HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College (WSCC) on Thursday held a kickoff and registration luncheon for the 2019-20 year of its Wallace State Lifelong Learning Institute (WaLLi) education and activity program for seniors at the Bailey Center on campus. The program boasts a membership of 235 seniors and plans on getting bigger this year.
WaLLi, according to its manual, “is for individuals aged 50 and up and offers a unique learning community that is life-enriching, that provides opportunities to engage with new people, and offers intellectually stimulating events and travel. Each semester there are a wide range of activities scheduled, such as cultural events, arts and crafts, movies, day trips, luncheons, lectures, games, a book club, and events highlighting our local communities. Other offerings may include computer and technology courses, health-related topics and health fairs, competitions, and overnight excursions. Use of the Wallace State Wellness Center and gym is also included as a component of the WaLLi program. Courses are taught by volunteers and instructors who share their knowledge and passions.”
Membership in the program includes:
- Wallace State Wellness Center and gym membership
- Unlimited WaLLi courses and activities
- Seminars and cultural events at WSCC and those by community partners, including free admission to WSCC music and theatre productions, as well as free admission to the Cullman Community Concert Association events held at WSCC
- Trips, tours, social luncheons, holiday parties, movies, and contests
- Small group activities – WaLLi Lunch Bunch, WaLLi Book Club, game days
- Free use and circulation privileges at WSCC Library
- Free admission to WSCC-sponsored home athletic events
- Access to discounted WSCC services, including dental clinic, therapeutic massage clinic, style salon, auto repair, and more
- Free WaLLi T-shirt with one-year membership
For a sampling of activities, WaLLi’s 2019 fall semester offerings include:
- Book club
- Four movie days
- Informal get-togethers at local restaurants
- Healthy cooking demonstrations, including one in November especially for the holidays
- Volleyball clinics
- Pickle ball clinics
- Pot luck luncheon each month
- “Living Well Series,” including classes like fall prevention and fall-proofing the home, use of assistive devices, recovering or caring for someone recovering from orthopedic surgery, preparing the home for aging-in-place, and other topics
Special classes will include Sharpie tie-dyeing, painting, calligraphy, Christmas crafts, birdwatching, small engine repair, power tools, personality testing and tractor operation and safety. Planned day trips include Civil War history at Crooked Creek with lunch at Talk of the Town in Winston County, Blackberry Hill alpaca farm and other Anniston attractions, Cullman Oktoberfest, Cullman County Fair, Jessie Owens Museum and Old Cookstove Restaurant in Danville and a Christmas lunch show with Kevin Adams in Athens.
LaDonna Allen, with the WSCC Office of Advancement, works with WaLLi and shared with The Tribune: “I have been at Wallace State 26 years and can honestly say that my time working with the WaLLi program has been the highlight of my career. The people are so caring, interesting and welcoming. They all have so many talents and the desire to be a part of a lifelong learning community. I am always amazed at the talent in our group. Last week we went to the bowling alley for a ‘Lunch Bunch,’ and several stayed to bowl. Marilyn Lutzky, our oldest member at 93, won every game she played!
She continued, “If someone aged 50 or older is looking for an educational or life-enriching environment, I highly encourage them to join the WaLLi program. It is a warm environment in which to exercise, travel, learn new things and meet new people.”
Join the fun!
Membership in WaLLi is open to anyone age 50 and older. Members can join by the semester for $40, $30 for the summer term or $99 for a full year (starting in August).
To sign up for WaLLi or to get more information about the program, visit www.wallacestate.edu/Walli or call 256-352-7818.
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The registration event drew a good-sized crowd to the WSCC Bailey Center. (W.C. Mann for The Cullman Tribune)
