June
No. 56
VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Elderhostel: history by song Royce Peterson, assistant history professor, blends entertainment with education in his class "The Westward Movement in Song." The history and folklore class is one of several classes that elderhostel participants are taking during the week-long program offered here on campus.
Vista photo by Daniel Smith
Elderly go back to class S
In this issue. . Hazards of opening doors...page 2 Summer workshops listed...page 3 Dance troupe performs for 10,000...page 4 Rare book donated to library...page 5 Softballers garner honors...page 7 Bronchos face tough schedule...page 8
Ten years ago, Martin P. Knowlton, educational activist and self-styled "social inventor," returned to the U.S. from an extended trip to Europe with a fresh insight and a new enthusiasm. The insight was that older adults were being short-changed by the then prevailing image in this country of older people as enfeebled, useless and dependent. Characteristically, his enthusiasm was to do something to correct the situation. And thus was born the Elderhostel program. Inspired by the youth hostels and folk schools of Europe, Elderhostel is based on the conviction that retirement years represent an opportunity to enjoy new experiences. The success of that idea was celebrated Monday with a "birthday" party marking the tenth year of the program. CSU, which is in its third year of participation in the nationwide program, is hosting Elderhostel week which began Sunday and runs through Saturday. "Elderhostelers live in the dormitories for the week-long event, eat meals at the college cafeteria with other summer students and take classes taught by university professors," said Dr. Margaret Isaac, CSU Elderhostel director. Isaac, an associate professor of psycholgy and gerontology, said the Elderhostel Program is in its third season. Besides classes, there are opportunities for sightseeing, extra-curricular excursions, exercise and visiting. Visiting is a big attraction to the participants. "It's the best way for people our age to associate with each other," said Mary Christian, San Saba, Texas, who also was a participant last year. "I love meeting people with so much in common, and I've developed several extended friendships through these programs."
"The biggest threat to a retired person is boredom," said John Morgan, also a participant last year. John and his wife, Wilma, drove from Borger, Texas to attend. It was one of the ten Elderhostel programs they've attended in the last three years. "Retirement leaves a void, but Elderhostel gives you a chance to be a student again. There's a lot of satisfaction in that." "We get the local history at every university we visit. We like Central State so well, we've been here twice." See related photos on page 4. "Elderhostel just couldn't run wthout Dr. Isaac pulling the whole thing together. It's leadership that makes the program so good here," said Horace Nance from San Saba, Texas. This year's faculty includes CSU teachers and gerontology graduate students. The highlight of the staff, most Elderhostelers insist, is assistant history professor Royce Peterson, who will offer "The Westward Movement in Song." The history and folklore of the American frontier will be traced from east coast to west coast; coal mines to gold mines; cowboy to gunfighter, a journey led by the singing historian. Another CSU class being taught is "Sex, Perversion and Violence in the Days of Homer," a discussion of Greek literature. Humanities instructor Lillian Boland is teaching the class. A third offering is "Changes in Economic Policy Since John F. Kennedy," taught by Dr. Bill Hildred, associate professor of economics. Discussion will cover a broad range of topics, including full employment, inflation, growth, poverty, taxation and reindustrialization.