Active adults give it their ALL in VC Gonzales Center program

When it comes to living their best lives, Victoria College Gonzales Center makes sure active adults in the Gonzales community can do it ALL.

ALL is the acronym for the Academy of Lifelong Learning, a member-driven organization for active adults that offers members with common interests the opportunity to participate in lectures, discussions, social outings, and a variety of different classes, said Melissa Tenberg Robinson, assistant manager at the Victoria College Gonzales Center. 

“Members have access to a variety of classes and activities each year.  We currently offer approximately 30 classes per year.  Our membership is on-going so anyone can join anytime,” Robinson said. 

On Jan. 13, the VC Gonzales Center ALL program members spent time at the Red Hen Pottery Studio making and painting bowls for the upcoming Empty Bowl Project.

“Our group kicked off the spring schedule with a session at the Red Hen Pottery Studio learning how to make and paint pottery for the Empty Bowls Project. They had so much fun doing so that several of them are going back for a second round,” Robinson said.

Meanwhile, the third annual Gonzales Empty Bowl Project will be held at 5 p.m. March 28, 2023 at the Gonzales Elks Lodge.

“The Empty Bowl project is a way for communities to come together to raise funds to fight hunger. For a $25 ticket, participants get to choose a beautiful handcrafted pottery bowl made by local potters and receive a simple meal of soup provided by local restaurants, bread, drink and dessert. The bowl is to take home as a reminder that there are people with empty bowls,” said Kris McLain, one of the event organizers.

Robinson said local active adults are encouraged to join ALL, which has an annual membership of $50 per year and includes access to all activities throughout the year.

“Presentations for the spring range from pet care to CPR to beekeeping to wine selection, to name a few,” Robinson said. “We really base the program off of the interests of the members and try to offer something different with every schedule.

“We typically attend performances as a group at the Shiner Gaslight Theatre and like to explore new restaurants.  In the past, we have toured a local brewery, experienced the Painted Churches tour, learned how to belly dance and play disc golf. So, there is no limit on what this group is willing to do for fun!”

Robinson said they are “always looking for presenters for the program, so if anyone has a particular interest or hobby they would like to share with our group, we would love to add them to our schedule.  And, of course, we are always looking to add new members to our program.”

For more information about the ALL program, call Victoria College Gonzales Center at 830) 672-6251 or go online to VictoriaCollege.edu.