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EH Notebook #101 March 26, 2002
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Welcome to EH Notebook, the e-zine where e-friends who
have attended Elderhostel programs can compare notes.
EH Notebook does not maintain a web site at this time.
There is an independent index to old issues at
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To subscribe to the e-mail publication and/or to submit
reviews of programs taken send an e-mail to the editor,
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Please keep all correspondence in simple e-mail text
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>From the Editor's Notebook
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This is my first full sized issue of the Notebook.
I am a greenhorn learning the ropes. Number 100 was
mailed in Rich Text format which caused some people to
see an HTML shadow file following the normal text.
Other people complained that the font size was too small.
This issue is being mailed in Plain Text mode, the same
as the Jim Olson sent it. The font size is then
determined by the settings of the recipients mail
program.
I have received over ninety letters expressing their
appreciation for the Notebook. I see this as a real
tribute to Jim Olson. Without his long years of
dedicated work there would be no Notebook.
Bob McAllester
EHnotebook@earthlink.net
Note: If you have received this issue, you are on the
subscription list and don't need to apply.
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Comments and Queries
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Janet Pina janetpina@adelphia.net
Seeking comments from any EHers who have ever taken
courses at the University of Judaism in BelAir, CA. For
example, comments on food, housing, free time activities.
I am not Jewish but many classes by description seem to
be of general historical interest. Any feedback would
be appreciated. Thank you, Janet P., Vista, CA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DorryToo@aol.com
I appreciate hearing from the different folks. I am
going to the Canadian Rockies starting at Calgary. Can
anyone give me tips on what to see in addition to the
trip. Thanks Dorry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Muriel Klarman mklarm1@gl.umbc.edu
Has anyone been on the Elderhostel at Gloucester in Mass?
Can you describe it for me and evaluate. mklarm1@umbc.edu
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Program Reviews
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College of William Mary/Charlottesville, VA:
Panama Between the Seas
Costa Rica/Panama
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, VA
Eckerd College, Program on Foreign Service, FL
Center for Studies of the Future, CA
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade
Northern Kentucky University/Cincinnati, OH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jim Fleming JimFleming1@compuserve.com
College of William Mary/Charlottesville, VA:
World of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe; 7/15-20, 2001
This Elderhostel offered in-depth insights into their
world. Featured were guided tours to all 3 homes near
Charlottesville: Jefferson (Monticello); Madison
(Montpelier); and Monroe (Ashlawn/Highland). Also
included were guided tours of Univ of VA's Rotunda and
lawn areas (designed/founded by Jefferson), lunch and
walk/shop in historic Charlottesville, lunch at historic
Michie Tavern, and a bus tour 100 miles eastward to
historic Fredericksburg where Monroe had a thriving law
practice.
Accommodations, 8 supporting lectures, and one of the two
performances were at English Inn of Charlottesville, just
inside city's highway 250 bypass. It's not near downtown,
but it is on a city bus route and only a 3-block walk
from a major shopping mall. Still, a car might be helpful
to those planning to see more of the historic
Charlottesville area on their own.
The lectures by Univ of VA faculty (or better) discussed
various aspects of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe's Virginia:
decorative arts; politics; architecture; religion;
roads/transportation; mini-bio's of the 3 Virginians;
their interrelationships; and a bio of their contemporary
lawyer/friend, William Wirt. The performance there was
about the music of their times, given by a
harpist/folkmusic teacher.
The other performance was a sometimes addition to VIP
groups touring Monroe's home, wherein an impersonator of
Monroe walked out to join our post-tour wine-and-eats
party on his lawn, fielding our questions about his life
in early-1800s Virginia.
Breakfasts were buffets provided by English Inn. Lunches
and dinners were catered by "Hardware Store," one being
at their famous downtown restaurant and the others at
English Inn.
It was a busy week. But its events ran smoothly, thanks
mainly to coordinating efforts by the Elderhostel host
sent up from William Mary's Williamsburg main campus.
Elderhostelers seeking insights into "The World of
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe" will find this program
their cup of tea. It was for me; and fun, thanks to
camaraderie with new friends made there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Doug DeLong
Panama Between the Seas
Adventures Afloat
My wife and I, along with 91 others, participated in the
Panama Between the Seas program in mid-January. This
program includes time spent in Panama City, cruising and
visiting sites both in the Pacific and Caribbean, plus a
transit of the Panama Canal. This was our fourth
Elderhostel program in central or South America, all
coordinated by Holbrook Travel of Gainesville, Florida.
Overall this was a satisfactory program. Unlike other
Holbrook- coordinated programs, though, there were
several areas of concern that others considering this
trip might take into account.
First was the hotel in Panama City. Following the usual
routine, we stayed in the hotel at the beginning and end
of the trip. The hotel used, the Caesar Park, is
luxurious, with service and furnishings of the highest
level. Unlike other hotels used for similar programs in
both central and South America, however, the Caesar Park
is not in a location conducive to participating in the
local "street scene". It is in a residential area with
the only shopping a super market 3 blocks away.
Second was the problems generated with having a group of
93. On the boat a group that size was not a serious
problem. On land, especially the day spent touring
Panama City, it was a problem. We were divided into two
groups, but the groups convoyed to all sites. The buses
were too large for portions of the city, and the groups
larger then we like. In our estimation the participants
should have been divided into at least 3, if not four
groups, and the groups should have visited the sites at
different times.
Lastly is a concern that potential enrollees should be
aware. We transited the canal, going from the Pacific to
the Caribbean, starting at 4 p.m. The Canal Authority
sets the transit schedule and the on boat personnel
stressed that they had no control over when our ship
started the transit. While we do not challenge this
information, it still remains a fact that small boats,
such as the Temptress Explorer, do not receive priority
for daylight transit. Departing the Pacific at 4 p.m.,
we saw the Miraflores locks in daylight, Miraflores Lake
at dusk but nothing of the Gaillard Cut or Gatun Lake.
Both of these sites are important to the history and life
of the canal, and we were disappointed in not seeing
them. The other locks were lit, so we saw them as we
passed. The tour, when we returned to Panama City by
bus, did spend sufficient time at a visitor's center
adjacent to the Miraflores locks to see, at 10 a.m., a
large cruise liner entering the canal for a daylight
transit.
Again, while we enjoyed this trip, especially the visits
to the indigenous peoples on both the Pacific and
Caribbean coasts, there are concerns that Elderhostellers
should be aware of prior to making the commitment.
Doug and Dianne DeLong, Normal, Illinois
Email: dad403usa@netscape.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Judykroon@aol.com
Costa Rica/Panama
Glad to hear that someone is taking over. We would have
missed it. Some of the issues were so good that we could
have signed up for any one of the programs. Jim certainly
did a good job and I tell everyone to read the notebook
for ideas on where to go. I still think, despite a lot of
grumbling from some participants, that nobody offers the
variety and the behind the scenes things that
Elderhostel does.
We returned last week from a month in Costa Rica/Panama.
Two weeks on our own in CR and then 11 nights with EH on
the Eco-Tour (12858). Husband and I both agreed that the
guide (Edwin Ramirez) was the best we had ever had. He
did most of the programming himself, unlike the Italy and
Spain trips we did where the on-site people do it, and he
was terrific. We did have local speakers in each place
but our guy looked after us and told us tons of things
about the ecology of the countries. I would recommend the
trip to anyone interested in nature, with the warnings
that if you don't walk well you will miss out on some
parts, though still worthwhile, and that there is a lot
of riding on the micro-bus, some of it on rather bumpy
roads. And that bridge at the crossing into Panama has to
be seen to be believed! But Tortugero was fabulous as
was Bouquette, Panama; plus we now know we won't retire
to Bocas del Toro. The mountains are gorgeous, the
beaches less interesting to me, but still
lovely.....though don't plan on swimming anywhere but the
pools. We did altitude from sea level to 11,000', staying
the night before our return to San Jose at 7300' at the
amazing Savegre Lodge.
The only real problem was that Edwin was taken very ill
and had to be replaced that next to the last day.
Explore Costa Rica, which runs the program arranged for a
driver to bring a replacement and take him home. All very
efficiently done by cell phone, but everyone felt bad for
him, he was such a great naturalist and an all round
great guy.
Sorry I rambled on, but it was a great trip and we had a
wonderful time. Judy Kroon....Rochester NY, where there
hasn't been any winter to escape...very strange
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J Wheeler wheetwo@earthlink.net
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, VA
Creating and Preserving the Illusion:
18th Century Williamsburg
Just returned from our first domestic Elderhostel trip--
to see a backstage view of Colonial Williamsburg. What a
wonderful experience! We have nothing but praise for the
program from the lodging and meals to the helpful co-
ordinators and insightful presentations. We learned so
much about the attention to detail that goes into every
aspect of the Foundation's work. The workers there are
all devoted craftsmen and scholars, and the volunteers
are especially dedicated to their work. Not only did we
visit areas not generally open to the public, but we also
received a pass which allowed us extra time to visit the
historic area if we chose to do so. In the two days that
we have been home, almost everyone we've talked with has
shown interest in knowing more about this program!
Jim and Jean Wheeler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ronald Olsen rdolsen@worldnet.att.net
Eckerd College, Program on Foreign Service, FL
St Petersburg
Heartily recommended. Retired U.S. Foreign Service
officers (two of ambassadorial rank) provided excellent
insights into the nature and operation of the FS. Most
fascinating were personal experiences and perspectives on
US foreign policy over the years...Cold War to present.
Good discussions on current issues such as Afghanistan
and Mid-East crisis. Coordinator is retired FS officer
who designed and managed program in a first rate fashion
Eckerd College user-friendly and comfortable venue.
Large A/C rooms w/private baths and excellent conference
facilities. Cafeteria style food...good selection and
while not gourmet, very acceptable. College only a ten
minute drive to beach.
Field trips included private tour of and briefing at
local Coast Guard station and visit to downtown St Pete,
museums etc.
Ron Olsen
rdolsen@att.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fred Boher fmboher@worldnet.att.net
California Centers for Studies of the Future
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade
Program 52353-1228-01 December 28, 2001
Holiday Inn, Woodland Hills
Float - "Just Imagine" the 24th float built by the La
Canada- Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association. One
of only 6 self- built floats in the 113th Rose Parade.
45 EH participants - 17 from California - 28 from 15
other states, including Hawaii.
Coordinators - June Richey and Peg Steel
Weather - Some rain and drizzle. It is claimed it never
rains during the parade and it didn't this year.
This was the first EH program focused on the Tournament
of Roses Parade. It certainly fit the Parade theme of
"Good Times". We recommend it highly for anyone with an
interest in the Parade and it's history. This was our
14th EH and one of the best. June and Peg are excellent
Coordinators. The extensive pre-planning was evident.
Our own family history includes my mother-in-law's
treasured photo of a 1928 float featuring a dragon.
Fred's parents attended the 1928 parade when in Pasadena
on business. We were happy to learn the float our group
would help decorate was an animated float featuring a
huge red DRAGON with two children in a sail boat.
We checked in Friday evening before dinner and checked
out after lunch on Wednesday. Daily breakfast and
dinner buffets at the hotel. Lunch as noted. Dinner
buffets included Chicken Dijon, Roast Beef, Turkey,
Salmon, Mexican Buffet and New Years Eve - Filet and
Shrimp.
Friday - registration, dinner and orientation.
Saturday after videos on the California Missions we left
by coach for:
(1) Docent tour of Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana in
Mission Hills, founded 1797. Sack lunch on the bus since
it was raining and we could not go to the park as
planned. (2) Visit to La Canada City Hall for an
excellent overview of the float building process by
Claire Slaughter of the La Canada Flintridge Tournament
of Roses Association. (3) Docent tour of California's
17th mission. and Mission San Gabriel de Arcangel, 4th
California Franciscan Mission, founded in 1771.
Post dinner video on "Rose Parade Through the Years".
Sunday featured a coach trip to the Tournament of Roses
Fanfest held in a arroyo surrounding the Rose Bowl. The
Fanfest included food, shops, corporate exhibits,
displays, equestrian groups, chili cook-off, band fest,
and behind-the-scenes tours into huge tents where a
number of floats were under construction. We were
provided funds to purchase lunch at the food stand of our
choice.
A special treat arranged for our group was a pre-game
look at the Rose Bowl stadium, complete with a visit to
the press box, a privilege afforded to few. Security was
very much in evidence and we all had special passes to
get us through the multiple check points. Members of the
Community Relations committee spoke to us of the enormous
process of putting together the Tournament of Roses.
Post dinner videos on (1) how high school bands are
chosen and get to the Rose Parade, (2) all about the
flowers, and (3) the building of a float.
Monday. Float decoration! No expensive giant tent for
this volunteer group; their float is built on a parking
lot under a freeway bridge. We were welcomed into their
group of 600 volunteer builders (ages 13 to 93) and
treated as special friends. As this was the 6th day of
construction, the structural part of the float was
complete and the majority of the dried material was
already in place. The parade was the next day, so we
were entrusted with the live flowers! What fun. We
applied flowers in individual vials, we placed picks on
the stems of flowers for others to attach, we poked
holes, we glued on flowers, we swept, we cut, etc. etc.
Everyone easily found a task that suited them, agreed we
were having a wonderful time and at lunch we begged to
stay longer. Our wish was granted and we continued our
fun right up until the time the judges came for a pre-
parade look at the float.
We were so proud when the dragon exited the confines
under the freeway and could rise to his full height on a
side street. We all cheered when he huffed and puffed,
complete with smoke from a propane fueled generator. It
was a wonderful float. In our opinion, the best in the
parade. A total of 14 independent channels controlled by
a central processor were utilized to allow the 55 feet
long, 18 feet wide, dragon to rise 30 feet above the
street, take a breath, lean forward and blow into the
sail. The sail tilted forward and the pin wheel in the
girl's hand spun. The dragon could swish his tail plus
cross his eyes while blowing into the sail.
A note here on clothing for float building: Wear warm
old clothes that you won't mind getting glued. This is
just the place for those old caps, old gloves, sweat
suits and hiking boots you plan to toss in the trash.
Everyone was dressed for warmth, comfort and a possibly
dirty, messy task. Remember, you may be sitting on the
ground under the freeway or be working below someone who
drops a glob of glue. Some in the group purchased finger
nail polish remover to take glue off the skin. Most
didn't need it.
On the way back to the hotel we rode down Colorado
Boulevard to watch the crowds preparing to spend the
night. They are allowed to put chairs on the sidewalk at
noon. At midnight the street closes and they can advance
their chairs to a blue line in the street. A fun sight
to see. Even more fun the next day to see the "morning
after" of what is billed as the world's largest pajama
party.
As it was New Year's Eve the hotel served filet and
shrimp complete with champagne, party hats, noise
makers,etc. Apparently there was a DJ for music. We
chose an early night in anticipation of a 5A to 6A
breakfast the next day.
Tuesday. A warmly dressed group was taken to 1570 E.
Colorado Boulevard for our reserved bleacher seats. The
tickets were marked $40 each. Watching the pre-game
crowds was an interesting way to pass the time until the
parade reached our area about 9A. Our beloved dragon
was near the end of the parade and by that time had some
computer glitches so he was not animated. We could have
wept for him.
After dinner we all gathered to discuss our second
favorite floats.
Wednesday. Coach to Pasadena for a two hour viewing of
the Post Parade Showcase of Floats. All 53 floats were
lined up over a total walking distance of 1.5 miles. You
could get close enough to almost touch them. We,
personally, found this even more enjoyable than the
parade as you could look as much or as little as you
chose. "Our" dragon was up moving and blowing smoke.
One of the two drivers was present when we arrived and
was pleased to see the EH group as he was aware the
animation was down when they passed our seats the day
before.
The bus stopped at an LA tradition, the In-N-Out Burger,
for sandwiches on our way back to the hotel for a 12:00
checkout and departure.
Our advice: Open the Christmas presents with the family
then head out to California to attend this program for
2003! You'll be glad you did. The family back "home"
will get a kick out of watching for "your" float in the
parade on New Years Day.
Fred and Mary Ann Boher
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert l Donall rdonall@juno.com
Northern Kentucky University/Cincinnati, OH
35390-0310
It was everything that it was promised to be and they
kept us busy with presentations and touring for 4 1/2
days. The lecturers were knowledgeable and enthusiastic
about their topics. We studied the history of
Cincinnati, especially the German influence. We
visited the Music Hall and listened to a rehearsal of the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, toured the riverfront on
both sides of the river, had lunch during a cruise on a
riverboat while the captain presented Harbour history,
visited a nice conservatory, the art museum and the
Cincinnati Museum which is their old railroad station
turned into an Imax theater and 2 museums and a variety
of shops. We had a basic German lesson comparing German
to English , a German meal, a dulcimer concert, an
impersonation of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, an
entertaining lecture about the breweries. The
accomodations were comfortable (motel) , and the meals
were more than adequate, Cincinnati Chili is interesting-
a spiced chili (no beans) over spaghetti.
Our coordinator took good care of us, even to getting us
bananas for our breakfast cereal. She was helped by a
volunteer couple who live in the area who filled in when
and where they were needed.