Seniors College of Prince Edward Island

Seniors College members in the Painting: Art Studio 1 course share their beautiful art!

Audiology PEI renews its Bronze Sponsorship!

Seniors College of Prince Edward Island is pleased to announce that Audiology PEI continues its valued support as a Bronze Sponsor. Audiology PEI's approach to hearing care reflects its commitment to client-centred service: “Our role is to empower you with knowledge so you can make informed choices
about your hearing care. We guide you through every step, providing advice and recommendations tailored to your individual circumstances, without pressure. We understand that experiencing hearing loss can be an overwhelming and
emotional journey, which is why client-centred care is at the heart of everything we do.”

To learn more about Audiology PEI, contact [email protected].

Seniors College of PEI is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to lifelong learning opportunities for Islanders aged 50 and older. The College is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by community-minded partners through its Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorship program. Read about our
Sponsors :https://www.seniorscollege.ca/sponsors.aspx

We extend our sincere thanks to Audiology PEI for its continued support of Seniors College and its commitment to enriching the lives of PEI seniors.

Shirley Pierce, Past President
Seniors College of PEI

In the picture, Peter Benstead, PEI Audiology-Bronze Sponsor, Shirley Pierce,
Past President and Peter Benson, Seniors College President

🐎 What a wonderful morning exploring the history of the Charlottetown Driving Park!

Seniors College members enjoyed an outstanding tour of the Red Shores facilities, led by Lee Drake, who brought the rich history of the CDP to life. From its beginnings in 1888 to its evolution into a modern, state-of-the-art racetrack and casino, Lee shared fascinating stories and answered many thoughtful questions along the way. 📚

Adding to the experience was the perfect backdrop of horses jogging and training on the track as we learned about track composition, the racing industry’s contribution to PEI, local racing families, simulcasting, and much more. 🏇🍁

Our sincere thanks to Lee for an engaging tour — and a wonderful education! 👏😊

What a beautiful morning for a hike along the Dunk River! ☀️🌿🐦

The group explored the trail downstream from Scales Pond, taking in stream riffles, woodland trails, and the peaceful riverside scenery along the way. We saw and/or heard 21 species of birds, identified many trees, plants, and spring wildflowers, and learned so much about the area’s natural history.

A special thank you to Dr. Kathy Martin and Diane Griffin for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm throughout the walk. The birds were busy, and the weather could not have been more perfect. Nature at its very best! 🍃💚

Members of Seniors College recently wrapped up four fun-filled weeks of Samba, Island Style, where they learned the basics of Samba along with tips and strategies for scoring big and winning games!

The classes were filled with learning, laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of socializing. Everyone had a wonderful time — and there may even be some fun Samba games happening this summer!

The Seniors College of Prince Edward Island is pleased to announce the appointment of Debra Lynn Trainor as the new Provincial Coordinator of the College. Debra Lynn brings a wealth of experience in administration, project coordination, stakeholder relations, and leadership developed over a distinguished 35-year career with Veterans Affairs Canada.

Throughout her career, she held a variety of progressively senior roles, most recently serving as Initiatives and Project Manager within the Finance Division. Her background includes leading complex projects, supporting large teams, coordinating communications, and building collaborative relationships, all skills that will serve the Seniors College community exceptionally well.

In addition to her professional experience, Debra Lynn has demonstrated a strong commitment to volunteerism and community involvement through her work with Zion Presbyterian Church and the Canada Games. She is passionate about supporting older adults, lifelong learning, and community engagement, values that align closely with the mission of the Seniors College of PEI. Please join us in welcoming Debra Lynn Trainor to the Seniors College of PEI community.

The Board of Directors would also like to extend sincere appreciation to Tory Kennedy for her years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Seniors College of PEI. Under Tory’s guidance, the College experienced tremendous growth, including a partnership with the Tantramar Seniors College, and continued to strengthen its reputation as a vibrant and welcoming community for older adults across the province. Tory was instrumental in the introduction of new and improved in-person and online delivery methods using Zoom and higher quality technology and sound systems.

Tory’s passion for lifelong learning, her ability to build meaningful partnerships, and her tireless work behind the scenes resulted in fewer waitlists, the introduction of many new courses and more effective social media and communication strategies which have left a lasting impact on the organization and its members.

Her outstanding time management and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities ensured that everything ran smoothly. More importantly, her consistently helpful, professional, and positive approach made a meaningful difference to members, facilitators, and the Board. Her dedication and reliability did not go unnoticed, and the success of our courses is a direct reflection of her hard work and commitment. Managing an initiative that serves over 400 learners is no small task, yet Tory managed it with remarkable skill and grace. In short, there was not much that Tory was not involved with and for that, we are truly grateful!

It has truly been a pleasure working with you, Tory. On behalf of the Board, facilitators, volunteers, and members, we thank you for the exceptional coordination you provided for the Seniors College program, and we wish you continued success in your future endeavors.

Peter Benson
Seniors College President

🏆Olive Bryanton earns Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Award🏆

Seniors College’s first President and Honorary member, Olive Bryanton, has won another prestigious award - Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Award for her significant accomplishments after the age of 70.

Other notable accomplishments, after getting a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree, include her doctoral degree, a PhD in education in 2019 at the age of 82, the Order of Prince Edward Island in 2020 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Queen’s Platinum Medal in 2020.

Along with a few local seniors, and UPEI's Dr. Thomy Nilsson, Olive created the Seniors College of Prince Edward Island in 1998. She went on to become our first President and has been a member, a mentor and faithful supporter for 28 years.

Congratulations, Olive.

The Seniors College Art Show and Sale is currently on at the Ellen’s Creek Gallery & Framing, 525 North River Road until May 8th. Drop by and see these beautiful Seniors College members’ and facilitator’s’ paintings!

👨‍⚕️ Thank You, Dr. Trevor Jain!
Your Guide to the Emergency Department & Healthy Living 🏥✨

We were delighted to welcome Dr. Trevor Jain for this informative in-person & Zoom session — and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! 👏

Well known to Islanders from CBC News: Compass and the popular “Talk with the Doc” segment 📺, Dr. Jain shared his expertise in clear, practical language that truly resonated with attendees.

Participants appreciated his thoughtful discussion on:
✔️ Staying healthy as we age 🌿
✔️ Navigating the health-care system 🧭
✔️ Knowing when and how to seek care 🚑

Drawing on stories from the ER, his experience teaching future paramedics and medical students 🎓, and his frontline work during public health emergencies, Dr. Jain delivered a session that was both engaging and reassuring.

Thank you to everyone who joined us — and to Dr. Jain for sharing his time and expertise! 💙

✨ Join Seniors College and explore all our great courses! 📚🎓