Advertisement A nonprofit affiliate of Elderhostel, LIR is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s continuing education and extension office. Its motto is: “Use It or Lose It.”
Classes, travel talks and field trips are just a few ways LIR helps members lead happy, useful lives year-round.
Recently I huddled with Bill and Mary Graumann at their French Island kitchen table for a chat about the program. Mary and Bill are UW-L retirees, she in 2000 as a secretary, and he a year later after 30 years with the business office. They joined LIR five years ago.
Since becoming retirees, “We’ve met many new friends, including several once affiliated with Western Technical College, city hall and Viterbo University. Without Learning in Retirement, this most likely wouldn’t have happened,” said Bill.
Mary added: “We’ve picked up an appreciation of so many things, such as the theater, hunting, fishing, our community. For example, we were never theater-goers until we participated in a Learning in Retirement class presented by Morrie Enders (former artistic-managing director for the La Crosse Community Theatre). Now we’re season ticket-holders.”
Classes are two hours long, and a topic can be covered in anywhere from three to five sessions. Bill noted the irony of hearing a retired UW-L history teacher, Bill Pemberton of Galesville, Wis., give behind-the-scenes information about U.S. presidents ranging from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the current President Bush. “We (and Pemberton) worked at the same place, but it took retirement to bring us together.“
Mary described trips to explore communities. “We have explored our area and beyond, and have come to know so much more. As we visit a community, we always find someone very proud of the place they call home and they are so happy to provide very interesting tours.” She listed La Crescent and Harmony in Minnesota, Bangor, Sparta, Trempealeau, Westby, Galesville and Black River Falls in Wisconsin, and Lansing, Iowa, among many cherished, unforgettable stops.
To name a few, day trips have taken the Graumanns and other LIR members to nearby Fort McCoy and Norskedalen, and to the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, both in Minnesota; the River Museum in Dubuque and to Music Man Meredith Willson’s hometown, Mason City, both in Iowa; and Fanny Hill in Eau Claire, Wis.
Of course, those who journey to far-off destinations are always willing to share their experiences with travel talks. One such presentation was “A Walking Tour of Ireland” given by La Crosse’s Jim Gallagher.
Bill and Mary would be delighted if you’d join LIR. There are some interesting times ahead. And as members of the curriculum committee, they should know.
“What’s not to love about Learning in Retirement?” asks member Sally Olson. “This is the perfect organization for lifetime learning.”
Sally adds: “Our members come from varied backgrounds and it is so great to share stories. Classes get you out of the house and among people, so the social aspect is great, too.”
She advises: “From our quarterly newsletters, members can pick and choose what classes or trips they would like to attend. A large variety is available.” And if you yearn for far-off adventures, educational and entertaining trips could take you to Cuba, Vietnam or Ireland. “One is planned to India for this fall,” Sally says.
If you have questions, need further information or want to attend a complimentary class session, contact Jan Olson at the UW-L continuing education/extension office. Her number is (608) 785-6506; or send an e-mail to continuinged@uwlax.edu.
Larry Olson can be reached at lolson6311@charter.net or at olson.larry@lacrossetribune.com, or by mail addressed to the La Crosse Tribune, 401 N. Third St., La Crosse, WI 54601.
