The Town of Hempstead has initiated a new and innovative program designed to encourage town seniors to continue in their quest for knowledge and to provide new and interesting means for them to widen their intellectual and artistic horizons. The program, known as GLO (Golden Learning Opportunities), welcomes interaction between program presenters and participants, and becomes a forum for seniors to express their ideas.

Under the direction of our Department of Senior Enrichment staff, specialists and guest speakers, GLO, in weekly two-hour sessions, offers a variety of topics and provides a stage for lively and in-depth discussions. Presenters and participants keep the discussion going with a fast-paced discourse, drawing upon the knowledge that seniors have experienced in their lives as it relates to the topic being presented that day. The interest of the participants guides the direction and content of the discussions.

Many different issues and topics have been highlighted in recent GLO sessions including Ethical Considerations, Estate Planning Concepts, Grandparenting, Famous Boxing Matches, and even Long Island's Contribution to the Space Program. There were also presentations in series form which discussed Ethnic Culture in America, Impressionism, as well as the similarities and differences of the American and British Jury Systems.

GLO's success is due to the uniqueness of the program's topic and the ongoing intelligence, enthusiasm and interest of the seniors who attend the sessions.

Town of Hempstead senior residents who are 60 years of age or older are invited to attend the GLO Program on Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. at the Salisbury Senior Center, located at 460 Salisbury Park Drive in Westbury.

For more information, please call Elaine Eckert, the program's director, at 485-8100, ext. 397, or Barbara Losee, Salisbury Senior Center coordinator, at 333-5440.

On behalf of all the members of the Hempstead Town Board, I urge all senior residents of our township to take advantage of this exciting new program. I know you'll return week after week for an afternoon of stimulating discussion in a congenial atmosphere.