Submitted by Doreen Staskelunas, Haddam Senior Center Activities Coordinator
(April 25, 2025) — Welcome May! We’ve got lots of fun and interesting things planned for the upcoming month at the Haddam Senior Center. Highlights of the new month are below. Links to the full calendar and menu appear at the bottom of the page.
Starting us off on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., we have “The Bowtie Historian” coming to talk about “Failed Presidential Assassinations.” Many presidents throughout American history have been the target of an assassin’s bullet. This presentation will explore some of the more famous attempts on the life of the President of the United States as well as the two lesser known successful assassinations, James Garfield and William McKinley.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, we’ve got a special hot lunch coming your way from our friends at the Kitchen at Futures, Inc. Join us for Beef Tacos Supreme with all the trimmings. As with all of our lunches, this requires advanced reservation (by 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 2, 2025) and we ask for a suggested donation of $4.50.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Sherry Carlson from CRAHD will be here at 11:30 a.m. for our monthly Blood Pressure Clinic. This is a drop-in event and no advanced reservation is required.
We are excited to welcome back Cindy MacNeil-Sola from Spirit and Balance, LLC in a fun “Ask the Medium” session on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. Below is a little bit about Cindy and what to expect from this session:
“I realized I was very different at the age of 13 and as time went on, I started to realize why my brain works very differently. I could connect with people on a different level. It was a process of learning what I was seeing, feeling, knowing and taking on other people’s energies. A medium is a bridge between the spirit world and our world. During ask the medium session, people can ask anything from the way I was raised to my starting my own business. People are very interested, but sometimes afraid to ask the questions. Now, there’s a chance to ask! I will talk about some experiences, how I realized I get the information, how I processed that information and bring it over to my client. Psychic is reading the energy of a little of the past, the present and a little of the future. Mediumship is connecting with the spirit.”
On Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., we will have our next floral workshop with Cathy from Cathy & Company Floral Designs. There is a $20 fee for Haddam seniors and $25 fee for non-resident seniors. Please sign up in advance for this workshop.
We kick off the second full week of May with our GameDay board game session on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Games we’ve played include Rummikub, Blank Slate, Left Right Center, Mexican Train Dominoes, and many others. If there’s a game you want to share, we welcome that too!
On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. we also welcome back Michelle Bourdeau from the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut to give us the latest data on current scams. According to CBS News, the FBI reports that online scams raked in $16.6 billion (with a B!) in 2024, up 33% from 2023. Come and learn how to protect yourself from the top scams and frauds that tend to target older adults. We live in a world where deceptive measures through scams and fraud are so prevalent, it is good to be armed with tips and pointers so that you don’t become a victim.
On Thursday, May 22, 2025 we will have our next Mini-Spa Manicure session. Space is limited, so sign up early! There is a $20 fee for this service.
We will have our Pizza and a Movie on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 12:00 Noon, with “Top Gun: Maverick,” starring Tom Cruise. We ask that you please register for this event to ensure that we have enough pizza ordered.
And rounding out the month, join us on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. when “Longevity Premier Concierge Nurses” will share their new and unique option for seniors or adult children looking for help with their parents. Longevity Premier Concierge Nurses will present on gaps in our healthcare system, what you may not know, how it will affect you, and how they can help. We will also have our monthly Friday Lunch, which this month includes pulled pork sandwiches, baked potato wedges, coleslaw and fruit cup. The cost for lunch is a requested donation of $3, and requires advanced reservation.
The Haddam Senior Center will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025 in honor of Memorial Day. As you celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and the beginning of summer with family and friends, please remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
In addition to all of our special events, we have our regularly scheduled events:
There are American Mah-Jongg sessions every Monday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. for experienced players; and we are adding a new slot for the Chinese version of Mahjong on Friday mornings at 11:00 a.m. for those who are interested in learning a simpler version of this wildly popular game.
Every Tuesday is Card Day! We have Setback in the morning beginning at 10:30 a.m., with an afternoon round of Five Crowns beginning after lunch at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Every Thursday is “Mobility with Jennifer” beginning at 11:15 a.m. Mobility is an all-level and all-ability class that helps improve strength, balance and coordination.
We have Bingo on the first and third Thursdays of every month beginning at 12:45 p.m. We also serve hot lunch every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday that we are open, starting at 12:00 Noon. The cost for this delicious meal is a requested donation of $3, with a requested donation of $4.50 for any special meals. Meals must be reserved in advance, and you must have an updated Form 5 on file at the Senior Center to participate in the lunch program. Please call the Senior Center if you have any questions on our meal program. The food is delicious, so I encourage anyone who is eligible to check them out! Check the May menu by clicking on the link below.
