LUCERNE
ALPINE
SENIOR CENTER
COMMITTED TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SENIORS & OUR COMMUNITY
OUR STORY
The story of our senior center dates back to the 1950's, when a group of residents in the Country Club Estates (mobile home park) decided to create the Lucerne Seniors Social Club (LSSC) to remedy their isolation as older adults – providing membership services and social gatherings, for themselves and their neighbors.
ABOUT US
From its humble beginnings in a tiny clubhouse on the front lawn of the mobile home park to the purchase of the former Lucerne Elementary School in 1978, the membership-only social club grew in numbers and strength as the hub of vital community services.
Like all great clubs, the members enjoyed activities, food, kinship, and neighborhood help together. Recognizing the community-wide needs of their aging members and families, the club sponsored the creation of the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center (LASC) to serve all of the towns and places in the Northshore – the basis of our present service area (Kono Tayee to Blue Lakes).
Lucerne Alpine Seniors, Inc. (LASI) was incorporated in 1985, using space in the old school building rented from the Lucerne Seniors Social Club. In 1988, the club donated the whole facility to the newly formed non-profit, which became the institution we know and love today.
Today, the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center board of directors and other dedicated volunteers are working to bring back a complete program of services and fulfill LASC's mission after two extremely challenging years of pandemic and natural disasters. With the help of generous community members, local businesses, and agencies, we are renovating our historic building, making needed system changes and offering essential services, as well as new activities and opportunities for seniors.
Meet The board
Ariel Carmona Jr.
Chairman of the Board
Ariel Carmona, Jr. became Chairman of our Board effective July, 2026. He has served as editor of the Lake County Record-Bee since summer 2018.
Ariel Carmona Jr. has served as managing editor of the Lake County Record Bee since summer 2018. Ariel grew up in the Southern California region in Los Angeles where he cultivated an appreciation for good food, family and community-oriented journalism. Prior to joining the Record-Bee, Ariel served as City Editor at the Willits News in Mendocino County and was on the Lake County Chamber of Commerce board as a community director pre-Covid from 2019-2020.
He previously worked at various print and web publications in Texas, New Mexico and Southern California and has been on the air at KPFZ radio since 2023. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an M.A. in Communications from California State University Fullerton.
When an opportunity to serve on the Senior Center board presented itself, Ariel thought it was the perfect place and time to give back to the community once again.
Amanda Gonzalez
Executive Director
Amanda Gonzalez assumed the role of Executive Director at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center in April 2025. A proud native of Lake County and long-time resident of Lucerne, Amanda has deep-rooted ties to the community and a strong passion for serving its residents. With a background in both caretaking and real estate, she brings a unique blend of skills to her new role.
While she continues to practice real estate locally, Amanda’s extensive experience in caretaking has fueled her desire to expand and enhance services for the elderly in her own community. She is excited to lead an organization that she has admired since childhood, with a vision of fostering a supportive, inclusive environment for seniors in the area.
Amanda is committed to enriching the lives of the elderly in Lucerne, advocating for their well-being, and ensuring the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center continues to be a place of connection and care for all.
BECKY SCHWENGER
Vice Chairman of the Board
Becky has been on the Board of Directors since 2022. She is retired from Mendocino County and she and her husband fell in love with the environment and beauty of Lake County in 2015. They purchased a home in Lake County in 2017 and began living in Lucerne in 2018. Becky is very involved in the community and volunteers on various Boards in Lucerne. She became involved by helping area seniors access activities and services at the Center. Becky recognized the need for the community’s seniors to stay engaged and informed and is in charge of news and updates to the Center Facebook page.
virginia graziani
Board Secretary
Originally from San Francisco, Virginia developed strong interests in community issues and local government during a residence in Humboldt County that spanned 23 years. Other highlights included volunteer work at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and for 16 years served on the board of directors of the Redway Community Services District. Working as a reporter for local newspaper, The Redwood Times, was an especially exciting experience and afforded great insight into community issues which Graziani bought with her when she moved to Lucerne in 2014. She has been working with the Senior Center for 5 years and is very excited about the improvements taking place.
ALEX NYIRENDAH
Board Member
Alex and his wife Eden moved to Lucerne in 2021 from Antioch, California. They now own and operate the Lucerne European Market and Bistro. Alex explains, "My wife and I love to serve others, and the Bistro gives us a chance to do just that. Volunteering at the Senior Center is an extension of my love to serve and it is an honor to serve on the board."
Alex has served on the Board since September, 2022. "During this time I have gained priceless knowledge from my associates," he says. "I feel my call was here in Lucerne, a small community, where almost everyone knows everyone."
With his background in Information Technologies, Alex has brought much-needed knowledge and skill to the Senior Center's renovation. Alex says, "I feel honored to serve and use my experience and skills as needed."
CHARLIE BEHNE
Board Member
Charlie served as Chair of the Board from July 2023 through June 2026, guiding us through completion of our renovation project.
Charlie and his wife Diane moved to Lucerne in 1990 from Colorado and now both enjoy retirement. “I love that in a small community, such as Lucerne, you can have a voice and your efforts to help the town with your experience are respected”, says Behne. This is why he starting volunteering at the Senior Center and became a Board Member in February 2020. Charlie's 46-year experience as a career mason enabled him to skillfully lead LASC through our renovation.
volunteer
spotlight
Verge Berlanger and Lorna Sides
This month our spotlight is on Verge Berlanger and Lorna Sides, organizers and tireless volunteers, who present Open Mic evenings at Lucerne Alpine Senior Center on the third Saturday of every month. These family-friendly, free events begin at 4 pm, with the mic open to performers of all ages until 7 pm, followed by dancing to live music until 9 pm, with dinner and refreshments available for a $1-$5 donation to the Senior Center. It's a lot to organize but Verge and Lorna are inspired by their love for music and their community.
Verge came to Lake County in the 80's, after years of playing guitar and musical saw with his brothers' juggling troupe. Here he found many fellow musicians and plenty of enthusiasm for playing and performing, but a lack of alcohol-free venues for music on the North Shore between Nice and Clearlake Oaks. This motivated him to create monthly Open Mic events at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center and also at the Nice Event Center (former Sons of Italy Hall) on the last Tuesday of the month, 5-9 pm.
Originally from Massachusetts, Lorna moved to the Bay Area in 1977, and settled in Lake County in 1986. She started reading her poetry in public to get over stage fright, and today enjoys sharing her poems with audiences at Open Mic. Like Verge, she's always loved music and feels a strong sense of community.
We want to thank Verge and Lorna for their dedication to bringing people together to share their music, poetry, drama, comedy, dance, humor, magic -- all kinds of performance -- with the North Shore communities.