a hospital chaplain. Drawing on all those experiences, Jay created the Life Reflections Project to educate people about legacy letters and ethical wills; he now teaches classes and workshops on legacy writing and helps people create their own legacy documents. You can read more on Jay’s website at www.jaysherwin.com.
SLN Virtual Program at The Thompson
Plains Indian Culture: Yesterday and Today, Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Tuesday, January 24, 2:00 pm
Join our presenters journeying from past to present, as they share the vibrant cultures of Plains Indian tribes. This program will focus on how northern Plains Indian people’s resiliency and grit have endured and flourished in the face of adversity throughout their history. We will learn about the traditions and cultures of these tribes’ past and how many of these endure and are celebrated today through art, powwow, family, language, and other important components of their cultures.
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.
Travel With Us to Ireland!
Galway – The City of Tribes
Wednesday, January 25, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Galway City is the real version of Ireland most tourists come to see on their vacation. It’s a modern city, and with a comparatively younger population, Galway nonetheless retains a distinctly Irish identity and character – something many Irish towns have lost in recent times.
We’ll start our 60 minute stroll around Ireland’s Western capital at Lynch’s Castle where the term ‘lynching’ was first coined following an infamous murder in 1493. Our guide will tell us about how a monkey once rescued a baby from a house fire, and you’ll also hear the story behind Galway’s famous moniker ‘City of the Tribes’.
You’ll learn why Christopher Columbus would never have discovered America but for his visit in 1477 to the City of Galway, and the true love story of Richard Joyce and Sarah Curran which led to the creation of the first Claddagh Ring in 1689.
We’ll cover the city’s rich history from ancient times, its long-standing cultural and architectural links with Spain – and we will learn a little Gaelic along the way.
Following this program we will have a themed meal of Irish Potato Soup, Irish Style Cole Slaw, and Bread Pudding with Nutmeg.
Music with Kirsten Becker
Thursday, January 26, 1:00 pm
As the daughter of a pastor, Kirsten Becker had many opportunities to play the piano and coordinate music at her local church. She performed her first classical piano concert for friends and family at the age of twelve, and continued to perform in statewide venues and competitions throughout high school. In 2020, Kirsten completed her Bachelors of Music degree in piano performance at Keene State College. During her time at Keene State, she was the recipient of the Music Talent Scholarship, the Dr. Bartlett C. Swett Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship, the Presser Scholar Award, and the Keene State College Instrumentalist of the Year Award.
She has since recorded two albums and written over fifty pieces for an assortment of ensembles, including solo piano, soprano and piano, choir, instrumental duets and concert band. In 2020, she formed The Becker Sisters duo with her sister, Alyssa (KSC alumni, class of ’22) and together they tour New England performing originals from their debut album, “Love and Thought”.
SLN Virtual Program at The Thompson
Federal Hall National Monument
Tuesday, January 31, 2:00 pm
When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, New York remained the national capital. Pierre L’Enfant was commissioned to remodel the City Hall for the new federal government. The First Congress met in the now Federal Hall and wrote the Bill of Rights. George Washington was inaugurated here as the country’s first President on April 30, 1789. When the capital moved to Philadelphia in 1790, the building again housed city government until 1812, when Federal Hall was demolished.The current structure on the site was built as a Customs House, opening in 1842. In 1862, Customs moved to 55 Wall Street, and the building became the US Sub-Treasury. Millions of dollars of gold and silver were kept in the basement vaults, until the Federal Reserve Bank replaced the Sub-Treasury system in 1920.
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.
Art with Finnie
Embroidered Snowflakes
Wednesday, February 1 at 1:30 pm
Design and stitch a simple running stitch pattern on linen to create a small snowflake “ornament”. Finnie will walk you through the basic steps of drawing, transferring and stitching a pattern and then finishing it for display. Depending on the intricacy of the design, you may have to complete the finish work outside of class. Please register in advance.
SLN Virtual Program at The Thompson
“Polynesian Wayfinders”: Mystic Seaport Museum
Tuesday, February 7, 2:00 pm
It’s time to join of our favorite presenters- Brian from the Planetarium at Mystic! Brian traveled to the Pacific recently and did his own research of the Polynesian skies! This show offers a unique perspective on star lore as well as navigation. We will view the night sky as seen from Honolulu, Hawaii while learning about how the people of Polynesia could find their way across vast distances of ocean without any tools of technology. We will explore how clues from the natural world not only helped Polynesians with direction-finding, but also formed the stories that created their very own constellations.
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.
Local Author Robin Fisher Offers a Third Writer’s Workshop
Fridays, beginning February 10 – March 17, 1:00-3:00 pm
Suggested Donation of $35
Tell that story! This six-session workshop by bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Robin Gaby Fisher will guide participants to explore a richer understanding of themselves and others through thoughtful conversations and enriched storytelling. The class, for novices and seasoned writers alike, is designed to inspire creativity and develop writing skills and techniques used in fiction and non fiction while enjoying the camaraderie that develops from sharing experiences and ideas. Register in advance.
Valentine Heart Craft
Monday, February 13, 1:30pm
Join us to make a decorative heart using red buttons and burlap (or newsprint). Please RSVP by February 8th.
Let’s Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Paris!
The Ile de la Cité, Between Parisian Charm and History, A Virtual Tour & Themed Lunch
Tuesday, February 14, 11:00 am
Be captivated by this tour across the “Île de la Cité”, in the city center of Paris. Day or night, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of mesmerizing views over time from the Roman Empire to nowadays through this ancient neighborhood, which holds a significant place in French and European history. You’ll virtually walk alongside prestigious but also less-known monuments in this island, while crossing old streets and listening to thrilling stories. Please register in advance by calling The Thompson Center.
Menu: Coq au Vin, Potato Dauphinoise, Garden Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette, Dinner Roll, Gâteau au Yaourt
SLN Virtual Program at The Thompson
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
Tuesday, February 14, 2:00 pm, Home viewing only
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail was established by Congress in 1996 to commemorate the events, people and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. The 54-mile-long national historic trail begins at the Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Selma and then follows the 1965 historic routes of the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches through the city and eastward along US Highway 80 through Dallas County and Lowndes County. Crossing into Montgomery County, the Trail continues into the city of Montgomery and ends at the Alabama State Capitol. Join us as we visit this site which stands as an enduring testament to the long struggle and sacrifices made by many individuals to preserve the right to vote as a fundamental cornerstone of American democracy.
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.
Sound Healing Program with Cassie Reed
Tuesday, February 21, 1:00 pm
Suggested Donation from $15-25, 6 person minimum, Register in advance
Music therapy & chanting employ “vibrational changes” in the central nervous system, which may play a role in their time-tested and science-backed brain, cognitive, & mood benefits!
The atonal sound experiences Cassie is describing are called Sound Journey. Lying down or seated in a comfortable position—often wearing a blanket and an eye mask—people simply listen and absorb. Cassie begins by leading participants in a few minutes of guided focus on the breath, and then introduces different sounds and frequencies in succession. She encourages participants to allow the sounds to anchor them in the present moment, suggesting that it’s best not to get too caught up in judging or analyzing the sounds. She recommends that people merely listen, observe, and experience.
Many people are having difficulty sleeping, especially during the long, cold winter months. This experience nurtures an inner environment of total peace and transformation. The benefits of a Sound Journey offer participants the following: Facilitate deeper sleep & aid in pain management; Find balance, quiet the mind & reduce stress; Release blocked energy & past traumas; Ignite creativity & connect to your higher self.
SLN Virtual Porgram at The Thompson
Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Tuesday, February 21, 2:00 pm
Born on January 9,1913, on his parents’ citrus farm in Yorba, Linda, California, Richard Milhous Nixon’s life spanned eight decades. Join us for a virtual tour of the library and museum from a presenter who will share the stories from the museum that cover much of President Nixon’s life and his extraordinary accomplishments prior to becoming the 37th President of the United States. The journey ends with Richard Nixon’s post presidency period and his contributions as elder statesman, and his impact on American culture.
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.
Community Connections
A Visit from the Windsor Central Supervisory Union Superintendent
Tuesday, February 28 at 11:00 am
Come join Superintendent Sherry Sousa and Windsor Central School Board members to get a budget update for the upcoming Town Meeting, as well as hear about exciting plans for a new middle/high school in 2024! Learn about the plans, the costs and get your questions answered.
SLN Virtual Program at The Thompson
New River Gorge National Park, WV
Tuesday, February 28, 2:00 pm
We’re off to to see America’s Newest National Park in “Wild Wonderful” West Virginia! In December 2020, this 73,000- acre slice of paradise, encompassing a whitewater river, limestone cliffs and deep canyons, became the country’s newest national park. The lifeblood of the park is the New River, and despite its name it is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world. For more than 260 million years, it has run northeasterly from the Blue Ridge Mountains near Boone, North Carolina, through southwest Virginia and into West Virginia, cutting through the Appalachian Plateau and joining with the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River in south-central West Virginia. Join us as discover the breathtaking beauty of this park, and see for yourself why it is referred to as “ Almost Heaven”
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.
Ongoing Programs in Order by Date
Advance Directive Assistance is Available
Would your loved ones know your wishes about medical care if you were unable to speak for yourself? An Advance Directive spells out your wishes and appoints someone to represent you if you are not able. Trained and caring volunteer will be at the Thompson each month on a Monday afternoon. These volunteers will take the time to explain this simple process. Call The Thompson at 802-457-3277 to schedule an appointment.
Bingo
Monday & Friday mornings, 10:00 am
Join us at the Center or dial 855-223-9106 to connect and play by phone. Bingo players are also welcome to return to The Thompson to play on weekday mornings. Please call Shari for room availability.
Caregiver Support Group with Complimentary Lunch
In-person, 2nd Tuesday of each month at 12:00 pm
Virtual participation still available upon request
Support and education can make a critical difference for family members and caregivers of patients with memory loss or disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Please join our confidential monthly support group (with complimentary lunch) on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, and share ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback with others facing similar challenges. Pre-register for lunch.
Reflexology at The Thompson
Enjoy Reflexology to Relax, Rejuvenate, & Reboot Your Body
2nd & 4th Tuesday, Please call for availability
Certified Reflexologist Deborah Neuhof is offering appointments at The Thompson. Please call Shari to confirm a morning appointment on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. $35 for 30 minute hand or foot treatment or $65 for 60 minutes.
Please wear loose fitting clothing and arrive a few minutes early to complete a health & disclaimer form. All clients must be fully vaccinated. Face coverings are required during your treatment.
HANDWORK CIRCLE
Wednesdays, 10:30 am
The Handwork Circle group invites anyone to join them on Wednesdays at 10:30 in the living room. You do not need to be a knitter, all projects welcome. Enjoy some coffee and companionship. Contact Jane Soule at 457-2442 with any questions.
Foot Clinic at The Thompson with Beverly Sinclair, RN
January 19, February 16, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Cost: $30 payable by cash or check. Towels are supplied.
Call for your appointment, Face masks required during treatment
Beverly Sinclair has been a practicing registered nurse for 22 years with extensive experience as a staff nurse and in nurse management. She has been providing local foot care service for older Vermonters for the past 6 years.
In-person Tech Support at The Thompson
Appointments on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
In collaboration with the Norman Williams Public Library, you can now get 1:1 tech support at The Thompson. Bring in your mobile phones, laptops, iPads and any other type of tablet device you need help with. Multiple devices can be brought to one appointment. Call Shari to book your 1 hour appointment, and don’t forget your passwords!
Carla Kamel and the Community Health Team
Friday Office Hours at The Thompson, 10:30am-12:30pm
Community Care Coordinator, Carla Kamel, is available for support in navigating resources and discussing community-based services. Carla expertly and compassionately can identify your needs and goals, and provide information, support and connection to resources to meet individual goals. She is available at the Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC) for a health and social wellness phone visit at 457-5414 or at carla.kamel@mahhc.org, even if it’s a five-minute phone conversation. While walk-ins are welcome, making an appointment is advised by calling The Thompson.
Technical Assistance Available at The Thompson or in Your Home
If you have questions about a device that you are using, help is available on a fee for service basis by a qualified local individual. Please call Shari to learn more.