Notes from the Director

Jeff Says . . .

January 2016

ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

WE’RE SAVING YOU A SEAT!

Happy New Year!

The 2016 Spring Term Class Registration

and Membership Application has been

sent by “snail” and e-mail and is being dis-

tributed throughout the Saratoga Region

by the Membership Committee. Thank

you to the Curriculum Committee who

worked hard to bring you 35 study

groups this spring. Be sure to send your

application/registration by snail mail on or

after January 25. Applications post-dated

no earlier than January 25 will be includ-

ed in the first week’s registration for class

placements, which will take place on Mon-

day, February 1. Class placements for ap-

plications received after February 1 will be

made on a weekly basis with registration

done on the following Monday of each

week. Please call me with any questions at

587-2100 x2390.

Reminder: If you joined as a member in

the fall of 2015, you have already paid the

$50 annual membership fee. Your mem-

bership is good for the spring term and

through June 30, 2016.

Please note that there are no classes at

113 West Avenue on April 27 and 28.

There are no classes at any of our loca-

tions on May 30, Memorial Day. The Acad-

emy will also be closed when the Saratoga

Springs school district closes due to in-

clement weather.

SPRING TERM STUDY GROUP HIGH-

LIGHTS:

BRAND NEW: Informed Citizen: An Educa-

tion Primer, New Speaker Series topics and

speakers, Evolution of the US Navy Nucle-

ar Submarine Program, Write Now!, Won-

ders of Water, Getting Beyond Loss to an

Exciting New Journey, and Hunters &

Gatherers: Exploring the World of An-

tiques and Collectibles.

NEW TWISTS: Tom Davis’ Religious Analy-

sis of Ironic Humor & Tragedy in American

Political Life, new locations with Sue

Hahm’s Art Up Close field trips on Fridays,

New destination presentations in the Trav-

el Series, new topics in Saratoga County

History series, Bernie Fabry’s Get Smart

with Your Smartphone Camera, Carol Der-

Save the Date 2

B&N Bookfair Review 2

A.L.L. Sponsors 2 & 3

EOC Donations! 4 & 7

Holiday Lunch Photo Fun 5

Volunteer Opportunities 6

Storytellers 8

Inside this issue:

Points of Interest

Best Ever B&N Book-fair!

West Point & New Hampshire trips!

Storytellers start Tellin’

Shout Out!

January 25, we’re shoutin’ out to you! It’s the date to drop your spring regis-tration in the U.S. Mail. It guarantees

yours will be among the very

first registrations processed.

Happy “Sweet 16” New Year!

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 January 7, 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM, 111 West Ave., rm 104

Curriculum January 26, 10 AM, 111 West rm. 175

Third Age Press January 28, 9:30 AM - 1 PM, 111 West, rm 104

Resource Development January 28, 10 AM, 111 West, rm 191A

Continued on page 4

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.

Jan 6 - Storytellers - Kate Dudding

Jan 13 - Storytellers - Carol Gregson

Jan 18 - Office closed for MLK Day

Jan 20 - Storytellers - Margaret French

Jan 27 - Storytellers - Joe Peck

Feb 3 - Storytellers - Betty Cassidy

Feb 10 - Storytellers - Christie Keegan

Feb 17 - Storytellers - Jeannine Laverty

Feb 24 - Special Black History Month

Program (to be announced)

Mar 2 - Storytellers - Kay Olan

Apr 15 - West Point Trip, (details to be

announced)

June 13 - 16 - Portsmouth, NH trip (see

page 9)

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

seum (see page 8)

Pat Hart

Executive

Council

Chair We began the holiday season with a wonderful luncheon at Longfel-lows, a gala event executed by our Event Planning and Membership Committees under the direction of

Judy Tirelli and Sheryl Egger. Next, Membership had another very suc-cessful book fair at Barnes & Noble. Thank you to these two very active committees for your continuing

hard work on behalf of A.L.L..

Hope your holidays were merry and bright although, thankfully, not very white. To our snowbirds taking flight, my New Year’s wish is that you have safe and uneventful trips

to your sunny destinations.

2015 has flown by so quickly but upon reflection, it was a very busy productive year with much being accomplished. We had the greatest number of study groups to date and the most members ever. 2016, will be another success based on the roster of spring study groups. Put your registration in the mail on or

after January 25 so you will be among the first placements (insuring you get the class(s) you want). The Curriculum Committee did an awesome job, and I had the pleasure of attending several of their meetings and can attest to the

diligence of this group.

Please consider contacting the fine Academy

sponsors here and on page 3 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! You’ll notice two new sponsors this month; we

welcome: King Enterprises and Financial Advi-

sor Rob Snell with Edward Jones. Yes, this is

the same Rob Snell who has lead the Invest-

ment and Spring Birding Study Groups!

ACADEMY SPONSORS

A.L.L. Membership Chair Sheryl Egger

reports that the Academy’s December

12 Bookfair was a huge success! Com-

mittee members worked hard; “I’ve

never seen Barnes & Noble that busy!”

Sheryl said. Proceeds from sales that

day total - drumroll, please - $2, 581.17!

But the good news doesn’t end there,

the raffle basket was won by Katherine

Woody! Katherine is the wife of A.L.L.

member Charles Woody, and together

they are the parents of SUNY Empire

College President Merodie Hancock!

Smart shopper (in photo below) Sue

McFadden at the checkout with her

books and coupon tells us

she saves her shopping for

our bookfair every year!

Thank you to everyone

who worked and shopped

to make this such a suc-

cessful fundraiser!

BARNES &

NOBLE

BOOKFAIR

“REVIEW”

Watch for announcements coming via email regarding Storytellers, trips and spe-cial programming Jeff Shinaman and the commit-

tees are planning. We will continue to enhance the A.L.L. experience and look forward to seeing everyone at the Kick-off luncheon in the spring. Enjoy your time away and come back with stories of your adventures to share with fellow mem-

bers.

P A G E 3

Lori Langdon, DVM

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

MEMBER NEWS A.L.L. received the nicest note from Carol Greg-son after her recent 90th birthday celebration! She was most appreciative of the card signed by many A.L.L. members and also everyone who

made the treck up north to attend her big bash!

As a reminder, Carol, also known as the “Pottersville Complainer,” will be storytelling at A.L.L.’s annual Storytellers Series Wednesday January 13 at noon at 2 Union Avenue. And don’t miss Kate Dudding who’ll be “telling” Chocolate Delights the week before on the 6th of January. (You didn’t hear it from us, but we’re told there’ll be real chocolate involved! And,

who doesn’t like chocolate?)

A.L .L . holiday

LUNCHEON BENEFITS

EOC

Barb McGrath and I were greeted by big smiles when we ar-rived at the E.O.C in Ballston Spa with 11 large bags of personal items and $273 in cash collected at the Holiday Luncheon. (See photo below right!) Thank you A.L.L. members and guests for your wonderful generosity! Some of you expressed an interest

in knowing more about the E.O.C.

Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council is a non-profit organization committed to being a leader in advocating for op-portunities and developing solutions to promote healthy, thriv-

ing families and caring community partners.

Community Services supported by the E.O.C.

Emergency

Food Pantry

Soup Kitchen

Lunch

Summer Youth

Feeding pro-gram (a nutri-tious lunch dur-ing the summer

school break)

VITA tax service

Family Devel-

opment

Dress For Work (interview or

work clothing)

Rural Food De-livery for the

disabled and

elderly

Thanksgiving Baskets to fami-lies in need in

Saratoga County

WIC (supplemental food and nutrition education program for

women, infants and children

Head Start child development program

Weatherization Assistance (energy audit and conservation

work)

Latino Community Advocacy for the Spanish-speaking immi-

grant population

Submitted by Membership Committee Member Liz Marcinko

fner’s 60s Lessons, Rick Hasenauer’s “Songs of

Dissent,” Dennis Kipp’s Hollywood – Almost For-

gotten Musicals, Dr. Stulc’s past class highlights

and more, Alan Wheelock’s Southern Gothic,

Norm Facklam’s new Water Series: Lakes, Bridg-

es, Canals & Rivers, and back by popular de-

mand - History, Art & Science with new destina-

tions.

FAVORITES RETURN: Painting Lab, Rob Snell’s

Spring Birding and Making Sense of Investing,

Conscious Aging, Battle of the Millennium at

Saratoga Battlefield, Discovering the History of

Saratoga Sandplains at the Wilton Wildlife Pre-

serve, Enjoying Poetry with Janice Cutbush,

Writers Circle with Margaret French & Joe Peck,

Hikes with Gary Hill at Moreau Lake State Park,

Mindful Doodling, Michael Angelo’s Economics

for Beginners, Francesca’s Italian and Roy Han-

sen’s Justice.

The Event Planning Committee invites you to

The Spring Term Kick-Off Luncheon, Wednes-

day, April 6, at the Knights of Columbus – Sara-

toga Springs at 50 Pine Rd at the corner of

Washington Street (Route 29) just one-half mile

from the Academy office at 111 West Ave.,

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Classes start the following

week of April 11.

I hope to see you at Winter Storytellers Series

this winter - every Wednesday, January 6 -

March 2, noon - 1 p. m. at 2 Union Avenue. If

not, have a great winter, and I'll see you in the

spring!

JEFF SAYS . . . (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 )

P A G E 5 H A P P Y “ S W E E T 1 6 ” N E W Y E A R !

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON PHOTO Fun

P A G E 6 H A P P Y “ S W E E T 1 6 ” N E W Y E A R !

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 the Travel Sub Committee, which falls un-der the Event Planning Committee chaired by Judy Tirelli (see September, 2015’s issue of A.L.L. the News for infor-

mation on the Event Planning Committee).

We are excited to announce a new sub committee for the sole purpose of planning A.L.L. trips. What kind of trips, you ask? All kinds: day trips, overnight trips, trips to places near and far, trips to places you may have already been but want to go again, trips to places that might be

in your own back yard, so to speak, but just haven’t got-ten to yet. Now’s your chance to do a little traveling with A.L.L. friends the easy, fun way. We do the planning, make all the reservations, arrange the transportation and

handle all the details! You show up, relax and enjoy!

A.L.L. member Sandra Songayllo is heading up this new sub committee and will be glad to hear from you. Please contact her at 518-223-3844 or 518-306-5406 if you would like to join the Travel Sub Committee, have ideas for trips you’d like to take or just want more information! Note, you do not have to be on the Event Planning Com-

mittee to be on the Travel Sub Committee.

Here’s what’s in the works now: Day trip April 15 to West Point; Overnight trip from June 13 through the 16th to Portsmouth, NH; and a Day trip mid September to visit

the 9-11 Memorial in New York City.

In photo above, The A.L.L. Executive Council, Executive Direc-

tor and Empire State College Liaison are pictured at right in this

photo taken at a recent Executive Council meeting by A.L.L.

photographer Bernie Fabry.

From left, front row (seated) are: Secretary Marsha Fagan,

Chair Pat Hart, Vice Chair Louise Young. Second row from left,

Event Planning Chair Judy Tirelli, Finance Co-Chair Pat Peter-

son, Third Age Press Chair Sue Valaitis, Curriculum Chair Pat

Friesen, Resource Development Chair Alice Martin. Third row

from left, A.L.L. Executive Director Jeff Shinaman, Membership

Chair Sheryl Egger, Financial Officer and Finance Co-Chair

Anita Kopff, and College Liaison Sue McFAdden.

ART UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: class rEVIEW Submitted by A.L.L. Member Doris Lazar

It was so wonderful to awaken each Tuesday morning with enthusiasm because I knew this was the day that I would be joining Susan Hahm and my new A.L.L. friends for another day trip! Susan made every exhibit come alive with her carefully prepared background material, out-

standing knowledge of each artist and their work, and her

warm and friendly approach.

I was able to learn so much about the works of Winslow Homer, Andy Warhol, Grandma Moses, and many Impres-

sionist artists. At Chesterwood we viewed sculpture of Lin-coln that is on display at Lincoln Memorial among some of

his other works.

I felt that I began to look at varied artwork with “new

eyes” after this marvelous course of study. I plan to sign up

for Susan Hahm’s Spring “Art Up Close and Personal” course. She has many new and exciting places for us to

visit! I hope you will be available for these wonderful and

unforgettable day trips

Crest and image at left are from West Point Google Images

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 sumer)

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

Bridge II - Scheryl Lomonico - 518-306-4125

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 mean-ingful way to support the life-changing work at the Academy. Please also consider suggesting to those wishing to offer remembranc-

es to direct them to the Academy.

Edventures offers educational travel experiences in partnership with oth-er organizations, like A.L.L.! Look for information on upcoming trips in our publications. For every A.L.L. mem-

ber who signs up for an Edventures trip, we receive a $100 donation. A Trip planned for next spring is to Ire-land for seascapes, art, music, & cui-sine, May 31-June 8. Also, two 2016 fall trips are planned, one to the Lake Country of Italy, including the Riviera of Italy (or the Cinque Terra area) and Peru visiting the Incas and Machu Picchu. Polish up your pass-port and contact Mary Huber at

Edventures (607) 387-3322 or go to goedventures@gmail.com

eDVENTURES

TRAVEL EOC executive director

THANKS A.L .L .

In a letter addressed to A.L.L. Executive Director Jeff Shinaman days after our

A.L.L. Holiday Luncheon at which donations were collected for delivery to the

EOC (see page 4), Anita Paley, the executive director of the EOC thanks A.L.L.

for our continuing and recent support. Here’s what she says:

Dear Mr. Shinaman, You made our day! Thank you for your recent donations

of cash, food and personal care items from the Academy for lifelong Learning

at Saratoga Springs drive to help alleviate just a bit of hunger to the Saratoga

County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. (EOC) Food Pantry, which is part

of our Emergency Food Programs. The EOC Emergency Food Programs con-

sist of an emergency food pantry, community lunch program, rural food deliv-

ery project and a summer youth lunch project.

Your donation to this program will help us help local families maintain food

stability. These families turn to us in times of crisis and it is only with your sup-

port that we are able to be there when they need us.

EOC is your community action agency in Saratoga County, serving the county

since 1973. EOC has helped hundreds of our neighbors in times of uncertain-

ty and need. Your Thoughtfulness enables us to continue helping and we ap-

preciate your support of our agency. On behalf of our board of directors and

our staff we thank you for your support.

Zupp wins! A.L.L. member Norm Facklam tells us that

the Dec 26, 2015 Post Star reported

“memory athlete” Brad Zupp, co-captained

the silver medal team at the World

Memory Championships in Chengdu, Chi-

na. Out of 22 countries competing, the

U.S. had their best finish ever; previously

they had never placed higher than fifth.

Popular “Academy Extra” speaker, and son

of A.L.L. members Ed and Millie Lawrence,

Zupp has appeared twice at the Academy

to share his memory improving tech-

niques.

Sales of our newest A.L.L. Tote Bags and

Note Cards were brisk at the Holiday

Luncheon last month out at Longfel-

lows! Don’t fret, though, if you weren’t

able to purchase that day —or want to

buy more—they are available at the

A.L.L. Office! Tote bags are $10 and

Note Cards (gift-boxed with envelopes)

are bargain-priced at $5! Note Cards are

also at the Saratoga Springs Northshire,

but priced just a bit higher there. Either

way, it’s a good deal!

TOTE BAGS &

NOTE CARDS

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 1 0 H A P P Y “ S W E E T 1 6 ” N E W Y E A R !