Programs & Services

Instructor: Sandy Poirier
Classes are held twice monthly. See calendar and/or newsletter for painting sample and schedule.
Class fees - includes instruction and all supplies:
2 hour class: $18 - Class limit 18. Minimum 6.
4 hour class: $35 - Class size limit 15. Minimum 6.
Sign up and payment in advance are required. 

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
FREE, Walk-In.

Every Thursday: Color for relaxation. Bring your own pencils or markers. Coloring sheets will be provided, or bring your own.

1st & 3rd Thursdays make your own greeting cards. Supplies provided. Fee: Nominal

Instructors: Ed Ertel, Randy Russo
Date & Time: Wednesdays at 9:30am.  

Bring your own wood carving project or work on one with the group for a nominal fee. Carvers of all levels are welcome to join this wonderful group.  

Date & Time:  Mondays, 1pm-3pm
Join this group as you knit, crochet, cross-stitch, etc. your own project or work on one with the group. All are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Bring your own supplies.

Play solo or challenge another member.  
FREE, Walk-In.

Billiard Hours of Play:

Mondays: 9:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m.

Tuesdays: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

Fridays: 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

See monthly calendar for other changes.

Mondays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Mahjongg, Triominoes, Scrabble, Uno, or whatever the group is up to!  Bring a friend and play your own game as well.  

Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Classic card game "Party Bridge". 

Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Mexican Train 

Volunteer Program Leader: Alex Cardoni
Mondays, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Free, Walk-In.

Looking for a nice activity that can bring you satisfaction, provide congenial interaction with peers while exercising your brain?

Join this group on Monday mornings at the Hall Memorial Library and play chess with the Ellington Chess Mates.  You don’t need to be an expert player to join in the fellowship. You don’t even have to know how to play the game.  Instruction is provided for those who are beginning to explore the world of chess.  

Volunteer Program Leader: Spyder Carey
Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Free, Walk-In.

New to the game? Join Spyder at 12pm to learn how to play this challenging and interesting game to help stimulate your brain.

Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Classic card game: Also known as Pitch, or High, Low, Jack, Game

Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Free, Walk-In.  
Join us on our indoor shuffleboard as we launch pucks down the court. This welcoming group of individuals is open to instructing beginners who enjoy friendly competition and a good time.

Volunteer Program Leaders: Larry Peterson, Dennis Varney
Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Laugh as balls are accidentally dropped or thrown in the gutter, all in an attempt to score a virtual strike. Players' scores are calculated and top players are acknowledged weekly

Congratulations to the Perfect 300 Club Members:    
Judy V., Shirley P., Linda D., Mary D., Jo L., Rich M.

Join us monthly for our book club discussion. Copies are available at Hall Memorial Library. Just mention that you are with the Senior Center Book Club.

2024 Reading List & Book Club Meeting Dates

Third Thursday of the month, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Meet a group of local authors, storytellers, song writers, and more.  Bring a piece to share with the group or listen to what others have written.

Do you want to learn about your family roots? Have you always thought about it but didn't know where to start? Are you already in the process of your research and want to learn more? People of all levels in their family research process are welcome to come get together to help one another learn more. This group meets monthly. See calendar for details.

Facilitator:  Joe Ouellette
Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. - moves to 12:45 p.m. in April
See monthly newsletter for topic

Join Joe for a short video (typically 20 minutes or less) on a variety of topics.  Afterwards, engage, or listen to the group discussion about the topic.  Each video is from the top-rated list and isn't watched ahead of time, so it's a genuine, open, conversation.  All are welcome to join us.

Instructor: Sam Baer, RYT 200
Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE
Stretch your body and calm your mind while trying some new and different poses. Bring your own mat. Drop in.
 

10 Week Session
Tuesdays, April 9-June 18 (No class 5/28)
2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Ellington Residents: $50
Non-Residents: $60
Sign up and pay in advance by April 5.
Class Minimum: 16; No walk-ins

OUR INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Preston Britto - dancing for over 30 years - and teaching almost as long!

The focus of this Sun style of Tai Chi is on slow, smooth, continuous movements.  Practice can be done in a chair or standing.  Attendance at all sessions is highly recommended as each form builds on the next. No walk-ins. 

Next Session: January 23, 2024-April 23, 2024 - CLASS FULL
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m.-9:45.a.m.
Instructor: Sheila Marchand
Class Limit 12. Free. Registration required. No Walk ins.  

Mondays, 4:00pm-4:30pm
NOTE: Class time in March will change to 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m..
These fun "upbeat" classes will be led by video instructors along with lively music. Class size is limited due to supplies. Sign up weekly in advance: in person or call 860-870-3133.
 

Thursdays, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Come try this fun, energetic game and laugh, laugh, laugh!

Instructor: Sam Baer, RYT 200
Mondays, 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
FREE
All the benefits of yoga, done mostly in a chair, with some standing exercises to help improve balance. Drop in.
 

Instructor: Sam Baer, RYT 200
Mondays, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE
Gently stretch your body and calm your mind. Bring your own mat. Drop in.
 

Mondays, 8:45 a.m. - 9:30.a.m.
Instructor: Sheila Marchand
Free

The focus of this Sun style of Tai Chi is on slow, smooth, continuous movements.  Practice can be done in a chair or standing.  Students must have completed the Beginner Tai Chi for Balance class in order to attend this group.

Facilitator: Sam Baer
Mondays, 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FREE
Join Sam for a 30 minute drop-in guided meditation to calm and re-center your mind.  Learn the many benefits and explore the basics of meditation through guided relaxation and breathing techniques

Instructor: Lisa Jordan
Tuesdays & Thursdays
11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Residents $4, Non-Residents $5, Walk-In.
This class trains the entire body. Using light weights and bands, and your own body weight, the instructor will accommodate your unique fitness goals. Please bring your own light weights and bands. This class is for all levels of fitness. Exercises will be standing and in chairs.

Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Completion of Beginner and Intermediate Classes required. Lessons taught via video and students.

Director: Jillian Fackrell
Volunteer Program Leader: Maureen Webber
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $5 Annually

Members practice weekly from September through May and participate in many events for the community including Winterfest, Spring Musicale and more. If you enjoy singing in a group and brightening spirits this group is for you.

The group will meet mid-April - October, weather permitting, on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:30am, tending the perennial and veggie gardens.  Additional volunteers are always welcome and appreciated!

April-October we will be hiking local trails on select mornings, weather permitting.  Beginner and experienced hikers are welcome.  We do require that all participants are members of the Senior Center and have completed the required membership forms prior to any group hike.  We also require participants to register with Sam Baer, Assistant Director, for each hike.

If you are interested in registering for a hike, or learning more, contact Sam: at 860-870-3133 or sbaer@ellington-ct.gov .

2024 Hiking Schedule - The group will resume in April 2024

General Hiking Guidelines

All hikes are subject to change at the discretion of the hike leader, pending weather.

Boards are available for use at the Senior Center. Call and speak with a staff member about availability and reservations: 860-870-3133.

Cindy Steward, Certified Financial Advisor, will be available for free 15 minute private consultations by appointment on the second Wednesday of each month from 11am-1pm. Call 860-870-3133 to schedule an appointment.

Mitchell Discenza, Hadden Insurance Solutions, will be available on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to answer your insurance-related questions. Call to schedule an appointment in advance: 860-870-3133. No walk ins.

Shirleen Peabody, designated Senior Real Estate Specialist, will be available for free 15 minute private consultations by appointment on the first Tuesday of each month from 10am-12pm. Call 860-870-3133 to schedule an appointment.

Steve Clapp, Elderly Outreach Social Worker, will be at the Senior Center every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Feel free to stop by to introduce yourself or ask any questions.

During non-Senior Center office hours, you may contact the Human Services Office at 860-870-3128. Their office is located at 31 Arbor Way.

We have partnered with Footcare by Nurses to provide footcare services on a monthly basis. Call us for an appointment: 860-870-3133. Cost is $45 for 30 minutes. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted and paid at the time of your appointment to the provider. See monthly calendar for dates and times. Appointment is required - no walk ins.

Stylist: Lynn Shea
Cost: $15 cash - paid at the time of service.
Haircuts are offered every 5 week on Mondays between 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.. Call for an appointment: 860-870-3133. No walk ins.

Need medical equipment? We have a supply available for use. Call or stop by to see what is available.

Please call before donating as we are unable to accept certain items (crutches,  c-pap machines, beds, etc.)

This monthly support group meets on the third Friday of the month from 10:30am-12:00pm. All persons with Parkinson’s Disease & caregivers welcome. For more information contact Mike Hennessey at Hennessey08@gmail.com.

Need a notary? Schedule an appointment with Marci: 860-870-3133 or email mrichardson@ellington-ct.gov 

Do you need help with your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone?  Do you need help figuring out how to use My Active Center to  register for programs?  Maybe we can help!

Our volunteer, Denise, is available on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.. Call to schedule a 1:1 help session:  860-870-3133.