Volunteer of the Month
Archives

January 2020
Lee Lombard

Photo of Lee Lombard

This month we’d like to give thanks to Lee Lombard. Lee is one of our Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) drivers. In fact he is one of our top TAP drivers, consistently in the top three for miles driven and hours. He came to the center nearly five years ago, just looking to donate some books, when he happened to see a TAP flyer on the board. He asked the Front Desk person what TAP was, and she took him straight to the TAP coordinator. That was all it took, and he=s been driving ever since. He now drives every weekday, and even on weekends, sometimes taking 2 rides a day. He drives all over the Inland Empire which doesn’t leave him much time to explore the fun things our center has to offer, but he hopes to get involved soon. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, his father’s travels in the Air Force eventually brought him out to March AFB in Riverside, and he=s been here ever since. He did a stint in the Air Force, where he got trained in Military Pay, which helped him after he left, to get into Money Management, which he turned into a 30 year career as a banker and financial advisor. Now single, he has a daughter and two grandsons. Thanks Lee stepping up big time into this important program.

Featured Class

Italian
Date: October 4, 2019
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

Scrapbooking
Time: Thursdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: Free members
      Free non-members
Location: Sun Room
Description: When we were younger, scrapbooking normally meant pasting pictures or newspaper articles about yourself or someone you knew on some paper. It has become something much more than that. While they still have photos and printed media, scrapbooks, or albums, are also part journal, with handwritten notes, borders, vellum covers, and lots and lots of decorations. One can put as much or as little time and effort into it as desired. Scrapbooking can be done by itself, but is best when done with friends. It becomes a social get together where people trade techniques, and share equipment and supplies. Our scrapbooking group meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. So if you're looking for something fun, creative, and social, come on down and get ready to share your memories.
Veteran_s Support Group Forming
By: Mike Sylva
Beginning Monday, Dec. 17th, at 10:00am, Veteran’s Support group led by Ed Poffek. From there the group will decide on a permanent meeting date. The group will be led by Ed Poffek who has years of experience dealing with Veteran’s issues and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding benefits you are entitled to. If he doesn’t know the answer he knows where to get it, and will point you in the right direction. So if you have questions make sure to join them. And if you think you know all the answers, you may be surprised in that you may learn a thing or to as well.