Volunteer of the Month
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Featured Class
Italian
Date: April 24, 2020
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Length: 8
Cost: $8 members
$8 non-members
Instructor: Rita Sicilliano
Location: Game Room
Description: Italian is taught by Margherita Sicilliano. Margherita, who also goes by the names Margo or Rita, and is from the old country. Born in Caserta, Italy, she was actually born in the Italian Royal Palace (the Reggia di Caserta). Her mom was touring the palace when she went into labor. Not many people can say that they were born in a royal palace, much less a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Raised and educated in Italy, she was still in college when she came with her family to the United States. She continued with her education getting a Bachelor's Degree. She then went back to Italy to get her Master's Degree. Her teaching experience spans 42 years and includes teaching high school French, Spanish, and Italian in New York, as well as French and Spanish Advanced Placement classes at the local Aquinas High School. After retiring some friends told her about the center. She took a trip here and discovered a fellow Italian, Virginia Kautzman, and the two became friends. Margo also found out about our University Language classes, and decided to get back into teaching. She approached us about teaching here, and after offering a choice between Italian and German, everyone decided that Italian would be perfect. Now it is the only Italian class being offered in the area. Student’s need to bring only a pencil and paper to class. There is a work book students can purchase through Amazon for $16, but it is not necessary. The class is open to absolute beginners and those who wish to keep up their Italian. A presto! See you soon!
Featured Activity
Hula
Time: Thursdays 10:00 - 10:30 am
Cost: Free members
Free non-members
Location: Exercise Room
Description: Get ready to shake your groove thing as we welcome back Hula! In January, our Hula returned on Thursdays from 10:00 - 10:30 am. The class is officially called Hula and is being taught by Yolanda “YoYo” Hernandez. YoYo is our new instructor. She learned Hula when she was 72! She always wanted to learn, but didn’t the time, being busy with raising a family and work. She first started with yoga, learning balance. From there she worked on her flexibility, and finally learned Hula. She also believes that Hula is good for the body and the brain, having to remember the dance calls, the steps, and of course, the dancing itself. She first started teaching at another center, before she was asked to start teaching here. YoYo teaches both men and women and begins with the basics. She teaches both “hapa haole (Hula dance with English words), and traditional Hawaiian dances. Classes are taught on Thursdays, from 10:00 – 10:30 am and are free to attend. All one needs to bring is a willing spirit. Until then ke nānā aku nei mākou e ʻike iā ʻoe (we look forward to seeing you).
Lowe_s Heroes Project Benefits the Center
By: Mike Sylva
Last month five of Lowes Heroes from the Highland store, descended upon the Highland Senior Center as part of Lowes ongoing Heroes Project program. The center wasnt sure if those heroes knew what they had in store for them. Cleaning and renovating the centers pantry, which had not been straightened up in years.
This herculean task was as daunting as Hercules task of cleaning the Augean Stables, which held thousands of cows and had not been cleaned in 30 years. Our heroes didnt need to bend any rivers to clean it out. Just some old fashioned sweat and elbow grease.
First they had to take everything out, then strip and clean the walls, and paint. They had to wait for the paint to dry, or they wouldve had it finished in a day, like Hercules. They next day they were back reorganizing, and installing wall shelves, and standing pantry shelves. By the time they were done, the place was unrecognizable. When everything was put back, the pantry still had more room than ever.
The Highland Senior Center would like to thank these true heroes for volunteering their time, hard work, and experience, to make the center a better place. They would also like to thank Lowes for selecting them to benefit from this great project.
