PrimeTime Institute (PTI) provides a wide variety of educational programs for people age 50+ that foster wellness, encourage personal and intellectual growth, and that provide an environment for developing new interests, making new friends, and becoming involved as volunteers.
PTI is a program of ElderCare of Alachua County, a non-profit organization providing various services for seniors such as Meals-on-Wheels, Alz Place, etc. All PTI programs and activities are planned and presented entirely by volunteer members and speakers, with expenses supported by optional memberships and donations. Additional information about PTI, including program updates, is available at our website www.primetimeinstitute.org or by contacting Susan Williams at 352-214-6219.
We appreciate the speakers who provide free programs for our seniors; however, please understand that PTI does not endorse any company, product, or service.
We continue with HYBRID programs — the speaker in-person at the Senior Recreation Center, along with attendees willing to gather there, and a simultaneous online webinar option through Zoom. We have learned that many people are able to participate online who are unable to come to the Center for a variety of reasons. Watch for Sunday messages each week to learn of any changes in that week’s Thursday program.
In February we begin a monthly series entitled, "250 Years of American Revolution," created and presented by Dr. Barbara Oberlander and concluding in June with a program by Donna Waller.
TIME: Unless otherwise noted, programs will be on Thursdays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
March 12th, Music Can Improve Your Health, even if all you can play is the stereo! Your mental and physical well-being can be affected by binaural beats. Mr. Jason Dobson will explain how this works.
March 19th, Discovering Your Family History and Genealogy Come learn how to identify the lineages, events, and cultural background of your ancestors. This program will explore genealogy research tools at our local libraries, as well as FamilySearch, a free online database. Presenters are Greg and Kathleen Self, Family Search Center Coordinators, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Carolyn Huguet, Genealogy Librarian, Alachua County Library.
March 26th, Daughters of Liberty: The Women of the Revolution Part 2 of a mini-series, 250 Years: Famous and Unknown Faces of The American Revolution presented by Dr. Barbara Oberlander, Santa Fe College Emerita Professor of History. This mini-series invites you to explore the legends and lesser-known figures of our history, offering insights that foster reflection, education, and inclusivity as we commemorate this pivotal moment. See the flyer above for details on the next parts 3 – 5 being held monthly.
April 2nd, Learning to Read a Work of Art Bonnie Brenau, retired art education director of the Harn Museum of Art, will teach us how to "read" a work of art. Bernau has worked in art education for 52 years. She is currently an adjunct instructor in art education at UF.
April 9th, Spiders Can Be Charming! How to charm a cannibalistic mate: insights from colorful courtship in Jumping Spiders Lisa Taylor, Ph.D. Behavioral Ecologist in the Entomology and Nematology Dept at U.F. will present her research and show us these beautiful spiders and how they evolved to have so many colors. (Rescheduled from January due to illness)
April 16th, Zip Code or Genetic Code and Health What does your zip code and/or your genetics have to do with your health care? Dr. Vinny Antony will explore these issues.
April 23rd, Diplomat Extraordinaire: Benjamin Franklin Part 3 of a mini-series, 250 Years: Famous and Unknown Faces of The American Revolution presented by Dr. Barbara Oberlander, Santa Fe College Emerita Professor of History. This mini-series invites you to explore the legends and lesser-known figures of our history, offering insights that foster reflection, education, and inclusivity as we commemorate this pivotal moment. See the flyer for details on the upcoming parts 4 and 5.
Recent Events
Strolling to the River Sink
Outing to O'Leno State Park
Located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, the park features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps, and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three miles away in the River Rise State Preserve. One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The suspension bridge built by the CCC still spans the river. During our visit, park staff gave a fascinating presentation on the exploration of the underground portion of the Santa Fe.