Lifelong Learning Lecture Series - Spring 2025

Lifelong Learning is a lecture series designed to stimulate thought for all ages, with an emphasis on adults 50+. Scholars and experts in their field will speak on topics ranging from history to geography, and technology to political science.

Thursday, April 3rd Tom trow

tom trow: Ancient Stone Quarry Near Chatfield, and the Archaeology of Southeastern Minnesota

The Grand Meadow Chert Quarry / Wanhi Yukan Trail, 25 miles south of Rochester in Mower County, is emerging as one of the most important and most visited places in Minnesota prior to 1492. For a period of 450 years, starting at about 1000AD, a large number of people from many different Native American villages in the region went there annually. While it may have been a place to meet with friends and relatives, they came especially to acquire a high- quality stone for making their daily tools, including spear points, knives, arrowheads, and scraping tools for cleaning hides. The stone is called ‘chert,’ what in Europe is known as ‘flint.’ It comes in many forms, and has been an essential material for people all over the world for at least 2 million years. The chert from Grand Meadow has been used for 10,000 years, but just 1000 years ago the demand suddenly increased, and people began digging large pits in the prairie soil to acquire more of it. They dug over 1000 pits, and 88 of those large holes in the ground are still visible, left untouched since the last worker walked away 600 hundred-years ago. This spring, the site will be open to the public for touring. Tom Trow is the archaeologist leading that effort, and he is offering this preview of the site and its unique significance. Class participants will also be entitled to a guided tour of the chert quarry site this spring.

Thursday, April 10th

Ann Siverling: Grief and the Chronologically Gifted

In many ways grief is a constant companion in life, but as we age we encounter grief of many types and durations. In this presentation, we will cover the physical, spiritual, emotional and cognitive effects of grief and tools and practices that can help with experiencing grief healthily and holistically.

Thursday, April 17th

matt opat: chatfield center for the arts: past, present & future

join matt as he shares the history of this historic building, how the chatfield center for the arts came to be and more

optional walking tour included

Thursday, April 24th

Paul Koeller: The Beatles - Stories Behind the Songs

Join Paul as he uses music, lyrics, and photos to tell the stories behind some of The Beatle’s songs. Come find the meaning behind some of their songs or add your own expertise or meanings to the songs you’ve been listening to for years.

(You can attend sessions a la carte for $10 per session, payable at the door by cash or check.)

spring 2024 Series

  • April 4 :: Dr Edward Creagan, Mayo Clinic - Successful Aging, the ABC’s and Brain Health.

  • April 11 :: Hal Cropp, Commonweal Theatre - The Role of Ensemble and Artist/Administrator Model in Creating a Successful Theater.

  • April 18 :: Jeff Broberg, McGhee and Betts - Southeast Minnesota Water Quality

  • April 25 :: Steve Lange, Post-Bulletin - Warrior from the Sky


 
 

fall 2023 Series