For 10 years, TALC talked the talk

For 10 years, an innovative learning program flourished in Brandon. Reflecting on its history is illuminating and could provide inspiration for something similar in the future.

In 2016, a few friends who were retired or semi-retired met to share their interest in facilitating lifelong learning. The impetus — or “spark plug” as she was dubbed — was Johanna Leseho. A recently retired university professor, Leseho had audited a couple of university courses. But she found she was more interested in learning with other seniors in an informal setting.

A small steering committee formed and drafted a potential program. Morning learning sessions would be offered twice a month. Anyone could participate. There would be no cost or obligation. It turned out there were plenty of interesting topics, presenters who were happy to contribute and folks who were eager to attend.

The group chose a name that reflected their composition and aspiration: TALC, the Third Age Learning Co-operative. The “third age” is the retirement phase of life. This follows the earlier two ages: youth and then the long stretch of work and family life. The acronym TALC served as a pun as it could be pronounced “talk.”