Current Conferences
2010 Exploritas Programs (Elderhostels) at Montreat
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Adventures in Lifelong Learning
Learning is a lifelong pursuit that opens minds and enriches lives. Exploritas participants come to Montreat from every walk of life to learn together, to exchange ideas, and to explore the world. Accommodations in the beautiful Assembly Inn, overlooking Lake Susan, are double occupancy (limited singles with an extra charge) with private baths. The Inn includes spacious lounges, classrooms, and dining facilities. Comprehensive fees include program, housing (double occupancy), and meals at the Assembly Inn.
Exploritas is the new program name for Elderhostel, Inc. The following programs are sponsored by Montreat Conference Center, in cooperation with Elderhostel, Inc.
Program Fee
Comprehensive fee: $535 – $690 (includes program, double occupancy housing, and meals.)
Registration Information
Visit www.elderhostel.org or call 800.454.5768 toll free for comprehensive fees and registration information. Some of these programs are tentative and pending approval. They will be listed on the Exploritas website when registration is available. Tip: Type “Montreat” in the search field on the website, and it will bring up all current programs we sponsor.
Download the 2010 Exploritas Programs Offered at Montreat!
Program Dates for 2010
March 21-26 • April 18-23 • May 16-21 • August 8-13 Intergenerational • August 22-27 • September 12-17 • September 19-24 • October 3-8 • November 7 -12 • December 5-10 • December 12-17
March 21-26, 2010
Program #15331 – Scots-Irish Migration to America/Mountain Folk Ways/The Oral Tradition: Passing on Family Stories
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Land, Land, My Land: The Scots-Irish Migration to America Explore the origins and history of the Scots-Irish by using the stories and songs of their culture. What was their life like in Scotland? Why did they go to Ulster, and why did they leave? What made them a driving force in America? Special emphasis on the southern Appalachian connection. Flora MacDonald Gammon
Mountain Folk Ways Step back to a simpler time and experience the home-made recreation of these timeless mountains. Enjoy participating in singing, dancing, playing the dulcimer, storytelling, and making simple folk toys. Anne Lough
The Oral Tradition: Passing on Our Family Stories Savor the moments of days gone by and watch them turn into stories! Discover the stories that live inside you and learn how to tell and pass them on to your family. Donna Marie Todd
Program #15554 – American Economy & Global Competitiveness/Compelling Characters/Mountain Ballads & Storytelling
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The American Economy and Its Global Competitiveness Review the current condition of our nation’s economy and its global competitiveness with China, India, and Russia, using presentations and discussion. Background in economics is not necessary. George Yates
Compelling Characters and Peculiar Places Let’s meet politician Zebulon Vance, scout Kit Carson, writer Thomas Wolfe, artisan Stuart Nye, WWI dissenters, members of Civil War regiments, feuding mountaineers, and many others from this peculiar place. Righton McCallum
The Origins of Mountain Ballads and the Art of Storytelling
Ballads are stories set to music and are often passed along to teach a lesson. The old “love songs” from England and Scotland were preserved in the mountain culture, where they were handed down through the generations. Learn about the rich heritage of the oral tradition and why it is important for us today. Marilyn McMinn McCredie
April 18-23, 2010
Program #18640 – Civil War, Echoes Down Corridor of Time, and Folk Song History
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Marching Toward Gettysburg The battle of Gettysburg and the fall of Vicksburg are turning points of the civil war. Gain an understanding of maneuvering under the dark star and the story of bravery and persistence of people on both sides committed to different concepts of right. Bob Hartje
Echoes Down the Corridor of Time Explore how The Diaspora in 135 AD, the destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols in 1258, the 16th Century triumphs of the conquistadors and the 30-Years War in the 17th Century have affected the times in which we live. Hal Hogstrom
A Folk Song History of our Country A historical journey! Discover the treasure and significance of our folk music as we travel through colonial days, the fight for independence, exploration, seafaring, logging, mining, the cowboy era, the civil war, and into the dustbowl days of Woody Guthrie. Anne Lough
Program #18641 – American Beginnings, Influential People, and Total Conditioning
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American Beginnings: From Washington to Lincoln America begins in a Revolutionary War against her mother country. With Washington at the helm, we began the long rugged journey to the nation we are today. These are the days that weathered conflict – with France, with England a second time, with pirates, and with Mexico. These are days when great Presidents dominate the American scene: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Polk, and finally Lincoln, all engaged in promoting the beginnings of this great nation. Great leaders appear in Congress, the military, the business world, and in the continuing struggle to define the meaning of freedom and responsibility. Clay, Webster, and Calhoun left their mark on this beginning equation as America developed an American style in literature, music, and art even as we struggled to end slavery, to gain rights for women, and to build an enduring democratic political system. Bob Hartje
Influential People Who Changed Our Lives Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Women are like teabags: One never knows how strong they are until they get into hot water.” Let’s look back and learn more about the folks in history whose lives and writings have deeply influenced and changed our lives. Annie Hall
Total Conditioning: A Comprehensive Wellness Program This program is designed for persons of all abilities who seek to improve their total well being through body/mind integration. Comprehensive instruction will be presented in breathing, posture, stretching/strengthening, etc. Tools to improve, prevent, and/or reverse adverse effects. Maya Andrau
Program #8999 – Mountain Wildflowers and Forest Ecology: an Appalachian Spring
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Appalachian forests today are vastly different from those of the past. Explore forest ecology while investigating past and present conditions which affect the ever-changing forests. Examine how mountain ranges were formed and how this relates to local ecology. Learn how weather affects the environment and why meteorologists have such difficulty predicting weather. Walk the pathways of western NC’s gentler mountains as we amble through, taking time to actually see (and sometimes smell) the wondrous flowers of an Appalachian Spring. Learn about the life and botany of our mountains; then spend afternoons hiking (on moderate trails) in search of orchids and trillium, plus hundreds of other wildflowers blooming along wooded paths. (Bring sketch books and wear good hiking shoes. Moderate trails on uneven terrain with rocks and roots, 2 to 4 miles in length, elevation increase of approximately 300 feet). Peter Loewer
May 16-21, 2010
Program #18642 – Jane Austen: Yesterday and Today, Hitchcock and His Players, Mountain Ballads
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Men, Women, and the Contract of Marriage: Jane Austen Yesterday and Today Jane Austen wrote novels in the early 1800s, when the traditional marriage contract was being re-negotiated in the context of debate about individualism and the nature of woman. Recent films of the novels have strangely appealed to contemporary audiences. Examine Austen’s models of marriage and her female and male characters as they interact with romantic and revolutionary ideas in Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Persuasion. Phoebe Smith
Hitchcock and His Players An exploration of the life and work of master director Alfred Hitchcock, with attention to the successes and failures of four of his principle players: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Jimmy Stewart, and Grace Kelly. Bob Smith
The Origins of Mountain Ballads and the Art of Storytelling Ballads are stories set to music and are often passed along to teach a lesson. The old “love songs” from England and Scotland were preserved in the mountain culture, where they were handed down through the generations. Learn about the rich heritage of the oral tradition and why it is important for us today. Marilyn McMinn McCredie
Program #18643 – Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Explore Music and Dance Though Time and Cultures
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Harmony in Classical and Popular Music The beauty of harmony will be outlined, showing the connections between classical works such as those of Bach and Mozart with harmonic progressions used in popular songs and movies. Classes will include multimedia presentations with sound tracks and movie clips, along with live performances. Michael Ruiz
Exploring Music Cultures of the World Music symbolizes a people’s way of life; it represents a distillation of cultural style and for many, music is a way of life. Music will be surveyed as a functional activity in people’s lives, as a symbol of historical or national identity, and as a form of artistic expression. Models for analyzing music will be presented that demonstrate the meanings and significances of music in various societies. Milton Crotts
Great Dancers of the Silver Screen A spellbinding week of the greatest dancers and choreographers that Hollywood ever produced and the like of which we’ll never see again. Share in the Golden Age of movies from the 1930’s to the 1950’s. Let your heart dance with exquisite memories of the masters of dance: Fred, Ginger, Eleanor, and Gene. Tony Grabois
Program #18670 – Celebrating a Cherokee Springtime and Appalachian History and Culture
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Cherokee Springtime in the NC Mountains Come celebrate and deepen your appreciation of the local culture of the ancient and modern Cherokee people. Film and lecture presentations focus on language, storytelling, and the Trail of Tears. Discuss government recognition of contemporary tribes. Elena Thompson
Origins and Future of Appalachian Culture Review the cultural history of the southern Appalachian mountains with a good look at present day culture, and debate its survival in the 21st century. Marilyn McMinn McCredie
August 8-13, 2010 (INTERGENERATIONAL)
Program #11537 – Flora and Fauna: Appalachian Biodiversity
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Join us for explorations into the wild aspects of Asheville’s bioregion. During our morning journeys to the Nature Center, we will come into close contact with indigenous animals such as snakes, toads, skunks, wolves, the bobcat, and the mountain lion. We’ll also re-live some of the old-fashion heritage crafts such as butter making, hand-twisted cordage, and taffy pulling. In Montreat, we’ll discover what lurks in the freshwater lake and streams, and explore the protected wilderness area. This program is for Elderhostelers and their grandchildren (or a favorite young person), ages 7 to 16; maximum of two children per adult. Grandparents share bedrooms and classes with grandchildren and are personally responsible for their behavior at all times. Children will participate in Montreat’s Clubs and Recreation program (day camp) in the afternoon.
See photos from previous programs in 2007 and 2008!
Program #8996 – Welcome to the Magical Land of Narnia
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Prince Caspian Adventure! The British Pevensie children, previous Kings and Queens of Narnia, travel once again into the magical realm of Narnia where the Talking Animals are in desperate need of assistance. During the week’s adventure, participants will create a Talking Animal character. Then, through a wide variety of activities and using their imaginations, they will travel the same perils presented in the book. Some activities include art projects (masks, star charts), creative writing (legends, histories, riddles), and games (Aslan’s Maze, Stone Table Labyrinth). Each day will be paced to match 4 chapters of reading, able to be completed either prior to or during the week. By Aslan’s mane! This program is for Elderhostelers and their grandchildren (or a favorite young person), ages 9 to 16; maximum of two children per adult. Grandparents share bedrooms and classes with grandchildren and are personally responsible for their behavior at all times. Children will participate in Montreat’s Clubs and Recreation program (day camp) in the afternoon.
August 22-27, 2010
Program #18991 – Laughter Makes the World Go Round, Popular Music, and Writing Your Life
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Laughter Makes the World Go Round According to Dr. Joyce Brothers, humans are the only creatures who laugh and blush or who need to. Bring your funny bone and look at life from a different angle. Come celebrate life and immerse yourself in the healing power of laughter. Marilyn McMinn McCredie
Tin Pan Alley, Jazz and Swing Explore the beauty of song from colonial American music to the heyday of Tin Pan Alley through clips, video, and live piano performance. Learn what makes a song distinctly American on a journey through ragtime, jazz, the roaring 20s, swing, and more. Michael Ruiz
The Oral Tradition: Passing on Our Family Stories Savor the moments of days gone by and watch them turn into stories! Discover the stories that live inside you and learn how to tell and pass them on to your family. Donna Marie Todd
Program #16131 – Study Scottish History, Culture & Music and Its Influence on Montreat and the Southeast
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Brave Hearts and Bonnie Princes: Scotland’s History and Culture Through Music Use the songs of Scotland to explore the history of a magic land. Who are the peoples of Scotland? What are some of the significant periods of Scottish history which have influenced our culture in America? What’s happening in Scotland today? Flora MacDonald Gammon
Ballads—Scottish and English Popular Narratives Delve into ancient stories of honor, betrayal, mystery, comedy, and love sprinkled throughout the legacy of Scotland and England. Focus on collected European ballads. Learn form and poetic devices specific to ballads and write ballads of your own. Bobbie Pell
Scottish Country Dancing It’s up on your toes for the jigs, reels, and strathspeys of Scotland’s traditional social dancing! Return to the origins of our big circles, squares and contras. The history of the dance is also included. If you can walk, you can dance. Bring soft soled shoes: no sneakers or rubber soles. Class participants do not need to bring a partner. Flora MacDonald Gammon
Program #18073 – The Biltmore Estate and Beyond: Discover the Wonders of Western North Carolina
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Uncover all that western North Carolina has to offer. Begin with insights into the visionary craftsmen behind the Biltmore Estate and grounds, and learn about the Vanderbilts and their daily lives inside the majestic home, gardens and surrounding landscape. At Thomas Wolfe’s “Old Kentucky Home” in downtown Asheville, learn how reaction to his autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel is said to have inspired the famous You Can’t Go Home Again. Discover Chimney Rock carpeted in summer green, followed by a narrated boat ride on scenic Lake Lure. Visit the home and goat farm of author Carl Sandburg, see a show at North Carolina’s state theater, the Flat Rock Playhouse, and visit the North Carolina Arboretum, led by a local naturalist.
September 12-17, 2010
Program #19173 – The Mind and the Body: Keeping it All in Balance…
Emotions and the Brain Examine the latest findings from neuroscience regarding emotions and the brain. It appears we may have prematurely begun to consider reason and emotion to be at opposite ends of a continuum. Recent discoveries have shown that emotions play an important and valuable role in reasoning. A great deal of human development involves acquiring regulatory control over our emotional feelings and urges. Look at brain development and the mutual influence of emotions and brain development on each other. Professor Paul MacLean’s three layered model of the brain and its implications for emotions and consciousness will be used as the model to guide exploration of the topic. Examine both normal development of the brain and emotion regulation; changes as we age; and the mechanisms involved when something goes awry. Discuss developing techniques and technology for studying and improving brain operations and emotion regulation. Though the topic is very complex and many new findings have emerged over the past 15 years, we will be looking at the most promising ideas for improving our brains and our minds. Ed Hamlin
Total Conditioning: A Comprehensive Wellness Program This program is designed for persons of all abilities who seek to improve their total well being through body/mind integration. Comprehensive instruction will be presented in breathing, posture, stretching/strengthening, etc. Tools to improve, prevent, and/or reverse adverse effects. Maya Andrau
Better Balance Can be Learned Falls can be devastating. Thankfully, better physical balance can be learned. With the goal of life-long independence, this class is for anyone who desires to be safely balanced for life. Don Rapp
Program #16093 – Travel Back In Time: The History Of Trains And Customs Of The Southern Appalachians
As the high iron tunneled and climbed westward, momentous decisions, scandals and tragedies rolled through Appalachia. Examine the far-reaching ramifications of steam travel from innovative engineering feats to the toiling laborers and rich tycoons behind their construction. Relive the romance of this bygone era as you ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to Dillsboro and Bryson City. Discover how the railroads affected the economy and culture of this mountain area on narrated visits to historic railroad depots-turned-museums such as Biltmore Station, Mountain Gateway, and Apple Valley Railroad. Learn and sing the songs inspired by train travel and, in the evening, screen and discuss films from 1927 to 1993 that are fixtures of railroad lore. Righton McCallum, Anne Lough, and Peter Loewer
September 19-24, 2010
Program #17938 – Literature, Politics and Culture in the South… Is it different? You bet it is!
Redefining the South Explore the particulars of this region that give it uniqueness. Discover the role of honor, states rights, family and militancy in the southern mosaic. Look at politics, literature, and society as we seek a new understanding. Bob Hartje
Spinning a Yarn with Southern Writers The south embodies a rich heritage of storytelling from the “oral tradition” of taletellers who settled south of Baltimore to Georgia. What is the “south” and what makes a writer a “southern storyteller?” Explore the unique south through novels and short stories by master writers. Consider sharing some of your own stories. Annie Hall
The Origins of Mountain Ballads and the Art of Storytelling Ballads are stories set to music and are often passed along to teach a lesson. The old “love songs” from England and Scotland were preserved in the mountain culture, where they were handed down through the generations. Learn about the rich heritage of the oral tradition, and why it is important for us today. Marilyn McMinn McCredie
Program #17995 – Art History – The World of Art
The field of art history can tell us more about human cultural life than any other study or survey available to the anthropologist. Set out on a journey to uncover the worlds of painting, drawing and sculpture, and retrace the history of art from its beginning, through its middle and on to its probable end. With slide lectures, movies and field trips to the museums and architecturally significant sites of Ashville, sample striking design and local galleries in this and other nearby communities. Talk to local artists about their lives and work, study cave paintings discovered in France and what they tell us about prehistoric society, consider advances in photography with examples from the latest surveys of Saturn, and much more. Peter Loewer
Program #19236
Billy Graham: His Life and Mission Discuss how he influenced politics and historic events. What made some not agree with his views? How did his message excite part of our nation and where did it find divides? Visit The Cove and learn about his roots and what made him who he is today.
One Country: Many Religions America has become a multicultural nation. People of various faiths have become our neighbors. It was easy to talk of religious freedom when we had similar backgrounds, but how do we show respect for significantly different faiths without feeling we have compromised our own? Can I learn things from another religion that would make me a better member of my own? Is it possible that “God is bigger than any one religion?” How might an American model of religious respect contribute to reducing tensions in the world? Dick Wolgamott
October 3-8, 2010
Program #16518
Behind Closed Doors: The Dramatic Lives and Poetry of Lord Byron and Percy B. Shelley The love lives of swashbuckling Byron and passionate Shelley were as radical as their politics and their poetry. Examine the works they wrote and the women they loved, including Lady Caroline Lamb, Augusta Leigh, and the talented Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, whose novel Frankenstein surpassed anything created by these two famous men. Phoebe Smith
Black Robes of Power Isolated in closed chambers, nine unelected Justices comprise the branch of our government most shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding, and myth. See how the Court operates as law, politics, and personalities collide within this inner sanctum. Bob Smith
Folk songs from the British Isles Celebrate the life and culture of these island people with their ancient body of folk song. From old ballads and carols, love songs, songs of war, sea and pub, hymns and Celtic airs to the songs of Robert Burns, we’ll enjoy singing and hearing these timeless tunes. Bobbie Pell
Program #19174
Explore the Fresco Trail Join us for a week of art immersion and acquaint yourself with the lost art of the fresco. Explore this fascinating technique and visit five of the locations of Ben Long frescos located in the beautiful Appalachian mountains: Montreat, West Jefferson, Glendale Springs, Wilkesboro, and Crossnore. At each location, docents will share the story behind the fresco and particular aspects of each one. Peter Loewer and Annie Hall
Art through the Ages Just about everything in life from your view of religion to your environment to fashion or to architecture is influenced by the history of art. The design of a new product is always preceded by researching the past and art is at the top of the list. Follow the history of art beginning with the cave paintings of Cro-Magnon Man, on through Classical Greece and Rome, the Middle ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque, European Classic art, and wind up with the Modern art of today. The lectures will be accompanied with images and a few short films. Peter Loewer
Program #16093 – Travel Back In Time: The History Of Trains And Customs Of The Southern Appalachians
As the high iron tunneled and climbed westward, momentous decisions, scandals and tragedies rolled through Appalachia. Examine the far-reaching ramifications of steam travel from innovative engineering feats to the toiling laborers and rich tycoons behind their construction. Relive the romance of this bygone era as you ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to Dillsboro and Bryson City. Discover how the railroads affected the economy and culture of this mountain area on narrated visits to historic railroad depots-turned-museums such as Biltmore Station, Mountain Gateway, and Apple Valley Railroad. Learn and sing the songs inspired by train travel and, in the evening, screen and discuss films from 1927 to 1993 that are fixtures of railroad lore. Righton McCallum, Anne Lough, and Peter Loewer
November 7 -12, 2010
Program #19175
The Dream That Is America From the time of America’s discovery, it has stimulated the illusion of an Eden were everyone’s dreams would be attained. The adventurers and the early discoverers amplified this illusion. With leaders influenced by the enlightenment, a democracy was established. Land was developed and expansion continued. Natural resources were in abundance, which inspired the creative to invent. Explore what happened as a result of the work of such inventors as Franklin, Edison, Ford & Whitney. Discover how the nation grew as a result, and what its impact has been on the world. Look to the future with these questions: How does our influence continue? What kind of economic policies and space exploration will help in our further development? Bob Hartje
The American Economy For 65 years, the United States has possessed the uncontested title of the world’s biggest and strongest economy. Much of that achievement was due to innovative business and government applying extraordinarily productive resources, both human and material, within the ethical constraints of the world’s greatest governance documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Discuss the economic, political and ethical reasons why America’s economy has faltered in recent years; and then compare America’s current global competitiveness with China, India and Russia. A background in economics is not necessary. George Yates
Space: The Vast Frontier Explore these five topics: (1) The Solar System and the Universe, (2) Moon, Mars and Beyond, (3) The International Space Station (ISS), (4) Trends in Commercial Air and Space Travel, and (5) Space and Solar Power Prospects. Richard Davis
Program #18073 – The Biltmore Estate and Beyond: Discover the Wonders of Western North Carolina
Uncover all that western North Carolina has to offer. Begin with insights into the visionary craftsmen behind the Biltmore Estate and grounds, and learn about the Vanderbilts and their daily lives inside the majestic home, gardens and surrounding landscape. At Thomas Wolfe’s “Old Kentucky Home” in downtown Asheville, learn how reaction to his autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel is said to have inspired the famous You Can’t Go Home Again. Discover Chimney Rock at the peak of fall foliage, followed by a narrated boat ride on scenic Lake Lure. Visit the home and goat farm of author Carl Sandburg, see a show at North Carolina’s state theater, the Flat Rock Playhouse, and visit the North Carolina Arboretum led by a local naturalist. Bill Adam, Annie Hall and Peter Loewer
December 5-10, 2010
Program #10345 – The Biltmore Estate at Christmas, the Gilded Age, the Vanderbilts, and Others Who Dreamed Big
See photos from last year’s program!
Discuss the men who took prominent roles in building the house and laying out the grounds of Biltmore – Fred Miles, Karl Bitter, Guastivino, Smith, Hunt, and Olmstead. Examine the Gilded Age and experience a day in the life of the Vanderbilts. Hear about the present owners. Tour the Biltmore Estate, beautifully decorated for the holidays, and enjoy dinner and music at the estate. Sing the carols that could be heard throughout the home while hearkening to the poetic pleasures of Lord Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning, and Matthew Arnold. While the owners delighted in literary pursuits, the staff enjoyed fanciful tales from the oral tradition. Join us for poetic musings, English folktales, and Victorian carols. Bill Adam and Bobbie Pell
December 12-17, 2010
Program #10345 – The Biltmore Estate at Christmas, the Gilded Age, the Vanderbilts, and Others Who Dreamed Big
See photos from last year’s program!
Discuss the men who took prominent roles in building the house and laying out the grounds of Biltmore – Fred Miles, Karl Bitter, Guastivino, Smith, Hunt, and Olmstead. Examine the Gilded Age and experience a day in the life of the Vanderbilts. Hear about the present owners. Tour the Biltmore Estate, beautifully decorated for the holidays, and enjoy dinner and music at the estate. Sing the carols that could be heard throughout the home while hearkening to the poetic pleasures of Lord Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning, and Matthew Arnold. While the owners delighted in literary pursuits, the staff enjoyed fanciful tales from the oral tradition. Join us for poetic musings, English folktales, and Victorian carols. Bill Adam and Bobbie Pell
More Information…
If you would like information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org. You may also visit the Exploritas web site or call 800.454.5768 for more details and to register online.