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
GET THE SCOOP! CONVERSATIONS with Barbara Krause
Friday, March 21
1:00-2:30pm
What do you believe happens when you die?
A) It’s either heaven or hell. You know, depending
B) Your soul spends a little time in bliss, and then you reincarnate
C) Total black-out. That’s all folks
Some people believe there is nothing positive about death and dying. They avoid the subject in any way they can. Why? Resisting loss, death, and dying gives them a false sense of security, power, or control. The truth is, that consistently denying, being stubborn, or anticipating the worst keeps us separate from fully living our lives. We’re always looking over our shoulders, anxious and fearful. That is not living!
Face-to-face conversations about loss, death, and dying show us that others have similar concerns. We are not alone in our thinking and feeling! We are just like others—AND, learning together is a bonus. Ahhhh, a ginormous burden lifts. Longed for relief settles in. Peace of mind is at hand.
Find out current thinking, facts, opinions, and myths about end-of-life situations.
Join Barbara Krause—Certified Death Midwife; Loss, Death, and Dying facilitator, speaker, author, and Funeral Celebrant—for eye-opening, twice a month conversations. Everything is on the table.
QUOTE from past session participant:
“Barbara Krause has a wonderful way of engaging people in a rich, comfortable dialogue on the topic. She is a wealth of knowledge and resources.”
Sponsored by Age-Friendly Northfield. Session are free and open to the public.
Facilitator: Barbara Krause
Capacity: 20
Cost: Free
Room: Room 103
Spanish 1: Session 3
Mondays & Thursdays
March 24, 27
April 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 28
May 1, 5, 8, 12, 15
(No class on April 21, April 24)
10:00-11:00am
This is a continuation of the fall and winter Spanish courses. Students will continue to work with the Realidades 1 text. Class focus will be on vocabulary acquisition and conjugating regular verbs in the present tense and using this vocabulary and grammar structure in conversation. Class discussions will include cultural information regarding current events, art, history, cuisine, dance and music. As in the fall and winter semester, 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 4/21, 4/24)
(13 sessions)
Instructor: Chris Kauffeld
Capacity: Minimum 8, Maximum 15
Cost: $105 nonmember, $95 member,
Space: Room 106
Registration deadline: March 17
Author Talk: Patsy Dew – Out of Focus: A Caregiver’s Search for Clarity
Tuesday, March 25
6:00-7:00pm
Join author and FiftyNorth member, Patsy Dew for an overview of her recent book; Out of Focus: A Caregiver’s Search for Clarity.
Excerpt from Query letter:
Ours had been a long, happy marriage. The youngest of our four children had moved on to college. Tom was at the height of his career as a legislative analyst; I loved my job on the staff of a senior center. We had more time for each other, and retirement still seemed far into the future. Easing into comfortable old age, however, was not to be. Tom started showing signs of significant memory issues, which turned out to be the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease.
Out of Focus: A Caregiver’s Search for Clarity is a collection of thirty-nine pieces, each a page or less in length, that I wrote about us during the last eight years of Tom’s life. Some of the pieces are prose, some are poetry, all fit in the genre of memoir. Each piece is paired with one of my photographs, chosen as metaphoric interpretations of the writing. Together these pieces tell the story of enduring love amid a changing relationship.
In this memoir I do not offer a prescription for getting through a difficult journey. Instead I hope these heartfelt pages may serve as a sympathetic companion for others who would help a loved one suffering from dementia.
Author: Patsy Dew
Capacity: 40
Cost: Free
Space: Room 103
InHome Senior Care: Navigating Legal and Financial Planning for Elder Care
Thursday, April 10
10:00-11:30am
Pre-registration required
InHom Senior Care presents ‘Navigating Legal and Financial Planning for Elder Care, as part of their Caring for the Caregiver; Family Caregiver Education Series.
Here are the key components of the presentation:
Being Prepared for the future: Understand the essential legal documents required, such as power of attorney and advance directives, to protect your loved one’s wishes and rights.
Managing the Cost of Care: Learn about the different financial resources available, including Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term insurance, to help manage the financial aspects of caregiving.
Facilitating Difficult Conversations: Develop strategies for discussing sensitive topics like end-of-life care and financial planning with your loved one to ensure their wishes are respected.
Presenters: InHom Senior Care
Capacity: maximum 25, minimum 12
Cost: Free
Room: Room 104
Friend or foe? How your children’s relationship affects estate planning
Thursday, April 10
1:00-2:00pm
The dynamic among your children is unpredictable. Some siblings have been at conflict for years. Others find themselves at odds for the first time after a parent is gone.
Learn practical solutions to protect both your estate plan and the child in charge.
Your questions are welcome.
Presenters: Jacqui Dorsey
Capacity: 25
Cost: $10 Nonmbr, $8 Mbr
Space: Room 103
WHAT IS AN E-BIKE?
Thursday, April 17
11:00-12:00pm
Let’s explore e-bikes! During this 1-hour talk, we’ll learn the basics of E-bikes:
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Explain the basic components of an e-bike (motor, battery, pedal assist).
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Demonstrate the different levels of pedal assist and how they work.
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Explain the difference between throttle and pedal assist.
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Show visuals of various e-bike styles (cruiser, step-through, folding).
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Address common misconceptions (e.g., “It’s cheating”).
Practical Advice for Safety Considerations
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Proper helmet use and fit.
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Safe riding practices (awareness of surroundings, signaling, etc.).
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E-bike maintenance basics (battery charging, tire pressure).
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Tips for starting and stopping safely.
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Importance of visibility (lights, reflective gear).
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Bike rack information for transporting E-bikes
Choosing the right E-Bike for you.
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Explain different e-bike styles and their suitability for various needs.
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Discuss factors to consider when purchasing an e-bike (range, battery life, weight, cost).
Presenters: Jim Mayr and Josh Bisel with Downtown Bicycles of Northfield
Capacity: 35
Cost: $10 Nonmember, $8 Member
Space: Room 103
Minnesota’s Hooded History: The Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s in Minnesota
Tuesday, April 22
1:00-2:00pm
Local historian and librarian, Nancy Vaillancourt, has spent years researching the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Southeast Minnesota. Join us to learn about this forgotten history and the organized traditions of prejudice and nativism in our region.
Instructor: Nancy Vaillancourt
Capacity: 30
Cost: $10 Non-member, $8 Member
Space: Room 103
Advance Care Planning Open House
Wednesday, April 30
9:00-10:30am
Come and work in the presence of others to put your wishes and values into words. Start, complete, or revise your Advance Care Directive with the assistance of trained facilitators. Gain peace of mind and a thumbs up from family and healthcare.
Questions? Contact: Mary Carlsen, [email protected] or Barbara Krause, [email protected]
Presenters: Northfield Advanced Care Planning Group
Capacity: 25
Cost: Free
Space: Room 103
Car-Fit Technician Classroom Training & Field Training
Monday, May 12
9:00-5:00pm
9:00 to 12:15 Classroom Training
1:30 to 4:30 Field Training during Car-Fit Event
To Register: Email or call Joan Somes at [email protected] – 952 432 0815
To become a trained Car-Fit Technician you must complete both classroom training and field training at an actual event. Technician Training in the classroom will give you an overview of the Car-Fit Program and the Car-Fit checklist, explaining how and why to adjust key safety features. When you complete the field training under the supervision of an Event Coordinator, you will get to practice what you learned in the classroom as you go through the checklist with actual drivers at an event. Technicians work in teams to review the 12-point Car-Fit Checklist with drivers. After completing the technician classroom training plus lab and a required Car-Fit event, you will be considered “trained as a technician”. Car-Fit’s success depends on the availability of trained Technicians to offer individualized outreach to drivers at Car-Fit events.
Lunch will be provided.
Instructor: Joan Somes
Capacity: Minimum 3: Maximum 8
Cost: Free
Space: Room 102, Parking Lot
Car-Fit Clinic
Monday, May 12
1:30-4:30pm
While older adults may be safer drivers who tend to self-limit their driving, many may still experience safety-related “fit” challenges with their cars including improper distance from the steering wheel, inadequate views from side mirrors, improper seat height, or improper restraint height.
The encouraging news is that after receiving a free, 30-minute Car-Fit check with a trained technician, many drivers learn how to adjust their vehicles to improve their fit, comfort and safety.
Pre-registration for a 30-minute time slot is required.
In the event of inclement weather the event may be cancelled.
Capacity: 12
Cost: Free
Space: Southwest parking lot at FiftyNorth
Japanese Culture and Language
Wednesday, May 14
1:00-2:30pm
Begin your journey of discovery into the culture of Japan and learn some basic Japanese language. Learn about traditional clothes, toys, and art that depict Japan’s rich cultural heritage.
Explore, write, and practice common phrases such as hello, how are you, thank you, please, and good-bye.
Instructor: Sayaka Yamazaki
Capacity: 3 Minimum, 12 Maximum
Cost: $30 Nonmember, $15 Member
Space: Room 102
Registration deadline: May 9
Sayaka Yamazaki Bio:
Sayaka Yamazaki was born and grew up in Tokyo, Japan. She graduated from a University in Japan and earned another bachelor degree in the United States. Her grandmother taught her how to make origami at the age of four and she taught her children the art of origami at home. The ancient practice of paper folding has been passed down through generations.
Sayaka learned calligraphy in elementary school in Japan and brought the calligraphy set from Japan to share Japanese art and writing.
She has taught Japanese language, art, culture, and more at Concordia Language Camp, Japanese school, charter and public schools, community centers, and in an assisted living care center. She also taught private Japanese classes, piano lessons and cooking classes at the Community Education Center.
Sayaka is looking forward to sharing her experiences about the beauty of Japan.
Doug Scholz-Carlson: Great River Festival Production Presentation
Friday, May 16
10:30-12:00pm
What can go wrong with two sets of identical twins in a Shakespeare comedy?
Doug Scholz-Carlson will maybe give us the answer as he again comes to FiftyNorth. For twenty years Doug has given us insight into the Great River Shakespeare Festival’s productions. As the Artistic Director of GRSF, he gives us a look at what goes into putting on a production. GRSF in its 22nd season is a resident company of 9 professional actors from all over the country that come together for a summer of Shakespeare in Winona. FiftyNorth has sponsored a trip every year, except during the COVID outbreak.
Doug grew up in Northfield, getting his start at the Northfield Arts Guild under Myrna Johnson. He has acted and directed at most Twin City theaters, and across the country. Most recently he is working with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and will be working with the Minnesota Opera this spring on ‘The Barber of Seville’.
Capacity: 30
Cost: Free and open the public
Space: Room 103
InHome Senior Care: Home Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Thursday, May 22
10:00-11:30am
Pre-registration required.
InHom Senior Care presents ‘Home Safety & Emergency Preparedness’, as part of their Caring for the Caregiver; Family Caregiver Education Series.
Here are the key components of the presentation:
Preparing for Emergencies: Learn how to create an emergency plan tailored to your loved one’s specific needs, including natural disasters or medical emergencies.
Home Safety Checks: Regular safety assessments to ensure the home environment is free of hazards that could lead to accidents or injuries.
Using Technology to Enhance Safety: Explore the use of medical alert systems, smart home devices, and other technologies that can provide peace of mind and quick access to emergency services.
Presenters: InHom Senior Care
Capacity: maximum 25, minimum 12
Cost: Free
Room: Room 103