Volunteer of the Month
Archives

February 2019
Clay Kautzman

Photo of Clay Kautzman

This month we’d like to shine the light on someone who might be unfamiliar to most. Clayton “Clay” Kautzman. Unless you need to be taken for a ride. No, not that type of ride…a TAP ride! Clay is one of our top TAP drivers, taking homebound seniors to various places four days a week. It was his wife, Virginia, another TAP driver, who got him to start driving for us. Not just a TAP driver who also helps out serving dinners at our Thanksgiving but also delivers meals for our Operation Senior Claus. He’d like to do more but, while retired, he still is quite busy as a handyman at all of his and Virginia’s rental properties. Originally from Mandan, North Dakota, he came out to California due to his stint in the Marines. After getting out he went to school to learn more about computers. Following graduation he went to work for Western Union, GTE, then as a contractor out at Norton. Married to Virginia they have two boys, six grandkids, and one great-grandkid. Thanks Clay for taking time out of your busy schedule to take care of others.

Featured Class

Magic
Date: January 14, 2019
Time: 9 - 10:30 am
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Steve Micklas
Location: Parlor
Description: This month we'd like to introduce you to the mysterious and mystical world of our Magic Class. There you'll be taught by Stephen Micklas, a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Come learn basic magic, including misdirection, card magic, and close up magic (coin manipulation). Students learn inexpensive tricks that Grandparents can do, to amaze their friends, family and, of course, Grandkids. Students are only required to bring a deck of cards and maybe some rope or string. Most of the tricks students learn can be done with things found around the house. Stephen will bring in most of the other props needed. You just need to bring a 3 ring binder for notes and handouts. For those interested in magic you just need to remember a few things. Magic is a bit of misdirection and a lot of acting. If you are going to be a member of the class you will be taught a lot of secrets. Remember, that a Magician never reveals his secrets. You also need to practice to do it well. So if you'd like to amaze your family and friends, sign up. For you who already know a card trick or two Stephen is ready to show our Seniors that you can teach an old dog, new tricks.

Featured Activity

Striders
Time: Dailys 6:30 a.m.
Cost: Free members
      Free non-members
Location: Meet in Dining Room
Description: This month we'd like to put the spotlite on a group that already shines. 'Striders' is a walking club filled with members who believe that both exercise and social activities are important to a Seniors' physical and emotional health. The Striders want to stay fit, but enjoy doing this at their own pace while enjoying the company of others. Striders walk from 1/2 mile to 2 miles at a time. They walk on the paths around the Patton State Hospital grounds varying according to individual members. The group is open to anyone interested in 'walking for health.' They meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:00 a.m. at the Highland Senior Center. This time was chosen to avoid smog and the heat. Anyone wishing to join this active group or just interested in more information may come to the dining room of the Highland Senior Center before 6:30 a.m. any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday morning. So put your best foot forward and come on out.
Chocolate Bingo
By: Mike Sylva
Back in August we hosted a Chocolate Bingo in conjunction with Liz Chavez with Inter Valley Health Plan (IVHP). Chocolate Bingo is just like normal bingo only the stakes are a little bit sweeter. The names on the board were bingo but instead of numbers they were names after various chocolates. So one had to listen for I - Godiva, B - Milk Chocolate to fill out their cards. Also there were no dobbers here. Boards were covered with m&ms, but you had to be able to withstand the desire to eat them, or you couldnt cover your board.

If one was lucky enough to hold off eating the markers, and you managed to get a bingo, winners were paid out in chocolate. So at the end, even the losers got to finally eat their markers, so that every sweet tooth was satisfied.

Thanks to everyone who showed up to play, as well as Liz Chavez with IVHP for this fun and tasty event.