| |
|
Board of Directors |
2007-2008 Board of Directors Who's Who |
| Carole Burke, Russell Council on Aging, volunteers with the Brown Bag Program and at the Blood Bank. She currently is a member of the Council on Aging, is involved with her local church and does visual screenings for Westfield pre-kindergartners. Carole organizes pot luck luncheons, enjoys public speaking and helps with the Huntington Flu Clinic. Currently, Carole is working on planning the Health Fair for Russell and a New Year’s party for the Council on Aging. TOP |
| Harriet Fischer, Southwick Council on Aging, is a retired teacher of 20 years where she taught social studies and psychology, and is a retired Director of the Westfield "Friends In Learning" Program. Currently, Harriet is a member of the UCC 2nd Congregational Church where she is Chair of the Board of Deacons. Harriet is also a member of Sarah Gillette, the Westfield Library and the Council on Aging. She is a volunteer at the Cancer House of Hope and Community Kitchen, and a driver for the Senior Transport Program. Harriet has worked with Forasteire Funereal Homes in setting up a Coping With Grief Program for all seniors and high school students. She has also helped to organize a Hope Support Group to reach out to grieving people in her church. Her special skills include good organization and leadership and the ability to be part of a committee. Finally, Harriet is eager to learn about Highland Valley and hopes that her involvement will be an asset. TOP |
| Jennie Gnacek, Southampton Council on Aging, is currently a member of and the Boy Scout Representative for the Council on Aging and is the Recording Secretary for the Board of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 224. Jennie’s volunteer work includes catering Christmas parties, picnics and other events and knits in her spare time. She donates the sweaters she knits to church bazaars and other projects in need of clothing, which include an orphanage in Romania. She works to encourage elders to do crafts, as she finds that knitting helps to keep her mind active and alert, which helps to deter dementia and Alzheimer’s, and is a great hobby and past time. TOP |
| Joan Hart, Pelham Council on Aging, has more than 40 years of experience in social work. Her vast experience includes child welfare, adoptions, mental health crisis, foster home, elder abuse and some experience in corrections. Joan is a member of the Historical Society and works with the Lions Club, police and fire departments. She is also involved with the Outreach for Shutesbury and Leverett Councils on Aging. Finally, she is interested in challenges at every government level, including Congress and the State Legislature, and getting funding for services that will enable elders to stay home safely. Committee interest: Personnel Committee. TOP |
| Gerald Mann, Williamsburg Council on Aging, is a member of the Council on Aging, TRIAD and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Gerry was also the chairman of a committee that recently wrote a Zoning By-Law for the Town of Williamsburg. Prior to retirement and a move to Williamsburg, Gerry was the director of a union sponsored prepaid legal services plan for New York City public employees. He also served as a volunteer arbitrator in the New York City Small Claims Court. Currently, Gerry is an AARP Tax Aide Coordinator, where he does taxes for low income seniors and helps them to receive benefits for which they are entitled. Committee interest: Finance and Personnel Committee. TOP |
| Peg Marceno, Westfield Council on Aging, is a member of the Cancer House of Hope. She is a retired school psychologist and volunteered for 3 years in Springfield doing hospice work. Peg was a member of the Southwick Council on Aging for 8 years until her recent move to Westfield and is also the Chairman of the Suicide Crisis Intervention Group. She also enjoys doing nursing home visits, where she is a good listener and very interested in the concerns of seniors. Finally, Peg has exceptional luck with scratch tickets! TOP |
| Henry North, Hadley Council on Aging, is the Chair of the Republican Town Committee and a member of his local Council on Aging and the Old First Church in Springfield. He is a past member of the Hadley Sewer Commission and is a retired high school science teacher and sales representative. Henry’s special skills include diplomacy, public speaking, organizing, negotiation, fundraising and leadership. A special item that Henry pursues is ongoing research for additional volumes of Life on the Kunnetikut, 1942-1995, Volumes I - III, which he has authored and published in the year 2000. TOP |
| Frederick Pugliano, Westfield Council on Aging, is a member of the Western Mass Historical Society, Friends of the Westfield Library, Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849, Pioneer Valley Antique Dealers Association, a Corporator of the Westfield Library and a Library Trustee for the Athenaeum. He is a retired Tax Examiner from the Massachusetts' Department of Revenue and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Education. Finally, one of Frederick's special interests includes working with people to solve problems and he is currently working with the Westfield Council on Aging and the architect to develop plans for a new Senior Center. Through this, it has raised his awareness and heightened his understanding of the needs of elders. Committee interest: Finance Committee. TOP |
| Kathy Service, Northampton Council on Aging, is a member of the Northampton Arts Council and local Council on Aging. She is currently working to complete her PhD at Northumbria University, where her research focuses on risk perception of older people with intellectual disabilities and relevant social relationships. Kathy has been a Nurse Practitioner since 1979 and a Registered Nurse since 1973. Over the years, she has developed and sharpened many skills, which include listening, collaborating, negotiating and working with numerous groups of people in a continuum of skill levels and ages. She has also collaborated with experts in the field of intellectual disabilities, aging and dementia and has worked with international professionals. TOP |
| Rita Sheets, Huntington Council on Aging, is the Treasurer for the Friends of Huntington Library and is a member of the Huntington Historical Society, Iris Society, Day Lily Society and Hosta Society. Rita is a retired Registered Nurse, High School Nurse in New York and HIV Counselor in New York Family Planning Clinic. She is a driver for the elderly to the monthly old time movie in West Springfield and travels frequently in other countries and the United States. Rita is the Board representative to the Nutrition Project Council for Highland Valley and also finds it very interesting how the elderly are taken care of. TOP |
| Michael Anthony Steenburgh, Chesterfield Council on Aging, is currently a member of the Lions Club, Historical Commission, Historical Society and Chesterfield Council on Aging. His interests include real estate, music, business and counseling or teaching. Finally, Michael would like to observe and learn more about both sides of the Council and the overall operations and functions. TOP |
| Barbara Sutherland, Amherst Council on Aging, is currently the Chair of her local Council on Aging, the Secretary for the Amherst Senior Travel Club and a representative for Amherst to Highland Valley’s Nutrition Project Council. She volunteers at the Council on Aging, including the new mental health clinic, and Sunbridge Nursing Home and helps with blood pressure clinics every other week on Tuesday mornings. Barbara volunteers to help seniors, who after an illness, need help in their homes and can not afford to pay. TOP |
| Jean Webster, Westhampton Council on Aging, is a member of the Council on Aging where she is learning what is taking place. Currently, she is a driver to help transport people to and from various types of appointments. She is a good neighbor to people and helps to take care of their pets and pick up mail when they travel. Jean is also a member of the Westhampton Congregational Church and choir and enjoys taking care of and spending time with her granddaughter. Finally, Jean enjoys talking with people, being a good listener and spending time with her new grandson, Duncan, who was born in May. TOP |
| Bruce Whittingham, Westfield Council on Aging, serves on the Council on Aging Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Do Re Mi's Choir, the Friendly Visitors Choir, Gospel Singers Group and a trumpet player in the Rhythm Ramblers. Bruce was an English/language arts/reading specialist teacher for 25 years. He holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Holyoke Community College, a Bachelors of Science Degree in English Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Masters of Education in Reading from Westfield State College. Bruce has worked in Florida both at a state prison as a teacher and also at a guidance clinic in an administrative capacity with people affected by hurricane losses. He is currently helping with the planning stages to build a new Senior Center in Westfield. TOP |
|
| |
|
|
| |
© 2007 Highland Valley Elder Services
320 Riverside Drive, Suite B
Florence, MA 01062
Email: qll@highlandvalley.org
Phone: (800) 322-0551 or
(413) 586-2000;
Fax: (413) 584-7076
Directions |
|
|