When the old scrap book was opened recently in the Shepherd’s Center offices in Greensboro, there were all of the details of the first Adventures in Learning and the first classes which began October 20, 1987, at First Presbyterian Church.
The late Jim Weikel chaired the board of 15 members 30 years ago and led the fledgling organization, founded by nine local congregations and many volunteers throughout its first year of service.
From the start, the Adventures in Learning series has been a major activity, beginning with seven classes: Nutrition (Wesley Long Hospital), Adult Development (Mental Health Department), Financial Planning (Merrill Lynch), Health Issues of Seniors (Health Department), Physical Fitness, (UNCG), and Cultural Arts, and Traveling (AAA with local agencies).
The current Adventures in Learning program has 20 six-week classes, featuring yoga, gardening, woodcarving, quilting, glass painting, opera, climate change, writing, storytelling, supreme court cases, knitting, and more. Instructors and students enjoy the informal learning environment every fall and spring at First Baptist Church and in the winter at Christ United Methodist Church.
New officers beginning in October are: President, Cliff Lowery; President-elect, Linda Danforth; Secretary, Dick Swanson; and Treasurer, Mozell Weston.