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

Creative Writing
Date: September 16, 2021
Time: 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Length: 8 Weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Group Led
Location: Game Room
Description: Don’t be ‘a writer’. Be writing. - William Faulkner The Creative Writing, or Writing for Fun class, is our only student led classes. The class brings in assigned projects and presents them to the class. The class then gives helpful feedback and discussion. Styles of writing varies from class to class, such as a memoir, humor, essays, poetry, etc. You will write about what you know, but if the assignment doesn’t please you. Write something else. Classes are on Thursdays from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Sessions are 8 weeks in length, with classes held quarterly. Cost is only $8 for members and non-members.

Featured Activity

Hand and Foot
Time: Mondays 12:30 pm
Cost: Free members
      Free non-members
Location: Game Room
Description: You might think it’s related to Twister but it’s not. It’s actually a card game, related to Canasta. Hand and Foot is a North American game variation where each player is dealt two sets of cards using one as the “hand” and one as the “foot. There are numerous variations of the game and no “standard” rules. You can either play as individuals or as teams. The most common version of the game is played with four players in partnerships; it can also be played by six people in two teams of three or by any number of individuals. The following rules are for our “favorite” way to play with four people, two teams of two. To play you’ll need four to six full decks of 52 cards, including the jokers – Rules vary from one to two decks per player, or one more than the number of players). The aim is to get rid of cards from your hand (11 cards), and then from your foot (11 cards), by melding them. A meld is a set of three to seven cards of equal rank placed face up on the table. The play ends when one of the partners “goes out”. It’s a very popular game here at the center and the group is always looking for new players and are eager to teach people how to play. If you like Hand and Foot, Canasta, or card games in general and you think you might be interested in play, the group meets on Mondays at 12:30 pm in the Game Room
Kazoo Band Forming
By: Mike Sylva
Have you always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument? Are you a blowhard? Well you are exactly what we are looking for! We are forming a kazoo band to march in the Highland 4th of July parade. No auditions to be held. If you can hum, you can play the kazoo. Best of all, we will provide the kazoo for you! The band will get together on June 14th and 28th at 9am for practice.

But what if youre asthmatic? Maybe wind instruments arent your thing? Can you play saucepan, dutch oven, or possibly even double boiler? If so, bring your favorite percussion instrument and a wooden spoon, and get ready to bang out some Sousa.

If youre still unsure have no fear. Our band director, Penny, will be using Professor Harold Hills Think System. All we need now is 76 kazoos to lead the big parade