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 (SRLL) was launched in 2016 with this in mind, delivering 300+ FREE learning programs over the past decade. We’re enormously proud of this 100-percent volunteer-run initiative, and happy to report that our previous term was well attended and lots of fun. If you participated in any of our courses, we thank you sincerely for your support.
For the Spring 2026 term, there are 16 new or returning courses to choose from, from quilting to mindful walking and longboat rowing, discussions on capitalism, Palestine, Anne Brontë, and women in the world of fine art, as well as explorations of the natural world with sessions on orcas and silkmoths. Old favourites like Movies in the Afternoon and the SRLL Book Club will be returning, as well as Doc & Talk, a newer offering that explores contemporary documentaries. Most sessions take place at the Sooke Library, except for Movies, and some are available by Zoom. Scroll down for full descriptions.
Based on the Elder College model, SRLL functions as a working group under the auspices of the Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN) and in partnership with the Sooke Library. Our mission is first and foremost to provide stimulating, sociable, and free learning opportunities that address the unique and diverse interests of our community. For more information, email us at sookeregionlifelonglearning@gmail.com.
Please note: We try to ensure all of our information is as accurate as possible, but last-minute changes do happen and we are not able to keep this website updated. If you choose to drop-in to our programs, please double-check with our registrar at the above email address.
FRIENDS OF SRLL PROGRAM
Everyone should have access to lifelong learning and personal growth opportunities, regardless of age, background, or finances. That’s why SRLL is free for all, with 15 to 20 learning opportunities provided each term by volunteer presenters.
We do have some minor expenses, which is why the “Friends of SRLL” program began in 2024: For a gift of $20, Friends get early registration privileges for two upcoming terms, or one year. To become a Friend, speak to the host at any SRLL session. Your email address will be added to our Friends database, and you will be notified when early registration begins for the next term. There is also a button below you can click to become a Friend.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support Sooke Region Lifelong Learning!
SRLL FALL 2026 PROGRAM TITLES
COMING SOON!
1. MEET THE PRESENTERS
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, September 15, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Come and hear our presenters give a preview of their upcoming programs and join us for some good food with good friends to start off the new term. Walk-ins are very welcome, but it helps with our planning if you register.
Hosted by the SRLL Steering Committee: Carolyn Bateman, Jack Gegenberg, Chris Irvine, Susan Nelson, Gail Saunders, Tim Traynor and Hester Vair. And our volunteers Lorrie Beauchamp, Vivi Curutchet, Bob Lipsett, and Janet Riganti.
2. MICHELANGELO: A Life in Stone and the Sistine Chapel
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and time: Tuesdays, September 22 and 29, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Art historian Allan Langdale looks at Michelangelo’s life history (1475 - 1564). Although famous for the Sistine Chapel, he did not consider himself a painter; his primary and preferred art form was sculpture. He was one of the most influential artists of the Italian High Renaissance, and thereafter, with brilliant masterworks in sculpture such as Pieta (1499) and David (1504). A second session, on the Sistine Chapel frescoes, looks at the structure itself (1475-80), the artwork of the walls (1480), the ceiling Scenes from Genesis (1508-12), and the iconic Last Judgement fresco (1534-41), two of the most influential frescoes in the history of Western art.
As an art and architectural historian, photographer, filmmaker, and travel writer with a PhD in art history from UC Santa Barbara, Allan Langdale has taught courses covering Italian Renaissance art, Greek, Roman/Byzantine/Georgian and Armenian architecture, and Indian/Islamic art and architecture. He taught at UC Santa Cruz for almost 30 years. Allan currently works in educational tourism, leading trips in Italy, Turkey, Greece, and other locations worldwide.
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3. MOVIES IN THE AFTERNOON
Number of sessions: 6
Dates and time: Wednesdays, September 23, October 7, 14, 21, 28, and November 4, 1:00 - 4:00pm; please note new start time
Location: TBA upon registration; enrollment is limited to 20 so please register early.
The theme for this term is “The Angel Within” and features six films wherein protagonists emerge from a morally shaky past to redeem themselves. The films are, in order of presentation: The Seven Samurai (1954, Japanese, Akira Kurosawa), A Man Called Ove (2015, Swedish, Hannes Holm), The Battle of Algiers (1966, Italian, Gillo Pontecorvo), Ikiru (1952, Japanese, Akira Kurosawa), The Sacrifice (1986, Swedish, Andrei Tarkovsky), The Front (1976, American, Martin Ritt).
Jack Gegenberg is a retired theoretical physicist. Besides watching films and stressing over how to move on from capitalism, he spends his time working on how to reconcile quantum theory and Einstein’s theory of gravity. He has lived in Sooke for eight years. Chris Irvine is originally from Kingston, Ontario, and has lived and taught in NWT, the Eastern Arctic, and the Western Subarctic for the past 36 years. He taught sciences, art, and music until retiring four years ago to Sooke. He has a keen and vast knowledge of film.
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4. OTTERLY OBSESSED
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, September 24, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
When Covid hit and other activities were cancelled, Kate Woods went otter stalking, following the river otters along Sooke River and the ocean beaches, learning their habits, what they ate, where they hung out. When the otters didn’t show, she stalked birds, bears, wildflowers, and fungi.
By the time activities returned to normal, she was thoroughly addicted to nature photography. This slideshow of local flora, fauna, and fungi, with lots of otters, is accompanied by stories of the challenges of wildlife photography, of hugging an eaglet, social distancing with a bear and of Li’l Miss Chatterbox, the otter pup.
Kate Woods is a local amateur naturalist and photographer. After spending much of her life as a wood and soapstone sculptor, she finally realized that taking photos of wildlife was easier than trying to make stones look like wildlife.
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5. VENEZUELA: REVOLUTIONARY PROMISE VERSUS IMPERIALIST AGGRESSION
Number of sessions: 3
Dates and time: Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
For decades, Venezuela has been in the crosshairs of U.S. imperialism. In January of this year, this culminated in an unprecedented U.S. attack on the country, killing dozens of civilians and military personnel, and kidnapping the elected president, Nicolás Maduro, and “First Combatant” Cilia Flores (his wife and advisor). In seeking to understand the circumstances that led to this, this course will go back to the earliest days of Venezuela’s fight with colonial interference, beginning with the founding of Gran Colombia, exploring the thought of The Liberator, Simón Bolívar, all the way through to the Bolivarian Revolution led by Comandante Hugo Chávez up until today.
Tyson Strandlund, MA, is an anti-fascist activist, historian, and published author. He studied at the University of Victoria and the Kyiv-Mohyla academy in Ukraine. Tyson is a proud member of the Métis Nation, with both his scholarly and political projects reflecting a respect for Indigenous knowledge and experience combined with rigorous scientific methodology.
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6. SOUL-STITCHING PART DEUX
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and time: Fridays, October 2, 16, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Cathy is back for another soul-stitching class! In “Part Deux,” participants from the Spring 26 session can continue with the making of the “quillow” (pillow quilt). Crafters can bring their work-in-progress squares or new squares, with the opportunity to make more from provided materials. The group will have a chance to see the finished pieces to date and will decide what to do with the completed artwork; either donate it or sell it to raise funds for a local charity. New participants are welcome, and Cathy encourages everyone to come with their own sewing projects for show-and-tell. Registration is limited to 20 so register early.
Self-taught seamstress Cathryn Tremain enjoys exploring the history of garments and styles and the joy of sewing her own clothes. She is often seen out and about in her colourful quilted coat. The first quilt she entered into a local show won first prize; she’s enjoyed quilting ever since.
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7. GRANDPARENTING THROUGH SEPARATION AND DIVORCE
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, October 6, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Grandparents play an important role when families experience separation and divorce. In this presentation, you’ll learn to recognize the signs and impacts of parental alienation while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges children face during family transitions. The session will provide practical strategies for maintaining healthy relationships with grandchildren, supporting adult children without getting caught in conflict, and navigating changing family dynamics. Attendees also receive information about communication techniques, boundary-setting, and available resources for families. The goal is to empower grandparents to remain a stable, supportive presence in their grandchildren’s lives during times of change. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.
Karissa Parrish is a Certified Divorce Coach who has run her own home- based business for the past nine years in Sooke. She is passionate about helping people transition from marriage to new lives as divorcees with peace and confidence. She focuses on helping reduce the trauma children may experience and stemming the financial hemorrhaging that can occur during this phase of life.
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8. WEB SAFETY AND NAVIGATION FOR SENIORS
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, October 13, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
The internet is a valuable tool, but it also attracts scammers who target people every day. This workshop will help seniors recognize phishing emails, fraudulent websites, and common online scams. Together, we'll explore trusted resources such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, Reddit community discussions, Snopes, and other fact-checking tools to verify businesses and identify suspicious activity. Through practical examples and easy-to-follow tips, you’ll learn how to evaluate online offers, protect your personal information, and browse the internet with greater confidence, safety, and peace of mind. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.
Desiree Ingram is a web developer and digital consultant. She creates accessible websites and delivers practical education that helps older adults recognize online scams, protect their personal information, and safely enjoy the internet’s benefits through informed, confident decision-making.
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9. NATIVE PLANT GARDENING
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, October 20, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
When our home gardens include native plants, they support healthy ecosystems and reflect an appreciation for these long-established ecological relationships. Native plants’ adaptation to the climate and the cultural management practices of Indigenous stewardship have shaped them and created co-evolutionary ties. Many insects, particularly in their larval stages, depend on one or a few host plants, and even seed-eating birds need insects to feed their young. This workshop will give a glimpse of the value of native plants and how using them in our gardens adds beauty and wonder to our lives and makes us better stewards.
Jay Rastogi studied Natural Resources Management and Environmental Studies at the University of Guelph and worked at the University Arboretum. After graduation, he mentored in sustainable forestry practices with renowned eco-forester Merv Wilkinson. Over the past 15 years he has shared these principles with thousands of students and adults during tours and workshops. He is currently site director of Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
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10. SRLL BOOK CLUB
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and time: Fridays, October 23, and November 20, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
This fall, the SRLL Book Club asks the big question: How can we survive and thrive in community with others? Two books endeavour to answer that question with wisdom, heart, and humour. The first, on Friday, October 23, is the New York Times bestseller Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman, which sets out to prove humanity does indeed thrive in a crisis. The second, on Friday, November 20, is Commune by Denman Island journalist, broadcaster, author and environmental activist Des Kennedy, a fictional memoir about the joys and sorrows of life in an intentional community in the 1970s. Both books are available, either as book sets, individual books, or online at our local library system. You can also borrow a copy of Humankind at a Greater Victoria Library location by using your BC One card.
As a Canadian media correspondent,
Tim Traynor carried out assignments in international journalism. He later worked for federal government departments in the fields of foreign affairs, energy, and international cultural relations.
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11. FINDING BALANCE: Understanding Stress, Life Transitions, and Healthy Aging
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Aging can bring meaningful new chapters in life but also involve significant change. Transitions such as retirement, relocation, caregiving, health changes, and grief all influence emotional and physical well-being. This interactive session explores how stress affects mind and body, and how our nervous system responds over time. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of stress, common thinking patterns that can arise during aging, and the connection between emotional experiences and physical tension. The session also includes simple, optional, chair-based movement practices designed to help you experience how gentle movement can support relaxation, awareness, calm, and grounding. You’ll leave with practical, evidence-informed tools to navigate life transitions with more resilience and self-understanding. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.
Lihua Shao is a counsellor, educator, and certified fitness trainer based in Sooke. A registered Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling – Provisional with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association, Lihua integrates evidence-informed approaches, including CBT, trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, and somatic awareness. Lihua has also taught senior chair exercise in Sooke, Shirley, and East Sooke for the past five years.
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12. A REFLECTIVE SESSION ON SELF-COMPASSION
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, October 29, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
“Often the biggest bully in our lives is our own internal dialogue.” If this rings true, you’re not alone – and this session is designed with you in mind. Join us for a warm, supportive, and engaging workshop focused on understanding and gently transforming the inner critic. We’ll explore why our internal dialogue can become harsh, how it shapes our sense of self, and what it means to shift toward a more compassionate inner voice. Through guided reflection, experiential exercises, and practical tools, you’ll learn the theory behind self-compassion and accessible strategies for nurturing a kinder, more grounded relationship with yourself. No experience with mindfulness or reflective practice is required – just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Dr. Jeff Halvorsen, PhD, RSW (he/him), is of Norwegian, Scottish, and German ancestry and grateful to live on the unceded territory of the T’Sou-Ke First Nation since 2020. Jeff has worked supporting people who have been unhoused as well as those who have experienced gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. He recently started in private practice at Riverstone Counselling in Sooke.
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13. HANDLE STRESS AND DECREASE ANXIETY NATURALLY
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, November 5, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Intense or prolonged stress can be overwhelming and make you sick, tired, anxious and unable to sleep, among other troublesome maladies. Trying to lower stress and anxiety without considering nutrition is like trying to push a boulder uphill. Train yourself to become aware of your body’s stress signals. Learn how rearranging your diet can greatly improve your ability to handle stress and anxiety and which common nutrients are depleted when someone has been under extreme or long-term stress. Discover safe, natural, non-addictive remedies to help you relax. This is part of Jo Phillips’s Eat Well to Age Well series.
Jo Phillips has been a Registered Nutritional Consultant (RNC) for 30 years and is a retired community health nurse. She has given nutrition consults and workshops on nutrition for places as varied as Camosun College Continuing Education and CUPE SD #62 Wellness Days. She continues to upgrade her expertise via conferences and education and enjoys sharing her knowledge about being and feeling healthy as we age
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14. DECLUTTERING, DOWNSIZING, AND LETTING GO: Practical Strategies for Simplifying Your Space
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, November 10, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Decluttering and downsizing can feel overwhelming, particularly during major life transitions. In this session, you’ll learn practical methods for sorting possessions, making decisions about what to keep, organize, donate, or pass along, and creating systems that are easier to maintain. The presentation also explores the emotional side of letting go and offers strategies for approaching the process with more confidence and less stress. You’ll leave with actionable tips to apply immediately in your own home. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.
Elaine Blevins is a professional organizer and founder of Serenity Style. With a background as a registered nurse and residential homes manager, Elaine brings a unique understanding of the practical and emotional challenges that often accompany clutter, downsizing, and major life transitions.
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15. DOC & TALK
Number of sessions: 2
Dates and time: Thursday, November 12, and Tuesday, November 24, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Documentaries are a fascinating window to the world, and a great platform for in-depth learning. As a nod to the ones that deserve our collective attention, these sessions are designed to “wake us up” to the hot topics of the day. For the first Doc & Talk of the fall term, participants are asked to access Kanopy (free with a library card) and watch The Librarians (about book bans) and Georgia O’Keefe: The Brightness of Light. Then join us for a roundtable discussion, with all opinions and insights welcome! Session size is limited, so register early.
Lorrie Beauchamp, an avid cinephile, enjoys one or more movies or documentaries a day and is a committed "lifelong" learner of all things fascinating. She believes that the best of our contemporary documentaries illuminate, educate, and entertain, offering wonderful opportunities for group discussions. A writer and retired medical researcher, Lorrie moved to Sooke seven years ago and has enjoyed becoming an active part of this amazing community.
Standing graphic from website
Names of films in italics
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16. foraging and vocal cultures in whales and dolphins
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, November 17, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
“Culture” in species such as humans, whales, and dolphins is defined as “shared behaviour within a community that is acquired through some sort of social learning.” Humpback whales off northeast Vancouver Island, for example, have learned a new feeding technique called “trap feeding.” Two animals were first documented doing this in 2011, and15. DOC & TALK several years later, 16 of a known population of 55 were catching fish this way. Together, we’ll also explore some of the vocalizations of these fascinating and intelligent creatures, such as those made by sperm whales around the world. To make these unique sounds, known as “coda types,” the whales vary the number, rhythm and tempo of “clicks” made through their clapper-like valves.
A relatively recent Sooke resident,
Brian McHattie is a retired environmental planner who has spent significant time learning and working with Canadian orca, humpback, fin, beluga and blue whale researchers. His investigations continue.
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17. FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT AT HOME
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, November 19, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
When you train your brain and body to work together when making everyday movements in and around your home, you ensure a stronger and more flexible you! In this second offering from personal trainer Charlotte Kreeft, Charlotte shows us ways to make daily physical tasks more functional (and rewarding) and, in turn, helps us prevent incidental injury or potentially harmful overuse of our muscles. From getting out of bed in the morning to doing the dishes and managing stairs, this presentation will offer valuable tips and insights for the evolving lifestyle of the average senior. Limited to 25 participants. Wear clothing appropriate for some gentle standing movements.
Charlotte Kreeft is a certified personal trainer and instructor with more than 25 years of experience in fitness and wellness. Her extensive knowledge includes working with seniors in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and post-surgery care. Charlotte has taught chair exercise, senior weight training, and Pilates, and currently provides training in-home, online, and outdoors in nature.
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18. WOLVES IN OUR MIDST
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Thursday, November 26, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Join us for an engaging and informative talk exploring the lives of wolves in British Columbia. This presentation will take a closer look at these highly intelligent and adaptive creatures, their life cycles, social structure, and behaviour, offering insight into how they navigate the landscapes we share. We’ll also focus on practical approaches to coexistence, including how human activities can influence wolf behaviour, and what we can do as individuals and communities to reduce conflict.
Mollie Cameron has been president of Wild Wise Society since 2023, following years of volunteer service. She currently works for the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of B.C. and is a trained bear viewing guide with a passion for promoting sustainable experiences that put wildlife first. She also spent two years advocating professionally for wolves across the province as the wolf specialist for Pacific Wild. Mollie has spent six years independently studying cougars on South Vancouver Island. She is a seasoned marine mammal naturalist and whale-watching skipper in her 10th season, and also contributes to marine mammal research and the occasional rescue.
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19. End-of-Term Thank You Gathering
Number of sessions: 1
Date and time: Tuesday, December 1, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Location: Sooke Library Multipurpose Room
Everyone is welcome to our end-of-term thank-you gathering to wrap up the Fall term for 2026. Enjoy some good food with good friends as well as some spirited conversation about the many topics presented during the semester. And feel free to offer some suggestions for the coming Spring 2027 term. We always enjoy hearing ideas from our community. Walk-ins are always welcome, but it helps with our planning if you register.
Hosted by the
SRLL Steering Committee: Carolyn Bateman, Jack Gegenberg, Chris Irvine, Susan Nelson, Gail Saunders, Tim Traynor and Hester Vair. And our volunteers Lorrie Beauchamp, Vivi Curutchet, Bob Lipsett, and Janet Riganti.
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SRLL PAST PROGRAMS
