91-year old student spices up life with baking

You’re never too old to learn something new. Just ask 91-year-old Leo Alho.

This spry, energetic Parksville resident recently completed a two-day workshop in artisian baking offered  through Malaspina University-College’s Centre for Continuing Education. 

"He's one of our oldest students," said Martin Barnett, coordinator of the professional baking program. "It was a pleasure to have him in class. Over the two day workshop, he needed no special accommodation and was as spry as the rest of the class. He's our new poster boy for life-long learning."

"I saw the course advertised in a brochure,” Alho explained. “I thought I’d sign up and see what they’re doing at Malaspina.  I enjoy trying new things."

Alho bakes often at home, grinding his own wheat flour and rye flour for baking breads, cinnamon buns and crepes. “I don’t use white flour at all,” he says. “They say it’s poison.”

Besides this workshop, Alho signed up for an ElderCollege course at Malaspina two years ago to learn about opera. He watches for courses that interest him because learning keeps the mind active. 

Alho has lived in Parksville for 10 years. He retired in 1991 after a busy career.   He once owned a bowling alley in Ontario, and then worked for Investors Group. “I did a little bit of everything during my career.  That made it interesting. ”

Malaspina's next artisan baking course is May 24 from 9 to 4 pm. Visit the viu.ca website and check out Continuing Education for more information.