As part of Nelson’s Learning in Retirement program, you can attend field trips overseas, take a workshop on improving your sex life, learn how to write your will or find the right dose of cannabis oil to soothe your aches and pains. And that’s only the beginning.
“Registration begins today,” Diane Watts told the approximately 150 people who gathered for a Selkirk College meet and greet Friday morning. “Remember that all our instructors are volunteers, and are giving freely of their time and expertise.”
Watts designed the upcoming curriculum, and promised those gathered the topics covered will be diverse and engaging.
“We are proud to offer a stimulating array of events and presenters to our membership. We are now more than 300 members and would like other seniors 50-plus to be aware of what is being offered to them,” fellow organizer Laura Duncan told the Star.
Some courses include “Bridge for the Absolute Beginner” taught by Angus Paton, “Explore the Nature of Reality” with Bo Pearce, “Be an Online Library Power User” and “Watercolour Painting” with Norm Watts.
A local author series will include talks from nine local authors and three local publishers, including Anne DeGrace, Ernest Hekkanen, Diana Cole and Jane Merks.
A variety of presenters addressed the crowd about upcoming offerings, including Heather Goldik from the Nelson Public Library and Jim Leslie of the Kootenays Medicine Tree.
“One of the basics we founded our company on was education. An original part of our mission is to educate the general public on the benefits of cannabis,” Leslie told the Star after addressing the crowd, and giving a run-down on his upcoming course. This is his second time offering it, after a successful run last semester.
For seniors in particular, Leslie said many are interested in learning more about the THC-less extracts, oils and suppositories that can work as alternatives to pharmaceuticals.
“There are many ways to accomplish the therapeutic use of cannabis without smoking a joint,” he said.
The latest Leaning in Retirement newsletter includes some reviews of courses offered thus far, including one offered by outspoken pacificist and unsuccessful city council candidate Charles Jeanes on “War and Peace.”
“In classes he paces the front of the room, a cup of coffee in one hand, perhaps a book from the pile he brings to class in the other. Mostly he simply talks, drawing on the seemingly bottomless fund of knowledge he’s acquired through years of study.”
The “Sex and Aging” class, taught by Judith Fearing, addressed “personal attitudes and taboos around sex in our age group.” Reviewer John Galm wrote “she guided us in small sessions where we could express our feelings and concerns about the subject. Much information was presented in our class and we were urged to discover websites and materials available which were expansions of the presenations in the series. It was a lively time!”
Upcoming drop-in sessions, which are $3 at the door, include a pub quiz on Wednesday, Jan. 13 offered at 10 a.m. at the Seniors Centre on 717 Vernon St. It will be followed by a lunch at Finley's.
This will be followed by “Kootenaiana,” a talk by Ron Welwood, and “Deconstructing Dinner” by John Steinman. The events will continue until the end of May, with Greg Utzig, Irene Mock, Ross Klatte, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes and Jason Asbell all offering their expertise. They are offered at Selkirk College as well as a variety of other venues.
To find out more information about registration contact Diane Watts at drwatts@telus.net.
