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“Mansplaining” at its most entertaining…theater veterans Stephen Collins and Jerry Bisantz take you on a theatrical journey that examines the role of the American male in scenes and song from the Great American Theater. What is it like being a man in today’s world? What was it like in the past? From comic to poignant, this fast-paced afternoon is sure to bring back memories! Open to out-of-towners age 60+ for $5
Documentary about an octogenarian lesbian couple, Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, who come out to family members after more than 65 years of keeping their relationship a secret. Won best documentary in the 2021 AARP Movies for Grown-Ups Awards. This film is an initiative of COA’s Senior Rainbow Connections. Rated TV-14 for language. Open to all age 60+/free
The primary focus of this class will be experiential, as we practice mindfulness meditation together in class and work towards integrating it into our daily lives. We will also discuss how mindfulness can help ameliorate the effects of stress on our minds and bodies. Questions we may ponder include, what is stress, and what is its physiological basis? What does the research show? How do we typically react to life’s inevitable stressors, and how may mindfulness help us shift our response and build resilience and equanimity even in the midst of stressful situations? This class is open to all, no
It’s time for a laughter reunion with Susan Phillips! Come join us as we do easy and fun seated laughter exercises to shift our mood, relieve stress, relax our whole body, positively connect with others, and infuse our whole being with joy! In this interactive program, we learn how to generate our own laughter without relying on jokes. This worldwide practice is called Laughter Yoga, but there are no mats or yoga poses. We add yoga breaths, which are deep belly breaths, for soothing breaks between exercises. Come enjoy all the health benefits the power of giggles has to offer
Cowboys wove intricate social webs, in which people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds entwined into a unique ranching hierarchy based on aptitude and gamesmanship. During the hard labor of a trail drive, they turned to both friends and enemies, whether for a simple game of cards, the calming of a stampede, or the grief that came after the death of a peer. In the lonely Western wilds, cowboys created their own social order, one dictated by performance rather than racial and ethnic background, in which one’s worth was determined through tabletop games, joking competitions, and eating habits. Mitali Krishnamurthy
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $20/series Join Stephen Collins for a seminar on Hawthorne's novel The House of the Seven Gables, published on April 9, 1851, by Boston Publisher Ticknor and Fields, a year after The Scarlet Letter. Initially the sales for Gables tripled the sales for The Scarlet Letter, probably because the book has a happy ending (spoiler alert!) The book is a Gothic Romance, but it is also a sociological look at mid-19th century life in New England. It was his wife Sophia's favorite book. The prose is luscious and poetical, and the ending makes one believe in the goodness of humanity. Participants
Superintendent Peter Light, and Principal, Joanie Dean, would like to host you for a brief presentation from the schools, Q&A, lunch and small group discussions with current ABRHS students. The school bus will pick you up at the Senior Center at 9:45 and return you at approximately 12:15pm. Sign up by October 13th. Acton 60+ only
Lizzie Borden took an axe…or did she? You decide! Back in 1892 a heinous double murder occurred in Fall River and Lizzie Borden was accused, tried, and acquitted for the vicious ax murders of her father and stepmother. This unsolved mystery has fascinated people for over 100 years! You, the audience, will have the chance to question Lizzie and vote on her guilt or innocence. This edutainment production by Delvena Theatre Company will feature Lynne Moulton and Joseph Zamparelli in multiple roles. The troupe is back after a popular Mangia, Meatballs and Mayhem performance in the spring! Open to out-of-towners
A wide variety of jewelry, including designer, boutique, and costume jewelry, will be available. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Acton Council on Aging. Proceeds from sales will be used to fund programs and events at the Acton Senior Center.
The primary focus of this class will be experiential, as we practice mindfulness meditation together in class and work towards integrating it into our daily lives. We will also discuss how mindfulness can help ameliorate the effects of stress on our minds and bodies. Questions we may ponder include, what is stress, and what is its physiological basis? What does the research show? How do we typically react to life’s inevitable stressors, and how may mindfulness help us shift our response and build resilience and equanimity even in the midst of stressful situations? This class is open to all, no
A wide variety of jewelry, including designer, boutique, and costume jewelry, will be available. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Acton Council on Aging. Proceeds from sales will be used to fund programs and events at the Acton Senior Center.
The settling of the American West took place in the latter half of the 19th century, and cowboy songs were the musical contribution of the men who led the cattle drives and roundups of that era. The earliest recording of this uniquely American musical genre was When the Work’s All Done in 1925. Then, with the advent of the talking picture came the singing cowboys of the silver screen. First was Tex Ritter who scored both cowboy song hits and pop songs. The most popular singer was Gene Autry whose theme song was Back in the Saddle Again. When Gene
Join Val Walker for a program on the life and poems of Sarah Orne Jewett who is famous for her book, The White Heron, yet her exquisite poems also express her passion for the Maine landscape. Register to receive the Zoom link: seniorcenter@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652. Val Walker, MS, is an author, educator, blogger for Psychology Today, and a frequent teacher/speaker at the Acton Senior Center. Open to out-of-towners age 60+/free
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th, the time to review your Medicare coverage to make sure it is still the right fit for you. This seminar, presented by Minuteman Senior Services SHINE counselor Leslie Madge, will help you compare benefits and premiums and make changes based on your current health, medications, and finances. In addition to this seminar, Minuteman Senior Services state-certified SHINE counselors offer individual appointments at the Senior Center to review your coverage. SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) is a free service administered by Minuteman Senior Services and funded, in part,
The primary focus of this class will be experiential, as we practice mindfulness meditation together in class and work towards integrating it into our daily lives. We will also discuss how mindfulness can help ameliorate the effects of stress on our minds and bodies. Questions we may ponder include, what is stress, and what is its physiological basis? What does the research show? How do we typically react to life’s inevitable stressors, and how may mindfulness help us shift our response and build resilience and equanimity even in the midst of stressful situations? This class is open to all, no
It’s time for a laughter reunion with Susan Phillips! Come join us as we do easy and fun seated laughter exercises to shift our mood, relieve stress, relax our whole body, positively connect with others, and infuse our whole being with joy! In this interactive program, we learn how to generate our own laughter without relying on jokes. This worldwide practice is called Laughter Yoga, but there are no mats or yoga poses. We add yoga breaths, which are deep belly breaths, for soothing breaks between exercises. Come enjoy all the health benefits the power of giggles has to offer
People come from all over the world to see the town where the infamous American witchcraft trials occurred. But what really happened in Salem, Massachusetts, 332 years ago? In this talk we’ll see why the Salem story is so relevant today. Rick Tulipano holds a master’s degree in education. He is the author of two books and numerous essays on his specialties, the Cold War and the Civil War. Open to out-of-towners age 60+ for $5
The primary focus of this class will be experiential, as we practice mindfulness meditation together in class and work towards integrating it into our daily lives. We will also discuss how mindfulness can help ameliorate the effects of stress on our minds and bodies. Questions we may ponder include, what is stress, and what is its physiological basis? What does the research show? How do we typically react to life’s inevitable stressors, and how may mindfulness help us shift our response and build resilience and equanimity even in the midst of stressful situations? This class is open to all, no