WHAT'S NEW AT CONNECTICUT'S SENIOR CENTERS THIS SUMMER

Summer is here! And we are pleased that with much of the State of Connecticut safely returning back to normal amid the pandemic, this season will be filled with events, activities, and ways to enjoy the summer months. With most of our senior centers across the state open again, it’s an exciting time to get involved, see old friends, and even make new ones. Take a look at what’s new at our senior centers in western Connecticut this summer.

Brookfield Senior Center

“We’ve been delighted to see so many of you this past month and we look forward to seeing more of you join us in the coming weeks. Please read the latest newsletter completely to ensure you understand how programs are being offered and then promptly register for programs you want to attend.” View the latest newsletter

Upcoming events:

Men’s Breakfast – Friday, July 9th @ 9:30am – Join us outside to enjoy breakfast with new and old friends. Bring your lawn chair and relax outdoors. In case of inclement weather, the breakfast will be cancelled. Requested donation is $3.
Movie Matinee – Friday, July 16th and July 23rd @ 1:00pm – We are happy to begin offering movie matinees at the Senior Center once again. Register in advance for a showing of Nomadland and Knives Out.
Senior Center Book Club – Wednesday, July 28th @1:00pm – Book Club meetings are the last Wednesday of the month. Bring your lawn chair and join us outside under the tent. The book for July is Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy.
View all the latest activities

Danbury Senior Center

“We are excited to welcome people back into the building and we will be reopening slowly, with caution. Safety, for our members and our staff, will remain our highest priority. We will use CDC recommendations, the State of Connecticut’s Best Practices to Reopen Senior Centers Guide, and direction from the City of Danbury’s Health and Human Services Department. Although it won’t be the same Senior Center you left on March 16, 2020, we are excited to offer opportunities for people to see each other and have fun.” View the latest newsletter

Upcoming events:

Timeless Trivia – Friday, June 25th and Friday, July 23 @ 1:00pm – We did it over Zoom, but now it’s time to get back to our room at Elmwood Hall. Get ready to test your knowledge and have some fun with Kevin and Michelle in-person and indoors! Please call the Senior Center to sign up.
B-I-N-G-O is BACK – Friday, July 9th @ 1:00 pm – Join us as we welcome back one of Elmwood Hall’s most popular events. In an effort to follow the guidelines, we are limited to 28 participants. The cost to play is $3. Please call the Senior Center to sign up.
Summer Sizzler Dance Party – Friday, July 30th @ 1:00pm – Join DJ Kevin Burland as he plays his sizzling summer tunes that are guaranteed to have you moving and grooving. This event is sponsored by The Village at Brookfield Common. Please call the Senior Center to sign up.

New Fairfield Senior Center

“On Monday, June 7th the Senior Center will open its doors for in-person programming. We will be operating at a reduced capacity and all programs are limited to a specific number of registrants. Members must be pre-registered to participate in any of our programs or events. You may register by calling 203-312-5665 or stopping at the Center between 9:00am and 4:00pm. When visiting the Senior Center, please wear a mask.” View the latest newsletter

Upcoming events:

Juneteenth: Freedom Day – Friday, June 25 at 1:00pm – Celebrate Freedom! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Please contact us for an invitation to this Zoom meeting.
Painting Class – Wednesdays June 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th and July 7th and 14th @ 10:00am – Nancy Warwick, a gifted artist in many mediums including watercolor, pastel, acrylic and oil paint will lead this weekly class. Join this 6 week session for $35. Contact the Senior Center to join.
Wheel of Fortune – Mondays at 1:30pm – Join us either as a contestant or a member of the audience. Contestants guess hidden phrases by guessing letters one at a time. Win points as determined by a spin of the wheel for each correct consonant you guess. But you have to use points to see what vowels are in the puzzle. Contestant with the correct guess to the puzzle wins a prize.

New Milford Senior Center

“We hope this message finds you well as we are pleased and grateful to announce that we are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Senior Center! Over the next few weeks and months, we will begin reintroducing our inperson programs and activities. We ask that you continue to be patient as we will be working in a gradual return to best ensure the health and safety of all our participants, staff, and instructors/facilitators of our events.” View the latest newsletter

Upcoming events:

Chair Yoga – Tuesdays starting June 22nd @10:30am – Join Elaine Donahue, Certified Yoga Instructor, for an enriching gentle yoga class where you have a partner on the mat: a chair! Elaine aims to offer a range of poses along with their many variations so that this class is relaxed, fun, and accessible for all. Improve balance, strength and flexibility by practicing classic yogic poses and learn deep breathing and relaxation techniques.
COVID CONVERSATIONS: Part II – Wednesday, June 30th, @ 1:00pm – Join us as we welcome you back for a Part II session of our COVID conversations using journaling as a way to focus on positivity and gratitude as we get back to a new normal. During this program, you may learn some techniques that will help you become more resilient and reduce stress as journaling is well known tool for helping to organize your thoughts and vent your emotions, especially in anxiety ridden times. Space is limited and all health and safety practices will be in effect.
Quilt Circle – Tuesdays @1:00pm – All levels of “stitchers” are welcome! Join the table to work on individual projects or group quilts with fabric, thread, quilting tools and sewing machines available.

Newtown Senior Center

“Newtown is thrilled to be reopening our doors for in-house programs in our Senior Center, as of May 3, 2021. We look forward to welcoming our members back to enjoy classes, group activities, listening to speakers, and social events with friends old and new. We also understand this has been a challenging year as our community and the world has navigated the pandemic, and some of our beloved members are not yet ready to return to indoor events. As such we will continue to offer outdoor and virtual programming and “drive-in” experiences.” View the latest newsletter

Upcoming events:

Secrets to Reducing Medicare Costs – Thursday, June 30th @ 2:00 pm – Crowe and Associates will present about Medicare and answer your questions including: how to know which plan is best for you, how to reduce your costs without reducing coverage, Medicaid eligibility requirements and application services, and more.
Celebrate 4th of July – Friday, July 2nd @ 12:00pm – Come celebrate the Fourth of July with us! Bring a chair and blanket to Dickinson Park to enjoy live music by Survivor’s Swing Band and lunch by Super Duper Food Truck. Call to register for this event at 203-270-4310. This event is sponsored by Newtown Senior Center and Newtown Parks & Recreation.
Free Summer Concerts – Thursdays @ 6:30pm – Newtown Parks & Recreation and Claris Construction Present free summer family-friendly concerts at Dickinson Park! Enjoy live music by Goldrush, Survivor’s Swing Band, Kathy Thompson Band, Tales of Joy, and more.

Woodbury Senior Center

“The Senior Center is once again open as a place for seniors to connect to each other, to programs and services and to the community. Please see our newsletter for current offerings, and note we are continuing with outdoor programs, curbside programs, and at-home programs in addition to in-house and virtual programs.” View the latest newsletter

Upcoming events:

Woodbury Ukulele Band – Sunday, June 27th @ 1:00pm – Our national award winning Woodbury Ukulele Band will meet on the Senior Center lawn, weather permitting. Bring a ukulele (you may borrow one of ours by advance request), a chair, a music stand or other device to hold your song sheets, and a bottle of water. Above all, bring a smile and a sense of humor and prepare to have a light-hearted afternoon of music, companionship, and fun.
MATT on the Go: History! – Monday, June 28 @ 2:00pm – This month we will be discussing “Fortune’s Story: Enslaved in Life and Death,” Fortune was an enslaved man in Waterbury, CT. Upon his death, his body was not buried, and his bones were used to teach anatomy. His bones were donated to the Museum where they stayed until he was properly buried in 2013. For this program the Museum will use historical data to learn more about slavery in Waterbury and will explore Fortune’s story, his bones and what they can tell us about him.
Hello, Fresh? We’ve Got Hello, Delish! – Thursdays June 24th, July 1st, 8th, 15th @ 1:00pm – Join us for a very special cooking experience this summer, sponsored by Brass City Harvest. Each week, participants will come to the Center to pick up a bag of fresh locally grown products and a recipe on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, join Nichole Texiera in a Zoom class where she demonstrates the recipe for you. You can cook along with Nic, or just watch and then complete the recipe later.