Spring 2015

PARTNERING WITH MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO

GREAT DECISIONS RESUMES IN APRILElizabeth Peters – Bruce Birkemeyer

MANKATO AREA LIFELONG LEARNERSHOST AN EVENING WITH

MAUD HIXSONSINGER of selections from the FLAPPER, SWING AND BEBOP ERAS

with Rick Carlson, piano, and Steve Pikal, bass

Friday, April 24, 20157:30 p.m.

TREATY SITE HISTORY CENTER1851 North Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter, MinnesotaHwy. 169, one mile north of St. Peter on east side

Special Thanks to SponsorNicollet County Bank, St. Peter

GREAT DECISIONS meets on the second Wednesday of the month, April through November from 2:00-4:00 p.m. The meetings are held at Honsey Hall on the Bethany Lutheran College Campus in Mankato. Members who have registered for the eight sessions will receive an email a week to ten days before the meeting.

Please direct questions to co-chairs Bruce Birkemeyer

(388-3510) or Elizabeth Peters (385-1685). The topics for the first three meetings are:

April 8 – Russia and the Near Abroad: Tom MaertensMay 13 – Sectarianism in the Middle East: Dr. Abdalla

Battah, Minnesota State Mankato International StudiesJune 10 – Brazil’s Metamorphosis: Dr. Scott Ickes,

Gustavus Adolphus College

COMING SPECIAL EVENTSDoris Gasteiro

The Special Events Committee announces some exceptional opportunities that you won’t want to miss. An evening with Kevin Kling is being offered by the Minnesota State Mankato Department of Communications Studies at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Minnesota State Mankato ballroom.

There is no charge. For more information see: www.kevinkling.com

Another great opportunity is an evening with singer Maud Hixson on Friday, April 24. See details below. (special events continued on page 3.)

Tickets $15.00

Tickets available at Call Lifelong Learners Office507-389-2011 to carpool

Refreshments will be available

For more information see www.maudhixson.com

St. Peter> Nicollet County Bank> Arts Center of Saint Peter> Treaty Site History Center

Mankato> Lifelong Learners Office> Hy-Vee Stores

A BRIEF LOOK AT MARY BLIESMERVice President

I am a Minnesota native and grew up on a farm outside of Dunnell, MN, graduating from Sherburn High School in 1963. The only time I have not lived in MN was when my husband Barry and I lived in Ames Iowa for almost 5 years. We have resided in North Mankato for 19 years, having moved here from St. James, MN where we lived for 22 years. Both my husband and I completed our bachelor’s degrees at Mankato State College (that was the name in the 60’s). I have been a Registered Nurse since 1969 and most of my career was as a nursing educator. As my teaching career at Minnesota State University, Mankato progressed; I achieved a master’s degree in public health at the University of Minnesota in 1981 and a doctorate of nursing science at Rush University in Chicago in 1994.

I taught at Minnesota State Mankato for 33 years, leaving in 2010. Now I am not in retirement but actually in preferment, which means doing what I prefer to do in this stage of my life. I serve on the Ecumen

Pathstone Living Community Council, the Chesley Center on Aging Board, the CADA Board, the Lifelong Learner’s Council and the Stewardship and Adult Education Boards at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. I also deliver Meals on Wheels and am an occasional driver for VINE clients. This means my calendar is still full.

My husband and I are fortunate that our daughter and her family also live in North Mankato. Shelly is a pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Cleveland and Erik owns North Star Mortgage. Their oldest son, Sam, is in college and Gunnar and Anna are students at West High School.

I actually joined Lifelong Learners (LL) because I wanted to play Bridge again after learning it so many years ago when we lived in Iowa. Dave Janovy, current LL President, asked me to become more involved in the leadership of LL so now I am the Vice President and will be President next year. Attending all the activities that LL offers could require full time participation!

TOM HANSON SPEAKSBruce Hanson

On Saturday, Jan. 31, 142 people came to hear Tom Hanson’s talk on, Things Fall Apart: The Coming Year in Foreign Policy. Fifty-five were Lifelong Learner members and 65 were from the general public, of which some were students. Data from the 78 evaluation forms received shows that: 1) people would like to see us do this kind of  activity again, 2) people are willing to pay to support this activity and 3) the venue was excellent. Comments clearly show the event was a huge success.   

Tom talked to eight interested students for a couple of

hours in the morning about career opportunities with the State Dept. in Foreign Service.

Now for even better news. Tom is willing to do his annual talk on the state of world affairs for us every year. We are laying plans for Tom’s presentation to be done on Gustavus Adolphus’s campus next year and then back to the Ostrander Auditorium in 2017.

NOTE: “Things Fall Apart: The Year Ahead in Foreign Policy” is now available for viewing on our website.http://www.mnsu.edu/mall/events/

LIFELONG LEARNERS POTLUCK GROUP

Jan Rozeboom

Potluck Group meets monthly in member’s homes. Host provides place, entrée and beverages. Others are assigned remaining menu. Questions? Contact Jan at janroze@hickorytech.net or sign up in the office, 507-389-2011.

Lifelong Learners! Enjoy a quarter of classes

free, as a gift to members who bring a friend to LL and they

become a member. Contact the office at

507-389-2011 to receive credit.EACH O

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ACH ONE BRING ONE EAC

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Mankato Area Lifelong Learners extends a warm welcome to the following

new members.

Cindy Alleven Lona Falenczykowski Nancy Geisinger Michele Koppinger Carolyn Hovick Sara Robertson Timothy Scott Joanne Thomas Harry Solo William Trahms Linda Wenkel Ed Wetherill Jim & Susan Anderson Janice North Keith & Diane Brekke Douglas & Gayle Willey Barbara Jackman

We look forward to meeting you at our events and we welcome your

input and suggestions.

SPECIAL EVENTS CONTINUED

On Friday, April 17, we make a return to Diane Selly’s place, where many of us had a wonderful time last November. We are invited to “lunch and learning” with Diane. Cost is $18 and reservations with payment need to be sent to the office by April 8. Seating is limited to 24 people and places will be reserved in order received. Diane is not only a great cook, she is a master gardener with her own greenhouse. She will share some plant knowledge just in time for spring. A six pack of seedlings, you have planted, will be available for $2.00.

The Special Events Committee is looking for ideas from Lifelong Learner members that would be of interest to the group. If you would like to join the committee or if you have ideas to share, contact Doris Gasteiro, 507-386-0476 or email dgasteiro@gmail.com.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSJoin us for coffee/tea and conversation

(and maybe a sweet treat!)

Saturday, March 28, 201510:00 – 11:00 a.m.

United Church of Christ – Mankato (UCC)150 Stadium Court (Corner of Stadium & Stoltzman)

Meet other new members • Hear about ways to participateLearn about activities from Committee Chairs • Bring your friends

Please respond by Thursday, March 26th if you plan to attend.

Call the office at 389-2011 or email us at mall@mnsu.edu.

50+ LIFESTYLE EXPO COMING

The 50+ Lifestyle Expo will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Center. Lifelong Learners will be at the LL booth to answer questions and provide materials

MSU

DRIVERS NEEDED

Some Lifelong Learner members are unable to drive to classes and events. We would appreciate a longer list of volunteer drivers. If you are able to occasionally provide a ride to an event, please call office (507-389-2011) and leave your name.

Thank you.

A Word for the WiseTo keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful,

and reverent – that is to triumph over old age.

~Thomas Bailey Aldrich

A 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

OFFICERS:President

David JanovyVice PresidentMary Bliesmer

TreasurerAnita Dittrich

Vice TreasurerSharon Schindle

Mankato Area Lifelong Learners • www.mnsu.edu/mall • Email: mall mnsu.edu • Campus Mail: WC B115 • Senior LinkAge Line: 1-800-333-2433

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

SecretaryNorma Thomas Past PresidentRallah Madison

Member At LargeJack Kent andJoyce Sandry

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:Admin & FinanceSharon Schindle

CurriculumAl Berner

Great Decisions Co-ChairElizabeth Peters andBruce Birkemeyer

Membership Co-ChairElizabeth Peters and

Sandy MutchNewsletter Editor

Tricia Nienow

PublicityJoe Hogan

Special EventsDoris Gasteiro

Nobel ConferenceJoyce Sandry

SOCIAL GROUPS CHAIRS:Book ClubJim Booker

BridgeMary Bliesmer

FOOD GROUP CHAIRS:Pot Luck

Jan RozeboomRestaurantHarriet Plotz

Soup Supper:Kathryn Hanson

OFFICE MANAGERPam Blair

Phone: 507-389-2011Email: mall@mnsu.eduNEWSLETTER EDITOR

Tricia Nienow, Phone: 625-5912

Email: tnienow@hickorytech.net

Minnesota State University, Mankato115 Wiecking CenterMankato, MN 56001