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
Intro to Spanish
Mondays & Thursdays
January, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, February 5, 8, 12, 15, 19
10:00-11:00am
Come learn the basics of Spanish with Chris Kauffeld, a Spanish teacher with 30 years of experience. Chris studied, lived and worked in Spain and is passionate about sharing his love for Spanish culture and language with others. Participants will learn pronunciation, greetings, the present, past and future tenses, commands and vocabulary related to travel, pastimes, food and daily activities. Participants will be provided with all needed materials. You will want to bring a writing utensil. Classes will meet every Monday and Thursday (no class February 1st).
(13 sessions)
Instructor: Chris Kauffeld
Capacity: 4 minimum, 12 maximum
Cost: $115 nonmbr, $90 mbr, $0 platinum
Space: 106
Registration deadline: December 31
Frontiers In Aging: From Cells To Society
Fridays, January 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:40am-12:40pm
Thursday, January 25, 2-4pm
Monday, January 29, 10:40am-12:40pm
Over the month of January, Professor Jessica Petok from St. Olaf College will be engaging her students on the topic of aging, surveying what is known about the aging mind and brain, and the implications for individuals and societies. What’s more, you are invited to take part in this course experience! If possible, please commit to all classes. Classes will take place on St. Olaf’s campus and up to 18 older adults are invited to participate. You must be able to provide your own transportation to campus. You will have access to the same readings and viewing materials as the students and engage them in lively discussion.
Nearly 500,000,000 people are 65 or older, and that total will double with the aging baby boom generation, as people now live longer than ever before. By 2030, elderly adults will comprise 20% of the U.S. population and 12% of the world. In Minnesota alone, we will see more people turn 65 this decade than in the past four decades combined. Considering this demographic shift, many are wondering what life will be like as we grow older –for ourselves and for our families, nation and world. This “silver tsunami” will be either a burden or an opportunity for society, depending on the extent to which we can understand this developmental process and promote healthy and independent living.
Come talk with students and learn more about the multidisciplinary issues, methods and theories in the study of the aging mind and brain. This course may challenge your ideas of aging, and give you some insight into how you can influence your own future!
(6 sessions)
Instructor: Jessica Petok
Capacity: 18
Cost: $0
Location: St Olaf
All classes are limited to the first 18 registrants. Cost is free.
Pre-register once for the whole semester.
*Please plan to attend all sessions
CLASSES
OUR AGING WORLD
Friday, January 5
10:40am-12:40pm
Location: TBD (Most likely the Art Barn)
What is global, rapid aging? What do we do?
ETHICS AND POLICIES
Friday, January 12
10:40am-12:40pm
Location: TBD (Most likely the Art Barn)
Can we “undo” aging? Should we?
SOCIAL COGNITION & WISDOM
Friday, January 19
10:40am-12:40pm
Location: TBD (Most likely the Art Barn)
How does cognition change as we grow older? Does ‘older’ really mean ‘wiser’?
DOCUMENTARY
Free and open to the public. Documentary will be shown at Viking Theater,
Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf.
THE MEMORY TAPES
Thursday, January 25
2pm – 4pm
Location: Viking Theater
Alzheimer’s: Movie Screening, HBO’s “The Memory Tapes”. Seven people living through various stages of Alzheimer’s disease are profiled.
CLASSES
PATHOLOGICAL AGING
Friday, January 26
10:40am-12:40pm
Location: TBD (Most likely the Art Barn)
What does less successful aging look like?
FINAL DEBRIEFING
Monday, January 29
10:40am-12:40pm
Location: TBD (Most likely the Art Barn)
The final class period will be reflections, wrap-up and debriefing on the course.
CPR and First Aid
Tuesday, January 9
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
Self Defense
Tuesdays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27
4:30-5:30pm
The program focuses on the physical and technical aspects for conflict resolution, which includes skills/techniques such as blocking, striking, kicking, throwing, joint manipulation and grappling. This is a practical course designed for students with little or no experience in martial arts or self-defense to learn the basic necessary skills to protect themselves and their loved ones if ever needed. Wear comfortable clothing or workout clothes.
(8 sessions)
Instructor: Sebastian Burset
Capacity: 4 minimum, 12 maximum
Cost: $65 nonmbr, $60 mbr, $0 platinum
Space: Fitness Studio
Registration deadline: January 8, 2024
Preparing Emotionally for Retirement Discussion
Monday, February 12
10:30-12:00pm
Whether big change is welcome or not, it’s still big, and it can be a challenge. We welcome you to join local psychologist, Drew Weis, in a guided discussion about resilience (emotional and psychological) in the face of significant change, with a focus on preparing for retirement.
Discussion Leader: Drew Weis
Capacity: 30
Cost: Free
Space: 103
The Perfect Portion Plate and More
Tuesday, January 16
2:00-4:00pm
A cooking class that will help you prepare healthy, tasty meals that can be adapted to gluten free. This class is about prepping foods that make meal preparation fast and delicious. You will receive a cookbook with recipes and a fused glass (5″ X 5″) portion control plate. Geralyn will teach some of the recipes in class for you to try.
Instructor: Geralyn Thelen
Capacity: 15 maximum, 6 minimum
Cost: $68 nonmbr, $64 mbr, $40 platinum
Space: 105
Registration deadline: January 12
CPR and First Aid
Tuesday, May 14
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