Eldercollege launch attracts seniors eager to learn

By Pat Bailey

Lloyd Brown-John is passionate about learning and he admits his latest initiative, aimed at continuing education for the senior set, was 'borrowed' from a colleague and friend.

Even the name, Eldercollege, was already in use at Capilano University in North Vancouver.

A retired University of Windsor political science professor, Brown-John said it was nearly two years ago that he happened upon the concept of courses aimed at seniors. It was while speaking to a friend from British Columbia that he learned about the Eldercollege program in North Vancouver.

The concept of the program is to offer learning opportunities to older residents to help enrich their lives through active involvement education, while contributing to the community both socially and culturally.

Brown-John flew out to Vancouver and met with the committee there, then asked if he could borrow the idea — as well as the name.

After getting the okay, Brown-John began the background work in the hopes of beginning a similar program here in Essex County.

He teamed up with Dr. Gordon Drake, principal of Canterbury College and physics professor, to set the wheels in motion. Brown-John said a committee was formed and work began on seeking some government funding — where they secured a $5,000 grant, their total budget.

Thursday afternoon, after about 20 months of work, Brown-John was grinning from ear-to-ear at the launch of Windsor and Essex County's version of Eldercollege at Kingsville's Pelee Island Winery.

"Response has been tremendous, just fabulous," said Brown-John.

And, he said, it's the first of its kind that offers courses in both the city and in rural areas.

In Leamington, Brown-John said, there will be seven courses offered, another seven in Kingsville and four in Essex.

Leamington's residents, aged 55 and over, will get a chance to learn the ins and outs of curling, complementary therapies, bridge (both beginners and advanced), digital photography and about tropical fruits and strange vegetables during the first semester of the program.

Kingsville's offerings include, painting, glass painting, translating memories to effective family histories, the Canadian government, retirement and estate planning, photography as art and the introduction to wine.

The courses, he said, were based on interest and the availability of someone knowledgeable in the field offering to volunteer their time.

Brown-John himself, cannot wait to start teaching — and learning.

He will be teaching "All You Wanted to Know About How Canada is Governed But Were Afraid to Ask Your Mother", and an Introduction to Wine.

Brown-John said no one should be afraid to enroll because he promises the course won't be difficult — just fun.

As far as furthering his own education, "I chose the buffet option," he said.

That, he said, gives the 'student' an all you can absorb choice of taking as many courses as you can fit in — for just under $120.

For those who don't have as much leisure time on their hands, Brown-John said they can choose individual courses that appeal to their specific interests — with a starting price of $25 a course.

The price, he said, is dependent upon its duration — for instance, a three-hour courses generally would cost $25.

And the length of the courses varies, from three hours to 16 hours.

Leamington's Gordon and Eileen Wonnick are the facilitators of the curling course, which is being taught by Doug Uysegui.

"I think it's fabulous for the the Leamington community," said Gordon of the whole Eldercollege concept.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.