The La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center Hosted a Holiday Open House on Dec. 14. The morning was already heating up outside with temperatures reaching close to the 70’s as people lined up to get plates of cheese, sandwiches, fruit, cookies and coffee. Heads turned when about 30 boys wearing black suits, white shirts and red ties filed into the room.
The La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center Hosted a Holiday Open House on Dec. 14. The morning was already heating up outside with temperatures reaching close to the 70’s as people lined up to get plates of cheese, sandwiches, fruit, cookies and coffee. Heads turned when about 30 boys wearing black suits, white shirts and red ties filed into the room.
As everyone sat down to the decorated tables and began enjoying their mini-feast, Recreation Supervisor Kathy Tinsley announced that the boys who had just arrived were the Boys’ Ensemble from La Mesa Arts Academy.
Their teacher Felicia Guiterrez spoke to the audience. “I am so proud of these guys. They have been a joy to teach. Today they will sing for you some Christmas carols,” she said.
The audience perked up even more as a handsome young fellow named Matthew McCormick took the microphone and sang Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” with the rest of the Boys Ensemble singing back up.
Sixth-grader Levi Laddon received much applause after his solo part in “Walking in the Winter Wonderland.”
The ensemble’s rendition of “God Bless America” warmed everyone’s hearts. Afterwards, Tinsley thanked them and Guiterrez for their visit.
“These young men are fantastic,” Tinsley said. “If any of us were worried as to where our future was going, I’m sure everyone who heard this today has no more fear.”
The good times continued with some Christmas caroling led by the Fun Bunch. Tinsley introduced the group’s director James Brown.
“I’m not the real James Brown,” joked Brown. “When the real one passed away on Christmas Day eight years ago, I had all sorts of my friends calling me to see if I was okay.”
The Fun Bunch invited everyone to sing, “Joy to the World” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” along with them.
“I assume everyone in here has been nice and won’t get a lump of coal,” Brown said. “To be honest, though, when I was a kid, I used to think getting a lump of coal would be cool since I had never seen one. And when I heard that the song was by Cole Porter, I used to think that it was the guy who carried the stuff.”
The giggles and good times all went on for two hours. There was one bittersweet moment, however, when Tinsley announced that she would be retiring later this month.
“I’ve worked here for 27 years and you people have all become my family. So I will not stay far away,” Tinsley said, adding that Recreation Supervisor Michele Goldberg-McClung would be filling in for her until a permanent replacement is hired.
“There will always be a special place just for Tinsley here. We will make sure that she comes around,” said Goldberg-McClung, hugging Tinsley.
Goldberg-McClung then called out the winning raffle ticket numbers for the Christmas centerpieces set out on the tables.
The La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center has many classes and activities scheduled for the New Year, including dances with live music, which will be scheduled for Thursday nights, beginning January 19. For more information about the center’s classes and activities, go to cityoflamesa.com or call 619-667-1322,
