Writers, young and old, share experiences - continued

Classes of seniors are benefiting from new writing skills taught by Maree Thair, who also teaches adult basic education to CNC students.

Sometimes the two groups get together to share their work and experiences.

Thair has been teaching writing to the seniors since September through a program jointly shared by the province's Ministry of Education, Skills and Training and the federal National Literacy Secretariat.

In 1989 the province decided to extend literacy beyond learning institutions and into the community.

Research followed, and this was the first year funds were provided for the delivery of programs in communities, said Thair, senior literacy co-ordinator. She works with Christine James, manager of the Prince George Regional Community Care Society, and Diane Parlette, administrator at the Senior Citizens Activity Centre.

Thair has 31 seniors and 15 adult basic education CNC students who are all learning the fundamentals of writing.

In the beginning, although the seniors "loved to share their stories, they were reluctant to write," Thair said. Eventually, with encouragement, a small group began to put their thoughts on paper, sharing with each other. "Then they began to believe in themselves," said Thair. She's discovered, "Their writing comes from the heart and is and expression of their experiences."

And now history is being recorded by the seniors aged 65 to 91.

Last week, the two groups shared their stories of the past and present.

The younger students learned how the Bombardier was the forerunner of the snowmobile and how newlyweds were chivareed on their wedding night by friends and neighbors announcing their arrival, with gifts and food, by banging pots and pans.

The senior students heard experiences of a different age from first-generation Canadians or about nature, environment and photography.

Thair teaches classes once a week at the Senior Citizens Activity Centre, Alward Place and 1010 Liard St. residences in Prince George, but different communities have different programs.

Here the funds go towards instruction, word processing and binding writings into book form, said Thair, noting CNC also provides support services like clerical duties.

"In other communities funds may be used for purchasing books and delivering programs like reading circles," she said.