Special Events   

This wine tasting will break wine down into its main chemical components: sugar, acid, tannin and alcohol. This breakdown allows you to see how each component impacts the wines' flavor and character. After our chemical component tasting, we will transition to tasting some Old and New World classics with our newfound knowledge of these chemical components. When you register for this class, a $15 fee will be added to your shopping cart to cover the cost of wine. 

 

 

Step back in time and immerse yourself in Southern elegance with an enchanting tour of Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens. This perfectly curated summer experience combines history, architecture, and natural beauty in one of Spartanburg's most treasured historic properties. You'll see lush gardens where you'll discover seasonal blooms and century-old plantings that tell the story of the estate, followed by a tour of unique outbuildings including the original ice house, historic tool shed/jail, and charming greenhouse. Next, visit the stately 1913 colonial homestead. Complete your experience with a leisurly Q&A session on the veranda, where you'll savor light refreshments including handcrafted tea sandwiches, artisanal charcuterie, and refreshing beverages--the perfect conclusion to a delightful summer afternoon of history and hospitality. Students will provide their own transportation to the Inn located at 1050 Willis Road, Spartanburg. 

 

See your pennies at work! Join us as we enjoy coffee and doughnuts in the City's new Police Department which was built with funds from the 2017 penny sales tax. The $13.1 milllion facility is two stories and 42,158-square-feet. Not only will you get to enjoy a morning snack, you'll also have a chance to meet officers and staff who keep our city safe. We will get a tour of the new facility and see behind the scenes how our police department has grown into their new space as the population of our city (and the surrounding area) has grown. 

 

Celebrate with instructors, members, new friends and old ones as we gather together to look back at a great year of learning, fun and friendships. We will sit down to a delightful summer lunch accompanied by white or rosé wine, tea and water. During lunch you will be entertained with an Instructor Showcase and a State of LLL report from our Director Lucy Woodhouse and Advisory Council Chair, Dick Crenshaw.  Instructor John Akers will perform on his guitar and celebrate the poetry of Carl Sandburg; Omanii Abdullah and Bill Pell will share their original poetry and short story, respectively; Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz will entertain us with an original song about LLL and Simon Cairns will close out lunch with a demonstration of Qigong movements. It promises to be a fun and enjoyable lunch together in community as we celebrate that learning is lifelong. 

 

Learn about growing lavender in the Upstate! You will tour the lavender fields, with commentary on the various growing methods used for the different types of lavender. You'll learn the proper way to cut lavender and have the opportunity to pick bundles of lavender to take home. Afterwards, feel free to visit the onsite store that offers a wide range of lavender culinary, home and body products. Students will provide their own transportation to this event located at 141 N. Campbell Road, Landrum, SC.

 

Walt Disney World calls itself the place "Where Dreams Come True," but more than a half century after its opening, does the resort still maintain its charms? Drawing from her book Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism, Dr. Revels will present a brief history of the Disney parks in Florida and offer tips to help you decide if a visit with Mickey Mouse makes sense for you and your family.

 

This will be a 45-minute presentation about the Saluda Grade (which was the steepest mainline railway grade in the U.S.) for both passenger and freight service. The talk summarizes the history of the grade, procedural changes it generated in the railroad industry, and the eventual termination of service. Service started on the Grade in 1878 and continued until 2001. However, talk of a rail line from Charleston, SC to the Ohio River began in 1830, with many interesting twists and interstate negotiations. Bring you questions for discussion.

 

Gather alongside fellow Lifelong Learners for 50 minutes to share life stories based on prompts such as "Recall your favorite place in all the world," "What was your favorite subject in school?" or "What television programs did you watch as a child?" Each participant will choose one of three questions to answer in three minutes. We will listen and learn about each others' lives, after which all are encouraged to LINGER LONGER over a cup of tea or coffee and chat using our newfound connections and appreciation for each other's interests and experiences.

 

Benjamin E Mays Family Center's Director Jerry Rice will share the vision and mission of the Center where all are engaged and empowered to lead self-sufficient lives, and where all children are healthy and ready to learn. Their mission is to provide resources and learning for Pacolet and surrounding communities so that all may reach their full potential in education, vocation, economic mobility, and health. He will share the four areas of focus that help them accomplish their mission: economic mobility, education, health & wellness, and family & parenting supports.

Join Dr. Ashley Garrett, PhD, LPCS, RPTS for Connecting in the Golden Years: Combating Loneliness and Embracing Community, an inspiring talk on addressing the growing issue of loneliness in today’s world. Dr. Garrett will share research-backed insights and practical strategies to help you build meaningful connections, enhance emotional well-being, and protect the joy that enriches life. Learn how to overcome isolation, nurture relationships, and create a fulfilling, connected life in your golden years. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable tools for thriving in a supportive and joyful community.

Our daily decisions about the foods we consume affect our overall health. Almost every illness can be tied back to our eating and exercise habits. Given all of the foods on the market today, it can be a challenge to know what the best choices are. This presentation will review general diet guidelines, hydration, grocery store tips and label reading, as well as the role exercise plays in our well being.

 

Ole Station Roastery is a historic gem. This 1940s station that once served as the heartbeat of the Reidville community is a place where neighbors converged to kickstart or wind down their days so it holds a special significance for the community. You will see how they roast green coffee beans and make the different roasts, followed by a tasting of all roasts to show how coffee is graded. Come, savor a cup of excellence in the company of kindred spirits! Afterwards, feel free to check out the gift shop or coffee shop and enjoy a muffin or scone. The roastery is located in Sweet Tea Station: 7325 Reidville Rd. Woodruff, SC 29388. You will be responsible for providing your own transportation to this event. 

 

When we hear the words 'Plain Jane,' we think of a dull, drab, uninteresting girl ... someone like Jane Eyre, for instance. There's also Jane Banks, a girl "rather inclined to giggle" according to Mary Poppins. And Jayne Mansfield, a 1955 'Playmate of the Month' - definitely not drab. We'll be looking at the lives of 30 historical figures named Jane, from movie maidens to sitcom stars and from singing sensations to literary ladies, all of whom were anything but dull, drab or uninteresting. Curious? Then please join us to learn more.

 

We'll explore and discuss the life and legacy of Shoeless Joe Jackson, his ties to Upstate SC, his baseball career, and his involvement in the infamous 1919 Black Sox Scandal. We'll dig into the scandal and discuss why it occurred, how it was done, the many characters involved, its aftermath and repercussions, and some common misconceptions.  

 

Welcome to the Spartanburg County Courthouse, a modern facility designed to uphold justice efficiently. The tour highlights key areas, including the following. Key Features Special Courtroom: the largest in the courthouse, designed for high-profile cases with state-of-the-art technology and ample seating. Jury Deliberation Room: a private, secure space for jurors to review evidence and reach a verdict. Detention Room: a secure area for in-custody defendants, ensuring courtroom safety and order. Jury Assembly Room: a comfortable space where jurors check in and await courtroom assignments. Supreme Court-Ready Courtroom: the only non-Supreme Court building courtroom in South Carolina with a bench accommodating all five Justices. 

 

What better way to spend a nice (or possibly stormy) summer morning learning more about the weather with Sydney Sullivan, meteorologist on WYFF News 4 Today? Sydney will discuss where her passion for weather began, where it has led her, a bit about the business, and what meterologists do on a daily basis. She will also discuss in more depth significant weather events, such as Hurricane Helene.

 

Interested in travel but don't know where to go or what sites to see? Anxious about traveling alone? Lifelong Learning at Wofford has partnered with several companies to take all the guess work out for your travel plans. We've chosen companies that offer trips NEAR and FAR! Come to this fun session and hear from our travel partners that include Premier World Discovery who only works with groups like ours. Come learn about once-in-a-lifetime trips scheduled in 2026 to Ireland, the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park, and Spain/Portugal. Closer to home, we have joined with a local travel company Explore Up Close with Chumley Cope for two great adventures in the Southeast that promise to unveil the beauty and history of places you may have never noticed! And even closer, we have partnered with Jocassee Lake Tours for tailored excursions exploring Lake Jocassee through the eyes of naturalists, outdoorsmen and master gardeners. Trip costs range from $4500 to $65 per person, so there really is no excuse to stay home.

All of our presenters will be available to answer any questions about the trips, travel arrangements, payment options, etc., and will motivate your inner travel bug to start packing! 

 

The Ultimate Driving Museum curates a different exhibit each year featuring BMWs. Join us for a guided tour of the newest exhibit celebrating the 60 years of ALPINA Automobiles. In this exhibit, you will see past, present and future examples of these elite vehicles portrayed by race cars, vintage cars and new cars. You will learn the story of how the brand started with an upgraded carburetor and grew into a unique brand utilizing BMW chassis, some of which are being produced at the BMW factory here in South Carolina. This exhibit showcases cars from private owners, as well as BMW and ALPINA. Come find out what our hidden gem of a museum has to offer!

 

Let's meet at HALTER: Healing And Learning Through Equine Relationships, for Wine and Cheese this summer! HALTER's mission is to improve the lives of children with challenges through equine assisted services, education and research. We'll learn about some of the Halter's therapies and see some of their beautiful horses while enjoying our wine, cheese, and friendships. Don't miss out! Rain or shine. HALTER is located at 1400 Carolina Country Club Road and parking is easy. Students will provide their own transportation to this event.