Highland YMCA New Year’s Eve Ballroom Dance by Ricardo Tomboc The Highland YMCA had its third annual New Year’s Eve Ballroom Dance. An estimated one hundred and eighty people attended the dance, which catered to ballroom dancers from all over the Inland Empire and beyond! Rob Hinderer is the new Director for the YMCA, and has been at his new post for a week and a-half. Overall, Rob Hinderer has been with the YMCA for over seven years in various capacities. Allen Newman Member of the Board of Directors introduced Rob to the group of ballroom dancers. Allen and Rob assisted in the raffling off of several donated gifts. Proceeds from the dance and raffle will help with camps and scholarships to the YMCA! The dance was a semi-formal evening event, which was alcohol and smoke free as well! Music was provided by Sal Soriano of All-Time 1 MB DJ Services. Dancers come with and without partners. Several dance mixers allowed the dances to meet and dance with each other. Yes, you must be able to perform the basic dance steps to participate and enjoy the event; however, many none dancers attended to watch and enjoy the night. Harry and Jackie Higashi, residences of Highland, CA attended the dance for their third year in a row. Both Harry and Jackie have danced for over 15 years, and their skill and grace on the dance floor was impressive and masterful. Harry is 83 years old and is retired military in the 70’s, and also has a second retirement after working 20 years with the City of San Bernardino. Jackie is 82 years young and came for Japan! There are many places to learn to ballroom dance in the IE, including the Highland Senior Center, which offers free dancing lessons to the community every Tuesday night and is available to people of all ages! Allen Newman and Rob Hinderer both stated that they would like to host the dance again next year.