The 2015 fall semester of Elder College offers six brand new courses, with a total of 22 courses in all.
The main registration will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.at St. Andrew’s United Church on Huckvale Place.
Refreshments will be served. Late registration will be at the Seniors Activity Centre on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Courses will be filled on a first come/first served basis.
Most courses are open only to members of Elder College.
Interested seniors (50 or better) may join at either of the registration dates, or in advance on Sept. 9 at the Seniors Activity Centre between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Most courses cost about $30, although a few cost a little more.
Community Service Courses are free of charge and are open to everyone.
This semester's course offerings include the following:
All Ways Travel and Elder College have partnered to offer an exciting new addition to the curriculum: the “Seniors Fall Get Away and Wine Tour to the Okanagan.”
This four-day, three-night package includes bus charter, hotels, most meals, and tours and tasting at the Grey Monk and Mission Hill Wineries.
The cost is $711, based on double occupancy.
The ever-popular “Cariboo Tour” with Barry Sale returns again this fall.
This three day bus tour will be of Road Houses between 100 Mile House and Quesnel and out to Dog Creek.
The cost for the bus tour is $90 ($30/day), a bargain considering it covers bus rental, fuel, drivers' wages, and insurance.
Get yourself up to speed in the digital age with a variety of courses.
“Introduction to Computers” with Bob Wanless is for those who are brand new to computers.
“Computers – The Next Steps” with Brian Goodrich is intended to expand your computer knowledge and will be largely based on the interests of the participants. “Exploring the iPad Together” with Sheila Wyse will encourage you to explore the capabilities of your iPad in a user-friendly environment.
“Cell Phones Plus” with Jeannine Morgan will help you to understand the capabilities of your cell phone and how to access many of its interesting apps. “Plugging In To Social Media” with Sharon Taylor will introduce you to a variety of forms of social media, including facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, and skype.
Learn how to take better picture with your digital camera in “Basic Digital Photography” with Jesse Madden.
This is a beginner course for everyone who has wanted to take better pictures with their digital cameras, but doesn't know what to do. Jesse is a professionally trained photographer.
Explore your family history with an Introduction to “Genealogy” with Mary Tresierra. This course will give you tips and links to free internet sites to get you delving in to your family's past and find out what your ancestors were really like.
Or, you can learn how to tell your own story in “Memoir Writing” with Heidi Redl. This course is an introduction to the steps required to write your own personal memoir, with tools, tips, and techniques to help you tap in to your past and write down those stories that are just waiting come out.
For those who follow current affairs, join Joe Varesi in “Current Events – Behind the Headlines.”
This course will encourage you to share your opinions and knowledge in discussions on selected current issues.
Enjoy “A Day on the Williams Lake River ValleyTrail” with the inimitable Fred McMechan and the intrepid Rick Dawson.
The trek will begin at the parking lot below the landfill, and will enjoy a pleasant guided walk for about 10 kilometres to the Fraser River and back, with opportunities for exploring the ponds, looking at the geology, bird watching, and identifying plant and tree species.
Learn how to make Soap and Candles with Beatrix Linde.
This is one of those serendipitous courses that may never come again!
You will learn how to make several different kinds of soaps and candles.
Both would make great Christmas presents!!
In “Meditation 101” or “Meditation for Everyone” The Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi will teach you the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation practice.
There will be information about the theory and practice of meditation, as well as guided meditation sessions
“The Yoga of Speech” with JoAnn Hamm will explore what is behind the urge to speak, whether words have power, and more, through Yoga practices and journaling. It will not use the traditional floor exercises, but will help you to discover and explore a deeper part of yourself.
Learn a new language. “Conversational Spanish” with Patricia Olsen is a basic Spanish course for people who have little or no prior knowledge of the language, but would like to learn. Patricia is a native of Mexico City and has been a Williams Lake resident for 23 years.
In “Making Mandalas,” Cat Prevette will teach you to make and colour a mandala. Mandalas are soothing, calming circular works of art that represent the universe in many religions and spiritual traditions.
Learn the basics of pottery and make your own Christmas decorations and presents in “Clay Creations” with Lesley Lloyd.
Participants will explore hand-building techniques, learn to use an assortment of tools, apply glazes, and fire using a kiln.
The ever-popular “Cooking with an International Flavour” will be taught by Angel Moore, Walter Brunner, and Jackie Pooni.
These three chefs will feature dishes from their home countries of the Philippines, Switzerland, and India.
“Travel Tips for Seniors” is being offered by Toni Linde of All Ways Travel.
Toni will discuss hot destinations, all-inclusive travel, river cruises, rail excursions, and details about insurance, documentation, special needs, and more.
Elder College also offers some community service courses which are free of charge and open to everyone. You do need to register for them so we can be prepared for the appropriate class sizes.
Learn about the modern day version of hide and seek, best defined as an entertaining adventure game using GPS.
Join the growing numbers of geocachers around the world with the geocaching course from Brian and Anita Davidson.
The “Mature Drivers' Workshop” is offered by Joe Bazan and June Striegler. It is offered through the BCAA and is a valuable tool in assisting older drivers to be safe and reduce involvement in accidents.
In “Prevention of Falls and Injuries,” Dora Foote and Angela LaPrairie will discuss causes of falls, what can be done to mitigate them, special equipment, and strength and balance exercises.
Elder College is a volunteer organization dedicated to meeting the continuing educational interests of older adults in the Williams Lake area.
Our courses are interesting, enjoyable, relaxing, and best of all, they have no grades or exams.
For further information, check out our wesite at www.wleldercollege.com. Try us out – it pays to keep your brain active!