McAuley Institute offers classes for seniors 50+ on broad range of topics

The love of learning and the fun that comes with engaging in college-level courses for sheer enjoyment are among the many reasons local seniors are drawn to the McAuley Institute for Lifelong Learning (MILL) at Georgian Court University, in Lakewood.

MILL offers dozens of timely and appealing non-credit classes for adults 50 and over, and has attracted more than 500 members since it started in 2009. The program, which began with two pilot courses, now offers more than 50 courses and workshops representing everything from golf, T’ai Chi Chih®, and holistic home remedies to rose cultivation, Einstein, and the Korean War.

According to Zane Robertson, cofounder of Active Minds, “if one were to attempt to establish the four cornerstones of healthy aging, they would most likely be nutrition; exercise; social interaction; and lifelong learning/purpose/meaning.” MILL offers two of the four for an annual membership fee of only $25, which opens the door to thought-provoking topics that encourage participants to rethink their perspectives on certain subjects and challenge them to explore new skills. Membership has its privileges—in addition to free members-only social events, MILL members can register for individual classes, which include workshops, short courses, and courses that meet for several weeks. Registration costs range from free to $129. For an additional fee, non-members (even those who aren’t quite 50 years old yet) can take classes, too.

Upcoming classes for the spring include:

Basic Bridge I
May 13, 20; June 3, 10, 17, 24 (Mondays); 12:30–1:30 pm
$50 for all six sessions; open to MILL members only

Did you know that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, two of the richest men in the country, often play as partners in bridge tournaments? Learn how to play bridge, a game that has been around for over a century, from a skilled instructor. All materials will be provided.

Basic Bridge II
May 13, 20; June 3, 10, 17, 24 (Mondays); 2:00–3:00 pm
$50 for all six sessions; open to MILL members only

Bridge is a card game of strategy and complexity. Expand upon your basic knowledge to improve your bidding strategies and win tricks, learning from a skilled instructor in a group game-based setting. All materials will be provided.

Watercolor for Intermediates
May 13, 20; June 3, 10, 17 (Mondays); noon–2:00 p.m.
$120 per MILL member; $145 per non-MILL member; additional art supplies are required at student’s expense.

Expand on the lessons learned in MILL’s beginner course or from previous experiences and learn new techniques as you continue your watercolor journey.

Roses Are Red (and White and Pink!)
May 14 (Tuesday); 9:30–11:30 a.m.
$20 per MILL member; $45 per non-MILL member

Explore all aspects of growing roses, including landscape or shrub, tea, climbing, and floribunda roses. Popular varieties as knock-out and David Austen roses will also be reviewed. Selection, planting, fertilizing, pruning, winter care, and pests will be also be addressed.

12 Months of Blooms
June 6 (Thursday); 9:30–11:30 a.m.
$20 per MILL member; $45 per non-MILL member

If you love flowers, there is no reason you cannot have them all year long. This presentation will discuss growing flowers all 12 months of the year, both indoor and outdoor. Included in the discussion will be bulbs, rhizomes, flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, and flowering house plants. Selection, care, fertilizing and pest control will be reviewed. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite flower photographs to share and discuss.

Digital Storytelling using Photo Story 3
June 19 (Wednesday); 9:30–11:30 a.m.
FREE; open to MILL members only

Looking for that one-of-a-kind gift for your family of friends? Learn how to use Photo Story 3, a free program from Microsoft that will help you tell your story using pictures, special effects, and your own voice narration. Students should bring scanned or digital photos on a CD or portable USB drive. Space is limited due to the hands-on nature of this program.

Pre-registration is required for all courses and may be done online at alumni.georgian.edu/mill. Registration forms for mailing and a complete schedule of all courses can be found at www.georgian.edu/mcauley. Room information for all MILL courses will be provided upon registration. For more information, please contact Alice Velez, director of advancement and MILL, at 732.987.2201.