We’re excited to officially launch “Your virtual senior center!” With the safety of our participants in mind and the strict capacity constraints on our physical space (1 person per 200 square feet, allowing us only 15 people in the whole building!), we know that virtual programs are here to stay for the foreseeable future. In addition to the programs we were already offering online, we’ve added some exciting opportunities through our new partnership with “Senior Learning Network.” These LIVE programs will take us all around the country to museums and landmarks that we may never be able to visit otherwise. You’ll still call or email the Thompson to register for the programs and we’ll send the connection information to registered participants. Check it out here and let us know if you have any questions. We’re also hoping to have information soon about connecting people without technology devices, so please be in touch if you’re not online and would like to be.
Western Movies 101
Thursday, August 6, 2:00 pm
Booth Western Art Museum’s Historian, Jim Dunham, will get us up to speed on the early history of Western movies beginning with “The Great Train Robbery” of 1903. The movie is less than ten minutes long but it included most of the standard elements that defined Western movies for the next 100 plus years. He will profile stars like William S. Hart, who was unable to translate his silent performances to the age of “talkies” and Tom Mix, who easily made the transition. Bill Pickett, Will Rodgers through Gary Cooper’s 1929 starring role in “The Virginian” will also be highlighted. H will end the era by looking at the first Western to win Best Picture—”Cimarron” in 1931.
Exploring a Northern Elephant Seal Rookery
Hearst Simeon Park, California (live on location, CA weather permitting)
Thursday, August 13, 2:00 pm
Join the Senior Learning Network for a virtual tour featuring the northern elephant seal. We will hear from a CA park interpreter to learn about this marine mammal’s adaptations, their unique life cycle, ad their amazing story of overcoming near extinction.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Compassion and Betrayal
FDR Library and Presidential Museum (Jeff Urbin!)
Tuesday, August 18, 2:00 pm
Eleanor Roosevelt was born a shy, timid girl in a family of power, position, and wealth. From the outside, her life would seem to be charmed, but a closer examination charts a lonely course from one betrayal to another. The compassion that she showered on others, here and around the world, was developed in part by her personal understanding of what it feels like to be hurt, left out, and neglected. This talk examines the trials and turmoil in the life of one of the greatest and most influential women in the history of our republic.
Senior Learning Network Virtual Programs. Register through the Thompson Center to receive the Zoom link. 457-3277
Let’s Paint Coi Fish with ArtisTree
Wednesday, August 5, Zoom in at 1:30
Please join ArtisTree for a zoom workshop. Finnie will guide you through the steps to paint coi fish.
Bring whatever materials you prefer to paint with. Finnie will be painting with Gouache and watercolor.
Materials:
- heavy paper – watercolor is best
- pencil
- eraser
- sharpie (fine point)
- paints of your choice
- brushes
Please email Finnie to be put on this list for a zoom ink: outreach@artistreevt.org or call 802-291-0514
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 the call-in number, call 457-3277.
Strength, Stretch & Stability
Zoom classes will remain in effect until further notice
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
Tai Chi in the Comfort of your Home – and now in The Thompson Tent!
Our creative and generous Anne Bower will continue to offer her Zoom classes for those who want to continue their practice at home. During Phase One of re-opening, The Thompson has an open tent that students can now use. We are following strict CDC and state guide lines for infection control and social distancing and class size will be limited to 10 students. As a result, reservations are required to attend classes in the tent and will be weather dependent. The following is a list of classes which can also be found on our website with links to access the online classes.
As to the schedule, the ZOOM classes for Fall Prevention Tai Chi, Sun 73, and Yang 24 Forms mostly continue except for when Anne has sessions at the Thompson or in WRJ at the Lyman Park pavilion. The Sun 73 classes at the Thompson tent are below. The full schedule is on the “current and planned classes” page of Anne’s website—www.annebower.com
Thompson Tent Classes:
Fall Prevention Tai Chi – Mondays 10-11am August 3, 17, and 31 (No Zoom classes on these days)
Sun 73 Tai Chi – Wednesdays 10:45-11:45am July 29 and August 26
For more information email Anne at anniebower@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.anniebower.com.