Episode #26 - Korleen Schmidt loves to talk about the weather and explain it to those who want to know about it.  She joins hosts Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington on the green bench from The Village at University Gates in Waterloo, a widow, mother of 4, grandmother of 11, talks about the full circle of her life, combining her loves of geography and theology. 

"If not for the weather, we'd have nothing to talk about."

"In her study of theology she's learning and teaching how to go to heaven, and in her study of meteorology she teaches us how the heavens go." -Lloyd Hetherington

• An elementary school teacher in Toronto

Pastor Korleen Schmidt - worked 5 years for the United Church in Hanover as the assistant minister.  She grew up in Elmwood, went to a one-room school, and found it to be a great experience.  

"Sometimes we listened and sometimes we didn't, you know how that goes with kids." -Korleen Schmidt

A decision to move in with (and be adopted by) her aunt & uncle after her parents divorced and she attended the Brantford Collegiate Institute. "I was always open to opportunities.  It could not have been better in every way." 

"It's quite an eye opener to be able to look at the vegetation to absorb what's going on.  The snakes, the toads, the fish that we became familiar with in the forest." -Korleen Schmidt

What are words of advice your parents gave you when heading out to play?

What fascinates you about the weather?  "Changes, constant changes."  

"Our weathermen do a fantastic job giving us a good picture of what's expected in the day.  Going into detail that a lot of us just sort of gloss over." -Korleen Schmidt

We've been around the world, visiting close to 50 countries.  

"Doesn't travel broaden your horizons and your understanding of your fellow human in so many ways." -Erin Davis

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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.

It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.

"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel

This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages, retirement & long-term care homes in Ontario, Canada.

#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions