An uplifting hour with the University of Aging

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026

By Peggy Sue McRae

Journal contributor

Last week I attended the University of Aging. This group is a focus on fun, one-hour, once-a-month, drop-in get-togethers held in the Arts & Crafts room at the Mullis Center. The group was spearheaded and is facilitated by longtime community members Francie Hansen and Sue Evans.

The flyer announcing the group’s monthly meeting states, “University of Aging – a fun, monthly drop-in activity/discussion group with no rules except: We begin with two minutes of complaining simultaneously. We commence the meeting with joy.”

Longtime attendee Krispi Staude has attended the University of Aging since the initial meeting in May of last year. Staude shared with me that at first, they did try starting with two minutes of complaining simultaneously. That, she explained, was too much, so they cut it down to one minute, then 30 seconds, and have since dispensed with the simultaneous complaining. Said Staude, “Now it turns out that we are basically a happy group, so we have dropped that part of the meeting.” Over the past year, Staude tells me the group has done a few crafts like making origami butterflies or collages from old calendars; however, she says, “It’s mostly just talking.”

At the meeting I attended last week, besides Hansen and Evans, there were about 13 women and one brave man. For me, it was a mix of beloved familiar faces among a few who were new to me. We started by going around the circle, offering something that made us happy that day. A few people had something sad to get off their chests, which the format was loose enough to easily accommodate. Lest participants ramble too far afield, our cheerful facilitator, kitchen timer in hand, kept things moving right along.

For the topic of the day, speaking of taboos was mentioned along with the suggested subjects drugs and sex and rock n’ roll. Starting with sex as our topic, the hour flew by, and we didn’t even get to drugs and rock n roll! The topic ranged from Girl Scouts learning the facts of life and not telling their parents about it to the shocking things young women are telling Oprah these days.

Participants are encouraged to consider the following: We gather with community to enjoy each other’s company with curiosity, open-mindedness and respect. We work together to expand our knowledge, understanding and interests. Indeed, it was a cordial group with plenty of ideas to share. After an hour of stimulating company, I can report that as I left the Mullis Center that afternoon, my spirits had indeed been lifted.

The next meeting of the University of Aging will be held in the Arts & Crafts room at the Mullis Center on April 22.