MAY 2026
The old saying, “April showers bring May flowers”, certainly seems to be true this year, and even a bit ahead of schedule! The tulips and daffodils, and the leaves on trees, are bursting forth thanks to the unusual warmth and rain we have experienced. As we look forward to summer, you will note that our LIFE classes end in May. We have found that summer classes offered in the past have not had the attendance we would have hoped for, but the good news is we have video-recorded many of our classes, and they are available for only $10 each. I am sure there are classes you have missed because of schedule conflicts throughout the year. Please check them out! There are directions on how to access the recorded classes in your LIFE Program Booklet.
We are still going strong in May with a wide variety of classes. Sarah Ruble, a popular LIFE presenter and professor from Gustavus, will be presenting on a timely topic, “Culture Wars as Gender Wars.” For those interested in The Arts, Tom Cimarusti will offer a class on Cole Porter; Paul Koeller will share the music and history of the rock group Queen, and Michelle Gibbons will explore Katherine Hepburn’s legendary life. Book lovers will be interested in Marguerite Ragnow’s presentation on “What is a Book”, and our own Kerry Novotny, will host a book and film screening of “Wild: Lost and Found on the Pacific Coast Trail”. The movie “Wild” is based on this book. Come even if you haven’t read the book! And the last class of the year will be Steve Troutman, board member extraordinaire. His timely topic will be “Generational Cycles and the Predicted Crisis”. For those who have heard him present before, please note that this an updated presentation focusing on what comes next.
Just a program note: Be sure to check the location of the classes. We have several classes that will be held at the Heinz Center this spring.
I have touched on just a few of the classes, and there are many more I could highlight, but I will leave that up to you. Take time to enjoy our long-awaited spring and our tempting May classes!
Julie Stenehjem, LIFE Advisory Board Chair
APRIL 2026
April Awakens: Grow, Learn, Connect
Ah spring! I know that we’ve been teased by several periods of spring-like temps this winter, only to be slammed by that recent record-breaking reminder from Mother Nature that winter is not quite over. But April is now upon us – a month that can usually be relied on to delight with many of the annual signs of nature’s reawakening: warmer days and more daylight, budding trees, woodland wildflowers, returning songbirds and even the proverbial “April showers.”
If you’re looking for even more ways to enjoy April, look no further than the LIFE catalog! Just as spring awakens those long-dormant bulbs, if you’ll forgive the analogy, this month in LIFE features 29 informative and stimulating classes that guarantee to provide fertile ground for your own personal growth!
A great (and delicious) way to start the month is at the annual ice cream social on April 2, and there are 13 other opportunities this month to learn and connect with fellow students at in-person classes. We’re excited that three of those classes on April 29 and 30 will be presented by Dr. Richard Bell, one of our most highly rated instructors. And, of course, there are 15 other classes this month offered via Zoom to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home.
A couple “surplus” classes that couldn’t happen in March due to the blizzard will now be presented in April and might fit into your schedule: “Britain’s New King: King Charles III” is now on April 9 at 10 AM (Zoom) and “A Guidebook to Alzheimer’s Disease” is now on April 30 at 1 PM (RCTC Room 1415).
Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find a few – or many! – LIFE classes to enjoy in April. Happy spring and see you in class!
Debby Jacobsen, LIFE Advisory Board Member
MARCH 2026
Minnesota in March
As a transplant from Iowa nearly 60 years ago, I have lived my entire life as a Midwesterner. With that at my core, I approach the month of March with mixed feelings.
March brings many joys – longer daylight hours, the first day of spring, a lively Irish holiday, and the thrill of March Madness. But no other month brings us such unpredictability in weather—from the blizzards that are innately connected to the state basketball tournaments to an occasional day in the 70’s. Some of us may choose to escape to sunnier climates (like Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden, shown in the picture) for a portion of the month. However, if you’re one of the “brave” who accept the challenge of Minnesota in March, LIFE is for you!
Perusing the catalog, you’ll realize there are twenty-nine classes offered this March. You’re certain to find a few that will ease the March doldrums. For pure enjoyment, join us for Take Me Out to the Ballgame with Kristin Anderson, an “armchair tour” of Ireland with Stephenie Slahor, or All That Glitters with Nancy Maxwell. You’ll not want to miss Dr. Ed Creagen’s information on Alzheimer’s Disease, or the heart-breaking stories of Minnesota and Wisconsin Indian Boarding Schools by Linda LeGarde Grover, or The Cherokee Nation Remembered with Rowena McClinton. To stay politically literate, join Richard Leitch, PhD, political science professor at Gustavus, for one of his three presentations — Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy, U.S. and China Relations, and Ruptured Alliance and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation.
We look forward to “seeing” you in the coming month. You might want to consider inviting a friend for coffee and a “zoom” class. Being exposed to LIFE is the beginning of a GOOD Life!
Jane Hallman, LIFE Advisory Board Member
FEBRUARY 2026
LIFE Brings Light!
February’s LIFE offerings promise to provide stimulating programming for everyone. A good example of the range of options available might be beginning the month on the fourth with a ride around the world in a Pacific Clipper and conclude the month on Feb. 30 (aka March 2) with J. S, Bach. In between we will have opportunities to learn more about important people (Lincoln and Churchill), fascinating places (Prague), and all manner of things from flowers and bison to churches and a broad range of history.
If you find February in Minnesota to often be cold, dark and dreary, give LIFE the chance to bring some light into your weekdays with the nearly daily programs available. We think you will find them informative and entertaining.
Joe Wieners, LIFE Advisory Board Member
JANUARY 2026
Happy New Year!
I hope all of you had a wonderful time over the holidays visiting with friends and family and that you all will have a great 2026. LIFE has already gotten 2026 off to a great start! Our Winter/Spring catalog is full of a wide variety of topics delivered by many excellent speakers. Most of the presentations are offered via ZOOM so, you don’t need to get out in the cold to attend them. If you do not have a catalog, visit the LIFE website at www.learningisforever.net to download a copy. As you will notice, there is a discounted registration fee if you purchase a membership. Enrolling in just a few classes will cover the membership fee. I hope to see many of you in the classes.
Chuck Stupca, LIFE Advisory Board Member
DECEMBER 2025
Season of Learning & Giving
Holidays are such a wonderful time of the year! LIFE classes pause to let us enjoy them. Unlike holidays, there is no such thing as consuming too much education. We have enjoyed a fall season of rich classes, while the holiday expectation for LIFErs is not for sugarplum fairies, but for the goodies in the spring catalog.
Coming soon to ask you to help finance those classes is the annual giving letter. Remember that your donations allow LIFE to maintain such diverse and high-quality education. Do your part to keep high quality LIFE classes coming year ‘round.
Frank Iossi, LIFE Advisory Board Member
NOVEMBER 2025
Together, We Keep LIFE Going
LIFE is pretty great. It provides me with fascinating learning opportunities and keeps me engaged in meaningful and fulfilling work. In my case that means both as an instructor and as a member on the LIFE Advisory Board. If you are looking for ways to be more engaged, or to give back, there are many opportunities available to you. And there are also many different levels of commitment available. For instance, if you are interested in being involved in the leadership of LIFE, the Advisory Board could be a good option for you. While the Board only meets once a month, it is important in setting direction and providing support to LIFE’s programs. You can simply be a member and share your views, or you can seek out a leadership role. I am the chair of the Marketing Committee, but I have also held non-leadership roles as well. In addition to the Advisory Board, LIFE also has an on-going need for volunteer Class Hosts to welcome attendees and introduce our speakers. We can train you how to do this. Perhaps you are not interested in hosting or being on the Board, but you have other experience or technical skills which may be valuable. We may be able to put you and your skills to meaningful work without a demanding commitment. If you are interested in getting involved in any of the above, please just let Kerry or Jamie know and they will get you in touch with the right person.
Finally, if you would like to be involved but aren’t looking for a formal role, I have a request. Please be a spokesperson for LIFE. Tell people about LIFE. Show them your catalog or send them to LearningIsForEver.net. Invite them to class (the first class is free). We know from experience, that word of mouth is our best advertisement. People attending classes are the lifeblood of the LIFE program and they can’t come if they haven’t heard about LIFE.
Stephen Troutman, LIFE Advisory Board Member
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