Submitted by Doreen Staskelunas, Senior Center Activities Coordinator
(November 27, 2024) — The following are highlights from the December 2024 calendar of events at the Haddam Senior Center. This is an update to the printed calendars that were available at the Senior Center. See link below for further event and menu details:
DEC 2024 Event Calendar and Menu
12/6/24 – Friday: Intro to T’ai Chi. Come join Tom Cushing who will be teaching a free introductory T’ai Chi Class. T’ai Chi is an ancient Chinese art which promotes balance and relaxation. Tom’s program concentrates on t’ai chi practices that are evidence based and proven to improve balance (and help to prevent falls), improve mobility and functional movement, strengthen our bodies in practical ways and to actually improve sleep. Tom offers an easy, follow-along format that does not require participants to memorize complicated choreography. While this class encourages standing and some movement, anyone can join and participate with an assist device or from a chair. Tom has been teaching for more than thirty years and has trained at the deepest levels with multiple Chinese Masters. All are welcome.
12/9/24 – Monday: Join us at 1:00 p.m. for a holiday craft with Town and Country Nurseries! We will be making a holiday centerpiece using greens and holiday decorations. There is a fee for this class, $5 each (for materials) and sign-up is required.
12/10/24 – Tuesday: Chris Blancarte, MS, RDN from Senior Resources Agency on Aging will be here at 11:30 a.m. for a “Healthy Nutrition” Conversation. A delicious and healthy lunch from our food provider, The Kitchen at Futures Inc., will follow at Noon. There is no sign-up required for the Nutrition Talk, but if you wish to stay for lunch following, please sign up by Monday, December 9, 2024 at Noon.
12/12/24 – Thursday: We are thrilled to welcome Haddam State Trooper Edward Miller to the Senior Center! He will be speaking about ways to avoid giving your money to scammers. This is a time of year where scammers know you are distracted so come meet Trooper Miller and learn how not to fall prey to the scammers wily ways. This talk will begin at 12:30 p.m. Let’s fill the house!
12/12/24 – Thursday: It’s a busy day as we have our next bus trip to Hebron to see the “Hebron Lions Lights in Motion.” We will leave the former Haddam Elementary School parking lot promptly at 4:00 p.m. to travel to the light show. There is no meal associated with this trip. Seats are limited (11), so sign up at the Senior Center if you would like to attend this event.
12/16/24 – Monday: Sherry Carlson will be here for our monthly blood pressure clinic.
12/23/24 – Monday: We’ve got our Holiday Potluck with Holiday Music performed live by Brian May! Sign up to bring your favorite Appetizer/Side/Drinks, Main Dish or Dessert to share. The festivities begin at 12 Noon.
12/24/24 – 12/26/24 Tuesday – Thursday: The Senior Center will be closing early (immediately following lunch) on Christmas Eve, and remain closed through Thursday 12/26. We will re-open on Friday 12/27 at 10:00 a.m.
12/30/24 – Monday: Our monthly Pizza and a Movie will take place at 12:00 Noon when we watch a more recent entry into the holiday movie genre, “Love, Actually.” The film delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a variety of individuals, many of whom are interlinked as the plot progresses. The story begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place in the new year. Advanced sign up for this event is appreciated.
As always, we have Mahjongg on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m.; Mobility every Thursday at 11:15 a.m., Bingo the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, and we serve a delicious hot lunch every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at noon. Advanced sign-up is required. The cost of the lunch is a $3 donation.
That takes us into the New Year, 2025! I want to thank all of you for your support of the many programs we have here at the Senior Center, and wish all of you wonderful holidays and blessings as we celebrate with family and friends. If you know of someone who may be alone or struggling through the holidays, please do what you can to support them as this can be a challenging time for many in our community.
