EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The experience of living and working at Kendal at Ithaca is an education in itself. When there is an assemblage of people who are curious and eager to learn, the energy generated is palpable. A visitor once remarked that she had never encountered so many interesting things in one place: "One man showed me how the weather station worked. Another person showed me a rug she was weaving, and she had never done one before! Another refused to tell me the secret of his perfect tomatoes. Another showed me a book the whole city of Ithaca was reading and discussing. Another pointed out a book of great cartoons about Kendal drawn by a resident. Two men were sitting in a corner talking about e-learning. A woman was getting ready for a second printing of her history of Kendal at Ithaca. A group of people were reading and discussing poetry. A man was flying a beautiful kite. And I only stayed one day!" Learning is happening everywhere.

THE LYCEUM

The Lyceum is a series of educational programs which occur during the afternoons at Kendal at Ithaca. The idea was conceived of and is carried out by residents. The very ambitious program operates for 9 months of each year, and during that period, an average of 90 programs occur. Some are single lectures, and others are a series of talks. Scholars from Cornell and Ithaca College, Kendal residents and others from throughout the area present the programs. The topics range from quantum physics, to shearing a sheep, to deregulation of the airlines, to the poetry of Wordsworth, to building a race car in college, to the future of science, to geology for the layperson, to the history of Ithaca. Speakers are eager to come, as evidenced by the fact that several have come more than once.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Many other formal educational programs occur at Kendal as well. A Spiritual Life Committee arranges programs on Saturday afternoons. Another group holds a current events discussion each week. Still another group gets together to share and critique their poetry. An evening series of events includes a wide variety of speakers and performers. Instruction in all aspects of computer use is held regularly, and there are a variety of classes. Some even come together to make wine from the grapes so abundant in the Finger Lakes area of New York.

THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Ithaca is a small city with the advantages of a large urban area. World class performers come to the local academic institutions, and transportation is arranged by Kendal for the heavily attended events. Some people audit classes, and others use the library facilities. The location of Kendal makes it easy to take advantage of educational opportunities throughout the area.