Grandma gets wired

CANTON — Dorothy Hanulec is 83 years old, but when it comes to learning new computer skills, she's as young as they come.

Each Monday and Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Hanulec, town of Hermon, heads to Canton, where she joins about a dozen other seniors who gather to learn basic computer skills such as how to navigate a mouse and use a keyboard.

But that's not challenging enough for Mrs. Hanulec. She wants to learn more complicated tasks, such as how to download pictures from a cell phone and send them to family members.

"Anything there is to know, I want to know. Why should I be left behind?" she said with determination during her Wednesday class. "I bought a new computer and it's sitting on the dining room table waiting for me to learn how to use it."

The 10-week basic skills class is one of the more popular activities offered by St. Lawrence County's Office for the Aging. The free sessions are held in a classroom at the One-Stop Career Center housed in the county's Human Services building, Route 310. This is the second year computer classes have been offered.

A handful of students from St. Lawrence University's first-year program work with the seniors, sharing their time and computer know-how with a generation that, unlike them, didn't grow up using computers in school and at home.

Blaine A. Holcomb, a 19-year-old SLU freshman from Hamilton, said navigating the mouse is a skill several in the class have trouble with, but he's enjoying working with the group.

"It's a lot of fun to share some of the knowledge you have. I don't know everything about computers, but I know enough," he said.

Shava L. Kendrick, an intern with the Office for the Aging, coordinates the class, which meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in a classroom equipped with several computers and a Smartboard.

"They appreciate that people are working with them one-on-one at their own pace," Ms. Kendrick said. "They're learning a lot and they're asking a lot of good questions."

Some of the seniors have never used or owned a computer before, while others have limited experience. Several said they're motivated to learn new technology because they want to e-mail friends and family, share photographs and access information.

George and Lillian Griffith, Ogdensburg, said they want to be able to e-mail their children who moved away from the north country. They need to purchase their first computer.

"We thoroughly intend to buy one," Mrs. Griffith said. "We'll be able to receive pictures of our grandchildren, which is important to us."

Philip J. Bertrand, 67, a retired farmer from Morristown, said he wants to learn how to use eBay, Google and e-mail.

"Next, maybe I'll get a cell phone and a GPS," he said with a smile.

Robert L. Mayette, Waddington, said he's never owned a computer, but wants to be able to research facts about the Civil War and other topics of interest.

"This is loaded with all that information," the 74-year-old said as he paused from typing on his keyboard.