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Elderhostel Notebook July 1997
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Elderhostel Notebook is a production of The Senior Group, an
informal group of older netizens who produce three e-mail
newsletters:
Silver Threads - general senior interest-
Silver Feathers - birding and nature related items
Elderhostel Notebook - elderhosteling
To subscribe to any of these, e-mail to Jim Olson, at
olsonjam@uwec.edu
All three newsletters are archived at
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/senior-citizens/center.html#Newsletters
Silver Threads also has a World Wide Web edition located at
http://www.winnipeg.freenet.mb.ca/sthreads
Elderhostel Notebook is independent of and not associated with the
Elderhostel organization which has a web site at http://www.elderhostel.org
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Contents
From the Editors Notebook
Elderhostel Potpourri
Elderhostel Reviews
Personals
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Editor's Notebook
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Help wanted:
As the internet expands and more and more senior oriented sites
come on line in terms not just of elderhosteling but senior tours
oriented to education such as the Saga elderhostel look alikes it
becomes more difficult for me to keep up with them.
I am looking to find an associate editor who enjoys surfing the
net to report on what is happening each month on the net in terms of
the official elderhostel sites:
http://www.elderhostel.org (Elderhostel Boston)
http://WWW.MBnet.MB.CA/crm/lifestyl/ehostel/ehost1.html (Canada)
and others that fit the general senior travel combined with education or
service category.
Qualifications: Some net surfing experience or willingness to learn.
Pay: Same as the other editors: satisfaction and opportunity to meet
interesting people in cyberspace.
Apply to olsonjam@uwec.edu
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Elderhostel Potpourri
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Do it Yourself Elderhostel
-Jim Olson (olsonjam@uwec.edu)
There are times when you find yourself between elderhostels or
that timing or accessibility for one the one you wanted in a
specific area doesn't work out. This is particularly true of some
areas where elderhostels tend to be offered at the very beginning
or end of the main tourist season for that area. This isn't all
bad as it gives you a chance to explore an area and a topic with
elderhostel hosts and staff without the crowded conditions of the
main tourist season. We have taken elderhostels at Yellowstone
and Lake Superior north shore that fit this category.
But suppose the one you would like isn't offered at that site at
the time you want and you still would like to have an
"elderhostel- like" experience there. With some planning and
homework on the topic and area you wish to explore it is possible
to do some of the things yourself that elderhostel organizers
would have provided.
We tried this out several years ago with a week spent at San
Diego, using the excellent public transportation in the area, the
lectures at local museums, the Zoo, harbor tour, etc.
We found a relatively inexpensive motel in a less used section of
the downtown area within easy walking distance of a bus route and
downtown. We bought a senior bus pass (also worked for trolley)
for a month for although we only used it for a week it was a
bargain compared to paying individual fares.
The motel was one of these with a continental breakfast served in
a large room where we met and talked to others each morning
supplying some of the lost social benefits of the elderhostel
experience. We attended a number of lectures about various topics
related to the area- whales, history, etc, provided at various
parks, the zoo, museums, etc.
San Diego was ideal for this because of the public transportation
and many places of interest in the area, the general friendliness
of the people (one of the few places we have ever been where bus
riders on debarking frequently paused to thank,the driver, and
other riders were eager to answer your questions about
destinations, stops, etc.) It is probably important to select a
"friendly" town. But I'm sure there are many other areas of the
country where such a do it yourself elderhostel like experience
is possible.
I suspect Santa Fe or Taos, NM; San Antonio or Austin, TX; Tucson
(but maybe not Phoenix) or Flagstaff, AZ; Victoria, B.C.; Ottawa,
ON; Guthrie, Oklahoma; Wichita, Kansas; Great Falls, Montana;
Ashland, Oregon; and others would fit the bill.
Maybe some of our readers have suggestions.
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Elderhostel Reviews
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From: Roz Cole
Subject: Intergen'l/Ocean City, MD
This EH was very well organized, with a wonderful, helpful staff.
The accommodations were in the Fenwick Inn, a pleasant standard
hotel. We had 2 double beds and a refrigerator, and a room with a
view of the ocean (between buildings). There was a heated indoor
pool and hot-tub, with the hours between 6-8 a.m. and 10-12 p.m
reserved for adults. No laundromat in the building, but there was
one about 3 blocks away. The hotel is 1 block from the beach.
Meals were served in the hotel restaurant, with consideration
given to food preferences of children and vegetarians. Food was
average, but the serving staff worked hard and tried to please.
Breakfast, however, was low fiber and mostly the great American
heart attack diet. There were 2 picnics at Assateague, with crab
and brownies the highlights.
There were about 20 children and 25 grandparents. The children
got along well and were quite well-behaved. Our grand-daughter
made 2 friends the very first night.
Aside from ecology and other lectures, there were many interesting
activities:
1. field trips to Assateague to see the ponies and other wildlife.
2. Sand sculpture.
3. Kite building, decorating, and flying.
4. A dinner cruise.
5. A naturalist who brought along some owls, turtles, and (my
favorite) a boa constrictor and a corn snake. We all enjoyed
touching or handling them (except for the snapping turtle).
The EH staff really knocked themselves out for us to make sure we
had a good time. They even had a large collection of stuffed
animals which the kids got to divvy up and take home (my
grand-daughter must have had at least a dozen).
We were on standby until just a week before the EH started. I'm
glad we waited it out (maybe I will learn to be both patient and
spontaneous, given enough time).
Aloha, Roz
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LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
April 20-26 1997
Course Topics:
Cajun and Creole Music and Festival
Cajun and Creole History On The Table
Let's Talk Cajun French
Having completed two wonderful elderhostels in New Orleans last
year, my wife and I were anxious to return once again to
Louisiana. A trip to Acadia in Nova Scotia many years ago
whetted our appetite for learning about the Cajuns so this
particular elderhostel in the heart of Cajun country held a
particular appeal for us. Not only would we learn about all
things Cajun, but we would attend a music festival as an added
bonus.
In a word, the program was great! The spark that made this
program so lively and interesting was Barry Jean Ancelet, head of
the Modern Language Dept. at the University of Southwestern
Louisiana. Barry is a professor by title and is a native Cajun
French speaker from rural Lafayette parish. Among his many
degrees is a master's in Folklore. Barry spoke at the majority
of our sessions. He has a knack for subtle humor and for being
able to captivate his audience and to hold their interest for
hours on end.
The Ancelet family received further representation on the
program by the presence of Maude Ancelet, Barry's mother. Maude
is a native of Lafayette and a wonderful cook. Not only did she
prepare many traditional Cajun dishes in class, but we also got
to eat the delicious foods that she prepared.
Another excellent speaker on the program was Dr. Mathe Allain, a
native of Casablanca, Morocco and also a Professor of French at
USL. Having lived in Louisiana for over 50 years, Mathe was well
versed in the Cajun culture, history and cooking.
For those of us who were interested in Cajun dancing, we took two
trips to a local dance studio to learn the basics of several
Cajun dances.
The icing on the cake for this program was three trips to the
Festival International de Louisiane. This is an annual event in
Lafayette which celebrates the French cultural heritage of
southern Louisiana and the Francophone world. We enjoyed seeing
and hearing free musical performances from artists from around
the world. Of course, there was an abundance of delicious food
available at reasonable prices.
Lafayette's motto is "Laissez les bon temps rouler" (Let the good
times roll) and they certainly did for our group of
elderhostelers.
Ron Kathy Maggi, ronm@pig.net
________________
Denver,Arapajo College
Sept., '94
JanClyde@aol.com
We loved it! Accomodations were at Quality Inn South - very
nice. Coffee maker refrigerator in our room, hot tub sauna
down the hall. Meals were very good, tables set up and served in
a conference room right next door to our meeting room. City bus
stop just a block away - nice if you fly in, as we did, and want
to see more of Denver. Also a shuttle to the airport (I think) -
this was right before the new airport went into service.
Classes were outstanding - especially one by Jeff Waters on
Colorado history. He is an infectious live-wire, great sense of
humor, but really knows his history. He also teaches courses on
ragtime and railroads, so if you see these courses in the
catalog, you'll have Jeff. He plays a great honkey-tonk piano.
Also had a fine instructor on Broadway musicals - she was in
several shows on Broadway and also sang with the Metropolitan in
NY - don't believe she teaches every week, though. Interesting
field trip to the State Capitol and Historical Museum. A *** EH,
in our estimation.
________
Hulbert Outdoor Center Elderhostel
Nils and Susie Hokansson
We recently attended an Elderhostel in Lyme NH sponsored by the
Hulbert Outdoor Center. It was our second EH and very enjoyable.
The highlight of the week was "Walking for Fitness". The
lecturer was outstanding and the walking was just what the bodies
needed. There were a variety of walks for a variety of abilities
so noone was left out.
Other activities included interesting trips to Billings Farm, a
working museum farm, and to the VT Raptor Center, both in
Woodstock, VT. There were lectures on the influence of Native
Americans on the area as well as an outstanding lecture on black
bears. There were programs most evenings which varied in
interest, but mostly good.
We were housed in Dowd's Inn, a 1700 Inn with comfortable rooms
with private baths. Food was adequate and good, cafeteria style.
Bag lunches were prepared by participants on three days. All in
all, we were very pleased and look forward to our next EH. Happy
to answer any questions. hoke@coastalnet.com
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Wine Tasting in France
wcarter@softdisk.com
I have just returned from an EH in S. France, devoted to wine,
it's care and feeding. It is a very specialized course and will
appeal immensely to some people and not at all to others. I
thought it great and recommend it to those interested in such a
subject. We stayed in a tiny village, just north of what is
usually considered Provence, and wandered all over the place
visiting vineyards, wine co-ops and caves (as in French), etc.
Some great lunches under the vines on terraces of small
restaurants, etc. We did a good bit of lectures, tasting and so
forth at the University of Wine which is set up in an ancient
chateau in the village where we stayed, and no, it sounds phony
but isn't. Bona fide labs, tasting rooms and a very knowledgeable
staff. The hotel is modest but adequate; they have no corkage
arrangement, so you must buy their wine for consumption at meals
there, but the four outside meals included wine.
We also did a litle sightseeing: a day in Avignon and bits of
other Roman ruin sites, two very extensive village open air
markets, etc.
Two caveats: scheduling all incoming participants means losing a
day at the beginning waiting for every one to arrive at CDG
airport, Paris. Also, if you are at all sensitive to cigarette
smoke, Air France have a Smokers Corner policy that to me is
worse than a smokers area in the rear of a plane. You may choose
to avoid this airline if possible.
BUT: its a great trip, extremely well executed by the EH man from
the States and the young lady who is the local mentor (mentoress
?)
I will be happy to answer any eMail on the subject.
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Personals
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From: Maretta Deiterman
Would like to tell about "Noble Houses and Gardens" of Ireland,
held in May, 1997. It was our first Elderhostel and because of
the wonderful program we have asked for two more programs. We
stayed at Bellinter House, a 40 minute drive from Dublin. It is
out in the beautiful countryside. It is a Palladian style house
built in 1750 and will accommodate about 50. It is now a convent.
The rooms were simple, but comfortable with baths down the hall.
The food was excellent, the people in charge were great. The
program is very full with visits to many homes and gardens not
ordinarily open to the public. The lecturers were good, the added
entertainment and evenings out were fabulous. Many extra
surprises.
Maretta and Louis Deiterman
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Subj: Re:New Zealand
Date: 6/20/97 11:53:46 PM
From: MYRNART @aol.com
Our one and only EH was Nova Scotia in 1995 in the fall. We were
celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary but could not find an EH
compatible to both of us. SO......my husband went sea kayaking
an hour north of Halifax and I went to painting, history and
writing an hour south of Halifax. After the EH experiences we
spent two more weeks touring. We both thoroughly enjoyed EH.
There is no way anyone would ever get me in a kayak in the North
Atlantic. My husband loved it. Accomodations were primitive,
food wonderful and people friendly and caring. I was the only
"single" at my EH. I had requested a roommate. Since they had
none for me I had a single motel room at the double rate. There
are always several art listings. There is almost always one on
watercolor in the Cascade Mountains east of Salem, Oregon. I
keep saying I am going to do that one but so far have not. I
Guess it is too close to home.
Myrna
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From: DEEBAR @aol.com
We did the EH in St. George, UT last January and enjoyed it very
much. Accomodations and classrooms are in a Conference Center;
lunch and dinner are served in the college cafeteria and are
good! We particularly liked our class on jazz--the instructor
knew his stuff and was an entertainer as well. The art class was
a little disappointing, as it didn't do as much with the
southwestern artists as we would have liked. Learning a little
geology before visiting the national parks really made the field
trips interesting. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Dee
__________
from Joan Liimatta -
from Elderhostel forum in seniornet Roundtables
In December, we attended an elderhostel in Santa Fe. Topics were
History of New Mexico; Feasts and customs of the area; music
(Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and some local Christmas music).
Lectures were very good, field trips great with arrangements
available for extra field trips during free time if you wished.
Accomodations were adequate, food plentiful! Weather was cold,
even for we Minnesotans, mostly because we expected warmer
weather than we have at home, and alas, they were having a record
breaking cold spell. Temps around zero.
In January a friend and I wanted to get out of our cold country
for a week or so, so we started looking for elderhostels in warm
climates. Florida was full, but we found one in Lake Gunterville
State Park, . Since two elderhostels were combined here, we had 5
topics instead of the usual 3. The speakers were really good
though and we enjoyed it. Spent one whole day at the NASA
training center in Huntsville....loved it. Spent another day at
Jacksonville State Univ. (program sponsor) learning the
internet...excellent. Accomocdations and food were very good.
I don't think I told all of the programs that were included in
the Alabama site, but that was unusual because 2 sites had been
combined. In addition to the NASA and Internet, we had programs
on Southern Rivers and Southern Culture, Presidential Humor and
An Anthropological Approach to Religion (Rituals, Rites and
Reason). The speakers were outstanding, but with 5 courses, we
spent a lot of time listening. I thoroughly enjoyed it though.
In March I was planning to drive to Indiana to visit my son for
Easter, so decided to look for an elderhostel in the area so I
could spend two weekends with him and attend the elderhostel
during the week while he and his wife both work. Found one in
Louisville "Getting to Know Louisville". We toured Louisville,
Churchill downs, Louisville Slugger factory, The Falls of the
Ohio and had many interesting speakers about different aspects of
Louisville. Accomodations were good, food a bit skimpy. Some felt
there was too much unstructured time here, but I enjoyed the
week.
In April my friend and I again wanted to escape for a week, so
since we could get cheap airfare to Kansas City, we found an
elderhostel in Independence on Harry Truman and Concerns for the
future. Accomodations and food were excellent. Enjoyed the
lectures and field trips. Spent an extra day and did Kansas
City....lovely city.
In September we are going to do back to back elderhostels in
Charleston (Sept. 21-26) and Savannah (Sept. 28 - Oct. 3). I am
really looking forward to those! We plan to look into one in San
Antonio in Dec. (We heard from people in Santa Fe who had just
come from San Antonio that it was a good one.) Hope to plan well
enough to get to Florida this January.
____________
Naniboujou Speaks
Welcome,
The sun is up;
The rocky shore beckons;
Eagle and Raven guide us on
Our way.
Naniboujou Lodge Elderhostel 1995