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.
To participate in the webinar version of a program, you can log in on your Internet-connected computer, tablet, or phone as the program gets underway. Advance registration is required for attending online. Please send your request to primetime.inst@gmail.com.
If you do register for the webinar version, you will receive a confirmation message and, at an appropriate time, a link to click on so you can join in. No camera or microphone is needed to see and hear the presentations online.
Our programs are also recorded for people who are not available on Thursdays. We share links to those recordings when the Senior Center staff has them available so people can watch at their convenience. Those links are shared in the program reminder messages we send each Sunday to those on PTI's email distribution list.
TIME: Unless otherwise noted, programs will be on Thursdays from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
April 3rd, Foraging for Edible Weeds Pat Caren has been a Master Gardener since 2009 and has been interested in edible and medicinal wild plants for years. She will provide a brief look at local wild foods and how to prepare and enjoy them. As an example, Pat will bring Pine Needle Tea to share.
April 10th, The Education Foundation of Alachua County We will learn about the Foundation’s programs that support Alachua County Public Schools, including Take Stock in Children, teacher grants, and student scholarships. They help provide mentorship, financial assistance, and resources to ensure student success. The organization is committed to empowering the next generation through education and community partnerships. Our speaker, Kate Clement, is the coordinator for several of the programs.
April 17th, Understanding Radiation Therapy: A Guide for Patients and Loved Ones Daniela Martir, MD, from the UF Department of Radiation Oncology, will define radiation therapy and how it is used to treat cancer. Many who face a cancer diagnosis will have radiation as one of the treatment options, so it will help to understand ahead of time what’s involved. Dr. Martir will discuss different types of radiation therapy, including the use of specialized radiation techniques. We’ll learn what to expect during the radiation treatment process and understand more about the roles of the radiation therapy team members.
April 24th, Preparing vs Panicking - Using Common Sense for Disaster Prep Preparing for disaster can seem like a daunting, stressful task. The constant influx of information before, during, and after an event can lead many to question what they really need to do to be ready, especially those with disabilities. David Peaton, FPEM, Assistant Director of Emergency Management with Alachua County will inform us of their department's services and how to take simple, common-sense steps to prepare for the unexpected.
REMEMBER that you must register for any Zoom-based sessions (webinar or meeting) you want to participate in at primetime.inst@gmail.com
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.