Bennington
Senior & Community News January – February 2026
Please note the Senior Center & the Sports Center will be closed January 1st The Rec Center will be open January 1st Senior Center 124 Pleasant St | The Sports Center 230 Gage St
Adult Program Offerings 8-4 Daily Check program calendars for times & location
To our Senior Community…
It is the mission of the Berkshire Family YMCA and Town of Bennington to engage persons 50+ in the lifelong learning process; promoting their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being by providing social, recreational, creative and cultural programs and enabling active participation in the center and community. Program costs are founded on a not-for-profit basis.
Sponsored by:
Saturday, December 20, 2025 | Bennington Senior & Community News Bennington Banner 2
BFMMCA - BENNINGTON BRANCH
HOLIDAY HOURS
REC CENTER
December 24 Closed at 1 pm December 25 CLOSED December 31 Closed at 1 pm
SPORTS CENTER
WEEKLY PROGRAMS
MONDAYS
Painting Group: This informal group meets on Mondays & Fridays, but painters are welcome to work on their own at any time. The group works from photographs, calendar art, and old masters. Bring your own painting materials; group size limited to 8-10 participants. Come when you can, get ideas from each other, and enjoy some good conversation! 9am – Noon No Fee Cards & Games: Group decides the game, or multiple groups can play different games. Games available here include the following: Board games: Parcheesi, Trivial Pursuit, Backgammon, Mancala, Clue, Payday, Ticket to Ride, Go, Chess, Checkers, Battleship Word games: Balderdash, Pictionary, Taboo, Scattergories, Scrabble, Smart Mouth, Upwords, Whatchamacallit Card, Dice, and Tile games: Yahtzee, Farkle, Cribbage, Mille Bornes, Dominos, Mahjong, Rummikub, Uno, Bohnanza, all manner of traditional card games… or bring your own game to share. The possibilities are nearly endless! 1:00 pm No Fee
TUESDAYS
Bone Builders: This low impact exercise, run through RSVP, promotes strength through weight training, plus helps with both balance and bone density. Class may include open discussion about nutrition, disease prevention, and alternate exercises. Class leader varies. 8:30AM & 9:45AM No Fee
THURSDAYS
Bone Builders: See class description on Tuesday list. Craft Corner: Bring whatever craft project you are working on. Quilting, crocheting, knitting, weaving, decoupage, coloring, the options abound! We have sewing machines available to use. You bring the materials (or peruse what has been donated here), we supply the space, coffee, tea, and socialization. 1:00 pm No Fee
FRIDAYS
Painting Group: See group description on Monday list. BINGO: Come play low stakes, high energy BINGO! 2 cards for $2, additional cards 50 cents each, 6 card maximum. Beverages provided; feel free to bring snacks to share! 1 pm
December 24 Closed at 1 pm December 25 CLOSED December 31 Closed at 1 pm January 1 CLOSED
SENIOR CENTER
December 24-26 CLOSED December 31 CLOSED January 1 CLOSED
JANUARY 2026 SCHEDULE | BENNINGTON
MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
BENNINGTON SPORTS CENTER
BENNINGTON SPORTS CENTER
8am
Hatha
Melissa C.
8:30am
Balance, Stability, & Core
Melissa
9am
Silver Sneakers with Sam!
Sam
9am
Active Walk
Sam
9am
Active Walk
Tracy
10am
Pilates
Sam
10am
Tai Chi - Advanced
Tracy
10:15am
Silver Sneakers with Wendy
Wendy
11am
Pilates
Sam
11am
Full Core
Melissa
11am
Beginners Tai Chi
Tracy
11am
SilverSneakers Yoga
Sam
12pm
Muay Thai Foundations
Sam
12pm
SilverSneakers
Melissa
12pm
Silver Sneakers
Melissa
5:15pm
Cardio HIIT
Taylor
4:15pm
Zumba
Jasmine
5:15pm
Cardio Drumming
Michaela
9:30am
Cardio Splash
Michaela
5:30pm
Hatha Yoga
Jasmine
5:15pm
Aqua Aerobics
Judi
BENNINGTON RECREATION CENTER
BENNINGTON RECREATION CENTER 11am
Dancefit
THURSDAY
Wendy
BENNINGTON SPORTS CENTER
TUESDAY BENNINGTON SPORTS CENTER 8am
Yoga Flow
Melissa C.
9am
Strength & Balance: Advanced
Tracy
9am
Spin with Melissa
Melissa
10am
Strength & Balance: Beginners
Tracy
10:15am
Floor Yoga
Jasmine
11am
Chair Yoga
Jasmine
11am
Strength & Balance: Intermediate
Melissa
11:30am
Cardio Drumming
Micheala
12pm
Qigong!
Tracy
4:15pm
Restorative Yoga
Jasmine
5:30pm
Zumba
Jasmine
BENNINGTON RECREATION CENTER 8:10am
Aqua Zumba
Jasmine
9am
Water Joint Health & Mobility
Jasmine
Waitlist Policy: Our classes have a max capacity for your safety and comfort. Make sure to attend class even if you are on the waitlist. You may be able to take a vacant spot but only in the absence of registered members or at the discretion of the instructor.
Silver Sneakers: Intermediate
Melissa
9am
Strength and Balance: Advanced
Tracy
10am
Spin with Melissa
Melissa
10am
Strength and Balance: Beginners
Tracy
11am
Strength and Balance: Intermediate
Tracy
5:30pm
Let’s Dance with Judi
Judi
FRIDAY BENNINGTON SPORTS CENTER 9am
SilverSneakers with Sam!
Sam
9am
Active Walk
Tracy
10am
SilverSneakers Yoga
Sam
11am
Floor Work
Tracy
12pm
SilverSneakers
Melissa
12pm
Muay Thai Foundations
Sam
BENNINGTON RECREATION CENTER 11am
Dancefit
Wendy
Active BFYMCA membership and registration are required for class participation.
REVISED 12/7/25
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Login to your account online to register www.bfymca.org/programs
8am
Bennington Senior & Community News | Saturday, December 20, 2025
GROUP FITNESS
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Saturday, December 20, 2025 | Bennington Senior & Community News
– COMMUNITY RESOURCES –
Bennington Town Clerk/ Town Offices (802) 442-1037 Bennington Recreation Center/YMCA (802) 500-2770 Meals on Wheels of Bennington County (802) 442-8012 VNA & Hospice (Bennington Home Health) (802) 442-5502 Bennington Project Independence (802) 442-8136 Bennington Rutland Opportunity Council (BROC) (802) 447-7515
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (802) 442-5436 Retired Senior Volunteer Project (RSVP) (802) 447-1546 Social Security Administration (Rutland office) (866) 690-1944 Green Mountain Community Network (802) 447-0477 Support And Services at Home (SASH) (802) 442-9920
– HOUSING –
Bennington Housing Authority (802) 442-8000
Shires Housing (802) 442-8139 THM (office in Manchester) (802) 362-4663
SHOPPING
January 8th - Burlington Coat Factory, Pittsfield & Applebee’s for Lunch 9:30-4PM January 20th – Wilton Mall, Saratoga & Red Robin for Lunch 9:30AM -4PM February 5th Crossgates Mall, Albany 9:30AM – 4PM February 24th Rutland Craft Stores 9:30AM- 4PM
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Tue, Jan 13
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OUT TO EAT!
Ramunto’s Arlington 11:30AM-2PM
Tue, Jan 27 Red Lobser/Olive Garden Colonie 10:45AM-2:30PM
Tue, Feb 10 Bubbles Restaurant Mechanicsville 11AM-2PM Thu, Feb 26 Hoosick Falls Diner 11:30- 2PM
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NEW FEES FOR BUS TRIPS, PLEASE CALL OR VISIT FOR PRICING. Discounts up to 100% off with BFYMCA members
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE SPORTS CENTER
January 15th
CROCK POT COOK OFF – 12:15
Enter your favorite recipe for bragging rights and a prize
February 19th
CHILI COOK OFF
Who will be the winner this year? Enter your most delicious chili and let the best chili win!
VALENTINES COOKIE SWAP
Wednesday, February 11th - 10AM-1PM
serves people through:
IN HOUSE PROGRAMS
Daily 9AM-10AM
COFFEE HOUR
A time to socialize with friends over coffee, pastries, and music. Held at Bennington Senior Center daily.
COFFEE WITH WENDY
Join our Adult Wellness Coordinator Wendy at the Bennington Sports Center every Monday and Thursday for coffee, snacks, good chats, and a lot of fun! WILLIAMS COLLEGE X INSTITUTE FOR FIGURING
BERKSHIRE SATELLITE REEF
Bennington Sports Center (230 School Stree t) holds coral reef crochet worksho ps every Thursday at 1:00pm
LOVE TO CROCHET? LOVE THE SEA? JOIN US!
All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate! Use your phone to scan the code
REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS BENNINGTON BRANCH START BY LOGGING IN... GO TO WWW.BFYMCA.ORG
In the upper right hand corner, click MY Y ACCOUNT LOGIN/SIGNUP Login or find your account with associated e-mail address of phone number. Note: For password recovery contact your Welcome Center (802)500-2770.
FIND YOUR BRANCH
After selecting your name from your account click Browse for programs Scroll down to the program registry screen, in the upper left hand corner it says: You’re looking for offerings at All Locations Change Click Change Select your branch (Bennington Branch)) and all group fitness locations Bennington Rec, Bennington Senior Center, Bennington Sports (Bennington Center) Click SET LOCATIONS Select Group Exercise - Bennington Branch To see all class options select - See more (Example: See 24 more)
SIGN UP!
Select your classes, after clicking REGISTER it will ask which member on the account you’d like to sign up. The next screen will direct you to a Waiver of Liability to sign that is required for Y class participation. Sign your waiver, then click ACCEPT AND SIGN Don’t check out yet! You can ADD MORE PROGRAMS to your cart! Continue the process of selecting your classes.
CHECK-OUT
Click CHECKOUT only after confirming that all the classes you’d like to attend are in your cart. If you exit the checkout screen before completing this step and receiving a . It will not save your registration!
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Please pay attention to dates and times when signing up. Often times we have multiple listings for the same class. Example: Strength and Balance often runs on Tuesdays AND Thursdays. Online registration opens at 12am the 3rd Monday of each month, and in-house registration will open the following day at 8am.
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The Berkshire Satellite Reef—part of the worldwide Crochet Coral Reef by artists Christine and Margaret Wertheim and the Institute for Figuring—is a communal art project entailing the creation of a life-size coral reef made entirely out of crochet. It will be exhibited at Williams College in the ‘62 Center for Theatre & Dance as an immersive installation in the spring of 2026.
Kitchen Cupboard - The Kitchen Cupboard provides free food to individuals and families in need and teaches them how to eat better on a budget. Emergency Needs Fund - The Emergency Needs Fund helps families pay for shelter, utilities and other basic needs to low-income families experiencing a financial crisis due to unexpected events like layoffs and injuries. You First - The You First Bennington program provides eligible individuals in Bennington County personalized support to pay for breast, cervical and heart screenings, diagnostic tests and heart healthy lifestyle programs. The Dr. G. Richard Dundas Free Clinic - Primary medical care, care coordination, and referrals for uninsured or underinsured adults living in the Bennington County area. More information can be obtained by calling (802) 4473700.
Bennington Senior & Community News | Saturday, December 20, 2025
Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services, Inc.
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Saturday, December 20, 2025 | Bennington Senior & Community News
Bennington Senior & Community News | Saturday, December 20, 2025
Bennington Banner
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Saturday, December 20, 2025 | Bennington Senior & Community News
POOL SCHEDULE
BENNINGTON RECREATION CENTER www.bfymca.org 655 Gage St., Bennington, VT 05201 P: 802-500-2770
Typical Jan - Feb Pool Schedule
Please note that the pool schedule is subject to change and should be checked before arriving. Check online schedules for accurate pool schedule, group exercise, and more: www.bfymca.org/schedules Sign up for classes, learn about special events, and more on our website! Below are general schedules for each day of the week. PLEASE LOOK ONLINE FOR ACCURATE SCHEDULE WITH HOLIDAY CLOSURES & EVENTS!
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Monday 6-9am: Lap/Open Swim 9-10:30am: School Group Reserved 10-llam: Lap/Open Swim 11am-12pm: DanceFit Class* 12-12:30pm: Lap/Open Swim 12:30-1:30pm: Lap/Open Swim 1-2pm: School Group Reserved 2pm-3pm Lap/Open 3pm-4:30pm MAU swim team 4:30-5pm Lap/Open 5pm-7pm Marauders 7-8pm: Lap/Open Swim
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Tuesday 8-l0am: GroupEx*/Lap Swim 10am-4pm: Lap/Open Swim 4-6pm: Swim Lessons* 6-7pm: Marauders Reserved 7-8pm: Masters/Marauders Reserved Wednesday 6-8am: Lap/Open Swim 8-9am: Deep Water Aerobics*/Lap Swim
9-9:30am: Lap/Open Swim 9:30-10:30am: Cardio Splash* 10:30-11:30am: Tots Swim*/Open Swim 11:30am-3pm: Lap/Open Swim 3pm-4:30pm MAU swim team 4:30-5:15pm Lap/open 5:15-6pm: WaterAerobics* 6-8pm: Marauders Reserved Thursday 8am-1pm: Lap/Open Swim 1-2pm: School Group Reserved 2:30pm-4pm MAU swim team 4-6pm: Swim Lessons* 6-7pm: Marauders Reserved 7-8pm: Masters/Marauders Reserved Friday 6-9am: Lap/Open Swim 9-9:30am: Step Into Swim Reserved 9:30-10:30am: School Group Reserve 10:30-11am: Lap/Open Swim 11am-12pm: DanceFit Class* 12-1pm: Lap/Open Swim
1-2pm: School Group Reserved 2pm-3:30pm: Lap/Open 3pm-4:30pm MAU swim team 4:30-5:30pm : Lap/Open Swim 5:30-7pm: Marauders Reserved 7-8pm: Kids Night Out* Saturday 8am-10:30am : Lap/Open 10:30am-12pm: Masters 12pm-3pm : Family Swim 3pm-4pm Lap/Open
SUNDAY: (Open Sundays Nov-Apr!) 8am-12pm: Open/Lap Swim Special timing updates: parties are changing & swim practices end 2/1/26 Revised 12/10/25 & subject to change **Classes with * require registration. Sign up for classes, learn about special events, and more on our website!