From the Desk of
Stefanie Theroux, LCSW, Coordinator of Senior
Services:
Happy Summer! This month, we celebrate many things including Father’s Day, Pride, and Juneteenth. The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, June 19, in honor of the Juneteenth holiday.
It’s Membership Renewal time. Senior Center membership is open to everyone ages 55 and older. It’s a great place to learn something new and connect with others. Annual membership runs from July 1 to June 30. The annual fee is $5 per person for Cheshire residents and $10 per person for out-of-town residents. Completed membership forms with fee payment can be submitted in person, by mail, or via the Senior Center Drop Box. Join or renew today!
The Senior Center, together with the American Red Cross, will hold a Community-Wide Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 21, from 1 to 6 p.m. We need your help to make it a success! Donors are still needed and appointments are available. Please contact Tracey at (203) 272-8286 or trkozlowski@cheshirect.org to register and reserve your spot. Volunteers are also needed — contact Tracey if interested. Donors can also schedule appointments online at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donationtime.
Mark your calendars! Summer Class Registration is scheduled for June 27 at 8:30 a.m. We have a full schedule of classes, including a new Barre class and an Introduction to Watercolor Painting.
Special & Monthly
Programs
To register for any of the following programs, call (203) 272-8286 or email LGravel@cheshirect.org.
Monthly Reflexology with Kim – Monday, June 5. For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact Laura at (203) 272-8286 or lgravel@cheshire ct.org .
Tag Sale Thank You & Wrap-up Meeting – Tuesday, June 6, at 11 a.m. Sandy and Pat M. invite the Tag Sale volunteers to bring suggestions, ideas, and comments to share. The Cheshire Senior Center Membership Association extends its thanks to the Senior Center staff and all the volunteers who helped to make the May 2023 Tag & Bake Sale a success. Thank you for the support, dedication, and enthusiasm of Senior Center staff and volunteers — a job well done!
Pokeno – Thursday, June 8, at 1 p.m. An afternoon of Pokeno and prizes! Instruction will be given for this easy card game. According to Wikipedia: First released in 1930, the game is a combination of poker and keno and is similar to the game of bingo in several aspects. Registration is required.
Pride at Any Age – Thursday, June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mary Baldwin Room at the Cheshire Public Library, 104 Main St. A panel discussion with Stonewall Speakers to help eliminate hate and promote understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, co-sponsored by the Cheshire Senior Center and Cheshire Public Library as part of the townwide Pride Month Celebration. Part of the funding for this program was provided by the Friends of the Cheshire Public Library. Register with the Library for this event (www.cheshirelibrary .org). For transportation, call Coleen at (203) 272-0047.
Lunch & Learn – Tuesday, June 13, at 11 a.m. Sponsored by New Opportunities, Inc. Come learn about the new Senior Dine Program, a restaurant-based meal program sponsored by Senior Nutrition Services of New Opportunities, Inc., that is available to area residents age 60 and over, regardless of income. Space is limited and registration is required.
Blood Pressure Checks – Tuesday, June 13, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Drop by the Nurse’s Office on the second Tuesday of each month for a free blood pressure check with Nurse Melanie of Civita Care Centers.
Sit Down with Stefanie – Thursday, June 15, at 11:15 a.m. Stefaniee will answer questions about the Senior Center. Please register in advance.
The Cheshire Sherlock Holmes Society – Thursday, June 15, at 1 p.m., in person or via Zoom. Please read “The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for discussion. For additional information, contact Andy Tranquilli at tranquilli@hotmail.com. All are welcome!
Afternoon Craft – Thursday, June 15, at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of rock painting for the Senior Center Rock Garden of Inspiration & Pride. All supplies will be provided. Registration is requested.
Cheshire Readers Book Club – Tuesday, June 20, at 10:45 a.m. This month’s book is “Seeing” by Jose Saramago. New members welcome!
Cooking for One or Two – Thursday, June 22, at 1:30 p.m. Join Jessica for a talk about cooking for one or two people. She will provide tips, tricks, and recipes to help you enjoy cooking smaller portions. Registration is requested.
Foxwoods Casino Trip – Friday, June 23. Bus will depart from the Senior Center no later than 9 a.m. Return bus will depart from Foxwoods at 3 p.m. Cost is $12 per person. Must be a current member of the Cheshire Senior Center. Space is limited and registration is required.
Summer Class Registration – Tuesday, June 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Ask the Probate Judge – Tuesday, June 27, at 10 a.m. Drop in to this monthly probate question-and-answer session with Judge of Probate Matt Jalowiec.
Drop-in Crochet Group – Wednesday, June 28, at 10:30 a.m. Work on your project and chat with friends.
Movie Matinee: “A Man Called Otto” – Wednesday, June 28, at 1 p.m. When a lively young family moves in next door, a grump widower (Tom Hanks) meets his match in a quick-witted pregnant woman, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down. Rated PG-13 (2022, 2 hours, 6 minutes).
Brain Health – Thursday, June 29, at 1;30 p.m. Everyone needs a healthy brain to function well. The daily choices we make directly impact whether we can rely on our memory, ability to make decisions, and more. Discussion will include various lifestyle changes, including diet, dietary supplements, and physical, mental and social activity. Register in advance.
Cheshire Senior Singles
Please register in advance for all Senior Singles events.
Mini Golf – Friday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m. Meet at Hidden Valley Miniature Golf, 2060 West St., Southington, for 1:30 p.m. tee-time.
Bocci & Cornhole on the Front Lawn – Friday June 23, at 1:30 p.m. Join this fun group for an afternoon of lawn games. (Rain date: July 21.)
Save The Dates!
Independence Day Celebration – Thursday, July 6, at 12 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day with The Boogie Boys and Blackie’s On-the-Go Hot Dog Truck. Lunch will include all-you-can-eat hot dogs, chips, Blackiie’s famous relish, mustard and ketchup. Beverage and dessert will also be provided. Then enjoy the rest of the afternoon dancing and singing along to The Boogie Boys. Cost is $13 per person, cash only, due at sign-up. Registration is required.
Chorus Concert – Friday, July 7, at 10:30 a.m. Come hear the beautiful voices as the Cheshire Senior Center Chorus performs their first concert since their return. Registration is requested.
Weekly Programs
To register for any of the following programs, call (203) 272-8286 or email LGravel@cheshirect.org.
Line Dancing – Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. (note new time). Drop-ins are welcome to attend this free, relaxed instructional line dancing class.
Moderate Exercise – Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10:30 a.m. This is now a drop-in class.
Nickel, Nickel – Wednesdays at 11 a.m. (note new start time). Playing fee is 11 nickels and one quarter per person, per week.
Technology Help with Jared – Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jared from the Cheshire Library returns to the Senior Center to help with computer/tablet/cellphone technology questions. Appointments are recommended: call (203) 272-8286.
Golf Card Game – Fridays at 10:30 a.m. on the lower level. Weekly fee to play is $3.
Advanced Conversational Italian – Fridays at 11 a.m. Spend some time speaking Italian with Dea, Kimberly and friends. Registration is required.
Bridge – Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
Setback – Fridays at 12:30 p.m. The group is always looking for more players!
Walking Group – Walking is a wonderful way for older adults to stay physically and mentally active. Call Marge at (203) 272-3316 for more information about her walking group.
Travel Opportunities
Flyers are available for the following trips. Contact Laura Gravel, program supervisor, at (203) 272-8286.
Travel Planning Committee Meeting – Monday, June 26, at 1 p.m. Join us if you are interested in helping to plan trips for the Senior Center.
A Day at Tanglewood – Sunday, Aug. 13. Enjoy a music-filled afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Included motorcoach transportation, lunch on the lawn, admission to Tanglewood.
Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise – July 24–Aug. 4.
Transportation Services
Call Coleen in the Transportation Office at (203) 272-0047 for information and reservations.
Transportation is available for medical appointments in the service area, grocery shopping, pharmacy, visits to the Cheshire Senior Center, and personal appointments based on availability. Ride requests are accepted two weeks in advance. Call by 11 a.m. the day before a ride is needed; any request made after 11 a.m. is subject to availability. Please allow a 10-minute window on both sides of your scheduled pickup time for the bus to arrive.
Bus drivers accept cash donations each time a rider steps on the bus. Suggested donation is $1 each way for in-town rides, and $6 round trip for out-of-town appointments.
Schedule for Out-of-Town Medical Appointments:
Monday – Meriden
Tuesday – North Haven and Hamden
Wednesday – Wallingford
Thursday – New Haven and West Haven VA
Friday – Southington and Waterbury Outpatient VA Clinic
Ride requests are accepted for appointments between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Dial-A-Ride is available on Fridays for the Waterbury area.
GWTD Dial-A-Ride:
Residents of any of the seven municipalities in the Greater Waterbury Transit District (GWTD) may use the Dial-A-Ride service, free of charge. Dial-A-Ride serves Cheshire on Fridays.
To be eligible to use the GWTD Dial-A-Ride Transportation Service, a rider must be:
•60 years of age or older OR
•a person with a disability AND
•a resident of Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Waterbury, Watertown, or Wolcott.
An application must be submitted to begin use of the GWTD Dial-A-Ride services. Applications may be obtained by calling the Cheshire Senior Center Transportation Office at (203) 272-0047.
Support the
Cheshire Senior Center
Financial support for the Senior Center is very much appreciated and provides additional assistance to the Center in serving our seniors today and throughout the coming years. A gift can be made anonymously, in recognition of the donor(s) or in honor of, or in memory of a friend or loved one.
Donations can be designated for a specific purpose or undesignated to be used at the discretion of the staff. Donations will be held in a gift account to support the mission of the Senior Center. All donations should be made payable to the Town of Cheshire Senior Center and mailed to: The Cheshire Senior Center, 240 Maple Ave., Cheshire, CT 06410.