East Bridgewater   

This course offers a reflective exploration of the joys and challenges of growing older. We begin by examining the societal dismissal and unfair treatment of the aging population—both in our country and in our personal lives. Once these challenges are laid bare, we turn our attention to the need for a kind of spirituality: a deeper understanding of dependence, adaptability, the silencing of our voices, and the experience of living in the shadow of youth.

If society chooses to overlook us despite our wisdom and life experience, do we surrender—or do we resist? Perhaps both. Participants will engage with recent research on aging and be introduced to a range of authors, including the poet Mary Oliver, whose work offers nourishment and insight. While PowerPoint presentations and videos will be part of the experience, the heart of this course lies in shared dialogue. Participants—each a keeper of wisdom—will be invited to contribute their stories and perspectives. This is not a lecture-based course, but a space for meaningful, stimulating discussion.

This introductory Spanish class is designed to help learners build a strong foundation in the language through engaging and practical activities. Students will learn basic vocabulary, simple grammar, and practice mini conversations to develop everyday communication skills. Key topics include greetings and introductions, vocabulary related to food, travel, and family, and essential sentence structures. The course also incorporates cultural insights to deepen understanding of Spanish-speaking countries. Interactive exercises, group discussions, and real-life scenarios will support confidence-building across listening, reading, a bit of writing—and most importantly, speaking!