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News From CALL November 2025
| Announcements | November Events | Interest Groups | Blog |
Pencil sketch by Brenda Pfleger, facilitator of the Sketch Club Interest Group
President’s Message
- Judy Hoad
The Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners has contributed to my personal community engagement and greatly expanded my knowledge since 2016. This collaborative, member-operated society is vibrant and growing and I am excited to see what the next year brings.
My involvement on the Board of CALL has been a deliberate choice. Most of us know that key pillars of aging well are physical activity, social engagement and mental stimulation – plus a healthy diet. These pillars are important because they contribute to a healthy and fulfilling life as we age. Research also points to “sense of purpose” as a key element to improved well-being and social connection. Sometimes finding that “sense of purpose” is a challenge in retirement.
For me, community contribution has guided my volunteer commitments through various stages of my life. Although where and how I volunteer has evolved, every opportunity gave me a warm feeling that I was supporting a community – a “sense of purpose”.
I come to my current volunteer role as President with a goal of engaging members and non-members in dialogue so CALL better supports lifelong learning, better supports members as they share their skills and expertise, and better supports social engagement.
The CALL community is unique, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute while on my own path to personal growth, social connection and improved well-being.
Stay well everyone. If you’d like to contact me, I’m available at info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
Volunteer Opportunity – Activities and Brain Games
Are you interested in Activities and/or Brain Games? The Activities and Brain Games program is seeking an additional coordinator to assist in running this area. There are 3 Activities groups and 8 Brain Games groups in the program. Look at Interest Groups and Programs for details.
The coordinator time commitment is approximately 2 hours per month to attend meetings and check email. The existing coordinator will provide training and support.
If you are interested in this opportunity, email info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
November Events
Science and Environment
New Product Development in the Food Industry
Tuesday, November 4, 7:30–9:00 pm
Online, via Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Wendy Wismer
New food products are introduced to the marketplace constantly. While most food innovations fail, product development continues, driven by potential revenue and both technology development and consumer changing food preferences. This presentation will review the traditional food product development process, as well as rapid newer development techniques such as co-creation.
Dr. Wendy Wismer is an Associate Professor in the department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Alberta. She has experience and expertise in Sensory and Consumer Science, a Food Science discipline in which the five senses are used to evaluate food and other consumer products. Current research projects focus primarily on food product taste acceptance and factors that influence product perceptions, including 3D printed foods, upcycled meat products, insect-based foods and plant-based beverages.
Registration required. You must be a CALL member to register. For more information and to register go to the Science and Environment page.
Health and Wellness
Five Steps to a Better Memory
Monday, November 10, 1:30–3:30pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Acres Drive NW
Speaker: Dr. Linda Andersen
Ever felt frustrated by forgetfulness?
You’re not alone, and no, it’s not just because you’re getting older. Memory challenges aren’t something you just have to accept with age. In fact, there’s a lot you can do to keep your mind strong, focused, and working for you.
Welcome to “Five Steps to a Better Memory”
This fun, interactive workshop is designed specifically for older adults who want to take an active role in keeping their memory sharp.
You’ll learn simple but powerful techniques to strengthen recall, improve focus, and boost everyday confidence. More importantly, you won’t just learn them – you’ll practice them – so they become second nature. Whether you’re looking to stay mentally sharp, build self-esteem, or simply feel more in control, this workshop will give you tools to feel capable, energized, and empowered in your daily life.
Forget the myth that memory loss is inevitable. Let’s build habits that support a strong, active mind – at any age!
Dr Linda Andersen is a Neuroscientist with over 30 years of research and clinical experience. She conducted research at the Seaman Family MR Research Centre and managed clinical trials with the Stroke Clinical Trials Group at the Foothills Hospital. She developed Brain Vitality to provide teaching on maintaining a healthy brain.
Registration is not required. Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5 at the door).
CALL Café
Bob Wade: Fighter Pilot!
Monday, November 17, 1:00–3:00pm Presentation at 1 with coffee to follow
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Bob Wade
Photo courtesy of Bob Wade
In honour of Canada’s armed forces, Bob Wade will talk about his years in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
During his career, Bob skimmed over German forests, swooped with the Snowbirds, demonstrated how to fly a CF-18, and won awards for his instruction of student pilots.
Bob’s stories of his adventurous life are both entertaining and amazing.
Members are asked to register for planning purposes. When you do, you may add up to four guests. Members of the public are welcome to attend at no cost.
Treks and Travels
El Camino de Santiago/The Way of St. James
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30–9:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Acres Drive NW
Speakers: Deb and Keith Dobson
Deb and Keith Dobson at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Join Deb and Keith Dobson as they discuss their journey of 274 kilometers along the Coastal Camino de Santiago, from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Camino is one of the iconic walking trips in the world, and one of the three great pilgrimages in Christendom, with many routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
In this presentation you will learn about the history of the Camino, and why it draws so many pilgrims even today. You will see pictures of the coastal route through Portugal and Spain and hear discussion of some of the issues you should consider if you are planning your own pilgrimage.
Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5 at the door). Registration is not required.
Special Program
Planning for End of Life: Stay in Charge
Thursday, November 20, 1:30–3:00pm
Haysboro Community Association, 1204 89 Ave. SW
Speaker: Kerrie Hale
As we age, life’s circumstances invite and push us to accept our mortality. Many of us worry about losing control at the end of life, but there are things we can do that will help us stay in charge. This 45-minute presentation discusses your rights and options at the end of life, including Medical Assistance in Dying. Being informed will give you greater control over your health care and will help you to communicate your preferences to your physician and family.
Talking about death won’t kill you; in fact, it just might extend the quality of your living.
Kerrie became involved in the Calgary Chapter of Dying With Dignity Canada shortly after its inception in 2012. She watched her father disappear gradually over a 10-year period due to Alzheimer’s and is passionately committed to improving access to Medical Assistance in Dying for those people, like her father, who wanted MAID but couldn’t access it.
Registration is open to members and guests (2 max) - $5 payable at the door for guests.
Interest Groups and Study Programs
New Program: Judaism, Then and Now
Wednesdays, starting January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 10:00am–12:00pm
Various Calgary Synagogues, details provided upon registration
Judaism is one of the world's first monotheistic religions, and the foundation of Christianity, and yet most of us know very little about it. This program is designed as a primer on the religion, from its early era to the modern day. Even better, you get to visit various Calgary synagogues and hear from the experts: rabbis from each of four Jewish denominations.
Over the eight sessions, topics will include the fundamental tenets of the religion, the development of the different Jewish denominations we see today, the main Jewish holy days, and the history of the Jewish community in Alberta. The format will be a presentation followed by Q&A and discussion. The presenters will include clergy from each of the Orthodox, Hassidic, Reform, and Conservative Jewish communities in Calgary. A well-known local historian will also present a session about the Jewish community in southern Alberta.
CALL members must register, and should do so now, as space is limited.
New: Half-day seminar
Alberta's Orphan Wells Crisis
Friday December 5, 9:30am–12:30pm
Room 310, cSPACE Marda Loop
This half-day seminar will help you understand the issues surrounding the thousands of “orphan”, abandoned and inactive oil wells in Alberta. While Alberta requires polluters to pay cleanup costs once operations cease, regulations have not been enforced and this has allowed operators to pass costs on to the public and to future generations. This has also put the environment and human health at risk.
Three panelists will outline the issues and there will be time for comments and discussion.
Panelists:
- Dr. David Swann, Former MLA; Former Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health; and is a member, of the Coalition for Responsible Energy - C4RE
- Phillip Meintzer is a campaign organizer with C4RE, a non-partisan coalition of landowners, scientists, doctors, academics, and a number of Indigenous, environmental, health, and civil society organizations.
- Mark Dorin is a landowner and longtime oil and gas operator who has been immersed in the legal and economic issues of oil and gas liabilities for three decades, acting for many landowners across Alberta.
Registration is limited to 40. A waitlist will be created if the group is full.
Register for this seminar on the Alberta's Orphan Wells Crisis page.
CALL Volunteers’ Corner – where we thank a particular volunteer!
She Had More to Offer than She Realized!
- Gerri Lasiuk, recently recruited volunteer writing about CALL’s volunteers
When I asked Shaun Hunter and Stacy Kaufeld, the facilitators of Calgary’s First Century Interest Group, to suggest a CALL volunteer I might interview about their experience as a CALL volunteer, the words weren’t out of my mouth before Shaun replied, “Lorna Six”.
Although Lorna has been a CALL member for most of a decade, she only started volunteering a year ago. Like many of us, Lorna joined CALL to feed her love of learning and she remains a member because of the variety, quality, and richness of the programs. She especially appreciates the peer-learning format and opportunities for in- depth learning from subject matter experts.
So what held Lorna back from signing on as a CALL volunteer earlier? After all, she is a long-time volunteer with YMCA, her professional organization, and her community association, so the concept wasn’t new to her. However, Lorna doesn’t like public speaking and couldn’t envision herself facilitating a group. “I just didn’t think I had anything to offer,” she explained. Despite her hesitation, Lorna wanted to find some way to work behind the scenes to support the facilitators.
As it turns out, Lorna has excellent organizational skills that are put to good use in her role as administrative support to the Calgary’s 1 st Century Interest Group and the CALL Liaison for the Zentangles Group. She works on her own schedule to maintain the group roster, manage email communications, answer questions from prospective members, book rooms, register new members, etc. The time commitment is heavier (approximately 8 – 10 hours spread over a week) before a new session begins and then “sporadic” throughout the remainder of the term.
While Lorna downplays the importance of her volunteer activities, the co-facilitators of Calgary’s First Century Interest Group tell a much different story. According to Shaun Hunter, “the group relies on Lorna’s calm, considered navigation of the CALL registration terrain. As co-facilitator, I am grateful for her skilful work and her gentle, steady presence.” Stacy Kaufeld echoes these sentiments. “Lorna is truly the backbone of our CALL group. Her dedication and behind-the-scenes coordination—from managing registrations to ensuring seamless communication—have been instrumental to our success. Her commitment does not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for everything she does.”
When I asked how Lorna learned her roles, she spoke at length about the mentorship and support she received from facilitators and CALL Coordinators. The CALL website, especially the resource tab, is also a good source of information. When she encounters something new, Lorna knows that help is never far away.
Lorna’s advice to CALL members who are considering volunteering:
“Many hands make light work’ - ask around to see what is needed and take on one small piece.
Fit is also important. If you try something that isn’t a good fit, try something else!
Volunteering is personally very gratifying and it helps the organization grow!”
CALL Blog
Curiosity - The Spark of Healthy Aging
- Maureen Osis, CALL Communications Team
Curiosity: a strong desire to know or learn about something, often leading to exploration or inquiry. It is the key driver to human development and learning.
In last month’s blog post Gail Kingwell described CALL as a “Community of Curious Minds”. Curiosity can be good for you. The landmark MacArthur Foundation Study of Successful Aging highlighted curiosity and continued learning as key psychological factors in maintaining vitality in older age. However, for some, the curiosity so prevalent in childhood wanes. Val Carter, guest author, explores how curiosity can be renewed and contribute to healthy aging.
The CALL Blog is public so please share with your family and friends. https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Blog
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If you have any questions or a topic that you would like to explore in our Blog, please contact us: info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
The CALL Newsletter
- Newsletter Team
Did you know that we appreciate receiving articles from our members? We are happy to publish articles that celebrate CALL. Your personal experience about how you have benefited would be a valuable contribution to this newsletter. Please send your ideas and suggestions for future issues to info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.
CALL Newsletter postings 2025-26
- Nov 28
- Dec 19
- Jan 30
- Feb 27
- Mar 27
- Apr 24
- May 29
- June 26
- Aug 21
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.