After 30-plus years working for the state of California, Debbie Higgs is cuckoo for ceramics.

"This is my only class, the one that I love. I do a couple of them a week," Debbie says, making use of senior centers close to her home.

Debbie’s current project is painting a life-sized rooster.

"I was never interested in roosters until I went to Maui," she explains. "There are chickens and roosters wandering all over. So I thought, ‘I need one for my yard.’ This will be a lot of fun to paint. He’s pretty majestic."

The social aspects of the class are also important to Debbie.

"It’s a fun class – men and women. We’re like-minded souls."

Helping people thrive is a hallmark of California’s 50 years of dedicated commitment to enriching the lives of older adults.