Westview News - Senior Services of Albany

Westview
Westv
iew News
The newsletter for members of Westview Senior Center
and for residents of Westview Homes
March, 2012
Editor’s Note…
This is the inaugural issue of Westview News, a newsletter for Westview Senior Center members and for
the residents of Westview Homes.
Volume 2012, Issue 1
The most important job a person
will ever have is taking care of
another human being. Editor
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep our members
and residents informed about the activities that are
provided by Senior Services of Albany. Our goal is
to provide visibility for activities that have occurred
and that are scheduled, as well as to cover topics of
general interest.
Collectively, several individuals work to provide a
social atmosphere that is congenial, educational and
especially fun, through these activities.
If you participate in one or more activities, then you will
be “at risk” of ; increasing your social skills, learning
something of value, connecting with other people who
have interests similar to your own, and even having
fun in the process. These activities give people reason
to get up in the morning and to leave the proverbial
four walls of their apartments for a chance to have
something to smile about. Choose the activities that
interest you and come and have some fun. Everyone
is more than welcome to participate.
Jean’s Bon Voyage Party
by Lynn Gross
st
On Tuesday, February 21 , the
Westview Senior Center celebrated a Bon Voyage party for a
very special and unique person.
Continued on Page 2
In This Issue . . .
Piano Concert by Asya Markova . . 2
Chinese New Year Celebration . . 3
Senior Center Activities + . . . . . . 4
Westview News
Page 2
Jean’s Bon Voyage Party
Continued from Page 1
Six years ago, Jean Williams traveled to
Kenya and served as the administrator of an
orphanage of 37 children in Kitale, Kenya.
She was so beloved there that everyone referred to her as "Mama Jean." Determined to
return to Kenya, she has finally made this
journey where she will be working in another
orphanage with 100 children.
The ceremonies began with Lynn Gross speaking about Jean’s mission and she presented
her with a lovely picture album. Pastor Koehn,
the pastor of Jean’s church, praised Jean for
her fullness of heart in serving orphans who
have lost their parents due to the terrible
atrocities that occurred in Kenya. Professor
Bojana Jordan stated the significance of
Jean’s returning to “Mother Africa,” the land
where the first civilization began. Cheryl
Johnson sang a wonderful rendition of “You’ll
Never Walk Alone.”
Lastly, Jean expressed her gratitude and said
that she has been carrying these children in
her heart, since she left six years ago. She
felt encouraged, when she heard that the
children were rejoicing that she was coming
back. We wish Jean great success in her
endeavors. May God bless her always.
Piano Concert by Asya Markova
by Lynn Gross
We are happy to announce that Asya
Markova will be performing a classical
piano concert of the music of Bach and
Mozart on Wednesday, March 21, 12:301:30 p.m. in the Westview Community
Room. Lynn Gross, Westview Senior
Center director and a musician herself,
will be narrating about the life and music
of these composers.
Asya Markova graduated with honors
from Kharkov Music College and Conservatory. She was the head of the Piano
Department in one of the best music
schools in Kharkov, Ukraine and also
served as an accompanist to many chamber orchestras.
After coming to the United States, she
became an accompanist for the B’nai
Brith Choir and presented solo recitals
at the B’nai Brith Apartments and the
Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center. In
June of 2010, Asya performed a concert
dedicated to the 200 year anniversary
of Frederick Chopin at the Niskayuna
Public Library.
For the past two years, she has served as a
judge for the children’s Tchaikovsky
Piano Competition in Albany. Mrs.
Markova is a frequent volunteer piano
performer at the Albany Jewish Community Center and at the Westview
Senior Center. She and her husband,
Valentin both reside at the Westview
Apartments.
Westview News
Page 3
Westview Senior Center Hosts 3rd Annual Chinese New Year Celebration With
Chinese Community Center
Lucy Nyeu Conducts the Chinese Community Center Choir for audience of
Westview Senior Center members and Westview residents.
Westview resident
Samuel L. Singletary
introduces and
welcomes Chinese
Community Center
members.
Chinese Community
Center member
Ken Nyeu introduces
Chinese New Year
customs and explains
The Year of The
Dragon.
Chinese Community
Center Choir duet
Michael Murphy and
Sherri Duan perform
for the audience.
Dragon of Chinese New Year
Provided by Westview resident – Irene Ho
Posing are:
Towensend Park resident – Sara Lee Trotter and
Westview resident – Betty Corcuera
Tai Chi demonstration
by John Jones and
Chinese Community
members
Page 4
Westview News
Laughter Is Still The Best Medicine . . .
What do two-year old children, religious
fanatics and greed-driven politicians have
in common? They throw tantrums.
Suggestion Box …
Westview residents Helen Leromain and
Barbara Newman enjoy puzzling over a jigsaw with Russel Sage College nursing students Kimberly Holley and Shanta Hamilton.
Westview residents and Senior Center members can enjoy working on puzzles anytime
the community center is open, and they do.
Come Move With Us
These FREE classes are sponsored by Senior
Services of Albany and the Wellpoint Foundation and are held at St. Sophia’s Greek
Orthodox Church located at 440 Whitehall
Road in Albany.
Tai Chi – Mondays – 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Participants should be prepared to move and relax.
Latin Dancing – Tuesdays – 11:00 to 12:00 noon.
Dances will include; Swing, Salsa, Merengue,
Bachata, Cha Cha, and Tango. No partners
are required to participate.
Line Dancing – Thursdays – 11:00 to 12:00 noon.
Dancing will be to a variety of musical styles.
We could add activities based on demonstrated interest. For example, we could
have discussion groups on diverse topics
including:
• Emergency preparedness;
• Present and future technologies
including reducing energy costs;
• Improving education opportunities
while reducing costs;
• Supporting life with sustainable
infrastructures;
• Exploration of space; and
• Astronomy.
In addition, we could start activities in
checkers, chess and other board games,
and even explore Amateur Radio, including its role in providing communications
during emergencies.
Actually, the limits are our imaginations,
our shared interests and our willingness to
participate.
If there is an activity in which you are
interested and which you would like to
see started, simply contact Westview
Senior Center Director, Lynn Gross
either in person or by telephone number
482-2120.
Participants should come prepared to move
have fun, and wear comfortable clothing
and non-slip shoes.
Westview News Editor: Paul Bedard,
Anyone 50 years of age or older is welcome
to join these classes at any time!
Contributor: Lynn Gross, Westview
Senior Center Director, 482-2120
paul.andrew.bedard@gmail.com