ILR strong
After tragedies of late, you've seen communities rally together while showing amazing resilience in the face of adversity. In the past week, the outpouring of support from the ILR community has been both heartwarming and uplifting. It's reassuring to know we're all working toward the same goals--staying safe, keeping healthy, supporting one another--and we will emerge from this crisis even stronger and with renewed energy and resolve.
One email received was particularly touching, and we're honored to share an exerpt from it. "Given these events, we should all make a pledge to work together to make Fall 2020 the best ILR and the best fall semester for Miami students. A renewal of learning for everyone." The writer goes on to add a positive outlook for our nation: "A coming together. No more shrill conversations, no more incivility. Perhaps this virus will teach us valuable lessons, what it means to be human and care for one another and the world we live in. I am optimistic." We couldn't have said it better.
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Spring has arrived!
Yesterday's heavy rains ushered in the first day of spring. This afternoon, the sun is shining, birds are singing, temps are perfect, and the many signs of spring are emerging throughout the yard. It's a perfect day to talk a walk around the yard or the block, breathing in the fresh air, greeting neighbors from a safe social distance, and lifting your spirits. The passage of time into the freshness of the spring season serves as a reminder that this pandemic will soon be behind us and life will return to a glorious state of normalcy.
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Temporarily, a new norm
Along with the rest of Miami University and, seemingly, the world, ILR is now working remotely from home. Doing business with our university and program partners who are also operating remotely has slowed things down considerably. With empty offices, phone calls are going straight to voicemail, and we're not receiving snail mail. Our email, however, has been a flourish of activity. Please be patient with us and expect reasonable delays as we work our way over this hurdle. We greatly appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
A shoutout is due to a few key volunteers that are consistently helping behind the scenes: Jerry Riesenberg, our chief technical guru; Chris Liles, pleasantly answering your ILR voicemail and email; and Judy Brewer, who efficiently processed all mailed registrations. Our committed army of volunteers is what sets us apart and makes us shine.
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Refund timeline
Anticipating the daunting task of unregistering and refunding everyone, we're working with our registration provider and Miami's Accounts Payable department to determine the most efficient way to process hundreds of refunds. We expect that process will begin on Monday. Expect your refund to arrive via the method of payment you used to register. Refunds for payments made by personal check will take considerably longer than credit cards.
Along with an outpouring of moral support, we're grateful to have received many offers of registration fee donations. As you may know, ILR is self-supporting. This semester's cancellation will result in a 50% reduction of our yearly operating budget. Many of you have written or called with generous offers of support, including an offer to donate your registration fee refund to ILR. We're humbled and honored to make that transfer, but must ask that you make your designation by completing this simple directive to ensure your donation becomes tax-deductible. Because refunding will begin Monday, please issue directives, if any, before the end of the weekend. If you've already completed your request, rest assured we received it and are most humbled and appreciative.
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On the horizon
This past week was spent cancelling and rearranging commitments. We've contacted each of our instructors and are happy to report that preliminary numbers indicate nearly 75% have offered to repeat their classes this fall. The other 25% will either return next spring or be replaced with equally enriching curriculum.
Thinking about offering a course for ILR? We're actively seeking proposals for our fall term, October 5 through November 6. To join us as an instructor, complete our ILR course proposal form.
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Miami Book Club opportunity
Missing your book club because you can't leave the house? The Miami University Alumni Book Club has graciously opened their virtual book club to the ILR community. In this online community, you can connect with other Miami alumni and ILR friends and enjoy books related to lifelong learning, social issues, literature, psychology, and other user-submitted ideas. There is no cost to participate – you just have to get a copy of the book to enjoy.
Yesterday, we began reading A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell. We will finish discussing this title on May 21, 2020. If you think you will have enough time to read A Woman of No Importance, please pick up the book as soon as you can (it's available here, and possibly at your local library). If not, feel free to wait for the next title to begin.
Why join? There are three main reasons:
- Connect with fellow Miamians
- Be a part of a lifelong learning community
- Reading is good for you!
The book club will be managed by PBC Guru, a company that manages professional book clubs for companies and alumni associations, and will be moderating the group (yes, a live person!) to help make this program a great experience for all participants.
Sign up online today. Create your profile, choose your password, and away you go! We offer our sincere gratitude to Miami's Alumni Association for this wonderful opportunity.
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Spreading compassion
While some of our local families can visit loved ones from outside their nursing home window, others can't, resulting in isolation, confusion, and loneliness for some residents. Our community partners report that both staff and residents need their spirits lifted. ILR can do that!
Remember, social distancing ourselves may result in social isolation for others. ILR is a caring, compassionate community. Please check on your family, friends, and neighbors.
Whether or not you know someone residing at The Knolls of Oxford, Chesterwood Village, Berkeley Square, or Ohio Living Mount Pleasant, please consider writing cards, notes, or sending well wishes to the quarantined residents as well as the staff on the front lines. Have kids and grandkids? Ask them to do the same. Is there a teacher in your life? Ask him/her to have the entire class draw pictures and make cards. Addresses are as follows:
The Knolls of Oxford
Attn: Marketing Dept.
6727 Contreras Road
Oxford, OH 45056
Berkeley Square
Attn: Resident Services Dept.
100 Berkeley Drive
Hamilton, OH 45013
Chesterwood Village
Attn: Community Relations Dept.
8073 Tylersville Road
West Chester, OH 45069
Ohio Living Mount Pleasant
Attn: Karen Fleming, Chaplain
225 Britton Lane
Monroe, OH 45050
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Let your fingers do the shopping
Now might be the perfect time to explore how to use a grocery delivery service. Those using them report favorites to be Instacart and Shipt. Groceries can literally be delivered to your doorstep or even to your kitchen table. Some of the local grocery stores like Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart also offer online ordering and pick-up/delivery services.
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Cabin fever relief
We've all seen and heard many humorous (because laughter can be the best medicine), touching, and productive ways to pass quarantine time. Some of our favorites include:
Tea time at two. This idea comes from Mt. Pleasant. Every day at 2:00, fix a soothing beverage, settle into a comfy chair, and call someone to lift their spirits--and yours!
Choose from over 3300 Ted Talks to stir your curiosity.
From Shelly Abrams, ILR member, volunteer, and host of Lebanon's Feelin' Good cable television show: "Perhaps the ILRers might be interested in viewing the current FEELIN GOOD episode featuring Katherine Durack and our discussion regarding the impact of Ohio women in the history of the Suffragist Centennial. This topic was scheduled for one of the ILR Brown Bag Lunch presentations. I'd be interested in hearing stories from ILRers as well! Also, the Feelin' Good archives include monthly episodes with lifelong learning in mind.
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| Mark your calendar and plan to join us this fall, October 5 through November 6!
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