Your Weekly eNewsletter 5.29.20
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Update from Deanna Jones, Executive Director
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"
WHEN
will The Thompson be able to re-open?" is the question on all of our minds. As of today, the official word from the State is that senior-focused community services are not authorized to re-open for anything beyond essential services and cannot host any programs (even outside). The Governor’s order continues to recommend that older adults age 65 and older “shelter in place.” We are working on our re-opening plan that includes required staff training, new safety procedures, and social distancing rules for when we are able to open. We have also purchased a tent that will be used for outdoor space, and we'll be ready to greet you all as soon as we're able to. We can't wait!
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Staff Spotlight: In the Kitchen
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Although our building has been closed since March 16th, the kitchen has been as busy as ever. Since the beginning of the Covid shutdown, 82 unique individuals have received 2,574 home-delivered Meals on Wheels, and 1,375 curbside take-out meals have been picked up by 203 unique individuals. With all of the wonderful meals coming from the kitchen, we thought you might enjoy knowing a little more about these guys behind the meals. Next month we'll get to know some of the other staff working behind the scenes too.
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Chef Ryan
has been with us at The Thompson since 2007. He’s a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier. He and his family live in Windsor with their two huskies.
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Alberto
came to the Thompson last year and has been a terrific addition to our kitchen team. He also cleans the building before his kitchen shift. He moved to the United States from Puerto Rico when he was 18 years old. He and his two sons live in North Pomfret.
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Want to learn more about these guys behind the meals? Read their interviews
here.
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Tai Chi Class through Zoom
All Zoom classes will continue in May
Tai Chi Instructor, Anne Bower, has organized a schedule of online Tai Chi classes offered through Zoom, a FREE wireless screen sharing app. The following is a list of classes which can also be found on our website with live links to access the online classes.
Fall Prevention Tai Chi, Mondays, 10-11am
Sun 73 forms Tai Chi, Wednesdays,11-12
Yang 24 Forms Tai Chi, Fridays, 10-11am
Introduction to Tai Chi, Saturdays, 11-12pm
For more information, email Anne at: anniebower@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.anniebower.com.
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Bone Builders Update
Bone Builders Instructor, Althea Derstine, is encouraging her students to keep exercising and to borrow weights from The Thompson Center during closure. Please call The Thompson staff who will be happy to put your requested weights outside on the front porch for pick-up.
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Strength, Stretch & Stability
Zoom Exercise Class
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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Lets Paint Tulips together with ArtisTree!
Join Finnie in a Zoom room
Wednesday June, 10, 1:30 pm
Finnie Trimpi will guide you through a simple tulip still life. Set up your supplies and paint along or just join us for company and conversation. Visit our
website
for more details on materials needed and zoom call info.
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BINGO at HOME with The Thompson
Friday mornings at 10:00 am
No technology needed.
Use your phone to call in and join.
Fun prizes for winners!
For a BINGO card and the call-in number,
contact The Thompson, 457-3277.
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Scenes of Isolation Amid Pandemic in The Vermont Countryside, featured on NPR
A Barnard based photographer, Tara Wray, was given a photo assignment for NPR in which her subjects - older Vermonters isolated at home - were willing to be photographed from a safe distance or from a window. We connected Tara with some of our Thompson friends and are so thrilled to see this project. As Executive Director, Deanna Jones says of Tara's photos;
The pictures are absolutely wonderful of these people we love and miss.
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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
at 802-457-7516.
Emergency Manager - David Green
Bridgewater Emergency Management Team:
Selectboard Chair - Lynne Bertram: 802-342-0784
Town Health Officer - Ellen Quinn: 802-281-0615
Emergency Management Coordinator - Josh Maxham:
802-299-8428
Barnard Emergency Management Team:
Contingencies and updates will be concentrated on the Barnard town website:
www.barndardvt.us
Selecboard Chair - Rock Webster: 802-234-9391
Town Health Officer - Tom Morse: 802-356-3576
Emergency Management Coordinator - Mike Manning: 802-234-5263
Pomfret Emergency Management Team:
Emergency Management Director - Kevin Rice: 802-356-7643
Town Health Officer - Hugh Hermann MD: 802-457-1200 office,
802-457-1300 home
See more specifics on grocery shopping on page 3.
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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Vermont Supplemental Food Programs
The
Vermont Foodbank
is taking all measures possible to ensure we can be there to help people access food during this challenging time. If you or someone you know is in need of help getting food, they can help. The following list will help you access food and programs that best fit your needs:
3SquaresVT
– Has your household lost pay? 3SquaresVT is here for you and your family. You could be eligible to receive a 3SquaresVT benefit or increase the benefit you already receive. We can help you apply. Visit our 3SquaresVT page, email 3svt@vtfoodbank.org, call 1-855-855-6181 or text VFBSNAP to 85511
CSFP
– The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federal nutrition program which offers free monthly nutrition information and nutritious foods to income-eligible older adults.
VeggieVanGo
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The next VeggieVanGo at Woodstock Union Highschool parking lot will be on
June 4, 9:15am – 10:15am
. Please stay in your cars and follow directions from parking lot volunteers.
Find a food shelf
– The Vermont Foodbank partners with 215 food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, homeless shelters and out of school programs across the state. Find a site close to you through our food shelf listings.
Woodstock Community Food Shelf
hours are Monday 4-6 pm, Wednesday 1-3 pm, and Saturday 10-12 pm. 802-457-1185. All are welcome.
For more information visit vermontfoodbank.org or call 1-800-585-2265 , Email: info@vtfoodbank.org
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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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