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in partnership with Programs for 50 at Ryerson University’sG. Raymond Chang School of Continuing EducationLivingLIFEThe LIFE InstituteThe Chang SchoolRyerson University350 Victoria StreetToronto ON M5B 2K3T: 416-979-5000 x556989E: ortant Dates toRemember:WINTER BREAKDec.21.19 – Jan.5.20Ryerson University/LIFE Institute is closed.FAMILY DAYFebruary 17, 2020Ryerson University/LIFE Institute is closed.Interested inFree Lectures,Events andall the latest news?Follow LIFE onsocial media:Volume 28, No. 4December 13, 2019LIFE Board of Directors Changes:Important News from the AGMBy the time you read this,new Executive DirectorDeborah Bonk Greenwoodwill have taken over.Virginia Bosomworth hasmoved to Past Board Chairand is succeeded by MilviDr. Paul HerbertEster as Board Chair. As well,Janice WintonPaul Herbert and Janice Winton have joined theBoard replacing retirees Charles Wright and Howat Noble.Ex-officio member Sandra Kerr is also retiring from the Board andfrom her long-time position at Chang 50 Programs as Manager. Atoken of appreciation was presented to her.Sandra Kerr is Retiring!Sandra Kerr, Director of Programs for 50 at the G. RaymondChang School of Continuing Education, is retiring after devotingmuch of her career to developing and delivering excellent programsfor the 50 population at Ryerson.Sandra has brought both skillsand personal commitment toher work at the Chang School.In her work, she has fosteredinnovative programs forseniors. As well, Sandra haschampioned volunteerism atthe Chang School andhonoured volunteers throughspecial award ceremonies overthe years. Behind the scenes,Sandra has been involved inprovincial, national andinternational networks in later1

Quick LinksLIFE WebsiteContact LIFE OfficeLIFE Board of DirectorsClubsChang School Programs for50 Ryerson UniversityACT II StudioGET INVOLVEDIf you are interested involunteering, please contactDenise Smith, Manager ofVolunteer Servicesd.smith@thelifeinstitute.ca416-979-5000 x543612FAQsWant answers fast?Most answers can be foundonline. Here are someexamples: Refund Policy How to view yourcourse registrationsand room locationsSAVE THE DATE TOM AXWORTHYLECTURESat., Jan.18, 20201 - 3 p.m. WINTER CLASSHOST ORIENTATIONWed., Jan. 22, 202010 a.m. - 1 p.m. WINTER WELCOMEBACK EVENTThurs., Jan. 23, 202010 a.m. - 12 p.m.Registration Required.See LIFE websitefor more informationlife learning and has been a guest speaker at numerous specialevents, conferences, and seminars on this topic.Over the years, Sandra has worked in collaboration with the LIFEInstitute for the benefit of those enrolled in both LIFE and 50 programs.Prior to her role as Director of Programs for 50 , Sandra was theAcademic Coordinator of the Gerontology Certificate at Chang. Inthis role, Sandra expanded much of the delivery to online offeringsas well as the classroom.We wish Sandra all the best in her retirement and thank her for hercontribution to the lives of the 50 population at Ryerson.LIFE’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan:Looking Ahead to Meet Future ChallengesTo date, mainly through “word of mouth”, The LIFE Institute hasbeen successful in providing numerous and diverse learningexperiences to more than 2,500 members, along with opportunitiesfor 275 volunteers.The Board of Directors, looking ahead to meet the anticipatedchallenges of the future, set out to explore the membershipexperience, partnership, diversity and the competitive landscape.Task forces, workshops and surveys involving members andvolunteers followed and their feedback enabled the Board todevelop The LIFE Institute Strategic Plan 2020-2022.“I am excited about the energy and focus that our members andvolunteers have contributed to LIFE's next three-year plan,” saysnew Board of Directors President Milvi Ester. “I think our strategicblueprint is a solid framework that provides direction and focus toaccomplish our shared goals.”The Plan includes revised mission and vision statements as guidingprinciples. In addition is a list of core values: learning, community,inclusion and integrity. Five key focus areas to support and guidethe organization during the next three years are also outlined in theoperational plan: quality programing, membership engagement,organization and finance management, partnerships and volunteerengagement.“Branding” The LIFE Institute is proposed in the Plan, targetingadults in the GTA, age 50 , looking to be engaged through learningabout or discussing various subjects with people who share theirpassion for life-long learning.LIFE also advises that it offers the largest selection of daytimelearning experiences (expert lectures, member-led courses,discussion groups, clubs and special events) available downtownand in North York, enhanced by committed member volunteers andits affiliation with Ryerson University.2

Member Profile: Peter WillsonA Great Trip Through a Fascinating TimeThis summer one of the most popular courses taught at the LIFEInstitute turned out to be “Hey! Hey! We're the 60s” taught byPeter Willson, a graduate of the Radio and Television ArtsPrograms at Ryerson University. Peter also spent 25 years in salesand marketing for various publications including Maclean’s andChatelaine. One of the topics considered is how the media in the1960s in Canada reported on the Viet Nam War and anti-warprotests, leaving a powerful and lasting impact that continues toreverberate today.In conversations, he revealed thathe had aspired early on to be thenext Knowlton Nash, and beganto take studies in the media andcommunications area. Thehighlight of his career was inworking for a Cabinet Minister ofthe Ontario ProvincialGovernment.With regard to the course, Peterrevealed that he wants to learn asmuch as the students and hedoes this by asking open ended questions and knowing everyone’snames. One of the great comments about the course described itas “a must for anyone with an interest in the 60s as a decade ofturmoil and change. Peter Willson’s unique thematic approach,compelling stories, and treasure trove of contemporary magazines,newspapers and memorabilia enhanced the presentation.” Otherscommented that the course had everything - political, societal, sportand the music history of the decade, coupled with enlightening andfun discussions between the class participants and the lecturer.Warning! This Might Make You Smile, orEven Laugh. Jack Newman and Allan Price:Funny Men Talking About ComedyInterviewing two instructors dealing with Comedy was both dauntingand fun. Both Jack and Allan have performed in comic roles, andbring to their work and courses their love of comedy, their keenintelligence, empathy, and compassion for human nature.Jack has taught Television of Relevance: The advent of sociallyconscious television in the 1970s, Legendary Comedians, TheGenius of Neil Simon (mnJCC), British Comedy Rules: Theinfluence of British Comedy on Western Culture, and currently,International Film Comedies.3

Allan has taught Al Jolson: The world’s greatest entertainer andcurrently Izzy, Fanny and Flo: America’s greatest songwriter,funniest girl, and greatest showman.It seemed best to let them speak in their own words, as theyresponded to questions posed:1. What’s your first memory of something being funny?2. When did you discover YOU are funny (not odd, buthumourous)?3. The Greeks believed Humour is close to Tragedy. What’sthe difference between the two for you?4. Why do you think people need humour in their lives?5. What’s your favourite form of humour?6. Who, apart from you, is the funniestcomedian/comedienne you’ve heard or seen?Jack Newman’s responses:1. Besides enjoying earlychildren’s programs onCBC such as Uncle ChiChi Muss and Hollyhock(really), I fell in love withthe Saturday shorts atThe Metro Theatre;Abbott and Costello,Harold Lloyd, Joe E.Brown, and the greatMarx Brothers.2. I discovered I was funny, I think, in Junior High, when Iwould clown around in class, like ride up with the Venetianblinds when it was my duty. (This involved jumping up as Iraised the blinds),3. Comedy can be funny, but also intend to change behavioras in Satire. Satire does not always elicit laughter. If youwant a formula, Tragedy ends with a funeral, Comedy at awedding.4. Very obvious why people need humour in their lives. It is thebest medicine, and in the words of Julia Louis Dreyfuss, “Icertainly hope laughter is the best medicine because thepresent American administration is replacing Obamacarewith it “(Sic.)5. My favourite form of humour: Good Humour, not lazy crudehumour. Long form: Joseph Heller; Short Form: The essaysof Jack Handey, Simon Rich, Paul Rudnick, Woody Allen,Fran Leibowitz, Nora Ephron (who I met); Stand Up: JohnMulaney, Sebastian Maniscalco, Brian Regan, KatherynRyan, Bill Burr, and many more.6. The Funniest Comedian? Sid Caesar in Your Show ofShows, in a skit called “This is Your Story” with Carl Reiner.I cry with Laughter. And Monty Python in Life of Brian,especially Graham Capman being a false Messiah, JohnCleese as Basil Fawlty, Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder.4

Allan Price’s responses:1. My dad was funny. Iremember walking downSpadina with him and he’dalways meet other guys whowould laugh at whatever hesaid. I had no idea what wasfunny about it, but I laughedtoo. I also had an UncleKelly who was a drummerand he made me laugh(probably telling me dirtyjokes when I was 8). I also have memories of TV shows inthe 1950s like Ed Sullivan, with every vaudeville comedianwho was still alive (I loved Henny Youngman and MyronCohen, probably because my dad had their 78 rpm records).My favourite show was Sid Caesar, but I liked Lucy, JackBenny, Phil Silvers, Jackie Gleason, and others.2. I was short and chubby as a kid and not that good at sports,so the only way to get girls to like me was to be funny. InJunior High School, as a joke, I ran for school president. Iwrote a funny speech and got elected. The Principal was notamused.3. The Greeks were a little before my time.4. I think we need many things in our lives to make ourexistence meaningful, like beauty and achievement andkindness. So humour is just another of those kinds of things.Once we pay the bills, all we want out of life is enjoyment,ergo laughter.5. Yeow, this is a tuffy. Jackie Mason used to really make melaugh. I know I don’t like slapstick, or anything mean wheresomeone is the butt of a joke. I guess I like cleverness, asharp wit, jaunty repartee, an acerbic barb. I did like theMarx Brothers. So, to answer the question, I don’t have afavourite form of humour. I can only think of examples offavourite practitioners of comedy. Mark Twain, DorothyParker, Irving Berlin and Ira Gershwin were brilliant. A fewyears ago, I was in a show called “Old Jews Telling Jokes”which got great laughs and had a good run, but I personallydidn’t find some of the material all that funny. Although, “Hehad a hat” is very funny.6. Almost anyone. But then I never thought of myself as acomedian, so I’m probably the wrong person to ask. Wait.Wait. I know. Billy Crystal. Am I right?Thanks, Jack and Allan. You’ve given us a perfect primer forbringing laughter into our lives on grey, unfunny winter days inToronto, and even for lovely sunny days when laughing a little or alot can change our lives.Much of the material cited here is available on YouTube).5