Welcome!
Our Fall 2023 educational programs for adults on the Connecticut shoreline was concluded on December 7th. We had a very well attended series of many meaningful and varied programs, concerts and trips. The presenters were exceedingly Informative and received rave reviews from our Members.
We are now ready for our Spring lineup of programs. Join us from March through June for a wide selection of lectures, book discussions, concerts, trips and more. Programs conveniently take place within the downtown Guilford and Madison areas.
Even in his 87th year, the great Italian renaissance artist Michelangelo, creator of such masterpieces as the Sistine Chapel and the sculpture of David, is quoted as saying:
“Ancora Imparo”
(I am still learning.)
Given the scope of his achievement in painting, sculpture, poetry and architecture, this humility is striking and strongly reminiscent of the Greek philosopher Socrates:
“The wise man knows that he knows nothing.”
About Us
At SSILL, it’s about enlightenment and community. It’s no surprise that several of our board members are retired educators as are many of our members.
SSILL is especially proud of its programs which we believe are diverse, informative, educational and entertaining. The fall semester programs run from just after Labor Day to mid-December and the spring semester begins the first week in March ending mid-June.
We offer programs that appeal to a wide variety of interests from art and music to history and science. And in a variety of formats: large and small lectures, small discussion groups, films, concerts and trips. We’re guided for the most part by members’ evaluations of existing programs, by their suggestions and by a 15-member program committee. The amazing thing is that we never run out of ideas, topics, or speakers who are all, equally amazingly, volunteers. The speakers are university professors, both active and retired, physicians, authors, scientists, musicians, documentary filmmakers, experts in the fields of economics, history, art, opera, and the natural world. AND many return to us semester after semester, telling us that they really enjoy the interaction with our intellectually curious and engaged audience. Many stay to talk with our members long after their talk is over.
Programs are presented largely at the Guilford Community Center as well as at the Madison Senior Center, St. George Church Hall and the Guilford Library with whom we have a long collaborative history. We offer some joint programs with the library each semester (most recently a zoom art history talk by the art expert, Bob Potter) and we also use their community room for some of our programs during the semester.
SSILL Weekly Spotlight
SCAMS & CRIMES AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM
These officers talked about and gave tips for the common scams today and how to avoid them.
Saving Our African Penguins
The African Penguin is an endangered species, and if we are not able to make the effort to save them, they will become extinct by 2035. MaryEllen discussed the global effort underway to protect these wonderful animals.
Spring Semester Opening Day
On March 5th, SSILL presented the “Shoreline Jazz Quintet” (SJQ) for the opening day program. The musicians and their music were very much enjoyed by the audience in attendance. SSILL was very excited to start off the semester with such an uplifting lively event.
SSILL Mission
The Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning’s (SSILL) mission is to develop and provide meaningful, intellectual programs to area adults who share a love of learning and a desire to be part of a caring community.
