Volunteer of the Month
Archives

July 2019
Charles Roberts

Photo of Charles Roberts

This month we’d like to give thanks to a familiar face, but one you might not know of in relation to the Highland Senior Center. Charles Roberts is the former editor of the Highland Community News, where he was a big supporter of the Highland Senior Center and would often visit the center to cover our events and activities. However when he retired at the end of 2017, he continued to support our center, but in a different capacity. Before retiring, he asked Jeff, the Outreach Director if we could use some volunteers, as he did not want to become bored. Well, he asked the right person, as he was immediately made a Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) driver. He volunteers to drive just about every weekday, and sometimes on weekends as well. Yet his helping us out doesn’t stop there. He also helps out in our Food Program, three days a weeks. He sorts outs the food we bring in and then helps us to pass it out to our seniors. We would also like to thank his wife, Myrna, who gives him time off from his retirement Honey Do list to help us out.

Featured Class

Italian
Date: January 18, 2019
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Length: 8
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Rita Sicilliano
Location: Game Room
Description: We welcome back an old class, Italian. The class 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

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.
Support Groups for Cancer and Alzheimers
By: Mike Sylva
Even though the holidays are over, the stress of the holidays (when the bills arrive) will linger for awhile more. The stress is bad enough, but imagine if you or someone you love is suffering from cancer or Alzheimers. At the Highland Senior Center we are ready to lend a helping hand. We have two support groups that meet once a month.

The Alzheimers support group meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 10:30 am, while the Cancer support group meets on the 1st Monday of every month at 2:00 p.m. Dont go through this alone. Stress is high enough at this time. Get the support you need to help you get through this difficult time. For more information call us at the Highland Senior Center at 909-862-8104.