Senior technology mavens help educate their peers

Enlarge Image

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Isabella Dryden (left), 94, and Jean Johnson, 92, both exemplify the idea of lifelong learning. (MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Technology has come a long way over the course of Isabella Dryden's and Jean Johnson's lives, considering they grew up in the day and age when most did not own a television and many did not even have a radio.

But despite that, the active women have not only managed to keep up with advances in technology, but to stay ahead of the pack.

Dryden, 94, and Johnson, 92, teach computer classes at Creative Retirement Manitoba, a non-profit agency that offers interactive learning programs for the older population.

Three days each week, the senior duo spend entire workdays teaching other seniors -- most often much younger than themselves -- the ins and outs of working a computer.

It's a volunteer job Dryden, a retired school teacher, took on 30 years ago, making her Creative Retirement's longest-serving volunteer. Ahead of the curve, the business education teacher started using computers and learning how to write programs to do data processing in the very early 1970s.

Johnson received her first computer in the early '80s, a gift from her son. She met Dryden when she signed up to take her class 27 years ago.

"Strangely enough when I sat down with the computer, I knew how to work with it. It just must have been in me. After my second class, I was bold enough to go up and ask (Dryden) if I could help her with the classes and she agreed. We've been together teaching ever since," said Johnson, a great-grandmother.

And that role as a teacher is one Dryden, who started her teaching career in a rural, one-room school in 1935, takes very seriously, having spent nearly 50 years in education.

"There are two things in life that are important to me -- one is education and the other is volunteering," Dryden explained. "I think it's a privilege to be a teacher and I think it's a privilege to be a volunteer and both of those activities give me a great deal of joy.

"Both are important roles. I feel good about the opportunity to teach and volunteer and I hope that I'm doing my part to help society to be better."

Recently awarded a Lieutenant Governor's Make a Difference Community Award, Dryden said it's been a great activity that gets her out of her home and keeps her mind active since retiring fully in 1983.

If you would like more information about Creative Retirement Manitoba, the programs it offers, or about volunteer opportunities, please call 204-949-2565. You can also learn more online at www.crm.mb.ca .

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make his or her community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca .

VOLUNTEER opportunities advertised in the Winnipeg area. For more information about these listings, please contact the person/organization directly. You may also call (204) 477-5180 ext. 230 to set up an appointment to see an interviewer at Volunteer Manitoba. Email: noreen.mian@volunteermanitoba.ca or visit our website: www.mbvolunteer.ca for other opportunities.

Agape Table is looking for board members with the following skills. Finance, to manage donations, pay invoices, balance books, prepare budgets and produce financial reports. Equipment and building director, to manage renovation projects and the purchase and maintenance of all Agape Table equipment including all kitchen equipment and a motor vehicle. Information technology assistant, to oversee all of Agape Table's information technology. Information: chair@agapetable.ca .

Riverwood Square is looking for volunteers to work with seniors and assist in engaging seniors to join activities in their building; they also require volunteers to help with administrative duties and to assist with major events that occur at Riverwood Square/Harmony Court Supportive Housing. Information: Allison 275-7632 or Recreation@riverwoodsquare.com .

Route marshals and site crew are needed for the Walk to Fight Arthritis, June 10, Assiniboine Park. Information: Genny 942-4892 or gbak@mb.arthritis.ca .

Aurora Family Therapy Centre is seeking board members from diverse backgrounds and cultures. If you wish to be part of a unique organization and can commit to attending 10 meetings each year on Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Winnipeg, please forward a letter outlining what you can bring to the board and why you are interested to j.smyth@uwinnipeg.ca or fax 772-2547 by May 28.

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is looking for volunteers to celebrate 25 years, July 18 to 29. Sell tickets on the front line, be a fringe ambassador at the info centre, keep drinks flowing in the beer tent or help little fringers create works of art. Information: www.winnipegfringe.com, 956-1340 or volunteers@winnipegfringe.com .

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 22, 2012 B2