LOCAL UPDATE: WORKSHOP FOR SENIORS AT SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL

Aging is a fact of life. How we handle growing older will be the focus of a special musical workshop on aging hosted by Southeast Missouri Hospital on Monday, Oct. 26. The workshop is free and open to the community.

"I've Never Been Old Before" will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hospital's Harrison Room. To register, call Southeast's Generations Family Resource Center at (573) 651-5825.

The workshop, a unique combination of song and discussion, will be presented by Bob Payton, M.Ed., of Minneapolis, Minn.

At the workshop, Payton will help participants explore their own feelings about growing older and then show them how to support others who want to express their feelings about aging. Woven into the program are entertaining songs performed by Payton on the banjo, harmonica and guitar.

Among the songs Payton incorporates into his workshop curriculum are such titles as "We're the Golden Oldies," "What the Old Folks Know," "The Little White Pill" and "I've Come a Long Way."

Payton and his wife Denise, an independent researcher and educator, have been creating musical programs on aging since 1984.

Payton, a professional folk musician, holds a master's degree in therapeutic recreation. He has 12 years experience as an activity director in longterm care, hospitals and hospice settings.