OCTOBER 2025
Author and Musician Douglas Wood Headlines Annual Harvest Dinner
I’ve always thought of October in Minnesota as a “bridge” month between summer and the beginning of winter – not too hot and not too cold. And it’s the colorful month in which the great outdoors really shows off. This month the LIFE program has two wonderful events to take us away from our Zoom meetings and give us an opportunity to meet and eat together as part of the program.
First is the annual Harvest Dinner that will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23rd at the Empire Event Center. Enjoy a delicious meal, uplifting entertainment, and the company of fellow LIFE supporters – all while helping us kick off our annual fundraising campaign that is necessary to sustain the program that means so much to all of us.
We are honored to welcome Douglas Wood, author, illustrator, musician, naturalist and wilderness guide: “Minnesota’s renaissance man.” A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Wood will share captivating stories and insights drawn from his rich life experiences that are sure to leave you inspired.
He is the creator of classic children’s books such as Old Turtle and A Quiet Place. He publishes critically acclaimed adult titles such as Deep Woods, Wild Waters and Paddle Whispers. Each year, he visits countless schools, motivating students and teachers alike with his story of going from the “worst reader in the class” who struggled with ADHD and dyslexia, to becoming an international best-selling author.
Doors will open at 5:30 pm with dinner served at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $59 for LIFE members or $69 for non-members and can be purchased online through the LIFE Program’s website. The Empire Event Center is conveniently attached to the Best Western Hotel at 1517 16th Street SW with ample parking in the adjacent lot. Registration deadline is October 14. Your attendance at this event will directly support our ability to continue offering the high-quality speakers and enriching experiences we have all come to value. Hope to see you there.
Pixy Russell, LIFE Advisory Board Member
SEPTEMBER 2025
As the seasons shift and a new school year begins, we are delighted to welcome you back to another year of discovery, growth, and community. Our program is built on the belief that learning never stops, and we’re continually inspired by the curiosity, insight, and energy you bring to every class and gathering.
This fall, we’ve designed an engaging lineup of opportunities—ranging from thought-provoking lectures and community conversations to book discussions and social events. We’re delighted to welcome back nearly 40 of our trusted speakers and thrilled to introduce more than 20 new voices joining our program this year. Whether you’re joining us to explore a new subject, deepen your knowledge in a familiar area, or simply enjoy the company of others who share your love of learning, there’s a place here for you.
Beyond the lectures themselves, we encourage you to think of our program as a community. It is a space where ideas are exchanged, friendships are formed, and every voice matters. Drop into our Headliners discussion on a Friday afternoon, come to our Community Conversation where we will discuss the impact that the decline of unsupervised play and increase in social media is having on today’s youth, or you could meet us out at Forte Living for a movie and discussion at our Rated R For Read class. Your participation not only enriches your own life but also strengthens the experience for everyone around you.
Thank you for being part of our learning family. We can’t wait to see the ways in which we will grow together this year. Let’s celebrate the joy of lifelong learning and the connections that make it all worthwhile.
With warm regards and gratitude,
Kerry Novotny (LIFE Program Director) & Jamie Schroeder (LIFE Administrative Assistant)
AUGUST 2025
Welcome to a new school year of LIFE! When looking through the catalog, you will quickly see that it will be hard to choose from the interesting classes and excellent instructors. Thanks to our Program Committee, who strive to find new instructors and topics while retaining highly rated ones from previous years. We value your input and encourage you to fill out the evaluation after each class. A dedicated committee reviews your input and reports its findings to the board.
Please consider attending the Harvest Dinner in October. Douglas Wood has written many books for children and adults, is an instructor, a guide for Road Scholar, and a songwriter/singer. It will be a wonderful dinner, time to visit with friends, old and new, as well as an entertaining program.
As we look forward to a new year, help us expand the LIFE program by reaching out to friends and encouraging them to attend classes. Their first class is free!
I wish you a great year. See you in class!
Julie Stenehjem, LIFE Advisory Board Chair