Brookfield Senior Center Announces October Events

From the Brookfield Senior Center:

Halloween Party! - Friday, October 28 from 12noon - 2:00pm. Dress in your finest Halloween Costume and join us for the ghoulish festivities! Haunting food and costumed friends! Prizes for best costumes! Frightening pictures to take home! Pumpkin decorating! Line dancing and more! We'll have a howling good time! Please sign up at the front desk by Tuesday, October 25th.

Brookfield Commission on Aging - Wednesday, October 12 at 12:00noon, Brookfield Senior Center. The Brookfield Commission on Aging seeks to enhance the lives of present and future generations of our town's older citizens. The Commission will be holding its October meeting at Brookfield Senior Center. All are invited to join us!

Lunch and Learn Dates

• Friday, October 14 at 12noon: Safe Banking for Seniors - People's United Bank has partnered with the American Bankers Association in the Safe Banking for Seniors Campaign. The program aims to help seniors understand, recognize and avoid financial fraud and appreciate the benefits of working with a reliable financial caregiver. Safe Banking for Seniors also emphasizes the vital role that banks play in preventing financial fraud and exploitation, protecting customers' financial assets and supporting financial caregivers in managing, coordinating and planning the financial lives of seniors under their care.

• Friday, October 21 at 12:00noon: Meet Argo, Brookfield's new K-9 officer - Please sign up for the Lunch and learn events by Wednesday of the week so that we know how many to prepare for. Thank you!

Brookfield Trekkers Dates

• White Memorial Conservation Center Tuesday, October 4 at 9:00am (Rain date: October 11) - White Memorial is an environmental education center and nature museum on 4000 acres of land in Litchfield, CT. The main purpose of the preserve is for conservation, education, research and recreation. We will explore a few miles of trails that lead us to an overlook of Bantam Lake, around ponds, and along the Bantam River. There is a wide variety of plant and animal life, especially birds, so bring along your binoculars and cameras.
• Huntington State Park - Tuesday, October 18 at 9:00am (Rain date: October 25) - We are returning to Huntington State Park in Redding again this fall. It is a popular spot for hikers, bikers, kayakers and horseback riders. We'll take an easy walk on the wide and well maintained trails through woodlands and by the pond and check out the sculptures of bears and wolves that welcome visitors. Huntington State Park is a beautiful place to soak in the fall foliage. Please sign up at the front desk and pay $3.00 fee 2 days in advance so we know how many to expect.

Are you from the Bronx? - Monday, October 17 at 11:00am - We often hear "are you from the Bronx?" around Brookfield Senior Center. On Monday, October 17 at 11:00am, we are calling all of you to join us for coffee and a chance to chat and reminisce. Join us as we share memories and experiences and meet other "Bronx transplants". We may live in Connecticut now, but our hearts will always be in the Bronx!

Annual Flu Shot Clinic - Sponsored by Western Connecticut Home Care, Inc.
Monday, October 17 1:00pm - 3:00pm (No appointments necessary) - Flu vaccine will be billed to Medicare Part B or Anthem, Blue Cross, ConnectiCare, Health Net, Oxford, Aetna, CIGNA. Proof of coverage must be presented. Bring your insurance card. Copays and deductibles may apply. If you are not covered by one of these insurers, payments may be made by check, cash, MasterCard or VISA.

Brookfield Community Health Fair - Monday, October 17 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm - Regional Hospice and Home Care is sponsoring a Health Fair at Brookfield Senior Center during our flu clinic. Join us and meet local health agencies and providers. See the flier at the center for more information!

Movie Matinee presents "Alfred Hitchcock October":

• Wednesday, October 5 at 1:00pm - The Birds.The townsfolk of Bodega Bay -- including gorgeous socialite Melanie and her love interest, Mitch -- face a massive avian onslaught, with the feathered friends inexplicably attacking and killing at random.
• Friday, October 7 at 1:00pm- North by Northwest. What if everyone around you was suddenly convinced that you were a spy? This classic from master director Alfred Hitchcock stars Cary Grant as an advertising executive who looks a little too much like someone else and is forced to go on the lam (helped along by Eva Marie Saint).
• Wednesday, October 12 at 1:00pm - Rear Window. As his broken leg heals, wheelchair-bound L.B. Jefferies (James Stewart) becomes absorbed with the parade of life outside his window and soon fixates on a mysterious man whose behavior has Jefferies convinced a murder has taken place.
• Wednesday, October 26 at 1:00pm -The Man Who Knew Too Much. While vacationing in Morocco, American tourist Ben McKenna (James Stewart) learns of an assassination plot but can't turn to the police without endangering his young son, who's been kidnapped to ensure McKenna's silence. Director Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful remake of his 1934 thriller features a rare dramatic turn by Doris Day as Ben's wife and makes legendary use of the Oscar-winning tune "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)."

Seeking Your Old jewelry! - Our Boutique committee is seeking your old jewelry for our jewelry sale table at the Holiday Boutique. Please drop off with Ellen or Amy. Thank you!

Seeking Scrabble Players!- We have some Scrabble lovers who would love for you to join them on Friday mornings at 11:00am and Wednesday afternoons at 1:30pm.

Wednesday Lunches are Back! - Beginning in October, our Wednesday lunch program will return to Brookfield Senior Center. Please remember to call the kitchen phone (203-775-5237) at least two days in advance to sign up.

Line Dancing with Jill - Tuesdays at 9:30am - You asked for it, You've Got It! Jill Weiss is at Brookfield Senior Center every Tuesday morning at 9:30am to teach line dancing! Jill's classes are fun and fabulous and are meant for all levels. Join your friends and dance!

Friends of Brookfield Senior Center - Tuesday, October 11 at 11:00am - Note day and time change! Everyone who is a member of our Center is a member of the Friends of Brookfield Senior Center. This group helps plan for future events, advises and assists the Director, plans our fundraising events, socializes and celebrates every month with festive snacks. Plan on joining us as we begin another program year - make your voice heard and make some new friends!

Holiday Boutique Planning Committee: Tuesday, October 11 at 1:00pm - Our committee of elves is busy planning for this year's Holiday Boutique. Everyone who is interested in participating is invited to attend. Come with your creative ideas and thoughts to help us plan for another fabulous fundraising event!

Are You Saving the Most Money on Your Prescription Drugs? - Tuesday, October 4 at 10:45am - Join Peter Cronin to find more about Medicare Part D - Open Enrollment period and how you can determine whether you still have the best plan for you. If you prefer, you can pick up your 2017 Personal Information Form (PIF) at the center to complete. Once completed, please return the PIF to the Center and our volunteers will make an appointment to assist you.

Tech Assistance with Chris - Friday, October 7 and 14 - 9:30am to 11:30am - iPads? iPhones? Kindle? Internet? E-mail? FaceBook? If you find yourself struggling with technology, Chris Burr, a sophomore at WestConn, is here to help! Chris will be offering his assistance with any of these devices and more. Technology can be tough. Join him for these learning sessions to make life easier! Please sign up. 30 minute time slots are available.

AARP Safe Driving - Friday, October 14 from 9:00am - 1:00pm - The AARP Driver Safety Class provides a refresher of driving rules and teaches valuable defensive driving skills, safety strategies, and tips for adapting your driving to compensate for physical and cognitive changes that come with aging. By law, Connecticut residents age 60 and older who complete this class qualify for a minimum of 5 percent automobile liability insurance discount. Cost is $15/AARP members and $20/nonmembers.
Please sign up and pay in advance.

Brookfield Garden Club Fall Event - Wednesday, October 19 at 12:30pm - Join our favorite friends from the Garden Club of Brookfield as we create a fall arrangement. We will be making flower arrangements in pumpkins! This is always one of our favorite events, so please sign up early to save your spot!

What's Cookin' with Judy Prager - Tuesday, October 25 at 10:45am - "Many Uses for a Roasted Chicken" - If you have ever seen those roasted chickens at the grocery store and thought you'd love to buy it but would get tired of eating chicken for a week in a row, then this class is for you! Judy always brings delicious and healthy recipes for us to try. Please sign up so she knows how many to expect.

Hearing Screenings - Tuesday, October 18 from 9:00am - 1:00pm - Debbie Heckmann, MA, MM , Licensed Clinical Audiologist, will be at Brookfield Senior Center to offer private and confidential hearing screenings. Please sign up.

Mark your Calendar - Don't Forget!

• Bingo - Monday, October 3 at 10:30am. Join us for laughter, fun and games!
• Men's Breakfast - Join us Friday, October 7 at 9:30am for our monthly Men's Breakfast. Please sign up so that we know how many to expect.
• Friends of Brookfield Senior Center meeting will be meetingTuesday, October 11 at 11:00am. Please join us for this meeting as we discuss all things Senior Center and have a festive snack!
• Farkle - Mondays at 1:00pm. An afternoon of fun and laughter.
• Let's Talk is Wednesday mornings at 11:00am. Join this friendly group that will introduce you to everything at Brookfield Senior Center.
• Ask an Attorney Round Table - Wednesday, October 19 at 9:30am. Join lawyers from Kuss and Liguori for an informal round table discussion on topics of Elder Law. Space is limited so please sign up early.
• Housatonic Probate Judge Martin Landgrebe - Friday, October 28 at 9:30am. This is your opportunity to meet with and ask questions of our local Probate Judge. He will answer your questions about wills, probate, conservatorship and more in confidential one-on-one sessions. Please call to schedule an appointment.
• Blood Pressure Screening (New Milford VNA) - Tuesday, October 25 at 11:30am.
• Scrabble Play is Wednesday at 1:30pm and Fridays at 11:00am. Join us to meet some new friends!
• Alzheimer's Support Groups: Wednesday, October 12 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm and Wednesday, October 26 from 1:00pm - 2:30pm: For caregivers, family members or friends of people affected by Alzheimer's disease or Dementia. This ongoing educational group meets in a safe and caring environment twice a month. Please join us as often as you like!
• Brookfield CARES Hope and Support Group meets weekly at Brookfield Senior Center on Monday evenings at 7:00pm. This group is for all those with loved ones affected by substance use or abuse or other at-risk behaviors and is facilitated by an experienced Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor.

Escape With Us!

• Thomaston Opera - Dream Girls: Sunday, October 16. Follow the music and lives of the music trio, The Dreamettes! Pre-lunch show will be at Black Rock Tavern in Thomaston, CT. Cost is $81pp.
• Saturday Night Fever- The Musical at Westchester Broadway Theatre:Thursday, November 10. Saturday Night Fever is a mega-musical based on the film that became a cultural phenomenon. Cost is $98pp.
• Governor's Mansion & Wadsworth Atheneum: Sunday, December 4.We will start at the Governor's Mansion to enjoy their festive holiday decorations. Lunch is at Carbone's Kitchen in Bloomfield, followed by a trip to Wadsworth Museum of Art and the Annual Festival of Trees. Cost is $88pp.
• NEW FOR 2017! Escorted Cruise to the British Isles - England/ Scotland/ Ireland/ Channel Islands. May 21- June 3, 2017. Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas. Drop by the Center for more information!

Image via the Brookfield Senior Center. Note: it is the policy of Brookfield Senior Center to load buses in the order in which final payment is received.

Improve Your Mind & Body

• Zumba Gold with Corrie is on Mondays at 9:30am. This easy-to-follow program teaches everyone to perform the Zumba Gold dance moves. Come and join the fun!
• Yoga with Kris on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30pm - 3:45pm. Join us for a gentle Vinyasa flow class.
• Strength/Balance with Claudia is on Mondays at 1:00pm. Join Claudia for a workout that will leave you feeling stretched and stronger. Class is appropriate for all levels.
• NEW: Line Dancing with Jill is on Tuesdays at 9:30am.Everyone will enjoy this fun and entertaining class! Beginners welcome.
• Chair Yoga with Kris is on Tuesdays at 1:00pm. It's a great class for those who have hip or knee limitations. This class will give you all of the benefits of a traditional yoga class without getting on the floor!
• Tai Chi with Susan is on Wednesdays at 9:30am. Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises to improve balance and reduce your risk of falls. Also join us for Advanced Tai Chi at 6:45pm on Thursdays.
• Functional Strength and Balance with Cassie on Wednesdays at 1:00pm. Join this great program and start moving again!
• Low Impact Aerobics is on Thursdays at 9:30am with Claudia. Great for all levels.
• Walk & Talk is on Thursdays at 11:00am with Cassie.
• Muscle Sculpt Chair Class with Miriam is on Fridays at 10:45am. This class is designed for all able-bodied participants. Exercises will be done seated and/or standing.
• Zumba with Coleen is on Saturday mornings at 9:30am. It's the perfect way to start your weekend!

Please consult your personal physician before beginning any new exercise class. Don't forget to bring your water bottle to class.

Ongoing Classes/Activities

• Wood Carving Group meets Mondays at 1:00pm. Join this group and learn something new! Bring your friends.
• Quilting Group meets Tuesday mornings at 10:00am.
• Wii Bowling is Tuesdays from 9:30am to 12:00 noon and Thursdays from 10:30am to 12:00noon.
• Knitting group meets on Wednesdays at 10:00am. This fun group knits, laughs, and shares ideas.
• Painting and Drawing with Adele meets Thursdays at 10:00am. Explore your talents and expand your skills with this group. Cost is $3 if you pay by the month or $5 for drop-in.
• Sharps & Flats band and singing group meets Thursdays at10:30am. Join this fun group of musicians and sing. The 4-Strings Ukulele Group meets Thursdays at 1:00pm.

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