By Danielle M. Crosier, Vermont Maturity Magazine.
DORSET — Gloria Palmer, executive director of the Green Mountain Academy of Lifelong Learning (GMALL), has been hard at work developing the creative and diverse array of programming for GMALL’s upcoming summer season. She is enthusiastic for – well, everything – but she does have a few favorites in mind.
“I am excited about many of our programs, but if I am to pick a couple of favorites, I would say our August talk with a Tufts University professor who founded and runs Silk Lab. His name is Fiorenzo Omenetto, and he is combining silk with advanced design techniques. I think this will be a fascinating program,” said Palmer, laughing, but noting that she is also very excited about a two-part exploration of historic homes in Dorset, featuring a panel discussion, and actual tour of the homes.
“Anything about Vermont is always popular,” continued Palmer. “Combine that with architecturally historic homes and design, and I think we have a winner.”
But, in May, there is also a lecture on “Debating the Cyber Revolution: How Real is the Threat?” with Galen Jackson, assistant professor of political science at Williams College.
Jackson, who teaches international and nuclear security, American foreign policy, international relations theory, and Middle East international politics, will examine the role of digital technologies and their potential weaponization in international politics, as well as cover best practices for personal digital security. The talk will be held at Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, a frequent host of GMALL’s programming.
Also at Southern Vermont Arts Center, in May, Palmer has scheduled the lecture, “Globalization and Its Discontents,” where guest speaker Peter Radford of The Radford Free Press will explore the topic of globalization in politics – asking such questions as who benefits and loses from global trade; is bringing manufacturing home really possible, or even a good idea; and are global supply chains really that vulnerable to disruption?
It’s these types of intellectually stimulating programs that have formed GMALL’s sustained base audience, an audience that is “mature and well informed; has the time to engage in cultural and social programs that are educational in nature; and has a certain spirit of inquiry and curiosity for lifelong learning.”
Of course, all of this new programming comes on the heels of one of GMALL’s greatest new endeavors, hosting the all new Southern Vermont Writers Conference, which was held at the end of March and early April. The week-long conference – which was co-founded by local novelist Caren McVicker and local freelance writer Kim Place-Gateau – “really took things to a new level with GMALL”, said Palmer.
“I am so pleased with how the Southern Vermont Writers’ Conference went. This inaugural event, under the umbrella of GMALL, was a perfect event – bringing writers together and building a creative community,” said Palmer. “And, it is just one aspect of GMALL, connecting people with common interests. I love to see it in action – and we are hopeful this will become an annual event.”
For those interested in writing, more opportunities are on the horizon with GMALL, such as a return of the popular spring memoir writing class that was held this past spring. Palmer plans to bring it back once again in the fall, along with a number of other writing programs.
Scheduled for the consecutive Wednesdays of October 8, 15, 22, 29 and November 5, the Zoom memoir classes of “Finding the Golden Fleece: Writing Our Archetypal Journeys” – facilitated by instructor Elayne Clift, will take participants down the path of developing their own exciting narrative – their archetypal journey. The class will focus on identifying a heroic exploration that is “full of adventure, fraught with risk, and ultimately rich with reward.”
Also, along the lines of creative storytelling, will be another new format for GMALL.
“What we want to try this summer is more of a variety of formats. We’re going to be doing more panel discussions, more moderated discussions, yes. But, one of the programs I’m particularly excited about is a staged play reading that’s happening June 10,” said Palmer.
The event will be held in the gold-domed historic Bennington Courthouse, built in 1822, that now sits empty and vacant. As if the setting were not enough to set the tone, Palmer notes that there will be an interesting element of immersive role playing for the audience of this production.
“It’s going to be a courtroom drama, and the audience will become the jury,” said Palmer, her face lighting up as she set the stage. “The reading will cover the two sides of the argument, but then the audience will break off into smaller groups to deliberate – so, they’ll become the juries. We wanted it to be interactive with the audience. And, it’s just so different from anything we’ve done in the past.”
The author of the script, which is aptly titled “Prometheus Bound,” is GMALL board member Alan Stoga.
“Guilty or innocent,” asked Stoga, of the concept. “That’s the question the audience will decide when we stage the reading of Prometheus Bound. It’s a courtroom drama about Artificial Intelligence, inadvertently causing death and destruction here in Vermont. I wrote it because I think we as a community need to start thinking together about the role AI already plays in our lives.”
Another interactive and creative project on the horizon is a collage workshop. Another is basket weaving, one of Palmer’s favorite programs. This summer’s basket weaving programming will focus on the traditional craftsmanship and classic weaving techniques used in Nantucket Lightship Baskets. The two-day workshop will take place in the Manchester home of the instructor, Joan Blanchard.
Yet another upcoming program set in the homes of locals, are GMALL’s culinary classes.
The dates and themes of these workshops are still to be announced, but Palmer is excited about the possibilities for the summer – which always offers those who participate a unique opportunity to bond over food, hospitality, entertaining, and culture – all amid the backdrop of Southern Vermont’s verdant summer landscape.
Many of GMALL’s offerings are in-person, such as the upcoming Bridge classes with Andy Avery and the ongoing Longevity Yoga classes. However, locally-based programming is worthy of a visit, Palmer advocates.
In July, for example, GMALL will be partnering with the Manchester Music Festival to provide programming that coincides with the events at the festival.
“In my opinion, Manchester and the greater Northshire region is a wonderful destination for cultural and recreational activities. There is so much to do. I encourage people to come to a Green Mountain Academy program, but to also visit the Southern Vermont Arts Center or Hildene, shop and dine in our local stores and restaurants.”
Palmer noted the many attractions that would bring individuals – curious, active, engaged, individuals – to the area, “There are hiking trails, fishing – and pickleball.” Palmer teaches pickleball herself, and is planning two clinics this May, and possibly others throughout the summer.
“Manchester is a culturally vibrant town, and there’s just so much to do,” added Palmer, who encourages those interested in GMALL’s programming to book an event or workshop with friends, or in groups, and to also get to know new friends while they are in the area. This is a place, she said, where friendships form and develop.
“We are also trying to reach further afield in bringing speakers to this area,” said Palmer, but did note that there will always be incidents where the speaker or workshop leader is “too far afield.” In those situations, the classes or workshops become Zoom-oriented, or become some other type of hybrid model. This diversity in programming is one of the organization’s achievements, and the fact that many of the offerings can be unbound by geography, is also a plus.
“In almost 30 years, Green Mountain Academy has been bringing a wide range of educational programs to the community. The community is always changing, so we are always trying to engage new audiences. We’re always trying new formats to connect with them and make learning fun. We plan to do the programming that people have come to love about us, but we’re still experimenting,” said Palmer, adding that the interactive nature of many of the programs are what people admire about GMALL.
A full description of Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning’s offerings are available in the organization’s seasonal catalog of lectures and workshops, but can also be found online at greenmtnacademy.org/.
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