By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – For the students, the manners class is a new experience.
To many of the volunteers from throughout the county, coming to the Cass County Council on Aging (COA) Tuesday, the experience was a 10th anniversary.
The classes began in 2001.
This Manners, Mentoring and Professional Life Skills class was the largest yet, with 90 students and 30 others from all walks of life sharing their lives.
Dona Billie-Weiler reminded the recruits though they may have said the same things before, this group of students from Cassopolis, Dowagiac and Marcellus, was hearing them for the first time.
An ice breaker, following breakfast, led by Amy Anderson of Edwardsburg, had everyone out of their seats meeting new people.
With a playing card given to each, she had them match numbers and suits, introducing themselves to students from other schools.
"I enjoy being with the young people, listening to them," said Marj Federowski of Cassopolis, helping at each of the 10 classes. "I understand a great deal more about the world. It gives me a good feeling."
Sessions include social interaction, career and work and table etiquette, after which the new skills can be used at lunch.
See page 2 for a related photo.