September 2024 Newsletter
Have You Got A Particular Interest? Looking For a New One? There’s A Workshop for That!
By Marg Moriss
Chair, Curriculum Committee
Workshops are the backbone of the Academy of Lifelong Learning, enhanced by talks and walks, special interest clubs and social events. Whether in-person at Tartu, on line via zoom, or a combination of the two, workshops offer something for everyone.
New and returning members are offered a wide variety of topics: the arts, science, history, current events, film, magazine journalism and others. A survey of the course offerings on the website reveals the wide-ranging interests of Academy members, all based on the principle of self-directed learning and collegial discussion.
We have all had the pleasure of exploring ideas, evolving our attitudes and even changing our minds in the course of workshop debates.
Some workshops are formed as discussion groups, while others offer presentations by participants, followed by lively and informed conversations on the topic. Some workshops run for 12 weeks, a full academic year, while others are offered for one term only. Either way, peer learning is the unique quality of the Academy learning experience and the soul of its vitality.
And there’s a lot of work and planning going into the creation of a successful and engaging workshop topics. Members with a particular interest suggest workshop ideas to the Curriculum Committee, which evaluates each proposal for its individual appeal and its aptness within the curriculum framework.
If needed, Curriculum Committee members assist in developing the proposal from its initial stages to a fully formed workshop format. While there are just a few one-term workshops now, the shorter length provides for more variation in study areas, and may appeal to members cautious about committing to a whole year of serving as a facilitator.
As with everything at the Academy, workshops are created, developed and run by volunteers, and supported by Curriculum and other Academy committees. As mentioned, our workshops really do offer something for everyone. If you think that more variety is needed, soon you will have the chance to promote your own ideas for new workshops, and take part in developing them for future delivery. The Academy thrives on the renewal and enhancement provided by its members – that’s all of us
Welcome Back to Learning
It’s fall. Welcome to our new academic year at the Academy for Lifelong Learning Toronto. Just like this newsletter, the year is packed with fresh opportunities and the best of what we all love… learning and sharing. It’s time to greet old friends and make new ones.
Cindy Bromley, Editor
New Board takes office
2014/25 Board members
2024/25 Board Members
Back L/R: David Phillips, Adrian Ryans, Cindy Bromley, Adele Robertson, Sheila McCook, Miriam Smith and Peter von Bertoldi.
Front L/R: Past Pres Mary Pat Moore, Huguette Blanco, VP Barrie Wilson, Pres. Thea Herman, Corinne Palmer and Molly Moss.
Missing: Patti Stoll, Sharon Harris, Marg Morriss and Enrique Biber.
Workshop Registration Information
Most workshops meet every other week, for six sessions per term:
Fall Term:
Week 1 starts Sept. 9/24
Week 2 starts Sept. 16/24
Winter Term:
Week 1 starts Jan. 6/25
Week 2 starts Jan. 13/25
It’s easy to register for workshops. First
JOIN or RENEW your membership at
allto.ca, then register for your preferred workshops.
Welcome to Thornhill Lifelong Learning Members
By Mary Pat Moore
This fall, the Academy for Lifelong Learning Toronto is pleased to welcome members from Thornhill Lifelong Learning, as they are not offering a fall series for their members.
The Academy has offered Thornhill members the opportunity to attend workshops. We shared our website,allto.ca, with them and emphasized that we offer engaging, peer-to-peer learning on Zoom or in person as well as workshops, talks and walks.
Academy members, watch for Thornhill members in your workshops this fall and welcome them to the Academy for Lifelong Learning Toronto experience.
A New Opportunity – Bring a Friend
Since the Academy’s inception in 1991, membership ‘recruitment’ has generally been by way of word of mouth. Members tell their peers of their satisfaction in fulfilling their love of learning by engaging in workshops.
Some friends are also occasionally invited to the Academy’spring talks at Innis College which demonstrate both the high level of guest speakers and the welcoming rapport of the Academy’s audiences. Past years have also seen pals invited on one of the Academy’s walks, another opportunity to meet new friends, while discovering a unique area of Toronto’s cityscape.
We have a new opportunity to demonstrate Academy workshops to potential new members: bring a friend to one of your Tartu classes or, invite them to tap into a Tuesday zoom class. Your friend can garner a firsthand experience witnessing the lively exchanges which always occur during discussions.
“I love to sing” – My Best Workshop Experience
by Sharyn Salsberg Ezrin
I have been singing in choirs all my life. It is my “Happy Place”. Some of you may laugh that this is a funny way to describe the experience of singing, but for me it has been my source of joy and comfort; nothing compares.
So it is no surprise that as we all stayed put in our homes during the early months of the COVID pandemic, my inperson choir shut down. I was missing it and talked with one of my choir buddies, Mary Pat Moore, to find out what she was doing. She suggested I join the “Celebration of Song” Workshop offered by the Academy. It was January 2021, I took the plunge, and have never looked back.Being part of a group of like-minded song lovers, and musically oriented people, we in the “Celebration of Song” showed Youtube videos and told stories about singers and great performances we attended to entertain and inspire each other.I was always interested to know more about Leonard Bernstein. I was brought up on his Young People’s Concerts on CBS (first concert aired January 18, 1958). I also sang all the songs from West Side Story (1957) in my teens. The music and life of Leonard Bernstein was the topic of my first presentation on Zoom for the dozen members of our “Celebration of Song” workshop.My second year presentation was on the folk-music scene in Yorkville. I was part of a folk-singing group in my high school. We all went to the Riverboat on Yorkville Ave. to hear Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Ian and Sylvia, and Phil Ochs perform and launch new songs. I heard Joni Mitchell introduce “The Circle Game” as a song she was working on; she had the words on a paper napkin! During the Workshop discussion we all reminisced about that time and the music we loved. It was a pure nostalgia indulgence for me and everyone who was part of that era!
I am still a member of “Celebration of Song” Workshop which goes Hybrid this year. Some of us (including me) will come to Tartu in-person and others will be on zoom. This year I have been researching the music of Simon and Garfunkel as a duo. Their iconic songs are, to me, the best of the ballads Simon composed – music and lyrics. For anyone who might consider becoming a member and joining a Workshop at the Academy, I encourage you to consider this as a way to keep your mind active and enjoy the group dynamics.
It’s Like Planning a Trip” he said …
(Editor) We recently asked Barrie Wilson why he become a facilitator.
(Barrie) We can blame it all on COVID. We were all struggling with issues – isolation, loneliness, excessive introspection, boredom, family and work issues. I wondered how other people had coped with struggles in their lives. Thus the biography workshop was born. It needed a good title, so I called it: Extraordinary Lives. The workshop asked a basic question: how have famous and not-so-famous people coped with their challenges?
Had you taken other Workshops?
To me, the Academy is Toronto’s best kept secret in adult education. The diversity of fascinating offerings is amazing. I have enjoyed many workshops over the past 6 years. I like film, so I took Film A. I enjoy history — so workshops on the British Empire, Conspiracy Theories, 1848 and Greek culture appealed. This year I’m taking the Assassinations workshop and the one on Genealogy – both are innovative ways of looking at history.
How did you go about planning your workshop?
People who know me know I like to plan trips, almost as much as going on them. So I began by doing what I do when developing travel adventures: I researched ways of organizing the itinerary. I refined andthought through the workshop series, identifying interesting topics. I asked for advice, talking with various Academy members in the workshops I was taking. I worked with the Academy’s Curriculum Committee to develop an appealing description. I waited to see if what appealed to me would have broader interest. And, yes, the response was positive and this was immensely gratifying.
What do you think are the main ingredients of a successful workshop??
Above all, the workshop has to beengaging. It has to have focus, resources and topics that are well planned out. People should come away from each session thinking that it was time well spent.
What advice do you have for members who’d like to become facilitators?
It’s a fantastic experience, a bit of work upfront but ultimately a rewarding adventure. It’s a way of making the most of Academy membership. Through the Curriculum Committee I found a co-facilitator, David Phillips, who has helped me plan out each year’s program. I would encourage other members to be creative, to build on interests and passions and to come forward with ideas for innovative workshops.
Are you thinking about joining the Academy?
We are unique among lifelong learning organizations in Toronto, offering participatory workshops, ideal for active learners.
Non-members are welcome to audit a workshop. Email academylifelonglearningto@gmail.com for more information.
As I say, planning a workshop is like planning a trip. You ultimately get your reward – enjoying the experience with people who share your interests.
Note:
Each fall the Curriculum Committee encourages members to propose new workshop topics, helping prospective facilitators shape up ideas and guiding volunteers through the process.
Doing Double Duty:
How The Academy Board both Governs and Delivers Services
Doing Double Duty:
membership of the Board and move into the lead roles in their second year. This succession allows not only for on-the-job learning but ensures that the Academy’s Board is fresh and representative.
Typically, the Board meets 11 times a year, but may be called to order for urgent reasons. A full agenda of governing, financial and policy matters are discussed and each of the five committees reports on its activities and decisions, and presents matters that require voting at a Board level.
Academy Committees
- Membership: Registration services, monitoring membership numbers, database management
- Curriculum: Recruitment of workshop proposals, development of the slate of workshops; assistance to facilitators, managing workshop surveys and facilitator forums
- Communications And Marketing: Creating and curating internal communications and marketing plans both internally and externally, often in conjunction with the activities of the other committees
- Special Events & Activities: Organizing the many special academic and social events at the Academy, including the Walks program, and the special interest Clubs
- Talks: Developing and managing a series of in-house Forums throughout the Academy year and a Distinguished Speakers Series of five talks in April and May (previously called “Spring Talks”) to which the public is invited
In addition to the many workshop facilitators, there are many other non-Board roles undertaken by Academy volunteers that the Board oversees, such as web administration and email management and maintenance of Academy archives.
Together all volunteers at the Academy create a unique organization that is both intellectually challenging and socially engaged. This adaptive and creative structure was established by the Academy’s founding members in 1991.
Academy President’s Message
Welcome To A New Academic Year
by Thea Herman
September at the Academy is always an exciting time. It is, indeed, the start of a new year: new workshops to get involved in; upcoming fall forums, walks and special interest groups; reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.
The Academy is unique in many ways. One of those ways is that we are totally volunteer run. As President of the Academy, I am just one of many volunteers. While being a volunteer organization presents challenges, it is also one of our strengths. The Academy belongs to all of us and we all have a stake in its continuing success.
The reason I agreed to become Vice President and President at this time is because I was concerned about the future of the Academy, knowing the challenges we face post-COVID. I wanted to be part of finding solutions to those challenges.
We made significant progress last year during the long-range planning process in which so many of you participated. However, we’re not there yet. Our registration is still significantly below what it was prior to COVID. I encourage you to spread the word to your friends about what a rewarding experience it is to be a member of the Academy.
More members means that we can offer a greater variety of workshops and programs, and ensures the Academy’s ongoing financial sustainability. The Curriculum Committee has been busy coming up with exciting new ideas for workshop topics and approaches and will be seeking ideas from Academy members over the coming months.
Our Academy administration is performed by members who volunteer their time and talent. Helping out gives you an opportunity to contribute, learn, meet new people and keep the Academy running smoothly.
Recruiting talent is a big job, and with this column we’re adding a new approach: Advertising! Keep an eye on this Help Wanted column in the Newsletter, and get in touch with Joan McCordic or Ginny Campbell (the Volunteer Team.) You can reach us via the Academy’s email,
Academylifelonglearning@gmail.com
Web Managers (Non-Technical)
Help manage the Academy website, assisting the Web Administrator. Are you passionate about managing projects and overseeing important tasks? We’re looking for a couple dedicated volunteers to assist with content management and guiding project timelines. This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute and make a meaningful impact.
Commitment:
We’re seeking committed volunteers who can dedicate a few hours per week for a two-year term. Your involvement help maintain a effective online presence.
Introducing…A Mentor Program for New Academy Members
by Brenda Doyle
Welcoming new Academy members is always a a fun and engaging experience. For the 2024/25 year, the Acaedmy is inaugurating a mentoring process for new members. Each person will be matched with a seasoned volunteer, preferably with someone from one of their workshops.
The Mentor and Mentee will meet before the beginning of classes, smoothing the path toward integration into the Academy. The new member now has someone to answer questions and provide asssistance as needed, with their first year undway.
Contact: Mandy Thompson or Brenda Doyle. Email:,Academylifelonglearning@gmail.com
New Members Are Welcomed to the Academy
by Patti Stoll
The 2024 year of the Academy started on September 3rd at Tartu in G6 with a welcome session for about 20 new members. Thea Herman, President welcomed our new members and provided an overview of the Academy.
The format of the session was a typical workshop. New members used name cards on the table, introduced themselves and took part in presentations on workshops, and discussing Academy priorities, committees, mentor programs, walks, talks, social events, clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
We demonstrated the Tartu technology cart, ‘new’ microphones and BYOD [bring your own device] for workshop discussions. There was an engaging session of questions ranging from technical ones, like how do I use a thumb drive, what about HDMI hookups, and questions about more information on opportunities available to new members.
We concluded with a tour of the facilities including G1, the Hall, the lobby area for lunch ’n’ learn pre Wednesday Academy Forums, and a stop at Masters Cafeteria. A big thank you to Judith, Ginny, Olivia, Sally, John, and Thea for helping our new members learn about and enjoy all the Academy offers to members.
We are indeed a great peer learning organization operated fully by volunteers and an engaging place to be. Many thanks to all new members who attended; you helped make it a fun day.
Did You Know? Fast Facts About the Academy
Join a Club. The Special Interest Groups have changed their name from SIGs to Clubs, to better reflect interests. You are welcome to join book clubs, the gardening club and more. See all opportunities at
Technology Upgrades are here! Workshops at Tartu now have new microphones in each classroom. Also, you can now bring your own computer for sharing content when you lead your discussion, or use a USB stick. The choice is yours.
Masters’ Cafeteria is located on the floor above our classrooms at Tartu College. Grab a coffee or tea for class, or meet friends for lunch before or after your workshop.
Academy Forums
| Welcome to a new year of Academy Forums. Full Forum details are available at |
All events are on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. in the Tartu Auditorium (310 Bloor St. W., enter via Madison Ave. TTC access is from Spadina Station, on Line 2). Bring your lunch to the Tartu Lounge at 12:15 p.m., where the coffee is free!
Wed. October 16, 2024
Is Canadian Democracy Under Threat? Will the US Election Help or Hurt?
Rob Goodman, an American who became an enthusiastic citizen of Canada, is very worried. Democracy seems to be eroding in the United States and this may become a source of threat and instability to our own country.
Political theorist Rob Goodman is assistant professor, department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. Metropolitan University. He was a speechwriter for US House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and for US Senator Chris Dodd.
Wed. October 30, 2024
Presenting the Presenters: A special Academy Forum celebrates the best presenters from last year’s Workshops.
Montaigne: Smells, Thumbs, Friendship and the Cat.
Discover the far-reaching influence of Montaigne humorous and lively essays. Presented by Lynn MacIntosh, formerly of CBC Radio’s Talks and Public Affairs.
The Great Canadian Scammer
How did a Canadian mail-order salesman steal from 1.7 million people by offering fake spirituality, raking in more than $200m from US and Canadiancitizens, then end up penniless in a NewYork jail?
Ivan Lorant joined the Academy in 2018after retiring from his consulting engineering firm. Wed. October 16,
Wed. November 13, 2024
Renaming Places and Toppling Statues. Necessary or Mistaken?
Few issues stir up angry feeling more than changing street names or toppling statues. Recent points of contention were renaming Dundas Square to Sankofa Square and Ryerson University to Toronto Metropolitan University.
Patrice Dutil is Professor of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University. His new book, John A. Macdonald and the Apocalyptic Year of 1885, will be available for sale at the forum.
Wed. November 27, 2024
The Lives of Others—A Biographer’s Journey
In 15 books Rosemary Sullivan has told stories, from biographies of Elizabeth Smart, Margaret Atwood, and Stalin’s daughter, to an account of the Otto Frank family. Now she tells her own story of becoming a biographer, whom she met, and what surprised her most.
Rosemary Sullivan is a poet, biographer, anthologist, activist, world traveler, a professor Emerita, and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012
Help Wanted
Our Academy administration is performed by members who volunteer their time and talent. Helping out gives you an opportunity to contribute, learn, meet new people and keep the Academy running smoothly.
Recruiting talent is a big job, so we’re adding a new approach: Advertising! Keep an eye on this Help Wanted column in the Newsletter, and get in touch with the Volunteer Team, Joan McCordic and Ginny Campbell. Y9u can use the following contact form to send a note.
Volunteer Interest Contact Form
Fall Walks
By John Weatherburn
Humber Bay Shores
Monday, Sept 30, 2024
Start: 1:00 pm
Leader: Donna Oke
Meet: Old Mill TTC Station, then take 1:20 Bus 66 to Lakeshore at Marine Dr.
Snacks or early dinner: Eden Trattoria. 58 Marine Parade Dr.
Salmon Spawning in Humber River
Monday, October 7, 2024
Start: 11:00 am
Leader: Josie Szczasiuk
Meet: Old Mill TTC Station
Lunch: Dark Horse Pub. 2401 Bloor St. W.
Haunted Toronto
Friday, October 18, 2024
Start: 11:00 am
Leader: Cindy Bromley
Meet: Queen’s Park north at equestrian statue of Edward VII; Museum TTC station
Lunch: Duke of York (Prince Arthur & Bedford), 1 pm
Bracondale Hill (Hillcrest Area)
Monday, October 21, 2024
Start: 11:00 am
Leader: Donna Oke
Meet: Wells Hill Park across from Loblaws at St. Clair West TTC station
Lunch: Kos Café & Restaurant. 1070 Bathurst & Dupont around 12:30 pm
Halloween Walk
Monday, October 28, 2024
Start: 3 pm
Leader: Rene Laukat
Meet: Ramsden Park across from Rosedale TTC station
Dinner: 5pm. Stout Irish Pub. 221 Carlton St