Open House, Sept. 9, 2013

This year the Open House will be held at Pinedale Motor Inn on Monday, September 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. Come along to learn about the Fall courses, meet participants and moderators, join in some activities and find out what we’re all about. Please invite any friends or neighbours who might be interested. Registrations can be taken at this time, regular sessions begin on Monday, September 16, 10 am – noon and 2 pm – 4 pm at Pine Dale Motor Inn.

We are grateful to Mary Jo of Pine Dale for supporting PIL by providing the Open House venue free of charge.

Event Flyer, share with your friends or tack on a bulletin board …
Open House Sep. 9

President’s Letter, June 2013

June, 2013

Dear Participants,

It has been a year full of exciting courses and now we have a few months to relax and re-energise. Sincere thanks go to Beckey Jackson and the curriculum committee for the wide range of subjects on offer from September 2012 to March 2013, followed by an exciting and well attended series of Pot Pouri sessions. Curriculum is at the heart of Partners in Learning, a wide variety of subjects is needed to attract participants and we are always open to suggestions from members. A huge thank you also goes to all who moderate the courses, we would be lost without your guidance. The executive met recently to finalize the programs for Fall and Winter 2013-14 details of which can be found below and on the website www.partnersinlearning.ca  Following is a calendar of events to take note of:

June 21, Annual Summer Solstice Gathering at Molly Russell’s cottage, Maple Grove 8pm. Please bring nibbles to share, your own drinks and a chair from which to admire the setting sun. Musical instruments are also welcome providing you can play them! Park in the field below the cottages. For information call 519 238-2237

Sept. 9, Open House and Registration at Pine Dale Motor Inn, 2-4 pm. This promises to be a fun filled event with interactive displays and a chance to socialise and ‘catch up’. There will also be fuller explanations of the courses. Please bring guests and  potential members.

Sept.16 to Oct.21 (no class Thanksgiving Monday) Fall session begins with two five week courses-

  • Monoliths and Megaliths, 10 am -12 pm moderated by Bob Kennedy
  • The Entertainers, 2-4 pm moderated by Don Santor

Oct.28 to Nov.25, Second set of five week courses-

  • The Roaring Twenties, 10 am -12 pm moderated by Lynn Wilbur
  • Socrates Café, 2-4 pm moderated by Nancy Winters and others

For the past few years Lea James has managed our website, designed brochures and ensured we received publicity in the press and elsewhere. Sadly for us, she has felt the need to resign her position as a member of the executive. Lea deserves all our thanks for the hundreds of hours given so generously to PIL. Mike Ash has taken over the responsibility of managing the website, www.partnersinlearning.ca where you can find information about current activities, past courses and a gallery of photos. The website is a valuable tool for members and anyone who expresses an interest in the group.

The executive is looking for someone to take charge of publicity. Being in the public eye helps build our membership and is needed for the continuance of the group. Let us know if you can help.

PIL would be nothing without its members so my sincere thanks go to all of you who make Mondays stimulating, challenging and fun.

Dinah Taylor, President – 2012-13

“Megaliths and Monoliths”, Sept. 16, 2013

Megaliths and Monoliths

From the dawn of history men and women have been erecting stones to mark the graves of their loved ones, and for a wide variety of reasons we have been erecting monoliths and megaliths ever since.  Sometimes they were a single stone, sometimes they were many.  And some were just mountainous mounds of dirt.  We humans still stand in awe of the remarkable accomplishments of our ancestors.  “Megaliths and Monoliths” will explore another dimension of what it means to be human.

newgrange
Check out possible topics on this link.

Registration Fee: $15
Time: 5 weeks, Monday, 10:00 AM to noon, starting Sep. 16, 2013
Location: Pine Dale Motor Inn

“The Entertainers”, Sept. 16, 2013

The Entertainers

Entertainment, and those who make it possible, “The Entertainers,” has been a significant part of every society and culture from the beginning of time. Even the Stone Age people devised ways to pass the long hours in their caves and around their camp fires. This course will examine the many ways we have entertained ourselves during the past two millennia.

entertainers
Check out possible topics on this link.

Registration Fee: $15
Time: 5 weeks, Monday, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, starting Sept. 16, 2013
Location: Pine Dale Motor Inn

“The Roaring Twenties”, Oct. 28, 2013

The Roaring Twenties

The 1920s in Canada was an era of excitement and optimism.  World War I was over and Canada, along with the rest of the world, was looking forward to an era of peace and prosperity.  Canadians felt confident about their future.  Restraint was thrown to the winds and men and women alike shook off the shackles of the past and let the 20’s roar.

Roaring20s
Check out possible topics on this link.

Registration Fee: $15
Time: 5 weeks, Monday, 10:00 AM to noon, starting Oct. 28, 2013
Location: Pine Dale Motor Inn

“Socrates Café”, Oct. 28, 2013

Socrates Café

It’s back! By popular demand and in favour of spontaneous discussion rather than the usual presentation format, we are reprising an old favourite. Each week two topics will be discussed, one chosen the week before and one on the day of the session. Each participant will suggest a topic, anonymously, and two will be chosen by a democratic vote.
Socrates

The moderator will ensure that each participant has a chance to express their opinion, uninterrupted, starting with the person whose topic was chosen. There will be two rounds of discussion followed by a summation by the moderator.

This course will appeal to anyone who wants the chance to express an opinion in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect. No preparation is required prior to attending, but those wishing the “gather their thoughts together” on next weeks topic can do so.

If you enjoy a lively discussion, like expressing your opinion and have an interest in current affairs and controversial topics, this is the course for you.

Topics raised in the past have included:

• Reform of the electoral system – are we fairly represented?
• Should Canada have a space program?
• Our health care system- can it be sustained?
• Should there be a return of grade 13?
• Global Warming – is it really a threat?
• Family Day – should it be called something else?
• Religious fundamentalism- is it responsible for terrorism?
• Internet Technology – a blessing or a curse?
• Gender Bias – pink for a girl, blue for a boy?
• Mandatory Life Sentences – yes or no.

Registration Fee: $15
Time: 5 weeks, Monday, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, starting Oct. 28, 2013
Location: Pine Dale Motor Inn

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.

Socrates

Fall 2013 Preview

This fall we will be offering 4, 5 week courses.  Details to follow, but here are the highlights:

  • Session 1, starting September 16th
    1. Megaliths & Monoliths, 10:00 AM to Noon, Bob Kennedy
    2. The Entertainers, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Don Santor
  • Session 2, starting October 28th
    1. The Roaring Twenties, 10:00 AM to Noon, Lynn Wilbur
    2. Socrates Cafe, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Nancy Winters

FEES:
The fall courses are $15 each, and because it is the start of a new season, a membership of $20 for the year is also required.

“Our Town” Tour a Great Success

Our last Potpourri session on May 13th was hosted by the famous Jim Southcott.  About 25 folks enjoyed the walking tour on a wonderful spring day and learned about some of Grand Grand’s history.  Additional narration was provided by Paul Miller (co-author of Grand Bend, Images of Yesterday) and Bill Brenner (of the Brenner Hotel – now Colonial Hotel – family).

Here are some images composed by Lea James.  Thanks Lea.

Tour Images by Lea

Fall courses were approved at the May 16 Executive Meeting

Stay tuned for a site update which will include the courses for this fall.

The spring Potpourri courses were well received and had great turn-outs.  Our goal is to interest new participants to come and join us for the fall programme.

Shadow River Boatworks Visit

On April 15th, over twenty folks visited Skip Izon, master designer and craftsman of wood canoes, kayaks and racing shells.  Have a look at the attached video prepared by Lea James.

Shadow River Video