THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603300097
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 194 lines
LOIS STRATEMEIER TRAVELED to Arkansas to learn about jazz and opera, and she studied museum exhibits at the Art Institute of Chicago.
She took off for Kansas City to find out how the city prepares for the holidays.
And more recently, her thirst for knowledge brought her to Portsmouth, where she tackled music of the 1930s and '40s, examined the relationship between literature and opera, and discovered the art of writing an autobiography.
It was the Chicago woman's fourth Elderhostel experience.
``And they just keep getting better all the time,'' the 64-year-old student says.
Elderhostel offers affordable, short-term academic studies for folks 55 and older. It began in New England in 1975 as a way to make better use of vacant college dormitories and classrooms during the summer. Senior citizens were invited to take classes, sleep in dorms and eat in campus dining halls while regular college students were on summer break.
Elderhostel grew from 220 participants that first year to more than a quarter million last year. Programs last about a week and are available in every state of the union and in more than 45 other countries.
Portsmouth's Elderhostel is sponsored by Old Dominion University, which also offers programs in Hampton, Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
Held at the waterfront Holiday Inn, this month's curriculum drew 14 students. Five were commuters from Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and others came from as far as Ontario, Canada.
``The great thing about Elderhostel is that there are no tests, no homework, no pressure,'' says Stephanie Carcano, ODU's Elderhostel program coordinator. ``It's a wonderful travel opportunity built in with a tremendous social experience for people who have always liked to learn new things.''
Elderhostel participants take three academic classes a day, each 90 minutes long, and can use their free time for sightseeing or to participate in extracurricular activities.
With the exception of travel expenses to and from the site, tuition covers all meals, accommodations, classes, activities and registration fees. It usually runs about $350 for domestic programs. Prices for commuters start at $90.
``To have an Elderhostel in any city is a bonus,'' Carcano says. ``Visitors give to the community by supporting local businesses and attractions, and the community gives back by opening its doors and providing the learning adventure.''
The program has been held in Portsmouth for about four years.
``Portsmouth is one of those cities that has a lot to offer besides just a hotel site,'' Carcano says. ``There's a lot of things to do, and people can get to know the region well by just being in Portsmouth, going to Olde Towne, looking at the river.''
Lois Stratemeier agrees.
``At lunch on Tuesday, we saw this aircraft carrier just going by,'' the Chicagoan said last week. She was dining with fellow Elderhostelers in the hotel restaurant, which overlooks the Elizabeth River.
``It startled us. I didn't realize there was so much activity on the river here. I mean, I knew it was a large ship-building area, but just to see it all
Stratemeier came to Portsmouth with a friend and newcomer to Elderhostel, Theresa Molgren of Oak Park, a Chicago suburb.
``We've walked along the river (on the Seawall), and we took the ferry across to Norfolk Tuesday and went to the MacArthur Memorial,'' said Molgren, 60. ``And I went over to the Portsmouth Arts Center because I was particularly interested in the Russian exhibit that they have there.
``I've already sent my brother a post card letting him know that this is a neat place to come.''
When the Elderhostelers weren't taking in the sights, they were immersed in their classes.
Edith Guggenheim, 76, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., has participated in 15 Elderhostels.
``Once in a while, I take my car to various ones in California, and I fly a lot, too. But the primary importance for me is the program. I liked the combination of the classes here a lot.''
Portsmouth's week opened with ``The Art of Autobiography,'' taught by Rebecca Williams, a part-time theater instructor at ODU. Throughout the week, participants were encouraged to keep journals, with Williams acting as a kind of writing coach.
In one class, students were asked to write about something they love. Most of them wrote about their love of travel.
One woman described a trip to Switzerland to attend a grade-school class reunion, another her love of the Hawaiian islands and how her dream was to celebrate the turn of the century in this tropical paradise.
``This is one thing I've discovered since becoming involved in Elderhostel,'' Stratemeier said. ``When you get together, you have a tendency to talk about travel and places that you've been because it's a common bond that we all share.''
Next, students traveled back in time to listen to music of the big-band era.
``That hits people in our age group right between the eyeballs,'' said Glenn Chase, 71, of Rehoboth Beach, Del.
``Music of the '30s and '40s'' was taught by Dru Stowe, a professional musician who performs in a swing band and at Busch Gardens.
During the seven hours of class time, participants listened to different band leaders to compare sound and styles.
``Big-band music is not dead,'' Stowe told his students. ``There are young musicians coming along who are very much interested in keeping this music alive. . . .
``They're going to keep your music playing for you and for the rest of us who enjoy it so much.''
A popular class with Elderhostelers, ``Music of the '30s and '40s'' is sometimes paired with a ballroom dance course, says Carcano, the program coordinator.
``Sometimes we study the time period and get more thematic.''
The third class of the week, ``Literature and Opera,'' was a study of literary masterpieces that were turned into musical dramas, such as Shakespeare's ``Othello.''
Through lectures and videotapes provided by Roy Aycock, professor emeritus of English at ODU, participants were introduced to some of the world's greatest opera singers.
Faye May, 67, signed up for the Elderhostel program as a commuter from Norfolk after meeting Aycock at ODU.
``Roy Aycock was a guest at an opera course I took at ODU,'' said May, who lives in Ghent, ``and he announced at that time that he was going to be giving the Elderhostel course.''
``It's been very enlightening,'' said Chase, the Delaware resident. ``We also took a tour of the Harrison Opera House, and we thought that was spectacular!''
In addition to the three classes offered, the week-long program also included a walking tour of Olde Towne, a living history presented by a local actress portraying ``The Witch of Pungo,'' and free time to visit area museums.
``It's a wonderful way to take a vacation,'' said May, a first-time Elderhosteler who plans to help with registration and orientation for upcoming programs. ``It's very reasonable as far as cost is concerned, and they make every effort to make your stay enjoyable.''
According to Guggenheim of California: ``Elderhostel is the greatest invention for senior citizens ever made.''
``The other,'' quipped Ann Pietropinto, 55, of New Hope, Pa., ``is Metamucil!'' MEMO: For more information about Elderhostel or to receive a free catalog of
programs, write to Elderhostel Catalog, 75 Federal St., Boston, Mass.,
02110-1941. To learn more about the ODU Elderhostel program, call
Stephanie Carcano at 683-3737.
UPCOMING SESSIONS\ Upcoming ODU Elderhostel classes scheduled at the
Holiday Inn-Portsmouth Waterfront. Each week students may attend a bloc
of classes or may select an alternative choice, if available.
April 14-19
1. Great Dismal Swamp: History and Legends
2. Ecology of the Great Dismal Swamp
3. Indians of the Dismal Swamp
Alternate
``Songs of the People: Folk Music, Stories and Instruments''
June 9-14
1. The Healing Power of Humor
2. A Word About Weather
3. To Ride the Seas and Defend Our Shores
Alternate
1. The Wonderful World of Watercolors
2. Lasting Impressions: In Appreciation of Art
July 7-12
1. Pirates, Inc.
2. WWII at the Beach
3. A Word About Weather
Aug. 11-16
1. The English Country House
2. Scottish Kings and Queens in the 16th Century
3. Music of the British Isles
Alternate
1. The Wonderful World of Watercolors
2. Lasting Impressions: In Appreciation of Art
Aug. 25-30
1. The World at War: Causes and Events of World War II
2. Music of the '30s and '40s ILLUSTRATION: Color photo on cover
Stephanie Carcano guides the Elderhostel walking tour of Olde Towne.
The picture, at the arch on Crawford Parkway, was taken by staff
photographer Mark Mitchell.
Staff photos by MARK MITCHELL
The Elderhostel group takes a stroll along London Boulevard with the
ODU coordinator Stephanie Carcano, left. Held at the waterfront
Holiday Inn, this month's curriculum drew 14 students, some from
as far as Ontario, Canada.
AT RIGHT: These homes on North Street were part of the attractions
the group saw in Olde Towne. Elderhostel participants take three
academic classes a day, and can use their free time for sightseeing
or to participate in extracurricular activities.
AT LEFT: Edith Guggenheim, 76, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., has
participated in 15 Elderhostels. ``Elderhostel is the greatest
invention for senior citizens ever made.'' ``The other,'' quipped
Ann Pietropinto, 55, of New Hope, Pa., by CNB