Volunteer of the Month
Archives

November 2019
Linda Sowell

Photo of Linda Sowell

This month we’d like to shine the light on a new, yet not new volunteer. If you read last month’s newsletter, specifically the Activity Spotlite, you would have read a bit about Linda Sowell. Well this month we’d like to shine an even larger spotlight on her as our Volunteer of the Month. Linda is the new Gadabouts Trip Coordinator. She had been working in the Thrift Store and was asked to be a relief in the Trip office. When a vacancy occurred she was asked to take over, which she was more than happy to do. Since then she has been busy scheduling new trips, chaperoning trips on occasion, and generally managing our hustling and bustling trip office. Linda also serves on our Board of Directors. If needed she also helps out at our special events. Originally from Chicago, IL, she moved out to California with her husband who was in the Navy. Once out here she was not content to stay at home raising her two kids (who themselves provided her with five grandkids), but worked in numerous types of jobs. Her main career was in Food Service. She started out at McDonalds as a cashier, and worked her way up to manager. Then she transferred to the school system where she became the Director of Children’s Nutrition for the Bear Valley School District before retiring. Thanks Linda for helping to take our members on trips of a lifetime.

Featured Class

Magic
Date: September 30, 2019
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 am
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Steve Micklas
Location: Parlor
Description: This month we'd like to introduce you to the mysterious and mystical world of our Magic Class. There you'll be taught by Stephen Micklas, a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Come learn basic magic, including misdirection, card magic, and close up magic (coin manipulation). Students learn inexpensive tricks that Grandparents can do, to amaze their friends, family and, of course, Grandkids. Students are only required to bring a deck of cards and maybe some rope or string. Most of the tricks students learn can be done with things found around the house. Stephen will bring in most of the other props needed. You just need to bring a 3 ring binder for notes and handouts. For those interested in magic you just need to remember a few things. Magic is a bit of misdirection and a lot of acting. If you are going to be a member of the class you will be taught a lot of secrets. Remember, that a Magician never reveals his secrets. You also need to practice to do it well. So if you'd like to amaze your family and friends, sign up. For you who already know a card trick or two Stephen is ready to show our Seniors that you can teach an old dog, new tricks.

Featured Activity

Womens Poker
Time: Tuesdays 1:00 pm
Cost: No Fee members
       non-members
Location:
Description: I wanna hold em like they do in Texas please Fold em, let em hit me, raise it baby stay with me, I love it Luck and intuition play the cards with Spades to start. And after hes been hooked I will play the one that is on his heart - Lady Ga Ga Do you know when to hold em ? How about fold em ? If you do great. If not even better. You're the kinda girl they're looking for! Our women's poker group started as a result of the growing popularity a few years ago. And while the buzz has died down, it's still a popular game for a few lucky ladies here at the center. In recent years, Poker has seen growth in popularity not only with men, but with women. Poker tournaments such as the World Poker Tour, and Full Tilt, as well as the explosion of poker parlors and on-line games, and televised poker games, has seen to more people enjoying the game. The rules are pretty basic, but each group has adapted variations, including different wild cards. Don't worry if this is your first time. This group is eager to welcome everyone into their game, even if you have a WSOP bracelet. We have the cards, tables, and chips. All you need to bring is some dark glasses, nerves of steel, and a great poker face. The group meets on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. So if you'd like to give it a try stop by the front desk and ask them to deal you in.
Aerobics class goes Bollywood
By: Mike Sylva
Last month, one of our Aerobics Instructors, Julia Ragan, decided to try something new in her Wednesday class. Something she likes to call Bollyrobics. It’s a mixture of aerobics and Bollywood (or Indian Movie style) dancing, along with Indian music. She only meant to try it one time, but they class enjoyed it so much, they asked her to continue. And so it has. The Wednesday class does their normal aerobics routine, then around 9:30 or so, they break out their scarves, and really start to move. It looks simple, but the participants definitely get a workout. If you’d like to try it out, just come to the Wednesday aerobics class at 9am, dressed to exercise, don’t forget the scarf, and get ready to bust a move...Bollywood style!