January - March, 2025

HYBRID

In-person and Virtual classes
1. From Field to Fork: Navigating the Future Plate of Canada - Sylvain Charlebois
From Field to Fork: Navigating the Future Plate of Canada - Sylvain Charlebois
Tuesdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (5 wks) Jan 28 to Mar 04
(no class February 4)

HYBRID PRESENTATION 
In-Person: Church Hall - Hope United Church, 3055 Connaught Avenue, Halifax
Virtual: Zoom webinar

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Join us for dynamic presentations featuring Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, a renowned expert from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, as he delves into the captivating world of food. These engaging sessions will offer insights about current topics related to our Canadian food supply chain such as: The new Trump administration, the carbon tax, the inflation and prices at the grocery store, food trends and more. Dr. Charlebois will also offer his vision about how Canada can lead in the global food arena while ensuring sustainability and food security. Join us as we explore the future of food in Canada and the innovations that are set to transform our eating habits and food production in the decades to come.
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculty of Management as well as the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, located at Dalhousie University.
 Known as “The Food Professor”, he is one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. He is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. Since 2012, he has published the highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, providing an overview of food price trends for the coming year. He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, now ranked as top Canadian management podcast, discussing issues in the food industries. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
2. The Earth Rules: Geology’s Role in Our Lives - Marcos Zentilli
The Earth Rules: Geology’s Role in Our Lives - Marcos Zentilli
Tuesdays 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 28 to Mar 04

HYBRID PRESENTATION 
In-Person: Church Hall - Hope United Church, 3055 Connaught Avenue, Halifax
Virtual: Zoom webinar

COURSE DESCRIPTION
​​Geology has ruled supreme since before the appearance of life on Earth and provides the framework to understand the evolution of living organisms. The dance of moving continents, caused by the active and hot interior of the Earth, determines where we have volcanos, mountains, earthquakes, energy and mineral resources (and resultant human conflicts), environmental pollution, deserts, rivers, lakes and drinking water. The course will share a personal interpretation of how geology plays a role in most human affairs, including food production, beliefs, architecture and the arts, and emphasizing its influence in Nova Scotia’s past, present and future.
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
​Dr. Marcos Zentilli became a geologist in Chile and received a PhD from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He retired in 2005 as Emeritus Professor at Dalhousie University, where he taught and did geological research in Atlantic Canada, the Canadian Arctic and the Andes of South America. He has directed more than 40 MSc and PhD theses and has published extensively on Andean and Canadian mineral resource geology. He has received the Gesne Medal from the Atlantic Geoscience Society (2016), the highest medal from the College of Geologists of Chile (2023), and the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022). There is a 5800 m volcano in the high Andes of Chile named Volcan Zentilli after him.

ONLINE

Virtual class
3. Are You Living Your Best Retirement Life? - Susan Hutchinson
Are You Living Your Best Retirement Life? - Susan Hutchinson
Thursdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (6 wks) Jan 30 to Mar 06
Virtual: Zoom webinar

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Some people—especially those who have been deeply attached to their work or professional role—struggle to find meaning and purpose in life post-retirement. This can often lead to depression or other negative health outcomes. Sometimes, it is often not until someone has retired that they come to realize how challenging it is to structure their time post-work, and to rebuild a sense of purpose and fulfillment to replace some of the valued meanings and social connections that work had provided. The overall purpose of this course is to support Nova Scotia retirees to feel more optimistic about their lives by providing tools, resources and information to help people think about and revisit plans for their lifestyle in retirement. Resources will be provided between sessions to guide deeper thinking, self-assessment, and planning.
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Prior to graduate school I had worked as a recreation therapist in long term care and neurorehab settings. I received my PhD from the University of Georgia and taught for four years at Penn State University before returning to Canada and Dalhousie University. I retired in 2023 from Dalhousie’s School of Health and Human Performance, where I was a Division Head and Associate Professor. With over 60 publications in academic journals, my research primarily focused on how leisure can be a resource for people living with challenging life circumstances, such as acute health events and chronic health conditions. Before retiring I conducted an online study with Canadian retirees (n = 748) asking how they planned for their lives in retirement. This research is the basis for my workshops that have focused on lifestyle planning for the retirement transition. Publications available upon request. I created ‘The Retired You’ website as a platform for sharing retirement-related stories and resources: www.retiredyou.com
4. The Blue Planet: The Ocean and Us - Kayla Hamelin and associates
The Blue Planet: The Ocean and Us - Kayla Hamelin and associates
Fridays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (6 wks) Jan 31 to Mar 07
Virtual: Zoom webinar

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Ocean covers most of the surface of our globe (71%), yet it is less studied than outer space. Together, we will dive “under the big blue blanket” to learn more about this beautiful, powerful, and mysterious part of our planet. This interdisciplinary course provides a comprehensive exploration of the ocean and its profound influence on human life. Our diverse team of scholars will introduce ocean sciences, including oceanography and marine biology, while also exploring the complex relationships between people and the sea. Students will engage with both scientific and cultural dimensions, examining the ways in which the Ocean shapes human history, economies, societies, and environments. Given our proximity to the coast as residents of Nova Scotia / Mi’kma’ki, students will be encouraged to share their experiences and connections with local marine habitats and industries. The course will foster critical thinking on contemporary issues related to ocean health, climate change, and the future of global marine stewardship. 
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Kayla Hamelin
Originally from the shores of Georgian Bay, Kayla’s interest in the ocean and its creatures was sparked after a childhood trip to the Maritimes. Post-secondary studies led her back to the Atlantic coast, where she completed a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Marine Biology and Oceanography at Dalhousie University, and then on to the Redpath Museum in Montreal, where she earned a M.Sc. in Biology from McGill University. After returning to Atlantic Canada, Kayla spent 5 years combining her background in science research with a passion for community engagement in her work at the Canadian Sea Turtle Network. During this time, she also completed a research contract with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and held leadership roles on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Network for Ocean Education. Extensive time spent learning from and working with coastal communities inspired her to complete doctoral research in fisheries management at Dalhousie University under the supervision of Dr. Megan Bailey and the late Dr. Jeff Hutchings. Currently, Dr. Hamelin is a MITACS Elevate Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated with Nature United and the University Victoria, leading the Fisheries Management Adaptation to Climate Change research project in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
 
Dr. Loay Jabre
Every drop of ocean water contains roughly one million microbial cells. I am interested in this staggering abundance and diversity of microbes in the ocean, how they shape our planet, and how they ultimately influence our very own existence. I received my PhD from Dalhousie University where I studied ocean microbes from Antarctica, and I am currently a postdoctoral investigator and a BioGeoSCAPES Fellow at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I am now focused on understanding microbes that grow in warmer oceans.
 
Dr. Jen Frail-Gauthier
Dr. Jen Frail-Gauthier is a senior instructor in the Department of Biology at Dalhousie University, having previously taught courses in zoology, taxonomy, and phylogeny for 13 years on contracts before becoming the laboratory instructor for 2nd year Evolution in 2021. Jen is also the director of the SEASIDE summer field courses (and teaches in the sun, sand, water, and mud for Coastal Ecology!) and is the faculty co-op advisor for students in Marine Biology. Jen graduated from Dalhousie with a BSc in Marine Biology ('05), and then a PhD in Earth Sciences studying salt marsh ecology and paleoclimatology ('18). Somehow, to her own disbelief, she co-authored a Cambridge University Press book titled Coastal Wetlands of the World, in 2014. She is a first-generation university student from rural Nova Scotia and wouldn't be here today without the unwavering support of two late mentors; Jen always wishes to carry forward their cheerleading to students today. 
 
Abigail Kim, MMM
Abigail (she/her) is a marine social scientist, storyteller, and writer based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Known for her unique ability to weave together rigorous science and authentic stories, Abigael’s interests lie in the realities, resilience, and culture of coastal communities, where she specializes in topics of sustainable development, climate change, and environmental justice. With a BSc. from the University of Guelph and an MMM from Dalhousie University, Abigael’s work has graced academic journals, government initiatives, and news publications around the world, endeavoring to carve out a space in science, policy, and education for local voices to drive global change. Her current role sees her as a Program Officer with the Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Center, where she advises on the topics of ocean equity and the blue economy.
 
Grace Akinrinola, MMM
Grace Akinrinola is an Interdisciplinary PhD (IDPhD) candidate at Dalhousie University. She completed a Master of Marine Management (MMM) at Dalhousie University in 2023, an M.Sc. in Marine Pollution and Management (Distinction) and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Marine Biology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is passionate about the human dimensions of resource use, with an interest in equitable and inclusive management practices. Her PhD research focuses on enhancing the governability of North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) conservation. The project aims to study NARW conservation burdens and provide recommendations for an improved collaborative conservation landscape. She is from the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria, one of the many Indigenous communities of Africa. She spends time with her family in her leisure time, engaging in activities like singing, dancing, praying, and playing together.​

HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

In-person classes
5. What’s in an Image? How Pictures Work in Paintings, Poems and Films - Glenn Walton
What’s in an Image? How Pictures Work in Paintings, Poems and Films - Glenn Walton
Tuesdays 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 28 to Mar 04
The Berkeley on Pepperell,  6240 Pepperell St, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
​In this course we will look at images from paintings, poems, novels and films examining their function. Students will first be asked to respond to some favourite paintings-like Velasquez's Las Meninas or Breughel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus- and then we will read what has been said about them in scholarly essays and ekphrastic poems like Auden's "Musee des Beaux Arts". In the second half of the course, we will examine imagery employed in larger narrative contexts (i.e novels and films) and how pictures can express symbol and metaphor. How does the contending light-and-dark imagery of Forster's A Room with a View inform the celebrated film version? How does Antonioni express modern alienation in how he films a piazza or the  architecture in L 'Avventura? How is Ondaatje' s theme of trauma/healing translated into the visual language of the film The English Patient? Find out here.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Glenn Walton is a filmmaker, journalist, musician and teacher. His first film, The Room at the Back, won the Best Short Film Award at the Atlantic Film Festival in 1990, and his latest, Chamberpiece, won the Best Actor Award at the same festival. In 2002-04 Glenn wrote a popular column for The Daily News; in 2015 he wrote and produced the CD song soundtrack to his play If I Were a Blackbird, and is presently composing and recording the songs from Willows, a stage-musical updating of his favourite children's book, The Wind in the Willows. Glenn teaches English Literature at Saint Mary's University, and in spring can be found leading small groups of people through the hills of Tuscany, looking for metaphors.
6. Remembering the Goddess - Julie Strong
Remembering the Goddess - Julie Strong
Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (6 wks) Jan 29 to Mar 05
The Berkeley on Pepperell,  6240 Pepperell St, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The first four lectures will focus on ancient Greek and Near-East Goddesses.
We will explore the captivating myths of: Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, Demeter, earth goddess, Hera, queen of the gods, Artemis, goddess of the moon, and Athena, goddess of wisdom.
We will look at Lilith, Eve’s precursor in the Old Testament and Tiamat, the Babylonian dragon goddess.
In the final two lectures we will examine the goddesses of Hinduism, Buddhism and Neo-paganism and the enduring legacy of  Norse deity Freya and  Egyptian goddess, Isis.
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Julie Strong is a recently retired family physician and shamanic practitioner in Halifax. She holds a medical degree from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland and a BA in Classics from Dalhousie University.  Her first novel, The Tudor Prophecy, which follows the traumas and loves of two young women,set in England during the tumult of the Reformation, is due for publication with OC Publishing January 25th 2025.
7. The Past, Present and Future of Halifax Harbour: The East Coast Gateway to Canada - Gordon Fader
The Past, Present and Future of Halifax Harbour: The East Coast Gateway to Canada - Gordon Fader
Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (3 wks) Jan 29 to Feb 12
Church Hall - Hope United Church, 3055 Connaught Avenue, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
A “sense of place” is an essential component of one’s life. This course is intended to provide this for those who live near Halifax Harbour or have an interest in the science and history of this major inlet along the south east coast of Nova Scotia. The story will include the geology, study methods, bathymetry, geography, sediments and bedrock, sea level change, shipwrecks, geochemistry, activities, history, unusual features and the cleanup of the Harbour in the 1990s. An initial Harbour overview will be followed by specific treatment of the North West Arm, Bedford Basin and the inner and outer Harbour. The role of humans in affecting harbour characteristics will also include information on how the Harbour has changed both naturally and since settlement in 1749. A concluding segment will present a report card and overview on the potential future of the Harbour, what changes are likely to occur, and what research is necessary for additional understanding.

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Gordon Fader is a professional Marine Geologist registered in Nova Scotia. He was appointed to an Emeritus Scientist position at the Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic), at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in 2004, after a 35 year career conducting geoscience research. Presently, he is the president of “Atlantic Marine Geological Consulting Ltd”. His education was undertaken at St. Mary's, Dalhousie and the Technical University of Nova Scotia. He was the first Graduate in Geology from St. Mary's University, graduating in 1969, and an award has been established in his name. He has been responsible for mapping and research on the surficial sediments and shallow bedrock geology of the southeast Canadian Continental Shelf, and has published over 300 maps, reports and scientific papers in government publications and the scientific literature. Additionally, he has conducted over 100 research ship and submersible cruises offshore Canada. He has been involved in geoscience and environmental aspects of most major offshore projects off eastern Canada, including Hibernia Oil Development, Scotian Shelf Gas Development, Confederation Bridge construction, Swissair 111 crash investigation, Halifax Harbour Cleanup and many telecommunication, gas pipeline and electrical transmission route studies. He is a specialist in the study of seabed processes and sediment characteristics. He was a member of the Halifax Harbour Task Force that prepared a blueprint document for the Cleanup of Halifax Harbour and received both Community Planning and Department of Natural Resources Canada Merit Awards for his research. He also was a member of the Harbour Solutions Advisory Committee that prepared the final plans for cleanup of the Harbour.    He has been a popular speaker in Atlantic Canada from a wide variety of university, school and other private and public institutions and has presented over 800 talks and lectures during his career. He has worked on many marine documentaries and collaborations that included the Cousteau family and on seabed research, locations and set design for the recent movie “Titanic” where he starred as an extra. He is presently researching the Oak Island Mystery and the development of Offshore Wind Power for Nova Scotia.
8. Whose Promised Land? Arabs, Jews, and the Middle East - Angus Smith​
Whose Promised Land? Arabs, Jews, and the Middle East - Angus Smith
Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (3 wks) Feb 19 to Mar 05
Church Hall - Hope United Church, 3055 Connaught Avenue, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, there has been a proliferation of messaging – mostly transmitted and amplified by social media – purporting to “explain” the Arab / Palestinian / Israeli conflict, often in terms that are inflammatory, incorrect, hateful or some combination of the three.  Similarly, the war has provoked an unprecedented degree of anger, a great deal of which has manifested in racial and religious terms, often resorting to language like “apartheid,” “genocide,” “colonialism” and, especially (and most worrisomely), age-old xenophobic tropes directed at both sides.   All of this means that both the day-to-day reality of the conflict and, just as importantly, the very long history that underlies it, is virtually impossible to discern or understand, particularly for non-specialists.   This course, which is taught over 3 sessions, is an attempt to rectify that and to bring some degree of clarity and context to the very long history shared by Arabs and Jews; the presence of both in what we now know as Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; and the roots of one of the most pernicious conflicts of the contemporary world.

In the first session, we will begin several thousand years ago and look at the early development of the Jewish people, of the Arab people, and the rise of Islam. We will see what scripture tells us, and we will focus on the whole question of indigeneity, of land, and belonging.   In the second session, we will travel another 1000 years, from the Crusades to “Day One” of the State of Israel in 1948. We will pay close attention to the development of Zionism as well as the rise of Arab nationalism and the emergence of a “Palestinian” identity.  In the third session, we will talk about the various conflicts that have characterized Arab-Israeli relations, from the establishment of the State of Israel up until the present day. We will focus on a couple of important inflection points – the Six Day War; the Yom Kippur War; the Intifadas – as well as some of the attempts by both sides to achieve meaningful peace, most notably the Oslo Accords. We will also situate Hamas and Hizballah in the context of contemporary Middle East-based terrorism. 

​Diplomats and intelligence officers are fond of observing that “if you think you understand the Middle East, then you haven’t been properly briefed.”  There is truth to that; but there is also objective truth, to say nothing of thousands of years of human stories that underlie all of this. And, for all kinds of reasons, the Middle East, Israel, the Arab world remains – I think quite correctly – a source of fascination for so many people. For me, it’s an utterly compelling and endlessly exciting part of the world. I can’t claim to have any answers, but I hope that some of you will join me as we explore the roots of a conflict, and the real moments of true grace and true connection between Arabs and Jews, that have done so much to define the contemporary world.
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Angus Smith spent more than 30 years in the Canadian intelligence community, a career that included work on Latin America, the Middle East, Russia and Eastern Europe, police corruption, organized crime, terrorism and national security. He continues to work as a writer, consultant and Jewish educator, and lives in rural Nova Scotia.
9. A Practical Guide to Observing the Night Sky with Binoculars - Tony Schellinck
A Practical Guide to Observing the Night Sky with Binoculars - Tony Schellinck
Wednesdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 29 to Mar 05
Church Hall - Hope United Church, 3055 Connaught Avenue, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
After completing this course the participant should have a greater appreciation of and knowledge about what there is to see in the sky and how to find and observe them. Topics covered include: how to find your way around the summer, fall, winter and spring night skies; how to observe the moon and planets; and what galaxies, globular clusters, open clusters, planetary nebula, diffuse nebula, double stars and interesting asterisms can be found. We will also cover how to view these objects using dark adapted eyes and averted vision, and practice observing using a variety of instruments from binoculars to telescopes. We will also explore topics of interest to participants. If the weather cooperates, we will have a couple of nights when we put into practice what we learned in class. If the Halifax Planetarium is operational, I will give my “Love is in the Stars” show there. If you took  this course years ago, it is time for a refresher.
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INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Tony won regional and national teaching awards while a Dalhousie University professor. When he became an amateur astronomer, he conducted lectures and public viewing sessions that taught people the night sky, what was to be found there and how to view them. He was a regular presenter at the Halifax Planetarium, and has given lectures at parks and libraries around the province. He is a long-time member of the Royal Astronomical Association of Canada and was the 2024 recipient of the Qilak Award (Qilak Award / Prix Qilak | RASC ) as the outstanding outreach and educator RASC member in Canada. He has developed two programs for novice astronomers that RASC is in the process of adopting as official RASC programs.
10.  Photography from the South to the North, Travels with Latitude [and attitude] - Alan Griffiths
Photography from the South to the North, Travels with Latitude [and attitude] - Alan Griffiths
Thursdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (6 wks) Jan 30 to Mar 06
Cameron Hall, Parkland Clayton Park, 114 Fairfax Drive, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Starting with the South Pole we’ll journey to the North Pole traveling through bands of latitude. Each lecture will address the photographic history of one of these bands and we’ll examine why they are so different. We’ll journey with explorers through frozen wastes, jungles and deserts, visit towns and villages and meet with people along the route. Strange tales of archaeological sites, encounters with fish, missionary mishaps and unsavory colonial disputes will be covered. Each lecture will be illustrated with rarely seen photographs from collections around the world. This will be like a travel brochure for trips you might want to avoid. Come along you’ll be safe… most of the time.
 
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Alan Griffiths has lectured on multimedia and consulted worldwide for organizations as diverse as the British Library, IBM, the Portuguese Air Force, the European Union and Eastman Kodak. He has lectured at the University of Sheffield, been Visiting Professor at the University of Massachusetts and Chief Information Architect for a dot com start-up. He has maintained an interest in photography throughout. Alan started developing www.luminous-lint.com in 2005 as a personal exploration of the history of photography. To date photographs from over 4,000 organizations, photographers, photographic galleries and private collectors around the world have been included.
11. Jazz Essentials - Ted Blackbourn
Jazz Essentials - Ted Blackbourn
Fridays 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 31 to Mar 07
Church Hall, Hope United Church, 3055 Connaught Avenue, Halifax

COURSE DESCRIPTION
What are the essential elements of Jazz?  What distinguishes Jazz from other musical genres?  How has Jazz changed throughout its history?  Can Jazz be defined?  What is the relationship between Jazz and the popular song?
By examining examples of recorded Jazz from its earliest days to the present, course participants will explore these and other questions in order to gain a greater depth of understanding of this rich and ever-changing art form.
Recordings of songs and live performances by Jazz musicians will be used to illustrate the elements of Jazz and the many stylistic changes that have developed over the years.  

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Ted Blackbourn is a graduate of the music programs at Humber College and York University in Toronto.  He earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and taught high school for the Peel District School Board (Mississauga and Brampton) for 29 years.  Throughout those years, Ted performed and recorded with a number of bands including his own jazz trio.  Since retiring from teaching, Ted has spent his time composing and arranging music for large jazz ensembles and has recorded four Big Band CDs featuring his arrangements.  Ted is a member of the Tuesday Night Big Band in Halifax and the Chester Brass Band.

MAHONE BAY

In-person classes
12. ​The Evolution of Mahone Bay - Deborah Trask
The Evolution of Mahone Bay - Deborah Trask
Tuesdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 28 to Mar 04
Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street, Mahone Bay

​Course Description
This class will look into the evolution of the town of Mahone Bay from the Lunenburg Settlement to the incorporation of the town, through an understanding of land grants, land use, the establishment of roads and stories from some interesting buildings.  There will be a session on the churches and a special session on the boatyards, with members of the Heritage Boatyard Co-op.
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Instructor Biography
A graduate of Acadia University, Deborah Trask spent 30 years on the curatorial staff of the Nova Scotia Museum, retiring as Curator of Buildings and Operations.  In her retirement, she ran a museum research and consulting firm and managed the Mahone Bay Museum for 4 years.  Currently she is the official Heritage Researcher for the Town of Mahone Bay.
13. Moving Through Theatre - Colleen Naomi
Moving Through Theatre - Colleen Naomi
Thursdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 30 to Mar 06
Mahone Bay Centre, 45 School Street, Mahone Bay

​Course Description
Over our six weeks together we will explore the benefits of theatre on personal, community, and global levels. We will look theatrical styles, elements of theatre, and how theatre evolved over time. Each week will also include a short performance/reading by the instructor, moments for reflection, and opportunities to ask questions. I suggest people bring a pen/pencil and notebook.
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Instructor Biography
Colleen Naomi has been involved in theatre for over 30 years. Her early start in theatre, at the age of seven, launched a life-long love of the performing arts. In 2010 her shifted to offering theatre programs for children and youth in Nova Scotia. In addition to teaching theatre, she loves acting, directing and scriptwriting. In 2019 she wrote and toured the one-woman show Who I Want to Be. Colleen was Artistic Director for South Shore Players for 8 years. Colleen lives in Mahone Bay with her family.​​

LIVERPOOL

In-person classes
14. Queens County: A History in 12 Stories - Kathleen Stitt
Queens County: A History in 12 Stories - Kathleen Stitt
Mondays 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (6 wks) Jan 27 to Mar 03
Trinity Church Hall, 196 Church Street, Liverpool

​Course Description
​Kathleen’s winter 2025 course is an engaging journey through Queens County history! With 12 stories highlighting the events, people, and places that shaped our community, it will surely provide an in-depth and vibrant look at the region’s heritage. This approach brings a personal and relatable touch to history, allowing participants to see the connections between past and present in Queens.
The structure of Kathleen's course, with two stories each week, provides a rich blend of economic history and personal narratives of the early settlers. Covering industries like shipbuilding, lumbering, and gold mining alongside stories of resilience and challenge will give participants a well-rounded view of how Queens County grew and evolved. This format makes it easy for participants to connect with both the broader economic forces and the individual experiences that shaped the community.

Instructor Biography
Kathleen Stitt has had a 30-year career in heritage preservation at the Queens County Museum and Perkins House. Her extensive work sharing Queens County history and dedication to educating people of all ages about Liverpool Township's early settlers make her an invaluable resource for local heritage. Her commitment to storytelling—whether through monthly heritage talks, cemetery tours, or public presentations—brings history alive for the community
15. Archaeology and Its Contributions to The Early History of Eastern Canada: Selections - John Stone
Archaeology and Its Contributions to The Early History of Eastern Canada: Selections - John Stone
Thursdays 1:00 PM-3:00 PM (6 wks) Jan 30 to Mar 06
Trinity Church Hall, 196 Church Street, Liverpool

​Course Description
​This is a survey course: imagine a flat rock skipping over calm water. An introduction will help us to explore resources and methods that allow archaeologists and historians to enrich the narrative of Canada’s past, both Indigenous and European. We will also look at the role of perspective in creating that narrative. We will then consider current theories for the arrival and spread of humans in North America. What an amazing saga! Then, leaping thousands of years, we look at the first known Europeans to visit what is now Canada, the Norse. The L’Anse aux Meadows discovery will be joined by the misadventure of the Vinland Map. For the European Age of Exploration we will examine 16th century maps and the archaeology which confirmed the Cartier/Roberval site in Cap Rouge, Quebec. We will finish with the competition between the French and English. This a will feature a look at James Fort in Jamestown, Virginia and our own Fortress Louisbourg. Alert: you will be taking the place of my former Grade 7 students! Be prepared for a boisterous, hands-on, engaging time of fun and collaboration!
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Instructor Biography
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, John was an educator in the province for fifty-three years. He earned degrees from King’s (BA, Classics), Dalhousie (MA, Classics), University of Alberta (BEd. Teaching the Social Sciences) and the University of British Columbia (MEd. Historiography and Archaeology in the teaching of History) and was a Fellow at The Atlantic Institute of Education (Promotion of MEd focus). He taught at the secondary (primarily junior high), undergraduate and graduate levels (SMU, MSVU: Social Studies Methods) and served as teacher, vice-principal, principal, and provincial (Nova Scotia) curriculum consultant. His teaching assignments were always in the social sciences, his core focus being the role of archaeology and historiography in the teaching of history. His teaching methods embraced the learner-centered classroom and he felt his major responsibility to his students was to have fun, expose them to the richness and excitement of the human experience and to facilitate their passage, with confidence, into their own next chapters.

TRURO

In-person classes
16. Community Theatre: Filling the Empty Stage – A Look at Theatre Practice and History - Brian Sears
Community Theatre: Filling the Empty Stage – A Look at Theatre Practice and History - Brian Sears
Wednesdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 29 to Mar 05
Douglas Street Recreation Centre, Room A, 40 Douglas Street, Truro

Course Description
This is a flexible course and will include personal presentation, slides and video, demonstrations (video or live), discussion and, based on the interest of the participants, may include interactive activities such as readings and other active involvement.  However, your personal level of participation will be based on your comfort level.  The first half of each session will be a formal presentation while the second half will be more open and relaxed. 
  1.  Week One: The History of Local Community Theatre – Discussion, reminiscences and course goals 
  2. Week Two: Planning for Production and Acting – Discussion, demonstrations
  3. Week Three:  Scripts and Plays – Video demos and readings 
  4. Week Four:  Improvisation – Activities and demonstrations, videos 
  5. Week Five:  Directing a Play and Best Practices – Discussion, demonstrations and activities 
  6. Week Six:  Back to the Community – Including challenges, inclusion, going forward, discussion.

Instructor Biography
​​Although I have been involved in professional theatre and video activities on just two occasions, I have been involved in community theatre for the past 54 years, starting in high school productions, where I was involved in child participation plays.  I also acted in Colchester Players productions, the Colchester YMCA Drama Club, and have been involved in Hubtown Theatre almost since its beginning.  I have directed over 20 plays (including the musical The Wizard of Oz for Stellarton High School) and acted in over 50 plays.  I have also been involved in technical roles, stage management and sounds in assorted shows.
I have taken workshops and mini courses several times over the years  Thes include a multi-week director’s workshop given by Graham Whitehead, and an intensive three week course to production by the actor and theatre instructor Jack Medhurst, who taught theatre at Ryerson University.  I am a retired school teacher and have written a paper on the history of community theatre in the Colchester area.
17. Getting to Know Our World Through Travel - Various Speakers
Getting to Know Our World Through Travel - Various Speakers
Thursdays 1:30 PM-3:30 PM (6 wks) Jan 30 to Mar 06
Douglas Street Recreation Centre, Room A, 40 Douglas Street, Truro

​Course Description
 Following up on the success and popularity of the Unconventional Travel course (SCANS Spring 2024), this course will feature speakers who have grown up in or had substantial lived experience of the culture, geography, language, foods and historical traditions of Ghana, Poland, India, The Gambia, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands.

Instructor Biography
The experience and credentials of each instructor will be provided in class.
  • Sam Asiedu
  • Cara Kirkpatrick
  • Nancy Pitts
  • Ruth Pfister
  • Kris Pruski