What’s so Funny?

Moderator: Nancy Winters

Click link for possible topics: What’s so Funny?

Registration Fee: $15
Time: 5 weeks, Monday, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, starting Jan. 6, 2014
Location: Pine Dale Motor Inn

Canadian Heroes and Villains

Heroes and villains populate the history of every country, and Canada is no exception.  But Canadians are not inclined to celebrate their heroes, and our villains are often swept under the rug.  Heroes and Villains help define a nation as well as enhance its identity and character.  This course will renew our acquaintance with our greatest heroes and our most notorious villains.

Moderator: Suzanne Davidson

Click link for possible topics: Heroes and Villains

Registration Fee: $15
Time: 5 weeks, Monday, 10:00 AM to noon, starting Jan. 6, 2014
Location: Pine Dale Motor Inn

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Potpourri 2013: If you are interested in some or all of these courses you can register by opening this attachment: 2013 Potpourri Registration

Yellowknife or Bust

Moderator:  Mike Ash

April 8, 2013    10 a.m.—12 noon

Pine Dale Motor Inn

Mike and Kathy Ash’s 4700 mile adventure across four provinces and one territory in their amateur–built airplane promises to be a fascinating account told in pictures and stories. They shared the amazing trek to Yellowknife  to meet the crew of “Ice Pilots NWT” with a group of 100 planes. This is a much awaited follow-up to Mike’s previous presentation, “From the Ground Up.”

Shadow River Boat Works

Moderator:  Brian Jackson

April 15, 2013    10 a.m.—12 noon

Skip Izon is known internationally for designing and building cedar strip canoes, kayaks and racing sculls. Marnie McBean and Silken Lauman of Olympic fame won gold and bronze medals for Canada in a Hudson racing shell designed by Skip. This is a rare opportunity to visit a true craftsman. Google “Skip Izon” to learn more about this local entrepreneur. Departure from Sobey’s parking lot at 10 a.m. for the short drive to Skip’s workshop, 2 miles N. on Highway 21.

Transitions

Moderator:  Bob Kennedy

Guest Speaker:  Henry Hildebrand, owner St. Jacob’s Place Retirement Home

April 22, 2013         10 a.m.—12 noon

Pine Dale Motor Inn

Life can be compared to the seasons of the year. Spring represents the first quarter of one’s lifespan; the acute learning years. Summer represents the second quarter; the highly productive years. Fall, the third quarter, represents the reaping and repositioning years. Winter, the last quarter, represents the freedom years. This presentation will focus on a fifth season, the “Second Spring” when perhaps it is time to consider the final stage of our life journey.

Gardening For Self Expression

Moderator:  Beckey Jackson

April 29, 2013          10 a.m.—12 noon

Pine Dale Motor Inn

A garden is a highly personal creation, one that reconciles your ideas with the potential of the plot available. Grow a collection of plants to create a colourful or bold display, create a mood or theme or a space for outdoor living.  Anna Marie Dalton-Needles of Cobble Design will set you on the path to finding your own style. In addition Rebecca Swick of Westland Greenhouse will suggest how container planting can add another dimension to your garden.

Our Town

COURSE 2 GRAVE CONCERNS

Moderator: Molly Russell

5 weeks Feb. 11 – Mar. 11 Time: 10 AM – 12 Noon

The harsh reality is that death, like taxes, cannot be avoided. This course will grapple with the questions and concerns re: death and dying that have often been avoided. All aspects of this subject — the history, rituals, procedures and opinions — will lead to some interesting and provocative discussion.

COURSE 3       LOVE AND MARRIAGE:  THE TIES THAT BIND           

Moderator: Don Santor

10 weeks       Jan. 7 – Mar. 11       Time:  2-4 PM