An abundance of vibrant activities are offered throughout the month of May at the Elmwood and West Hartford Senior Centers.

Submitted

Every May, the Association of Community Living celebrates “Older Americans Month,” which is a time to celebrate the perennial contributions of older adults to the nation. The 2017 theme is “Age Out Loud,” and May is an opportunity to raise awareness about issues facing older adults, an invitation to explore new things, strive for wellness and to highlight the way older Americans are advocating for themselves, their peers, and their communities.

In keeping with the theme, both Elmwood Senior Center (“ESC”) and West Hartford Senior Center (“WHSC”) are offering many new and exciting events! Additionally, if a senior registers for a senior center membership, or if they refer a friend for membership during the month of May, they will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate at the end of the month.

You may contact either Senior Center for more information. Pre-registration and payment are required for events/trips/classes.

During the first week of May, the ESC rang in Older Americans Month with a hand bell performance.

May 8-13

During the second week of May, ESC continues to offer musical performances. Hall High School Jazz Band will perform a “Throwback to the 30’s” Spring Concert on May 9 at 3 p.m. Jeanne Allie, vocalist and pianist, will present “Songs, Stories & Smiles” with a breakfast buffet on May 12 at 9:30 a.m. The Holiday Retirement of West Hartford is sponsoring the event.

Also on May 9 at ESC (at 10 a.m.), there will be a special Breakfast with Benefits, featuring local librarians Pramod Pradhan and Amy McCue, who will discuss “The Facts on Faxon” and go in depth in explaining the vast offerings of the library system, as well as registration of library cards. The very next day, May 10, at 10:30 a.m., ESC will host a Veterans’ Coffee Hour: Social for Veterans, Their Widows & Family Members, co-sponsored by Hartford HealthCare Senior Services. On May 11, Tea With Dolley is a presentation by Dolley Madison re-enactor Patricia Perry, combined with a high tea in the Elmwood Community/Senior Center auditorium (sponsored by Hebrew Center for Health & Rehabilitation).

During this week, WHSC will offer “Cheers to 90 Plus Years! on Wednesday, May 10 at 1 p.m. This event is a celebration honoring members who are turning “90 Years Young or Better” in 2017. Join them for a delightful afternoon with an exceptional catered luncheon and entertainment via a women’s a capella group “Reunited,” as well as The Tony Allen Trio, which brings back memories from Front Street with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett songs with the style of Perry Como. This event is sponsored by People’s United Bank and ShopRite).

May 15-20

Many health-related programs are offered throughout the month. LifeLine Screenings will be at Elmwood Senior Center on Monday, May 15, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., conducting five, non-invasive painless screenings. On Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m., there will be a Wonders of Wellness session “Simplify Your Life – Coping with Life Changes in Older Age.” And on May 17, at 10:30 a.m., there is a free Nutrition Seminar: Nutrition for Better Sleep, facilitated by Janet Shaefer, Nutrition Therapist & Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist.

Continuing with the musical programs, there is a performance at ESC on May 18 (2-4 p.m.) by the Northwest Catholic Jazz Singers. This event is facilitated by both senior centers and will include a meet-and-greet with members of the West Hartford Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. (Stop & Shop of Elmwood is the sponsor). On May 19, the Squires Mens Group of Elmwood Senior Center will present a flag retirement ceremony and the raising of a new American flag at 10 a.m. There will be singing by the Squires Barbershoppers and the Elmwood Karaoke Club and “Patriotic Parfaits” will be served to guests.

WHSC and Senator Beth Bye are hosting the 20^th Annual Senior Day on May 17, at 9:30 a.m. This yearly event includes a complimentary continental breakfast, courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living. Browse 45 vendors of senior services including home health agencies, retirement communities, specialty services and much more. Complimentary chair massage and reiki will be available. Additional preventative health screenings will be provided by West Hartford/Bloomfield Health District.

May 22-27

Korean Spirit & Culture Project of New York will present a Korean Lotus Flower Making Workshop at ESC on Wednesday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. A film will be showed and traditional Korean refreshments served.

WHSC will offer educational programs this week, including Estate Planning: “How To Protect Your ‘Stuff’ in 3 Easy Steps”, presented by Attorney Henry C. Weatherby, Weatherby & Associates, PC, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, from  9-10:30 a.m. – event includes bagels and coffee. On Wednesday, May 24, at 1 p.m., WHSC will offer a Lunch & Learn – Memory Screening: What is Normal Forgetfulness? Discussion includes what is involved with a memory screening and ways diagnosis is made. After the short lecture participants will be able to have a face-to-face screening and results review in a private setting. Cosponsor: Residence at Brookside. 

May 28-31

During this final week of the month, ESC will offer a Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, May 30 to discuss Total Joint Replacements – Dr. Jeffrey Burns of Orthopedic Associates of Hartford. Dr. Burns is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and one of the only surgeons in the region to perform the minimally-invasive “Patellofemoral Arthroplasties.” Co-sponsor: Bel-Air Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center – Newington.

To end “Older Americans Month,” WHSC will hold Living a Legacy of Love, Laughter & Joy: Growing Old Gracefully Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 1:00 p.m. Presented By Wayne Gignac Speaker, Author, Magician, Learning has never been this much fun! Wayne has one mission…make the world a better place…one smile at a time. Luncheon prepared by EnFuse Fitness. Co-Sponsor: Aetna.

The Elmwood Express is a 24 passenger van, which operates out of Elmwood Senior Center for various day trips around the state. In May, the Elmwood Express will travel to Mohegan Sun on May 2, to Brookdale West Hartford on May 23 to view “Adam’s Rib” film screening and lunch, then to the American Legion on May 25 for a “Deal of a Meal,” and finally to The Hartford Club for fine dining on May 31.

The Town of West Hartford’s Leisure Services Department operates two Senior Centers in town: Elmwood Senior Center located at 1106 New Britain Avenue, and the motto is “Experience the Energy,” and West Hartford Senior Center (motto: “The Possibilities are Endless”), is located adjacent to the Bishops Corner Library at 15 Starkel Rd. Throughout the year, both Centers host a variety of trips, classes and special events that are seasonal, entertaining, informative, and always FUN! Annual memberships ($10/West Hartford Residents or $30/Non-residents) entitles individuals to activities at BOTH facilities.