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MEL DRYMAN
Raised in Detroit, Experienced in Arizona
Your Professional
& Dedicated
ARIZONA REALTOR
THE HISTORY
Mobile: (480) 239-8686
mel.dryman@azmoves.com
Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
2117430
Home for Sale -
Huntington Woods
English Tudor built in 1925. Approximately
2900 sq. ft . .25 acre lot. 4 Bedrooms. 4-1/2
baths. 2-car attached garage. Chef ’s kitchen.
Heated driveway. Heated gutters/downspouts. Whole
house generator. 2nd fl oor laundry. Sprinklers. Beautifully
landscaped. Berkley schools.
Phone 248-547-7025, please leave a message.
No brokers or agents.
Lifelong learning programs for
retirees, sponsored by colleges and
universities, were nothing new when
WSU mounted its own, according to
SOAR board mem-
ber Martin Herman,
Ph.D. The retired
WSU humanities
professor explores
opera for SOAR. In
2003, he said, WSU
approved a faculty-
led proposal to
devise a “coherent
Martin Herman
and meaningful out-
reach program that
addressed the needs of community
retirees.”
One of SOAR’s prominent founders
was the late Norma Goldman, who
taught Latin at WSU from 1945-91.
She recruited members to the original
SOAR steering committee. Members
were current or recently retired WSU
faculty and staff members, as well as
representatives from local community
organizations, including the Area
Agency on Aging.
Others important to SOAR’s suc-
cess were Sharon O’Brien, who is
still prominent; Bill Slater and Fred
Marblestone. In recent years, 875 was
the peak of enrollment for a single
SOAR term.
THE INSTRUCTORS
ASSISTED LIVING I MEMORY CARE
OPENING FALL 2017 IN OAKLAND COUNTY!
Welcome to the lifestyle you seek, the care and
security you need and the dignity you deserve. Our
communities include The Village Square, 3 on-site
restaurants with Chef-prepared meals, a Concierge
approach to care and more. This is where life happens!
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS!
SOAR’s instructors contribute their
services because they enjoy sharing
their knowledge and want to benefit
the community.
One popular
instructor is Mel
Chudnof, Ph.D., who
retired from Oakland
Community College
after a 43-year career
as professor of psy-
chology and social
work. A former
Mel Chudnof
student working for
SOAR introduced
him to the program.
Chudnof has taught five different
class topics in his specialty, including
“Mentally Healthy Aging.” He also pre-
sented on his genealogy research trip
to Ukraine.
SOAR students are “an enthusiastic
and verbal group of 60- to 90-year-
olds, who have had a fascinating
variety of professional and life experi-
ences,” Chudnof said. “I get a lot of
participation and discussion.”
Michael Beltzman,
a SOAR board mem-
ber retired from
sales and marketing,
has many returnees
for his film discus-
sion classes.
Beltzman became
an instructor
Michael Beltzman because, like his
students, he loves
watching good films.
Other Jewish instructors and their
subjects include Paula Finkelstein,
literature; Fred Pearson, political sci-
ence; Robert Sedler, constitutional
law; and Arnold Collens, combining
photography with history.
THE STUDENTS
After retirement,
Dr. Larry Abramson
sought things that
would “keep me
entertained, increase
my knowledge or
appreciation of addi-
Dr. Larry
tional subjects and
Abramson
offer opportunities
to meet like-minded
individuals.” Conversations with
friends and family led him to SOAR.
He regularly signs up for “Great
Decisions,” a focused group discussion
on foreign policy.
“It provides a historical basis
and then explores significant issues
impacting the U.S.,” Abramson said.
His passion for cinema has grown,
thanks to classes with Beltzman and
Elliott Wilhelm, curator for the DIA’s
Detroit Film Theatre. Abramson cred-
its SOAR field trips for giving him “an
increased appreciation of my com-
munity.”
Spreitzer-Berent, a retired gerontol-
ogist, studies art, architecture, health,
law, music, politics, religion and sci-
ence — “whatever happens to pique
my interest at the time.”
SOAR often fills a need for retirees
who miss their circle of friends at
work.
“Along with the teaching, which I
enjoy, I have had the pleasure of meet-
ing some terrific people, both in the
classroom and throughout the faculty,”
Beltzman said. “Many of these people
have become good friends.” •
855-543-2636
WWW.FIRSTANDMAIN.US
3051 E WALTON BOULEVARD, AUBURN HILLS, MI 48326
100 W SQUARE LAKE ROAD, BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI 48302
2500 MARTIN PARKWAY, COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI 48390
36
August 24 • 2017
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SOAR REGISTRATION
Sign up for the fall term, starting Sept. 8, at soarexplore.com. Attendees
can also register and pay by check at WSU-Oakland Center, 33737 W. 12
Mile, Farmington Hills. Two free pre-term classes, open to non-current SOAR
members only, will be held at 1 p.m. at Birmingham Temple in Farmington Hills.
“The 1967 Detroit Riots” is Sept. 6, and “Artificial Intelligence,” Sept. 7. For
information: soarcontact@gmail.com or (248) 489-0005.