Notes from the President:
What’s Next?
Cathy Lindstrom
Hello to PebbleCreek! We, your friends and neighbors at LifeLong Learning, hope that you are safe and healthy as we continue to weather the pandemic. You may have been wondering what may happen this summer and in the fall. We have been wondering, too, and we are starting to put together plans for several possibilities.
More information will be coming your way over the summer. However, one thing is for certain: we will need to change how we offer events and programs in ways that are more easily accessible and up to date with changes as they occur. One of the changes will be how we market our events and communicate with you. Our focus will be shifting from paper products to digital information on our website, through emails, and possibly through teleconferencing. This gives us considerable flexibility if the pandemic suddenly changes course and we have a second wave of infections in the fall.
We may be experimenting with offering some classes and possibly some lectures through Zoom technology. Some may be free, some may have reduced costs and all will be easier and safer. Everyone can participate from home with their computer or tablet. We are in the early design stage now, so more information will be coming your way as we develop our technology.
Out of crisis comes opportunities. We are believers in this adage and we are excited to try some new approaches for delivering our programs. We hope you will join us as we move into the future.
Stay safe!
Lecture Series Wrap Up
Lorna Bray
This past season proved to be successful despite the fact that it was cut short due to the pandemic. As in the past, our success was due in great part to the dedicated volunteers that support the lecture program and the speaker suggestions from PebbleCreekers. Since the inception of the lecture program in 2005, LifeLong Learning (LLL) has presented more than 321 lectures attended by more than 51,000 residents.
The lecture team is always open to speaker recommendations, which can be done online through the LifeLong Learning website or by emailing Director Lorna Bray at [email protected].
The lecture vetting process took on a different format this past March and April with only one of the three meetings taking place in person due to social distancing guidelines. Thanks to the flexibility of the Lecture Vetting Committee, the remaining meetings were held successfully via email and phone conferences. This year’s vetting committee consisted of 24 LifeLong Learning volunteers who assisted in the research of potential speakers to ensure that we offer quality presentations to the community. The large committee ensures that we have a wide range of diverse opinions on potential speakers in order to provide lectures of varying interests. Speakers for the 2020-21 lecture season have been confirmed and arrangements have been made for their appearances as a Monday morning or premier lecturer.
The LifeLong Learning board of directors has been meeting to draft a plan on how LLL can continue to support the PebbleCreek community with quality educational programs during this pandemic. Our lecture programs may come to you in a different format, but we will continue to offer presentations of interest to PebbleCreekers.
Thank you to all the Lecture Vetting Committee members for their participation and to all the volunteers on the Lecture Team for their commitment this past season.
Class Magic
Ruth Shaffer
Classes do not happen magically. There is a dedicated team led by Carole Korzilius that reviews the choices for classes, discusses which would appeal to PebbleCreek residents, contacts and contracts with presenters, writes the descriptions for the schedule and the website, and creates a schedule. Class moderators are trained to meet the needs of all class attendees. All technical needs of the presenters are pre-determined and provided by the team schooled in all media on the day of the class.
Thank you to Jill Burnham, Shelley Coate, Eddie D’Aurora, Bev Drury, Dianne Harmon, Alice Haywood, Marianne Johnson, Phil Korzilius, Marlene Lenstra, Nancy McDonald, Phyllis Minsuk, Paul Polk, Esther Schatz, Steve Smith, Sue Smith, Karen Stanley, and Di Week. The team succeeded in providing a wonderful variety of topics for the 2019-20 season!
Special thanks go to all the PebbleCreekers who taught classes this season. Gene Fioretti showed us how to make artisan bread, baguettes, and pasta from scratch. Gail Shank taught four Instant Pot classes which were in high demand. A vegan lifestyle was taught by Connie Hatfield. Mary Thomas gave us the history of the Great Black Migration. We entered the intriguing world of gemstones with Linda Kesselman and learned all about diamonds. John Moore showed us how to add stories on our family trees with different methods. These presenters shared their expertise and made the class season successful.
If you or someone you know would be interested in presenting a class, contact Carole Korzilius at 623-433-9057.
Virtual Learning
Museums, universities, national parks, and numerous other venues have produced virtual tours during the coronavirus pandemic. LifeLong Learning has compiled many of these offerings and you can find them by going to the website, lifelonglearningatpc.org. The tours are listed in categories which make it easy to access what interests you. If you know of other virtual tours that can be added, send the information to [email protected].
LLL Gauges Readiness for Online Learning
Before launching online programs, LifeLong Learning (LLL) surveyed residents to see if they would participate in Zoom classes and lectures during the coronavirus pandemic. The results of the survey will be revealed in the July issue of the PebbleCreek Post. If there is interest, LLL will begin planning immediately for a new season with new opportunities.
There is a wonderful bonus to online learning programs. If you are in Goodyear or Goshen or Grand Rapids or Great Neck, you will have the same access to any classes or lectures offered. LLL wants to provide a safe way for you to continue learning!
Check the LifeLong Learning website for links to virtual tours and classes in Phoenix and around the world.