Following along from last week’s topic I hope to continue to whet your appetite for further education and entice some of our regular readers into expanding their personal interest/leisure time horizons early in the season, whilst trying to keep budget consciousness in mind.

One place I recently stumbled onto and have to say I found the outreach staff very courteous indeed, is the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts on Mass Avenue. The School has an interesting recreational program for Julia Child and Darina Allen aspirants. Their classes are designed to introduce the amateur chef to the world of specialty cooking. Students prepare recipes in a hands-on environment with assistance from professionally trained chef instructors. So you can impress your friends, in laws and family with a gourmet meal, perfect pie crust, or well-seasoned sauce. To get a brochure and more details on cost go online to www.cambridgeculinary.com or call (617) 354 2020.

The other place that I know personally from visiting open houses, sitting in on guest lectures and being friendly with many regulars is the OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. They also have for your convenience a number of satellite campuses on the South Shore. OLLI is a lifelong learning program open to all adult learners 50 years and older. No academic or other credentials required. No tests, no papers and no degrees. You do need to be interested in an academic environment, the desire to participate actively in small group seminars with your peers and an open mind about sharing your ideas and experiences. Over 90 courses on a variety of topics are offered each year. Groups meet once a week during the day time for up to 2 hours and groups can last from 4 to 12 weeks. Most of the classes are offered at UMass, Boston whilst others are held at Cordage Park, Plymouth and in Hingham Public Library. Along with classes, Brown Bag lunches are offered in addition to several social events scattered throughout the year. A holiday party, a Boston harbor cruise, museum trips, attendance at theatre events with discounted tickets are all part of the package. There is a very reasonable annual membership charge to participate. To get your catalogue or more information call 617-287-7312. For a friendly, personal introduction to the program and its campuses call IPC at 617 479 7404 x 13 and we can hook you up.

The Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, located at 51 Brattle Street in Cambridge; Tel: (617) 495 4072 also has a plethora of courses on offer. Although no essays, papers, exams or grades to contend with students are expected to complete weekly reading assignments. Not for the faint of heart or those who like to peruse the “Ireland’s Own” and “Mills and Boon Classics” for literature, but definitely to be considered if you would get stimulation from topics like “ Caesar and the Last Days of the Roman Republic” or Karen Armstrong and “A History of God”.

Just in case nothing in the above chronicle grabs you and you are determined to make a fresh start into further education in September, be sure to check in with your local Council on Aging, Community College or Community Center for listings off their menus.

Save the Date: Irish Pastoral Centre, Autumn Dance and Fundraiser, Friday, October 16^th 2009 from 8:00pm to 12 midnight at the Irish Social Club of West Roxbury, 119 Park Street. Entertainment provided by the Andy Healy Band, Refreshments will be served and More details in the coming weeks.