A native Owosso, Mich., Dolores Benavides was a high-school English teacher in Warren, Mich., for 30 years. She moved to Alexandria to be near family, and she has lived in the Alexandria House since 1997.
<b>You poll volunteer on Election Day on July 17. What was that experience like?</b>
As soon as I got to Alexandria, I looked for ways to join a book club and volunteer. If you are a teacher, you are used to living a life of service. So I volunteered for Senior Services of Alexandria, then I taught English as a second language. People in my book club asked me to work the polls, so I have worked Ladrey Senior Center on and off for five or six years.
<b>What is working the polls like?</b>
It’s exhilarating, and it gives me a felling of empowerment. If you have come to vote, it’s probably not a time to influence you, but it’s a great rallying point, and it’s also a good time to network and find out what else we can do. One time, I was working the polls at Lyles-Crouch Elementary School and the person working next to me was a Republican. I was so delighted because he encouraged me to get involved in mentoring kids at George Washington Middle School on Saturdays. It’s that kind of camaraderie that makes working the polls so special.
<b>Wasn’t it hot on Election Day?</b>
Yes, it was hot. But the sidewalk outside the Ladrey Senior Center was in the shade. That was the least of my concerns.
<b>What is your favorite movie and why?</b>
"Talk to Her," which is in Spanish with subtitles. It was like reading a good book because of the use of language, and the acting was quite good.
<b>What is the best book you read in the last year?</b>
I’m in a Latin American reading group, and because of that I’m revisiting Carlos Fuentes, who is a Mexican author. Our group leader is having us read "A Crystal Frontier," and it was like I met Carlos Fuentes again for the first time. All of his short stories are interrelated in some way. Ed Heiss is the leader of the book club, and this guy is so smart that he has you read three different short stories every month — in English and in Spanish. It’s a very smart idea, and we meet once a month to discuss what we’ve read.
<b>What are your interests and hobbies?</b>
I’m very interested in yoga and, of course, reading. I’m also interested in mastering the Spanish language. I also love playing tennis and walking.
<b>What is your favorite local restaurant?</b>
For breakfast, I like going to the Royal Restaurant. They have a great Greek breakfast where they give you eggs with feta cheese. And their coffee cannot be beat, nor can the prices. Another place I like to go for dinner is Monroe’s. When I take people there, they are always delighted with it. For lunch, I like to go to the Afghan restaurant. I like the way they prepare rice there, and the lamb is great.
<b>What concerns do you have about the community?</b>
I don’t want to see it overly developed. Sometimes I’m afraid that Alexandria will lose its character. I like to walk a lot, and try to walk on Duke Street. But that’s difficult because it seems like cars are more important than people in some parts of the city. Alexandria should be more pedestrian friendly.