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Stay Active, Social, and Informed: The Woodbridge Center Offers Free Activities and Services for Seniors

July 4, 2024
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Laughter, music, dancing, swaying, singing, and good food fill The Center Café at the Mardi-tines Party on February 8. An additional bonus was the treat bags provided by Autumn Lake at The Willows.

The Woodbridge Center offers a free membership opportunity for everyone 55 years of age and above (unless otherwise noted). Call 203-389-3430 or email kmoriarty@woodbridgect.org to sign up or for more information.

The Woodbridge Town News will no longer be available in print and is accessible online at woodbridgetownnews.com. Stop by The Center to pick up a Newsletter and make sure we have your email for current programming updates. Also, Follow us on Facebook for additional updates and information. 

March Upcoming Programs:

In-person Lunch ($5 for Woodbridge residents, $6 for non-residents, $1 extra for takeout)

Tuesdays, select Thursdays 12:00 pm

The Center Café 

Please RSVP with The Center 203-389-3430 by noon the day before.

Please note: Given the recent lunch vendor price increase, we are restructuring our lunch program to maintain quality offerings at palatable prices. There will be no lunches served 3/5 through 3/12 as we transition.

March lunches will be offered as follows:

Tuesday’s will be a choice of 6” deli sub with a side, dessert, coffee and tea.

Thursday’s will offer a monthly holiday celebration, Zuppardi’s Pizza and Beer (root) lunch and a sponsored Lunch & Learn. 

  • 3/14 Sponsored St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon – see details below.
  • 3/19 Choice of sub: turkey or chicken salad
  • 3/21 Zuppardi’s Pizza and Beer (Root) – see details below.
  • 3/26 Choice of sub: Italian combo or egg salad
  • 3/28 Lunch & Learn – see details below.
Center members kick-off the first Pizza & Beer (root) lunch on February 15 with a Zuppardi’s catered lunch followed by cake, provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, to celebrate the month’s birthday celebrations.

Free - Tech Assistance

Mondays and Wednesdays

Need help navigating your computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone? Call to sign-up for a 1:1 session in The Center’s computer lab with patient, knowledgeable, local high school student volunteers.

Free - Ask the Nurse Program with OVNA

Tuesday, March 12, 11 am – 12 pm

The Center Consultation Office in The Center Café

A registered nurse from Orange Visting Nurse Association (OVNA) will be available during the second Tuesday of each month to monitor your blood pressure, check your weight, and answer questions to help guide your health and wellness. 

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon with live musical entertainment

Thursday, March 14, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

The Center Café

Sponsored – free

You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The Center! Whitney Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Opal Stork, and Coachman Square at Woodbridge are generously sponsoring this traditional lunch (corned beef and cabbage, carrots, potatoes, Irish soda bread, and dessert). Music will be provided by Larry Batter, and a surprise treat will be provided by The Holli Shanbrom Real Estate Team - Coldwell Banker Realty. Please RSVP by March 7. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited with preference given to Woodbridge residents. 

Lunch Bunch to Wild Kanji Hibachi

Monday, March 18

Van leaves The Center at 11:30 am or meet at restaurant at 12 pm

Meet at The Center then continue on a social outing to Wild Kanji Hibachi in Shelton. Self-pay for your meal at the restaurant. $3.00 per person for transportation (or meet at the restaurant). Call The Center to RSVP by March 14. Space is limited. 

A docent, from the National Museum of Asian Art, provides interesting facts about the Lunar New Year through a virtual tour of the museum following The Center’s festive lunch celebrating the Chinese New Year.

NEW! Bingo!

Every Tuesday beginning March 19, 12:30 pm

The Center Café

$1 fee per 10 game book

Bingo is starting at The Center! Cash money prizes dependent on number of cards sold. Must be over the age of 60 to participate. Bring your own dabber or purchase one for $2. Pre-registration is not necessary. 

AARP Smart Driver Class

Wednesday, March 20, 9 am - 1 pm

The Center Lounge

Fee: $20 for AARP members, $25 for non-members

This course teaches proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. It may also provide a multi-year discount on your auto insurance. Please RSVP with The Center. 

Zuppardi’s Pizza and Beer (Root) with March Birthday Celebrations

Thursday, March 21, 12-1 pm

The Center Café

Cost: $5 for residents, $6 for non-residents – no takeout

Enjoy two slices of pizzeria style cheese pizza from Zuppardi’s with a side salad, during the regular lunch program, every 3rd Thursday of the month. Diet and regular root beer, coffee and tea included. Then celebrate all March birthdays with cupcakes or cake provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Please RSVP by noon the day before.

Free - Immersive Brazilian Virtual Tour

Thursday, March 21, 1:00 pm

The Center Café

Enjoy some authentic Brazilian foods, Brigadeiro (Brazilian dessert) and Pa’o de queijo (Brazilian cheese puffs), while “traveling” throughout the country. This armchair travel adventure is offered by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Please call The Center to register.

Free - Ask a Cardiology PA (Physician’s Assistant) Program with Becket Greten-Harrison

Thursday, March 28, 11 am – 12 pm

The Center Consultation Office in The Center Café

Becket Greten-Harrison, PA and founder of Hearts at Home, will be available the 4th Thursday of each month to help answer questions and concerns about your health, check vital signs including blood pressure, and perform a brief exam upon request. EKG monitoring is also available. Consultations are private, informal, and strictly confidential. No notes or other personal information will be saved. No appointment is necessary.

Free - Lunch & Learn: How to Keep Skin Healthy and Be Cancer Aware

Thursday, March 28, 12-1 pm

The Center Café

No charge

Our skin is our largest organ providing many valuable functions.  It is important to pay attention to it to keep it healthy. Unfortunately, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. Join Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute for a short talk about your skin and how to take care of it followed by a Skin Care Bingo game with prizes for all. Lunch is sponsored by Farmers Insurance/Karen Bellamy Agency. Please RSVP by March 21.

Free - Lounge Library

The Center Lounge

Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4 pm

Be sure to stop by The Center’s Library in the lounge and pick up a book or two for yourself or your grands! The Center’s Library, maintained by the Friends of the Library, has added a grandchildren’s section for clients who have grandchildren/great-grandchildren visiting. You can also grab a coupon for your grandchildren to go shopping for a free book at the Friends’ Bookstore located in the Town Library. 

Deb Urso encourages fun and creativity at a recent watercolor painting workshop provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Art Exhibit

The Center Café

The March exhibit features a beautiful array of varied painting techniques by The Center’s Painting for Pleasure art instructor, Carole Abbate. Please stop by to view Carole’s beautiful pieces. 

Regular Programs

Exercise

Not sure if a class is right for you? Try a complimentary class first!

Aerobics Class with Laura Richling

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11 am

The Center café

Fee: $3.00 payable at the start of each class

Come enjoy a complete cardio and strength training workout to music. Bring your own 1- or 2-pound hand weights, if you have them, to use during the class. 

Indoor Pickleball

Monday through Friday, 12:30-3:30 pm

Center Building Gymnasium

Annual fee: $20 for residents, $25 for non-residents

All levels are welcome. The annual fee includes seasonal outdoor play as well. Call for more information. 

Hobbies/Social

Bridge

Wednesdays, 1-4 pm

The Center Café

Seasoned bridge players are welcome to play bridge every Wednesday in The Center Café. Please call The Center prior to first attendance. 

Mahjong

Mondays, 12:30 – 2:30 pm

The Center Lounge

Mahjong players are invited to participate every Monday in The Center Lounge. Please call The Center prior to first attendance or if you are interested in playing days other than Monday. 

Painting for Pleasure Art Class with local artist Carole Abbate

Mondays, 10 am - 12 pm

The Center Café

Fee: 6-week, $36 class – prorated if applicable

Create paintings of your choice as Carole helps inspire beginners to intermediates to paint with acrylics or watercolors. Bring in a picture or a photo for inspiration. No experience is necessary. Sessions run concurrently - join anytime. Please call to register. 

Pinochle

Thursdays, 1:30-4 pm

The Center Lounge

Anyone interested in playing pinochle, or learning to play pinochle, is invited to join the pinochle group on Thursdays from 1:30-4 pm in The Center Lounge. Please call The Center prior to first attendance. 

Stitch Craft

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am - 12 pm

The Center Lounge

Bring your current knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, or other craft project to work on while having an enjoyable time socializing. 

Services offered

Computer Lab

Computers and laptops are located in room 11 of the Center Building Human Services corridor, which is open Monday through Friday, 10 am - 2 pm. Printing is available (first 5 pages free). 

Transportation 

(Woodbridge residents only)

Those 60 years of age and older, or who are temporarily or permanently disabled, may call to arrange car or wheelchair accessible van transportation to medical appointments to 17 surrounding towns, local grocery shopping, banking, pharmacy pick-up, and social engagements. This service is provided Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm based on availability. Vehicles are cleaned between each use.

Delivered Meals 

(Woodbridge residents only)

Healthy, well balanced, flash frozen meals for $6.50/meal ($8.00/meal effective April 1 due to a recent lunch vendor price increase) are available for delivery. Order by 4 pm on Monday for delivery to your home during the same week. Choose from a wide variety of options including lasagna, vegetable and cheese frittata, crab stuffed tilapia, and chicken pot pie. Meals include a roll, fresh fruit, and dessert. Two meal minimum order with a ten-meal limit. A wide variety of frozen soups are also available for $2.00 per 10 oz. container. Please call for more information. 

Friendly Visitor Program 

(Woodbridge residents only)

Call the Human Services Social Worker at 203-389-3429 to arrange for a friendly visitor. 

Medical Loan Closet 

(Woodbridge residents only)

Durable medical equipment, including walkers, wheelchairs, knee rollers, shower chairs, and more, is available for lending. Donations of transport chairs are needed. Call for details. 

Job Bank 

(Woodbridge residents only)

Residents may call Nancy Pfund, Youth Services Director, at 203-389-3429, to hire a student worker. Schedule now for spring clean-up, party assistance, baby-sitting, and more.

Thank you to all of our sponsors including:

Sponsored Coffee Bar 

The Center Café, no charge 

Stop by The Center between the hours of 9 am – 4 pm and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea at no charge. Sponsorship for the month March is courtesy of Woodbridge residents Nina Goodless-Sanchez and Harry Sanchez

Super Sponsor Wall @ The Center café

Coachman Square at Woodbridge is a "Super Sponsor" for the month of March. “Super Sponsors” provide a monthly contribution to support The Center in exchange for a 24”x36” advertisement display on The Center’s Sponsor Wall. Call The Center to find out how your business can advertise on the Super Sponsor Wall. 

Outside Programming

Arts in Mind

The spring semester of Arts in Mind is underway. This free online monthly program is for those in the early stages of Alzheimer's/memory loss and their care providers. The session combines looking at art together and then making art under the guidance of museum educators and an art therapist. The upcoming dates are March 12, April 9 and May 14 from 2-3:00 pm. For more information and the zoom link, please contact us at yuag.education@yale.edu.

This is an opinion not necessarily endorsed by the Woodbridge Town News.

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