This “Club” helps men to reminisce about old times, and bond with each other over common experiences. The discussion and hands on interaction in each of the sessions helps provide mental stimulation and dexterity practice. Even those with cognitive challenges will benefit from the present-moment discussion. ***This club is equally suitable for women, and can be renamed if desired.
All programs are available in-person or by video
All programs can also be done outdoors in nice weather or with overhead cover
- Vintage Toys – Participants will discuss toys of their childhood, reminisce on favorite toys, and discuss/demonstrate toys that will be available in the session. This may include pictures of toys and compare toys of yesteryear to the toys of today. Includes hands on and brain stimulating memories. (1 hour class)
- The Old Neighborhood – Participants will reminisce about their old neighborhood, where they grew up, the street or community, their home, is it still there, what was their fondest memory, changes, have they been back. Pictures of old neighborhoods from the Cleveland area and other large cities will be provided to stimulate discussion. Each participant will receive a vintage postcard to keep. (1 hour class plus $1 per person for postcard)
- Basketball Then and Now – Participants will discuss their basketball history or at least observation of basketball from school, neighborhood, etc. Will also include discussion of the evolution of basketball players and some of the highlights of high school, college and professional players. Participants will then take part in a table basketball competition. (1 hour class)
- Baseball Through the Years – Participants will talk and reminisce about their baseball memories whether as a player or spectator. Discussion will include little league, high school, college and minor/major league ball. This will include players that stood out to them, debate the greatest players ever and predictions of the current major league season. Participants will then take part in a table top baseball game to stimulate their competitive spirit. Props will include ball, glove, bat, facemask, as well as the game. (1 hour class)
- Gardening and Farming – Participants will share their experiences in gardening or farming, what they grew, best crops/harvests, tools they used, and how big their gardens/farms were. Some props of tractors (mini sized) will be provided. Participants will then be provided pots, dirt and seeds to plant a small seedling to tend to after class have ended. (1 hour class plus $2 per person for materials)
- Tool Time – Participants will share their experiences with tools and how they used them. This many include hand tools, power tools, tractors, trucks, etc. props will include some vintage tools and tools of today to stimulate discussion and provide some hands on usage of the tools. This may also include pictures of vintage tools compared to tools of today. (1 hour class)
- Travel Memories – Participants will recall and reminisce of travel locations through their lives. This may include family trips as children, as parents, as an armed services person, and discuss locations that were memorable. Props will include National Park book, Rt. 66 book, and maps. Each participant will receive a USA map and we will mark off each state they visited. (1 hour class plus $1 per person for map)
- Good Old Golden School Days – Participants will travel down memory lane about their schools whether it be elementary/grammar or high school. They will have opportunity to talk about books, classes, teachers, classmates, activities, and extra-curricular events (i.e. social, sports). Props will include old year books from varied schools, vintage school books and photos from old high school socials. Participants will then have their picture taken as their “senior picture”, printed, framed and theirs to keep. (1 hour class plus $3 per person for materials)
- Football Season – Participants will talk and reminisce about their football memories whether as a player or spectator. Discussion will include high school, college and the NFL. This will include players that stood out to them, super bowls of the past, and current favored teams/players. The Browns will be prominent in our discussion! Participants will then take part in a table top football game to stimulate their competitive spirit. (1 hour class)
- Ancestry: Notable Relatives – Participants will share memories of relatives of their childhood that were notable (good or bad) and stories of what made them notable (i.e. moonshiners, veterans, etc.) Where were their ancestors originally from and how did they get to America? A blank family tree will be provided to each participant to fill out as part of their discussion and take with them to share with their families. (1 hour class plus $1 per person for materials)
- Thank You for Your Service – Participants will provide their experiences or observations of the military service, wartime, and travels in the service. Discussion will include discussion of movies/TV shows that depicted military and the participants view on the movie/show as to being realistic. Trivia questions will also be provided on military branches to have a little fun as well. Each participant will receive a small USA flag to keep. Session will conclude with a playing of the national anthem. (1 hour class plus $1 per person for materials)
- Holiday Traditions – Participants will stroll down memory lane to discuss their family traditions from growing up to becoming parents, grandparents of their own. What did the holidays mean to their family? What were their traditions? What did they eat? Where did they go to spend the holiday? Was it stressful, fun? Did you carry on the tradition from childhood to adulthood? Do you still carry out the traditions? Props will include pictures of various holiday traditions to stimulate discussion and memory. (1 hour class)
Click on the categories below for a full program list
