NCCCR eNautilus newsletter

THREE LEADERS TO SPEAK AT FALL CONFERENCE

Three nationally recognized leaders in adult education will excite adult educators at the Sept. 11-13 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, which is being hosted at Reuter Center by the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement.

The pathfinders, as they are designated for this event, are Dave Brown, a former UNCA chancellor who has also been the provost of three universities: Wake Forest, Miami of Ohio and Drake; Harry Moody, AARP director of academic affairs; and Jan Hively, who started a statewide network for seniors’ life enrichment and personal betterment in Minnesota.

The pathfinders will also be the keynote speakers for a one-day pre-conference, which will highlight programs unique to NCCCR. Executive Director Ron Manheimer will be the keynoter for the conference.

The Center is planning the event for about 150 people from surrounding states in the Mid-Atlantic Region, which is part of the Elderhostel Institute Network, an organization that includes 320 lifelong learning programs.

CENTER MARCHES TO THE TOP

In time for March Madness, the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement has once again hit the big time in the print media. First was an article in the February issue of Money magazine. Next was an opinion piece, in the March 9 edition of USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-03-08-brown_x.htm). Currently there is an article in the April issue of SmartMoney.

In his USA Today opinion piece, titled “Boomers Won’t Go Quietly,” Ben Brown described the Center for Creative Retirement as “a regional nexus of leadership development, career transitioning and lifelong learning for older citizens.”

Brown, based on comments by Ron Manheimer, NCCCR executive director, indicates that the “passion for engaged lives” might be simply a “rehearsal” for the big show to come when boomers retire.

ART SHOW TAKES VIEWERS DOWNTOWN

It’s an easy walk through downtown Asheville, but the place to experience it April 1-28 is the Ramsey Library in the center of the university campus.

Gloria Gaffney, Asheville's "street artist" and College for Seniors oil painting instructor the past two years, will have a 30-piece exhibit that includes oil paintings of downtown Asheville cityscapes. The exhibition will also include pen and ink drawings, done en plein air and completed at the site of inspiration.

In addition, viewers will see the artist's Opera Art Posters, which were created for Asheville Lyric Opera.

LEGACY SOCIETY TO RECEIVE RECOGNITION

As announced in a March letter, the Development Committee is creating the "NCCCR Legacy Society" to recognize and honor members and friends who have remembered the Center in their estate planning by making a bequest to NCCCR in their will or in a charitable gift annuity or by making the Center a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, a retirement account or another financial account.

Funds received through this type of contribution will be used to create a NCCCR Endowment Fund, which will be managed by the UNCA Foundation, to enhance the Center's long-term financial security.

FUND-RAISING EFFORT RESPONDS TO PAVERS

The Development Committee is ready to pave the way to a solid foundation for the future of Reuter Center.

Selling the inscribed bricks that are now installed in sections adjoining Reuter's lower-level entry raised more than $44,000 in 2001 to help build the Center.

Now members, both new and long-time, have asked to have another opportunity to honor family members or friends. New Pavers’ sections will be created in the patio area east of the Chestnut Ridge Room.

Members will learn more about the opportunity when the Development Committee sends an April letter explaining the next paving project.

DESTINATION: TORONTO & STRATFORD

Individuals who want to explore theater north of the border need to reserve soon for the few spaces available for the June 17-24 trip to Toronto, Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario Canada.

Planned by the Center’s Trips & Tours Committee, the trip includes the following visits:

• Three nights (two full days) in downtown Toronto for individual touring and
a concert by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in Roy Thomson Hall.

• Three nights (two full days) in Stratford for two Shakespearean plays (Tempest and As You Like it), a Noel Coward Play (Fallen Angels) and a musical (Hello Dolly). There will be a theatre talk with actors and a visit to the Festival Theatre costume warehouse.

• One night (two partial days) at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Ontario for a Shaw play (Major Barbara) and a musical (Gypsy). There will be a theatre talk with Shaw Festival personnel.

• Optional one night extension in Niagara-on-the-Lake for individual
touring of Niagara Falls, Welland Canal and Niagara Peninsula
wineries.

The $920 land price per person (double occupancy; single supplement, $430) includes all hotels, all tickets to performances, welcome reception and continental breakfasts in Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake hotels. Travel between Toronto/Stratford/Niagara-on-the-Lake will be organized in car-pools or shared-cost rental vehicles. Flights are available at individual expense. Driving distance from Asheville to Toronto is 790 miles.

The tour requires 20 Reuter Center travelers and will be canceled if that number has not registered by April 1. Additional information is available from Denise Snodgrass or Tina Schwartz Reuter Center Office or from Hal Davis at 281-4760 or visit web site.

Travelers must submit reservation forms plus $200 per person deposit to guarantee a space.

DESTINATION: NEW ZEALAND

The travel-minded can dream of heading far south and west at the Reuter Roamers: New Zealand Travelogue on March 29 at 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Chestnut Ridge room.

Karolyn Wrightson, named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as a specialist on travel to Australia and to New Zealand, will present this travelogue. She will lead a trip to New Zealand in February 2006.

PROGRAMS COMMITTEE WELCOMES IDEAS

Recognizing that special events evolve out of minds-on suggestions, the Programs Committee wants to encourage members to "solicit" ideas, both topics and instructors, for workshops.

The committee is targeting one- or two-day sessions that focus on learning a process or refining a skill. Other suggestions could also involve personal growth and immersion learning. Hands-on participation is expected. The committee suggested that ideas may be wide ranging, as from woodturning to Ikebana.

Individuals should submit an idea at the Reuter Center reception desk or contact committee member Gerry Pasternack at gpmp@brinet.com to brainstorm about possibilities.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH
18   CFS Spring Orientation for new students
21   CFS Spring Term begins
21   Great Decisions (World Affairs Council) — Russia, Dr. David Dorondo
29   Reuter Roamers: New Zealand

APRIL
3    Catamount Concert — Woodwind Quintet
8    TGIF — Truth about Global Warming
13 Catamount Concerts — Classical Meets Jazz
15 TGIF — Reuter Music Salon
15 Enrollment opens for Leadership Asheville Seniors Fall 2005
21 CFS Faculty Workshop — Managing Difficult Behaviors
26 HES — What’s New in Cardiac Surgery?
29 TGIF — Storytelling
30 Ikebana Workshop