Life Long Learning
Adult Enrichment Series!
Life Long Learning is a non-profit organization established in 1993 to offer community members an opportunity to hear and participate in discussions on contemporary topics such as history, the arts, health, travel, gardening, culture, cooking, literature, finance and more. A four-week educational series is offered twice each year in April and October. Everyone is welcome!
- Fall 2026 Classes
- Who We Are
- Leadership
- Get Involved
- Class Instructors
- Register to Attend
- Directions
Fall 2026 Classes
Session 1: 9:30AM-10:30AM (A,B,C)
A. LIFE LONG WELL-BEING
October 6 – Upper Perk Y: Community Impact and Memberships; Mind, Body and Spirit Demonstration (Rob Carpenter)
October 13 – Upper Perk Y: Programming and Social Activities; Mind, Body and Spirit Demonstration (Rob Carpenter)
October 20 – Exercise and Arthritis (Jay Kauffman)
October 27 – Staying Steady: The Importance of Balance (Amanda Polaha)
B. FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!
October 6 – The History of Food in Objects (Annette K. Thompson)
October 13 – Where’s the Beef? (Jodi Gauker)
October 20 – The History of Food in Objects – Part Two (Annette K. Thompson)
October 27 – This Little Piggy Went to Market (Jeff Arner)
C. DISCUSSIONS WITH LARRY
Presenter for all 4 weeks is Larry Cohen. Topics are all open-ended. Class limited to 50.
October 6 – Iran – With a Larger Focus on altered U.S. Global Relationships
October 13 – U.S. Foreign Policy Beyond just the Middle East
October 20 – Erosions of U.S. Government Agencies and Institutions
October 27 – Can the U.S. Recover its Mojo?
SESSION 2: 11:00 a.m. to Noon (D, E, F)
D. DON’T PANIC! DEALING WITH TRYING LIFE SITUATIONS
October 6 – Recognizing Scams and What to Do if You Get Caught in One (Michelle Forsell and Joe Adam)
October 13 – Legal Documents to Assist with Health Care Needs (Michelle Forsell)
October 20 – What Happens When You Call 9-1-1 (Todd Stieritz)
October 27- Life’s Changes Can Be Challenging: An Informed Conversation with an Elder Law Attorney (Michelle Forsell)
E. MUSIC MEMORIES
October 6 – Rocking with Rinny (Rinny Petrillo)
October 13- Bagpiping (James Rembisz)
October 20 – Sing Down Memory Lane (Teresa Kane)
October 27 – Upper Perkiomen Band Alumni (Ellen Leh and Janet Weikel)
F. THE REVOLUTION THROUGH A LOCAL LENS
October 6 – Pennsylvania Germans in the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783 (Ed Johnson)
October 13 – Black Powder Industry in the East Swamp Creek Valley (Ed Johnson)
October 20 – A Revolutionary Generation, The Potts Family during War (Anna Meitzler)
October 27 – Tacy Richardson; a Brave Colonial Woman Behind Enemy Lines (Homer Royer)
Who We Are
Life Long Learning, a non-profit corporation, was organized on March 11, 1993. Its purpose is to offer individuals residing in or near the Upper Perkiomen Valley opportunities to learn through hearing talks and participating in discussions on many topics including history, the arts, health, religion, travel, gardening, cultural diversity, cooking, literature, finance, and much more.
Life Long Learning fulfills its purpose by offering a series of seminars in the spring and fall each year. Three concurrent one-hour seminars are held before a thirty minute coffee break and three concurrent seminars are held after. Participants may choose two seminars – one from each time frame. Field trips may be planned to enhance the classroom experience. It is our hope that there will be something to interest everyone with each spring and fall session.
Life Long Learning is intended primarily for senior citizens in the Upper Perkiomen Valley and surrounding areas, but people of all ages are welcome to participate. There is a modest charge for the educational series to cover refreshments, facility costs, insurance, postage and equipment. The New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ graciously provides rooms and the necessary clerical and custodial services. The Upper Perkiomen School District generously assists with technology needs and printing requirements.
Life Long Learning has no paid staff. Its board of directors and all of its faculty members are volunteers, freely contributing their time, talents, and energy to what has become an important and popular part of the Upper Perkiomen Valley’s cultural life.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Carol Elias, President
Annette Thompson, Treasurer
Kathy Doyle, Recording Secretary
Sharon Muntz, Recording Secretary
Maribeth Reigner, Communications Secretary
Wendy Adam Susan Royer
Jeff Arner Charles Shagg
Gail Gerhard Linda Shagg
Glenn Gilbert Luanne Stauffer
Thomas Henry Jean Thobaben
Ellen A. Leh Kathie Utz
Sandra Park Janet Weikel
Linda Woodley
Mr. James Roth, Audio-Visual Coordinator
Dr. Allyn J. Roche, Upper Perkiomen School District Liaison
Get Involved
Class Instructors
Each instructor contributes their time to the Life Long Learning program.
We express our deep gratitude for their kind assistance.
Fall 2026 Class Instructors
Joe Adam – Chief of Police, Upper Perk Police Dept.
Jeff Arner – Penn State Agriculture, 40 years’ experience in PA Pork Industry, Past member of PA Pork Producers Council, LLL Board member
Rob Carpenter – Executive Director, Upper Perkiomen YMCA
Larry Cohen – Retired Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Dept. of State, Author
Michelle Forsell – Elder Law Attorney at Crosson & Richetti
Jodi Gauker – Chair of PA Beef, PSU Extension, She and husband are 9th generation farmers in Fleetwood
Ed Johnson – Retired educator, president of Goschenhoppen Historians
Jay Kauffman- MBA; Physical Therapist, Upper Perk Physical Therapy
Teresa Kane – Music Educator, performs as a singer with mandolin and guitar.
Ellen A. Leh – UPSD Band Alumna, Red Hill Band member; plays piccolo and flute, LLL Board Member
Anna Meitzler – Museum Educator, Pottsgrove Manor
Rinny Petrillo – musician, youtuber, composer, and educator located in Boyertown
Amanda Polaha – DPT; Physical Therapist, Upper Perk Physical Therapy
James Rembisz – Retired Teacher, Music Director of Spirit Choir at St. Mary’s in Schwenksville, guitarist/singer, piper
Homer Royer – Retired clergy, historian, descendant of Tacy
Todd Stieritz – Deputy Director, Montgomery Co. Dept of Public Safety
Annette K. Thompson – Retired UPSD Counselor, Genealogist, LLL Board Member
Janet Weikel – UPSD Band Alumna; played saxophone. Currently plays piano and ukelele. LLL Board member.
Register to Attend
All registration is by mail. Complete the registration form and mail with $25.00 non-refundable fee to:
Life Long Learning, New Goshenhoppen U.C.C.
1070 Church Rd
East Greenville, PA 18041
Enrollment is limited. Prompt registration will ensure your place in the classes of your choice. Please indicate your first, second and third choice for each hour.
Classes will be held on the following four Tuesdays: October 6, 13, 20 and 27. One session of three concurrent classes will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Following a half-hour coffee break, a second session of three concurrent classes will be held from 11:00 am until noon.
All sessions will be held at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, East Greenville. Parking and elevator access are available in the lower parking lot next to the main church building.
On Tuesday, October 6, the opening day, an orientation session will be held at 9:00 am. Please make every effort to attend.
Participants can register for one course at 9:30 for all four weeks and one course at 11:00 for all four weeks and attend the courses for which they are registered.
For further information, contact our board at uplifelonglearning@gmail.com