Welcome!
We have concluded our 2024 Fall Semester.
Please stay tuned as we are planning a wide selection of lectures, book discussions, art programs, concerts, trips and so much more for the 2025 Spring semester.
We know you will find the programs intellectually stimulating, sometimes entertaining, and maybe even challenging. Our growing membership attests to our success in enriching the lives of adult learners along the Shoreline.
Even in his 87th year, the great Italian renaissance artist Michelangelo, creator of such masterpieces as the Sistine Chapel and the sculpture of David, is quoted as saying:
“Ancora Imparo”
(I am still learning.)
Given the scope of his achievement in painting, sculpture, poetry and architecture, this humility is striking and strongly reminiscent of the Greek philosopher Socrates:
“The wise man knows that he knows nothing.”
About Us
At SSILL, it’s about enlightenment and community. It’s no surprise that several of our board members are retired educators as are many of our members.
SSILL is especially proud of its programs which we believe are diverse, informative, educational and entertaining. The fall semester programs run from just after Labor Day to mid-December and the spring semester begins the first week in March ending mid-June.
We offer programs that appeal to a wide variety of interests from art and music to history and science. And in a variety of formats: large and small lectures, small discussion groups, films, concerts and trips. We’re guided for the most part by members’ evaluations of existing programs, by their suggestions and by a 15-member program committee. The amazing thing is that we never run out of ideas, topics, or speakers who are all, equally amazingly, volunteers. The speakers are university professors, both active and retired, physicians, authors, scientists, musicians, documentary filmmakers, experts in the fields of economics, history, art, opera, and the natural world. AND many return to us semester after semester, telling us that they really enjoy the interaction with our intellectually curious and engaged audience. Many stay to talk with our members long after their talk is over.
Programs are presented largely at the Guilford Community Center as well as at the Madison Senior Center, St. George Church Hall and the Guilford Library with whom we have a long collaborative history. We offer some joint programs with the library each semester (most recently a zoom art history talk by the art expert, Bob Potter) and we also use their community room for some of our programs during the semester.
SSILL Weekly Spotlight
THE LIFE WE BREATHE: AEROBIOLOGY FROM COVID TO THE CLOUDS
Scientists made important discoveries for the benefit of public health regarding airborne diseases.
SEA TURTLES OF LONG ISLAND SOUND
MaryEllen Mateleska, Mystic Aquarium MaryEllen Mateleska, Mystic Aquarium On November 12th, SSILL welcomed back MaryEllen Mateleska, Educator, from Mystic Aquarium to talk about the Sea Turtles of Long Island Sound and what is being done to conserve and rehabilitate...
SANCTUARY KITCHEN
Sanctuary kitchen offers catering, culinary training, sells their food at local Farmer’s markets to provide wonderful opportunities for work, and friendship for refugees in the United States to start a better life.
Acknowledgements
We want to acknowledge and express our gratitude to our Benefactors:
We are grateful for our Coffee Sponsors:
Anytime Fitness of Madison, Deep River and Guilford
Joint Fitness of Guilford
Rotary Club of Guilford
Join our Coffee Sponsors.
You will be invited to a Program to and tell us about your organization.Bring brochures and speak with our members.
We will post a link to your website on our Facebook page and you will reach a very wide audience.
Contact us anytime at [email protected] to arrange a date and time.
Our appreciation for the Friends of SSILL:
Evergreen Woods
Guilford Community Center
Guilford Free Library
Madison Scranton Library
Madison Senior Center
St. George Church Hall
SSILL Mission
The Schiller Shoreline Institute for Lifelong Learning’s (SSILL) mission is to develop and provide meaningful, intellectual programs to area adults who share a love of learning and a desire to be part of a caring community.
