The Peer Learning Partnership is a community of lifelong learners who share personal growth and enrichment opportunities through classes, discussion groups, cultural events and social activities. Members may serve as volunteer facilitators.
The following is an excerpt from the PLP newsletter that highlights the contributions of Mel Bender, who has facilitated more than 20 courses and has a special interest in U.S. Constitutional law, the history of the American Revolutionary period and poetry. For the last 17 years, he also has been active as a board member and leader of the Educational Outreach Committee.
PLP does not typically celebrate the milestones of its members, but we think this one warrants an exception. On March 5, longtime member, facilitator, committee member, chairman and friend, Mel Bender, celebrated his 100th birthday.
While some centenarians may consider themselves lucky if they are able to blow out the candles on their birthday cake, Bender has to check his calendar to see when he has time to celebrate with family and friends. He may be preparing to facilitate a class on government or literature. He also may be at a weekly poker game with his BayWoods companions or accompanying friends to dinner at Carrol’s Creek Café.
You get the picture; Bender is not your typical hundred-ager.
If you ask Bender, he will tell you he has had a ‘lucky’ life — a successful career, a happy marriage, two loving daughters and a posse of grandkids and great-grandkids.
Bender was born in Baltimore. His father was a tailor, who began a successful garment business. Under his leadership, the business flourished and became one of Baltimore’s signature businesses. In fact, he donated some of the equipment used at the family factory to the Baltimore Museum of Industry. But maybe even more important to his story is the fact that a smart and pretty girl named Judy lived across the street from him and eventually became Mrs. Bender.
The Benders enjoyed a full life together. They embraced the arts as well as the outdoors; they were as comfortable sitting in a canoe as they were at the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts.
Although Bender was not a PLP founding father, he is one of its earliest members and one of its most consequential. He personifies PLP’s demographic of a lifelong learner, having earned his master’s degree from St. John’s College after retirement (at age 80). One of Bender's PLP contributions was the creation of the Educational Outreach Committee that provides off-site learning experiences on a variety of topics.
But perhaps his greatest legacy is the the man himself. At age 100 he is still signing up for classes, planning future courses and attending social events.
So, Bender, thank you for your example and happy birthday! We can’t wait to see what you do next year.