Aging Well Learning Community

 

Psssst! There's a not-so-secret store of wisdom that’s been accumulating for many years in our region. Meeting monthly since 2009, it’s the Aging Well Learning Community, dedicated to “aging well with consciousness, courage and contribution.”  

 

Founded and led by Nancy Walton-House, M.Ed., the Aging Well Learning Community (AWLC) meets both remotely and in person at the North Bend Library on the third Saturday of the month from 10:15-12:30pm. If you don’t want to travel to North Bend, participants can attend via Zoom. In-person attendees often go out for lunch following the discussion, deepening their connections.

While the group does read and discuss books (both fiction and nonfiction, by male and female authors), the AWLC is not a typical book club, and you don’t have to read the book to participate in the discussion. Participants also view and discuss films; read poetry aloud; listen to and discuss music; sculpt with clay, and share spiritual traditions during the holidays.

Like many groups these days, AWLC takes advantage of Zoom technology so participants can choose to stay home and still participate. The technology -- called "OWL" -- aids in seeing and hearing everyone regardless of whether they are in-person at the North Bend Library or in their living room. "OWL" has a 360-degree camera and microphone which swivels to focus on whoever is speaking. In addition, it acts as a speaker to amplify the remote participant voices. Another miracle of technology!

Here are some facts about the Aging Well Learning Community (AWLC):
 
The purpose of the AWLC is to gain deep knowledge of positive aging. AWLC provides an open space where meaningful connection is promoted. Meetings are organized to stimulate reflection and conversation.

The group has both male and female participants ranging in age from mid-50s to the 90s.

Facilitators are rotated each month. Meetings begin with individual check-ins of the participants; each meeting ends with reports of valuable takeaways from the meeting.  

Participation in this group nurtures caring relationships that continue outside of the meetings. Other positive outcomes include gaining confidence and courage in realizing we can live our later years with integrity and quality; and an increased commitment to care about and contribute to the people and issues that are important to us.

Upcoming discussions are as follows:

• 4/15/23 Shatner, William.  MEMOIR.  Live Long And… What I Learned Along the Way.
• 5/20/23 Allende, Isabel.  The Japanese Lover: A Novel.
• 6/17/23 Feiler, Bruce.  Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age. 

We can all use some companionship on our aging journey – check out KCLS’ Aging Well Learning Community!

Curious? Register at this link to get the Zoom link or reach out to Nancy Walton House at (n_waltonhouse@msn.com) for more information.

 
Wendy Pender, Older Adults Program Coordinator, King County Library System, wgpender@kcls.org, 425-369-3285

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