ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Continued Learning Program completed its 2018 October series on Tuesday after 4 sessions in the Hoover Price Campus Center at the University of Mount Union.  

Coordinated by a committee of community volunteers including Haven Ackley, Don and Jo VanFossen, Art and Gail Murdoch and Dave and Jan Puterbaugh, the program has been taking place since 1991 and features speakers with expertise on a range of topics and interests. The program which began under the direction of Lyle Crist is now a program of the Ralph and Mary Regula Center at Mount Union and is offered on Tuesdays in October, February and April.

This month featured four dynamic speakers beginning with J. Lynne Biery discussing the Sebring Mansion Inn and Spa on October 9. As the owner of the mansion and coordinator of the restoration efforts, Biery took attendees through the process of updating the facility. The unique finds, contractors involved and future opportunities were all discussed.

The second program of the month was presented by Len and Gretchen Epp about their time biking the Danube Bicycle Trail in Europe. Their trip included approximately 200 miles of the trail which spans 10 countries. With trails that varied in terrain, the Epps shared their experience with the bikes, the other individuals they encountered, the cuisine and the landscape on their five day trip.

Joe Weyer, Director of Training for the City of Alliance Police Department was the third session of the month. Joining the police force in 1995, Weyer has since built the Alliance Police Training Facility to what it is today. He shared the history of the facility, the donors that have assisted in its growth and the importance of something like this in Alliance. Offering training sessions attended by all levels of law enforcement, multiple other countries and local police departments, the facility more than pays for itself.  

A presentation about the Goodyear Blimp by Emily Cropper, Senior Manager of Airship (Blimp) Communications finished the month’s programs on October 31. Cropper took the audience through the history of the blimp describing its role in wartime, the various designs and models over the years and the technology that has changed within the blimp. She also explained how the blimp is built and the way in which it operates. The Continued Learning Program will return in February and April of 2019 with eight new programs which are free and open to the public. All sessions will be held in the Newbold Room of the Hoover- Price Campus Center at 10a.m. on Tuesdays. To sign up for CLP updates please email honakeal@mountunion.edu or call (330)829-8168.