Center for Unlimited Enrichment (CUE) A Program for Older Adults at Queens College Dr. Samona Sheppard, Director (718) 997-3635    Razran Hall 142    email: cue@qc.edu  Office Hours:  Mon - Fri*   9:30 a.m.  to  1:30 p.m. (*Closed Fridays from June through August)

From the Director's Desk

CUE began twenty-one years ago as a mere figment of my imagination.  Then it became my dream come true.  In reality, it grew well beyond anything I had imagined!  As a result, I developed close relationships with wonderful people who participated in the program as students, Advisory Council, faculty, office staff, college administrators, Student Union personnel, and such support services as publications, publicity, and media.  In particular, I would like to thank Syd Lefkoe, Associate Director of Financial Aid, for creating and maintaining the CUE web site, which she accomplished on her own time.  I want to thank everyone for warm memories that will enrich my life forever.  I am now placing the CUE Program in the capable hands of Dr. Barbara Ritchin, the Executive Director of Continuing Education Programs.  Under her leadership, the CUE Program will continue to flourish.

The time has come to change my lifestyle and, in the spirit of CUE, to embark on an exciting new adventure.  We are moving to the wonderful city of Sarasota.  In many ways, it will feel like living in the heart of CUE because we will be able to participate in unlimited educational, cultural, and social activities -- swim and dance and ennjoy the beautiful beaches and warm sunshine all year long.  Our goal is to continue to learn, to grow, to make new friends, and to contribute our talents to our new community.  I will miss all of you and hope to stay in touch with you...

CUE gave me an opportunity to be creative, to be involved, to enrich the lives of so many people, and to grow.  Thank you, CUE!

Samona Sheppard

This Spring, the CUE Program was the recipient of two grants.  The first, which amounted to $ 1,250, came from the former Queens Borough President Claire Schulman.  We want to thank her for providing the funds for a much-needed computer for our office.  The second grant is a Queens Delegation Legislative Grant for $ 3,000.  New York State Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn was responsible for this financial support.  We deeply appreciate her efforts on our behalf.  She is a true friend of CUE.

How does one compose a farewell to Samona Sheppard?

How does one find the eloquence to adequately express the deep and abiding love we have all felt for her over the past decades of her stewardship of CUE?

Singlehandedly, with only the aid of a dedicated office staff, she has fashioned together, year after year, after year, a program of infinite variety to match the taste and desires of hundreds of seniors.  CUE has come to represent the pursuit of knowledge and the expansion of aesthetic joy that brought a new light into seniors' lives and constant revival of their spirit.

Yes, it was a labor of love for Samona, but few realize the massive effort this program demanded and the untold emergencies and sudden disappointments that called for last-minute changes and replacements.  Such organization called for a very, very special individual and Samona Sheppard was that individual.  She radiated calmness and controll under the most devestating circumstances.  That outer demeanor had the warmth and softness of velvet but behind it, where CUE was concerned, there was a will and determination of tempered steel.

Samona, the hundreds and possibly thousands who over the years have been the recipients of your unstinting efforts are a living monument and a lasting legacy to the magnificence of your wondrous accomplishments.  In the years ahead we wish for you and Harold every possible joy the future can hold.

As we said intially, there is no eloquence that is equal or words that can adequately convey what is in our hearts - hopefully we can come close to expressing how we feel by simply saying we will miss you with all our hearts and we all love you very, very much.

Queens College stands apart throughout Queens and Long Island because it offers a unique and challengin, as well as fulfilling, senior adult education program at an affordable price.  It is known as the Center for Unlimited Enrichment, or simply CUE .

This program, started twenty-one years ago, was the creative effor of our beloved founder, Dr. Samona Sheppard, who foresaw that a program such as CUE would offer untold opportunitities for older adults to enrich their lives.

Samona knew that expanding horizons by learning new ideas, exercising both the mind and the body, would enrich each and every older adults' outlook on life.  It could encourage intellectual growth as well as enhance each one's overall well-being.  To quote Samona, an active mind and "an active body are the best anti-aging pills and the most effective anti-depressants, without any negative side effects."

It was with many mixed emotions that the undersigned accepted the news that SAmona planned to retire at the end of the Spring session.  To say that we shall miss her at the helf of this wonderful and unique program is certainly a tremendous understatement.  CUE has been Samona's "baby," which she created and nourished so ably these many years.

How does one say thank you for Samona's untiring work these twenty-one years?  Thank you, in this instance, by the undersigned, is intended to simulate the act of shouting from the rooftops how much we all love her and appreciate all she has done for the untold thousands of older adults who have enjoyed the numerous creative, stimulating, and intellectual courses offered through the CUE program.

The undersigned is including all CUE students in wishing Samona happiness as she lays down her mantel as Director of CUE.  We all hope she enjoys her retirement.  We are not going to say good-bye because, hopefully, we shall be seeing her onece in a while.  God bless her and keep her in His care for many years to come.

Scott Siegel will once again provide a program of entertaining movies, followed by stimulating discussions.  The theme this year is "Hollywood and the Star System."  The films will be shown in Rosenthal Library, Room 230.  It begins June 25 for six consecutive Tuesdays, ending July 30.

[The rest of the newsletter will be posted here shortly.]

The Spring session of "Keeping Current" brought some exciting personalities.  We began with the editor of an Afghan newspaper who provided a history of Afghanistan. .......

"A Taste of Great Literature" familiarly known as T.G.L., has been a staple of the CUE .....

Within a short time, on the first day of class, I realized I was in for an extraordinary experience.  Assembled on the desk, draped on an exotic scarf, were miniature paintings, food, and a variety of artifacts, all related to ancient times.

Wendy Moscow, our instructor, .....

Advisory Council
Stanley Howard, President
Sally Dikowitz, Vice President
Betty Jane Nienow, Secretary
Helga Houmere, Treasurer
Harold Gross
Al Kornhauser
Nettie Osofsky
Marianne Rich
Herbert Robbins
Dorothy Roberts
Joseph Robinson
Dorothy Rostoker
Margaret Shannon
Samona Sheppard
Selma Sigman
Adele Tannenbaum
Bettie K. Williams

Dr. Barbara Ritchin, Director
    Continuing Education Program

Honorary Members
Dr. Russell K. Hotzler
    Interim President, QC
Dr. Barbara Ritchin, Director
    Continuing Education Program

Retired Honorary Members
Pearl Kaufman
Annelies Mindus
Evelyn Neleson
Emma Spaney
Morris Schreier
Elaine Simon

Office Staff
Dolores Vortami
Helen Allocca
Florence Kagan

We thank the following members for their contributions to the CUE Gift Fund:
 

Judith Lowitz Adler	Sybil Finkelstein	Lauren Kelman	Beatrice Rodvien
Zona Amper	Roberta Garner	Florence Kouguell	Sydell Romm
Anita Aronowitz	Vera Glasberg	Nancy Lang	Dorothy Rostoker
Harriette Braun	Henry Golden	Marilyn Link	Helen Rostokowski
Lily Charney	Hal Gross	Charlotte Marx	Betty Shea
Concetta Chirico	Richard Gudonsky	Miriam Mopper	Samona Sheppard
Harvard Cotton	Ruth E. Harris	Aaron Nordwind	Elsie Wainfan
Constance Delio	Marie Heath	Evelyny Pakarow	Janet Whitfield
Sally Dikowitz	Ruth Heiman	Stanley Pitkowsky	Bette Williams
Barbara Falek	Francesca Hermes	Marianne Rich
Annette Feder	Mr. & Mrs. Stan Howard	Elaine Ringelheim
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Finkelman	Ruth Jacobs	Dorothy Roberts