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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

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.
Tablet Class
By: Mike Sylva
Who says you can\'t teach an old dog new tricks! 30 of our seniors signed up for a class that would show them how to use their tablets and smartphones. As technology grows by leaps and bounds these days, things designed to make our lives easier, can be difficult to learn how to use. However, thanks to our friends from AT&T, Senator Mike Morrell, Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, and their staff members, they made it easy for our seniors.

The instructors brought in Ipads for each student to use and learn on. If someone brought in their own android based equipment, the teacher and helpers were more than ready to show them how to use that as well.

We hope to be able to have another class soon, as one can’t really master this stuff in a few hours. It takes lots of practice, and the web is perfect for that!