2/25/2004

Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU’S INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT EXPANDS COURSES TO CRANBERRY AREA

          SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University’sInstitute for Learning in Retirement opens its seventh term with a major expansion into south Butler County offering classes ranging from beginning bridge to computer basics and writing courses for mature adults in the region.

           Sponsored by SRU and the SRU Alumni Association, the ILR is a member-run organization of mature adults who share a love of learning. The ILR also affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network, a network of more than  250 similar nationwide programs.

          The spring IRL class catalog is available by calling 724-738-1604 or by e-mail at learning.retirement@sru.edu. Copies are also available at theSenior Center in the Cranberry Municipal complex. Classes begin in mid-March and a“Kick-Off Party” is set for 3 p.m. March 13 at the Russell Wright Alumni House on the SRU campus.

          Other courses to be offered in the Cranberry area include genealogy, promoting/advertising your organization or business, study of Sir Arthur Canon Doyle, tips on writing memoirs and in creative writing, a report on diving the U.S.S. Monitor, preserving/restoring old photos, and lifestyle and financial planning.

          Previously classes had primarily been held on the SRU campus and were open to all interested parties, explains Constance Smith, ILR executive director, who explains, “We’ve had calls from people in the Zelienople-Cranberry-Wexford area who have seen our catalog and want to participate, so we have expanded in there to meet their needs.”

          To aid in expanding the program Mary Lou Wilson of Mars and Gene Petty of Cranberry Township and an active member of the ILR, have worked to alert retirees of the program and find classroom space. “We’re an all-volunteer organization – including me,” Smith explains, “We’re working hard to keeping the program growing and help from these two volunteers is allowing the program to expand into Cranberry.”

          Membership dues are $60 for a half-year and allow participants to attend as many classes as desired.

          Spring courses will include skill development in ballroom dancing, chair caning, computer classes at various levels, “Italian for Travelers,” knitting, public speaking, quilting, ikebana and making spring centerpieces.

          In addition, classes in arts and literature such as drawing and painting, a book discussion group on Emily Dickinson, Homer’s “Iliad,” Irish folklore, “Let’s Go to the Theater” and musical enjoyment, There are also sessions for hobbyists, including antiques and collectibles, and “Here in Your Own Backyard.” Those interested in science and environment topics can choose from the geology of western and central Pennsylvania, genetic technologies and “Plants that Drive you to Drink.”

          A series of wellness tips are offered in two wellness and exercise classes, and social science classes include a look at past and present China. A current events discussion group is planned along with a look at Martin and Katherine Luther, the Kennedy assassination and presidential politics 2004.

          The list of workshops and one-day events include how to write a cookbook, lifestyle and financial planning, “The Natural Home,” a report from Trapper John on “Bugs and Stuff,” Feng Shui and a lunch-and-lecture series in Slippery Rock and a lecture series in Cranberry.

          ILR activities involve no tests or grades, and there are no age requirements, course prerequisites or need for prior affiliation with SRU.                                                                                     

Cranberry

2/25/2004

Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU’S INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING IN RETIREMENT PLANS WORKSHOPS, TRIPS, LECTURES

FOR MATURE ADULTS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA REGION

          SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –Slippery Rock University’s Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) opens its seventh term of non-credit classes in mid-March. The volunteer program is designed to provide on-going learning opportunities for mature adults.

          Classes open in mid-March through May and will include a number of trips, including the opera “Carmen,” an overnight tour of wineries in northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, a visit to the Phipps Conservatory along with trips to Titusville, Sharon, Youngstown, Ohio’s Mill Creek Park, museums in New Brighton and Cleveland, and a visit to a wildflowers area near Slippery Rock.

          The institute will hold its traditional “Kick-Off Party” at 3 p.m. March 13 at the Russell Wright Alumni House on campus. Spring membership dues are $60 and enable participants to take as many classes as desired.

          Spring courses offered in Slippery Rock and at the expanded Cranberry locations will include skill development in ballroom dancing, beginning bridge, chair caning, computer classes at various levels, creative writing classes, “Italian for Travelers,” knitting, preserving/restoring old photographs, public speaking, quilting, ikebana, making spring centerpieces, promoting organizations and “Writing Your Memoir.”

          In addition, classes in arts and literature such as drawing and painting, a book discussion group on Emily Dickinson, Homer’s “Iliad,” Irish folklore, “Let’s Go to the Theater,” musical enjoyment, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are set. There are also sessions for hobbyists, including antiques and collectibles, genealogy and “Here in Your Own Backyard.” Those interested in science and environment topics can choose from the geology of western and central Pennsylvania, genetic technologies and “Plants that Drive you to Drink.”

          A series of wellness tips are offered in two wellness and exercise classes, and social science classes include a look at past and present China, a current events discussion group, and a look at Martin and Katherine Luther, the Kennedy assassination and presidential politics 2004.

          The list of workshops and one-day events include reports on diving the U.S.S. Monitor, how to write a cookbook, lifestyle and financial planning, “The Natural Home,” a report from Trapper John on “Bugs and Stuff,” Feng Shui and a lunch-and-lecture series in Slippery Rock and a lecture series in Cranberry.

          The institute is a non-profit, member-driven organization of mature adults who share a love of learning. It is designed to provide on-going educational and cultural opportunities and is affiliated with SRU, the SRU Alumni Association and the Elderhostel Institute Network. There are more than  250 similar institutes nationwide.

       ILR activities involve no tests or grades, and there are no age requirements, course prerequisites or need for prior affiliation with SRU.

          Those interested in leading a class or trip in the future should contact Dr. Constance Smith, ILR executive director, at 724-738-1604.

PN, PgN, WPN, PR