NCCCR eNautilus newsletter

WRITER STAGES TWO PERFORMANCES

Playwright in residence James Still will play a double header to explore the power of theater.

On Feb. 26 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Reuter Center, he will present a free workshop on “The Process of Creating a Play.” Still, author of The Velveteen Rabbit as well as And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank, will talk about the creative process and about researching new topics. The session will include reading from a new script, He Held Me Grand.

On Feb. 27, Still will help members enjoy a noon brunch and a 2 p.m. matinee presentation of the award winning play Hush: An Interview With America at the Carol Belk Theater.

At the brunch, Still and Director Rob Bowen will talk about the production. The play takes what Still describes as “an absurd look at the malaise of America growing up, family struggles and the power of inner vision and personal voice.” After the performance, there will be an additional opportunity to communicate at a talk-back.

Advanced payment of the $16 fee for the brunch/matinee is required. For reservations, members may call 251-6140 or stop by the reception desk at Reuter Center.

CLASSICAL MUSICIANS TO PLAY AT REUTER

Western Carolina University faculty musicians Shannon Thompson, clarinetist, and Lillian Buss Pearson, pianist, will present a free concert Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Reuter Center Chestnut Ridge room.

Part of the Catamount Series, the concert will include music by Debussy, Rossini, Bozza and Chopin.

Thompson, assistant professor at WCU, is principal clarinetist of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and bass clarinetist of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.

Pearson, assistant professor and head of keyboard area of WCU, has appeared throughout the United States and England as a soloist and collaborative artist. She is also the pianist for the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.

TOUR TO EXPLORE ATLANTA ART MUSEUM

Center members can travel to the High Museum in Atlanta March 15 to view a special exhibition featuring Harlem Renaissance painter Romare Bearden (1914-1988).

The group will board a luxury motor coach at Reuter Center by 8:30 a.m. and enjoy an illustrated lecture by Trips & Tours Committee member Angela Baisley en route to Atlanta.

After a box lunch, the group will have a guided tour of the Bearden exhibit and additional free time in the High Museum. On the return trip the group will take a dinner break and be back at the Reuter Center by about 8 p.m.

The $65 fee includes transportation, museum admission and lunch. To register, complete the appropriate section of the registration form in the Spring 05 catalog and mail with a check to Trip Registration, Reuter Center CPO #5000, UNCA, Asheville NC 28804. Or send a check with a note to the same address. Space is limited.

ASSISTANTS SUPPORT CENTER EFFORTS

It takes many skilled people working together to keep activities moving in the varied environment of the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement. Two new staffers, Lisa McMillan and Halley Beard, now help pace the action.

*LISA GATEWOOD MCMILLAN
Lisa Gatewood McMillan, who works 12 hours a week, focuses on assisting the Steering Committee in handling the multitude of details, from registration to catering, required for hosting the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN) conference scheduled for next September.

McMillan has recently been involved in developing text on the conference for the NCCCR web site. For more information visit: www.unca.edu/ncccr/EIN_conference/

*HALLEY BEARD
Halley Beard, a work-study freshman from Little Rock and still in search of a major, loves, in her words, “fun, weird, quirky jobs.” At Reuter Center, she finds those jobs include everything from filing, making posters and phoning members to completing mailing projects and updating computer files with new members.

“At Reuter Center I get to be around age groups other than my own,” Beard said. “I love the people there, and it feels more like a family place than a work environment.” She thinks she is especially lucky to find such an enjoyable place to work.

Both McMillan and Beard welcome meeting NCCCR members who stop by to meet them.

INFO CARDS SIMPLIFY CONTACT

To make it easier to share basic facts about contacting the Center for Creative Retirement, the Membership Committee has made info cards, in the format of business cards, available for all committees and for all CCR members. They are available from office assistant Tina Schwartz.

Coordinator Tom Beatty encourages everyone to carry five to 10 cards, which can given to prospective members or for community contacts.

UNDERGRADS MENTOR COMPUTER TRAINING

Supported by another grant from Smith Barney/Citigroup Foundation, the Center for Creative Retirement will offer beginner and advanced beginner computer classes. Starting March 21, the six-week classes will meet once a week at different times in the Reuter Center computer lab.

Beginner classes are for individuals who have no or limited computer experience. Advanced beginner classes are for those who have limited experience with computers but know the keyboard, how to use a mouse and basics about computer operation.

Priority enrollment encourages low income and minority older adults. University undergraduates, who offer an intergenerational experience for participants learning basic computer skills, teach the free classes.

“The student teachers were excellent, and this course helped me to overcome my fear of computers,” a former participant said.

For an application or to learn more about the program, individuals should contact coordinator Jeanie Martin at 251-6198 or jmartin@unca.edu.

CHAIR VOICES PRIORITIES FOR CHANCELLOR SEARCH

Center Steering Council chair Dave Stewart and Center members shared their priorities for the next chancellor at a Jan. 26 informal community hearing sponsored by the University’s Chancellor Search Committee.

Stewart emphasized three qualities: (1) an understanding of, and commitment to, the concept of lifelong learning, (2) an understanding of the Center and its mission and (3) an appreciation of the resource base of value to the University that is represented by Center programs and by its 1,200 members.

“I also made it clear that solid academic credentials and excellent administrative skills are baseline characteristics that we value,” he said.

Members Luther Barnhardt and Art and Alice Green also were present. Previously NCCCR executive director Ron Manheimer had spoken at a meeting for the faculty.

Barnhardt made a cogent plea for resisting "the seductive pull of expansionism." Others at the meeting also emphasized a desire to keep UNCA a relatively small and intimate public liberal arts university.

“When I finished my first comment,” Stewart added, “Al Whiteside, UNCA Board of Trustees member and the Committee member who chaired the hearing, said he knew about us and will become a member of NCCCR in June.”

COMMITTEE REQUESTS NOMINATIONS

The Center Steering Council Nominating Committee is taking nominations for Council positions until March 1. Openings are for chair, chair elect, secretary and three members for the Nominating Committee.

Members can submit their name or the name of any Center member for openings to Jacque Morgan at 658-9738 or at jacquemo@main.nc.us
.
Because of personal reasons, Morgan submitted her resignation as chair elect effective June 30.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY
14 Great Decisions — World Affairs Council: Sudan’s Crisis in Darfur, Mark Gibney *
17 Catamount Concert — Music for Clarinet and Piano
19 Playback Theater: Asheville Kindness Campaign *
21 Great Decisions — World Affairs Council: Global Water Issues, Dee Eggers *
26 Playwright in Residence — James Still - workshop
27 Playwright in Residence — James Still - Brunch and Theater
28 Great Decisions — World Affairs Council: Russia, David Dorondo *

MARCH
4-6 Paths to a Creative Retirement in Uncertain Times Workshop
7 Great Decisions — World Affairs Council: Global Poverty Gap, Linda Coronett *
14 Great Decisions — World Affairs Council: Outsourcing Jobs, George Yates *
15 High on Romare Bearden — Trip to High Museum in Atlanta
18 CFS Spring Orientation for news students
21 CFS Spring Term begins

* - an event at the Reuter Center but not sponsored by NCCCR