Despite her health problems, including arthritis, neighborhood senior Diana Havins still shares her love of art with her fellow residents at Cathedral Gardens retirement apartments, 1500 N. Garrett.
Before retiring two years ago, Havins taught art in Houston’s public school district. She moved to East Dallas seven months ago to be near her daughter, she says.
Cathedral Gardens, which is run by the Dallas diocese of the Episcopal Church, operates on a limited budget and donations.
Art lessons weren’t among the programs available when Havins first moved in, so she volunteered her services for free, she says.
“The creativity, just being able to accomplish something, is wonderful because we’re taking people out of retiring mode and putting them into a producing one,” Havins said. “They find a talent they didn’t know they had.”
Havins tries to offer lessons once a week, and she usually has between six to eight students a session. She teaches a variety of mediums, from painting to sculpture, her personal favorite. Her specialty is sculpting angels and cherubs, she says.
“It’s very good therapy,” she says. “I just wish I had the health to go after it gang busters like I used to do.”
Some of the regulars in Havins’ art class are Mac McMurray, Kathleen Towles, Zelda McGrath, Maselle Jackson, Elizabeth Watson, Bettie Mitchell, Hilda Kuhne, Paul Randall and Waymon Newsom.
Supplies for Havins’ art program are not easy to come by, she says. She needs donations of art supplies to keep her program going, she says.
To help out, call Havins or the Rev. Charles F. Keen at 214-821-5910.
News & Notes
LUNCHEONS
Classical Guitar Concert: The American Association of Retired Persons, Ridgewood Park Chapter No. 3787, will present a classical guitar performance by Dan Hogan at 10 a.m. Feb. 27 at Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 E. Lovers. Lunch will be served for $1.50. Call Dorthea Sooby at 214-827-6678 for information.
Low-Cost Dining: The Brady Center, 4009 Elm, offers low-cost lunches weekdays to people age 60 and older at noon. A financial contribution is requested for each meal. Diners must be at the center no later than 11:30 a.m. The center also serves a hot breakfast Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15-10:30 a.m. Transportation is available for regular attendees in the center’s service area. Call 214-826-8330.
ENTERTAINMENT
Valentine’s Day Party: The White Rock Senior Center, 9100 Diceman, will host a Valentine’s Day party Feb. 14 with contests for best poetry and best-decorated Valentines at 11 a.m. At 12:45 p.m., the center will host a cookie-decorating contest. Students from Bryan Adams High School will join in the cookie festivities. Other center programs this month include a visit from an SPCA of Texas representative to talk about pets at 11 a.m. Feb. 18, and a visit from a Veterans Affairs representative, who will speak about living wills at 11 a.m. Feb. 21. Call 214-328-4863.
Line-Dancing Lessons: The Greater Lakewood Shepherd Center teaches line dancing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3 p.m. The Tuesday class meets at St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church, 6464 E. Lovers Lane, and performs in the community. The Thursday class meets at Northridge Presbyterian Church, 6920 Bob-o-Link, and welcomes beginners. Call 214-823-2583.
SERVICES
AARP Offers Defensive Driving Course: The American Association for Retired Persons will conduct the eight-hour seminar “55 Alive – Defensive Driving” from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 at C.C. Young retirement community, 4829 W. Lawther Drive. The class is open to seniors in the neighborhood at large, not just C.C. Young residents. Cost is $8, and participants can save up to 10 percent on their auto insurance for three years. Reservations are required. Call Pat Johnson at 214-827-8080 to register.
Public Benefits Counseling: The Dallas Area on Aging offers free counseling to senior citizens about how to best access public benefits, including long-term care insurance, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicaid and others. Telephones are answered Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 214-741-5244.
