COLLEGE FOR OLDER ADULTS WINTER-SPRING TERM 2024 COMING ATTRACTIONS!
An exciting term is coming up for the College for Older Adults. On February 19, 2024, Martin Hayes, the greatest living Irish fiddle player, will give a live zoom performance from his home in Spain to the Higher Education Center. Martin will perform a series of traditional Irish fiddle tunes with a modern twist. He will discuss his own relationship with this music, the modern evolution of this musical form, and how it moved from homes to the world stage. Martin will be followed by an afternoon talk and performance by Tyler Hughes, Director of the Crooked Road Music Project. Tyler will play tunes and discuss the styles of traditional Appalachian music.
Martin Hayes
Tyler Hughes
On March 11th, Bill Gable will narrate Under Whitetop: a silent, black-and-white film made in 1934 by his father, John Gable. The film illustrates life in the rural lumber community once served by the Virginia Creeper train. This is a rare opportunity!
King University Lecture Series. Jennifer Mongold will present classes on the fascinating but disturbing world of serial killers: their psychology, motives, methods, and the public’s fascination with them. Kyle Osborn will give an enlightening series on post-civil war reconstruction and how we are still affected by it.
Everyday Physics. Jim Warden continues his accessible science program series with sound: how it works and its importance to our lives.
Our Natural Heritage– Birds, bears, deer, salamanders, and a whole lot more!
Have camera will travel! Eileen Garner’s popular series Traveling Tales returns with views and impressions of Namibia, Turkey, South America, the Scottish Highlands and Islands, and the Mediterranean. Closer to home, Monica Hoel’s highly anticipated E&H Road Trip gives us insights to the backroads and hidden wonders of Southwest Virginia.
Lee Saunders explores the history of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Simon Pennings leads a series of speakers on senior health issues.
Stories of all kinds—reading them and telling them. Course offerings will include Cindy Pojeta’s history of the mystery novel, short stories with Judith Wylie, and how to tell your own stories led by Bob Weiss. Barter Theatre alumnus James Kroll will direct a play reading. Rick Rose, emeritus Barter Theatre Artistic Director, will give us a view of the post-Covid theatre world.
Other popular classes return including Chair Yoga, and Afternoon at the Movies presented by Erin Oneisom. How to effectively use everyday technology with Mary Sullivan, and Robots and Drones with Sonia Vanhook. Snow Ferrenia will discuss wildflowers to know and grow. Ashley Stephenson will present Assyrian and Babylonian culture.
Big News! The Hen House Food group of Jada and Nic Jones will offer grab-and-go lunch foods for COA students. Delicious and affordable lunches will be available on campus. First come, first served!
A full course schedule and description will be available in early January. Classes will run from February 6th to March 14th. Classes start at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM.