Your Weekly eNewsletter 7.31.20
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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, originally as a town correspondent, and then, beginning in 2005, at the invitation of then-editor Kevin Forrest, as author of the weekly column,
You Never Can Tell.
In 2017, Swallow Tail Press published a collection of Chuck’s columns in a book titled, naturally,
You Never Can Tell
. Author Castle Freeman, Jr. said of the book,
“In Chuck’s columns, the reader will find short fiction, history, sociology, humor, philosophy, linguistics, personal essay, letters, journalism, Vermont documentary, meteorology, old jokes, new jokes, autobiography, auto-obituary, memoir, stream of consciousness, and Ph.D.-level rock and roll scholarship.”
Due to strict capacity limitations, pre-registration is required by calling The Thompson.
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Your Virtual Senior Center
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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.
Register through the Thompson to receive a Zoom link. 457-3277
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BINGO at HOME with The Thompson
Friday mornings,10:00
Use your phone to call in and join. Fun prizes for winners! For a BINGO card and the call-in number, call 457-3277.
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Eleanor Roosevelt: Compassion and Betrayal
FDR Library and 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. The compassion that she showered on others, here and around the world, was developed in part by her personal understanding what it feels like to be hurt, left out and neglected. 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.
Register through the Thompson to receive a Zoom link. 457-3277
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DISH SCAM ALERT!
A local friend of The Thompson called this afternoon to report yet another scam attempt and we want to share this information with you so you can be prepared if you get this call that may at first seem legitimate if you have DISH network TV.
The incoming call says it's from DISH, they'll ask you to turn off your receiver and restart it to connect to a new satellite. They ask for the last 4 of your social security number and finally tell you that you need to mail a $199 check to an address they provide in order to continue your DISH service.
Luckily, our savvy friends didn't fall for this scam, but we want to make sure you don't either!
Did you know you can report scams like this?
Call our Vermont Attorney General's Consumer helpline at: (800) 649-2424 or visit their
website here
AND, report to the AARP Fraud Watch Network so that they can alert more people. You can report and also see other known scams in your area,
here
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New!
Foot care in the privacy of your home!
Green Mountain Foot Care:
Traveling with tools in hand to comfort your journey’s walk in life.
Professionally pampered feet and skin care provided one on one in the privacy of your home by Helen Kennedy, RN, CFCS (Certified Foot Care Specialist).
Offering 40 minute sessions Monday thru Friday 9am-6pm by appointment only. 25$ per session. 15$ additional fee for reflexology including aromatherapy, if desired. All CDC guidelines for infection control are strictly adhered to.
Call Helen directly for your personal appointment at 860-754-7509.
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Individual Benefit Assistance—Medicare, Medicaid, Food & Fuel Assistance
One on One Meetings are now available at the Thompson Center
Beginning Tuesdays, August 4 & 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
- Two Paper plates, Rags or Furniture Gliders/Coaster (NOT RUBBER)
- 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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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
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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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