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
March 6th, Raising Awareness about Rising Seas: The Invading Sea and Climate Change Communication Florida is ground zero for the effects of climate change, from rising sea levels to extreme heat. But reaching consensus on solutions has been difficult due to political polarization. Nathan Crabbe, a former editor of the Gainesville Sun and now editor of The Invading Sea website, discusses effective climate communication across party lines and polling that shows Floridians are closer to agreement that some might think.
March 13th, Preparing for End-of-Life Challenges In our lives, there are a variety of significant, life-changing events that we plan for. We acknowledge, honor, or celebrate births, starting school, birthdays, graduations, weddings, national and religious holidays, and other important events. Many of us, however, avoid preparing for death. The fact is that talking about death doesn't cause it to happen. And talking about it can prevent many problems. Our speaker, Shanti Vani, is a trained End-of-Life Doula, a non-medical companion to the dying and their families who complements other care. She encourages and facilitates conversations about death and dying. Shanti sits on the board of the Florida End-of-Life Doula Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit.
March 20th, PrimeTime for Screen Time Dannielle Obermeier, MSN, RN, BMTCN, will help us learn about important types of cancer screenings and their recommended frequency. She will also discuss the signs and the symptoms to watch out for related to the most common cancers affecting the elderly. In addition, she’ll describe general health awareness that can promote wellness as we age.
March 27th, What's Good: Explore Gainesville and Alachua County From our eight state parks, crystal-blue springs, and miles of trails to our museums, performing arts, music, and culinary scene, there is something for everyone in Alachua County. Learn ways to become a tourist in your own home county and dive into the local culture. The Alachua County Board of Commissioners has declared 2025 “Discover 200 Years – A Bicentennial Celebration,” marking 200 years since the county's establishment. This milestone honors the past, celebrates the present, and looks forward to the future with special events throughout the year. Jessica Hurov, CPM, Tourism and Economic Development Director with Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL, will be one of our speakers, along with a special guest. Join us to learn about the many ways we can celebrate and explore What’s Good in our community!
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.