Submitted by
Nancy McFarlane-Smith
Hello all you Tantramar area seniors! And I mean all you readers over 50 who are bleakly contemplating the fact that, yes, winter HAS come to Sackville after all and it’s up to you to do something about it. Look no further than the line-up for the interesting courses being offered in this semester of Tantramar Seniors’ College. Registration is being held in a new location so take note – Tantramar Civic Centre, Monday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Here in Sackville, the college is offering 15 courses in this winter term, some of them for the first time.
Various presenters will discuss “Collections: the Fun and Pleasure of Collecting” on Tuesday afternoons.
Starting on Wednesday, Jan. 23, for eight weeks, Sharon and Don MacIntyre are giving a class in curling for seniors at the Sackville Curling Club. That’s a fun indoor winter activity but if your tastes run to the great outdoors don’t despair, Cy Bernard and Roy Pierog are teaming up again to get you up and running . . . actually skiing and snowshoeing, on Friday afternoons in the local area.
Alex Whitla is back in the saddle with his popular T’ai Chi (Yang style) on Thursday afternoons.
And while on the subject of out and about, you don’t want to miss hearing all about the experiences of Al and Elaine Smith on river cruising the Rhine and the Danube, for two Friday afternoons only. More travel information comes from Gary MacDonald, who will be running six weeks of classes Wednesday afternoons on a fascinating topic called Windows on China. If a trip to France is on your horizon – or you just want to stretch your brain – don’t look further than a six-week course titled “Paris! Paris! French Conversation” – Alex Fancy hosts this class Tuesday mornings and it’s sure to be both fun and informative.
Of course, the seniors college addresses the practical needs too. Don’t get rid of that old chair with the sagging seat. Sign up for Pat Dixon’s re-upholstery class held on Monday mornings: you actually will re-upholster a chair from start to finish and learn all Pat’s tricks to amaze your friends and please your wallet.
And what, in this digital age, could be more useful that an introduction to digital literacy – computer basics: levels 1 and 2. These are actually two different classes, one for each level, and will be offered by Norm Huffman on Thursday afternoons for six to eight weeks.
If you already know your way around a keyboard a little – you don’t have to be a total pro – get involved in Barb Jardine’s class in long-distance genealogy research, done in a cooperative workshop approach. This four-week course will be held on Thursday mornings and is full of practical tips for doing your own family research. You may be amazed to find a pirate or a duchess in your history – or learn more about that great-grandmother whose mysterious past tantalizes you.
Somewhere between practical and beautiful is the course in fiber and cloth being given by Patty Chasse on Friday afternoons for four weeks. Patty is an accomplished weaver and her introductory class may awaken the weaver in you. It will certainly give you a sincere appreciation of all that goes into this practical and artistic craft.
And in a six-week course titled “Current Health Issues: More Questions than Answers”, Dr. Harold Popma will be sure to pique your curiosity and interest. Wednesday morning is the time for this informative course.
Since the courses were first introduced on the college website, another course has been offered, a six-week course on minerals and rocks given Friday afternoons by Don Hattie.
Seniors college doesn’t forget about stretching the soul either. Berkeley Fleming shares his enjoyment and appreciation of jazz; the course is even entitled “Jazz Appreciation by Every Possible Means,” though I’ll leave the rest to your imagination! Monday afternoons is the day for you to don your listening ears and the class continues for eight weeks.
Finally, to burnish another soul-stretcher, six lucky people will join Peter Manchester for his class in “Life Drawing for Intermediate Level Artists,” held in his home on Tuesday afternoons for six weeks.
Of course all registered seniors are permitted to sign up for any of the courses given in all the other locations: Tidnish Bridge, Amherst, the greater Shediac area, and the Codiac Community of Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview.
The website is http://tantramarseniorscollege.ca/ – give it the once-over to spice up your winter and enlarge your body of knowledge, to meet old friends and make new ones, to prove wrong that old adage about old dogs and new tricks. You have nothing to lose.
