Judy Jenkins
Special to the Tribune/Advisor
Williams Lake seniors should be getting into the swing of things this month with a fresh new lineup of courses through Cariboo Chilcotin Elder College.
The first step will be Wednesday, Jan. 15, with membership sign-up from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Seniors Activity Centre.
The main membership and course registration will take place Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church at 1000 Huckvale Place.
Prospective students are encouraged to come along and choose their favourite courses, register and have some refreshments.
Final registration will be Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Seniors’ Centre. Further registrations will not be accepted after that day unless you are on a waiting list.
Students must have a $10 membership to sign up for classes, and most courses cost between $10 and $35.
New courses this year include Home Staging, or preparing your home for eye appeal for prospective buyers; setting up your Windows 8 computer platform, and another computer class called Beyond the Next Steps.
Other courses dealing with technology are Computers—The Next Steps, and Exploring the iPad Together.
An Introduction to the Identification of Local Flora will include two indoor sessions and one outdoor taught by Ray Coupe.
Another nature course is Getting to Know Birds: Identification Tips and Techniques taught by Cathy Koot in two sessions — one evening and one morning.
Music Appreciation Listening Sessions led by Dennis Tupman will include Music of Our Land, Music of Faith, Hope and Courage and Music from our Teens. George Cornett will offer the fifth installment of Guitar Workshop.
Water Colours and More will be guided by Wally Chernoff, and Jesse Madden will lead a course in Basic Digital Photography.
Heidi Redl will lead students into their past with techniques for writing their own memoirs.
Those who have ventured into the realm of the universe will appreciate the Google Earth Seminar lead by Pat Teti.
Some of the returning favourites will include Beginners Spanish, taught by Patricia Olson and Furniture Refinishing lead by Tony Savile.
The spring semester will include four Community Service Courses that are free, but class sizes are limited and those wishing to take part must register by Jan. 29.
Terra Hildebrand will lead the Heads Up!
An Introduction to Brain Health, while Stan McCarthy and Conrad Turcotte will teach a basic course in CPR, important knowledge for everyone.
Dave Dickson and RCMP officers will inform seniors of some of the scams and schemes making the rounds, including credit card and banking scams, phone scams and computer rip-offs.
The fourth community service course is a Mature Drivers’ Workshop, a one-session class led by Joe Bazan, which is offered through the BC Automobile Association.
Thompson Rivers University has several course offerings which may interest senior.
There is an introduction to tablet computing, a workshop on connecting with your creativity and creative spirit, couples foot massage and a series of workshops designed around nutrition and organic foods.