There comes a moment in the spring and the fall when residents of Medford Leas, a residential community for older adults, begin talking among themselves and their friends in the surrounding community about a certain topic, it’s called “Pathways to Learning.”
Their conversations are exciting and their plans on what to attend keep changing.
The adult education program called “Pathways to Learning” offers a collage of music performances, dramatic presentations, lectures (do you really know how to talk to animals?) Pulitzer Prize winners, calligraphers and historians.
And most of the events are free. Come to Medford Leas and experience the spirited presentations, learn a lot and enjoy some time with your neighbors. The following are some of the events the community finds interesting. But there are many more. Visit www.medfordleas.org for a full listing.
Nature Revisited
Medford Leas has acres of beautiful examples of nature’s best. More than 200 acres of the Medford and Lumberton campuses are officially designated as the Barton Arboretum & Nature Preserve. Residents enjoy the healthy trees and flowers and one of the most extensive plant collections in the regions. They take great joy talking with and helping the resident horticulturist. Members of the surrounding community sign up for tours and enjoy the beauty that permeates their hearts.
That’s why Pathways offers so many nature courses. To learn about the nationally recognized Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve of Medford Leas, there will be a two-hour program on the preserve’s highlights on Oct. 7. No fee.
Then there’s the Right Size Flower Garden on Oct. 13 with Kerry Ann Mendez, author and lecturer. No fee.
The ever popular Gardening Guru Series is a three-part series: Bulb Forcing for Beginners and the Seriously Smitten on Oct. 14; The Joy of Houseplants Year Round on Oct. 21 and Daffodil Planting Workshop on Oct. 28. No fee.
Plant Swap” A Time to Refresh your Garden You are invited to register and bring your favorite plants, and in return, you will leave the swap with plants for your garden. Perennials, small shrubs and houseplants are welcome in this swap. Plants should be in containers and labeled with their name and type of conditions for the plant to thrive either in shade or sun. Sept. 29 at the Lumberton Campus. No fee.
Music, Arts and Personal Skills
Walk with the Docs Workshop. Learn about the benefits of walking with the the Medford Leas physicians. Physical activity doesn’t have to be complicated. Just a simple brisk walk can help you lead a healthier life. Some of the benefits: Maintain a healthy weight, prevent heart attacks and high blood pressure, strengthen your bones, lift your mood and improve your balance and coordination. Sept. 24. No fee
Learn about Mindfulness Meditation with Self-Compassion as the foundation of a healing attitude towards ourselves and being aware of our experience in the present moment without judgment in the midst of struggling with difficult emotions, health conditions and relationship issues. Nov. 4. No fee.
“My Life as Storyteller By Michael Vitez of the Philadelphia Inquirer, a journalist and winner of the 1997 Pulitzer Prize. A story-teller his whole life, he will talk about the role and importance of stories in our lives and in our culture. Dec. 5. No fee.
Talk to the Animals about how vets use their five senses to talk to the animals and how they believe in an integrative approach to veterinary medicine. Focus on keeping your pet well and preventing disease. And learn how to talk to your pets. Nov. 11. No fee.
Calligraphy workshop. Take up your pen, slow down and letter in a gentler time and pace. In this four-session workshop, people learn the design and execution of lettering with an instrument. The workshop is for beginners. Oct. 2, 9,16, and 23. Fee $15.
Leas MusiCast. Come to the Medford Campus Theater for wonderful performances by top musicians from around the world, spanning a number of genres including symphony orchestras, opera and more. Medford’s theater has a state of the art projection screen and surround sound system. Sept. 12, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 19. Suggested donation $5 payable at the door.
History of Inventing in New Jersey: From Thomas Edison to the Ice Cream Cone M&Ms, bubble wrap, the boardwalk, the Band Aid and even professional baseball all began in New Jersey. And don’t forget about the vacuum cleaner, plastic and air conditioning. Come and find out all of the inventions that New Jersey can be proud of and a few that are really silly. Nov. 28.
