Notes from the Director

Jeff Says . . .

February 2016

ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

WE’RE SAVING YOU A SEAT!

Spring term registrations are flowing in, and first and second choice classes will be as-signed in the coming days. Look for your class confirmation letter in your snail mail box soon. In early March, once the bulk of the registrations have been received, classes with

openings will be announced and registration for them will begin.

The curriculum committee met in January and has already started discussing possible study groups for the fall term. The resource development committee also met to review and implement outreach and revenue-generating activities for the next five months. Save a dinner date for the Academy’s Rai$ing Dough fundraiser at the West Side Sports

Bar & Grill on Tuesday, April, 12.

I’m excited about Academy Extras and special events for this spring and summer. Here’s a preview: April 12 Rai$ing Dough Fundraiser at West Side Sports Bar & Grill, Saratoga Springs

April 15 Day Trip to West Point April 22 Academy Extra: Seneca Ray Stoddard, 2-3 p.m., The Glen at Hiland Meadows April 29 Academy Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon May 13 Academy Extra: Tools & Techniques to Age in Place, 113 West Ave., room 137 May 20 Academy Extra: Scams: How to Recognize & Avoid Victimization, room 137 May 27 Academy Extra: Harnessing the Hudson, 2-3 p.m., The Glen at Hiland Meadows June 10 Academy Annual Meeting June 13-16 4-day trip to Portsmouth, NH July 26 Horses, History & Handicapping Series (location TBD) August 2 Horses, History & Handicapping Series August 9 Horses, History & Handicapping Series

August 16 Horses, History & Handicapping Series

Save the Date 2

A.L.L. Sponsors 2 & 3

Study Group Previews 4 & 5

Volunteer Opportunities 5

Take a Trip or Two! 7 & 8

Storytellers 9

Rai$ing Dough 10

Inside this issue:

Points of Interest

Office Volunteers!

West Point & New Hampshire trips!

Vietnam War Com-mittee thanks A.L.L.

Shout Out!

STORYTELLERS!

Kate Dudding

Carol Gregson

Margaret French

Joe Peck

Betty Cassidy

Christie Keegan

Jeannine Laverty

Kay Olan

Febrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruary!

UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

(Date, time & Location subject to change. If you are thinking of becoming a member of a committee or

would like to attend, please call the office to confirm.)

Third Age Press February 11, 9:30 AM- 1 PM, 111 West Ave., rm 104

Third Age Press February 25, 9:30 AM - Noon, 111 West, rm 104

Continued on page 2

P A G E 2 A . L . L . T H E N E W S

Upcoming

Events Save These Dates!

All Storytellers at 2 Union Ave., Sarato-

ga Springs.

Feb 3 - Storytellers - Betty Cassidy

Feb 10 - Storytellers - Christie Keegan

Feb 15 - Office closed in observance of

Washington’s Birthday

Feb 17 - Storytellers - Jeannine Laverty

Feb 24 - Special Black History Month

Program (to be announced)

Feb 29 - Leap Day (Just sayin’)

Mar 2 - Storytellers - Kay Olan

April 12 - Rai$ing Dough Fundraiser

(see page 10)

Apr 15 - West Point Trip, (see page 7)

June 13 - 16 - Portsmouth, NH trip (see

page 8)

Sept 8 - New York City trip to 9/11 Mu-

seum (details to be announced)

As part of the Academy’s out-reach initiatives, we’ve teamed up with The Conkling Center in Glens Falls and The Glen at Hi-land Meadows in Queensbury to

offer two Academy Extra presen-tations at The Glen on April 22 and May 27. Our speaker will be Kimberly Harvish, educator from the Chapman Historical Museum. These presentations are free to Academy members, Conkling Center participants and residents of The Glen. Watch A.L.L. the News and your email for details about these and all Academy

events. I Hope to see you in the north country!

NOTES FROM

THE

DIRECTOR

Continued from page 1 A.L.L. Members Judi Fiore and Judy Tirelli tell us that the first President of the Executive Council and one of A.L.L.’s founders, Dan Craine, passed

away Sunday, January 3. “Dan,” Judi says, “was a won-derful man and an inspiring teacher of literature for many years. He taught a variety of genres, from Poetry (Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and others) to Fiction (Herman Mel-ville, Joseph Conrad and oth-ers). He brought his incredible knowledge and passion for the

work, as well as his skill in en-gaging all the participants, to each class he taught. Those of us who took his courses were fortunate indeed.” Dan’s obitu-ary appeared in the January 4 issue of The Saratogian.

ACADEMY

MEMBER

NEWS

P A G E 3

Lori Langdon, DVM

Please consider contacting the fine

Academy sponsors here and on

page 2 if/when you are in need of

their services. Don’t forget to men-

tion you saw them here in A.L.L. the News!

A.L .L . SPONSORS

P A G E 4 A . L . L . T H E N E W S

STUDY GROUP Previews

Looking forward to the start of spring 2015 study groups? We are, too! In fact, we can’t wait! This semester’s going to the best

ever! With more than 30 classes from which to choose, it’s hard to decide! (What a happy problem!) Here’s a bit more information

for your consideration on two study groups. Below on the left is Study Group Leader Sue Hahm’s “Art Up Close and Personal” Day

Trips. If you wanted this class last semester, but couldn’t take it because it conflicted with other classes you were taking, problem

solved! It’s on Fridays starting April 15! In the past, classes were Monday through Thursday; this may be our first ever Friday class!

Below right is “Water Series: Local Lakes, Bridges, Springs, Canals and Rivers” with Study Group Leader and Curriculum Committee

member Norm Facklam. It’s been said that water is life. How it’s managed locally and what happens before finally dropping into

our kitchens, bathrooms, pools and on our lawns is amazing. If you’ve ever taken water for granted, you won’t after this!

Submitted by Study Group Leader Susan Hahm

There are so many great art institutions in upstate New York! Why not enroll in Art Up Close & Personal to visit

some in what many would call our own back yard?

Are you a photography buff? The Tang was gifted the Jack Shear Collection including photographers Diane Arbus, Aaron Siskind, Alfred Stieglitz & Robert Mapple-

thorpe.

Enjoy European Modernism? The Munson-Williams-Proctor (Utica) will exhibit works by Kandinsky, Picasso

and Dali’.

Let’s help the Albany Institute of History & Art celebrate their 225

th! On view will be furniture, silver, ceramics &

portraiture collected since 1791.

If Historic Landmarks are your thing? Olana (Hudson) is the home/studio (photo at right from Google Images) of Hudson River School painter Frederick

Church.

Cooperstown isn’t just for baseball lovers. The Fenimore will have simultaneous exhibits of Ansel Adams, Tou-

louse Lautrec & James

McNeill Whistler.

Did you see those fabulous gates (in Google Images pho-to at left) a decade ago in Central Park? At the Hyde Collection (Glens Falls) we’ll see original drawings, sculp-

tures, collages, and photo-graphs from the careers of the artists, Christo & his wife

Jeanne-Claude.

Have you seen the art collection at Empire State Plaza?

Enjoy touring it with our group!

Don’t want to drive every week? No worries; we will organize carpools at our group’s orientation on Friday,

April 15 in room 142 of 113 West. I hope to see you

there!

DAY TRIPPIN’

“ART UP CLOSE

AND PERSONAL”

water DRIPPIN’

“WATER SERIES: LOCAL

LAKES, BRIDGES,

SPRINGS, CANALS &

RIVERS” “Into each life a little rain must fall . . . Where it goes once it has fallen is everybody’s business.” This quote, from Blue R. Neils of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Saratoga County is one to think about.. If we’re not aware now of where our water comes from and then where it goes, we

should be!

Study Group Leader Norm Facklam tells us that Water Se-ries, “represents somewhat of a morphing of the fall 2015 Study Group Our Precious Water Supply, and will include speakers that address ‘green infrastructure’ as well as man-

made infrastructures such as bridges and roads.”

One of the speakers in this eight-week series is research scientist Dr. Lawrence Eichler who will tell us about “green infrastructure,” and the science/research being conducted now in and around Lake George by the Darrin Fresh Wa-

ter Institute. Learn why Lake George is considered “the world’s smartest lake” and about collaborations among the Institute, RPI and IBM. Their work is expected to be-come the standard for world-wide scientific research. Go

to dfwi@rip.edu to whet your appetite.

Native Adirondacker and author of the book The Loss of the Lake Champlain Bridge, Ms. Arleen Breed will speak about man-made infrastructure and relate the story of the old (and new in 2011) Champlain bridge. In this google images photo (at right) the bridge is under con-

struction.

Although this study group is “morphed,” as Norm said from one last semester, having

attended it is not a prerequisite for this study group.

P A G E 5 F E B R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R U A R Y !

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Each month we will highlight Academy volunteer opportunities in A.L.L. the News. Please consider joining a commit-

tee, helping out at an event, assisting in the office or serving as an officer on the Executive Council.

Council & Committee Structure

The Academy is governed by the elected Executive Council which coordinates the work of the five standing commit-tees (finance, curriculum, membership, resource development, and event planning) and determines A.L.L. policies. Executive Council officers—chair, vice chair, secretary and financial officer—typically serve two-year terms. Committee chairs also serve on the executive council along with a representative from Third Age Press (the Academy’s publishing arm) and an Empire State College liaison appointed by the college. The Academy’s executive director, employed by the Executive Council, is responsible for carrying out the Council’s policy decisions, managing the office, and conduct-ing the day to day business of the Academy. This month, we are featuring Office Volunteers and Coordinator Val

Ayres.

Photos by Val Ayres and Jeff Shinaman

Submitted by Office Volunteer Coordinator Val Ayres

We have a great time working with Office Manager Vera Kasson at the A.L.L. Office on Thursday mornings! Many, many thanks to the A.L.L. Office volunteers for sharing their

time, expertise, and good will!

A.L.L. Office volunteers spend two to three hours most Thurs-day mornings assisting Vera with a large variety of projects from filing, writing thank you notes or preparing deposit slips, to sorting and stuffing envelopes for upcoming classes. Vera always makes the mornings productive and fun! Occasionally volunteers “man” the Office at other times/days when

Vera is away.

The office volun-teer “crew” con-sists of approxi-mately 25-30 ac-tive A.L.L. mem-bers who donate their time and talent one morn-ing every two to three months. The schedule is gener-ally arranged sev-eral weeks in ad-vance, and I work with our volun-teers to arrange a convenient day/time for them. The Academy Office is always bustling with activity, mak-ing our volunteers that much more important and valuable! There’s

plenty to be done!

And, we can always use more help! If you are interested in lending a hand at the A.L.L. office, please contact me, Val Ayers, at vsayers23@gmail.com or call 583-2313. No special office skills are required; all that’s needed is a bright smile and

a cheery “hello”!

In photo at far right, There-sa Vicari at Vera’s desk preparing Spring Registra-tions & Applications for mailing.

In photo at near right, Ellen Gorman at work in the Academy conference room compiling vouchers.

Vera often refers to her job

as “the best in the world!”

Judging by the smiles on

Theresa’s and Ellen’s faces,

it looks like they agree!

STUDY GROUP

PREVIEWS C o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 2

Submitted by Third Age Council Chair Sue Valaitis on behalf of Doodlers past and present

Try Something New

Do you want to try something different? Perhaps some-

thing that some have called meditative?

Come and spend two hours on Thursday mornings with experienced "doodlers" who all work from their own

unique perspective.

As former students of long-time Study Group Leader Phyl-lis Marks, we learned much from her suggestions and encouragement. We want to share what we've learned with you. Saying "I can't draw" is not an option because

there is no right or wrong way to "doodle.” What you need to do is get started, and there is no better way to begin than with a group that appreciates moments of quiet for intense concentration as well as time for con-genial conversation. You'll be surprised at what you can

do.

The Mindful Doodling Study Group meets Thursday

mornings from 10AM ‘till noon at 111 West.

111 West Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-6069 Phone : 518-587-2100, x 2415 E-mail: vera.kasson@esc.edu Academy.Lifelonglearning@esc.edu www.esc.edu/ALL

ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

We’re

Saving

You a

Seat!

Special Interest Groups (SIGs), created by the A.L.L. Membership Commit-

tee, offer opportunities to pursue common interests in an informal setting.

SIGs enable members to gather for interests that may not fall under the

label of “academic.” All Academy members are eligible to join SIGs or help

create new ones! 2015 SIGs, their coordinators and contact information

are:

Golf - Avril Beveridge - 518-899-9432 (accepting members now for sum-mer)

Book Club - Gloria Marceau - 518-584-1288 (meets 10 AM the 3rd Friday of

every month at the Saratoga Springs Library)

Theater - Barbara McGrath - 885-4607

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

A.L .L . ’s Future

& Your

Legacy The Academy’s future depends on financial sustainability. Please consid-er making a difference that will serve others through your legacy by mak-ing a bequest to the Academy for

Lifelong Learning at Saratoga Springs in your will. This is a meaningful way to support the life-changing work at the Academy. Please also consider suggesting to those wishing to offer remembrances to direct them to the

Academy.

Edventures offers educational travel experiences in partnership with oth-er organizations, like A.L.L.! For every A.L.L. member who signs up for an Edventures trip, A.L.L. receives a

$100 donation. Visit Ireland for sea-scapes, art, music, & cuisine, May 31-June 8. Next, Italy beckons Aug 29 - Sept 7 with a trip to the Lake District and then on to the Italian Riviera (aka the Cinque Terra area). For more information on Italy, attend the pre-tour briefing Saturday, Feb 20 at 11:30 AM at Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Plans for fall 2016 also include Peru visiting

the Incas and Machu Picchu. Polish up your passport and contact Mary Huber at Edventures (607) 387-3322 or go to goedventures@gmail.com

eDVENTURES

TRAVEL

The new blue, grey and black Academy

tote bags and winter themed note cards

are available now at the

A.L.L. Office! Tote bags

are $10 and Note Cards

(gift-boxed with enve-

lopes) are bargain-

priced at $5! Note

Cards are also at the

S a r a t o g a S p r i n g s

Northshire, but priced just a bit higher

there. Either way, it’s a good deal!

The tote bag, hanging from the 191A

conference room door (photo above),

would rather hang from your arm!

TOTE BAGS &

NOTE CARDS

SENIOR

CENTER NEWS

LEW BENTON

THANKS A.L .L .

In a letter dated Jan 11, 2016, ad-

dressed to A.L.L. Executive Director

Jeff Shinaman, Lew Benton, chair of

the Saratoga Springs Commemora-

tion of the 50th Anniversary of the

Vietnam War Committee writes:

“Two years ago the Saratoga

Springs City Council initiated - in

partnership with the U.S. Depart-

ment of Defense’s Vietnam War

Commemoration - a program to

honor all Vietnam Era Veterans and

their families on the occasion of the

War’s 50th Anniversary.

Against the backdrop of the Vi-

etnam War and its impact on an

entire generation of Americans, this

was no mean feat - but a necessary

one. . . . Along the way several

Commemorative events have been

held . . . So now it falls on the mem-

bers of the Commemoration Com-

mittee to recognize and thank

those whose support and assistance

made our programming possible.

We are indebted to you and all

those associated with the Academy

for hosting last October’s ‘Through

Our Eyes: Vietnam 50 Years On.’

Please accept our deep apprecia-

tion and know that the Academy

for Lifelong Learning has been part

of something very special by pre-

senting this program to your mem-

bers.

The Adult & Senior Center of Sarato-ga is looking for volunteers for “ C o m m u n i t y C o n n e c -tions” (www.saratogacommunityconnections.org), their new program

that will serve adults 50 and over in Saratoga County by matching their needs with volunteers from the community. Volunteers are needed to provide assistance to seniors re-siding in Saratoga County including: home visits, respite assistance, household chores, transportation, shopping and errands, as well as telephone check-ins. To volunteer or for more information please contact

Kris Wurl, Volunteer Coordinator at 584-1621 or via email at senior-

centervolunteer@gmail.com.

Academy for Lifelong Learning West Point, NY Tour Friday, April 15, 2016

8:45 am Departs from 111 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY

9:10 am Departs from Clifton Park, NY (parking lot behind Cracker Barrel) 11:30 am Visit West Point Museum and Gift Shop

12:15pm Board bus to Hotel Thayer 12:30 to 1:45 Buffet Lunch

2- 4 pm Guided bus tour of West Point Academy 4:00 pm Depart West Point

6:15 pm Arrival back in Clifton Park, NY 6:45 pm Arrival back at Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Price includes transportation from the Empire State College located at 111 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs and The Crossing strip mall located at 57 Crossing Blvd. in Clifton Park, NY, self-guided tour of West Point Museum, Buffet Lunch at Hotel Thayer, and Guided bus tour of West Point.

Please Note: A current U.S. Driver’s License or U.S. Passport is needed for all West Point Acad-emy visitors. West Point requires a manifest which A.L.L. needs to provide in advance of our

trip. Please include your date of birth and the type of ID that you will present to West Point.

Price per Member: $90 Non Member Price: $95

Payment in full must be received by March 25, 2016 and is non-refundable once paid.

Please fill out and return bottom of form with check made out to ALL.

Mailing Address: 111 West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Please note on envelope: West Point

Trip

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Member Name: ____________________________ Price: $90

Date of Birth: ___________________ Form of ID: _________________________

Contact Information: Telephone ________________________ Email ____________________________

Emergency Contact Name and Number: ____________________________________________________

Pick up: Please Circle West Ave, Saratoga Springs Crossings, Clifton Park

Non Member Name: ___________________________ Price $95

Date of Birth: ___________________ Form of ID: _________________________

Contact Information: Telephone ________________________ Email ____________________________

Emergency Contact Name and Number: ____________________________________________________

Pick up: Please Circle West Ave, Saratoga Springs Crossings, Clifton Park

Discover Historic Portsmouth, NH

With The Academy for Lifelong Learning

Monday - Thursday, June 13 - 16, 2016

Price includes deluxe motor coach transportation with restroom and DVD player from Empire State

College located at 111 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs, three nights’ accommodations at the

Hampton Inn Central located at 99 Durgin Lane in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (bedding is king or

two queens), three breakfasts at the hotel, three dinners (including a lobster dinner and a dinner

with local author presentation), visits to Fuller Gardens, Strawberry Banke Museum, Governor John

Langdon House and John Paul Jones House, a guided Portsmouth Walking Tour, Isle of Shoals and

Portsmouth Harbor Cruise with a guided visit to Star Island, driver and guide gratuities and round

trip luggage service. Please Note: Boarding at West Avenue only.

Price: For Members

Double: $627 Triple: $551 Single: $887 Quad: $491

Price for Non-Member: Add $50

Deposit of $100 by March 18th Balance by April 15th

Cost of trip is non-refundable. Trip insurance is offered by Triple AAA, please contact Christopher at 374-3142 option 1

The travel sub-committee is taking requests from members (only) for those who would like to share

a room. Please call 518 -587-2100, x2780 and leave a message with your name and contact infor-

mation.

Please fill out and return bottom of form with check made out to ALL.

Mailing Address: 111 West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Please note on envelope: Portsmouth

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Member Name: ____________________________ Please Circle: Double, Triple, Single, Quad

Contact Information: Telephone ________________________ Email ____________________________

Emergency Contact Name and Number: _______________________________________________________

Please note who you will be sharing a room with: ________________________________________________

Non Member Name: ___________________________ Please Circle: Double, Triple, Single, Quad

Contact Information: Telephone ________________________ Email ____________________________

Emergency Contact Name and Number: ________________________________________________________

Please note who you will be sharing a room with: ________________________________________________

P A G E 9 F E B R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R U A R Y !