By Lori York, Charlotte Senior Center Director

Photo by Ron Ulmer. A recent birding trip with Hank Kaestner.

“I have never felt more welcomed anywhere. Every time I go it is a new and exciting experience, making new friends and feeling like I belong somewhere,” a new participant said.

The true purpose of the Senior Center is providing opportunities for connections. These connections can happen over a cup of coffee or by participating in one of the wide range of activities from hiking to birdwatching, exercise classes or art programs and board games. The Charlotte Senior Center is a great opportunity to meet new friends.

Registration is now open for the May programs. See the May newsletter insert in this edition of The Charlotte News. It is also available on our website. Follow “CharlotteSeniorCenterVT” on Facebook and Instagram for a glimpse of the activities happening at the center.

Events & Programs:
Mansfield Mountain Band
Sunday, May 1, 1 p.m. Free.
From Richmond comes the Mansfield Mountain Band, a four-piece acoustic group armed with banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass and vocals, bringing you a rib-tickling blend of traditional bluegrass and Americana classics, along with original songs of their own. Featuring Thomas Bryce (banjo), Jordan Duffy (mandolin), Charlie Wilson (guitar) and Jeremy Hobart (bass).

Shape-Note Singing
Sunday, May 1, 3-5 p.m. Free.
This traditional, a cappella, four-part harmony has been called “full-body, shout-it-out singing” and is also known as Sacred Harp (1750-1850). Open to newcomers and experienced singers. No performances and no auditions; a “good voice” is not required. Songbooks are provided. Stop by to listen or sing, and leave whenever you wish. Questions? Email Kerry Cullinan.

Writing novels: How to
Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m.
The New York Times bestseller and Shelburne resident Miranda Beverly-Whittemore has published five novels, including “Bittersweet” and her most recent, “Fierce Little Thing.” Beverly-Whittemore will explore how she writes a novel, from conception to completion, giving us a glimpse of both her own craft and of the publishing process in general, from working with an agent and editor to promotion — and deciding what to work on next. Co-sponsored with the Charlotte Library.

Maxine Davis Glass Art Studio Tour
Wednesday, May 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Register by Monday, May 2. Free.
Join Mickey Davis in her North Ferrisburgh studio as she talks about her art process developing one-of-a-kind handmade, fused and dichroic glass (multihued glass whose color changes with the angle of the light), panel pictures, platters, bowls, dishes and jewelry.

Watercolor: Spring has sprung
Tuesdays, May 3–31, 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $185. Register by Tues., April 26.
Paint some glorious spring landscapes and other fun subjects over five weeks during this watercolor workshop with Lynn Cummings. Try some contemporary techniques, along with traditional watercolor painting. You should have some experience with watercolor prior to this class.

Guitar for beginners
Wednesdays, May 4–25, 7-8 p.m.
Cost: $60. Register by Monday, May 2.
Make some music. Join the adult beginner guitar lessons with John Creech on Wednesday evenings at the Senior Center.

Restorative yoga honoring all women
Friday, May 6, 4-5 p.m. Cost: $10.
Register by Wednesday, May 4.
At the start of Mother’s Day weekend, this class with Heidi Kvasnak will honor women with an hour of self-care. It is designed to nourish you during this seasonal transition with gentle warming movements to stimulate digestion and move out congestion, coupled with longer-held restorative poses to release stagnation and tension.

Italian for total beginners
Fridays, 10-11 a.m., May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17 (six weeks)
Cost: $48. Register by Friday, May 6.
Do you dream of traveling to Italy and ordering your morning cappuccino in a sun-drenched piazza? Feeling tongue-tied? Then this class with Nicole Librandi is for you. Now is the time to begin studying Italian — and have fun along the way.

Meals
Menus are posted on the website.

Monday Lunches
Served weekly. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m., or when there is no more food. Suggested lunch donation $5.

Monthly men’s breakfast
Thursday, May 12, 7-9:30 a.m.
Register by Tuesday, May 10
On the second Thursday — or Thursday, May 12, this month — men gather for breakfast and conversation. This month the guest speaker is Fritz Horton, who is a sailplane/glider pilot. He will share his gliding experiences — and he’s actually going to plan to bring his plane to the Senior Center parking lot. To register, contact Tim McCullough. Suggested donation $5.

Weekly Grab & Go meals from Age Well
Registration required. Free
Pick up on Thursdays 10-11 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center. May menus are posted on the Charlotte Senior Center website at charlotteseniorcentervt.org. Please note new pickup time for meals. Pre-register by Monday for the Thursday meal. To register, contact Lori York at 802-425-6371 or via email.

Exercise classes
The Senior Center offers daily exercise programs for a wide range of fitness and activities levels. A complete list of exercise programs is on the website charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

Questions?
The Senior Center staff would love to meet with you. The center is located at 212 Ferry Road in Charlotte. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 802-425-6345 or email Lori York.

Residents from other communities are always welcome.