Sooke Region Lifelong Learning
LEARNING NEVER ENDS
Who We Are
Albert Einstein famously said, "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."
We agree! Sooke Region Lifelong Learning was launched in 2016 with this wisdom in mind, delivering over 300 free learning programs to local students of all ages in the years since -- and expanding every year to match a growing number of talented presenters with eager learners.
We're enormously proud of this free, 100% volunteer-run initiative, and happy to report that our Spring 2024 term was one of the busiest and best-attended yet. If you participated in any of our courses, we thank you sincerely for your support.
This fall, there will be over 15 new or returning courses to pick from: Pleasurable pursuits like small-scale gardening and meatless cooking, serious subjects like caregiving for dementia, as well as iconic film screenings, thought-provoking documentary discussions, and a new book club offering. Presenters will also introduce us to another side of the Vietnam War, the changing publishing landscape and much, much more.
Sooke Region Lifelong Learning
is a volunteer organization offering educational programs and workshops for adults in the Sooke region. Based on the Elder College model, we provide stimulating and enjoyable learning environments which address the unique and diverse interests of participants. Programs are offered at Sooke Library and at other locations in the community. Sooke Region Lifelong Learning functions as a working group under the auspices of the Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN).
Email us here: sookeregionlifelonglearning@gmail.com
SRLL FALL 2024 PROGRAM TITLES
- Meet the Presenters
- History and Conservation of Sheringham Point Lighthouse
- Sooke Emergency Support Services Series - Emergency Preparedness
- Indigenous Beliefs on Death, Loss & Grieving
- Understanding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada: A Health Literacy Perspective
- Community Wellness Series: Nurturing Vision, Sustainability, and Generosity
FRIENDS OF SRLL PROGRAM
At Sooke Region Lifelong Learning (SRLL), we believe everyone should have access to lifelong learning and personal growth opportunities, regardless of age, background, or finances. To achieve this, we offer a diverse range of free courses and events, catering to various interests and passions.
To continue providing these resources, we need your support. Our "Friends of SRLL" program allows you to contribute to our mission while receiving exclusive benefits. For just $20 per year, you'll get a membership card and advanced notifications of upcoming courses and events, letting you plan ahead and maximize your experience. Your contribution will also support our commitment to high-quality educational programs, covering instructor fees, materials, and venue rentals.
As a "Friend" of SRLL, you'll join a network of like-minded individuals passionate about lifelong learning and community enrichment. Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. Thank you for considering this opportunity to support Sooke Region Lifelong Learning. We look forward to welcoming you as a valued member of our community and working together towards empowerment through education.
The quickest and most effective way to become a “Friend of Lifelong Learning” is to simply ask at the next SRLL session you attend. You will be recorded as a Friend and receive your card immediately, along with information on the benefits of becoming a Friend. Your financial contribution of $20 to Sooke Region Lifelong Learning shows that you support the work we are doing in providing free educational programs to your community. If “in person” is not convenient for you, you can show your support of $20 or more by clicking the
link below. If using this option, please email us at sookeregionlifelonglearning@gmail.com and let us know you have contributed
so we can add you to our mailing list and thank you for your support.
MEET THE PRESENTERS
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, September 10, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: Join presenters, participants and the SRLL steering
committee to start off the new term with a chance to hear about the coming
programs from the program leaders.
Leaders: SRLL Steering Committee
HISTORY AND CONSERVATION OF SHERINGHAM POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and times: Tuesdays, September 17 and 24, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: The historic Sheringham Point Lighthouse is an iconic
example of Vancouver Island’s maritime history. In 2015, the site was taken over by the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, protected as a Canadian Heritage Lighthouse and fully restored. In session one, conservation consultant Ian Fawcett will present the history of the lighthouse, its operations and functions, as well as the efforts of the local community to protect the site and see it conserved for future generations. In session two, Ian examines the preservation work done and the rationale behind it, both to protect the historic structures and animate the lighthouse and grounds, securing its relevance today and into the future.
Leader: Ian Fawcett is project manager and heritage coordinator for the
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society. He created and manages the Society’s website and is a primary fundraiser. A principal with Change Canada Consultants Ltd., he also serves as secretary-treasurer of the National Trust for Land & Culture, a BC-based conservation charity. He previously worked in fisheries research, spent 15 years as a political staffer at the House of Commons and Queen’s Park, and managed several community-based charitable organizations, including the Land Conservancy of British Columbia. He is semi-retired and lives in Sooke.
Please share!
SOOKE EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES SERIES
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Number of sessions: 4
Dates and times: Thursdays, September 19, October 3, October 24, November 14. 1:30 to 3:00pm.
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program descriptions:
September 19:
Three Steps to Emergency Preparedness
Know the risks, make a plan, get emergency kits.
October 3:
Earthquake Drill
Drop/cover/hold, the proper drill for all ages, in all venues.
October 24:
Emergency Grab and Go
In this session, you’ll learn, in detail, what a grab-and-go kit contains and why everyone in the home should have one.
November 14:
Emergency Home Kit
These are the emergency supplies you should have in your home for your entire family, should you have to remain at home with reduced services after a disaster.
Leader:
Ken Levert, Community Engagement Coordinator, Sooke Emergency Support Services, is a retired Chief Petty Officer with 33 years of service in the Royal Canadian Navy and more than 10 years’ experience with Emergency Support Services.
Please share!
INDIGENOUS BELIEFS ON DEATH, LOSS AND GRIEVING
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, September 26, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: Within Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, there were thousands of beliefs about death, loss and grieving before European contact. While such beliefs still differ within tribes, communities, and families, there are still commonalities within Indigenous spiritual traditions and understandings. We come into this world not to stay, but to go. At Indigenous funerals, some four days long, you may be told, “Do not let tears fall on the body” or be offered clothing of the deceased person. Why? We will discuss this and more. Some of the wisdom may resonate with you. There will be door prizes!
Leader: Bruce Giizhig Barry is a prominent Anishinaabe/Ojibwe Indigenous visual artist, writer, screenwriter, university lecturer, filmmaker and member of the Sandy Bay Ojibway Nation. Known for robust visual narratives (of note, his art on the poster for the Clint Eastwood film Indian Horse), his work is in private and public collections internationally. Like many others, he sees his art as part of the resistance against attempts to extinguish traditional peoples and their worldview. Now in his sixth decade, he travels frequently to Indigenous communities teaching and sharing art, and is a ceremonialist, pipe holder and traditional teacher.
Please share!
UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING (MAiD) IN CANADA
A HEALTH LITERACY PERSPECTIVE
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, October 1, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: Join us for an insightful session on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada. Presenter Vicki Dolling will offer a definition and history of MAiD in Canada, the legal framework governing it (including recent developments), ethical considerations and societal perspectives, as well as the medical criteria and processes involved. The session is designed for anyone seeking to understand MAiD better, whether healthcare professional, caregiver, or someone simply interested in the topic. Emphasizing health literacy, this talk will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful discussions about end-of-life care. Please note: This presentation is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. Attendees are encouraged to consult with healthcare professionals for personal medical guidance and legal experts for specific advice.
Leader: Vicki Dolling brings a wealth of expertise to her role as a public librarian, drawing on more than 30 years in the medical field. Her diverse background includes serving as a clinical medical librarian at a developmental pediatrics centre and a patient and family librarian at a major hospital. She has also been a certified patient advocate and licensed end-of-life educator, helping patients and families navigate the complex landscape of medical information and services. This extensive experience in the medical field, combined with her role in public librarianship, positions her uniquely to offer insightful and practical perspectives on health literacy, particularly in the context of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada.
Please share!
COMMUNITY WELLNESS SERIES: NURTURING VISION, SUSTAINABILITY AND GENEROSITY
with SRLL and the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
Number of sessions: 4
Dates and times: Tuesdays, October 8, 15, 22, 29, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

Program descriptions:
October 8: The How To’s of Donating to a Thrift Store Bev Lewis, manager of the SFRS Community Thrift Store, will discuss what to donate, what the store accepts, and the best way to contribute. Bev has lived in Sooke for 10 years and is grateful to be part of such a supportive community. She has earned certificates in Business and Accounting, and her work experience includes roles at Woodward’s and Sears Canada. Bev started the SFRS Thrift Store from the ground up and continues to run a well-organized and reputable store. Her philosophy is to work hard, be true to yourself, and do your best.
October 15: The Aging Eye Nicki Rawcliffe, optometrist and manager of Sooke Eyecare, will discuss how our eyes change over time from the lids to the retina and everything in between, what we can do to keep our eyes healthy, and what treatments are available for common ocular diseases and conditions later in life. Nick has been practicing on the Island for more than 10 years and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada Reno, his Doctor of Optometry from Pacific University, and has completed a residency in ocular disease and refractive surgery.
October 22: Growing a Flourishing Local Food System Patrick Gale, creator and educator of the EMCS ECO Academy, will discuss innovative projects contributing to a transition to a just, ecologically balanced, local healthy food system. Learn about exciting ways we can all be part of the future of food and communities! His projects include Flourish School Food Society, The Food Rescue Project, ECO Academy, and others. He is also involved in regional school food security program support and development. Patrick has won awards for his work with school gardens, food rescue, foraging, and community food projects for over 20 years.
October 29: Gardening for Food and Pleasure in Small Spaces Avid gardener Kay McGlennon has built considerable skills in gardening in small spaces. She lives in Sooke and produces almost all of her own fruits and vegetables using a very small footprint. Kay will share her knowledge of underplanting and making the most of your garden space.
Leader: Deb Schenk, Executive Director of the Sooke Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated community volunteer, has spearheaded this ongoing Community Wellness Series in collaboration with SRLL. With courses reintroduced after last year’s success, she remains committed to fostering cooperation among local organizations and businesses for the betterment of the community.
Please share!
THE NATURE OF FASCISM: ITS ORIGINS AND TRAJECTORY
Number of sessions: 3
Dates and times: Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

Program description: From Europe to Latin America, Israel, the United States and right here in Canada, an alarming trend towards right-wing extremism has been gaining increasing momentum, resulting in right-populist and neo-fascist movements achieving growing prominence, mainstream acceptability, and even state power. This course, offered in three chronologically organized 90-minute sessions, aims to bring much-needed focus and understanding of the wellspring from which these movements draw their strength, and to explain the resurgence of fascism nearly 80 years after the defeat of Hitler and Mussolini. Each session will consist of a lecture followed by a seminar discussion. By the end of this course, participants will be able to clearly define and identify what fascism is, recognize its causes and how precisely it functions, and consequently, be better able to understand how to resist it.
Leader: Tyson Riel Strandlund is an anti-fascist activist, historian and author who has served in leading roles in a range of progressive movements in Victoria and across Canada, including executive positions in the Canadian Peace Congress and Canadian Network on Cuba. Having studied both at the University of Victoria and the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine, his MA thesis was a thorough examination of questions of imperialism, colonialism, racism, nationalism, and fascism in the 20th century. His writings have been published in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, including a biographical anthology of Indian communist and anti-colonial revolutionary M.N. Roy being released by Routledge later this year. Tyson is a proud member of the Métis Nation and of mixed Slavic ancestry, whose scholarly and theoretical contributions are reflective of both sides, combining meticulous western academic research methods with respect for and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing.
Please share!
MOVIES IN THE AFTERNOON
Number of sessions: 6
Dates and times: October 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27 and December 4. 1:30 to 4:00pm
Location: Harbourside Cohousing Media Room
Program description: Our popular Movies in the Afternoon program will present “Six Great Films” this fall. They are (in alphabetical order): Anatomy of a Fall (2023, France, Justine Triet), The Goddess/Devi (1960, India, Satyajit Ray), The Hunt (2012, Denmark, Thomas Vinterberg), Perfect Days (2023, Japan and Germany, Wim Wenders), The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat (1967, U.K., Peter Brook), and Z (1969, France, Costa-Gavras).

Leaders: Jack Gegenberg, a retired theoretical physicist, is also a passionate film nut and has been involved in the SRLL film course for several years. Arlene Stamp, a retired artist, has a long-standing interest in, and deep knowledge of, films. She (with her husband Bob Stamp) initiated and has led the SRLL film course since SRLL’s inception.
Maximum enrolment: 14 – register early, limited spaces!
Please share!
THE MODERN PUBLISHING LANDSCAPE AND THE GREAT DEBATE
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and times: Thursdays, October 10 and November 7, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: Zoom
Program descriptions:
October 10: The Modern Publishing Landscape Publishing today looks much different than it did a decade ago. In that time, self-publishing has outgrown its long-standing “vanity” stigma and become a viable publishing option for many writers. Traditional publishing has also experienced great changes and just isn’t what it used to be, even for those who’ve found success within the system. This webinar provides an overview of the modern book publishing landscape and gives advice to authors on how to successfully navigate it. We’ll discuss the general publishing options of traditional publishing, DIY, and assisted self-publishing— how it all works and the logistics of moving a book from computer screen to bookshelf.
November 7: The Great Debate—Traditional vs Self-Publishing.
This workshop will outline the ways in which self-publishing differs from traditional publishing, and how the unrestricted nature of this path might align better with a writer’s publishing needs. We’ll also discuss the process of preparing a manuscript for publication and offer advice on how to successfully navigate the industry.
Leader:
Scott Donovan is a publishing consultant at FriesenPress, the largest publishing services provider in Canada. He has more than five years’ experience in this role, as well as a writing resumé and a lifetime of sales knowledge, making him uniquely qualified to guide authors in the initial stages of a publishing journey and help bring manuscripts to life.
Please share!
DOC & TALK
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and times: Thursdays, October 17 and October 31, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: Documentaries abound in our high-tech world, thanks to smaller cameras, smarter editing tools and inexpensive access to social media for promoting and distributing. This two-part series is an opportunity to discuss some of the current docs that dare us to shift our way of thinking or seeing.
The first session will feature a discussion of two easily accessible ones (available free via watchdocumentaries.com): The Social Dilemma and What the Health. Participants should watch these two prior to the discussion, and we will choose two more for the next session. Bring your enthusiasm, questions, comments and opinions; hopefully we will create a judgement-free zone and expand our intellectual horizons.
Leader:
Lorrie Beauchamp is a researcher and writer who has lived in Sooke for the past five years. A long-time cinephile, she averages five movies and/or documentaries a week, and then annoys all her friends trying to discuss them. So she thought—why not make it a learning opportunity?
Please share!
ADDICTION AND THE OVERDOSE CRISIS
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and times: Tuesdays, November 5 and 12, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

Program description: Session one will provide evidence-based information on the science of substance use and addiction. The second session will give a historic context for why we believe what we believe about substance use and how those beliefs have impacted our health and legal institutions, especially conventional treatment. You’ll come away with a much broader understanding of substance use health and addiction issues and, hopefully, a heightened understanding of the need for sweeping changes to drug policy and how we see and treat people who struggle with substance use and concurrent disorders.
Leader:
Ben Goerner, BSW, a mental health and substance use clinician, is a retired counsellor with more than 30 years in the field. He worked specifically with youth for 15 years and with the general population for the rest of his career, including 10 years at a street-level health clinic working with people who struggled with lack of shelter and other resources on top of substance use and mental health concerns. He now advocates for drug policy reform and is active in providing accurate and evidence-based information to the general public.
Please share!
BEYOND THE BOOKS AND PAST THE Sssshh!
The Role of Libraries in Past and Present Society
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, November 19, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

Program description: This brief survey of the history of libraries and the ways in which they have evolved in Western society will lead into a look at the current state of libraries in North America. We’ll consider some of the core values that inform librarianship and briefly look at some of the major issues and challenges libraries face—from threats to intellectual freedom to lack of social safety nets—as well as their exciting opportunities as sites of lifelong learning, community engagement and inclusivity.
Leader: April Ripley has been a librarian with Vancouver Island Regional Library for seven years, the past two and a half years spent as the Adult Services Librarian at the beautiful Sooke branch. Originally from the Crowsnest Pass, AB, she spent two years in Fredericton while completing her Masters in English and Creative Writing at UNB, before moving to Victoria and eventually heading to library school. She earned her MLIS in 2016, fulfilling her childhood dream of working in a library.
Please share!
SRLL BOOK CLUB
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, November 26, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: This semester, the SRLL Book Club will dive into The Ministry for the Future, by Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson. With its scientific accuracy and striking non-fiction descriptions, this is a compelling look into the world’s climate prospects. Former U.S. president Barack Obama named the “cli-fi” novel one of his favourite books of 2020. The VIRL collection has paper, e-book and audiobook versions as well as a book club set.
Leader: Tim Traynor is a former journalist (postings in London and Washington) and a retired federal public servant, specializing in international issues.
Please share!
MEATLESS MONDAYS AND BEYOND
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and times: Thursdays, November 21 and 28, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: November 21, in person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room; November 28, online via Zoom
Program descriptions:
November 21: Introduction to Vegetarian Meals Jill breaks down the different dietary labels (flexitarian, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, etc.) and discusses why a vegetarian diet is a responsible choice for the Climate Emergency. She also reviews the Canada Food Guide as protein is sometimes a concern when considering vegetarian meals. She offers suggestions for pantry staples, food storage and plant-based substitutes and will describe her attempts at a 100-mile diet. Come to this in-person session with your questions and success stories with vegetarian cooking.
November 28: Vegetarian Menus and Recipes Jill reviews a two-week cycle of vegetarian meals, including recipe sources, budget-friendly options and favourite websites during this Zoom session. We’ll discuss holiday celebrations and vegetarian options/substitutions for traditional favourites as well as how we can support food sharing.
Leader:
Jill Marchand is a home cook who is always cooking and looking for new recipes to expand her collection. She is known to read recipe books from cover to cover. Meatless meals have been a part of her menu planning for the past 50 years. A full-time pescatarian for more than 10 years, she enjoys the challenge of converting conventional recipes into vegetarian items and is now looking at moving towards a diet with less dairy and fish. This is the third time Jill has presented this popular topic.
Please share!
WORLD EVENTS
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, December 3, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: Zoom
Program description: The world is difficult to comprehend and this program seeks to make some sense of the myriad ideas and actions that pervade our world scene. The conversations and opinions fly off the screen and everyone has their say. Join us for stimulating interactions and discussions.

Leader: Chris Moss is an Otter Point resident, and a long-time Sooke Region Lifelong Learning participant.
Please share!
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VIETNAM WAR
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, December 5, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: Using an overhead projector, former ship’s captain Patrick Quinn-Young will share with us a personal project he embarked on in Vietnam while in the final years of his career. Patrick befriended several Vietnamese veteran artists who produced artwork during their war against the Americans, and Patrick will show a variety of images of their work. From the French Indochina War that ended at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 to the Vietnam War that ended with the storming of the Presidential Palace in Saigon in 1975, there is no gore or bloodshed in the Vietnamese artwork because the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese soldiers did not paint this. This is very different from American veteran art—which will not be shown.
Leader: Patrick Quinn-Young was based in Southeast Asia for the final three years of his career before retirement.
Please share!
DEMENTIA: CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, December 10, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: Zoom
Program description: This hands-on practical session will share how not to go crazy caring for someone who lives with dementia and include real-life examples of how to use a psycho-social approach. These are proven strategies for compassionately caring for someone living with dementia while maintaining one’s own health and sanity. Susan uses simple questions and examples to reframe dementia and its symptoms with the goal of living less stressfully and more meaningfully as dementia care partners and friends. Anyone who interacts with people who live with dementia will benefit.
Leader: Susan Macaulay, a dementia-care advocate, blogger, trainer and lay researcher, created MyAlzheimersStory.com in 2014 to support dementia care partners; the site comprises more than 700 articles. Susan’s work has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association and she is currently writing a book on her journey with her mom, Patty. Susan is also a pink lover and motorcycle rider.
Please share!
EMERGENCY NEIGHBOURHOOD PREPAREDNESS
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, December 12, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: Whether you live in a rural setting, urban neighbourhood of single homes, strata complex, apartment-style building, condo, or townhouse, you need to be prepared for emergencies. Become a champion for your community! This presentation will demonstrate how you can help your community be prepared during an emergency.
Leaders: Belinda Titanic came to Sooke after 37 years in education (teacher and administrator) in Ontario. As health and safety leader for her board of education, she focused on emergency preparedness during tornadoes and lockdowns for staff and students. With new training and various initiatives, she now co-captains a NEPP (Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program) in a Sooke neighbourhood.
Ron Bilinsky is a Sooke resident with many years of experience in forming neighbourhood emergency pods.
Please share!
END OF TERM FESTIVE MEETING
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, December 17, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Location: In person, Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Program description: We end the fall 2024 session with a festive gathering to celebrate another successful season of Sooke Region Lifelong Learning programs and to thank our participants and presenters.
Leader:
The SRLL Steering Committee
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SRLL PAST PROGRAMS
EMAIL PERMISSION
When you register for a course we add you to our contacts list, unless you tell us not to. We send our contacts emails twice a year to give them advance notice of upcoming courses. As one of our contacts you may also receive other information about us (for instance, information on late courses or questions about your preferences), but we know you do not want yet another group filling up your mailbox, and we promise you that we will
never send more than six emails in a year (so far, we have never managed to send that many). If you do not want to hear from us, please mention this in your registration email, or at any time
email us to be removed from the list.
And don’t worry, this promise is just for the informational material sent to our contacts list; when you register for a course we will still contact you by email regarding any details about courses you have registered for even if you have opted out of the contacts list.
SRCHN Office Hours
Monday by Appt only
Tuesday & Wednesday 9-4
Thursday 10-5
Friday by Appt only
CONTACT
Office : 204-2120 Church Rd,
Sooke BC, V9Z 0W7
Mail: PO Box 642 Sooke BC, V9Z 1H6
Office Tel: 778-365-1878
We are grateful for the support from:
