Volunteer of the Month
Archives
September 2016
Joy Pritchard
This month we’d like to give thanks to Joy Pritchard. Joy is our Friday afternoon receptionist, and has been for several years. Every Friday she can be found helping us out by answering the phones, taking in money, writing receipts, and answering questions. When not helping out at the front desk she has also worked our booth at the Citrus Harvest Festival and modeled for us at our Fashion Show and Salad Luncheon. A member for 4 years, she first heard about us following a stroke. She became housebound and her daughters though she should get out of the house. She said they physically put her in the car, brought her down here, and signed her up. She has been here ever since. She started out taking Brain Fitness, Magic, and Hula class to help get her mind and body back on track. One day, the director, Penny Lilburn asked her to volunteer. Joy was hesitant but soon decided that it would help in her recovery. Working the front desk has really helped. In fact she has taken computer classes and is now taking the writing class as well to help with her skills and mental exercises. Originally from Big Spring Texas, in the pan handle, she read history books about California as a child and bugged her dad so much that he decided at it was a good idea and move out here. The rest is history! Once out here she used to own an auto mechanic stop, running things behind the scenes, while her husbands did the greasy work. Joy has also managed to raise 2 daughters, who gave her 2 grandkids. Thanks Joy for turning something unfortunate, into something fortunate for us.
Featured Class
Brain Fitness
Date: August 24, 2016
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Length: 8 Weeks
Cost: No Fee members
No Fee non-members
Instructor: Member Based Instruction
Location: Sun Room
Description: This month we’d like to shine the lite on an exercise class. However, it’s not physical fitness, but rather mental fitness. In fact, it’s the Brain Fitness class. You’re brain may not be a muscle but you need to keep it active to keep it healthy. Some of our members take advantage of our university classes, but learning is only a part of exercising your brain. To help you out we have a “Brain Fitness” class. The class promotes brain health through fitness, nutrition, and cognitive exercises to boost memory skills, and different activities to stimulate the brain. Adults are living longer and longer, and we need to promote mental as well as physical health. The group does crosswords, puzzles, trivia, discussions, as well as other activities. Everything designed to get those synapses working. The class is taught by various students, who take turns coming up with lesson plans. That in itself is a brain fitness activity! If you want to sharpen your skills and learn new things this group is for you . The group meets on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. in the game room and is always full, so make a mental note to show up at registration to ensure your spot. If you forget to register, you really need to get fit!
Featured Activity
Hula
Time: Thursdays 11:00 am
Cost: $2 members
$2 non-members
Location: Exercise Room
Description: Get ready to shake your groove thing as we welcome back Hula! Starting March 3 Hula classes will be held from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. The class is officially called Hula for Health: “Walk In and Hula Out.” This will be a basic beginning hula class for men AND women and is only $2 per class. According to the instructors, Jacque Robertson, a native Hawaiian, and Irene Hernandez, Hula is a beautiful art form, that develops grace, poise, coordination, and body awareness through dance and low impact exercise. Hula provides flexibility, strength, and mobility. In fact, in the islands, the hula is a celebrated type of outlet for seniors, and is a great stress reliever. Students will learn the basic hula steps through graceful hand and body movements, as well as a series of beautiful modern hulas (Hula ‘Auana). No prior hula or dance experience is required. All you need to bring is water, comfortable loose clothing, and soft shoes (or you may go barefoot). This is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to get active in a fun, nurturing atmosphere and learn a bit about the Hawaiian culture.
Mission Statement
To enrich, maintain, and protect the quality of life of Senior Adults...
Announcements
TIME CHANGE - The 55 Alive refresher course has been moved to 8:30 a.m. on Mondays.
Membership Dues for the 2016 year: Only $20.00 a year. Annual dues are good until December 31, 2016. Gift Certificates are available. Purchase some Senior bucks also...!!
Board of Directors - The Board of Directors meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at noon.
Enjoy a hot nutrional lunch - M - F / 12 -1:00
Upcoming Events
October 15, 2016 11:00 AM - Hoedown & Crafters Fair
Join us a boot kicking great time. The Gas Company is back with their gas Chuck Wagon, along with the Wimberly Blue Grass Band! Tickets still on sale.
October 13, 2016 9:00 - Noon - HEALTH FAIR
Join us on Thursday, October 13, 2016 for our Annual Health Fair. Free Flu shots will be provided to the entire community along with several other free services. Lots of vendors on hand to answer any questions you may have.
November 19, 2016 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - Thanksgiving Dinner
Please come and share Thanksgiving Dinner with your friends and Family here at the Highland Senior Center. Tickets are only $5.00 ($6 at the door) and you can enjoy a full dinner including desert. Share this special day with your family and friends
Articles
East Valley Water District Donated Truck to the Center
By: Mike Sylva
Christmas is over, but we still are getting presents. Last month the Highland Senior Center received a Ford F150 truck from the East Valley Water District. The district had seven surplus vehicles that they decided to donate vehicles to eligible non-profit organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code. We just happen to be a 501(c)(3) organization, so we applied for one.
The applications were reviewed on a first come, first serve basis with priority given to organizations on the basis of how likely the donation of surplus property would benefit the community. We certainly benefit the community, so we fit the bill. John Mura, the General Manager himself dropped off the truck to a very happy Penny Lilburn. We would like to give the EVWD more thanks than we can say for this great gift.
