The Woodbridge Center for April 2023

‍Contact The Woodbridge Center:  Call 203-389-3430 or email kmoriarty@woodbridgect.org for more information or to sign up for programs.  More information on available programs and services can also be found on The Center’s page of the Town Website.

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Email blasts:  Things change quickly - please make sure you are on our email blast list to receive Woodbridge Center updates.  Call The Center at 203-389-3430 to subscribe.

Celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of Older Americans Month (OAM) this May!

Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans.  This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, exemplifies those who participate at The Center with activities such as art to embrace creativity; aerobics, Tai Ji Quan:  Moving for Better Balance, and pickleball to support healthy aging; educational opportunities through Lunch & Learns to continue lifelong learning; and participation in groups like craft, card playing, and sponsored events to form connections through socialization and engagement in the community.

Join in The Center’s activities and events to help change the dialogue of what it means to age unbound!  Call The Center 203-389-3430 with any questions or for information about the programs listed below.

Sponsored Lunch (for Woodbridge residents 60 years of age or over):

Mother’s Day Drive-thru Luncheon

Thursday, May 11, 12-1 pm

In front of main entrance of The Center

Everyone is welcome to celebrate all mothers at the Mother’s Day Drive-thru Luncheon.  Enjoy Quiche Lorraine, fresh fruit, and dessert sponsored by Visiting Angels of Woodbridge and Elim Park Health Care and Rehabilitation.  Also enjoy a special treat provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  No charge.  Please RSVP by May 4.

Upcoming Programs

Spring Paper Flower Craft

Tuesday, April 18, 11 am - 12 pm

Library Meeting Room

Learn how to make paper flowers to enjoy throughout springtime and beyond.  All materials and instruction provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  Please call 203-389-3430 to RSVP.

Lunch & Learn:  Energy $aving$

Thursday, April 20, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Library Meeting Room

Do you want to save money by conserving energy?  Are you struggling to pay your utility bill?  Join representatives from United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas (UI/SCG) (subsidiaries of AVANGRID) to learn how to make your home or business more energy efficient, and how you can catch up on your utility bills if you’ve fallen behind.  Lunch will be provided, courtesy of UI/SCG.  Please call 203-389-3430 to RSVP.

Lunch & Collaborative Art

Friday, April 28, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Library Meeting Room

Collaborate with a (small) group of Amity High School Students to create a unified work of art to be displayed in the community.  Guess what the finished picture will be as you work together utilizing various colored stickers to create beautiful mosaic artwork.  A delicious lunch will also be served.  Artistic talent is not required.  This free program is sponsored by Woodbridge and Orange Youth Services, and The Woodbridge Center.  Please RSVP with The Center by April 21 at 203-389-3430.  Space is limited.

Lunch & Learn:  Staging 101 - Enjoy your home now and when you are ready to sell

Friday, May 5, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Library Meeting Room

Did you know 85% of staged homes sold for 5-23% over their listing price?  Join the Holli Shanbrom Real Estate Team for some quick tips and tools on techniques that will allow you to enjoy your home more now and potentially increase value when you are ready to sell.  Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Holli Shanbrom Real Estate Team.  Please call 203-389-3430 to RSVP.

Lunch Bunch to Gabriele’s Ristorante Italiano

Wednesday, May 10

Van leaves The Center at 11:30 am or meet at Gabriele’s at 12 pm

Join in a social outing to lunch at Gabriele’s Ristorante Italiano in Orange.  Self-pay for your meal at the restaurant.  $3 per person for transportation (or meet at the restaurant).  Call The Center to RSVP by May 5.

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 (no class April 13, April 18, or May 2)

Center Building Gymnasium

Come enjoy a complete cardio and strength training workout to a variety of music.  Bring your own 1- or 2-pound hand weights, if you have them, to use during the class.  Please pay $3 at the beginning of each class.

Indoor Pickleball

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

Center Building Gymnasium

All levels are welcome.  There is an annual fee of $20 for residents, $25 for non-residents.  The annual fee includes outdoor play as well.  Please make sure your dues are current.  Call The Center 203-389-3430 for more information.

Outdoor Pickleball

Every Day

Outdoors on the Town Courts

All levels are welcome.  There is an annual fee of $20 for residents, $25 for non-residents.  The annual fee includes indoor play as well.  Please make sure your dues are current.  Call The Center 203-389-3430 for more information.

Hobbies/Social

Bridge

Wednesdays, 1-4 pm

Library Meeting Room

Seasoned bridge players are welcome to play bridge every Wednesday in the Library Meeting Room.  Please call prior to initial play.

Craft Group

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am - 12 pm

Woodbridge Room of the Library

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

Painting for Pleasure with local artist Carole Abbate

Monday, 10 am - 12 pm

Library Meeting Room

Create your own paintings as Carole helps inspire beginners to intermediates to paint with acrylics or watercolors.  Paint the subject of your choice- bring in a note card or photo for inspiration.  No experience necessary.  Call to sign-up for this 6-week, $36 class.  Class will be prorated.

Pinochle

Thursdays, 1:30-4 pm

Center Building, Room 16

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 Building, Room 16.  Call 203-389-3430 for more information.

Services offered

(for Woodbridge residents only):

Tech Tuesday and Thursday

Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:45-4:15 pm

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, Amity High School student volunteers.  No charge.

Computer Lab

Multiple computers and laptops are located in room 11 of the Center Building Human Services corridor, which is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 am - 2 pm.  Printing is available (first 5 pages free).

Transportation

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 on a first call, first serve basis.  Appointments may be made up to three months in advance.  Vehicles are cleaned between each use.  Masks are required.

Meals

Healthy, well balanced, flash frozen meals for $5.25/meal are available.  Order by noon on Monday for delivery to your home during the same week.  Choose from a wide variety of options including baked ziti, chicken piccata, flounder Florentine, and turkey pot pie.  Meals include a roll, fresh fruit, and dessert.  Two meal minimum order with a ten-meal limit.  See The Center’s page on the Town website for a complete list of offerings.

Frozen soups are available for $1.50 per 10 oz. container.  Varieties include:  Italian wedding, beef orzo, minestrone, harvest vegetable, lemon chicken and rice, and many more.  Call 203-389-3430 to place your order.

Friendly Visitor Program

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

Medical Loan Closet

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

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.