Senior Center News: Feb 12

Student orchestra performs

Under the direction of Marty Meade, members of the Wilton High School Symphonic Orchestra will perform at Ogden House, 100 River Road, after the monthly luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 12:45.

Each year, Mr. Meade and the orchestra perform to the delight of all in attendance at this monthly luncheon sponsored by the town. The volunteers from the Wilton Congregational Church, under the direction of Karen Tartell, will prepare the lunch for the seniors.

All are welcome to come earlier for juice and conversation. There is a $3 luncheon fee. For transportation, call Dial-A-Ride at 203-834-6235. To reserve a spot, call, 203-834-6240.

Book discussion

This month’s book discussion will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 11, at the Wilton Senior Center. This discussion group has been rescheduled from the January date due to the snow.

Richard Duffee will lead the discussion on The Spirit Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, which will be followed by lunch in the café at noon.

In a foreword to this complex book, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich says, “Most American families are worse off today than they were three decades ago ... This rapid trend towards inequality in America marks a significant reversal of the move toward income equality that began in the early part of the twentieth century and culminated during the middle decades of the century.”

The coauthors of this ground-breaking work, based on years of research, provide hard evidence for their conclusions.

To reserve a spot, call 203-834-6240.

Protecting the family jewels

Joe Brandt, owner of J.L. Brandt Co., Inc., will speak about “Protecting the Family Jewels” on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 1:30. The program will cover information that anyone who owns fine jewelry should know, including home security measures, proper care of jewelry, general options for selling, what to look for — and look out for  — when buying, insurance guidelines and estate-planning.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Protect against loss of jewelry in the event of burglary or accidental loss;
• Protect the condition of jewelry through routine care;
• Protect family interests and jewelry history when passing jewelry to the next generation;
• Protect jewelry when traveling, or away from home;
• Protect themselves when buying and selling jewelry;
• Protect jewelry by understanding existing jewelry insurance policies.

J.L. Brandt Co., Inc., has been in the business of fine jewelry since 1928 and is the oldest firm of its kind in the United States. Mr. Brandt currently provides a jewelry advisory service to the public and is a marketing consultant to retail jewelers. He neither buys from nor sells jewelry to the public. His personal experience in the jewelry industry goes back more than 40 years.

Attendees are asked to not bring jewelry to this program — it is not an appraisal clinic, and no jewelry will be bought or sold.

Enhance Fitness

Leslie Hinshaw leads an evidence-based, group exercise program each Thursday, from 9 to 10, which helps older adults at all levels of fitness become more active, energized, and empowered to sustain independent lives. There is a $3 fee for each class.

Line dance fusion

Traditional dance steps are blended with elements of modern line dancing on Mondays, from 10:30 to 11:30, during the Wilton Senior Center’s Line Dance Fusion classes. Instructor Beatriz Araujo rolls the waltz, mambo Italiano, Charleston, Lambada, samba electric slide and tango into one to keep your feet moving and your heart pumping. This is a great form of exercise and social interaction. Beginners as well as experienced dancers are welcome. There is a $3 fee per class.

Tai chi

Tai chi is a series of gentle and graceful movements performed with respiration coordination and deep concentration. Practicing Tai Chi leads to relaxation of the body and mind, improves flexibility and balance, and enhances energy and general well-being.  Joe Alampi instructs tai chi at the Wilton Senior Center each Wednesday, from 11:30 to 12:30. There is a $3 fee for each class.

Yoga

Denise O’Hearn, owner of Vibrant Moves in Wilton, conducts gentle yoga classes at the Wilton Senior Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays that warm up your joints, stretches and strengthens your muscles and helps your balance and focus. Classes take place 11 to noon on Tuesdays and 10 to 11 on Thursdays. There is a $3 fee for each class.

Feldenkrais

Explore this exciting and innovative movement method designed to relieve pain, exercise your brain and teach you to move with greater comfort, ease, and fluidity with instructor Cathy Paine on Fridays, from 10 to 11. There is a $5 fee for each class.

Winter closings

When in doubt, call 203-834-6240 after 7 a.m. and listen to the recording for specific information regarding the day’s activities at the Wilton Senior Center. We do not follow the school’s closings.

Open bridge with Dan

Come and drop in for this Open Bridge session. This is a great way to refresh your bridge-playing skills, learn current conventions, and get used to playing all over again. For all levels of play. This is not a sanctioned game. Dan DeVlieg will supervise. Wednesdays, 10 to 12:30, $5 drop-in fee.

Bridge groups

If you would like to join other seniors in an afternoon of bridge from noon to 3 p.m., call the organizers listed below:

• Duplicate Bridge (first Wednesday of the month): Lois Bruce at 203-762-5818.
• Duplicate Bridge (third Tuesday of the month): Maureen Turnier at 203-762-9386.
• Contract Bridge (Fridays): Eleanor Mihailidis at 203-762-8720.

Coming Events

All activities take place at the Senior Center (203-834-6240) unless otherwise specified.

For the week of Feb. 13:

• Friday, Feb. 13: Knitting at 9:30, Feldenkrais with Cathy Paine at 10, Wilton Meadows Complimentary Lunch and Bingo at 12, Bridge with Eleanor Mihailidis at 12, Intermediate Bridge with Dan DeVlieg at 1:30.
• Monday, Feb. 16: President’s Day, Senior Center Closed.
• Tuesday, Feb. 17: Acrylics with Althea Ericcson at 10, Yoga with Denise O’Hearn at 11, Introduction to Bridge with Dan DeVlieg at 1, Duplicate Bridge with Maureen Turnier at 12, Chair Yoga at Ogden House at 2.
• Wednesday, Feb. 18: Sewing at Ogden House at 9:30, Open Bridge with Dan DeVlieg at 10, Tai Chi with Joe Alampi at 12:30, Lunch at Ogden House at 12, followed by Mah Jongg at 1.
• Thursday, Feb. 19: Enhance Fitness with Leslie Hinshaw at 9, Drawing with Martha Talburt at 9:30, Yoga with Denise O’Hearn at 10, Lunch at 12, Studio Drawing with Martha Talburt at 12, Bingo at 12:45.