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By Cynthia Bogard
News Flash: We’re all getting older. Creakier knees, dimmer eyes, and a surprising array of adventures at the dentist await most of us as we age. Social changes are inevitable too, as children move away; as we can’t be as physically active as we were in our youth; as we lose partners, friends, and other loved ones to the relentless march of time. We seniors end up with more than our share of social isolation, loneliness, and depression. Fortunately, Montpelier has a cure for many of the downsides of aging — the Montpelier Senior Activity Center (MSAC), located downtown at 58 Barre Street.
If you’re not acquainted with MSAC yet, it’s time to change that. The senior center is for anyone 50 or older who needs a social, creative, educational, or adventure upgrade. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau, that’s 42% of all Montpelier residents. And 23.7% of Montpelier residents are 65 or older, mostly retired on limited budgets, and potentially in need of intellectual and social enlivening, exactly what MSAC provides.
For more than 50 years, MSAC has also served the broader central Vermont community — folks from Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Moretown, and Worcester are also welcome to join. Membership fees are reasonable, and scholarships are available for those who’d like to join but need financial help.
Having a fulfilling second half is accomplished by staying physically active and socially and creatively engaged. The programming at MSAC is designed to help with that. For modest tuition, MSAC offers artist-taught classes in pottery, rug hooking, painting, creative writing, guitar, drawing, and more. To keep seniors moving and fit, professional instructors offer mat and chair yoga, bone builders, qi gong, and the Reelin’ & Rockin’ choir. There’s always a jigsaw puzzle going, and some members meet up for bridge or board games or coffee and conversation in MSAC’s lounge. Some courses are offered via Zoom, too.
A FEAST lunch every Tuesday features locally grown food and a menu created by a trained chef. For those in need, the senior center provides Meals on Wheels to between 50 and 60 folks Monday to Thursday, with frozen meals available on weekends. The senior center hosts lectures by experts from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, language and computer instruction, and even helps with taxes. The senior center offers trips to Boston, New Hampshire, Canada, and elsewhere, in addition to natural, historic, and scenic Vermont excursions. Concerts, monthly art walks sponsored by Montpelier Alive, special workshops, and holiday dinners round out MSAC’s offerings. And, as you can imagine, there are plenty of ways to volunteer.
What’s most important about MSAC isn’t on any list; it’s the opportunity to form lasting friendships and community, all while having fun.
Here’s what a couple of active members had to say about MSAC:
“When my partner passed away seven years ago, MSAC was a wonderful source of opportunities to meet new people and make new friends,” Joan Palanshek shared with me. “The van day trips introduced me to parts of Vermont that I had never been to as well as new friends, the Reelin’ and Rockin’ singing class is the most fun I have all week, and group exercise classes are a new and invigorating experience for me. It’s the best Senior Center that I am aware of!”
Gail Carrigan echoed these sentiments: “When we moved to Vermont ten years ago as strangers, with no ties to friends or relatives, the Montpelier Senior Activity Center welcomed us into a vibrant community, provided opportunities to learn and grow, and made this new city feel like home. As part of MSAC, we’ve enjoyed ten years of top-notch classes, trips, and social events.”
The National Institute on Aging (a division of the National Institutes of Health) confirms that seeking out increased social interaction after a life-changing event can decrease the risks of aging. Socially isolated seniors have higher rates of heart disease, obesity, depression, and cognitive decline, while engaged seniors have lower blood pressure, better functioning immune systems, are happier and live longer.
Like every public good these days, the Montpelier Senior Activity Center is facing financial challenges and could use your help to remain the vibrant and crucial community institution that it is. So, join, donate, attend classes and activities — become a part of MSAC. You’ll find the rigors of growing older are much diminished and replaced by fun and joy when mind and body are stimulated by physical activity, artistic creativity, learning, and social connection.
Cynthia J. Bogard is a member of MSAC’s Membership Committee.
The material presented here represents the opinion of the author and does not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Commentaries may be submitted to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont. Submissions are encouraged to be 500 to 750 words in length.
