PLEASE NOTE: Due to the precautions for Coronavirus (COVID-19), ALL in-person events have been cancelled at our local Senior Centers and througout our communities. We have now transitioned our calendar into a “Virtual Events” page. We hope that you will enjoy these Virtual Events. Stay well!
We can still work together in spirit on April 25 to make dresses to bring joy and dignity to vulnerable girls. Instead of coming inside to sew, DRIVE BY the north, lower level door at Newtown Congregational Church to pick up items to do at home.
Contact Liz Skarzynski, 203- 257-7174 or dressagirlsouthernct@yahoo.com to pre-order, drive by to pick up, then return the finished work Sept 12th at the Sew-A-Thon at Monroe Congregational Church, 34 Church St, Monroe.
You can make a difference from the safety of your home! Do-at-home preorder choices include:
Tee-shirt Dress Kits
Sun Dress Kits
Fabric to cut pockets
Fabric to make dresses with your own notions
Dye Pre-cut Tee Shirts
In this time of social distancing, we can still “meet” new people and get to know others better! With that idea in mind, we are beginning a series of emails to introduce you in various ways to RSO musicians.
Meet Kathleen Theisen!
Kathleen is the RSO’s keyboard player (piano, celeste, organ & harpsicord) and has been playing with the RSO for eight years. View videos of her her work below:
Meet Jorge Avila!
Jorge has been the RSO concertmaster since 2009. A recipient of numerous awards and honors, Jorge received his resident status in the United States under the “Extraordinary Talent” category. He was also awarded first prize at the 2001 Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Competition.
Meet Rachel Handman!
Rachel is the RSO’s assistant concertmaster and has played with the orchestra for 20 years.
Meet Sara Della Posta!
Sara is the RSO’s principal horn player and has played with the orchestra for almost 20 years. Sara is also a professional organist.
Question: How long have you been playing the French horn?
Sara: Since the fourth grade. So many, many moons.
Question: How did you select that instrument?
Sara: My older brother played horn, so I have pictures of me playing with dolls with a horn case looming in the background. I just remember loving the sound and the look of it.
Question: Do you have a favorite piece of music and/or a favorite composer?
Sara: Hard question! To play? Of course all the usuals – Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart. I love Stravinsky, Nielsen, Sibelius, Poulenc, Shostakovich . . . Mendelssohn! There is truly no end to that list.
To listen? Vocal anything-from chant to Byrd to Pop. Love the 70’s and certainly anything with tambourine. And classical guitar!
Question: What do you like to do when you are not playing music?
Sara: I love being a mom! I also love to swim, dance, bake, color, watch movies, read. I’m on a John le Carre jag lately.
Question: Are there specific things you are doing during this time of social distancing to stay connected with music and other musicians?
Sara: I Zoom, chat, Facetime, and share inspired Youtube performances or video clips that make me laugh. So much creativity going on. I love that people are seeking joy in everyday things, no matter how small.
Question: What is your favorite food?
Sara: I’m an umami junkie. Also, anything that my husband just cooked!
Question: When quarantining and social distancing are over, where would your dream vacation be?
Sara: New Zealand. Or maybe Istanbul! Love to see the Hagia Sofia.
Meet Suzanne Corey-Sahlin and Gunnar Sahlin
Suzanne, the RSO’s principal violist, has been with the orchestra for over 30 years. She is the RSO’s longest tenured member! Gunnar, a cellist, began playing with the RSO in 2009. Gunnar and Suzanne are husband and wife and also partners in the string duo Duetto Viello.
Meet Wendy Kerner
Wendy has played with the RSO since she was a student at The Juilliard School and Beatrice Brown (RSO Music Director from 1970-1995) asked her to play with the orchestra.
As the average life expectancy lengthens there are more years for us to look forward to. Engaging with good health, exercise, and fitness earlier in life is important but you’re never “too old” to start exercising and pursuing a healthier lifestyle that can help prevent, manage, and treat diseases and ailments.
Click here to access free classes by the YMCA!
On Explore.org, you have access to watch animals from around the world right at your fingertips, it is truly fascinating!
From bald eagles to pandas and tigers, take a look at what these animals are up to on their day to day.
Click on the link below to watch for free and choose which animals you’d like to see!
Chair Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy81BttIPmI&feature=youtu.be
Yoga for Balance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgoeSwSg6TI&feature=youtu.be
Having a Blast with Cardio Blast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkIbb3eE8K4&feature=youtu.be
Happy Feet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmOyuMOwqGU&feature=youtu.be
Seated Hip Openers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1no-hboBYs&feature=youtu.be
Hip Hip Horray for Hip Openers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCGeCzvummk&feature=youtu.be
Line Dancing with Kevin and Susan
Gentle Yoga with Beverly
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Take a look at some of the most famous museums in the world, including tours of the British Museum in London, National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam without even leaving your couch! Brought to you by TravelandLeisure.com and Google Arts & Culture.
