Elmwood Hall Class Descriptions

Health
& Wellness

Leisure Time Activites

Education & Lifelong Learning

Benefits
& Support

Health & Wellness

Light Breakfast Program

Served Monday through Friday from 8:30am-10:00am. Breakfast items include whole grain toast and pastry along with coffee and tea. Supported in partnership with CT Foodshare. Free.

Elmwood Hall Walking Club

Walking is the easiest and safest exercise. Grab your sneakers and join our walking club led by volunteer Paul. We meet April – October at Elmwood Hall to walk downtown Danbury, and November – March we meet at the Danbury Fair Mall at the L.L. Bean entrance.
Inclement weather cancels.  Join us on Mondays, and Fridays at 9:00 am.

Movers and Shapers

A low impact aerobic fitness class that is great for cardiovascular health. Strength training and abdominal work are added to this class for a total body workout. One to three-pound weights are recommended.
Class meets on Mondays from 11:15 am to 12 noon.  Taught by Coleen Krempel.  The fee is $2 per class.

Senior Nutrition Lunch Program

This is a hot, nutritionally balanced meal served at the Senior Center. Elmwood Hall is a congregate meal site. Meals provided in partnership with CW Resources. What does that mean for you?
Hot lunch 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12 noon. Good company and lunch  – all for a $3 donation. Sign up for lunch by the previous Wednesday before 11:00am in order to have lunch the following week. PLEASE NOTE: NO WALK INS 

November 2024 Menu

Blood Pressure Screenings:

Blood pressure is one of the most important screenings, because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms it cannot be detected without being measured. High blood pressure greatly increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Blood pressure screenings are offered on the 3rd Monday of each month at 10:15 am in partnership with Bethel Health Care.  No appointment necessary.  Free.

Pickleball

Join us at the Roger’s Park Pickleball Courts for open play Pickleball from 11am-12pm on Tuesdays, beginning May 14th, 2024. Please bring: Your own Pickleball paddle, water for proper hydration, appropriate attire (clothes you can move in and court speakers) & willingness to learn and have fun! Come join in or just watch! All invited. Free.

Chair Yoga

Focusing on relaxation, breathing, and gentle postures. Yoga for older adults can ease suffering caused by many ailments including arthritis, chronic pain, and heart disease. Beginners welcomed.
Class meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 am. Taught by Beverly Leighton.  The fee is $2 per class.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi at Elmwood Hall is based on the work of Dr. Fuzhong Li, Ph.d, a leading tai chi researcher.  Taught by Susan Bradley, who is certified in the Yang style Dr. Li teaches, this class is proven to help reduce stress and improve concentration, balance, strength, and flexibility.  This is a combination of gentle movements that exercise both the mind and body that causes minimal strain.  Ideal for all fitness levels, beginners welcomed.
This class meets on Mondays at 9:30am.  The fee is $2 per class.

Strength Training

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.  Don’t let this happen to you.  The answer is strength training.  As we age we lose more and more muscle tissue.  Strength training helps you maintain your muscle tissue and your health. Class meets on Wednesdays from 11:15 am to 12 noon.  Taught by Coleen Krempel.  The fee is $2 per class.

Line Up and Dance

Exercise class where participants line up, dance, and exercise to a set of simple choreographed steps.  Led by Kevin Burland, and Susan Tomanio. Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.  Free.

Gentle Flow Yoga

Instructor Beverly Leighton has been practicing and teaching yoga for seventeen years. She says that anyone can practice yoga and believes the idea of concentration and focusing inward fosters patience, balance and peace. This will be modified for seniors, but please know that it does involve getting down and up from the floor. No previous yoga experience necessary.  Class meets Thursdays at 10:30 am.  The fee is $2 per class and a yoga mat is needed.

Broadway Burn

Join instructor Matthew Ames for a class geared toward seniors and includes chair work to achieve the same muscle activation without the need to stabilize as much and to create an even lower impact class. that incorporates Broadway jazz and musical theater patterns in an easy-to-follow workout set to your favorite show tunes from television, movies, and of course Broadway. Class meets on Thursdays at 1:00 pm.  The fee is $2 per class.

Zumba Gold

The original concept of Zumba combines a dance workout with a party-like atmosphere.  Zumba Gold takes the popular Latin-dance inspired workout of Zumba and makes it accessible for seniors, beginners or others needing modification in their exercise routine.  Zumba Gold builds cardiovascular health by challenging the heart and working the muscles of the hips, legs and arms with dance moves.  Taught by certified instructor Coleen Krempel. Fridays at 10:00 am.  The fee is $2.

Leisure Time Activities

Quilting and Sewing Society

The Elmwood Hall Quilt Society hand stitches quilts for pleasure and to donate to charity.  Beginners are always welcomed.  Quilts are on display in the Candlewood Room of Elmwood Hall.  Some are for sale.  All proceeds are invested back into the group for supplies and materials.  Donations of fabric are welcomed and accepted. Led by quilting instructor Alison Rogers.
Alison has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and worked as a graphic artist for Caldor Corporation before having her children. She has been sewing since she was young having learned how to sew in home economics class. She taught quilting at Homestead Quilts for 5 years. She created a summer sewing program through Bethel Schools that she has run for the past 15 years. Alison has experience in home decorating, sewing, clothing, all types of quilting both hand and machine.  Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Free.

Bridge Club

A trick-taking game played with a deck of 52 cards and a group of four, bridge has been one of the most popular card games since the 1930’s.
Our bridge club meets on Mondays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Become a regular player or get on the sub list.  Free.

Movie Club Matinees

Movies will be posted on the monthly calendar. Snacks will be served. Attention Movie Club Attendees! Some of the movies are rated “R” by the Motion Picture Association and may contain language or scenes that some might find offensive. Please use your own judgement as to whether the movie is right for you.
Monthly on the third Monday of the month at 12:45 pm. A $1 donation is appreciated.

Art Class

A mixed media class taught by Adele Moros, a multi-media artist whose work varies from miniatures to murals, portraits, still life, and landscapes.  Adele has taught painting for the past 25 years in the greater Danbury area.  Beginners to advanced artists are welcome to come learn from Adele and paint in a friendly group setting.  Meets Tuesdays from 10:00 am – 12 noon.  The fee is $2.

Mah Jongg

Mah Jongg is a game that originated in China that is commonly played by four players.  Similar to the Western card game rummy, mah jongg is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation that involves a certain degree of chance.  Beginners to experienced players are welcomed to play.
Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Free.

Wii Bowling

Bowl on the Nintendo Wii Video Game! It is fun, easy, and improves your range of motion. It also helps with your balance while standing and improves your endurance.  Wednesdays at 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Free.

Knit and Crochet Club

Hat City Wood Carvers

This group comes together to promote and keep the art of wood carving alive and well in Western Connecticut.  They welcome all woodcarvers – beginners to masters.  Members work on their own projects led by one of their more experienced members.  Tools are available for new carvers to use. Wood for projects is provided by the club at a reasonable price.
Group meets every Thursday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  Free.

Bingo

Join us for this popular game. Players pay $3 to play and receive 1 card. One extra card may be purchased for $1.  Multiple games of various prize amounts played in total.  Limited seating, reservation required. Typically first Friday of every month (depending on Holiday schedule) from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. 

New Policy for Bingo Sign Up  – UPDATED 3/8/24

 Sign up opens on the Monday after the last Bingo at 8:30am

• Bingo is always the first Friday of the month, unless a Holiday or other closing causes a conflict
• You may call or sign up in person
• You may sign up for yourself and no more than 4 other people
• 70 people for each sign up, no waitlist (new)
• No walk-in’s allowed

Dance and Social Parties

Dance and social party with DJ Kevin Burland of Old Man Rhythm. Freestyle and line dance to your favorite music of today and yesterday. Even if you don’t dance this is a great opportunity to come back to the Senior Center to socialize and see old friends. Cake and Coffee served. Please call the Senior Center to sign up.  Typically third Friday of the month (depending on holiday schedule) at 1:00 pm. $3 donation appreciated.

Corn Hole / Bean Bag Toss

Cornhole (originally named due to the use of corn filling the bags) is a lawn game popular in North America in which players or teams take turns throwing fabric bags at a raised, angled board with a hole in its far end. Scores are tabulated following a certain set of rules. No experience necessary to play, all are welcome. No sign up required.
We meet at the fourth Friday of each month at 1:00 pm.  Free.

Education & Life Long Learning

AARP Smart Driver Course

The nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers age 50 and older.  It has given millions of drivers the skills and tools they need to drive safely on today’s roads, allowing them to remain independent for many years to come.

Art Gottlieb, Historical Presentations

Mr. Gottlieb is a local historian on the subjects of political and military history. He was formerly a professional curator of naval history and the technical Director of Exhibits at the Intrepid Sea – Air Space Museum in NYC. In these roles Mr. Gottlieb worked regularly with veterans of all services towards the creation of exhibits accurately illustrating the history of the 20^th century warfare.
Mr. Gottlieb conducts special presentations at Elmwood Hall at least 4 times per year. Please be sure to check the calendar for when he will be speaking.

Library on the Move

Representatives from the Danbury Library will be here on-site so you can conveniently :

• Renew Library Cards
• Check out Books
• Check out iPads
• One on one tech support (by appointment only, call to schedule)
• If you want a certain book, call Darlene at the Danbury Library at 203-797-4513 and she will bring it!
• They will also be able to show you how to download library subscriptions which allow you to watch free movies, get free music and books!

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month

Page Turners Book Club

Bi-monthly on the first Monday of the month at 1pm. The next meeting date is Monday, June 3rd. Read interesting books and share in lively discussion. Books read will be made available at the Danbury Library. December, 2nd 2024 Book Selection: A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell.

2025 Book Club dates (books TBD): Feb. 3rd, April 7th, June 2nd, August 4th, October 6th & December 1st.

Benefits & Support

Lions Club Low Vision Support Group

“Low Vision” is that degree of vision loss that can no longer be corrected by eyeglasses.  The Lion’s Club Low Vision Support Group works in conjunction with the Lion’s Club Low Vision Center at 235 Main Street, Danbury. The support group provides a place for seniors to come together for support, education, and social interaction.  Meets monthly on the 4^th Monday of each month (excluding Jan and Feb) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  Free.

AARP  Income Tax Assistance

This free service is provided by volunteers from AARP who assist clients at Elmwood Hall from February through April. Clients from Connecticut and New York are required to bring proper form of identification, their previous year tax return, as well as all necessary documents for the their current tax return.

Western CT Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA)

The Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging provides FREE UNBIASED information on Medicare and the options that supplement Medicare. The WCAAA can answer questions that you may have on Medicare, Medicare part D prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Savings Program, and Medicaid. The WCAAA can assist in filling out applications for different programs for which you may be eligible. For more information please call WCAAA at 1-800-994-9422 or 1-203-757-5449.

State Elderly and Disabled Rent Rebate Program

State law provides a reimbursement program for Connecticut renters who are elderly or totally disabled, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. Persons renting an apartment or room or living in cooperative housing, or a mobile home may be eligible for this program. The renters’ rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies. The program begins on April 1 and ends on October 1st. Application must be completed with all required documents otherwise will be returned. Please stop by our location or visit www.danburyseniors.org to find an application and determine eligibility. New applicants must call to make an appointment to review eligibility. Walk-ins will not be accepted. 

State of Connecticut Farmers’ Market Nutrition Card Program

The Farmers Market Cards (Vouchers) are available to persons 60 years of age or older who qualify for the program. To qualify, your income cannot exceed the following limits: $2,248 monthly for an individual; $3,041 for a family of two. The cards may be used at the Danbury Farmers Market, which is located at the Downtown Danbury Green. Complimentary parking is available at the Patriot Garage. The market is open on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm. Cards will be distributed in person at the Danbury Senior Center in early July. One card is available per person. You must be a Danbury resident. If you receive Cards from the Senior Housing building you reside in, you are not eligible to receive a second one from the Danbury Senior Center. Recipients will be asked to sign an acknowledgement that your income does not exceed the program limits. Please call the Senior Center in July for specific date and time for distribution.

A Brush with Kindness  –  Home Repairs for Low Income Seniors

For residents who are 60 years or older and a homeowner who meet income level requirements. For a listing of approved repairs and their application process call 203-744-1340 or email [email protected]

Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners

The City of Danbury Assessor’s Office administers both the local and state programs for elderly and totally disabled homeowners. The application period for State and Local Elderly and Totally Disabled Programs is February 1st –  May 12th. Please contact the Assessor’s office for more information at 203-797-4556.

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

Each year, the State of Connecticut and EVERSOURCE offer energy assistance to help homeowners and renters offset the cost of heating their homes. The assistance is for the primary source of heat, such as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal, wood and wood pellets. Eligibility is based on income and you must provide documentation. Applications are now being accepted by COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF WESTERN CT. Contact the Agency at 203-748-5422 Ext. 3. EVERSOURCE offers various program, such as The New Start Program, Matching Payment Program, Winter Protection Plan, and Weatherization services. Contact EVERSOURCE Customer Service directly 1-800-286-2000 to see if you qualify.

Van Transportation Program

Rides are provided to and from Elmwood Hall—Danbury Senior Center for activities and programs. Please call the center 48 hours in advance. Van riders must have independent mobility. If you need assistance, aides and companions (greater than 18 years old) are welcome to ride with you free of charge, but you must indicate that there will be an additional passenger with you at time of scheduling. Suggested donation is $1 per one way ride.