Intergenerational Crafting

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In January our arts and crafts instructor, Gitana the Creative Diva, was awarded a grant by the Department of Cultural Affairs to continue the senior crafting program at DSCC. In order to fulfill the grant requirement of community outreach and participation, we partnered with a fourth grade class at PS 119K, The Amersfort School, to create a display for the school's annual global expo.

Picnic at Wolfe's Pond, Staten Island

Our next bus trip in June is to Staten Island's Wolfe's Pond Park, a lovely quiet and shaded spot by the shore.

Dorchester Center Puts On It's Spring Colors

The warmer weather couldn't come soon enough for the members of Dorchester Senior Center and decorating for the season has been a work in progress for several weeks already. The colorful garlands and bows of the December holidays gave way to the reds of Valentine's Day in February and the greens of St. Patrick's Day in March. April has seen the room bloom in shades of orange and pink in the form of pretty paper lanterns and over-sized crysanthemum cutouts.

MORE COMING SOON!

Crazy Weather

The winter of 2010-2011 proved to be more than anyone expected in terms of snow accumulation. Our first blast of winter's fury hit the northeastern corridor on December 26, 2010, dumping anywhere from 12 to 32 inches of snow depending on the area. In our neck of the woods in Brooklyn, New York, the snowfall average was about 18 inches, enough to create havoc on our day to day activities. This was promptly followed by another storm on January 11 and then another one on January 27. Our members made the best of the situation, many of them braving the elements to show up at their favorite social gathering spot. One of our neighbors built a snowman on their front lawn and Rosa Solari & Nilda Rivera took the opportunity to pose with it. Although the extreme weather did require the closing of the center for several days, we were back in operation in short order, Mother Nature notwithstanding.

Singing Swingers

Our center is fortunate enough to count a number of talented singers among our members. These vocal virtuosos have gathered together into a choral group that travels around to other senior centers and nursing homes around Brooklyn, entertaining and spreading joy to all who have the good fortune to hear them.

The group was originally formed as an activity for blind, visually challenged and sighted members of Dorchester Senior Citizens Center. Due to its increasing popularity, its membership has grown over the years and today it boasts around 30 members. Many of these singers have been members in the group for at least fifteen years. They meet once a week to rehearse.

This group is so well received by the centers that have hosted them that they are frequently requested to return for additional performances. Donations are always welcome so if you're inclined to support this wonderful activity, please contact JoAnne Biswakarma, director of Dorchester Senior Citizens Center.

Their upcoming performances are:

March 29, 2011, 10:30am - Midwood Senior Center, 4815 Avenue I, Brooklyn, NY

May 10, 2011, 10:30am - Sephardic Home for the Aged, 2266 Cropsey Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

This program is made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered in Kings County by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC).