The Cromwell Senior Center “SENIOR SCENE”

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OUR TEAM

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Senior Commission

Members

Luella Landis, Chair�

Paula Luna, Vice Chair�

Linda Polke�

Shirley Banic�

Ann Jordan�

Madeline Lowry�

Patricia Sienna�

Mer�e Terry�

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Next Mee�ng: 12/14/2020�

VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM�

The Cromwell Senior Center “SENIOR SCENE”

Amy Saada�

Human Services Director�

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Cathi Jackson�

Senior Center Assistant�

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Gabriella Brown�

Human Services Assistant�

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Nicolas Talbot�

Outreach/Program Coor-

dinator�

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Mario Genovese�

FT Bus Driver�

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Paul Pierce�

FT Bus Driver�

41 West Street�

Cromwell CT 06416 �

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Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you! �

Not sure about you, but we here at the Senior Center are so excited that December is upon

us! This has been a year like no other and we can’t wait to celebrate the end of 2020!

COVID-19 has really challenged us, that is for sure! We were forced to close our doors on

March 13th (Friday the 13th!) and in a short time, we had to quickly figure out how to keep us

all connected and engaged! We began delivering meals to assure that you didn't need to

make extra trips to the grocery stores. We delivered books and activities. We managed to

keep our transportation service operating with new hand sanitizer dispensers and cleaning

protocols. We learned a new word called ZOOM and we have helped so many of you

navigate a whole new world of technology! We have brought exercise classes, art and

quilting, fun and games right into your living rooms, even for some who never thought it

would be possible!

But we realize that we haven’t reached everyone, so this holiday season we are wishing for

people to please, please check on your neighbors, please be kind, ask if someone needs

help or just share our phone number! No senior should feel lonely or isolated and we can

help if we know who they are! There is no cost to being kind, but a huge cost to being lonely.

We have some special events planned this month such as concerts, crafts, cooking classes,

holiday parties, New Years Eve Celebration, new exercise classes, and more, so please read

through the newsletter and inserts to learn all about the fun happenings and be sure to give

us a call to pre-register!

We want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season! Whether it’s Hanukkah, Christmas or

Kwanza...we hope your holidays are joyful! Please stay safe, healthy and continue to wear

those masks, keep your distance and this too shall pass! Cheers to a new year…..�

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Virtual Crafts with Cathi!

Join us on December 4th where we will make this super cute JOY

sign. We will provide you with ALL of the supplies, but you must

register by Thursday December 3rd and arrange to pick up or have

your supplies delivered by the following day in time for the class.

Class will be held on:

Friday, December 4th at 1:30pm, Class will be live on ZOOM

Register by Thursday December 3rd.

Virtual Travel

with Lia Levitt!

Chile & Easter Island: The Magic of Moai. Easter

Island is the most remote, inhabited island in the

world. The Moai are cherished by the local people

who call themselves Rapa Nui. Take a journey

through their Polynesian traditions and discover the

magic!

WHEN:

December 7th

TIME: 1:00 pm

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New! Aerobics Class

We are very excited to announce that we have

launched a NEW Virtual Aerobics Class, taught by

Alex Brandy.

Alex is a Certified Personal Trainer and owner of

Ascend Experience LLC. Alex has been training and

teaching group fitness for the past 6 years and has

helped hundreds of people live happier and healthier

lives. She is so excited to work with the members of

the Cromwell Senior Center and to get everyone

moving, stretching, and feeling great in a safe way.

Classes will be held every Thursday at 1 PM.

ZOOM Exercise Classes

Yoga with Lisa Eberhardt

M, W, F @ 11:00am

Tai Chi with Sandra Diamond

Tu, TH @ 9:00am

To register for these exercise classes, please

contact the Senior Center and provide us with

your email address and we will send you the

Meeting ID and Password.

New! Pen Pals�

Not everything has to be virtual nowadays! Cromwell

Senior Center is partnering with the Cromwell Library

to connect generations through pen pals. Volunteers

will be writing back-and-forth with teenagers. It is

expected that all volunteers

commit to at least four months of

writing including two letters a

month. Letters can either be

mailed to the Senior Center or

dropped off. This is a great

opportunity to make a difference

in a child’s life. If you have any questions or wish to

register for this, please contact Nick Talbot, 860-632-

3447 or [email protected]

New! Virtual Wheel of Fortune

Join us for some fun with Virtual Wheel of Fortune!

Our Outreach Coordinator Nick, will host an hour of

excitement playing everybody’s favorite gameshow! In

such a stressful year, you deserve to have a little bit of

fun. This is the perfect opportunity for some friendly

competition against your neighbors all from the

comfort of your own home! Capacity for this event is

limited so make sure you register as soon as possible!

Call us for the Zoom info!

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WHEN: December 8th

TIME: 1:00 pm

Current Issues Discussion�

This program will not meet in November and

December, see you in 2021!

New! Strength and Balance Class

Introducing a NEW Virtual Strength and Balance

Class, taught by Michelle Rancourt.

This program will involve functional fitness that will

help assist a person in carrying out their daily

activities. All you will need is a set of lightweight

dumbbells and a sturdy chair. No weights no

problem!!! Soup cans will work great!! Through

functional exercise, proper nutrition, and positive

energy, healthy living becomes a way of life.

Classes will be held every Monday at 9:30 AM.

Virtual Holiday Concert

Get into the holiday spirit! Just because we are

home this year doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy

live music! Airborne Jazz will be performing a

special holiday concert this month for the

Cromwell Senior Center. With their trademark

fusion of Island Passion and Urban Emotion,

Airborne Jazz will be putting a unique sound

on holiday carols! Call us to sign up for this

exciting event!

WHEN: December 11th

TIME: 1:00 pm

Navigating the Holidays

This year we have all been challenged to

rethink and reinvent how we celebrate our

traditions and our time with families and loved

ones as we incorporate social distancing,

masks, travel and group size restrictions.

Join our ZOOM presentation for ideas to make

your holidays filled with meaning while keeping

you and your loved ones safe from illness

during this pandemic.

Presented by Masonicare.

WHEN: December 17th

TIME: 12:00 pm

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT!

Last month, we celebrated Veteran's Day by interviewing one of

Cromwell’s own, Dan Cass!

Dan, 71, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in the

Summer of 1967, when he was just 18 years old. Receiving both

a Purple Heart and Achievement Medal, Dan served two tours in

Vietnam reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Dan’s main motivation to join came from his brother who was

also a Marine. Reality quickly set in for Dan as one day while on

leave, his family got a visit from the military informing them of his

brother’s death. This began an arduous journey for Dan as he

went through the 8 week hell of bootcamp and then immediately

getting deployed to Vietnam to fight in an Infantry division.

Despite this being a rather difficult stretch for Dan, he still had

some fond experiences. Dan recalls seeing Australia and

describing it as the most beautiful place he had ever been. He

also recalls the phone call he had with his mother on her

birthday. This phone call was notably special for him as she

would go on to pass away 6 months later.

After the war, Dan returned to his hometown of Syracuse, NY to

get married and start a family. He spent approximately 15 years

as a credit manager at WT Grant and another 22 years as a

healthcare administrator. Looking back, Dan realized that life is

too short. You must be grateful for the time you have and make

the most of it.

Nowadays, Dan is retired and is active with the VFW organization

in Rocky Hill. He is proud to have served his country and does

not wish anybody the experience he went through. This Veteran’s

Day, we thank Dan Cass and the thousands of other brave men

and women who served our country.

Cromwell Senior Center would like to invite

you to our Virtual New Years Eve Party! �

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Thursday December 31st�

11:30am�1:30pm�

We will get you all the supplies needed to celebrate with

us including sparking cider, snacks and party favors!

You just need to join us online (via ZOOM) and

participate in some fun games, trivia, and helping us to

say goodbye to 2020 and WELCOME to 2021!!

Wishing all a happy, HEALTHY New Year!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1

9:30 Balance & Strength with

Michelle

11:00 Yoga with Lisa

1:00 Quilting with Carolyn

2

9:00 Tai Chi with Sandra

3


1:00 Art with Angel

4


1:00 Aerobics with Alex

5


7


Michelle


12:00 Navigating the Holidays


1:00 Travel with Lia

8


1:00 Wheel of Fortune

9


1:00 Art with Angel

10



11


1:00 Holiday Concert with

Airborne Jazz

14


Michelle



15


16


1:00 Art with Angel

17



18


It’s a Wonderful Life-Virtual

Event

21


Michelle


1:00 Qilting with Carolyn

22


23


1:00 Art with Angel

24 & 25

Holiday

Senior Center

Closed

28


Michelle



29


30


1:00 with Angel

31



Holiday

Senior Center

Closed

Update on Transportation Services for

Seniors and Disabled

The Governor’s Orders continue to suggest that those 65 and

over remain home due to the impact that COVID19 has this

population. We are still operating on a very limited basis and

will ONLY be transporting to the following essential

destinations: doctors, pharmacies and grocery stores and other

places on a case by case basis. Please understand your safety as

well as our staff is our number one priority and we will

continue to follow the Governors directives in serving the senior

population.

To maintain social distancing, we are only transporting 2

passengers on a bus at a time, so we are not doing any group

outings at this time.

Please call us with your transportation request and we will do

our best to accommodate your day and time based on our

availability.

Our drivers must wear as mask at all times on the bus and they

must sanitize in between each rider and they must wear gloves

while assisting any riders with the lift.

All Riders MUST wear a mask the entire time on the bus.

All Riders MUST use hand sanitizer prior to entering the

vehicle.

If you are feeling ill or experiencing any symptoms, please

reschedule your ride.

Staff will call the day prior to your appointment to go over a

pre-screening questionnaire with you.

We truly thank you for your patience during these times. Please

book your rides well in advance as we are not able to

accommodate as many riders during at this time.

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Human Services Corner�

Gabriella Brown, Human Services Assistant, 860�632�3449�

Staff provides advocacy, information and referral, short term guidance and referrals for counseling

and support services for adults, families, elderly and disabled residents. Staff assists clients in com-

pleting a variety of assistance applications for state and federal programs, and operates a client

choice food bank and holiday programs. �

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The Program is open and Human Services is accepting and processing applications.

The process has changed due to COVID, no in person applications. Applications and

instructions can be found on our website, in the Town Hall Lobby and on our Senior/

Disabled Busses. Questions? Give us a call!�

Documents

The Cromwell Senior Center “SENIOR SCENE”