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

Sketching
Date: September 15, 2021
Time: 8:30 - 10:00 am
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Ernesto Almada
Location: Game Room
Description: This month we’d shine the light on one of our older classes, but one of our newest instructors. The Sketching class has a new teacher and his name is Ernesto Almada. While he may be a new instructor here, neither art, nor teaching is new to him. Ernesto is an Art major and has spent 33 years in the school district as a bilingual tutor. During that time he worked with an after school program. During that time he taught young students art skill, but teaching adults would be no different. He had several students who earned awards in local art shows. Classes will start with a foundation in basic shapes and then use those shapes to learn shading before moving on to more complete objects, 3D, still life, then finally portraits. There will be no tracing or copying of other people’s works. He wants people to show their own creativity. Students need to bring their own pencils (from 9H to 9B – The HB scale ranges from 9H, a hard pencil that leaves fine, light marks, to 9B, a soft pencil which a high ratio of graphite that leaves bold, dark marks.), or even just a #2 to start, a sharpener, as well as a sketch pad. The size of the sketchpad will depend upon a student’s personal preference. So make your mark in the world and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s what they make erasers for.

Featured Activity

Wii Bowling League
Time: Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $10.00 per season members
      $10.00 per season non-members
Location: Parlor
Description: Instead of wooden lanes and pins, Wii Bowlers hit the virtual lanes using Nintendos' Wii game system. Wii bowling tends to start out easy, building confidence, while you get use to bowling with a hand held remote. However, the better you bowl, the harder it can become. You can put too much spin and throw a gutter ball. You can even release it behind your and watch the audience scatter. Those who have trouble picking up a bowling ball will have no trouble lifting the remote control, which is a small plastic rectangular stick weighing only a few ounces. Play is done on our three big screen TVs. They are brand new 55" HD TVs donated by our Wii Bowlers. If you want you can sign up to be a substitute to get your feet wet, or bring in a team. If you don't have other players we will try our best to put you onto an existing team. No matter which way you go, you'll still have lots of fun in our Wii Bowling League. Sessions are only six weeks long. Next league registration takes place at 1:30 pm on September 14th, with bowling starting on September 21st.
Christmas Tree Donation
By: Mike Sylva
Christmas came a little early at the Highland Senior Center, as one of Santa’s helpers, Paul Marzullo, dropped off a pre-decorated Christmas tree for the seniors to enjoy. The gift is actually from Paul and the Marzullo family. The seven foot tall tree took Paul six hours to decorate before he loaded it on his sleigh and delivered it.

The Marzullos know the center well as Paul’s two aunts, Willie Williams and Catherine Madrial are members. Paul’s family also has known Executive Director Penny Lilburn for many years. The Highland Senior Center would like to thank Paul Marzullo and family for the gift. Now Santa has something to put the gifts under.