The sky’s the limit
Ralph Strong, who lives at Charlestown, is the chairperson for the Elderhostel LLI program. Strong has traveled domestically with Elderhostel on 25 different occasions. “This is a great chance for talented people to share their knowledge with other people in the Charlestown community,” says Strong, a retired engineering manager from Westinghouse Electric Corporation, where he developed space-related electronic sensors for weather and earth observation.

Strong, along with eight core committee members, is busy preparing the inaugural 2008 fall semester class schedule, which will feature a range of subjects. Possible topics include astronomy, calligraphy, computer fundamentals, computer software, culinary adventures, the environment, film history, finance, fitness, genealogy, global warming, historical biographies, and history. Most of the classes will be two to four sessions.

“There is a questionnaire circulating in the community to help get a better idea of which subjects people are most interested in and to help prioritize subjects that should receive the most attention,” says Strong. “We have tremendous talent here at Charlestown. Our core committee for the Elderhostel program alone includes another engineering manager, a scientist from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, two retired school principals, and a few teachers. We think once the activity starts, interest will grow and other talented people will emerge.”

A dream come true
For Doris Evans, having an Elderhostel affiliation right where she lives at Charlestown is practically a dream come true. “I just want to thank you for  bringing this here,” she said to  Wyse at the initial meeting.“I’ve had friends involved with it for years, but I didn’t have the money and I didn’t have the time. But now I have both—I’m so excited!”

Residents can find more information on the upcoming Elderhostel LLI classes on Channel 66, Charlestown’s local TV station. A catalog of classes and  related information will also be published and available to residents of Charlestown this August.

“Learning is a lifetime activity,” says Strong. “This program will provide greatly improved venues for learning. I look forward to being a part of the program and helping to make it happen.”