People with a zest for life and a thirst for knowledge

Posted By Cathy Boyd, Special to The Londoner

Cynics might describe retirement as the liberation of a captive mind just as its neurons start firing blanks. Not so, would be the reply of Sheila Brown, retired teacher and enthusiastic social committee convener of the London chapter of the Society of Learning in Retirement.
The society offers programs to interested adults in the form called ‘shared learning’. Simply put, members participate in study groups on topics that interest them and share responsibility for their own learning.
“There are over 250 members with an average age of 65 and membership includes folks from all walks of life,” says Ray Jones, chapter president. “The Centre of Activity and Aging looks after the physical component of fitness but it’s the purpose of the Society for Learning to stimulate the mental side.”
The society, he adds, is a great venue for those folks with a thirst for knowledge and a zest for life.
A little more colourfully Brenda Jackson, the chapter’s official registrar, puts it this way: “If it weren’t for the society I would be pushing up daisies.”
Here’s how it works. Members first select a course from the 10r more offered. They then research and make a presentation of 20 to 30 minutes on the subject of their choice within that course.
After the presentation, there is almost always a lively question and answer period and discussion.
At a recent presentation the topic was Pardon? (with a question mark). The presenter, Janice Ferguson, started out by saying: “It’s not about the penal system or what one might say after burping. It’s about hearing loss.”
To which one member with an obvious quick wit asked, “What?”
It was a very clever way to capture the audience’s attention to a subject both near and dear to our hearts and, according to Mrs. Ferguson, problematic for many. In her research she discovered more than 50 per cent of Canadians over 65 have some form of hearing loss.
The London chapter has been around for about 15 years and more than 3,000 people have participated in courses that have ranged from current events to potpourri and everything in between.
One potential drawback of membership is the presentation piece – the number one fear of most folks, even before the fear of death, is public speaking. But the society is all over this, offering a presentation on giving presentations at the beginning of each session.
Research indicates exercising the mind helps fend off Alzheimer’s disease and a host of other debilitating age related events. Society gatherings offer an interesting and entertaining way of doing that. Just bring along a curiosity for learning.
WANT MORE INFO?
¦ London chapter, Society for Learning in Retirement, will hold an open house to showcase its winter program Friday, Jan. 16, 1 p.m., The Mount, 1490 Richmond St. (entry off Windermere Rd.). Free admission, public invited. Phone 519-438-3525, online www.slrlondon.ca.