On Saturday, Dec. 11, the Goodwin House Alexandria Resident Services Committee sponsored a "coffee and conversation" event for 15 foreign officers from a number of allied countries. The officers are international students at the Marine Corps University's Expeditionary Warfare School at the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Va. They were from countries around the world, including Argentina, France, Greece, Taiwan adn Norway. They were interested in the opportunity to develop their English proficiency in a conversational setting and to learn more about American life and the role of retirement communities. The residents participating found this a stimulating experience. A second visit was scheduled for Jan. 22.
For many residents at Goodwin House Alexandria who no longer own or operate a car, several opportunities are provided for shopping trips. Every Monday, the Council on the Aging of Alexandria provides a bus to take residents to and from the Bradlee Shopping Center which has a post office, grocery store, drugstore and a variety of specialty shops. Twice a month, the Goodwin House Alexandria bus takes residents to one of the shopping malls such as Landmark, Pentagon City, Springfield, Tyson's Corner and others. When not committed to other residents for trips for medical purposes, the medical shuttle station wagon will take individual residents to and from shopping destinations of their choice.
An additional monthly outing by bus is to a restaurant for lunch, a different restaurant each trip. There are minimal charges for these tips, but they do not approach the cost of owning and operating an automobile.
Every year since Goodwin House Alexandria opened its doors in 1967, the Alexandria Harmonizers have presented a holiday concert for the enjoyment of the residents. This year's concert on Jan. 15 was warmly recieved and enjoyed. Thank you, Harmonizers, for always providing a highlight of our musical year!