January lectures to focus on Africa
Toolbox
Published: December 7, 2009
Today, I want to share with you information about the exciting January offerings of the Rutland Area Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and some general information about the Institute. I'll tell you about the rest of the winter schedule in a subsequent column.
Time and place – Each of the 12 lectures in this winter 2010 term will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on a Friday afternoon at the Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer St. (off Woodstock Avenue) in Rutland. For directions to the Godnick Center or for program information, call 773-0184.
What if it snows? In the event of a severe winter storm or a severe winter storm warning, we will follow the lead of Rutland High School. If RHS closes for the day (not simply a delayed opening), we will cancel our program for that day. RHS closings are widely announced on local radio and TV and on a recorded message reached by calling 770-1000.
Purchase of a membership card entitles you to attend all 12 sessions during the winter 2010 term. Members also may attend (at no additional charge) Elder Education Enrichment programs in South Burlington and Osher programs in any of seven other Vermont towns: Brattleboro, Central Vermont (Montpelier/Barre), Lamoille Valley (Stowe),Newport/Derby/Stanstead, Springfield, St. Albans and St. Johnsbury. For information on these programs, see our Web site at www.learn.uvm.edu/osher.
Nonmembers may attend individual sessions for $5 at the door. Reservations are not required.
Memberships may be purchased at any session: Regular price $40 or early bird special $30 if paid on or before Jan. 8.
For information, call Bob Perkins at 773-0184.
Africa Today
Patricia van der Spuy teaches African and world history, and women's and gender studies at Castleton State College. She was born and brought up in Rhodesia and came of age when that country became the independent Zimbabwe. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, during the demise of apartheid.
Jan. 8, How We Think about Africa and Why It Matters – We will explore how Africa is depicted by our television, movies and newspapers and how its history is being taught in our schools. What assumptions lie beneath the stereotypes and ignorance that seems almost ubiquitous in the United States?
Jan. 15, The Politics of Oil: Sudan and Nigeria – United States' interest in Africa has long focused on that continent's natural resources including gold, diamonds, rubber, cobalt, copper and uranium. Of major concern today is oil. We will discuss what the increasing demand for oil has meant to the people of the oil-rich countries.
Jan. 22, What HIV/AIDS Means in Southern Africa – Many Americans are aware of the AIDS epidemic in southern Africa, but they may be less knowledgeable of the roots, nature and the lived experience of this enormous challenge. Why does this region suffer so disproportionately from HIV/AIDS? We will explore what the virus means to the citizens of South Africa and other countries in the region.
Jan. 29, What Can We Learn from Kenya? – The election of President Obama brought Kenya into the consciousness of many Americans. We will explore the richness of the region's long history from the days of European colonization to the present. Our key question will be what can we learn from Kenya?
Barbara Hanson is director of community resource development for the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging. For information about senior services, call the Senior Helpline at (800) 642-5119 or 786-5991 or visit www.svcoa.org.
Meals on Wheels
Today: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, wheat bread, chocolate raspberry cake.
Tuesday: Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, roll, Congo bar.
Wednesday: Spinach-Ricotta pie, tossed green leaf salad, dressing, dinner roll, pineapple chunks.
Thursday: Beef Burgundy, boiled potatoes, beets with orange sauce, dinner roll, lemon chiffon with pear slices.
Friday: Glazed ham loaf with sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans with red peppers, potato roll, melon.
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