NewsletterWinter 2014

“Lifelong Learning for Age 50 and Over”

Lifelong Learners of the Mankato AreaPresents the topic

THINGS FALL APART: THE YEAR AHEAD IN FOREIGN POLICY

A talk by TOM HANSON a 25 year veteran with Foreign Service

Free attendance/parking. Call 389-2011 to let us know you are coming

Saturday, January 31, 20152:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Open to the public at Ostrander AuditoriumMinnesota State Mankato Centennial Student Union

~ World renowned former U. S. Foreign Service Office

~ Served in: East Germany, France, Norway, Soviet Union, Sweden, former Soviet Republic of Georgia, Mongolia and Estonia

~ Served on the Foreign Relations Committees of the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives

~ Director for NATO & European Affairs at the Atlantic Council of the U.S.

~ Board member of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights

~ A Diplomat in Residence at the Alworth Institute for International Affairs at the U. of Minnesota – Duluth

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EACH ONE BRING ONEAs a member of Lifelong Learners, do you take advantage of the many classes offered through your membership? Well now you can enjoy those classes FREE! Lifelong Learners is offering a $30 Special (6 or more classes) as a gift to members who bring a friend to Lifelong Learners and they become a member. You will need to contact the office at 507-389-2011 to receive your credit.

GREAT DECISIONSElizabeth Peters

The Great Decisions foreign policy discussion group held eight successful meetings during 2014, with 35-45 people attending each meeting. Our last meeting of the year was on November 12, with Henry Berman of Minneapolis leading the discussion on ISRAEL and the UNITED STATES. Henry and his wife, Linda, spent three weeks in Israel earlier this fall, so the information was very current. We will be meeting at Honsey Hall on the Bethany Lutheran College Campus for our 2015 meetings. The first will be on April 8, RUSSIA and the NEAR ABROAD. An email will be sent when the briefing books are available in the office, usually toward the end of January. An email will also be sent in advance of monthly meetings. Questions concerning Great Decisions may be addressed to Co-Chairs, Elizabeth Peters 385-1685 or Bruce Birkemeyer 388-3510.

ATTENTIONBruce Birkemeyer

For the Great Decisions members who will be here on January14, 2015 our topic will be, A Choice at the End of Life. A panel of three speakers will each get a few minutes to present their view on the subject and then questions to the panel will be taken from the audience. The (UCC) United Church of Christ off of Stoltzman Rd will host these winter discussions for us. We will stay with our usual 2-4 p.m. time schedule on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. There will be coffee and cookies. We will be a less formal and enjoy one another’s company. To help cover our cost there will be a $5 charge per session. Please send in your topic suggestions for February and March to me at  bbirke@hickorytech.net.

NEW MEMBER COFFEEElizabeth Peters

On Saturday morning, October 25, 2014 a new member coffee was held at the United Church of Christ in Mankato. New members were welcomed with coffee and home baked goodies. The conversation was lively and new friendships were made or renewed. Council members and committee chairs spoke briefly about specific activities and how new members can get involved in the organization. Thanks to committee members Sandy Mutch (co-chair), Joyce Sandry, Linda Milow-Riedell and Sharon Schindle for planning and helping to host the event.

NEW MEMBERS Catherine Atchley Bill Coughlan Becky Schwartzkopf Bruce Raps Mary Miller Roger Coomes Kathleen Croswell Scott Kudelka Glen Chadderdon Ron Fields John & Dot Bell Kathy Wolf

Steve & Sue HowardBrent & Pamela Blair

Joseph & Malda FarnhamEugene & Pat Glade Jim & Marcia Nagel

Welcome to Lifelong Learners of the Mankato Area. We look forward to meeting you at our many classes and presentations

Look at photos from the past year at www.mnsu.edu/mall

in the online edition of the newsletter.

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LETTER TO THE EDITORBy Carlienne Frisch

It was in a Curriculum Committee meeting a couple of years ago that one of the committee members, Florence Sponberg, asked, “Are we to have nothing literary next quarter?” We scrambled to add one more class. Since then, we’ve had “something literary” every quarter, ranging from a discussion of Beowulf, to a presentation by local author Nicole Helget, to a DVD series on great authors. For me personally, Florence Sponberg (April 3, 1917-Sept. 27, 2014) was the epitome of intellectualism, culture and grace. She valued not

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESKDavid Janovy

The Council had its annual planning session in October and went through a process that identified pressing needs. Four areas stood out as especially needing attention.   Finances. We presently are solvent but we continue to exist solely on income from memberships and class fees. (Minnesota State Mankato provides no financial support.) This leaves little room for activities that are essential to sustain and grow the Institute into a healthy future. We have established an account with the Minnesota State Mankato foundation into which gifts, bequests and other donations may be directed. Some pledges have already been made and more are most welcome. Exploration of external funding is on our front-burner as well. In second place is our relationship with Minnesota State Mankato. This partnership has been quite informal for 18 years. However, over time some confusion has arisen; therefore, we will be working out a partnership memo of understanding so all parties are clear about the nature of our relationship. On this point, we have requested an internal transfer from Continuing Education to the Chesley Center on Aging as our direct liaison unit. This should be completed in early January. Our missions fit well and we expect a long and productive relationship with the Chesley Center.   The third area of concern is membership development. Although our numbers have been relatively flat with something over 200 active members at this time, we have been welcoming a number of new members. We are reviewing the implications of the baby-boom generation for our programming and exploring a major membership drive next year. The fourth critical issue is our “Brand” and recognition

by the greater Mankato area. One might say we need to raise our “profile” and become more well-known. While the best advertising is word-of-mouth, there are other things we can do in this area too. One example is our major community-wide special event last October featuring veteran state department speakers on the Russia/Ukraine situation. We are deep into planning a second major special event on January 31 with Tom Hansen speaking (see elsewhere in this Newsletter for details). Another effort underway is to revise our logo and publications to strengthen our brand and identity in the community.  While we have been known as MALL for some time, the acronym is unfortunate in that we sound like a shopping center. Much better it seems to me, is to refer to ourselves as Lifelong Learners of the Mankato Area. A simple switch that clearly says what we do. Our new Logo etc. will reflect this. Finally, I must say that I am mightily impressed with the work of our Council. We have challenges as an organization yes, but we have people willing to step up and deal with them effectively. Most of this work is done by our committees. I encourage you to consider joining a committee and being directly involved in creating our future. We are part of a brand new wave in lifelong learning both locally and nationally as the aging population grows and seeks opportunities for personal development and well-being. May we continue to grow with it and build on the wisdom of age.

Peace, 

Dave

only literature, but also music, education, human rights, and (as a minister‘s daughter) her faith. Her involvement in world-changing activities is legend, yet she attended Curriculum Committee meetings as readily as she worked with the Minnesota Humanities Commission or in the effort to end apartheid in South Africa.

Florence was unable to take part in Lifelong Learners’ activities the final year of her life on this earth. I trust she read the class schedules that arrived in the mail and saw the answer to her question: “Yes, Florence, we shall have something literary next--and every--quarter.”

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RESTAURANT GROUPSHarriet Plotz

Would you enjoy eating out with a group of old and new friends?

Would you like to try the various restaurants in our area?

Would you like a new adventure?

YES, YES, YES. If so, you are invited to join our 2015 Restaurant Groups. The Restaurant Group program has become very popular with MALL members and it continues to grow. It is great fun to meet new people and try new and different eating experiences.

How does it work?Dining groups are formed at random with usually seven to nine members. On a rotating basis, group members select a restaurant and convenient date so all can enjoy the fun and fellowship of dining together. We offer both a “lunch only” and the evening dinner groups. Some people have even decided to meet for breakfast/brunch. The choice is up to you!

The composition of the groups is changed three times a year: September-December, January-April, and May-August. Usually we eat together four times during that period.

To resister, please call the MALL Office, 507-389-2011. We hope you can join us!

AND THERE’S POT LUCK TOO

Pot Luck groups meet monthly, throughout the year in member’s homes. The rotating host furnishes the entrée and the others furnish the accessory courses. All share in the responsibility to host, bring food and an intention to make each gathering interesting and fun. Contact Jan Rosen for more info at: janroze@hickorytech.net. Or 387 4334

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of Mankato Area Lifelong Learners was held on September 24, 2014 at Old Main Village. President Madison introduced special guest speaker, Dean Hoppe, whose topic was Life Planning. The theme of his message was, “The best way to ensure that you have the future you want is to create it.” Paul Hustoles, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, introduced three members of the cast of Beauty and the Beast who sang three songs from the upcoming production. Jack Kent awarded the newly created Member Emeritus status to Joe Hogan for his outstanding contributions to lifelong Learners.

There were 43 in attendance

MOOC What Is It?Irene Manke

MOOC is – Massive Open Online Courses. The purpose of the MOOCs is to provide online college classes from elite universities to students around the world at no or little cost. There are several organizations that provide MOOC classes. Coursera is the largest and has many universities from the United States and around the world. EdX is the MOOC developed by Harvard and MIT. Both are similar in how they function. From personal experience I have found Coursera to be easier to use and to offer many more classes. I started my first class in the summer of 2012 and have since taken about 25 classes. It is easy to enroll in a class. You need to go to Coursera.org and sign in. You will create a user name and password to access the classes. There are hundreds of classes in more than 25 different categories – sciences, math, computers, gaming, education, medicine, etc. The classes have scheduled start dates and number of weeks they class will run. Once you sign up for a course you will receive e-mail notifications when the classes begin. I’ve sometimes started the classes late or skipped a week. You can access all the sessions once they have been released. Each session usually consists of several sections – approximately 15 – 20 minutes in length. I’ve been known to skip a section or end it early if I found I was not interested in the specific topic. I usually do not do the reading or the assignments. I’m taking these classes for fun. You can participate in the discussions and do the assignments for peer review. The class will stay available for several weeks after it has ended. As we say in Lifelong Learners, “Try It, You’ll Like It”

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ALL PUB BUCKS SOLD

Elizabeth Peters

Pub Bucks have been sold–all 100 of them. Thanks to everyone who sold or bought these Pub Bucks, which for $5.00 entitled one to $10 of food, drink or merchandise from Pub 500. Lifelong Learners earned $500 dollars with this fundraiser, as Pub 500 is very generous and allows the organization to keep ALL the proceeds from selling the BUCKS. Remember to use the PUB BUCKS before they expire at the end of January, 2015. When you are at the restaurant, PUB 500 deserves a THANK YOU!

NOBEL CONFERENCEJoyce Sandry

Did you attended this year’s Nobel Conference, Celebrating 50 Years of the Nobel Conference, Where Does Science Go From Here? Wasn’t it great? Eleven speakers from previous years returned to present what’s new in the categories of “Science and Society,” “Evolution and Ecology,” “Physical Sciences,” and “Neuroscience and Medicine.” The level of presentations varied, from very understandable for the general public, to very advanced and complicated for the scientist; something for everyone.! ! And of course preparations are already underway for Nobel Conference 51: Addiction, Exploring the Science and Experience of an Equal Opportunity Condition. According to conference literature, “Addiction permeates our society. With the scourge of methamphetamines, increasing use of heroin, and the ubiquity of alcohol, addiction is an “equal opportunity condition. The substances and behaviors to which people become addicted continue to grow as well, with investigations into the possibilities of addictions to food, the internet, and sex. But what does it mean to be addicted? Is it a brain condition? A psychological and sociological problem? What treatment options are available? How do the various understandings of addiction influence public policy decisions?” For answers to these questions, plan to attend next year’s Nobel Conference, which will bring together experts in medicine, neuroscience, sociology, economics and philosophy.

Save the date: October 6 - 7, 2015.

Shirlee RubleMay 5, 1936 – September 12, 2014

.x,

Florence SponbergApril 3, 1917 – September 27, 2014

A BRIEF LOOK AT SHARON SCHINDLE Vice Treasurer

I am a Mankato native that truly loves living in our beautiful area. I graduated from Mankato High (the only one then) and went on to earn three degrees from Minnesota State Mankato. The degrees included elementary education, media specialist and an elementary administration. I began my career as the librarian at the North Mankato Public Library and then moved to the Wellcome Memorial School District-which later became the Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial School District. I worked 39 years for the district in roles of librarian, elementary teacher and principal. I enjoyed every position I worked in and very much miss the staff and students since my retirement in July 2013. I am married to Bill, a retired home builder, developer and 20 year North Mankato councilman. We have a son that lives in Chanhassen (getting married in our backyard next July) and a daughter that lives in Viroqua, Wisconsin with her husband and our grandson. My interests include reading, flower gardening, cooking and entertaining, traveling, yoga, hiking and snorkeling. I have enjoyed the learning opportunities that Mankato Area Lifelong Learners provides. I am involved in the Bookends book club and Great Decisions. I have especially enjoyed meeting so many new people that are committed to making this organization the “go to” place for outstanding learning opportunities.

NOTE: Sharon was elected Vice Treasurer at the Lifelong Learners annual meeting in September.

Remembering

Songs from upcoming Minnesota State Mankato’s production of Beauty & the Beast are performed by performers

A Chef’’s Choice meal

Dave & Tricia planning an image change with Dawn & Nate from Creative Ad Solutions

Dean Hoppe speaking at Annual Meeting on Life Planning

Henry Berman speaking on Israel & the U.S. at Great Decisions

J.P. Flood as Aldo Leopold, Father of Wildlife Management

John Harrington speaking on U.S. Trade Policy at Great Decisions

September Annual Meeting

Great Decisions speaker Tom Hanson speaking on China’ Foreign Policy

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Mankato Area Lifelong Learners • 115 Wiecking Center • Mankato, MN 56001www.mnsu.edu/mall • Email: mall mnsu.edu • Campus Mail: WC B115

Senior LinkAge Line: 1-800-333-2433A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University.

This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling the Mankato Area Lifelong Learners at 507-389-2011 (V), 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY). LFLL02NE

Call the Mankato Area Lifelong Learners office (389-2011) if you want your name removed from our mailing list.

Officers: President: David Janovy Vice President: Mary Bliesmer Treasurer: Anita Dittrich Vice Treasurer: Sharon Schindle Secretary: Norma Thomas Past President: Rallah Madison Member At Large: Jack Kent and Joyce Sandry

Committee Chairs: Admin & Finance: Sharon Schindle Curriculum: Al Berner Great Decisions Co-Chair: Elizabeth Peters and Bruce Birkemeyer Membership Co-Chair: Elizabeth Peters and Sandy Mutch Newsletter Editor: Tricia Nienow Publicity: Joe Hogan

Special Interest Group Chairs: Book Club: John Gushwa Bridge: Mary Bliesmer

Nobel Conference: Joyce Sandry

Food Group Chairs: Chef’s Choice: Jack Kent Pot Luck: Jan Rozeboom Restaurant: Harriet Plotz Soup supper: Kathryn Hanson

Office Manager: Pamela Blair Phone: 507-389-2011 Cell: 507-327-9757 Email: pamela.blair@mnsu.edu

Newsletter Editor: Patricia Nienow, Phone: 625-5912 Email: tnienow@hickorytech.net

Fed ID: 41-1687554MN Tax Exempt: ES36745

PLEASE SEE CLASS SCHEDULE FOR CLASSES AND PRESENTATIONS LOCATIONS.Classes and events are listed by date and time. For more details, please see the enclosed description of classes.

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

Monday, January 5 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 10 • 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.Mankato Paddling & Outdoors Club

Saturday, January 17 • 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.Who Really Killed Lincoln?

Monday, January 19 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24 • 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.Secret Partners – Big Tom Brown and the Barker Gang

Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Choice At The End of Life Saturday, Jan. 31 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Thing Fall Apart: The Year Ahead in Foreign Policy

Monday, February 2 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Monday, February 9 • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

Monday, February 16 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 19 • 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.Fluorescence Rocks that Glow in the Dark

Monday, March 2 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 13 – 15, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Monday, March 9 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 16 – 18, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 12 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Elder Abuse

Saturday, March 21 • 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.Autism

Monday, March 23 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 19 – 21, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Monday, March 23, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Terror of History: Lectures 22 – 24, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Taste of Entrepreneurs

NEED A CREATIVE GIFT IDEA?

When birthdays and anniversaries come around, forget the sweater,

forget the gloves.

Event Gifts are hot for 2015. So remember your parents, aunts, uncles,

siblings with an Event Gift that lasts all year.

Give a Membership to Lifelong Learner

Call 507 3892011