ElderCollege Delta
Spring Semester 2016
ElderCollege Delta Newsletter
Message from the Chair
Welcome to a New Year and new spring semester
with ElderCollege Delta. It promises to be another
exciting list of courses!
“Get involved. Stay involved. Think about what
you always wanted to do and make it happen. A
car mechanic always dreamed of playing the piano. He saved enough money so that when he
retired he bought a piano, took lessons and became involved in what he called the ‘joy of his
life’”. (Nancy K. Schossberg)
Personally, this is the year I am going to learn
Spanish. I have travelled to Mexico and Cuba and
regret not learning Spanish before but it is never
too late. What would you like to learn? I am sure
you will find something in our spring programme.
ElderCollege Members Say
“Wonderful opportunity to learn with
peers. Social and Informative. “
“Wonderful presentation, brought
out the interaction of participants.”
“Thank you for what you do!”
“Lots of fun!”
Sincerely,
Barbara Fitzpatrick
Chairperson ElderCollege Delta
In This Issue
 Message from the Chair
 Spring Semester Registration
and Courses Information
 Presenter Spotlight—Louise
Latramouille
And more!
Register early to get your choice of classes!
Registration Information
Registration Dates and Times
Current Members
Monday February 8, 2016
KinVillage Community Centre
7:00-8:00pm
General Registration
Saturday February 13, 2016
Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall
10-11:30 am
Our Evening Series are very popular. Look for
our Meet the Author Series this Spring
Tuesday February 16 2016
Save on Foods, Ladner
Special Feature Presentation
Living Your Legacy
Robb Lucy—Journalist, Writer, Producer
Saturday April 2nd, 2016
10:00am – Noon
Cedar Park Church
5300 44 Avenue, Ladner
Robb Lucy, in a presentation taken from his book Legacies Aren’t (just) for Dead People! will take
the heavy patina off of the concept of ‘Legacy’. Instead of leaving a legacy Robb will show you how
to live your legacies.
With wisdom, fun and anecdotes, Robb will dispel a few myths:

You have to be rich, famous or dead to leave a legacy.

Legacy is just about packaging your finances and assets to leave
to
the kids.

There’s lots of time. You can get to it later.
This presentation is for anyone who wants to feel proud of their life,
and more connected to others. Copies of his book will be available for purchase.
This is a free presentation for anyone in the community, but registration is required by calling
604 943-0262 after February 16th.
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning
Did You
Know?
ElderCollege
had 351
members in
2015 and
membership
has been
steadily
increasing over
the years.
In Fall 2015
there were 23
courses and 3
field trips.
Many of our
presenters are
returning, but
we are always
looking for
fresh ideas and
new volunteer
presenters.
Spring Semester Courses
Technology
Science
A26 Computers for Beginners
P26 The Science of Unpredictable West
Coast Weather
B26 Windows 10
Lifestyle
C26 IPad for Beginners
D26 IPad for Beginners
E26 Beyond iPad Beginner
E26 a) Camera and Photos
E26 b) Contacts and Calendars
E26 c) iBooks and Overdrive
F26 Android Tablet
H26 a) Working with Digital Photos
H26 b) Personalized Greeting Cards
Q26 The Drama Studio
R26 Lino Print Making
Language
S26 Beyond Beginners’ French
T26 a) Snowbird Survival Spanish 1
T26 b) Snowbird Survival Spanish 2
Music
V26 Opera
J26 Photo Books
Religion
G26 Genealogy Online
Health and Wellness
W26 a) Intro to Buddhism
W26 b) Further Exploration of Buddhism
Literature
K26 Decoding Food Labels and the
Canada Food Guide
L26 Keeping your Brain Healthy
M26 Emergency Preparedness
History
X26 Poetry
Y26—Meet the Author Series
Y26 a) The Accidental Author
Y26 b) Small Stories, Big Dreams
Y26 c) The Mystery of Mystery Novel
Writing
Y26 d) Shadow Woman: Biography of
an Extraordinary Woman
N26 The Reformation
O26 History Close to Home—Delta
Field Trips
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tour
Vancouver Holocaust Centre
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning
Program Highlights
New this Semester


Why not Explore Further?

Tuesday Evening Authors Series
Interact with local, widely recognized
authors.

The Drama Studio
Join in the fun – this could become an
ongoing activity like the EC Singers.

What’s new in Technology?
Beyond iPad Beginners ‘BIB Courses’ for
those who want a little more

Pleasures of Poetry
Poetry can be engaging and fun!

Local History
Delta and the lower Fraser – past,
present and future with Doug Massey
Buddhism
Build on previous learning
Beyond Basic Conversational French

History
New topic – The Reformation

Health and Wellness
Your Healthy Brain and Decoding Food Labels
Back by Popular Demand

Technology, technology, technology!
From basic computer skills to tablets

Spanish 1 and 2
You can extend your learning over 8 weeks.

Emergency Preparedness
Remember December?

Music
Meet you at the Opera!
Taking Learning out of the Classroom
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning

Forbidden Vancouver
A walking tour of old Vancouver

Vancouver Holocaust Centre

Lino Print Making
Updates from ElderCollege Singers
Did you know that choral singing increases
your sense of well-being and makes you
happier? The twenty-five or so members of
the ElderCollege Singers can attest to this!
Under the energetic direction of Pat Rogers
and the supportive accompaniment of Rod
Asher, ElderCollege's own choir, the
ElderCollege Singers, has been entertaining
the residents of South Delta's care homes
twice yearly. We have been known to
present three concerts in one day in order
to fit in the requests that come our way,
especially at Christmas and in the spring!
We also respond to special requests. For
the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Delta
View, songs from World War I and World
War II were presented to commemorate
the
service of several residents and guests of
honour.
During the Christmas season, the choir took
great delight in singing for the residents of
the KinVillage Care Home and Assisted
Living, in addition to those at Waterford,
Augustine House, and Mountainview Manor (Delta Hospital). We rounded out our
Christmas Concert tour at the Stroke
Recovery Group Christmas lunch.
Since the fall, the choir has been holding its
weekly rehearsals in the the sanctuary of
Ladner United Church. To show its
appreciation, we plan to sing at Ladner
United for the seniors' St. Patrick luncheon
on March 17. Naturally we have a full roster of upcoming singing engagements this
spring.
Why do we sing in this choir? Of course we
enjoy the music and fellowship but, most of
all, we recognize the pleasure on the faces
of our audience when the music flows and
Christmas Concerts
Our Christmas concerts start today,
we sing in three seniors places.
It gives us so much pleasure
to see the smiles on their faces.
I’ll recite my poem “Spirit of Christmas”
at the start of each program,
a special honour for me,
as I share how blessed I am.
We’re the Elder College Singers,
twenty-six when we’re all together.
We love to sing and entertain
despite challenges or bad weather.
To see people confined in care homes
singing along or tapping their feet
gives us a sense of accomplishment,
makes our mission feel complete.
Using our gift of music
is an easy way to share.
It touches lives of others
showing them we care.
Let the music begin.
Jean Kay
they are encouraged to join in as they can.
Take a moment to read the poem on this page written
by Jean Kay, an ElderCollege Singers member and choir
librarian. This poem says it all.
Paulette Tattersall
ECD Program Coordinator and EC Singer choir member
For further information about the ElderCollege Singers,
contact the ECD office at 604-943-0262. Your message
will be directed accordingly.
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning
Presenter In The Spotlight
Meet Louise Latremouille, who has been a member of ElderCollege’s Technology Team since
Spring 2012, starting out with Beginners Computer classes. The following year she was back
with more casual classes devoted to helping
people, some with their own laptops, with specific computer questions and problems. When
newer Windows versions appeared on the scene, Louise took on the challenge of helping people negotiate the learning curve with courses
such as “Learn Windows 9 in a Heartbeat!” Our
upcoming Spring 2016 Semester, Louise’s 9th,
will find Louise turning the challenge of Windows 10 into a fun
experience.
Louise grew up in Nelson, but moved all over
Canada with her broadcaster husband Kelly, returning to Delta in 2007 after 15 years living on
the east coast in beautiful St. Margaret’s Bay
near Halifax. They are parents of two sons, both
in their twenties.
Louise is the author of the best-selling series
called the "My Parents" beginner computer
books, which she began publishing in 2004 after
her father suggested she turn the ‘how-to’ notes
she had written for them into a book. Proceeds
from book sales are donated to cancer research
and patient care. Louise proudly reports that, to
date, over $40,000 has been raised to help
support efforts to cure cancer.
In preparation for this article, we asked Louise a
few questions:
What do you like about presenting an
ElderCollege course?
It is a very rewarding experience. Firstly,
because of the students who are there
making every moment count; and secondly,
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning
Louise Latramouille
because of the volunteers who not only make
everything run smoothly but come up with
creative ideas for courses and find ways to
make them work.
Do seniors find technology challenging?
Some do, some don’t. Some people come to
learn ‘how to’ begrudgingly, some with excitement. Some find it increasingly frustrating
and difficult to relearn systems that are updated, or worse, computers that are
upgraded. It can be challenging because not
everyone remembers and learns as easily as
before.
How do you make it easier for them?
I believe that frustration and stress are the
worst barriers to learning new things so I try
to make things simple, keep it light and go
slowly. When learning is broken down to the
simple basics, it is easier to understand.
Projecting my computer onto a screen in
front of the class is a big help visually and
makes it easier for participants to follow.
Also, my books provide a quick and easy
reference for practising the steps back at
home.
ElderCollege News
Presenter in the Spotlight
Consider Volunteering
Continued
Do you have a skill or passion that
What was the last book you published and what is
next? Where can the public purchase your books?
you’d like to share with the world?
“The Quick Guide to Windows 10” is the last of my
eight active beginner computer guides. The books
are available at book stores and through my website: www.myparentsfirst.com. I’ll let technology
and the future decide if and when there will be another book.
in a particular area? We are always
In addition to maintaining and growing her business
and working on her computer, Louise managed the
Bayside Squash Club until its owner locked out the
membership and closed its doors last March. Besides teaching and writing, she is currently working
on getting the club reopened, while working part
time in the wine department at Save-on Foods.
Louise invites you to drop by and say hello!
Have you taught or trained others
looking for new presenters and
topics and we’d love to talk to you
about sharing your expertise with
other members!
Presenting not your thing but you
love to organize? You might
consider hosting a course or
volunteering on council.
To find out more, contact Wendy @
[email protected] or
call on Wednesdays 604 943-0262
Community Announcements
From Deltassist



Chronic Pain Self-Management Program is having a free six-session Workshop for Adults With
Any Kind of Ongoing Pain – Thursdays, February 4th to March 10, 2016, 9:30 to 12:00 pm at
McKee Seniors Recreation Centre (5155 47th Avenue, Ladner). To register call 604-940-1273 or
www.selfmanagementbc.ca
The Richmond Women’s Grandmothers Group is asking for your support in calling on the BC
Provincial government to commit to implementing a program for publicly funded dental care
for low-income seniors in BC. If you would like to learn more and sign this petition please follow the link: http://chn.ge/1YdaLds
The Delta Seniors Planning Team is hosting a Delta Town Hall Meeting with the BC Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at McKee Seniors
Recreation Centre (5155 47th Avenue, Ladner). Please mark your calendars. There will be more
information on this free event in February.
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning
Back Story
Taking Creative Risks After 50
Are you familiar with the free on-line newsletter published by Nextavenue? It is Currently
featuring a series of articles with podcasts called Unretirement. Episode #5 is titled: “The
Creativity Myth: Taking Creative Risks After Fifty”. (See link below). The podcast interview with Taiko drummer, Iris Shiraishi, should challenge you to rethink some of the misconceptions out there about creativity and getting older. In fact, you may be more
creative now than when you were younger and have fewer barriers to tapping into the
skills and insights that you have developed over a lifetime.
What better place to start than to take a course or join an activity at ElderCollege Delta?
Here’s the link to the whole article and podcast on Nextavenue:
http://www.nextavenue.org/podcast-how-to-take-creative-risks-after-50/?
hide_newsletter=true&utm_source=Next+Avenue+Email+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c8da5e0cf001.26.2016_NextAvenue_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_056a405b5a-c8da5e0cf0164883061&mc_cid=c8da5e0cf0&mc_eid=d3e4bb356b
Contact ElderCollege Delta
Phone: (604) 943-0262
Email: [email protected]
Or drop by: KinVillage Community Centre
5430 10th Ave. Tsawwassen
ElderCollege Delta—Growth through Learning