“That Love is all there is, is all we know of Love” wrote the famous poet Emily Dickinson. And while we may not be able to define Love exactly, this course will explore various love relationships: romantic love, erotic love, married love, family love, unrequited love---and others. We will discuss these relationships through short stories by famous Canadian, British, and American authors.  Suggested texts include:

·       “The Kimono” (H.E. Bates): “It all started with a piece of clothing!”

·       “A Rose for Emily” (William Faulkner): “A strange ending to an affair…”

·       “Mabel” (Somerset Maugham):” She didn’t give up!”

·       “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” (Raymond Carver): “What is the nature of real love?”

·       “How I Met My Husband” (Alice Munro): “The desire for fulfillment…”

·       “The Legacy” (Virginia Woolf): “Secrets in a marriage…”

·       “Telephone Call” (Dorothy Parker): “Waiting, waiting for the phone to ring…”

·       “A Painful Case” (James Joyce): “He just couldn’t commit…”

·       “Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat” (Roald Dahl):”Her husband had other plans….”

·       “The Colonel’s Lady” ( Somerset Maugham): “Why did she have that affair with a younger man?......”

The stories average 3-8 pages in length and we will usually discuss one selection per week including the background of the text, information about the author, and your impressions of the story. In order to benefit most from our meetings, participants are encouraged to read the weekly story in advance.

https://mmccl.blogspot.com/2016/02/mabel-1924.html   "Mabel"

https://blocs.xtec.cat/gmacian/files/2008/09/the-colonel.pdf   "The Colonel's Lady

From igloos and sod settlements to Habitat 67, architecture in Canada has many fascinating aspects.  This lecture series will look at unique structures and some that were not unique but created with a Canadian vision.  We will explore the very first buildings ever made in this country through to the Canadian influence on some very traditional styles.  We will also meet some of the architects who made their marks here, like Mies van der Rohe and others who call Canada home, like Frank Gehry.

Their manager boasted that they would be bigger than Elvis, but even he can’t possibly have dreamed that they would become as big as they did. From their childhoods in Liverpool, through their apprenticeship in Hamburg, to the demise of the group in London 30 years later, this course looks at every aspect of the greatest band ever, The Beatles, onstage, in the recording studio, and in their personal lives. Oh, and lets not forget their amazing music!

Come On!  Let’s get together and play some of these fun games, many of which we played as kids or played with our kids or grandkids.  We’ll have a selection available - e.g. Scrabble,  Scattegories, Yahtzee, Boggle, Clue or you can bring your own games.  Sign up with a friend or two and meet others who are out to have a good time!

If you are curious, please register, even if you are not able to attend every week. We would relish your presence and input.

Play bridge like a pro.  This is for all level players, including beginners. If you are learning bridge or want to practice or refresh your skills, you can enjoy the game in an informal social environment.  You either win, or you learn or you enjoy yourself, or all three!  We will compare results to see how different players bid and played each board.  Playing bridge is a life-long learning pleasure. 

We will discuss weekly individual meal plans for those of you who live alone or with one companion. Lessons will include a list of all ingredients for you to obtain before each class, along with detailed instructions on its preparation. Healthy & economical meals will include a variety of meats, chicken, fish & vegetarian options. It will be possible to cook along with me via Zoom, or by yourself at another time. 

This is a writing workshop with a lot of input. From interactive exercises and group discussions, to sharing your own work, this 6-week course will focus on character development, dialogue, memoir, structure, genres of writing and more. Participants will share their own writing and offer helpful hints on how to improve other writer’s work, always in a warm and inclusive setting. It doesn’t matter your level of writing when you begin; everyone has a story to tell and we can’t wait to hear yours.  Maximum 12 participants                                                                                                 

Hands and feet are often thought of as difficult subjects to draw. However, this somewhat daunting task is made easier when given step-by-step guidelines and formulas. Result: successful drawings. We will view famous hands and feet by Michelangelo , da Vinci, Albrecht Durer, and other worthy artists. We will draw our own hands and feet as well as others, from photos. Join us in this really not so difficult endeavour.

This is an in-person class that will explore many different elements of the theatre and invite participants to engage with each other and participate through discussion and “hands-on” activities. Such as improv. Storytelling and Reader’s theatre. Speakers from local theatre companies will be invited to share their knowledge and experience and at least 2 field trips are planned to matinee performances with talk-back sessions afterwards:

This session we go behind the scenes with the Producers and Researchers of the popular PBS series Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. Dr Gates entertains us with fascinating stories of his celebrity guests’ ancestors. See the techniques used to put together their show and learn how you can make your stories sound just as fascinating. 

He Died of What?! What is or was Bright’s disease? We look at Medical Genealogy and explore ailments your ancestors lived with, or died from, and how these conditions may be relevant to you.

I see Dead People. Obituaries and Death Notices, A look through the ages. How are they different? What can they tell you? A lot more than you think. 

Cloud vs. Desktop: Should I spend money on genealogy software or a subscription website? Should I spend money on both? Neither? 

Library and Archives Canada: Our Nation’s Gatekeeper to the Past. A break down of what's on offer at LAC, all for free! It is after all your library.

The Floor is Yours You pick the topic! Before the 2nd lecture each student must provide a topic or question they would like answered or explained in depth. It will be covered in lecture Six.

This promises to be an interesting series to close off the year. You do not have to be an experienced Genealogist to join us. If you have ever thought about telling your story or have an interest in family history, join us. I have been an avid Genealogist/Family Historian for over 40 years. I like to say, “Everyone has a story, and Everybody’s story is fascinating”.  Let me help you tell yours!

A workshop series for all devices (Android, Apple, Windows). Each workshop a different topic is presented, followed by a moderated discussion. Exact topics and discussion will be based on participant questions and concerns, and may include safely browsing the Internet and exploring device and account settings. Presented by the Atwater Library Connect Project with funding from the Grace Dart Foundation. 

Each of the following six lectures deals with various aspects of WWII. They include topics such as espionage in Britain and Canada, the British-American leadership in the war, the path to the atomic bomb, and the holocaust in Hungary and as well as ethnic cleansing at the end of the war.

The Spymistress (Vera Atkins); Camp X in Ontario; Churchill and Roosevelt; The Atomic Bomb; Eichmann and Wallenberg; Population Transfers 1945.

This course will explore the fascinating world of virtuosos, both current and past.   A look at some of the world’s most talented pianists, violinists, cellists will include some of their biographical information, performance styles and special qualities as musicians.  Virtuosos on instruments such as the clarinet, oboe, trumpet, will also be included.  In addition to reviewing some of the performers, we will also look at the challenging music that highlights their talent.  A few of the performers we will listen to include Lang Lang, Yehudi Menuhin, Pablo Casals, Yo-Yo Ma, Yuja Wang, Daniel Barenboim, Martha Argerich, and many more.

Hatha Yoga (mixed-level): A well-rounded experience, consisting of yoga postures (asanas) with some modifications and options, fluid movements, breathing exercises, as well as guided relaxation to help physical and mental wellness. A yoga mat is required. Some yoga experience is helpful, but not necessary. If you've had serious injuries and/or surgeries, please let the instructor know beforehand.