September 9, 2003

During September 21-27, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library in Abilene will host its annual Elderhostel.  This year’s program is entitled, The Fabulous Fifties.  “I Like Ike,” Little Rock, rock ‘n’ roll, Edsel, Cold War, The King and I, television, Marilyn Monroe, and hula hoops — were all part of the Fabulous Fifties!  This theme-week program explores all facets of the 1950s.  Dwight D. Eisenhower presided over an America of contradiction, affluence, anxiety, the emergence of the televisions age, a smoldering civil rights issue, unparalleled technological advances, and serious foreign crises.  Ike’s Abilene hometown is the perfect setting to relive this crucial decade.  The Eisenhower Center has created an engrossing program of lectures, films, tours, a fashion show, exhibits, and origianl archives research that will take participants back in time.
 
The Fabulous Fifties is one of over 10,000 educational programs offered each year throughout the fifty states and ninty countries through Elderhostel, Inc., an international organization based in Boston.  The organization began in 1975 with 220 hostelers attending programs in New Hampshire, and has grown to current enrollments of over 250,000.  Elderhostels are short-term academic programs for adults 55 years of age and over, interested in expanding their horizons and developing new interests.  A spouse or adult companion may accompany an age-eligible participant.
 The cost of the six-day program at the Eisenhower Center is $622 (double room); $712 (single room).  This includes accommodations in a local motel for six nights, all meals from Sunday evening dinner through Saturday breakfast, five days of classes, guided tours of Abilene mansions, and many extracurricular activities.

Elderhostel, Inc. has both full and partial “hostelships” available to eligible participants.  Hostelships are “scholarships” intended for persons who, without financial assistance, could not afford to attend an Elderhostel program.
 Persons interested in attending or wanting additional information should call the Eisenhower Library at (785) 263-4751 or toll-free at 1-877 RING IKE.  Registration is through the Boston Elderhostel office and may be made by telephone at their toll-free number 1-877-426-8056, 9 a.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.  Registration may also be completed online at www.elderhostel.org.  Please be sure to cite the program number #9582.
 
Those living in the surrounding area may wish to register as commuters at a cost of $450 which covers meals and all expenses except motel lodging. Commuter registration is made directly through the Eisenhower Library.  Hostelships may not be given to commuters.