Current programs & Courses
LEARNING IN RETIREMENT Programs & Courses
Registration for Fall 2023 courses commences following the Meet & Greet at 12:30 PM on September 8.
See instructions on the Membership page.
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FALL TERM 2023
MULTI-SESSION COURSES
A TASTE OF NELSON – PART II
Leaders: Kathy Hrabluk, Diane Watts
Thursdays – September 14 – 28 – 3 sessions – 10:00 – 12:00 – Sept 14 session starts at 9:30, all others at 10:00.
Baker Street and Nearby Max: 10
Fee – $10 – to be collected at first session
Once more we will explore some local and new businesses in Nelson. Each week we will visit three businesses. We will hear from owners/managers about how/when the business was established, the challenges during the pandemic, and the joys/successes of being in Nelson. Businesses will include The Craft Connection, Notable Books, Liz Cohoe Hats, Kootenay Bakery, and others. Be prepared to walk a few blocks – so wear appropriate shoes and dress for the weather. Please note that registration for this course will begin at 12:30 on September 8 and will be done on-line through LiR’s Social e-mail – lir22social@gmail.com – You will be notified if you are among the first 10 registrants or if you are on a wait list. Details about our first meeting place will be provided to participants prior to the first class.
EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF WATERCOLOUR AND INK
Instructor: Margaret Stacey
Thursdays – September 14 – October 12 – 1:30 – 3:00
$15 + tax – 5 sessions Max: 15
Room: P103 – Tenth Street Campus
Enhancing water colour with pen and enhancing pen with water colour, using various techniques; the two forms correct each other. It’s Margaret’s hope that you can experiment and laugh – everyone brings something to the class, and everyone takes away something, too.
Margaret is a teacher, muralist, and scenic painter. Some of her big canvases have shown up on interior and exterior walls in Nelson and on stage. Her background includes attending McGill University studio art courses, teaching art in Montreal public schools, doing LiR watercolour sessions, and occasionally leading Rotary’s “Corks & Canvas” evenings.
GEOLOGY OF NELSON TO KOOTENAY LAKE AREA
Instructor: Chris Zinkan
Wednesdays – September 20 – 27 – 10:00 – 11:30
$6 + tax – 2 sessions Max: 30
Room: SKC 213
Session 1 explains the local rock types and their ages through outcrop photographs and hands-on samples.
Session 2 explains when and how the mountains formed and the role of the Rocky Mountain and Kootenay Lake Trenches.
Chris is a retired former professional geologist with over 40 years of experience throughout Canada and numerous international locations. His areas of expertise cover stratigraphic interpretation and basin formation.
IONA’S WORLD: MORE THAN A BOOK CLUB – ADVENTURE #2
Instructor: Jean Carne
Thursdays – September 21, October 5, November 2 – 1:00 – 4:00
$9+ tax – 4 sessions (3 in-class sessions and one Field Trip) – date to be determined – Max: 12
Room: SKC 110
It is a Book Club….a Canadian history seminar…a field trip as we explore the world of the Iona Wishaw book series. In this course we will examine Book #3 – AN OLD, COLD GRAVE and Book #4 – IT BEGINS IN BETRAYAL. In discussion of the books, we will briefly explore the historical events that are woven into the story and where possible travel to the settings. This is a multi-term course, exploring 2 books per term – there are 10 books in the series! This course is open FIRST to those who did Adventure I in the Winter/Spring 2023 term. New participants can join the group IF space allows.
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.
ACRYLIC ART LESSONS
Instructor: Pat McGoey
Fridays – September 22 – October 27 – 1:00 – 4:00
$18 + tax – 6 sessions Max: 12
Room: P103 – Tenth Street Campus
You will receive group instruction and one-on-one instruction with lots of time to paint on your own. Each artist will work on his/her own painting and progress at his/her own speed. One emphasis is creating vibrant paintings and mixing colours in oil. The course is all about painting, each class starting with a 45-minute interactive discussion focused on Composition, Underpainting, Colour Mixing, Colour Value & Chroma, Colour Strategy, and a process for developing a painting from start to finish.
Pat is a contemporary artist and colour specialist who uses bold colour and texture in his artwork. His primary mediums are oil and acrylic on canvas with a palette knife for landscapes, interiors and florals. His work has been published in Arabella Magazine (March 2012) and Mississauga Life: The Trail Painting Series. His work is displayed in private and corporate collections throughout North America. In 2016 his love of landscape painting, the great outdoors, and working with other artists launched a year-long painting trip across Canada, following the routes of the Group of Seven, interacting and painting with fellow artists, and visiting some of the most renowned galleries.
MONTHLY TRIVIA QUIZ
Leader: Brian d’Eon
Mondays – September 25, October 30, November 27 – 10:00 – 12:00
$9 + tax – 3 sessions Max: 24
Room: SKC 110
Four-player teams will compete to answer questions on a wide variety of topics and disciplines with an emphasis on fun and sometimes the bizarre.
Born and educated in Toronto, Brian’s “real” life began after moving to Nelson and marrying Judy. A former teacher and actor, Brian now spends most of his time writing, hiking, taking photographs, and keeping current on news in astronomy.
CHINESE COOKING WORKSHOP
Instructor: Zen Wang
Tuesday – September 26 – 3:00 – 5:00 – CHANGE IN DATE AND TIME – Start date is September 19 at 3:30
$20 – 1 session ($15 for food and $5 for rental of facility) – to be collected at Session. Max: 8
Location: Kootenay Co-op Kitchen
This is an introductory workshop into the wonderful world of Chinese cuisine. After a brief presentation of the key features of Chinese cuisine, the instructor will demonstrate an iconic Chinese dish. Students will follow along and make their own. Please note: Registration for this course will begin at 12:30 on September 8 through LiR’s Social e-mail – lir22social@gmail.com -and on a first come/first served basis. You will be notified if you are among the first 8 registered or if you are on a wait list.
Zen is a polymath renaissance man who specializes in anything that is challenging and worthwhile. His art has won many awards and has exhibited in galleries in Canada and the USA. His films have premiered in Toronto and other communities in Ontario. He is an engineer with an MBA and a film diploma from Vancouver Film School. His sculptures have been selected for the Castlegar Sculpture Walk for the past two years. His passion for cooking was instilled in him by his late mother who taught him five classic Chinese dishes before he went away to university.
HAPPINESS IN RELATIONSHIPS
Instructor: Mike Stolte
Wednesdays – September 27 – October 4 – 1:00 – 3:00
$6 + tax – 2 sessions Max: 25
Room: SKC 110
Relationships can make us happy. They can also drive us crazy. What makes us happy in romantic, family, and friend-based relationships? How do we make our time with friends, family, and partners richer and more connected for everyone? This two-session workshop will explore the surprising connection between happiness and relationships and offer participants practical tips and tools for improving them.
Mike is a writer, presenter, and a grief’/gratitude coach. He has written as the Happy Economist and is the creator of many tools including the “Conversation Continuum” and the “Relationship Vitality Index”. Mike has made presentations across Canada and internationally. CBC’s Shelagh Rogers dubbed him the ‘most interesting economist ever’.
IONA’S WORLD: MORE THAN A BOOK CLUB! Adventure #1
Instructor: Jean Carne
Thursdays – September 28, October 12, October 26 (FIELD TRIP), November 9 – 1:00 – 4:00
$9 + tax – 4 sessions (3 in-class sessions plus 1 Field Trip) Max: 12
Room: SKC 110
It is a Book Club…a Canadian history seminar…a field trip as we explore the world of the Iona Wishaw book series. The books for this course are #1 – KILLER IN KING’S COVE and #2 – DEATH IN A DARKENING MIST. In discussion of the books, we will briefly explore the historical events that are woven into the story and where possible travel to the settings. This is a multi-term course—we will explore 2 books per term – so far there are 10 books in the series!
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.
OPEN TO A NEW PERCEPTION
Instructor: Bo Pearce, Joel Guay
Tuesdays – October 3 – 24 – 1:00 – 2:30
$12 + tax – 4 sessions Max: 25
Room: SKC 110
Bo will provide new videos and content. Specific videos are chosen to inspire, teach, and expand our perception through the presentation of amazing new information and new concepts. The videos will vary greatly, and different topics will be covered in each class. Each video will be followed by class discussion time.
Bo has many years of teaching experience. She was an instructor at SAIT in Calgary for 23 years and in Nelson and area teaching Computer and Administration skills for 17 years. Bo has a life-long interest in seeking answers to mysteries and likes to share new mind-expanding discoveries in science and archeology, especially ancient archeology.
SPOTLIGHT ON NELSON BUSINESS – PART II
Instructors: Various (Arranged by Sheila Hart and Diane Watts)
Wednesdays – October 4 – November 1 – 10:00 – 11:30
$15 + tax – 5 sessions Max: 25
Room: SKC 110
We will have 5 different presenters, representing 5 different Nelson businesses or organizations, including Urban Systems, Dutch Girl Peonies, Apex Forest and Wildlife Services, Bald Face, and Nelson Express. Come to enjoy learning about these businesses/organizations – how they got started, the challenges of Covid times, and their successes and goals for the future.
Presenters will include Jan Korinek, Adriana Work, Doug Harrison, Jeff Pensiero, and Nelson Becker.
IDEAS CAFE
Leaders: Jack Harrison and George Mentz
Tuesdays – October 10 – November 28 – 10:00 –12:00
$24 + tax – 8 sessions Max: 25
Room: SKC 112/113
This is a resurrection of the previous popular course by the same name with an emphasis on great thoughts, presentations and discussions led by two moderators. The emphasis will be on eclectic, relevant, informative, and amusing pieces by the participants. There will be a weekly segment of a current event that is related to history and how it affects today’s world.
Jack is a retired GE salesperson and manager who moved to Nelson 5 years ago and has been involved with LiR in many capacities since arriving here.
George recently moved to Nelson and is a retired school principal from Prince Albert, AB. He has been coming to Nelson for the past 20 years and has family here.
LINE DANCING FOR BEGINNERS
Instructor: Sue Williams
Fridays – October 13 – November 17 – 1:30 – 3:00
$18 + tax – 6 sessions Max: 28
Room: GYM – Tenth Street Campus
This class will introduce dances to all kinds of music, mostly country. We will learn about 10 dances, keeping steps and dances at a beginner level and introducing more songs. It is a great way to get moving – good for body and mind.
Sue has been instructing line dancing for the past 5 years. She has been involved with LiR for 4 sessions to date. She loves both music and dance and enjoys teaching others. Shelly Boswell helps with the instruction. She has been with a Ladies’ Line Dancing group for the past 5 years.
MUSICAL THEATRE/STAGE DANCE
Instructor: Vicki Valks
Mondays – October 16 – December 11 (No class on November 13) – 1:00 – 2:30
$24 + tax – 8 sessions Max: 16
Room: GYM Tenth Street Campus
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 and along came JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. After that came RENT in 2014 in which she was both a cast member and the choreographer.
BRAIN GAMES – INTERMEDIATE
Instructor: Susan Milner
Wednesdays – October 18 – November 8 – 10:00 – 11:30
$12 + tax – 4 sessions Max: 20
Room: SKC 112/113
Come tie your brain into knots! Work out the kinks! A change of thinking is as good as a rest! However you view puzzling, you are invited to join the fun. We’ll share some logic puzzles that will be new to people who took Brain Games For Beginners in Fall 2022, although people who have taken other courses might have seen some of them. Everyone is welcome.
Susan taught post-secondary mathematics in BC for 29 years. As a volunteer for Science World, she takes math and logic games into K-12 classrooms all over BC. She thoroughly enjoys playing with LiR members who laugh more than any other group.
HAPPINESS, UNHAPPINESS, AND RETIREMENT
Instructor: Mike Stolte
Wednesdays – October 18 – 25 – 1:00 – 3:00
$6 + tax – 2 sessions Max: 25
Room: SKC 110
Many people work madly towards retirement, believing they will be truly happy when they have reached this ‘pinnacle’. With retirement, however, social connections and a sense of identity and purpose are often lost. Recent research and ancient wisdom confirm these are critical to happiness. This interactive two-part workshop will explore the critical ingredients for a happy retirement with participants sharing their experiences.
Mike is a writer, presenter, and a grief’/gratitude coach. He has written as the Happy Economist and is the creator of many tools including the “Conversation Continuum” and the “Relationship Vitality Index”. Mike has made presentations across Canada and internationally. CBC’s Shelagh Rogers dubbed him the ‘most interesting economist ever’.
CIRCLE DANCE #1
Instructor: Rose Stapenhurst
Wednesdays – October 18 – November 8 – 3:00 – 5:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions Max: n/a
Room: P103 – Tenth Street Campus
Learn traditional circle dances from different cultures and traditions in eastern and central Europe
including Greek, Macedonian, Romanian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Israeli, etc., as well as newer choreographed dances. Dances are straightforward and are taught, practised, and repeated throughout the course. We will cover basic steps frequently used in dance such as slip steps and grapevines. This form of dance is typically done holding hands in a circle format or in one long line.
Circle Dance #1 is open to everyone regardless of experience. Options for varying levels of ability will be offered so that everyone can participate. WHY DANCE? Dancing is a wonderful activity to strengthen aerobic power, lower body muscle, endurance, agility, and gait. It improves mood and overall wellness and health.
Since 1992 Rose has facilitated many Circle Dance events from a single class to day-long workshops and from weekends to full week-long retreats in the USA, UK, and Canada. She is passionate about this form of dance to help create a more peaceful and gentler world. She was trained and certified at the Findhorn Foundation in northern Scotland.
FIND YOUR WINGS ON THE UKULELE
Instructor: Jamie Bastedo
Thursdays – October 19 – December 7 – 1:00 – 2:30
$24 + tax – 8 sessions
Room: P103 – Tenth Street Campus
This 8-session course is aimed at folks with an advanced beginner or intermediate level foundation on the ukulele and who are seeking greater confidence, freedom, and joy in this fun and versatile instrument.
Don’t be shy, come as you are, and we’ll help each other find our ukulele wings and soar!
Jamie is a biologist and nature writer who has taught guitar and ukulele for over 15 years. By focusing on practical exercises and popular tunes, helping people of all ages find and stretch their musical wings has become one of the greatest joys in Jamie’s world.
NAVIGATION THROUGH THE UNIVERSE ON YOUR COMPUTER
Instructor: Brian d’Eon
Tuesdays – October 31 – November 7 – 1:00 – 3:00
$6 + tax – 2 sessions Max: 20
Room: SKC 110
This course will provide a survey of online resources that allow users to travel virtually through the universe. Most course time will be devoted to an exploration of the Celestia application. Although not a requirement, participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops to the course and to preload the Celestia application (which is free). Sharing laptops is another good option.
Brian was born and educated in Toronto. His ‘real’ life began after moving to Nelson and marrying Judy. A former teacher and actor, Brian now spends most of his time writing, hiking, taking photographs, and keeping current on news in astronomy.
CRAFTING PERSONAL STORIES
Instructor: Mike Funergy
Tuesdays – November 7 – 28 – 10:00 – 12:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions Max: 20
Room: SKC 110
Everyone has a story—but there’s an art to crafting it to be engaging for all listeners. Learn the tricks and tools of the trade to turn your own story into one that others are enthralled by, connecting them with their own stories and emotions. A combination of lectures, exercises, group work, and feedback will ensure you end up with a powerful personal story to share.
Mike is a storyteller, clown, and art therapist. He is the host of “That’s Another Story” on Kootenay Co-Op Radio and has performed at the Toronto International Storytelling Festival, Science World, and the Aquarium in Vancouver – and at many shows and podcasts. He hosts workshops for all ages on how to tell great stories and truly believes that everyone can tell a story.
CIRCLE DANCE #2
Instructor: Rose Stapenhurst
Wednesdays – November 15 – December 6 – 3:00 – 5:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions Max: n/a
Room: P103 – Tenth Street Campus
Learn traditional circle dances from different cultures and traditions in eastern and central Europe
i.e. Greek, Macedonian, Romanian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Israeli, etc., as well as newer choreographed dances. Dances are straightforward and are taught, practised, and repeated throughout the course. We will cover basic steps frequently used in dance such as slip steps and grapevines. This form of dance is typically done holding hands in a circle format or in one long line.
Circle Dance #2 is best suited to those who have danced with Rose before or with some dance experience. These classes will offer an opportunity to go deeper into the dances.
Since 1992 Rose has facilitated many Circle Dance events from a single class to day-long workshops and from weekends to full week-long retreats in the USA, UK, and Canada. She is passionate about this form of dance to help create a more peaceful and gentler world. She was trained and certified at the Findhorn Foundation in northern Scotland.
CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY
Instructor: Zen Wang
Thursdays – November 16 – 30 – 2:00 – 3:30
$9 + tax – 3 sessions Max: 8
Room: SKC 110
This course is an introduction to Chinese calligraphy. We will start with how the language was developed. Then we will dive in and let the students start to write in Chinese. Next the instructor will demonstrate how the characters are written by the practitioners of Chinese calligraphy. Finally, we will explore different styles of writing and how they can strengthen your inner mental health through daily practice. Students are encouraged to bring their own brush and ink so they can keep practising at home.
Zen is a polymath renaissance man who specializes in anything that is challenging and worthwhile. His art has won many awards and has exhibited in galleries in Canada and the USA. His films have premiered in Toronto and other communities in Ontario. He is an engineer with an MBA and a film diploma from Vancouver Film School. His sculptures have been selected for the Castlegar Sculpture Walk for the past two years. His passion for cooking was instilled in him by his late mother who taught him five classic Chinese dishes before he went away to university.
INTERNET SAFETY FOR SENIORS
Instructors: Catherine Brochhagen and Lyndsay Forsythe
Wednesday – November 22 – 1:00 – 3:00
$3 + tax – 1 session Max: 25
Room: SKC 112/113
This is an interactive and informative two-hour workshop engaging seniors in a discussion to help them develop skills in using their personal digital devices safely. Topics covered include internet safety, social networking, video chat (Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc.), identifying theft, scams, factor authentication, passwords, and more. This workshop is for those who are already using digital devices at a basic level.
Catherine is a Program Facilitator with Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy in Nelson. She works with adults, primarily seniors, on basic digital skills through the TechTime series of programs, workshops, and one-to-one tutoring.
Lindsay is the Public and Reference Services Coordinator for the Nelson Public Library. She works with the community to get them the books they want to read, runs programs for seniors and adults that teach basic library and tech skills, and collaborates with community organizations in and around Nelson.
PINE NEEDLE BASKETS
Instructors: Maureen Gallinger and Debbie Gerrits
Friday – November 24 – 1:00 – 4:30
$3 + tax – 1 session Max: 12
Room: SKC 112/113
This is a beginner course in pine needle basket weaving. Everyone will go home with one small, delightful basket made with pine needles and artificial sinew. There will be an additional fee of $6 per person for supplies. This will be collected in the class.
Both Debbie and Maureen took an afternoon basket weaving course in the fall of 2019. Since then, they’ve both spent many hours weaving various sizes, styles and colours of baskets. Debbie is semi-retired and enjoys meditative winter weaving and harvesting pine needles on her hikes throughout the Kootenays. Maureen is a health care worker and enjoys weaving with needles and beads and is a master crafter of many things.
HOW TO WEAR A SCARF
Leader: Jean Carne
Mondays – December 4 – 11 – 10:00 – 12:00
$6 + tax – 2 sessions Max: 12
Room: SKC 213
Do you have a number of beautiful scarves in your closet…that you wish you could tie in beautiful and different ways? We are going to explore different ways to tie your scarf. Each participant is encouraged to bring a style to the class…one you frequently use or a video or instructions. We are going to teach one another!
Jean has WAY TOO MANY scarves in her closet…in almost every colour!
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