Current programs & Courses

LEARNING IN RETIREMENT Programs & Courses

Please note:  If you sign up for a course, PLEASE make every effort to attend the classes.  Our instructors put a lot of effort into preparing for our courses and they appreciate a full audience.  If, after registering, you are unable to participate in the course, please call Selkirk College to report this.  We often have wait lists.

 

LEARNING IN RETIREMENT – MULTI-SESSION & SEMINAR COURSES

FALL TERM 2024

 

Please note:  If you sign up for a course, PLEASE make every effort to attend the classes.  Our instructors put a lot of effort into preparing for our courses and they appreciate a full audience.  If, after registering, you are unable to participate in the course, please call Selkirk College to report this.  We often have wait lists.

 

INTRODUCTION TO BOCCE

Instructor:  Paul Boscariol

Tuesdays – September 10, 17, 24 October 1, 8, 15  10:00 – 12:00 (weather dependent)

0$ – 6 sessions                                                                                                Max: 16

Room:  Bocce courts at Lakeside Park

 

Introduction to Bocce will provide participants with a general overview of the game; including rules, techniques and strategies. The participants will come away with enough knowledge to play this low impact, fun and social game with friends and family.

Paul is currently the President of the Nelson Italian-Canadian Society and has grown up playing bocce with family members and friends. He has been directly involved with the redevelopment of the bocce courts at Lakeside Park. Paul will provide clear instructions and handouts for all participants.

 

Registration for this course is NOT through Selkirk College. Registration will begin at 12:30 on

September 6 through LIR’s Social e-mail – lir22social@gmail.com – on a first come/first served

basis. You will be notified if you are among the first 16 registered or if you are on a wait list.

 

IONA’S WORLD – ADVENTURE #4

Books #7 & #8 – A MATCH MADE FOR MURDER & A LETHAL LESSON

Instructor:  Jean Carne

Mondays – September 9, 16, 23 – 10:30 – 1:30

$9 + tax – 3 sessions  (+ 1 Field Trip at no charge to be determined by Participants)         Max: 12

Room: SKC110

 

It is a Book Club…a Canadian history seminar…an exploration of Nelson & Area in 1947…a field trip as we explore the world of the Iona Wishaw book series.  Explorations of the historical and geographical threads are enhanced if the participant has read the books, but not necessary.

Jean is a life-long enthusiastic reader and loves that Iona Wishaw weaves local and Canadian history into her stories and then sets them in our own valley!  Jean grew up on the North Shore, left Nelson for 40 years, and has retired to the family property to explore a healthy retirement.

 

ADVANCED PROGRAM – PAINTING WITH ACRYLIC

Instructor:  Pat McGoey

Wednesdays – September 11, 18, 25 October 2 – 1:30 – 4:30

$12 + tax – 4 sessions                                                                                     Max:  14

Room:  Tenth Street Campus P103

 

The course is designed for artists with some experience. Participants already understand materials and have been painting for a while. This program is designed to take them to the next level.

1. Composition and light, selecting landscape subjects 2. Mixing colours in values, harmony among colours. 3. Painting at the next level. Required materials list will be sent out to registrants.

Pat McGoey is a colour specialist. He appreciates and builds on the vibration colour presents for his bold textured contemporary art. His medium is oil-on-canvas using a palette knife. He paints landscapes, interiors and florals. Pat has been painting since the late 90’s with time in magazine and graphic arts.

 

INTRODUCTION TO DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKING

Instructor:  Zen Wang

Thursdays – September 12, 19 – 1:00 – 3:00

$6 + tax – 2 sessions                                                                                       Max: 12

Room: SKC 112/113

 

In this course students will be learning the basic steps on planning a documentary film. It includes analyzing a short film: doing hands-on work with either their cell phone or professional quality camera. At the end being able to plan and film a narrative using everyday tools.

Zen graduated from the Vancouver Film School with Directing and Production Design. He is a member of the Director’s Guild of Canada and has worked in the TV and Film Industry since 2015. Zen and his team produced five documentary films which premiered in Toronto to high acclaim.

 

BRAIN GAMES FOR BEGINNERS

Instructor:  Susan Milner

Tuesdays – September 24, October 1, 8, 15 – 10:30 – 12:00

$12 + tax – 4 sessions                                                                                     Max: 18

Room:  SKC 110

 

Solving puzzles is a great way to stimulate your brain; it can also be a wonderfully meditative experience. We’ll explore a variety of puzzles, some with colourful pieces to move about and some with pencil and paper. Most are highly visual and gradually proceed from quite easy to more challenging.

Susan taught Mathematics to undergraduates for 29 years. Along the way she has developed a passion for sharing math/logic puzzles with people of all ages. Now she volunteers for Science World playing with students in K-12 classrooms all over B.C. and enjoys sharing Brain Games with LIR members.

 

INTERNET  SECURITY FOR SENIORS

Instructors:  Sara dos Santos & Lyndsay Forsythe

Wednesday – September 25 – 10:30 – 12:30

$3 + tax – 1 session                                                                 Max: room max.

Room: SKC 110

 

In this workshop, technology educators Lyndsay and Sara will help you to recognize the features of common online scams, understand the strategies scammer use and learn the concrete steps that you can take to make your online behavior safer. No need to bring a smartphone or computer, just your questions.

Lyndsay is the Public References Services Coordinator at the Nelson Public Library. Lyndsay has worked in this role for 5 years and loves outreach work.

Sara is the Technology Education Facilitator at the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) in Nelson. She has more than 10 years of education experience.

 

INTRODUCTION TO EMBROIDERY

Instructor:  Jane Merks

Fridays – September 27 October 4 – 1:30 – 4:00

$6 + tax – 2 sessions                                                                                       Max: 8

Room: SKC 112/113

 

This class is for beginners or people who haven’t embroidered for years. We’ll introduce basic embroidery stitches and have lots of examples to show you. Threads, needles, fabric and handouts will be provided but you must bring your own hoop (6” or so). Extra fee of $5 cash for materials to be brought to first session.

Jane has been embroidering since the 70’s but has recently started doing spontaneous embroidery. She is also a graphic designer, textile artist and retired visual communications professor.

 

FALL TRIVIA

Leader:  Brian d’Eon

Wednesdays – October 2, November 6, December 4 – 10:30 – 12:30

$9 + tax – 3 sessions                                                                                       Max:  36

Room: SKC 110

 

Full team-based quizzes on a variety of subjects that will stretch your little grey cells. Participants are asked to bring $2 to each session as a contribution to prizes for the winning teams.

Brian is a professed generalist with a particular interest in the magic of words.

 

EXPLORING YOUR IPHONE CAMERA (IPhone 11 or newer)

Instructor:  Alison Etter

Mondays – October 7 and November 4 – 10:30 – 12:00, Wednesday October 16 (field trip time TBD by class)

$6 + tax – 2 sessions   (no charge for field trip)                                              Max:  12

Room: SKC 110

 

Have an IPhone? Don’t know how to use the camera? This class is for you! We will discover how to use the IPhone functions including: macro lens, wide-angle/zoom lenses, ‘live’ function, editing capabilities and more. The course includes classroom instruction and a field day. *IPhone 11 and newer only.

Alison has been taking photos on IPhones exclusively since 2010. She has made numerous photo presentations of her travels for various outdoor clubs, life-long learning groups, Rotary Club and others. She recently won an award for her photo of the Spillimacheen Glacier, Silent Pass taken with an IPhone 14.

 

STITCHING WORKSHOP

Instructor:  Jane Merks

Fridays – October 11, 18, 25 November 1, 8 – 1:30 – 4:00

$15 + tax – 5 sessions                                                                                     Max: 10

Room: SKC 112/113

 

This is an open workshop for people to bring needlework projects to work on. This can include embroidery, cross point, crewel work and hand quilting. Participants will help each other and learn from each other. No materials are supplied but sharing extra material is encouraged.

Jane has been embroidering since the 70’s but has recently started doing spontaneous embroidery. She is also a graphic designer, textile artist and retired visual communications professor.

 

UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLORING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Instructor:  Mike Stolte

Wednesdays – October 16, 23 – 1:00 – 3:00

$6 + tax – 2 sessions                                                                                       Max:  25

Room: SKC 215 (Computer Lab)

 

Artificial Intelligence is here now.  And it’s quickly changing our world.  What is it?  How will it affect us?  How can it enhance our lives?  This workshop will do a deep dive into one of the most exciting yet scary developments of our time.  There will also be hands-on exploration in the computer lab.

Mike is a writer, presenter, and a lifelong learner. He has written as the Happy Economist and is the creator of many practical tools including the Conversation Continuum and the Relationship Vitality Index.  Mike likes to learn by leading workshops with other curious learners.

 

STAGE / BROADWAY DANCE

Instructor:  Vicki Valks

Thursdays – October 17, 24, 31 November 7, 14, 21, 28 December 5 – 1:00 – 2:30

$24 + tax – 8 sessions                                                                                     Max: 16

Room: Tenth Street Campus – Gym

 

We will be having fun learning dance steps culminating in a dance number or two done to musical theatre songs.

Vicki started dancing at the age of 3. Her musical theatre experience began in the early-mid 70’s with Hello Dolly, Anne of Green Gables and Cabaret. Forward to 2012, along came Jesus Christ Superstar. After that came Rent in 2014 in which she was a cast member as well as the choreographer

 

WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

Instructor:  Norm Watts

Fridays – October 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22 – 2:00 3:30

$18 + tax – 6 sessions                                                                                     Max: 16

Room: Tenth Street Campus – P103

 

A practical approach to successful watercolour painting. Learning outcomes:

1.3 step painting technique 2. Composition in 2-dimensional design 3. Elements of design – size, shape, colour, texture 4. Principle of design – dominance, contrast, variation 5. Final learning outcome – student will have basic understanding of the above & be able to apply them constructively to painting. Required materials list will be sent out to registrants.

 

Norm has been painting successful watercolours for several decades. Watercolour has a reputation of being difficult. He can share insights to make it easier to do and get satisfying results.

 

BEGINNER LINE DANCING

Instructor:  Sue Williams

Fridays – October 18, 25 November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 December 6 – 1:30 – 3:00

$24 + tax – 8 sessions                                                                                     Max: 30

Room: Tenth Street Campus – Gym

 

This is a beginner line dance course. Learning different choreographed dances to different types of music. Each week we will introduce new line dance steps, learning up to 12 choreographed line dances.

Sue has been instructing line dance for the past 7 years. This is her passion and she loves to pass it on to others. It’s good for body and mind. A fun way to exercise.

 

BEGINNER UKELELE

Instructors:  Ann Coen, Rose Nielson

Tuesdays – October 22, 29 November 5, 12, 19, 26 – 3:30 – 4:30

$18 + tax – 6 sessions                                                                                     Max:  10

Room: Tenth Street Campus – P103

For beginners who want to learn the basics of ukelele and learn a few songs. Singing is not mandatory but encouraged. You will need your own ukelele and a tuner. Always a fun time. Everybody welcome.

Ann is a lover of the ukelele and making music. She has done 3 sessions of this course before and had such fun. She is looking forward to making music with you.

Rose has always been involved with music from singing, guitar, violin and ukelele (3^rd time co-instructing class).

 

BASIC REED BASKET MAKING FOR BEGINNERS

Instructor:  Ann Coen

Wednesday – November 6 – Thursday – November 7 – 10:00 – 11:30

$6 + tax – 2 sessions                                                                                       Max:  12

Room: SKC 112/113

 

Learn how to weave your first reed basket. It’s not hard and so much fun. We will be making a simple napkin basket and hopefully learn a few different weaving techniques. Everything needed will be supplied at a cost of $10 cash per person. Please bring to the first session.

Ann is a true beginner of this wonderful hobby. She has taken a few courses in basket weaving but still has so much to learn. She is hoping to share the beginning techniques to people, showing them how much fun it can be.

 

CIRCLE DANCE

Instructor:  Rose Stapenhurst

Wednesdays – November 13, 20, 27 – 1:30 – 3:30

$9 + tax – 3 sessions  

Room: Tenth Street Campus P103                                                                              Max: 30

 

Learn traditional circle dances from different cultures and traditions in eastern and central Europe, as well as newer dances.  Dances are straightforward and taught, practiced and repeated throughout the course.  We will cover basic steps frequently used. These dances are typically done holding hands in a circle format or line. 

Rose was trained and certified at the Findhorn Foundation in Northern Scotland.  She has facilitated many circle dance events in the USA, UK, and Canada.  She is passionate about this form of dance to help create a more peaceful and gentle world.

 

PINE NEEDLE BASKET WEAVING

Instructors:  Debbie Gerrits and Maureen Gallinger

Friday – November 15, 22 – 1:00 – 4:30

$6 + tax + $6/pp for supplies (to be collected at the class) – 2 sessions                    Max:  10

Room:  SKC 112/113

 

This is a two-part beginner course similar to the one-part course offered last year. The addition of a 2^nd session will allow time to learn a variety of stitches and perhaps a bigger basket. There will be a fee of $10 cash per person for supplies collected in the first class.

Debbie and Maureen took a basket weaving course in the fall of 2019.  Since then, they’ve spent hours weaving various sizes, styles and colours of baskets.  Debbie enjoys weaving and harvesting pine needles on her hikes.  Maureen has combined her love of pine needle basket weaving with other crafting skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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