Do you remember the song December ’63 Oh, What a Night by The Four Seasons? It is one of my favorite songs, made famous before I was born, but which thrills my soul every time I listen to it. Let me share some of the lyrics with you, and a link to the video, just so you know what I am talking about, in case you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrp9RLVAUgs
Dec ’63 (Oh What A Night)
Oh, what a night
Late December back in ’63
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a night
Oh, what a night, you know I didn’t even know her name
But I was never gonna be the same
What a lady, what a night
Oh, I, I got a funny feelin’ when she walked in the room
Oh my, as I recall it ended much too soon
Oh what a night, hypnotizin’ mesmerizing me
She was ev’rything I dreamed she’d be
…
So why am I referring to this song? It’s obviously not because I am referring to the woman that Gerry Polci (the singer) has found mesmerizing. It is because some of these lyrics are a metaphor for my life at the Ross Community Center. An odd choice? Allow me to explain.
December 5 marked the three-year anniversary of the day I began working at the Ross Community Center.
Early December back in 2015
What a very special time for me
As I remember, what a day!
Oh what a day! Before I came here, I did not even know that the Ross Community Center existed, but since I have been here, I realize I am never going to be the same.
Oh what a day! How quickly time has flown by! Has it really been already three years? In some ways it seems that it was only yesterday since I first sat in my office and looked around at what was to become my new work home, and in other ways, I look back at the path we have travelled over these years, and realize how winding, yet rapidly carved, this path has been. It has been quite a journey, every step of which I have enjoyed, even though it has been quite trying sometimes.
People have often asked me why I am at the Ross Community Center, and these lyrics embody why I am here. It’s a hypnotizing and mesmerizing place to be and has such great potential. Being able to work with wonderful people to build our center into the place where multiple generations come together to strengthen community, to become a catalyst of revitalization of our neighborhood and city is very exciting, and tickles my sociologist and educator hearts. I have a dream for the Ross Center, and even though at times it spins my head around as we pull it through trying times, it is the place I have chosen to be right now, and am determined to make it shine. So now, as my friend Buzz Light Year (Toy Story) said, “To Infinity and Beyond!”
To the great times ahead you and I, my beloved Ross Community Center. It’s going to be quite a journey!
By Jacquie Hanoman
Executive Director
Ross Community Center