Volunteer of the Month
Archives

October 2021
Don Harper

Photo of Don Harper

This month we’d like to shine the light on Don Harper is one of our longtime Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) drivers. Don has been a member for about 7 ½ years, and has been driving for 5 ½ years. During that time he has become one of our go-to drivers driving multiple times a week, and sometimes several trips in one day. He first heard about the center from his mother-in-law, who is a Wii Bowler. She got him a membership and he came and joined the Wii Bowling league. He then remembered then Outreach Director, Holly Andrade, talking about TAP and how they needed drivers. He gave it a test drive, enjoyed it and has been doing it ever since. He loves driving, and loves the people. He thinks of this as his job, but a job he enjoys. The clients love him too and has clients who ask for him. Originally from Fort Worth, TX, his mom brought him out here when he was two. He inched his way over from Blythe, to Beaumont, to Highland. We are thankful that his travels brought him closer to us. Thanks Don for driving that extra mile for us!

Featured Class

Brain Fitness
Date: September 15, 2021
Time: 12:15 - 2:00 pm
Length: 8 Weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Janette Miksik
Location: Game Room
Description: Your 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 offer this Brain Fitness class. The class promotes brain health through fitness, nutrition, cognitive exercises and activities to boost memory skills and 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, and encourages active discussion. Everything is designed to get those synapses firing. If you want to sharpen your skills and learn new things this group is for you . The group meets on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm. 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

Bridge Interest List
Time: Dailys
Cost: members
       non-members
Location:
Description: We are hoping to bring back an activity that has not been here for many years. One of our newest members is hoping to bring back Bridge to the center. Bridge is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. In its basic format, it is played by four players in two competing partnerships. According to Wikipedia, “the game consists of several deals, each progressing through four phases. The cards are dealt to the players, and then the players auction or bid to take the contract, specifying how many tricks the partnership receiving the contract (the declaring side) needs to take to receive points for the deal. During the auction, partners communicate information about their hand, including its overall strength and the length of its suits, although conventions for use during play also exist. The cards are then played, the declaring side trying to fulfill the contract, and the defenders trying to stop the declaring side from achieving its goal. The deal is scored based on the number of tricks taken, the contract, and various other factors which depend to some extent on the variation of the game being played.” If this scares or confuses you don’t let it. It is very popular worldwide, and the group would be willing to take in all levels of players, from beginners to intermediate. Advance players are welcome as well, as long as they are willing to help the more inexperienced players. So if this sounds like something you would be interested in please stop by the front desk or call us at (909)862-8104 and add your name and phone number to the interest list. If we have enough interest you will be called back with a time and date and start building bridges.
Center presents at the Highland Chamber Luncheon
By: Mike Sylva
In January the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon. What made it special was that, on the heels of the center being honored was the Chambers 2010 Business of the Year, the center gave a presentation. Penny Lilburn wanted to show the members exactly why we were worthy of such an award.

One of our aerobics instructors, Julia Regan, started things off with a short, heart pumping, aerobics warm up. Once everyone was done burning off the calories from their lunch, Penny showed a short power point presentation, in which she talked about the center and all the activities and resources we provide. Next came a short video, which highlighted a year in the life of the Highland Senior Center, showcasing all of our events and activities. In the end, the audience all agreed that the Chamber made the right choice!