The Usher Newsletter

April, 2014 ISSUE 4

APRIL 2014 EVENTS Take a look below at the schedule of upcoming events for April, 2014. April 1 & 2 All The World’s A Stage April 4 Blood, Sweat & Tears April 5 Macomber’s Spring Extravaganza April 6 Warren Symphony Orchestra-CANCELLED April 8 Red Green Show April 17 Art Academy In The Woods Performance April 23 Garfield Singers (Changed from April 10 to April 23) April 26 & 27 Show Biz Dance Competition Just a note. . . If you would like to make adjustments or changes in your schedule, I will be happy to assist you by emailing [email protected] or calling 586-286-2041. Please feel free to ask as we aim to please !

GET WELL WISHES We send our prayers and best wishes to Ann Campo. Wishing Valerie Adamkiewicz to get well soon. Hoping Eleanor Chapman’s ankle heals soon. Wishing Mary Chisholm get well wishes as she recovers from surgery. Hoping Elaine Grasso is recovered this month and sending get well wishes to her. Wishing Suzanne Bolger a speedy recovery. Hoping Mary Barone is well soon. Bonnie Rogers is recovering from a broken shoulder and we wish her a speedy recovery.

SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING COMING TO MACOMB. . . Starting in the September of 2014, Macomb Community college will be launching SOAR, the Society of Active Retirees in conjunction with Elderhostel, for all of you who want to engage in life long learning. This is an affordable opportunity for retirees to continuing learning, meet new people, and form new connections. Please check the website listed below to get an idea of the kind of life long learning courses we hope to offer at Macomb. http://soarexplore.com/

CHECK IT OUT. . . If you are looking for a source for all the events in Macomb County, take a look at: http://macomb.countyhappenings.com/ When you visit this link, at the bottom of the page there is a place to sign up for their newsletter. Another great website to check out for volunteer opportunities, http://www.ixiti.com/

LOOK WHAT YOUR FELLOW USHERS ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY. . . Cathie and Paul Tulikangas do wonderful work with the Leader Dogs for the Blind out of Rochester, Michigan. Willow, their beautiful dog, just had nine live births. They are enjoying this adventure and say that all pups are doing well. At six weeks the puppies will be brought to the Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester to begin their approximately one year term with a family who will raise the pup. These folks are the ones who name the puppy and provide a home, socialization and basic training. Afterward, they will be returned to the Leader Dogs to begin four months of work with trainers. Those who successfully complete the training will then be teamed with a recipient client who works with trainers and dogs for several weeks in Rochester. Upon completion they are ready to begin service. For anyone interested in more information about the Leader Dog mission, please check out their website at www.leaderdog.org Take a look at the pictures below. Willow and pups doing well!

And just a few weeks later, look how they have grown!

Thank you Cathie and Paul for sharing this with our group! Meet our new house manager Victoria Roti. . . Our newest house manager is Victoria Roti. Victoria has been happy to jump right in and participate with the volunteers and staff. She brings a fresh perspective and a willingness to excel. Victoria has a strong educational background in healthcare sciences and graduated with honors of phi theta keppa. Victoria is a licensed, registered respiratory therapist that comes to us from William Beaumont Hospital. She enjoyed caring for patients but has returned to school attending the University of Detroit Mercy to complete extra course work leading to a Bachelor Degree in Health Services Administration and then to move onto graduate studies in the same discipline. Victoria has set her goals already and hopes to be a strong part of the management team within a hospital or medical system in the years to come. Victoria says she loves to work with people and has found Macomb to be a wonderful place to work. Welcome to the MCPA Victoria!

Welcome New Volunteers! Earlene Taras Mary Roxburgh Susan Hoggarth Peggy Brennan

We are very happy that you have joined us!

Don’t forget to RSVP if you plan on attending the volunteer event coming in April. . . Please join us on Tuesday, April 29, for a cake and coffee reception for volunteers from 1-3 PM at the Lorenzo Cultural Center. Volunteers are also invited to view the current exhibit, The Roaring Twenties: From Riches to Rags, while you are here. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Mary Crass by calling 586-286-2041 or email [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING! A letter from our Director, Christine Guarino…… Dear Friend of the Arts: Thank you for your support of arts and culture at Macomb Community College. Your donations to the college’s programs at the Macomb Center and Lorenzo Cultural Center have built a “cultural hub” for Macomb County that integrally enhances the vibrancy of our community. As I know you are aware, we’re focused on presenting diverse, meaningful and affordable experiences for community members of all ages. However, every season it costs more to bring in the quality of artists and entertainment you have come to expect from the Macomb Center, and, every year, it becomes a challenge to maintain this level of quality without raising ticket prices. So, as we prepare to unveil our upcoming season at the Macomb Center, I wanted to share with you two changes designed to reduce our costs that at the same time preserve both the quality of our programs and our commitment to donors. The first change is elimination of the Macomb Center’s annual Premiere Party. While it has provided an opportunity to celebrate the upcoming season with donors, the event is very costly. The second modification will be to extend invitations to our annual Donor Recognition event to those who are Platinum Circle donors and higher, versus those in the Gold Circle. You will be able to buy your season tickets before the public on your specific donor day, and at the greatest discounts of the season. I appreciate your understanding of our efforts to keep the Macomb Center’s programs as affordable as possible to serve the greatest breadth of community members. Thank you again for your generosity and making it possible for Macomb Community College to continue to educate, enrich and entertain. Warm regards, Chris Guarino Director, Cultural Affairs and Community Engagement

APRIL BIRTHDAY’S April 1 April 1 April 1 April 2 April 7 April 8 April 13 April 16

Ray Ignatowski Diane Kuptz Robert Bielat Lois Krawczyk Sandra Stoico Dolores Bara Marianne Rable Elaine Lange

April 18 April 20 April 22 April 23 April 23 April 24 April 27 April 29

Marilyn Hall Patricia Johnson Leona Brown Wanda Adamkiewicz Joyce Lovelace Tess Reisinger Dennis Sudney Barbara Ciskowski

Wishing all a very Happy Birthday!