Lifelong Countywide program provides support and involvement to the far reaches of Tompkins County by coordinating Senior groups. These groups meet regularly for social, educational and community service activities. Each group organizes its own unique activities. Activities include day-trips, volunteer projects and weekly dish-to-pass events with entertainment.

Current group programs serve the following areas and groups:

Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Lansing, Newfield, Ithaca Northeast, Trumansburg, and Varna.  For specific group information, please contact Lifelong at 273-1511 for more information about how to get involved County-Wide programs.

Social Groups

A Social Group is several individuals who come together on a regular basis to pursue a common interest. Lifelong Membership is required but registration is not (*unless otherwise noted). There is a $2 per person per session fee for social groups during Lifelong’s regular business hours and a $3 per person per session fee required for social groups outside of Lifelong’s regular business hours.

2nd Wednesday Night Book Club:  2nd Wednesday of the Month, 7:00-9:00pm

Members read the selected book, then discuss. This group is not currently accepting any new members.

Scrabble Night:  1st Monday of the month, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, facilitated by Robin Tuttle

Gather together with friends to play everyone’s favorite word game!

2nd Monday Afternoon Book Club: 2nd Monday of the month, 11:00 – 1:00pm, facilitated by Julia Bentley Macdonald

If you’re a reader and are looking for a book club to discuss what you’ve read, this is for you! This book club is open to new members.

The Play’s the Thing:  The last Friday of each month, 1:00-3:00pm, coordinated by MarieAnne Krieg & Dolina Millar

One-Act plays are a principal form of dramatic stage performances today.  Each week the “producers” will present three one-act plays read by members of the group who volunteered for the roles at the prior session. Participants prepare a role, put themselves “on stage” and join in a discussion of each dramatic or comedic presentation.  May perform at Lifelong social events.  Looking for new members!

Men’s Social Group:  Saturdays, 9:30-12:00pm, organized by Carl Taylor

Join other men to play cards, drink coffee, and plan projects.

Living Conversation: Tuesdays, 1:30 – 3:30pm, facilitated by Neil Golder

How wonderful, how amazing is that something we do all the time – converse! Together, we will be working & playing with: learning the principles of entering, sustaining, nurturing, and serving conversation – talking and silence – as a work of art.

Lifelong is now offering an increased number of Activities and Lifelong Learning opportunities outside of the Lifelong building at various locations around the area.

General Information about Off-Site Activities and Classes

• Off-site classes (Lifelong Learning or Activity classes) do not require Lifelong membership, unless you opt to pay $30/month for unlimited activity classes.
• Health and Wellness (fitness, strength training, Tai Chi, Yoga) activities are $30 a month for an unlimited number of classes (membership required) or $5 drop-in, payable to the instructor
• Offsite Lifelong Learning classes require registration either over the phone (607-273-1511) or in person at 119 W Court St.  Pre-registration is strongly recommended because classes fill up or, alternatively, may be cancelled if no interest is shown before the date it is scheduled.  Fees for Lifelong Learning classes range from free to $40.
• For a complete listing of the classes or for more information check out the current catalog.

Golf 2021 is ON!!

If you like to golf, are a member of Lifelong, enjoy the company of others, and are open to meeting new people, this is the activity for you!

Starting in May and continuing through the summer, this program features Wednesday morning golf (9 holes) at over 10 area courses.  Lunch may or may not be included in the day, depending on the course.  This a fun, active social group and has over 60 participants each year.

The cost to join this program is $30 (Lifelong membership $25 and $5 program registration).   Additionally, on each day of play, there will be a course fee (greens fee, cart, and usually lunch) that ranges between $17 and $27 dollars depending on the course.

For more information call Karen Koyanagi at 273-1511.

The Northside Southside Program began in 1980 with Mrs. Ruth Mann as its first coordinator.  Its mission was to develop activities and services that would serve the needs of the retired seniors of both the north side and southside of Ithaca.  This included making regular visits and calls to homebound residents, annual picnics, shopping trips and monthly luncheons.

Lifelong is working to develop and present programs that support and meet the interests of members of the Ithaca community across lines of race, ability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. It is our hope that by doing this, we will be a place where people from all parts of our community can come together to socialize, learn, and get and provide help. To this end, Northside Southside has evolved into the MOSAIC program, building on the base of what was started in 1980 and embracing the perspectives and insights we (locally, nationally, and globally) have come to understand as we move deep into the 21st century.

We have just begun, this second year of the pandemic, 2021. Check back to see where we go from here!

Come walk with your friends, old and new, at Lifelong!

Lifelong’s walk program is a great way to explore the beauty and culture of Tompkins County while increasing your strength, improving your balance and enjoying the company and knowledge of your peers. The walk coordinators are Elke Schofield and  Carol Beeman and they are looking forward to sharing the walks they have planned for you.

We will walk every other week on Wednesdays and will meet outside Lifelong at 9:15 AM, promptly starting to walk at 9:30 PM. You must be able to walk independently 1-2 miles.  (Please bring your assistant for the walks, if you need him/her). When carpooling is required, a $1-2 fee for gasoline and parking should be given to the driver. You will be informed either by e-mail or by phone 2-3 days ahead of the scheduled walk.  We will NOT walk if it rains or if the temperature is over 80F.  

REGISTRATION

Lifelong requires that all walkers must be members of Lifelong.  You can register in person at Lifelong, online, or by mail.   A membership is $25 for an individual and $40 for a household of two.  If you want to sign up for the 2021 Lifelong Walks, please send an email to: Elke Schofield at elke.schofield@icloud.com or call her in the afternoon at (607) 272-9476.  Please include your name, email address, home address and home tel. # and cell phone #, and confirm that your Lifelong membership is up to date. Put “Lifelong Walks 2021” in the subject line.

2021 Walk Schedule

June   16      Mural Tour,  Southside – Southside Community Center (Caleb Thomas) 

30         Ithaca Falls

July    14        New Park (1500 Taughannock Blvd)

28         Boiceville,  301 Boiceville Rd, Brooktondale (Bruno Schickel)

Aug     11         Namgyal Monastery, 201 Tibet Drive (still to be confirmed)

25         Larch Meadow Trail, near Buttermilk Falls, Sand Bank Rd.

Sep       8        Gourdlandia, Eco Village, 207 Rachel Carson Way (Graham Ottoson) 

22        Stewart Park: history, new play ground (Diane Riesman/Rick Manning) 

Oct       6        Dryden Lake/Jim Schug Trail (Joyce Walsh) 

20         Beebe Lake

Travel Program Policies:

Registration: All registration can be made in person at Lifelong (119 W. Court Street), Mon-Fri 9:00AM-3:30PM.  You must complete a registration form, release form, and if applicable, select your bus seating, room assignment, and parking choice.  At the time of registration, the deposit is due to secure your reservation. Reservations can be made over the phone using a credit card, but all required release and registration forms must be filled out, signed, and submitted before the trip begins.

Payments: Payments may be made using a Credit Card (VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover), Cash, Personal Check or Money Order. All checks or money orders should be payable to LIFELONG. Your final payment is due before the trip registration deadline.  Failure to provide a payment in full by the registration deadline will result in your reservation being canceled.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations must be made before the registration deadline to receive a refund.  Cancellations made after the registration deadline are eligible for a refund ONLY if your seat(s) can be filled by another party.  An administrative fee of $5.00 will be charged for any refund requests due to cancellations by participants.   Seating Assignments: Seat assignments are given on a first-come, first-served basis.  The seats towards the front of the bus are reserved for persons with disabilities.  Lifelong reserves the right to reseat participants if needed.

Assistance & Accommodation: Lifelong recognizes and seeks to provide program accessibility for people of all abilities.  If you have questions or need specific accommodation during your participation on a trip, please notify a staff person at the time of registering.  We will advocate for you and request specific arrangements as necessary during the trip.   Trip details such as hotel addresses and telephone numbers are available on the trip itinerary which is available at the front desk after registering.  Additional policies and guidelines apply for each trip, ask for details.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lifelong at (607) 273-1511.

Parking:

For trips other than those through Collette Vacations, each trip will offer at least 2-3 options for pick-up/drop-off locations.  You may find specific locations in your trip itinerary.

Lansing Village Place,   Parking Lot located behind the Clarion Hotel

Lifelong, 119 West Court Street, Ithaca, NY

East Hill Plaza, (East end near Cornell Credit Union)

Lifelong offers several options year round for those interested in pursuing creative activities.  Membership is required to participate in these and all other onsite daytime classes and groups.  We are in the process of reinstating the language component. Activity classes differ from Lifelong Learning classes in that they are offered continuously, throughout the year.  Participants pay $5 each time they attend a class or pay $30 a month to attend unlimited Creative & Language Arts Classes.

Clay Studio: Mondays, 10 – 12:00, facilitated by Jennifer Brown 

An opportunity to work with clay from start to kiln. Participants work with guidance, totally independently, or something in between. This is not a wheel studio.

Watercolor Studio: Tuesdays, 9 – 1:00, facilitated by D Spiro 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS ACTIVITY IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED UNTIL MASKS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED INSIDE THE BUILDING.

Participants work with guidance, totally independently, or something in between.  Every week there is a new set-up for still life, and the session finishes with a sharing of work and ideas.

Lifelong Senior Theatre Troupe: Thursdays, 4 – 5:30, led by Sue Perlgut

Beginning October 7 until November 18, the Theatre Troupe will be going virtual, and the time will shift to 2 – 3:30 pm. Call Lifelong for the link

A chance to explore improvisational theater exercises and express yourself.  No lines to learn, no acting background necessary.  A fun experience filled with surprises.

For a complete listing of Health & Wellness and Creative Arts activities, click here.

Some of these programs are partially supported by Tompkins County and the County Office for the Aging.  Unless otherwise noted, class fees are $5 an individual class or $30 a month (membership required for $30/month rate) for unlimited Health and Wellness Classes.

Lifelong membership is required for all classes onsite at Lifelong. Membership is encouraged but not required for offsite classes unless opting for the $30/month rate.

Enhance Your Fitness.: Classes focus on stretching, flexibility, balance, low-impact aerobics, strength training, and deep breathing exercises.  

Tai Chi: Using precise, fluid movement, dissolve tension, increase your strength, cardiovascular fitness, and overall sense of wholeness.

Chair Yoga: Using breathing techniques, basic yoga postures, relaxation, and focus, you will become more in tune with your body, and improve your breath awareness and control. To participate, search Facebook for Chair Yoga, Lifelong and ask to join the group. You will be able to see the class once the host has allowed you into the group.

Strength Training: Resistance exercise strengthens bones, increases muscular endurance and improves coordination and balance.

Meditation: is a mind and body practice that can bring increased calm and help us cope with the stresses of life. Join us to practice a variety of meditation techniques, no experience necessary. Offered via Zoom.  Call Lifelong for the link.

For a complete listing of Health & Wellness and Creative Arts Activities, click here.

Lifelong gratefully thanks Borg Warner for its generosity for letting Lifelong members swim in their beautiful pool on Warren Rd.  The pool has been reopened for 2021 and passes are available for Lifelong members.  The pool will be open seven days a week until September 1. Drop down to Lifelong to pick up your pass.

THANK YOU, BORG WARNER!!

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to those who earn less than $1400 gross income per month (single household) or less than $1900 gross income per month for a two-person household.  Please see our membership and course registration applications for more information.