Devonshire at PGA National is hosting a new summer educational series with guest lectures on topics from music to current events
(Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) – A study published in 2012 that engaged more than 1,200 older adults indicated that cognitively active seniors, with an average age of 80, were more than 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia than older adults with less cognitive activity (per The Rush Memory and Aging Project). One of the ways seniors who live at Devonshire at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. keep their minds sharp is by enjoying various educational opportunities in the area and at their own community.
Many of Devonshire’s residents take advantage of the lifelong learning opportunities offered at local colleges and universities. The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Lifelong Learning Society in Boca Raton, for instance, is one of the programs residents participate in regularly. While Devonshire hosts presentations and guest lectures throughout the year, the community is hosting their first ever summer series of educational lectures. Just steps away from their apartments, residents can learn about a variety of topics throughout the summer months.
Devonshire resident Shirley Diuro has attended lifelong learning classes and is a regular at the community’s lectures. “The lectures at Devonshire are so very popular,” said Diuro. She also notes the convenience of classes at FAU. “It is just a few minutes away and so convenient.”
Returning guest speaker Dr. Robert Watson will launch the summer lecture series on June 24. He is a professor of American Studies at Lynn University in Boca Raton and will visit Devonshire to discuss “The Challenges of Uncovering Stories in History.” According to the Lynn University website, Dr. Watson is “a professor, author, media commentator, and community activist who joined the faculty of Lynn in 2007 after spending 15 years teaching at other universities around the country.” He’s appeared on “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” CNN’s “Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff,” Fox’s “Special Report with Brit Hume” and has been interviewed for mention in “Time,” “USA Today,” and “The New York Times,” just to name a few. Dr. Watson’s book America’s First Crisis just received the Independent Publishers’ Gold Medal as the book of the year in history.
“I have had the pleasure of lecturing at Devonshire for several years and very much look forward to coming back,” said Dr. Watson.
Turning to the arts, on July 13 Sammy Weber will present “The Killer B’s: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bernstein” at Devonshire. Weber, a violinist, attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he became concertmaster of the string orchestra in the preparatory division. He’s met and played with Itzhak Perlman and Marvin Hamlisch, and now he performs with artists across South Florida under the name “Sammy Weber and Friends.” Weber also teaches courses at FAU’s Lifelong Learning Society.
Following that presentation, Devonshire will host Dr. Jeffrey Morton on August 19. Dr. Morton is another familiar face at Devonshire, having been presenting at the community for over ten years. He is a Professor of Political Science and a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Association. He has authored three books and numerous journal articles. Dr. Morton received the FAU Researcher of the Year Award in 2004, is founder and director of the Diplomacy Program, and was awarded the prestigious Foreign Policy Association Medal in 2012. At Devonshire in August, he’ll be presenting “The ISIS Challenge”.
About Devonshire at PGA National: Devonshire at PGA National, one of 18 Erickson Living retirement communities, sits on a 26-acre campus in Palm Beach Gardens. Devonshire offers distinctive retirement living complete with spacious apartment homes, valet services and concierge support, premier dining venues, and convenient access to health services, all located just minutes from Southeast Florida’s best shopping, dining, and cultural activities. More information about Devonshire at PGA National can be found at: http://www.ericksonliving.com/devonshire/.
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