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The Woodbridge Center for October 2023

July 4, 2024
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A group of people sitting at tables in a room
Deb Urso of Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center provides a virtual tour of Italy, with cappuccino and Italian cookies, to Center attendees of the Immersive Italy program

Contact The Woodbridge Center

More information on available programs and services can be found on The Center’s page of the Town Website. Call 203-389-3430 or email kmoriarty@woodbdridgect.org with questions or for more information. Follow us on Facebook (The Woodbridge Center, Woodbridge CT) for current updates, local information, and fun programming photos. Also, please make sure you are on our email blast list to receive the latest Woodbridge Center updates. Call to subscribe.

October 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 of October is provided by the Woodbridge Republican Town Committee.

October Super Sponsor Wall

The Center Cafe’s Art Wall

We would like to thank and recognize the following sponsors for their generous contributions in support of The Center:

  • Coachman Square at Woodbridge;
  • DNR Laboratories;
  • Elim Park;
  • Opal Stork Home Care;
  • Whitney Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Woodbridge residents, Town employees, and first responders appreciate the delicious Town-wide picnic given by Coachman Square at Woodbridge in the Grove picnic area

Upcoming Programs

In-person Lunch For everyone 55 and older

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1 pm, The Center Café

Lunch includes a choice of hot entrée with roll and sides or a sandwich, soup, roll, dessert, coffee/tea and water.  The price for lunch is $5.00 for residents, $6.00 for non-residents, with a $1.00 additional fee for take-out.  Please RSVP with The Center 203-389-3430 by noon the day before.

Entrées for October (alternate sandwich in parenthesis):

  • 10/3 Vegetable and cheese frittata (chicken salad wrap);
  • 10/5 Turkey pot pie (tuna salad on a roll);
  • 10/10 Baked manicotti with meat sauce (roast beef and cheese on a roll);
  • 10/12 Herb roasted turkey (seafood salad on a wrap);
  • 10/17 Stuffed flounder (roast beef and cheese on a wrap);
  • 10/19 Capellini and meatballs (turkey and cheese on a roll);
  • 10/24 Stuffed peppers (tuna salad on a wrap);
  • 10/26 Spooky Sponsor Social with sponsored lunch (see details below);
  • 10/31 Corned beef (seafood salad on a roll).

Popcorn and a Movie

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 pm

Tuesdays in The Center Lounge

Thursdays in The Center Café

View a variety of movie genres from recently released to classics on Tuesdays and Thursdays with freshly popped popcorn at The Center.

  • 10/3 A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019);
  • 10/5 Julie and Julia (2009);
  • 10/10 Silver Linings Playbook (2012);
  • 10/12 When Harry Met Sally (1989);
  • 10/17 Murder on the Orient Express (2017);
  • 10/19 Little Women (2019);
  • 10/24 The Princess Bride (1987);
  • 10/26 1:30 pm Hairspray (2007);
  • 10/31 1:30 pm Hocus Pocus (1993).

T’ai Ji Quan:  Moving for Better Balance (TJQ: MBB)

Mondays and Fridays

24 weeks (48 classes) sessions: 11 am – 12 pm - enrollment open until October 13

Center Building Gymnasium

Fee:  $96.00 for entire session ($2/class)

Improve your balance, mobility and daily functioning while preventing falls with this popular, evidenced-based therapeutic movement program, offered in partnership with the CT Healthy Living Collective and funded in part by the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services State Unit on Aging.  Participants meet twice a week with local instructor Bill Bannick.  No previous T’ai Ji Quan experience is necessary.  All fitness levels are welcome!  You must sign up with The Center for the full 24-week ($96.00) session.  Space is limited.  Please call to register.

Lunch & Learn – Medicare 2024

Wednesday, October 4, 11:30-12:30 pm

The Center Café, no charge

Find out what you need to know and do to prepare for Medicare’s open enrollment period October 15th - December 7th.  The presentation will be given by Leslie Pruitt of Agency on Aging of South Central CT with a complimentary lunch provided by Coachman Square at Woodbridge.  General questions regarding Medicare are welcome.  Please RSVP with The Center.

Lunch Bunch to Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue

Wednesday, October 11

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

Join a social outing to lunch at Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue in New Haven.  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 October 11. Space is limited.

Carole Abbate enjoys a relaxing moment with a cup of coffee from The Center’s sponsored coffee bar, while looking through a book from the Lounge Library maintained by the Friends of the Library

Lunch & Learn - Decoding discomfort:  Exploring common cardiovascular symptoms, their diagnosis and treatment, and when to get help.

October 18, 12-1 pm

The Center Café, no charge

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent in all adults but increases to staggeringly high numbers as we age.  While some types of CVD are largely asymptomatic, others may present with sudden or gradual discomfort, or other physical changes.  Join Becket Greten-Harrison, cardiology PA and founder of Hearts at Home, for a presentation about some common CVD symptoms that are treatable, and when to get immediate help or call 911.  Question and answer to follow.  Please RSVP by October 13.

October Birthdays Celebration

Thursday, October 19, 12-1 pm

The Center Café

Celebrate October birthdays at The Center during lunch on Thursday, October 19 from 12-1 pm.  Cupcakes or cake will be provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  Future birthdays will be celebrated on the third Thursday of each month.

Annual Spooky Sponsor Social

Thursday, October 26, 11:30-1:00 pm

The Center Building Gymnasium and Center Café, no charge

The Center is fortunate to have the generous support of our sponsors throughout the year.  The Annual Spooky Sponsor Social provides the opportunity to thank many of these sponsors for their generosity while learning more about their businesses/agencies.  Visit with over 20 sponsors from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm at this festive, health fair style event which includes blood pressure and wellness guidance by cardiologist PA, Becket Greten-Harrison from Hearts at Home, and registered nurses from Orange Visiting Nurses Association.  Visit all of the sponsors, then enjoy lunch (no to-go’s) in the Center Café with a choice of turkey BLT or tuna salad sandwich provided by Coachman Square at Woodbridge and Whitney Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  Wrap up the festivities with freshly popped, buttered popcorn while watching the movie Hair Spray in the Center Café at 1:30 pm.  Please RSVP with The Center 203-389-3430 by October 19.

Halloween at The Center – Treats or more Treats!

Festive lunch, Wine Cork Pumpkin Craft, and Popcorn & a Movie

Tuesday, October 31, 12-3:30 pm

The Center Café and Center Lounge

Start with lunch in the cafeteria at noon with a choice of hot corned beef entrée or seafood salad on a roll.  A decorative Wine Cork Pumpkin Craft, provided by Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, will follow at 12:45 pm.  Lastly, at 1:30 pm, enjoy watching Hocus Pocus in the lounge with freshly popped buttered popcorn.  Participate in one or all of the programs.  Please RSVP with The Center by 12 pm, October 30.

Extend your day at The Center by participating in the aerobics class from 10 - 11 am in the Center Café and/or with the Stitch Craft (Crocheting and Knitting) Group from 10 am – 12 pm in the Center Lounge.

New! Duplicate Bridge

Fridays, 1 – 4 pm

The Center Café

Please reach out to the Woodbridge Center 203-389-3430 if you are an experienced bridge player interested in playing Duplicate Bridge on Fridays, 1 – 4 pm.

September’s Lunch Bunch, to Il Gabbiano in New Haven, are impressed with the generous lunch portions.

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

Center Building Gymnasium

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 outdoor play as well.  Please make sure your dues are current.  Call for more information.

Outdoor Pickleball

Every Day

Outdoors on the Town Courts

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

The annual fee includes indoor play as well.  Please make sure your dues are current.  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 prior to initial play.

Mahjongg

Mondays and Fridays, 10-11:30 am

The Center Lounge

Seasoned Mahjongg players are invited to participate.  Please call prior to attending for the first time.

Painting for Pleasure Art Class with local artist Carole Abbate

Mondays, 10 am - 12 pm

The Center Cafe

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.  Call to sign-up for this 6-week, $36 class.  Sessions run concurrently with classes prorated if applicable.  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

Ask the Nurse Program with OVNA

Second Tuesday of the month

The Center Consultation Office in The Center Café

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

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

Fourth Thursday of the month

The Center Consultation Office in The Center Café

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

Computer Lab

Computers and laptops are located in room 11 of the Center Building Human Services corridor, which is open Monday through Fridays, 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.  Appointments may be made up to three months in advance.  Vehicles are cleaned between each use.

Delivered Meals (Woodbridge residents only)

Healthy, well balanced, flash frozen meals for $5.25/meal are available for delivery.  Order by noon 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 talapia, 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.  A wide variety of frozen soups are also available for $1.50 per 10 oz. container.

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 yard clean-up, party assistance, baby-sitting, and more.

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

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