The Institute for Learning in Retirement program at Copiah-Lincoln Community College has helped dozens of retirees discover new interests and rekindle old ones, and in a few cases, even find a spouse.

The latter is rare, but has happened over the years, said ILR program coordinator Marilyn Brown.

“We’ve had some folks who have made some lifelong friends just being in this group,” she said. “We’ve even had some weddings.”

Co-Lin will host an open house Tuesday at the Thames Center for the retirement program, which is open to those who are retired or semi-retired and 50 or older. The event begins at 1 p.m. with orientation for new and prospective members. A membership social will begin at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Membership is $65 for the year, which is divided into two semesters.

“We follow the college schedule,” Brown said.

Membership is also available by semester — $40 for the first semester and $25 for the second semester. If someone joins in January, it’s $40 for the one semester.

The group takes the summer off.

Brown has a new slate of activities planned for the fall and springs semesters.

They’ll have luncheons, workshops and trips with an end-of-the-year picnic in May.

“We always go somewhere for Christmas that’s Christmasy. Last year, we went to Natchitoches, Louisiana,” she said.

They’ll take day trips as well as overnight stays.

Trips are an additional cost, but members get a discounted rate as a group and the luxury of someone else doing all the planning.

Once a month, they’ll have a luncheon with an entertainer or a guest speaker. The program is free, but the meal is an additional cost.

Throughout each month, members can participate in hourlong workshops on various topics of interest, Brown said.

Over the two semesters last year, the program served a membership of 120 people, she said.

For more information, call Brown at 643-8701 or ILR event coordinator Tricia Russell at 601-643-8702.