Your Weekly eNewsletter 8.7.20 |
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A Reading with Local Columnist and Author, Chuck Gundersen
In The Thompson Tent
Tuesday, August 18, 1:00 pm
Chuck Gundersen came to Woodstock in 1976 to be the Chef at The Prince and the Pauper Restaurant. In 1987 he and his wife, Alice, bought the Teago General Store in South Pomfret, which Chuck operated for thirty years before retiring in 2018. He has been a columnist for the Vermont Standard for nearly twenty years. In 2017, Swallow Tail Press published a collection of Chuck’s columns in a book titled, naturally, You Never Can Tell.
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Drive-in Ice Cream Social
Music by the Occasional Jug Band
Wednesday, August 26, 1:00 pm
Our fun toe-tapping trio is returning to perform on the porch while our audiences will enjoy music from the comfort of your cars. Ice cream cones will be served to your cars by staff.
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Due to strict capacity limitations, pre-registration is required for all programs.
Call The Thompson at 802-457-3277
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Your Virtual Senior Center |
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New Before Your Time podcast episode
“Vermont on the Silver Screen”
From A Vermont Romance to Funny Farm, our state has been featured in films for over a century. What are the myths that Hollywood creates about our lives in Vermont? And what are the myths that we create ourselves? Watch the episode HERE.
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Exploring a Northern Elephant Seal Rookery
Hearst Simeon Park, California (live on location, CA weather permitting)
Thursday, August 13, 2:00 pm
Join the Senior Learning Network for a virtual tour featuring the northern elephant seal. We will hear from a CA park interpreter to learn about this marine mammal’s adaptations, their unique life cycle, ad their amazing story of overcoming near extinction.
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Eleanor Roosevelt: Compassion & Betrayal
FDR Library & Presidential Museum (Jeff Urbin!)
Tuesday, August 18, 2:00 pm
Eleanor Roosevelt was born a shy, timid girl in a family of power, position, and wealth. From the outside her life would seem to be charmed, but a closer examination charts a lonely course from one betrayal to another. This talk examines the trials and turmoil in the life of one of the greatest and most influential woman in the history of our republic.
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Register through the Thompson to receive a Zoom link. 457-3277 |
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Individual Benefit Assistance—Medicare, Medicaid, Food & Fuel Assistance
One on One Meetings are now available at the Thompson Center
Tuesday, August 25, 9:30 - 1:00 pm
We want to remind all patrons and community members that WCHC will once again be available to answer your questions about Medicaid, Medicare parts A, B, and D, food and fuel assistance, and dental and medication help. Although now they are offering in person appointments, WCHC staff continue to offer assistance over the phone or via Zoom.
All CDC and state guidelines for infection control and distancing will be strictly adhered to including the wearing of face coverings.
To schedule a one on one, in person appointment, please call the Thompson at 802-457-3277. In the meantime please reach out the WCHC directly if you have any questions about Medicaid, Medicare, food or fuel assistance, dental or medication help at 802-674-7213.
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Tai Chi in the Comfort of your Home – and now in The Thompson Tent!
Our creative and generous Anne Bower will continue to offer her Zoom classes for those who want to continue their practice at home. During Phase One of re-opening, The Thompson has an open tent that students can now use. We are following strict CDC and state guide lines for infection control and social distancing and class size will be limited to 10 students. As a result, reservations are required to attend classes in the tent and will be weather dependent. The following is a list of classes which can also be found on our website with links to access the online classes.
As to the schedule, the ZOOM classes for Fall Prevention Tai Chi, Sun 73, and Yang 24 Forms mostly continue except for when Anne has sessions at the Thompson or in WRJ at the Lyman Park pavilion. The Sun 73 classes at the Thompson tent are below. The full schedule is on the “current and planned classes” page of Anne’s website—www.annebower.com
Thompson Tent Classes:
Fall Prevention Tai Chi - Mondays 10-11am August 3, 17, and 31 (No Zoom classes on these days)
Sun 73 Tai Chi – Wednesdays 10:45-11:45am July 29 and August 26
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Strength, Stretch & Stability
Zoom classes will remain in effect until further notice
Led by Liz Hatfield, Certified Fitness Trainer
Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Motion is Lotion! Now is the time to focus on ourselves. We must stay positive and strong. In the short term, exercise can help the immune system find and deal with pathogens, and in the long term, regular exercise slows down changes that happen to the immune system with aging, therefore reducing the risk of infection.
Join this class, move your body and feel physically, mentally and emotionally better.
Suggested Equipment:
- Dumbbells, Soup Cans (14oz is approx. 1lb), Bag of Beans or Rice (1lb) or Filled Water Bottles
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Two Paper plates, Rags or Furniture Gliders/Coaster (NOT RUBBER)
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12 Plastic cups (e.g. "Solo" cups) - 6 Red & 6 Blue - Linda Grant has left 10 sets at The Thompson in a bag if you would like to pick them up.
For information on how to join the Zoom classes, contact Liz directly
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Bone Builders Update –
Tent Classes will begin Soon!
Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning
August 25, 3-4 pm
We look forward to welcoming our Bone Builders students back to The Thompson during Phase One of re-opening! Classes will begin in our open tent and all CDC and state guidelines for infection control and social distancing will be strictly followed. We have a maximum tent capacity of 11 students and you are asked to pre-register in advance for each class during this Phase One. Please bring your own weights if you have them. Thompson weights and disinfectant wipes will be available. Classes will not be held in extreme heat or in pouring rain. Althea will send out an email or you can call The Thompson on those questionable days. Masks will be required for entrance to the building and to the tent.
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Have you completed your 2020 census?
Here is the situation:
The State of Vermont has one of the lowest response rates to the 2020 U.S. Census in the country. It is really important for us to get more people to participate because the 2020 Census results will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into our towns, county, and state every year for the next decade. This money means better health care, schools, roads, job opportunities, housing assistance, disaster assistance and more. With so much at stake for Vermonters, every response counts!
Here is a solution:
Get more people to complete their census in the next few weeks using one of these methods:
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Online: Go to www.2020census.gov and complete a very short questionnaire on-line. If you have a 12-digit code that you received in the mail you can use that to register otherwise, when you get to the webpage click on the words If you do not have a Census ID, click here. When you click that link you can proceed to take the census without having a code.
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By Phone: Call 844-330-2020 to get started. The 2020 Census can be completed by phone
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By Mail: All homes that do not respond online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire. Simply respond using a blue or black ink pen, and return the questionnaire in the envelope provided.
Someone from the Census department will be at the Market on the Green for the next few weeks to help you complete your census if you would rather do the is person. Stop by between 3 and 6pm on Wednesdays. You don’t need any confidential information beyond an address and birth date.
However you decide to do this, please take an action today!
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Call the day before to order take-out & pick-up from your car between 12:00 - 12:30 pm
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Do you or someone you care for need a wheelchair or other medical equipment, help with taxes or applying for Medicare, caregiver referrals, help with odd jobs around the house, have transportation needs? Just ask us! Click here for more information
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Woodstock, Bridgewater, Pomfret & Barnard Emergency Operations Guidance to COVID-19 |
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Woodstock Emergency Management hotline (June 12 Update)
Woodstock has closed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that was opened due to COVID-19. Emergency response and assistance is still available as is the hotline number 802-457-7516. If the need arises anytime moving forward, the EOC will reopen.
Bridgewater Emergency Management Coordinator - Josh Maxham: 802-299-8428
Barnard Emergency Management Coordinator - Mike Manning: 802-234-5263
Pomfret Emergency Management Director - Kevin Rice: 802-356-7643
For state information & resources dial 2-1-1
For online information visit cdc.gov
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Woodstock Area Relief Fund |
The Woodstock Area Relief Fund provides immediate and timely financial assistance to residents of the greater Woodstock area who are unable to meet their basic household needs due to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
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Carla Kamel and the Community Health Team
Community Care Coordinator, Carla Kamel, is available for support in navigating resources and services and discussing community-based services. Carla wants our readers to know that she is available at the Ottauquechee Health Center (OHC) for a health and social wellness phone visit at 457-5414 or at carla.kamel@mahhc.org, even if it’s a five-minute phone conversation.
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Ottauquechee Health Foundation (OHF)
OHF will continue to offer financial assistance for health and wellness needs through grants to those living in any of their nine service towns which include Woodstock, Barnard, Bridgewater, and Pomfret. If you or someone you know is experiencing financial stress in light of COVID-19 or other health reasons, please contact OHF. They will continue to serve the community by being available via email at info@ohfvt.org or by calling 457-4188, Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm. Applications for financial assistance can be found on their website at www.ohfvt.org or by calling The Thompson Center.
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The Thompson Center | 802.457.3277 | thompsonseniorcenter.org |
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