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Over 30 unique, diverse courses available at Elder College

The deadline to register for one of Elder College’s courses is fast approaching.
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Elder College is offering a wide variety of exciting and stimulating courses this semester. (Photo submitted)

The deadline to register for one of over 20 courses the Cariboo-Chilcotin’s Elder College is offering for the Spring of 2019 is fast approaching.

Every semester, Elder College offers a wide range of unique classes and courses for both its membership and the town at large. In association with Thompson Rivers University, Elder College offers unique, challenging and engaging activities geared towards mature students.

Membership costs $10 per person and can be done on course registration dates.

With a purchase of membership this year also comes a discount with the Williams Lake Film Club, with an $8 admission fee to all movies rather than the regular $12.

Course registration takes place in the basement of St. Andrew’s United Church on Jan.23 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Late registration, for courses not already full, will take place at the Seniors Activity Centre from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 30.

Robert Osmachenko, the president of Elder College, said that the following courses were selected based on members’ feedback and that he hopes that they pique members’ interests come registration day. The fee for attending each class varies.

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Some highlights on the course list include the following:

Tony Savile and Anna Hughes are offering Furniture Refinishing lessons throughout February every Monday from 9 a.m. to noon. They are taking a class of up to 10 members for $35 each.

Savile is a local craftsman with over 20 years of experience in furniture refinishing, repair and antique restoration and owns and operates T.S. Woodcraft. He previously offered this class and it was well liked and received by those who attend.

The class will consist of teaching participants how to strip, clean, stain and refinish a piece of wooden furniture. Participants are required to buy their own materials from a provided list and bring a piece of small wooden furniture to work on. Instruction on furniture repair and restoration will also be offered, time permitting.

For a more artistic course, Elder College is also offering Watercolour Painting led by Audrey Dye and Sandra Stokes.

Happening every Monday from Feb. 4 to Mar. 4 at the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Centre from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. the price for this course is $40, with the majority of the required supplies included in the fee.

Both Dye and Stokes are retired teachers with an art background and stand ready to teach their class the basics of watercolour concepts and techniques. Their end goal is to give students the tools and skills required to independently create their own beautiful free artwork.

There are also several courses centered around increasing digital literacy, including Computers -The Next Steps, More Androidery, Facebook For Elders and iPad Drop-in Sessions. Each is based around various devices and sites and will provide participants with the knowledge to use them properly.

Old Man Stick — A Self Defence Course meanwhile offers a more martial set of skills for those aged 50 to 70 who are in reasonable health. The course’s leader is Terry Payette, who served for 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, before retiring from active service and coming to Williams Lake in 1990.

Payette will teach members how to identify an aggressor and how to deal with threats while making quick decisions. Simple defence techniques will be taught using roleplaying and Payette asks all participants to bring a cane, regardless of if they use one or not. It will be held in St. Andrew’s Church Hall every Tuesday from Feb. 5 to Mar. 5 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the simple fee of free community service.

If you want to get your hands dirty, Basic Plumbing and Electrical for Amateurs is being offered this term as well. It will be taught by the owner of Don Brown and Son Plumbing, Jim Brown a plumber with 30 years experience, and Ed Kozuki a retired electrician, gas fitter and plumber of over 60 years.

Made up of two sessions on Feb. 27 and March 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Kornak & Hamm, this course will teach attendees how to troubleshoot, fix small problems and when a professional needs to be called. There will be a lengthy question and answer session at the end of each lesson.

Artistically watercolour painting isn’t the only session offering. For the music lover, they have Music Appreciation-Listening Sessions while for those with the gift of gab they have the Philosopher’s Cafe.

Both are dedicated to listening and discussion, though Elder College warns those going to the Philosopher’s Cafe can expect to be challenged at some point.

These courses and many more make up Elder College’s exciting line up this semester. Community members new and old are invited to try out one of these courses and expand their skillsets and enrich their lives.

“Elder College provides a unique opportunity for Williams Lake and area residents to keep their minds, bodies and spirits active,” Deb Radolla, a longtime volunteer of Elder College, said. “The selection of courses allows retirees to explore topics they were unable to pursue during their careers and continue lifelong learning.”



patrick.davies@wltribune.com

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Patrick Davies

About the Author: Patrick Davies

An avid lover of theatre, media, and the arts in all its forms, I've enjoyed building my professional reputation in 100 Mile House.
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