Recreation

Senior Softball: The Retreads

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 9:00-11:00am

We have warm ups and batting practice at 9 AM  every Tuesday and Thursday from March until mid October. The warm ups are followed by a 9 inning scrimmage game with first pitch at   9:30.  Get out your softball shoes and glove and have a ball! The Retreads welcome all fitness and experience levels, as long as you’re 55+ (men) or 40+ (women). Most players are 65+. We believe in teamwork—sluggers can request a runner to cover the bases! There is a $25 fee payable to the Retreads that helps to pay for equipment, awards, web site and other expenses. For more information visit  www.charlottesvilleretreads.org

Open to all.

Location: Darden Towe Park

Contact: Larry Stremikis 434-328-2420

Sheepshead (On-site Outside)

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 12:00-2:00pm

Will meet on-site on the back Terrace beginning in May!

Come play or learn to play Sheepshead (or “Schafkopf”), a trick-taking card game, like bridge or spades, that originated in Germany in the late 18th century and one that continues to be very popular in Wisconsin and other midwestern United States.  Anyone, including beginners, with an interest in card-playing welcome. Free and open to all. 

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Backgammon (On-site)

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 2:00-3:30pm

This fun group currently meets weekly outside on the back Terrace.

Join a friend or meet a new one in a game of Backgammon.  If you've never played, or are just a little rusty, or are a professional Backgammon player, come!  All skill levels are welcome.  If you have a board, you're welcome to bring it.  Meets every Thursday.  Free to members.  If you are interested in playing or plan to attend, please email Peggy Slez.

Members only.

Location: The Center

International Folk Dance (ON SITE)

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 2:30-3:30pm

Come and learn an International Folk Dance or two!  You’re invited to learn and dance along to a few easy to learn folk dances. This is a great class for beginners! Dance along or just watch and listen to the music.  We’ll have dances from countries such as Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and others.  The class is currently also offered on Zoom. For instructions on how to join in the class with ZOOM, email Bill Shaw at wjshawiii@gmail.com  Free and open to the community.

Please register below.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

International Folk Dance (ONLINE)

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 2:30-3:30pm

Come and learn an International Folk Dance or two!  You’re invited to learn and dance along to a few easy to learn folk dances. This is a great class for beginners! Dance along or just watch and listen to the music.  We’ll have dances from countries such as Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and others.  For instructions on how to join in the class with ZOOM, email Bill Shaw at wjshawiii@gmail.com  Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: Online

Intermediate Line Dance (ONLINE)

Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 6:15-8:15pm

Open to all.

Location: Online

Beginning Line Dance (ON SITE)

Friday, May 7, 2021 | 12:00-1:30pm

If you are fairly new to the word of line dance or have never tried it out, this class is for you. The beginner's class is for Center members.

EMAIL INSTRUCTOR,  CELIA PFAUTZ for inquiries.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Celia Pfautz ckpfautz@gmail.com

Improvers/Intermediate Line Dance (ON SITE)

Friday, May 7, 2021 | 1:30-4:00pm

This class is for those with some line dancing experience.  This class is held every Friday. Open to all.

Contact Celia Pfautz  for more information.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Contact: ckpfautz@gmail.com

BINGO at THE CENTER (ON SITE)

Friday, May 7, 2021 | 2:30-3:30pm

Fridays 2:30-3:30pm

Bingo is back at The Center! Join Bruce Garretson, Center member and Bingo caller for an hour of good fun. Small prizes to winners will be awarded – register online (you must register each week) to reserve your seat. We’ll supply the Bingo cards and chips. Open to all. Cost is $2 payable at the Bingo game.

Registration is required below.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Silver Swans Ballet Class

Monday, May 10, 2021 | 11:00-12:00pm

Whether you're a seasoned professional or brand new to dance, this class is a great way to move. Silver Swans (a program of the Charlottesville Ballet) incorporates classic ballet principles and will focus on flexibility, strength, and conditioning, but mostly on fun! Get on your toes and join instructor Maria Chee*. Center members free; Guests $6/class 

*Maria W. Chee holds a bachelor’s and master of arts in dance, a Ph.D. in anthropology, and a master of arts in anthropology. She studied ballet, modern, jazz; dance production; as well as dance history and research. She has taken classes at the Martha Graham School in New York, and has spent intensive sessions with Bella Lewinsky, members of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and Ballet Jazz of Montreal. She has more than ten years of teaching experience as a state licensed teacher in adult education and as a lecturer at college level.

Registration required below.

The class has filled up for May!

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Chinese Mah Jongg (ON SITE)

Monday, May 10, 2021 | 1:00-3:30pm

We're sorry, this group is currently full.

Have you ever wanted to play one of the oldest games in the world? If you know how to play Rummy, you easily can easily learn Chinese Mah Jongg. No card. No hands to memorize. Come and check it out. Learn the traditions of an ancient culture and appreciate the subtle nuances of the game.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Bonnie Morton 434.975.5540

Member Social (On-site)

Monday, May 10, 2021 | 2:30-3:30pm

Join fellow Center members each Monday for an informal gathering. Share laughter, companionship, and great stories as members get acquainted, promote programs, and discuss life events.

Option to meet later for early-bird specials at a local restaurant! Free social; dinner is on your own. 

Please RSVP below for May 3.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Party Bridge (Outside)

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | 12:00-3:30pm

This group meets every Tuesday outside on the terrace. Masks are required.

Have fun and improve your Bridge game. A group of 8-12 will meet for play on our patio each Tuesday afternoon (masks required at all times). New to Charlottesville, veteran bridge players Bill and Sue Leary have started bridge groups in several places. They love the challenge of the game and are looking forward to meeting new folks. For center members. To learn more and/or register, email Sue and include your phone number.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Beginning Line Dance (Online)

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | 1:00-2:30pm

Every Tuesday and Friday!  

WILL MEET VIA ZOOM on TUESDAYS. 

WILL MEET ON-SITE at THE CENTER ON FRIDAYS! No need to sign up if you plan to attend on-site.

If you've never line danced before or have done a little here and there, this class is for you! Clear a space in your home and join in the fun! For instructions on how to join in via ZOOM, email program leader, Celia Pfautz at least one hour prior to the start of class. 

Members only.

Location: Online

Canasta (Outside)

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 12:00-4:00pm

This group traces its origins back to 1991, when the Senior Center opened on Pepsi Place. Our game consists of five decks of cards, similar to “Hand and Foot Canasta”. We are a friendly and sociable group and all look forward to this weekly good time. New members are always welcome—and we’re happy to teach anyone who wants to learn. We can play with 2, 3, 4, or 6 player. You do not need a partner.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Jean Foss, Program Leader, mjfoss1@mac.com (434) 973-3709

Ping Pong (ON SITE)

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 2:30-3:30pm

We've got the ping pong tables, paddles, and ping pong balls! Now we need you, no matter what your skill level is. Stop by anytime during the scheduled event for an informal game. Free to members.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Intro to Kayaking at Beaver Creek Reservoir (Offsite)

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | 10:00-12:00pm

Learn how to confidently paddle a kayak on a lake with an instructor from the Rivanna River Company. You will learn about the equipment, terminology, and techniques of launching, landing, and maneuvering in a sit-on-top kayak. This session is suitable for beginners and anyone else who wants to improve their paddling skills. All necessary equipment is provided. Physical distancing will be observed by the instructor and participants during this all-outdoor class. Registration required, open to all. $60.00 per person. (Min: Participants= 6 Max Participants = 14)

Registration Link:

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/rivannarivercompany/items/298431/availability/638162226/book/?full-items=yes 

Beaver Creek Reservoir Boat Ramp Parking Directions from Charlottesville: Take State Route 250 West towards Crozet; Cross over Mechums River, take immediate right onto State Route 680 Browns Gap Turnpike; Turn left into Park on Beaver Creek Park Road and follow this road until it ends at the boat ramp parking lot.  (Apparently using the address can be misleading in google maps)

Open to all.

Location: Beaver Creek Reservoir - Off Site

Square Dancing Lessons - (ON SITE)

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | 2:00-3:00pm

Class will not meet on May 12.

Jim Hassmer, a member of The Virginia Reelers Square Dance Club will guide participants in learning the 71 basic movements of 8-person square dancing. All levels are welcome! Terrific fun as well as good for your brain, body, and social life. Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

The Blue Ridge Railroad Tunnel with Paul Wagner (ONSITE)

Thursday, May 27, 2021 | 11:00-12:15pm

The Tunnel is a 35-minute documentary film about the creation and the re-creation of the Blue Ridge Tunnel.

Located at Rockfish Gap, 25 miles west of Charlottesville, the tunnel, was designed by Claudius Crozet and built by Irish immigrants in the 1850s. When completed in 1858, at nearly a mile long, it was the longest railroad tunnel in America. It was re-opened as an historic site in November of 2020. The film was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Wagner who has produced and directed more than forty documentary and dramatic films over a forty-year career, and produced by Ellen Casey Wagner.

The Tunnel interweaves two stories: how the tunnel was first built between 1850 and 1858 by the immigrants fleeing the Famine in Ireland, and how it was restored between 2002 and 2021 re-opened as a historic site for public use in November of 2020.

Digging the tunnel was dangerous work and many Irish men and boys were maimed or killed as a result of cave-ins and explosions. The film includes scenes describing Claudius Crozet’s remarkable engineering achievement and the moment that workers drilling from opposite sides broke through the mountain. Also featured are the contributions of enslaved Black workers who built many miles of railroads across Virginia in the 19^th century.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Singles Schmooze (OFF SITE)

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 | 5:30-7:30pm

Whether you are single by choice or by circumstance, here’s an opportunity to socialize over food and music with a goal of finding new friends. Enjoy light fare and lively conversation! 

The Schmooze group meets at The Center the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. The cost for the meal is $7 payable at the Welcome Desk that evening. Trying it out for the first time? Be our guest for free when dining at The Center. Please check in at the Welcome Desk upon arrival.

On the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, the group usually dines out at a local restaurant and everyone goes "Dutch." You can call the Welcome Desk (434) 974-7756 after 11 am to find out the location.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fishing Group / Kingfishers (On site)

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 | 9:30-11:00am

KINGFISHERS

Fishing—precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge! Join the group for discussions relating to local fishing issues, opportunities, and reports. Open to members but first time guests are welcome!

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Darryl Marshall 434.328.2440