Lectures

The Astounding Bible Code: Can I Predict the Future? Presentation

1:00 pm

Pre-registration encouraged LEARN MORE

Presented by Jan Henson Dow, Professor Emeritus at Western Connecticut State University. The Bible Code was discovered by Dr. Eliyahu Rips, an Israeli mathematician who has cracked the Bible Code by the use of high-speed computers. Prepare to be astounded!

Five Wishes Workshop

10:00 am

RSVP: 860-397-9480 or jgeiger@vnhlc.org LEARN MORE

Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County presents a Five Wishes Workshop. Presented by: Eileen Rydel, RN, MSN - Hospice Director, Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. - Do you have a Living Will? - Who do you want to make care decisions for you if you cannot? - What kind of medical treatment do you want? - How do you want people to treat you? - What do you want your loved ones to know? Come join us for this informational presentation offered by Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. Vital information will be provided so that your intent and wishes are known. Seating is limited! Please RSVP by calling 860-397-9480 or jgeiger@vnhlc.org

An Introduction to Positive Neuroplasticity: 3 Week Women Empowerment Series

5:00 pm

Space is Limited. Pre-Registration Required. LEARN MORE

INTRO TO POSITIVE NUEROPLASTICITY A 3 WEEK WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Our brains have evolved to focus on negative experiences as a survival mechanism, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety, and inadequacy. Positive Neuroplasticity offers a way to rewire our brains and cultivate more positive emotions and experiences. A 3-week journey is an introduction towards making the most out of positive experiences and the role of our emotions. This series involves interactive exercises, mindfulness and cognitive strategies aimed at fostering resilience, confidence and motivation. This is a FREE Positive Neuroplasticity Program for Women. You will learn: -How to trust yourself yourself -What the negativity bias is and the role it plays -How to create a plan for what you want. -How to see failure as feedback -How to recognize thoughts that help you and those that don’t This free program is created & delivered by Finding Strength Today, LLC . It is sponsored through Thy Eagles Nest with grant funding by Connecticut Community Foundation.

Trip: Spring Tea Social & Daffodils

1:00 pm

Sponsored by Instructor Thad Kubis in partnership for Motivational May LEARN MORE

Come join Erin, LCC Staff member, for a scenic drive along Route 254 as we venture to Cutie Pie's Bakery for tea, sweets, and friendly conversation. We will then head to Laurel Ridge Farm, renown for their annual spring display of tens of thousands of daffodils and narcissus at their peak the first week of May. You will have the option to bask in the beauty of your surroundings (BYO lawn chair or seated walker) or participate in a group Photography Walk with Thad Kubis, fine art Photographer and instructor. *All types of media/cameras welcome including smartphone, tablet, film, and dslr. To learn more about Thad's Photography Walk , click onto: https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=18995 This trip, in hopes of becoming an annual tradition, is inspired by the cherished memory of Erin's late grandmother, Violet. She and her grandmother shared a deep admiration for the daffodil, their favorite flower. Erin eagerly anticipates sharing this meaningful excursion with anyone who wishes to join her!

Photography Walk at Laurel Ridge Farm

2:00 pm

Sponsored by Instructor Thad Kubis in partnership for Motivational May! LEARN MORE

Location: Laurel Ridge Farm – 66 Wigwam Road, Litchfield, CT 06759 Date: Friday, May 3, 2024 Time: 2:00pm at the farm Duration: 60 to 90 minutes Join fine art Photographer and instructor Thad Kubis for a 90-minute walk around Laurel Ridge Farm. Known for their annual spring display of tens of thousands of daffodils and narcissus, this year the field of flowers are expected to peak during the first week in May. (http://www.lrgfb.com/). During the walk we will compose magical creative photographs of the daffodils and narcissus, we will use the Macro Mode, Live, filters, focus and exposure control to create unique individual photographs. DSLR’s/Mirrorless and film systems are welcomes along with Smartphone and tablets. To learn more about Thad click onto: www.tbkphotos.com.

Litchfield Audubon Society Meeting

6:45 pm

Go to https://lhasct.org/index.html for more information LEARN MORE

Wood Warblers in Connecticut — and Elsewhere Monday, May 6th - 6:45 PM Chris Wood will give a presentation on one of our favorite bird families, the wood warblers. Photos and descriptions will highlight the presentation, which will offer tips for finding and identifying the colorful and engaging warblers that nest here in Connecticut or that visit during migration periods. Chris will also illustrate some of the warbler species from the western U.S. and the neotropics to emphasize the fantastic diversity among the 111 species that make up the Parulidae family. Chris has been an active birder for over 45 years and has traveled around the U.S. as well as several Central and South American countries. He is currently president of the Connecticut Ornithological Association. He is a regular contributor to COA’s journal, The Connecticut Warbler, and contributes photographs and commentaries to birding and conservation organizations. The May 6th meeting will be in person and on Zoom. If you want to participate on Zoom, go to the Calendar section of our website, lhasct.org, to register. You will be sent the login link.

Solving the Issue of Chronic Wounds

10:00 am

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Join us for Coffee, Refreshments & Conversation! Solving the issue of Chronic Wounds Do you or a loved one have a wound that just won’t heal? Are you missing important events due to these pesky sores? During our conversation, I’ll provide insight into a new and incredibly successful treatment for Chronic Wounds. We’ll touch on: Topics to be discussed Severity of problem The ideal patient for Xwrap Additional factors to the success of any treatment *** Lifestyle The Quality of the Healthcare Providers Locations for the admission of the application – Office or Home Current treatments w/ rates of success What makes Xwrap different Case studies Steps on moving forward Insurance Coverage WHY THEY CALL THIS THE TREATMENT OF HOPE Presenter: Roger Newbury, Jr. Founder of Legend Consulting Group / Patient Care Advocate Over 40 Years of experience within the Health Care Industry Became a Patient Care Advocate in 2010 Responsible for finding 15 currently used products that elevated patient care, Successfully lobbied for the No Surprises Act enacted 2020 by CMS (Centers for Medicare; Medicaid Services)

Five Wishes Workshop

6:00 pm

RSVP: 860-397-9480 or jgeiger@vnhlc.org LEARN MORE

Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County presents a Five Wishes Workshop. Presented by: Eileen Rydel, RN, MSN - Hospice Director, Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. - Do you have a Living Will? - Who do you want to make care decisions for you if you cannot? - What kind of medical treatment do you want? - How do you want people to treat you? - What do you want your loved ones to know? Come join us for this informational presentation offered by Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. Vital information will be provided so that your intent and wishes are known. Seating is limited! Please RSVP by calling 860-397-9480 or jgeiger@vnhlc.org

Living with CT's Wildlife Presentation

6:30 pm

pre registration is encouraged LEARN MORE

Connecticut's citizens are blessed with the rich diversity of wildlife in the state. The "Living with Connecticut's Wildlife" presentation focuses on how to live with and enjoy our wild neighbors. Species covered include Black Bears, Eastern Coyote, Bobcat, Fisher, Raccoon, Skunk, Virginia Opossum, Red and Gray Fox, Woodchuck, White-Tailed Deer, birds, bats, venomous and non-venomous reptiles, and amphibians. Paul Colburn is a 2015 graduate of the Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist Program (MWCP) and a certified Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC). The MWCP is a Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) adult education program that trains volunteers in the fields of wildlife management, natural history and interpretation. Paul is a dedicated advocate for wildlife and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. He is particularly focused on teaching the basics of living responsibly with wildlife. Paul has provided hundreds of wildlife presentations for a wide variety of public and private organizations in all corners of the state. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and served honorably in the United States Army.

An Introduction to Positive Neuroplasticity: 3 Week Women Empowerment Series

5:00 pm

Space is Limited. Pre-Registration Required. LEARN MORE

INTRO TO POSITIVE NUEROPLASTICITY A 3 WEEK WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Our brains have evolved to focus on negative experiences as a survival mechanism, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety, and inadequacy. Positive Neuroplasticity offers a way to rewire our brains and cultivate more positive emotions and experiences. A 3-week journey is an introduction towards making the most out of positive experiences and the role of our emotions. This series involves interactive exercises, mindfulness and cognitive strategies aimed at fostering resilience, confidence and motivation. This is a FREE Positive Neuroplasticity Program for Women. You will learn: -How to trust yourself yourself -What the negativity bias is and the role it plays -How to create a plan for what you want. -How to see failure as feedback -How to recognize thoughts that help you and those that don’t This free program is created & delivered by Finding Strength Today, LLC . It is sponsored through Thy Eagles Nest with grant funding by Connecticut Community Foundation.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

10:00 am

PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED LEARN MORE

“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” -A Free Six-Week Class Sponsored by The Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources, Inc. Tuesdays, May 14-June 18 - 10 a.m.-12 noon Co-facilitators: Jackie Miller LCSW, retired Tina Bernacki RN, retired. *Registration is required ~ Class size limited to 10* This nationally accredited program is designed to give caregivers the tools needed to take care of themselves while they care for someone with a chronic and/or debilitating condition. The six classes help caregivers develop self-care strategies to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, and increase their abilities to make tough decisions.

Culturally Curious Art Lecture Series: Cassat & Company

3:00 pm

Pre-registration is advised LEARN MORE

Presenter Jane O’Neail will present 4 separate lectures: Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 Marc Chagall: Joy, Color & a Celebration of Jewish Culture Marc Chagall’s colorful, abstract paintings integrate a variety of elements from the modernist movements of the early twentieth century. His work is singular among his peers for its incorporation of Jewish themes, reflecting the artist’s cultural roots. This program provides an introduction to Chagall’s personal and professional resilience, his work, and his favorite subjects. Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 Revolutionary Design: Modern Architecture in New England New England is known for its history and its traditions, but it is also home to some daring and inventive modern designs from some of the world's leading architects. How do giants in the field like Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Louis Kahn, Philip Johnson, and Maya Lin combine the expected and the familiar with the innovative and experimental? This program introduces audiences to each architect and walks you through their notable works in New England locales. Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 Cassatt & Company: The Women Impressionists The visual arts revolution that was Impressionism is, too often, only understood only through the lens of the leading male practitioners - Monet, Renoir and Degas. How did the women Impressionists contribute to this novel style and how did their work differ from their male contemporaries? This program explores the paintings of Marie Bracquemond, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and others and considers the unique challenges they faced as women artists in a male-dominated profession. Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 Frida Kahlo: Love, Pain and Painting Frida Kahlo has become a household name in recent years, with movies, books and countless products dedicated to her art and likeness. This program will go beyond the artist’s famous facial hair and penetrating stare and explore her life and her work, particularly as it relates to the trolley accident she survived as a teen and her passionate and often tumultuous marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera. About the presenter: Jane Oneail curates and delivers art appreciation programs to audiences throughout New England. Jane holds a master’s in Art History from Boston University and a master’s in Education from Harvard University. A New Hampshire native, she has worked at some of the state's most esteemed cultural institutions, including the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, where she served as Executive Director, and the Currier Museum of Art, where she held the role of Senior Educator. Jane has also taught at the college level for more than a decade, most recently at Southern New Hampshire University. For more information visit iamculturallycurious.com Donations welcome at door

An Introduction to Positive Neuroplasticity: 3 Week Women Empowerment Series

5:00 pm

Space is Limited. Pre-Registration Required. LEARN MORE

INTRO TO POSITIVE NUEROPLASTICITY A 3 WEEK WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM Our brains have evolved to focus on negative experiences as a survival mechanism, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety, and inadequacy. Positive Neuroplasticity offers a way to rewire our brains and cultivate more positive emotions and experiences. A 3-week journey is an introduction towards making the most out of positive experiences and the role of our emotions. This series involves interactive exercises, mindfulness and cognitive strategies aimed at fostering resilience, confidence and motivation. This is a FREE Positive Neuroplasticity Program for Women. You will learn: -How to trust yourself yourself -What the negativity bias is and the role it plays -How to create a plan for what you want. -How to see failure as feedback -How to recognize thoughts that help you and those that don’t This free program is created & delivered by Finding Strength Today, LLC . It is sponsored through Thy Eagles Nest with grant funding by Connecticut Community Foundation.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

10:00 am

PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED LEARN MORE

“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” -A Free Six-Week Class Sponsored by The Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources, Inc. Tuesdays, May 14-June 18 - 10 a.m.-12 noon Co-facilitators: Jackie Miller LCSW, retired Tina Bernacki RN, retired. *Registration is required ~ Class size limited to 10* This nationally accredited program is designed to give caregivers the tools needed to take care of themselves while they care for someone with a chronic and/or debilitating condition. The six classes help caregivers develop self-care strategies to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, and increase their abilities to make tough decisions.

Borrow My Glasses: Learning to Speak Alzheimer's

4:00 pm

Pre-registration Required LEARN MORE

Habilitation is one wonderful model of dementia care that helps people with dementia to live their best life and empowers care partners to feel (and be) more successful. Join us to: Discuss the 5 tenets of Habilitation Identify strategies to promote moments of positivity, peace and connection for people living with dementia at every stage of the illness Apply Habilitation strategies to real case scenarios Wednesday, October 11, 2023 4:00 – 5:30 pm Doors open at 3:30pm. Please join us for light refreshments. This program is sponsored by Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources Presented by Donna B. Fedus, M.A. Gerontologist & Founder Donna Fedus is a gerontologist educator, adjunct professor, program strategist, instructional designer, and researcher, who has worked enthusiastically in the field of aging for more than 30 years, so far. Its more than a job – it’s her life’s work! Critical to Donna’s mission is offering alternatives to the tragedy narrative and stigma that often surround aging, caregiving, and dementia. Donna is also an entrepreneur. She founded gerontology education company Borrow My Glasses, which offers scalable learning solutions, training and evaluation services for organizations, professionals, educators, students, and individuals looking to embrace the many opportunities brought by longevity. Over more than three decades, Donna has immersed in the field of aging becoming known as a subject matter expert, continually developing new and creative ways to engage and educate audiences. Topics range widely for healthcare and social services professionals, business leaders, user experience specialists, family caregivers, college students, and clergy. Donna’s primary interests in aging, caregiving and dementia are reflected in the three courses she developed and has taught since 2017 on a rotating basis an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University: Dementia Fundamentals, Social Issues in Family Caregiving, and Sociology of Aging. Donna does some research in addition to collaborative evaluation work. She is Principal Investigator (PI) of the Gerontology Relevance Study, in which college students found studying gerontology to be relevant to their personal and professional lives after engaging in a self-study module. Donna also served as PI throughout a five-year collaboration between BMG and AARP to develop, pilot and evaluate Connecticut’s Disrupt Aging Model. The model, shown to transform attitudes about aging, was presented at multiple conferences, recognized by AARP as a best practice in innovation, and replicated in colleges and communities nationwide. Donna contributes to the field through board service and committee work. She currently co-chairs the education workgroup of the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Coalition. This group, convened by the CT Dept of Public Health and the Alzheimer’s Association, is developing a statewide strategic plan to address Alzheimer’s. Donna serves on the Board of Directors of The Towers at Tower Lane in New Haven, CT. She is a member of Quinnipiac University Committee for Age Inclusivity, and a founding member of the Grandfamilies Outcome Workgroup (GrOW), a national group that works in support of kinship families. Donna is a Contributing Editor for Grandfamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy. Donna is a two-time winner of the “Stop Ageism Now” Campaign Partner Award from the Agency on Aging of South Central CT. She was honored with the Employee of the Year award at The Consultation Center, Yale University and the Einstein Award at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Donna earned her master’s degree with distinction in social gerontology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

10:00 am

PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED LEARN MORE

“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” -A Free Six-Week Class Sponsored by The Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources, Inc. Tuesdays, May 14-June 18 - 10 a.m.-12 noon Co-facilitators: Jackie Miller LCSW, retired Tina Bernacki RN, retired. *Registration is required ~ Class size limited to 10* This nationally accredited program is designed to give caregivers the tools needed to take care of themselves while they care for someone with a chronic and/or debilitating condition. The six classes help caregivers develop self-care strategies to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, and increase their abilities to make tough decisions.

Litchfield Audubon Society Meeting

6:00 pm

Go to https://lhasct.org/index.html for more information LEARN MORE

Annual Meeting and Dinner (6:00-7:45pm) American Chestnut Restoration (7:45pm) What has changed since the Wigwam Brook Wildlife Sanctuary orchard was planted? Jack Swatt, president of the Connecticut chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, will give a brief review of the American chestnut history, the blight, and the foundation's backcross breeding program. He will also tell us about the progress that has been made using genetic testing of trees to refine the program, and will also discuss how transgenics may help in breeding a truly blight-tolerant American chestnut tree. Note: This program will be preceded by our Annual Meeting and Dinner. The evening will kick off with socializing at 6 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30, our Annual Meeting at 7:15, and the presentation at 7:45.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

10:00 am

PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED LEARN MORE

“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” -A Free Six-Week Class Sponsored by The Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources, Inc. Tuesdays, May 14-June 18 - 10 a.m.-12 noon Co-facilitators: Jackie Miller LCSW, retired Tina Bernacki RN, retired. *Registration is required ~ Class size limited to 10* This nationally accredited program is designed to give caregivers the tools needed to take care of themselves while they care for someone with a chronic and/or debilitating condition. The six classes help caregivers develop self-care strategies to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, and increase their abilities to make tough decisions.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

10:00 am

PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED LEARN MORE

“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” -A Free Six-Week Class Sponsored by The Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources, Inc. Tuesdays, May 14-June 18 - 10 a.m.-12 noon Co-facilitators: Jackie Miller LCSW, retired Tina Bernacki RN, retired. *Registration is required ~ Class size limited to 10* This nationally accredited program is designed to give caregivers the tools needed to take care of themselves while they care for someone with a chronic and/or debilitating condition. The six classes help caregivers develop self-care strategies to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, and increase their abilities to make tough decisions.

Culturally Curious Art Lecture Series: Frida Kahlo

3:00 pm

Pre-registration is advised LEARN MORE

Presenter Jane O’Neail will present 4 separate lectures: Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 Marc Chagall: Joy, Color & a Celebration of Jewish Culture Marc Chagall’s colorful, abstract paintings integrate a variety of elements from the modernist movements of the early twentieth century. His work is singular among his peers for its incorporation of Jewish themes, reflecting the artist’s cultural roots. This program provides an introduction to Chagall’s personal and professional resilience, his work, and his favorite subjects. Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 Revolutionary Design: Modern Architecture in New England New England is known for its history and its traditions, but it is also home to some daring and inventive modern designs from some of the world's leading architects. How do giants in the field like Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Louis Kahn, Philip Johnson, and Maya Lin combine the expected and the familiar with the innovative and experimental? This program introduces audiences to each architect and walks you through their notable works in New England locales. Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 Cassatt & Company: The Women Impressionists The visual arts revolution that was Impressionism is, too often, only understood only through the lens of the leading male practitioners - Monet, Renoir and Degas. How did the women Impressionists contribute to this novel style and how did their work differ from their male contemporaries? This program explores the paintings of Marie Bracquemond, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and others and considers the unique challenges they faced as women artists in a male-dominated profession. Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 Frida Kahlo: Love, Pain and Painting Frida Kahlo has become a household name in recent years, with movies, books and countless products dedicated to her art and likeness. This program will go beyond the artist’s famous facial hair and penetrating stare and explore her life and her work, particularly as it relates to the trolley accident she survived as a teen and her passionate and often tumultuous marriage to fellow artist Diego Rivera. About the presenter: Jane Oneail curates and delivers art appreciation programs to audiences throughout New England. Jane holds a master’s in Art History from Boston University and a master’s in Education from Harvard University. A New Hampshire native, she has worked at some of the state's most esteemed cultural institutions, including the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, where she served as Executive Director, and the Currier Museum of Art, where she held the role of Senior Educator. Jane has also taught at the college level for more than a decade, most recently at Southern New Hampshire University. For more information visit iamculturallycurious.com Donations welcome at door

Ongoing Programs: