Programs

A variety of craft projects will be offered monthly, with a variety of instructors.  See our monthly newsletter for projects.  We are always looking for volunteers with ideas to help with this program.

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.  Tournaments are offered throughout the year and will be announced in our newsletter. 
FREE, Walk-In.

Play is not available during the following times:
*During tournaments and lessons (announced in our newsletter)
*During Shuffleboard (Tuesdays, 2pm-close)

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". 

Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Join us for this fun game of hand/eye coordination - and a little luck.  Don't know how to play?  We will show you how!

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.  

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 Varney, Shirley Pinard, Linda Dzen, Mary Donohue, Jo Lambert, Rich Malone

Instructor: Sam Baer, RYT 200
Mondays, 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
All the benefits of yoga, done in and alongside a chair.  Yoga has been shown to help increase flexibility, balance, metabolism, focus, and strength, while decreasing joint pain and chance of heart disease.  Along with gaining an understanding of your body and mind, expect a light-heart approach and possibly some laughter.

Instructor:  Sam Baer, RYT 200
Mondays, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE, Walk-In

Yoga has been shown to help increase flexibility, balance, metabolism, focus, and strength, while decreasing joint pain and chance of heart disease.  Along with gaining an understanding of your body and mind, expect a light-heart approach and possibly some laughter.  All levels welcome.  Poses may be modified for each individuals' needs.  Bring your own yoga mat, and if you have them, blocks and straps.

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, 11:15am-12pm
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.

Instructor: Sam Baer, RYT 200
Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Free
The focus of this Sun style of Tai Chi is on slow, smooth, continuous movements. This is a beginner class, but knowledge of the first 6 forms is required.  Practice can be done in a chair or standing.  Attendance at all sessions is highly recommended as each form builds on the next. 

Join us on Wednesday, April 6 at 9am at the Senior Center as we kick off our 2022 Walking Season! 

Opt to keep track of your steps, miles, and/or time and add it to the group's total, or just walk for the fun of it!  This group meets daily during the week at Arbor Park at 9am.  Be sure to register first with the Senior Center and then pop on over and introduce yourself!  Inclement weather cancels.

Walking Log

Instructor: Sam Baer, RYT 200
Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE, Walk-In.
Match breath to movement as you flow from pose to pose in this more vigorous style of yoga.  Discover your strength and see what you are capable of!  Bring your own mat, water bottle, and if you have them yoga blocks and a strap.

Instructor: Sam Baer
Fridays 9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Cost: Residents Free, Non-residents $3
Join Sam for some indoor walking exercises.  This will be a FUN fitness routine with upbeat music to get your heart pumping.  Wear sneakers and comfortable, lightweight clothing - be prepared to MOVE and GROOVE!  These exercises will be standing, but you can participate using a chair to balance as well.  Bring a water bottle and towel.
 

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.

Facilitator:  Sam Baer
Tuesdays at 1:30pm
See monthly newsletter for topic

Join Sam 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.

Director: Mary Regan
Volunteer Program Leader: Maureen Webber
Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.*
Cost: $5 Annually
Members practice weekly from September through mid-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 April - October, weather permitting, on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30am, tending the perennial and veggie gardens.  Additional volunteers are always welcome and appreciated!

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 sbaer@ellington-ct.gov or 860-870-3133.

2022 Hiking Schedule

General Hiking Guidelines

Call to reserve a pit: 860-870-3133.

This group will meet April 18th through October.
Opt to keep track of your steps, miles, and/or time and add it to the group's total, or just walk for the fun of it!  Inclement weather cancels

New this year, the group will meet up at the Senior Center and will have 2 different paced groups:
Mondays & Wednesdays at 9am-10am - for a faster paced walk (3-4+ miles)
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 1pm-2pm - for a slower paced walk (1-2 miles)

Prizes will be awarded this year for "milestone" goals.  See staff for details. 

Walking Log

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

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!

Call to schedule a time to meet with a staff member for a 1:1 help session:  860-870-3133

In-person, phone, facetime & Zoom options are available.

See our calendar for other special technology classes offered monthly, including class description.

Get your technology questions answered with Audra from Home Helpers on the 2nd Thursday of the month 10:30am-11:30am.  Bring your phone, tablet or laptop with you for this group Q&A class.  Sign up in advance on MyActiveCenter or call 860-870-3133.