A year of changes PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 22 October 2010

 

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Academic Dean of Sun City Center’s Community Church  College for just over a year now, Sally Erath says she can never quite replace Dean Emeritus Yvonne Ponsor.

Yvonne served as the dean of the continuing education (non credit) college for many years following its establishment in 1976.

An outreach program that serves the entire community, not just Sun City Center residents, over the years it has created unique courses including everything from Memoir Writing to Household Repairs. It’s truly been a blessing and a place to educate yourself on just about any subject you can name.

Lively discussion groups are also part of the curriculum; with topics ranging from current events; how we relate to other countries and cultures, by people who have lived overseas; and comparison of the different ways world health care systems operate.

sally-coffee
Penny Fletcher photo
Academic Dean of Sun City Center’s Community Church College for just over a year now, Sally Erath says she can never quite replace Dean Emeritus Yvonne Ponsor. Yet many new courses and discussion groups are now being taught as well as old favorites that are always full.
The reason so many topics can be covered accurately and interestingly is that many retired experts live in South County. You don’t have to live in Sun City Center even though the college is located at the United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Ave, off  N. Pebble Beach Boulevard, which runs off State Road 674 right through town. I know you don’t have to be a Sun City Center resident, because I live in Riverview and I’ve taught a creative writing class there myself. Over the years, I’ve also participated in other people’s classes and always learned something while having a good time. It’s good old-fashioned educational fun for both the instructors and the class members and if you haven’t tried it, you should check out the fall and spring class schedules now, especially since it’s only three weeks into the fall semester and you don’t have to go to the class every week if you don’t want to.

“Yvonne did such a great job, no one could ever replace her,” Sally said to me as we sat in her office Oct 21.

But Sally hasn’t just kept the old favorite courses. She’s hunted for new talent and she’s found it.

Of course the old favorites are still around; especially the ones that are full every time. But new classes have been added that are worth mentioning, like “Basic Dog Training” and “Fung Shui.” There’s a variety, stretching from acting to gardening and even a class called, “What is Most Important to You?”

One of the things Sally has put in place is the Community Church College Speaker’s Bureau, made up of all present and former instructors who want to spread their knowledge to clubs, religious and civic organizations, and other groups around South County.

Sally was a natural to start a Speaker’s Bureau because she did many similar things before moving to Florida.

She and her late husband Ed moved to Sun City Center six years ago from Beaver Falls., Penn.

Sally started her career in Pennsylvania as a music teacher, soon became music director, and also taught communications. She’s taught both junior and senior English in high school and public speaking.

After that, she became affiliated with, and later director of alumni relations for, Geneva Christian College in Beaver Falls, a job which entailed her traveling around the country to 20 alumni clubs telling them what’s happening now at the college and gaining financial support.

She’s also owned her own business, called “Agenda,” which took on fundraising for causes and groups fulltime.

The mother of one son and two grandsons who live in Atlanta, Sally said she is excited about beginning her second year as Dean.

“One new course that’s really taken off is Interior Design taught by June Jackley,” she said. Another is “How to Improve Your Memory” by Alicia Thomas. “That one is really full,” she said.

Another brand new addition is “The World of Cats,” given by Judy Stinson. “Any cat lover can appreciate this one,” she told me.

Returning in the spring will be a class that was very popular when given for the first time last semester by Fred Hearns, she said. “But Fred took off to get a Master’s.” Supposedly he will resume his “Tours” in the spring. “Last semester they went on a guided tour of Tampa and people really loved it,” she said. “So many people want to go nice places but they either don’t drive at night or don’t want to go someplace new alone. This is wonderful for them.”

Meeting with Sally was interesting and I’m glad to see she’s had such an eventful first year. Maybe she’ll stay as long as Yvonne Ponsor and become another well-known figure around town.

To find out more about the college or the Speaker’s Bureau, call (813) 634-8607.

*Perhaps you have something you’d like to share. Or maybe you’d rather tell the community about your favorite charity or cause: or sound off about something you think needs change. That’s what “Over Coffee” is about. It really doesn’t matter whether we actually drink any coffee or not (although I probably will). It’s what you have to say that’s important. E-mail me any time at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and suggest a meeting place. No matter what’s going on, I’m usually available to share just one more cup.