Introducing Kelsey Academy
Lifelong Learning Academy Taps Tioga’s Talent
Arriving in Wellsboro from Maryland’s Eastern Shore a year ago, Phil
and Nancy Hesser found there was much to learn about life in Tioga
County. “Not about getting around after a major snowstorm this past
winter,” observed Phil, “but we did educate ourselves about sharing
space with deer and an occasional bear.” Nancy remarked, “Another
thing we’ve discovered is how talented our neighbors are –
gardeners, do-it-yourselfers, trail-runners, bicyclists, canoers,
musicians, and students of nature, photography, history, and
literature.”
Seeing the possibilities for lifelong learning in their adopted
community, the Hessers invited the people of Tioga County to Zoom
into the courses that they continued to offer through Salisbury
Maryland’s Association for Lifelong Learning. (For information about
their Zoomed courses, which have focused on environmental history,
short fiction, and jazz, contact
tioga.lifelonglearning@yahoo.com).
This was a chance to introduce lifelong learning as a way for people
willing to give and take classes to enrich their lives.
“Our goal – and challenge – was to draw upon the talents of our
Tioga neighbors,” Phil said. “Our solution was to propose the Kelsey
Academy of Tioga (KAT), a one-week program of talks on a variety of
subjects to promote lifelong learning for our neighbors by our
neighbors.” The Kelsey Academy’s inaugural program will offer 12
sessions showcasing the experiences and ideas of a cross-section of
people in the county. On November 6, 7, 9 and 10, the talks will
take place in the Studio of the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center in
Wellsboro, and on November 8 at the History Center on Main Street in
Mansfield. Topics will include history and heritage, writing,
gardening, filmmaking, health, nature, science, and journalism. All
sessions are free. No reservations needed.
“The Kelsey Academy of Tioga takes its name and purpose from two
generations of the Kelsey family,” Phil explained: “From ‘Squire’
Daniel Kelsey, one of the founders of the Wellsboro Academy, we
learned about the borough creating its first school as a community
venture. Anna Kelsey, Daniel’s daughter, who taught at Mansfield
Normal School, founded one of the state’s first kindergartens, and
served as a missionary in Alaska, reminded us of Tioga County’s long
history of people sharing their experience and knowledge.”
“So in the spirit of Daniel and Anna Kelsey, as well as the
Wellsboro Chautauqua, which held one-week programs here between 1916
and 1929, we invited our new neighbors and acquaintances to give
talks at the first Kelsey Academy,” Nancy recalled. “We’ve been very
happy, but not surprised, with the positive response.”
Phil noted that research about participating in lifelong learning
has been shown to sharpen one’s wits and deepen social connections:
“If you have seen your screen time increase week by week, it may be
time to go offline for a little while and connect in person with
your Tioga neighbors. I have been involved in these programs for
well over ten years, and I have never seen any person regret
becoming a lifelong learner. Why not give it a try yourself?”
For further information about the program, watch this space in the
coming weeks or contact
kelseyacademytioga@yahoo.com.
The Kelsey Academy of Tioga at the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center,
134 Main Street, Wellsboro, and the History Center on Main Street,
61 N. Main Street – sponsored by Dunkin Donuts of Wellsboro