Updates and Announcements

Older Americans Month:

Connect, Create, Contribute

Each year, older adults are making a positive impact in and around Woodstock. As volunteers, employees, employers, educators, mentors, advocates, and more, they offer insight and experience that benefit the entire community. That’s why Older Americans Month (OAM) has been recognizing the contributions of this growing population for 56 years.

Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) each May, OAM provides resources to help older Americans stay healthy and independent, and resources to help communities support and celebrate their diversity.

This year’s OAM theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages older adults and their communities to:

Connect with friends, family, and local services and resources.

Create through activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment.

Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.

We here at The Thompson will celebrate OAM by promoting ways that community members of all ages can take part in helping our community thrive. We encourage you to:

Connect: Join us for Older American’s Lunch, participate in our summer Gen-2-Gen program, or join us for any of the social events or meals offered each month. Bring a friend or come make a new one!

Create: Register for our monthly art project with ArtisTree, sign-up for Tech Tutoring, Diabetes Management class or join our Book group.

Contribute: Become a Meals on Wheels driver, help serve lunch, or volunteer at one of the many volunteer opportunities in our community.

March for Meals

The month of March mobilizes hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs across the country to reach out to their communities and build the support that will enable them to serve America’s seniors all year long. As a member of the national organization, Meals on Wheels America, The Thompson participates in this annual celebration now in its 17th year.

Volunteers for The Thompson deliver 40 meals each day (Monday through Friday) to seniors throughout the towns of Woodstock, Bridgewater, Barnard, and Pomfret. Last year we delivered 9,986 Meals on Wheels -this is more than 1,500 more meals than just two years ago!

The highlights of our March for Meals events this year:

Our 5th annual “Thank You Walk” on March 1st. Join us at 1:30 pm on the Green in Woodstock to “March” down Central Street to deliver special “Thank You’s” to local businesses for their support throughout the year.
Community Champions Day, March 22 – town officials and local celebrities nationwide are asked to deliver meals during the nationally recognized week of March 18 through 22
Meals on Wheel volunteer driver meeting on Wednesday, March 27th at 10 am. For volunteer drivers and those interested in becoming a driver — please join us for a review of requirements and emergency procedures, to share ideas, and to celebrate each other!
Watch for our Meals on Wheels column in the Vermont Standard and visit our Facebook page for videos and more.

Veterans Day Luncheon & Ceremony

November 9th at 11:45

Veterans are invited for a free lunch at the Thompson on Friday, November 9th. At 11:45 am the American Legion will lead a short ceremony around the flag. During the ceremony the finished poppies from our poppy project will be displayed in honor of American Veterans of all the wars in which our men and women have been engaged and are engaged today. After lunch, the poppies will go home with their creators for Veterans Day. Come and celebrate with us. A group picture will be taken. Reservations Required. 457-3277

Menu: Meatloaf, Parsnip Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Peas & Baby Carrots, Almond Cake with Orange Dried Apricot Sauce

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.

Join us on Wednesday, October 24^th at 10:30 am for our Annual Meeting when we’ll give the spotlight to a few of the people that make our community so vibrant and inspire us all to Age Well!

The Annual Meeting is also an opportunity to vote on and welcome new board members and council members, celebrate achievements, and review our year-end (unaudited) financial statements.

Please RSVP by Friday, October 19^th, 457-3277 or sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org

Location: The Thompson Center, 99 Senior Lane, Woodstock, VT

Join us following the meeting for lunch at noon. Menu: Turkey Sandwich, Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque, Warm Apple Crisp

September is National Senior Center Month

September is recognized nationally as Senior Center month and this year senior centers celebrate their 75^th anniversary. The theme this year was chosen to highlight how senior centers build momentum for aging well in their communities. Just as older adults build on their past experiences and lessons learned to create a rich life, we as senior centers are building on lessons learned from 75 years of experiences and wisdom. We now know the research and importance behind Connecting older adults with others, and that making friends matters. That Learning new languages and skills and exercising helps care for your body. That Giving back at the senior center and within the community fosters purpose and a more meaningful life. And that as long as each of us lives, we want to continue Growing to be the most we can be.

The Thompson Center has built a holistic experience where all of that is possible. Whether it is taking an exercise class, attending a social event, participating in memoir group or a painting class, or by having a meal or volunteering, you are part of the momentum for aging well in our community.

Join us on September 14^th at our noon meal as we celebrate National Senior Center month with Chicken BBQ, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Corn Bread, and Ice Cream with guest BBQ Chef, Nate Willard, and family. We’ll have raffles, music, horseshoes, and cornhole at 1:00 pm. RSVP 457-3277.

Generation to Generation week at The Thompson:
August 6 – 10, 2018, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm

The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, VT, has taken the Generation to Generation (#Gen2Gen) summer challenge to keep young people in our community learning, safe, healthy, and to make meaningful connections between children and older adults. The week of August 6th will be “Generation to Generation” week at The Thompson with programs offered by ArtisTree/Purple Crayon, and teacher, Barbara Leonard.

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 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!

7/11/18 Update: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR CHILDREN AS ALL SPOTS ARE FILLED

Daily Schedule:

	Monday, 8/6	Tuesday, 8/7	Wednesday, 8/8	Thursday, 8/9	Friday, 8/10
Morning Program, 10:30- noon	ArtisTree/ Purple Crayon Creative Art Project	ArtisTree/ Purple Crayon Creative Art Project	BINGO	ArtisTree/ Purple Crayon Creative Art project	Rock Painting
Lunch	Chef Ryan’s famous macaroni and cheese, peas & carrots, chocolate chip cookie, fruit	Pizza, tossed salad, Ice cream cones	Spaghetti & Meatballs, tossed salad, garlic bread, fruit salad	Hot Dogs, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, and a cookie	Breakfast for lunch – Pancakes, sausage, yogurt, & fruit cups
Afternoon Program, 1:00-2:00	Horseshoe lessons with Norm, ladder ball, and corn hole.	Read, write, & remember. Join the Memoir Group for reading or writing together in small groups with stories for all ages.	Game day! Cribbage, Chess, Card games & more	VINS – Raptor Encounter!	Island Time Steel Drums – Ice cream social closing celebration.

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.

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. Must be completed in advance. Space is limited to 20 children and completed forms are required to hold your space. Participants of all ages may attend all programs or just a few! – 7/11/18 Update: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR CHILDREN AS ALL SPOTS ARE FILLED

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.

Thank You, Volunteers!

In April thousands of organizations take an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about in their community.

Throughout the month of April we will be showing our appreciation to our various groups of volunteers with special goodies and a weekly raffle, culminating in our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on May 9th. All volunteers are invited to join us for dinner at 5:30 pm for a special time to celebrate the enormous contributions that these generous people make each day.

April 2 – 6 Receptionist & Committee/Board Appreciation week

April 9 – 13 Wait Staff & Kitchen Helpers Appreciation Week

April 16 – 20 Office Helpers, Library, Bingo, Newsletter Folders Appreciation Week

April 23 – 27 Drivers/Medical Rides & Meals on Wheels Appreciation Week

March for Meals

A Nationwide Celebration of Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The month of March mobilizes hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs across the country to reach out to their communities and build the support that will enable them to serve America’s seniors all year long. The 16th annual March for Meals campaign gives the businesses, organizations, governments and volunteers who contribute so generously in their communities an opportunity to support homebound seniors in a variety of ways to make America stronger and healthier. Volunteers for The Thompson deliver between 30-35 meals each day (Monday through Friday) to seniors throughout the towns of Woodstock, Bridgewater, Barnard and Pomfret. Last year we delivered 9,609 Meals on Wheels.

The highlights of our March for Meals events this year:

Our 4th annual Thank You Walk on March 1st. Join us at 1:00 pm as we “March” down Central Street to deliver special “Thank You’s” to local businesses for their support throughout the year.
Community Champions Day, Thursday, March 22nd – town officials and local celebrities nationwide are asked to deliver meals during the nationally recognized week of March 19 through 23.
Pomfret residents: The Thompson will be providing lunch at The Pomfret town meeting again this year on Tuesday, March 6th, at the Town Hall. Enjoy a delicious soup, sandwich, and cookie prepared by our talented chef, and support the Thompson Meal program too!
Watch for our Meals on Wheels column in the Vermont Standard and visit our Facebook page.