Lots of educational and fun classes have been planned for members of Learning in Retirement for the fall semester. Two four-week courses, one three-week course, three two-week courses and 15 one-week classes are set up and ready to go.
Most of the classes are popular based on the number of attendees already signed up. However, this is not a problem, because class numbers are not limited. So if you see something that sparks your interest, call the office at 573-681-6852 and get registered.
The first four-week session begins Wednesday and meets at Missouri River Regional Library on each Wednesday afternoon in August. This semester, movies of women of distinction will be shown. The movies are about strong and determined women who made their mark in the world.
The first of these is “The Josephine Baker Story,” which tells the story of a poor black girl from Missouri who became the “Queen of Paris.” She joined the French Resistance and eventually created her dream family, adopting 12 children from all over the world.
The second movie is “On the Basis of Sex,” the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her struggles for equal rights. It details the story of her career that led to her confirmation on the United States Supreme Court.
“Hidden Figures” is the third movie in this series, and it tells the story of how NASA found untapped talent in a group of African American female mathematicians who served as the brains in the race to put a man in space. These women were known as human computers, and the movie follows them as they rose in the ranks of NASA, working with some of history’s greatest minds.
“Harriet” is the last movie and is based on the life of an iconic American freedom fighter. It tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her transformation into one of America’s heroes who changed the course of history.
Another August class is “Murder & Mayhem in Jefferson City” on Aug. 15, as local author Michelle Brooks will share stories of some of Jefferson City’s turbulent early history. Her book of the same name was just released in July.
On Aug. 17, LIR members are invited to learn about the Cole County Senior Nutrition programs. Jackie Beal from the Senior Council on Nutrition will discuss how food is obtained and how things are organized and coordinated so Cole County seniors will have delicious meals prepared for them.
Another program geared to interest area seniors is “The Means to Aging Best” with presenters Kathy Deeken and Melissa Schulte from the Aging Best Area Agency on Aging in Columbia. They will discuss tools and resources to keep us safe when driving and also how to stay medically and physically fit to be able to drive.
In addition, they will present information on how to recognize the difference between signs of dementia and normal changes associated with aging.
On Sept. 5, 12 and 19, Learning in Retirement members will learn from other members in presentations called “Travelogues — Oh, the Places We’ll Go!” Places such as the gardens of Wales and Northern England, Italy, the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Egypt, and even from pole to pole, are all trips LIR members have taken, and they will be telling us about them in these sessions. For all arm-chair travelers, this will widen your world adventures!
A two-session course that will increase your ability to find your way around your computer and TV starts Sept. 6 and will help you to “Cut the Cable.” LIR website administer Tom Piper will explain streaming services in the first session. On Sept. 13, he will introduce attendees to the many streaming apps that are available.
A short one-session class will feature “Cowboys and Indians, Part II,” on the morning of Sept. 14. Apparently, LIR members could not get their fill of the Old West in the first session last fall and wanted more information on our country’s westward movement. Bruce Scoville, a retired Lincoln University history professor, is back by popular demand and will share a realistic picture of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Kit Carson and others.
Getting back to more modern times, a new class on “iPad Opportunities: Tech Serving Us” will meet for two sessions in September. The first class will focus on operations and customizing options for the iPad, iPad Mini and iPad Pro. The second class will examine the top iPad apps, including Pages, Numbers, Camera, Photos, Music and more. If you have an iPad and use it for playing games, this class will broaden your knowledge and increase your ability to do more.
The next one-day class focuses on the growing Hispanic culture in Mid-Missouri. The El Puente-Hispanic Ministry staff will share information on the challenges this group faces as well as the opportunities and benefits Mid-Missourians can gain from welcoming this group.
On Sept. 26, you will hear the benefits of planting native plants in your yard and the damaging effects of invasive species. You will learn the harm that plants such as bush honeysuckle and kudzu can do to your yard and our woodlands and prairies. If you like to work in your yard, this is a class you won’t want to miss.
These classes aren’t the only ones that Learning in Retirement has to offer this fall. There are many more to come in October and November, and they will be highlighted next month in this column.
Make sure your membership is up to date so you can take advantage of all these educational and fun sessions.
Call the Learning in Retirement office at 573-681-6152 or email [email protected] if you have questions or want to enroll in one or more classes.
You can also check out the LIR website at www.lirjc.org to learn more about Learning in Retirement.