Current Courses
LiR Winter/ Spring 2025 Courses
Registration will commence on Friday January 10th at 12:30 PM, following our Meet & Greet. At this time, you can register online via the Selkirk website, in person at the Silver King Campus at 2001 Silver King Road, or by telephone at 250 354-3220. Learn more about registration >
Visit the Selkirk site to register for courses >
* 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 let Selkirk College know as soon as possible, as we often have wait lists.
Download the Winter/ Spring 2025 Course Details | Download the Friday Presentations & Course Calendar
GENTLE FITNESS
Instructor: Sheona Duthie
Tuesdays – January 14, 21, 28 February 4, 18, 25 – 1:00 – 2:00
$18 + tax – 6 sessions
Min: 6 Max: 25
Room: SKC 112/113
This class is suitable for all fitness levels. Each class will include a warm-up, light cardio, muscle conditioning and stretching, with options for different fitness levels. Some of the class will be done sitting on chairs. Participants should bring their own water bottles, comfortable clothes and gym shoes.
Sheona is a retired fitness instructor and has taught fitness to older adults for many years for Park & Recreation at the City of Toronto as well as privately. She was a certified Fitness Instructor, Older Adult Instructor, DrumFit Instructor and has done Yoga training.
FUN TRIVIA
Leader: Brian d’Eon
Wednesdays – January 15, February 12, March 12, April 16 – 10:30 – 12:30
$12 + tax – 4 sessions
Min: 16 Max: 36
Room: SKC 112/113
Randomly selected teams will use their combined brain power to answer questions (mostly multiple choice) on a wide variety of topics ranging from the profound to the silly. Snacks are encouraged and a donation of a toony, so that prize money can be distributed to winning teams.
Brian is an unabashed generalist with an interest in almost everything except internal combustion engines. Brian is a writer, actor, photographer, naturalist and sometimes quiz master.
HUMOUR 101
Instructor: Joel Guay
Wednesdays – January 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 19 – 1:00 – 2:30
$18 + tax – 6 sessions
Min: 3 Max: 15
Room: SKC 110 (1st 3 classes) SKC 112/113 (last 3 classes)
This will be a six week course in which we explore the humour in our lives and find creative ways to express this humour in order to improve the quality of life for ourselves and for those around us. Pack your funny bone and come have fun with us. (Feel free to text me if you want info on our course (250) 509-1946) “Laughter enhances blood flow to the body’s extremities and releases pain-killing chemicals. And it heals tired bodies.” Patch Adams.
Joel has been retired from teaching kindergarten for many years. His nine grandchildren are teaching him that ‘There is not a shred of evidence to suggest that life is serious’ He is struggling with this idea. He needs help!
INTERMEDIATE BRAIN GAMES
Instructor: Susan Milner
Tuesdays – January 21, 28, February 4, 18 – 10:30 – 12:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions
Min: 6 Max: 18
Room: SKC 112/113
Come have fun exercising your brain! Everyone is welcome to join us in exploring a variety of logic puzzles which involve patterns and are highly visual. “Intermediate” just means that people who participated in Brain Games in fall ‘24 will see puzzles that are new to them.
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
AN INTRODUCTION TO RUG HOOKING
Instructor: Sara Judith
Thursday – January 23 – 1:00 – 3:30 (Jan. 30 to be held at the Seniors Centre no charge)
$3 + tax – 1 session
Min: 3 Max: 10
Room: SKC 112/113
You will learn a contemporary approach to this traditional craft. You will hook a 14” round chair pad or pillow. Finishing will be demonstrated at the second class, so you will be able to complete your project. Materials and tools will be available for sale – expect $60 – $90 depending on your choices. One class will be in a classroom setting and the second one will be at the Senior’s Centre with other local hookers!
Sara Judith has been hooking for over 20 years and is internationally known as a fibre arts instructor. She has taught more than sixty classes and workshops from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and California to Whitehorse. Sara has taught this class before for LIR and many of those students are still hooking.
STAGE / BROADWAY DANCE
Instructor: Vicki Valks
Thursdays – January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13 – 1:00 – 2:30 $24 + tax – 8 sessions
Min: 5 Max: 20
Room: Tenth Street Campus – Gym
You will be having fun learning the choreography to All That Jazz, which she did in the fall 2024 term. So, any of you who couldn’t get into the fall class last term and those of you who did and want to keep on dancing the number, then this is for you!
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.
BEGINNER LINE DANCING
Instructor: Sue Williams
Fridays – January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14 – 1:30 – 3:00
$24 + tax – 8 sessions
Min: 12 Max: 30
Room: Tenth Street Campus – Gym
Learning the steps of line dancing to different choreographed dances. Although it’s mostly country, we do other genres of music as well. Great way to get moving and have fun!
Sue has been involved with line dancing for the last 10 years. She has been instructing for the last 6 years. She loves to dance and enjoys teaching.
INTRODUCTION TO LOCAL GEOLOGY & MINING HISTORY OF THE KOOTENAYS
Instructor: David Johnston & Others
Wednesday – February 5 – 1:00 – 3:00
By donation* [Registration is is via lir22social@gmail.com]
Min: 15 Max: 30
Room: Chamber of Mines 215 Hall St.
This seminar will provide an introduction to local geology, mining history and prospecting techniques.
David is a Selkirk College alumni, a prospector, a gold miner, President of the Chamber of Mines of Eastern B.C. and a stone mason.
* Registration for this course is NOT through Selkirk College. Registration will begin at 12:30 on January 10 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 24 registered or if you are on a wait list.
LANDSCAPE PAINTING IN ACRYLIC
Instructor: Pat McGoey
Wednesdays – February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12 – 1:15 – 4:15
$18 + tax – 6 sessions
Min: 8 Max: 14
Room: Tenth Street Campus P103
The course is designed for artists looking for a refresher on the painting process and one-on-one instruction. There will be a $27 charge per student for materials supplied (payable at the first class). Pat’s primary mediums are oil and acrylic on canvas, using a palette knife.
Pat paints landscapes, interiors and florals. Born in Toronto, Pat has been painting since the late 90’s. His early career years in book and magazine publishing, as well as graphic arts, gave him an eye for colour and design. Pat has a love for the outdoors, where he spent his summer holidays canoeing and camping in B.C. and Northern Ontario. Pat has conducted more than 5 painting courses for LIR over the years. His work can be viewed at www.patmcgoey.com
HERBAL MEDICINE FOR CANCER CARE
Instructor: Travis Cartwright
Monday – February 10 – 1:00 – 3:00
$3 + tax – 1 session
Min: 5 Max: room max.
Room: SKC 110
In this class we will discuss herbal medicines that can help reduce cancer risk, provide support during cancer treatment and assist with recovery.
Travis Cartwright D. Phyt., RHT(BCHA) is a Medical Herbalist, herbal medicine maker, educator and co-founder of Althaea Herbals. He received his formal education from Pacific Rim College and has furthered his study with The School of Evolutionary Herbalism. With a special interest in cancer care, he completed the Holistic Cancer Care program with Chanchal Cabrera MSc, FNIMH, RH(AHG). He maintains a professional membership as a Registered Herbal Therapist (RHT) with the British Columbia Herbalists Association (BCHA)
UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLORING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Instructor: Mike Stolte
Tuesdays – February 18, 25 – 1:00 – 3:00
$6 + tax – 2 sessions
Min: 5 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.
HEALTHY FEET
Instructor: Cindy Lazenby
Wednesday – February 19 – 10:30 – 12:30
$3 + tax – 1 session
Min: 6 Max: 30
Room: SKC 112/113
This course is designed for seniors and persons with diabetes to promote foot health, learn when to seek health professionals, common foot & health conditions, preventative care (daily foot & footwear inspection) and caring for your own feet (ie. basic nail care, skin care, exercises, padding, footwear and orthotics.)
Cindy is a Registered Nurse who specializes in feet. As a clinician, educator and author, she founded a national foot care association and a education company which has trained over 5000 Foot Care Nurses and Educators across Canada and internationally, through on-line courses, webinars, mentorship and onsite skills training.
“PLAYING WITH SHAKESPEARE”
Instructor: Val Campbell
Wednesdays – February 26, March 5 – 1:00 – 3:00
$6 + tax – 2 sessions
Min: 8 Max: 16
Room: SKC 112/113
Shakespeare wrote plays to be performed. This course will give the participants the tools necessary to confidently lift Shakespeare’s word off the page and into performance. Join this two-session course in which you will play, laugh, cry (maybe) and marvel at the genius of Shakespeare.
Val is an educator, actor, director and Shakespeare enthusiast. She co-founded the Rocky Mountain Shakespeare Company in Lake Louise in the 1990’s and now spearheads Shakespeare by the Shore in New Denver. She is an associate Professor Emerita – Drama from the School of Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Calgary.
INTRODUCTION TO BALLROOM AND LATIN DANCE
Instructors: Robin Trudel and Geoff Burns
Mondays –March 3, 10, 17, 24 – 10:00 – 11:30, 4 sessions
$12 (to be brought to first class) * [Registration is is via lir22social@gmail.com]
Min: 8 Max: 24
Location: Kiwanis Christie Lees Hall 703 Radio Ave. Nelson, B.C.
Participants will learn basic steps and technique for two ballroom (waltz/social foxtrot) and two latin (cha cha/jive) dances. Elements covered include timing, steps, hold, and footwork for leads and followers. The intent is for participants to have fun, learn some technique and feel comfortable on the dance floor.
Robin and Geoff started dancing in Nelson before joining a dance studio while living in Scotland. While their motivation was to learn, meet people and be physically active, they also completed their silver medal exams in both ballroom and latin dance and ventured into the world of competition as beginners.
* Registration for this course is NOT through Selkirk College. Registration will begin at 12:30 on January 10 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 24 registered or if you are on a wait list.
CULTIVATING GRATITUDE & OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICES FOR RESILIENCY
Instructor: Mike Stolte
Tuesday – March 4 – 1:00 – 3:00
$3 + tax – 1 session
Min: 5 Max: 25
Room: SKC 112/113
Humans are wired to worry. Gratitude, happiness, our childhood sense of awe and wonder – things that we need to cope and thrive – are often the casualties of our overactive minds and a negative news cycle. This workshop will explore how we can actively cultivate gratitude and other positive emotions to sleep better, love better and truly appreciate the world around us.
Mike is a writer, presenter and lifelong learner. 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.
LEARN WITH THE NELSON LIBRARY
Instructor: Lyndsay Forsythe
Wednesday – March 5 – 10:30 – 11:30
$3 + tax – 1 session
Min: 10 Max: room max.
Room: SKC 112/113
Have you ever wondered what the heck an E-book is? Or how to check one out of the library? Did you know that the Nelson Public Library has access to thousands of online classes? Or that you could watch hundreds of videos on a service called Kanopy (the Netflix for Libraries!!)?
If you answered no to the above – this course is for you! Come learn all about what the Nelson Public Library has to offer you! And find out how to access all those services.
Lyndsay is the Public References Services Coordinator at the Nelson Public Library. Lyndsay has worked in this role for 5 years and has loved each time they get to do outreach such as this. A fun fact about her is that since having her 7 year old son in school she has learned nearly ALL the pokemon and can tell you which pokemon region they originated from.
INTRODUCTION TO FOUR-PART HARMONY A CAPPELLA SINGING
Instructor: Laura Johnson
Tuesdays – March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – 3:30 – 4:30
$24 + tax – 8 sessions
Min: 8 Max: 30
Room: Tenth Street Campus P103
Introduction to four-part a cappella singing. We will work on some basic singing techniques and sing some unaccompanied four-part harmony songs together.
Laura has been involved in local music for 25 years. She has been directing the Nelson Community Band since 2003, women’s choir Glacier Harmonies since 2002 and Blossom Valley Singers in Creston since 2022.
LIFE PLANNING – ADVANCED CARE & ESTATE PLANNING
Instructors: Jane DiGiacomo and Kathy Hrabluk
Wednesdays – March 12, 19, 26 – 1:00 – 2:30
$9 + tax – 3 sessions
Min: 8 Max: 20
Room: SKC 112/113
We plan for tomorrow so we can live for today – a good motto for life! Advanced care planning is part of life planning, specifically our health care plans. In the first 2 sessions of this course, we’ll learn the what, why, who and how of planning for our healthcare in terms of our values, goals and wishes. We’ll discuss the importance of talking to others and how to have these important conversations. In the last session we’ll discuss estate planning.
Jane is the Executive Director of Nelson & District Hospice Society. She has received psycho-social palliative care training with Victoria Hospice and BC Hospice Palliative Care Association, navigation training with UBC, doula training with Soul Passages and advance care planning with NIDUS. Prior to Jane’s work with NDHS, she was a practicing attorney in New York and was active in not-for-profit management. She enjoys skiing and hiking with her family along with gardening and renovating her heritage home in Nelson.
Kathy is a retired education administrator and remains a teacher at heart. She and her husband moved to the Kootenay’s in 2017 and promptly joined LIR, both proving to be great decisions! Kathy stays busy volunteering for Nelson & District Hospice, Nelson Community Food Centre, Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and LIR. She loves the beauty of the Kootenays and enjoys kayaking, camping, hiking and cross-country skiing.
DREAMPLAY
Instructor: Rose Nielsen
Wednesdays – March 26, April 2, 9, 23 – 10:30 – 12:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions Min: 5 Max: 8 Room: SKC 112/113
Participants discover meaning in dreams based on Jungian psychology, become more aware of unconscious impulses that drive us, learn emotional differentiation and tap into dream-based creativity. Be ready to share a dream and willing to listen to others’ dreams and be prepared to become the expert of your own dreams.
Rose has a Dreamwork private practice, teaching people to interpret dreams individually, in group practice and in the classroom. She has a BSc, 40 years of healthcare experience, and MFA in creative writing, a BC Instructor’s Diploma, a certificate in Mental Health and Addictions and a certificate in Dreamwork Facilitation.
ARMCHAIR TRAVELLERS
Instructor: Various
Wednesdays – April 2, 9, 16, 23 – 1:00 – 3:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions
Min: 10 Max: 25
Room: SKC 112/113
This course will feature personal travel adventures of 5 presenters. Come and enjoy the stories, pictures and experiences in Japan, Iceland, Egypt, the Baltics, Poland, Greenland and Africa – all without updating your passport. Each session will feature 1 or 2 presenters.
Peter Bartl – Japan & Egypt – a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, Peter has presented on art history and local history to LIR members.
Steve Brewster – Iceland – Steve is a former teacher and presently a clinical therapist. As an amateur photographer he has travelled to 50 countries.
Marilyn Miller – Baltic States and Finland – An outdoor enthusiasm Marilyn hikes, cycles and skis. She loves to cycle in new countries – it’s just the right pace.
Jude Schmitz – Poland – her October 2024 trip included a trip to Auschwitz and the Anne Frank Museum. A teacher of computers, math and ESL Jude also loves storytelling, Toastmasters and drama. Peter & Nancy Macek – Greenland – In 2017 they did an approximately 3 week trip from Qagortok in the south to Uuhssat in the north-west. Camping, homestay and muti-day ferry allowed us to day-hike and see some of the mountains, towns, ice, wildlife and ancient Norse ruins.
Hamish Mutch – Northern Africa – Hamish is a retired school teacher from Creston who moved to Nelson 20 years ago. He enjoys hiking, skiing, rock climbing and of course travelling.
DRAWING ESSENTIALS
Instructor: Norm Watts
Thurdays – April 3, 10, 17, 24 – 10:30 – 12:00
$12 + tax – 4 sessions
Min: 6 Max: 20
Room: SKC 112/113
This is an introductory course on basic drawing techniques using line and shading to define shapes. Composition and design principles will be discussed and the use of one, two and three point perspective to show 3 dimensional depth perspective.
Norm has been drawing and painting for many years and looks forward to sharing what he has learned with you.
IONA’S WORLD – ADVENTURE #5
Books #9 & #10 – FRAMED IN FIRE & TO TRACK A TRAITOR
Instructor: Jean Carne
Mondays – April 7, 14, 28 – 10:00 – 1:00
$9 + tax – 3 sessions (+ 1 Field Trip at no charge to be determined by Participants)
Room: SKC 110
Min: 4 Max: 14
It is a Book Club…a Canadian history seminar…an exploration of local sites related to the books
#9 and #10 of Iona Wishaw…You will get more out of the discussion if you have read these books (as well as previous books); however, if you haven’t, you are still welcome. We enjoy tea while we participate in the discussion and plan a field trip related to the books.
Jean is a life-long reader. These books appeal to her because they are set in the region she grew up in. Jean is a retired Registered Nurse and believes in the power of community as we age together.
HOW TO USE WALKING POLES
Instructors: Sheona Duthie
Monday – April 14 – 10:30 – 12:00
$3 + tax – 1 session Min: 6 Max: 25
Room: Tenth Street Campus – Gym
Participants will learn to how to use their own Nordic walking poles effectively for a good workout. We will use the poles in the gym, so rubber feet are essential. Participants should bring their own Nordic walking poles, water bottles, comfortable clothes and gym shoes.
Sheona is a retired fitness instructor and has taught fitness to older adults for many years. She has used Nordic walking poles for twenty years.
BASIC REED BASKET MAKING FOR BEGINNERS
Instructor: Ann Coen
Wednesday – April 30 – Thursday – May 1 – 10:30 – 12:30
$6 + tax – 2 sessions
Min: 6 Max: 12
Room: SKC 112/113
Learn how to weave your first reed basket. It’s not hard and it’s so much fun. We will be making a simple napkin basket and hopefully learn a few different weaving techniques. Everything you need 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 just how much fun it can be.
HOW TO DETAIL ANYTHING LIKE A PRO
Instructor: Val Walsh
Tuesday – May 6 – 1:00 – 3:00
$3 + tax – 1 session
Min: 5 Max: 20
Room: SKC 112/113
How to detail the interior and exterior of everything that has tires, floats or flies. Students will learn which product to use and how to use them and which products to stay away from. How to use them properly and safely. Trade secrets from a Master Detailer
Val’s dad owned a car dealership and she would detail his cars from the age of 14. Now at 66, she has been a Master Detailer for over 50 years and she will show you all the trade secrets. Over the years she has taken a number of courses and shared product information with other detailers. Now it’s time to share this with you.
BBQ YOUR OWN LUNCH
Instructors: Al Pollard and Jean Carne
Tuesdays – 10:00 – 2:00 (dates to be determined between May 13 – June 24)* [Registration is is via lir22social@gmail.com]
Cost: $54 (to be paid at the 1st session) – 6 sessions
Min: 6 Max: 12
Location: at Al’s house (participants to receive address before first session)
Intro to BBQ techniques and equipment. As a group we will prepare lunch for the class using Slow & Low, Love of Smoke, Fish on Cedar, Rustic Mediterranean and Tex Mex techniques.
After cooking for many years Al went to Culinary School at Selkirk to learn more about good food.
Registration for this course is NOT through Selkirk College. Registration will begin at 12:30 on January 10 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 12 registered or if you are on a wait list.
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