Register for these programs: by phone (507-664-3700), in person at FiftyNorth, or by clicking on the title of the class
Lifelong Learning Classes/Talks
Link to Trailer on YouTube:
THE REMEMBER PROJECT: In the Garden
Monday, November 18
9:00-11:30am
Doors Open and Refreshments 9:00am
Play and Community Conversation 9:30-11:30am
FiftyNorth is pleased to announce upcoming screened performance of “In the Garden,” one of five plays that make up the Remember Project.
“Since 2015, the Remember Project has been touring in Wisconsin and Minnesota with their live productions of ‘Steering into the Skid,’ and ‘In the Garden,’” said Kerry Hjelmgren, FiftyNorth Director. “The combination of watching a play together followed by facilitated discussion is an excellent way to help create better understanding about the challenges facing those with memory loss as well as their families and friends. It is remarkable that the Remember Project artists have created a theatrical video format.”
The Remember Project is a special program that is designed to help family members, care partners, local businesses, and the broader community be in conversation around dementia and the most well-known form of memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease. All community members are encouraged to attend this program.
The play, “In the Garden,” was written by Matthew Widman and published in The MemoryCare Plays, a book of three one-act plays compiled and edited by Dr. Margaret A. Noel. “This play is dedicated to my father Harry Widman, a wonderful artist, teacher and parent,” said the playwright. “Although the characters in the play are fictional, my father’s aesthetic voice rings true through the persona of Arthur, a man who despite his illness, never loses his observant eye for the splendor and excitement of the world around him.”
The setting of “In the Garden” is the home of Arthur Monsetin where his three grown children have come together after the death of their mother to try and help decide a course of action for their beloved father who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. While Arthur may wander off at times, lash out in anger or forget the names of his grandchildren, at other times he is lucid, funny, and wise. Long ingrained familial tensions come to the surface when Peter, Karen, and Jamie struggle to treasure their father as they also come to terms with his limitations. Each of Arthur’s children has a very different view about what is best, yet one thing is clear: their love for their father will guide the way.
“This general scenario is taking place with thousands of families across America every day as adult children try their very best to chart a course for loved ones who are experiencing dementia,” said facilitator Danette McCarthy. “It can feel extremely isolating to face decisions about care and to navigate the journey of decision-making as a family. ‘In the Garden’ is a compassionate invitation to help families and friends support each other through the immense challenges and pressures placed on care partners.”
This program is free, though registration is required and seating is limited.
Presenters: The Remember Project
Capacity: 75
Cost: Free
Space: Room 103/105
CPR and First Aid
Tuesday, November 19
9:00-12:00pm
Students will receive expert training in First Aid and Basic Life Support CPR (adult) including Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). This 3-hour class includes instruction, demonstrations and hands-on activities and culminates in the students earning an American Heart Card. It is appropriate training for Certified Nurse Assistants, healthcare workers, childcare workers, teachers, instructors, and volunteers. Many health care facilities require this training of their employees.
Instructor: Jon Bolster
Capacity: 10
Cost: $72 nonmbr, $65 mbr, $0 platinum
Space: room 106
Death Deck – Get the Scoop!
Wednesday, November 20
1:00-2:00pm
Do you know what people really think and how they feel about end-of-life situations? Consider this one…
If a drug were created to provide immortality, would you take it?
- Totally! Who wouldn’t want to live forever?
- Nope. One lifetime is plenty
- Maybe. If I could lock in my hottest age
Get the lowdown from others and then see what comes up for you. Join Barbara Krause—Certified Death Midwife and Funeral Celebrant—for some eye-opening
conversations. No wrong answers!
Presenter: Barbara Krause
Capacity: 20
Cost: FREE and open to all!
Space: room 102
Spanish 1: Session 2
Mondays & Thursdays
December 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19,
January 6, 9, 13, 16, 23,
February 3, 6, 10, 13, 20, 24, 27,
March 3, 6; (No class on 12/26, 12/30, 1/27, 1/30, 2/17)
10:00-11:00am
Continue to expand your Spanish vocabulary, grammar skills and cultural knowledge with this sequel to the fall course. Students will focus on the present tense and question formation in this session. As in the fall, the “Realidades 1” text will be used (available from the instructor for $20), along with its accompanying workbook and answer key. All materials provided.
(No class on 12/26, 12/30, 1/27, 1/30, 2/17)
(20 sessions)
Instructor: Chris Kauffeld
Capacity: Minimum: 8 Maximum: 15
Cost: $180 Nonmember, $140 Member
Space: Room 106
Registration deadline: November 25
THE DEFINING MOMENTS OF OUR LIVES
Wednesday, December 18
10:00am-12:00pm
Defining Moments are those times in our lives that have made a positive impact in some meaningful way. They may have changed the nature of a relationship; they might have deepened the knowledge of how we perceive ourselves; or they might have provided the impetus of some greater wisdom in life. In this presentation, we will explore a host of defining moments that were shared across generations and explore how they influenced our lives. To aid in this reflection, participants will be reminded of the soundtrack of our lives synchronized with hundreds of images that brought us joy, sadness and reflection. We will journey along that roller coaster of history and emotions that we have carried us through a common understanding of who we are and how we got here.
*For those participating in this powerful presentation, and to give it added relevance, we ask that you send a digital photo of yourself (alone or with loved ones) to be embedded in the multimedia portion of the program. The photos will not be retained or shared beyond this single presentation. *Please send them at least two weeks before the presentation. You can email the photo to Patty Ciernia at [email protected]
Class format: ½ hour introduction, 1 hour music/image presentation, ½ hour (or more) for the discussion afterward.
Presenter: Earl Weinmann
Capacity: 40
Cost: $18 nonmbr, $14 mbr, $0 platinum
Room: room 103
Concentration Camp Experience and More
Tuesday, January 21
1:30-2:30pm
My Experience in a Japanese Prison Camp – HakonTorjesen
Disaster Relief Work – Dr. Karen Olness
HakonTorjesenwill be describing his experience of spending three teenage years in a Japanese prison camp in China (1942-1945) and also the magical day of liberation. He and his wife Karen, will share how they took their children to work in a refugee camp in Thailand.
Hakon was born in Kristiansand Norway. He spent his childhood in China, where his parents were missionaries. He immigrated to the US in 1947 and became a Naturalized US Citizen in 1954. Hakon holds many degrees and has held numerous positions throughout his career. He is currently enjoying his work as an organic farmer.
Dr. Karen Olness will describe her work to help children displaced by both natural and manmade disasters. This includes training programs in the US and in many other countries and also sending Feel Better Packs to traumatized children.
Karen is board certified in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, Global Health and Disease at Case Western Reserve University. She has been a volunteer relief worker in many countries and in 1996 she initiated programs to train relief workers about the special needs of children in disasters. These workshops continue and have been presented in many countries. She is Medical Director of Health Frontiers, an all volunteer NGO that supports post graduate medical training programs in Laos, and training in disaster management that is focused on children. Karen has received several awards for her work and has published more than 150 articles and books.
Presenters: Hakon Torejsen & Dr. Karen Olness
Capacity: 30
Cost: $10 Nonmember, $8 Member
Space: Room 103
Vintage Baseball Presentation
Thursday, February 6
1:00-2:00pm
Scott “Rabbit” Richardson helped revive Northfield’s fabled baseball team, the Silver Stars, in 2003. It was vintage baseball, played with rules from the 1860s — no called balls and strikes, no gloves, balls caught on the bounce were outs, and the ball was almost always in play, even if it landed in the lap of one of the fans. He will cover some of Northfield’s glorious baseball history, explain some of the differences in the spirit and the rules of play, and share stories of the Silver Stars in contemporary times.
Instructor: Scott Richardson
Capacity: 30
Cost: $10 Nonmember, $8 Member
Space: Room 103
