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

Computer Desktop 101
Date: October 3, 2019
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Length: 8
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: TBA
Location: gameroom
Description: This is a beginners class for those who are just that. Beginners. Those who register will be asked about their level and what they hope or need to learn. Classes will be tailored to fit the needs of the students. Classes are on Thursday. Computers (desktops and laptops), tablets, and smart phones will be covered.

Featured Activity

Mexican Train Dominoes
Time: Fridays 1:00 pm
Cost: None members
      None non-members
Location: Game Room
Description: This month we'd like to shine the light no Mexican Train Dominoes. Mexican Train is a modern version of Dominoes, played with 91 double-twelve dominoes. Between four to eight players may participate, but if less than six people are playing, it is recommended that only the double blank through nine (or a set of Double 9 Dominoes) be used. A unique feature of Mexican Train is the little \"trains\" used for game markers. These may be any sort of marker (such as a bead, button, or coin), but the game\'s more fun if you use actual toy trains. The object of the game is to discard all your dominoes. You discard onto your own train, onto the Mexican train, onto other trains at the station, or onto other players trains. Mexican Train is a fun variation of dominoes, and a great party game. Make sure to have enough dominoes and plenty of the little trains on hand! The train leaves the station on Fridays at 1:00 p.m.
Operation Senior Claus 2010
By: Mike Sylva
2010\'s Operation Senior Claus was an overwhelming success thanks to the overwhelming number of people who donated items, or volunteered to help out nearly 70 seniors or senior couples. Much more than last year. That is great! Unfortunately, that means more people are in need than ever.

Luckily we had over 100 elves from the center, local businesses, service organizations, and the community to not only help cook up the meals, but to then go out in their sleds to spread a bit of Christmas cheer. However, what would our volunteers deliver if it weren’t for the generosity of so many donors, such as Stater Bros. In these times when people are giving less and tightening belts it was nice to see the large amount of people who donated food, gift certificates, and other items for those less fortunate. Even the City of Highland staff got involved getting various gift cards and items to fill stockings with.

So once again, thanks to all those who helped out. God bless you. Everyone.