WELL-LIVED LIFE
SERVES: One (can be shared)
PREP TIME: Lifetime DIFFICULTY: Variable
DIRECTIONS - Two cups curiosity (kept fresh) - Several close relationships - One pinch humor (stir daily) - Salt with gratitude - One sturdy handful of kindness - Add splashes of wonder
NOTE: Lifelong Learning works for curiosity
ABOUT THE LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
At NIACC, the Lifelong Learning Institute invites adults age 18 and older to explore, grow, and connect through learning – purely for the joy of it. No grades, no tests, no papers – just engaging, no-pressure learning in a welcoming environment. Our members come from all walks of life and educational backgrounds, united by a shared curiosity and love for discovery. Whether you’re diving into a subject you’ve always wanted to explore, discussing fascinating topics, or challenging yourself to think in new ways, the Lifelong Learning Institute offers a space where learning is meaningful, social, and fun. Renew, Revitalize, and Reinvent yourself!
WAYS TO REGISTER
Choose the option that works best for you:
1. Register Online: Visit niacc.augusoft.net to sign up.
2. In-Person Drop-Off: Bring your completed registration form and payment to the Continuing Education office in the Activity Center on campus.
3. Register by Phone: Call us at (641) 422-4358 to become a member and/or register for classes.
4. Mail-In Option: Fill out the membership page at the back of the catalog, select the classes you’d like to attend, and mail your form and membership fee to:
NIACC Lifelong Learning Institute
500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
SPRING
‘26 KICK-OFF
EVENT: TUES. JAN 27, 2026
MUSE-NORRIS CONFERENCE CENTER
We’re excited to welcome you to another enriching semester with the Lifelong Learning Institute!
Join us for our Spring Kick-Off event and get a sneak peek at the engaging opportunities that await this semester. You’ll meet some of our inspiring instructors, hear highlights from upcoming classes, and discover the many benefits of being part of our vibrant community of lifelong learners.
Whether you’re returning or exploring LLI for the first time, this event is a great way to connect, get inspired, and celebrate the start of a new season of learning.
Bring a friend or two! The event is free and open to the public, and we’d love to see you there.
LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Ann Beasley
George Riesen
Midge Gaylor
Dennis Wilson
Robert Lembke
Susan Nagle
A MESSAGE FROM THE LIFELONG LEARNING COORDINATOR
Greetings Lifelong Learn
Lifelong learning is a program that can truly be part of our longevity recipe. Our lives have many “ingredients” that we need to mix together to have optimal wellness, purpose, and contentment. As we age, we begin to look at many of these through a different lens. Learning is something we can now simply enjoy with the bonus of having it foster our cognitive function and slow the decline. Gathering for the classes offers us a space to connect with others, engage in discussions, and build a community that increases our social-emotional health. Many of you have heard me mention the book I’ve been reading about longevity and healthspan. There are so many factors that we can take control of to optimize all of the pieces to live long, fulfilled, healthy lives. Let us continue to come together at Lifelong Learning to embrace this program that was established over a decade ago. Let us encourage each other to strive for better wellness, purpose, and contentment, and enjoy it every step of the way.
DYAN CHILDRESS,
Community Education & Lifelong Learning Coordinator
Welcome to the fall 2018 semester and the cele year anniversary. It was exactly ten years ago tha offered and a membership of 91 active students and an average of 250 active members per sem
We will be honoring faculty and members at th the success of the LLI. We will introduce the new learn about the diverse and exciting class offering
So, whether you are picking this brochure up fo the wonderful opportunities where you can bec fee of $99, you will have unlimited access to the more about what LLI has to offer But, most impo friends, and trying out a new class. You have no
As a lifelong learner, you will find many different
So, I look forward to seeing you in class!
Darshini Jayawardena
Director, Lifelong Learning Institute at NIACC
First Citizens Bank is pleased to serve as a sponsor of NIACC’s Lifelong Learning Institute as the college commences its second century of service to North Iowa. The Institute continues to grow under strong leadership and provides citizens of North Iowa with excellent lectures presented by local skilled, informed individuals, and often members of NIACC faculty. A broad-based curriculum offers continuous learning on topics such as history, the environment, the arts and humanities, the sciences, and contemporary world politics.
First Citizens Bank would like to congratulate NIA versary this year The Institute continues to grow Iowa with excellent lectures presented by local fers continuous learning on topics such as histo and contemporary world politics
First Citizens has a rich history of collaborating with NIACC and encouraging individuals to learn. Please take advantage of the many opportunities available to expand your intellect and at the same time to form friendships with other North Iowans.
O. Jay Tomson Chairman
of the Board, First Citizens Financial Corp.
First Citizens Bank is the proud sponsor of NIACC’s Lifelong Learning Institute
First Citizens has a rich history of partnering with by joining First C these, visit our available to e wans.
We welcome Dave Steffens, a new additional sponsor of the Lifelong Learning Institute. Dave is the President of Norsemen Trucking Inc. and Lake Mills Investors LTD. Dave is on the NIACC Board of Trustees where he has served as president for several terms. He is also on the NIACC Foundation Board. Dave works closely with the NIACC John Pappajohn Business and Entrepreneurial Center in the review and development of new business ventures for economic growth and job creation. Thank you, Dave, for contributing to the NIACC Lifelong Learning Institute.
Dave Steffens, NIACC Board of Trustees
O.JayTom
Chairman of
Chairma
First Citizens
PROGRAM POLICIES AND MEMBER INFORMATION
MEMBERSHIP
The Lifelong Learning Institute is a membership-based community dedicated to the joy of learning. Adults age 18 and older can become members by paying a $59 fee per semester, which grants access to an entire semester of engaging classes and experiences. Once you join, you’re a part of the Institute – and that membership comes with exclusive benefits designed to enrich your learning journey and connect you with like-minded individuals.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT REQUIREMENT
To enjoy the full benefits of membership, participants are required to attend at least two classes during the semester.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- One Semester of LLI Classes – A full term of engaging, no-pressure courses
- NIACC Student ID – Enjoy on-campus perks and access
- Library Access & Orientation – Use NIACC library resources (per library policies)
- Free Admission to NIACC Athletic Events –Show your LLI ID at the door
- Performing Arts Previews/Post Views – When available
- Half-Price Computer Classes – Select Continuing Education computer classes at a discount
- Recreation Center Access – With active class registration
- Open Pickleball Pass – Fun, fitness, and friendly games
- Memberships Run –Spring: January - August Fall: September - December
WAYS TO REGISTER
• Online registration is available at niacc.augusoft.net
• Call (641) 422-4358 to become a member and/or register.
• Fill out the membership page in the back of the catalog, select the classes that you would like to attend, send your application and membership fee to:
NIACC Lifelong Learning Institute 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
• Fill out the membership page in the back of the catalog, select the classes that you would like to attend, drop it off in the Continuing Education office at NIACC.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Members of the Lifelong Learning Institute are actively involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities that benefit our local community Through a partnership with NIACC’s RSVP program, members help promote literacy by reading to elementary students. They also volunteer as on-air readers for IRIS, bringing the Globe Gazette to life for individuals with print impairments, and serve as knowledgeable docents at two local landmarks - the Historic Park Inn and the Stockman House.
Email is our primary way of communicating with you so please be sure to check your inbox regularly for important updates, reminders, and class information. To ensure you don’t miss anything, take a moment to confirm that your email address is current in our system.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you can’t go, let us know. If you’ve registered for a class but can no longer attend, please call us at (641) 422-4358 as soon as possible – ideally by the day before. We understand that our members lead full, active lives, and plans can change. Giving us a quick heads-up allows us to offer your spot to someone on the waitlist who’s eager to attend. Your courtesy helps keep our classes full and our community engaged – thank you!
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
The Lifelong Learning Institute follows NIACC’s weather closure policy If NIACC closes due to inclement weather, all LLI classes - both on and off campus - will also be canceled. If the weather looks questionable, please prioritize your safety For the latest updates, tune in to local TV or radio stations for closure announcements. When possible, we’ll also send notifications via email to keep you informed.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY NOTICE
Please note that Lifelong Learning Institute activities may be photographed or recorded for use in brochures, newsletters, the NIACC website, and other promotional materials. Media outlets may also be present at certain events or classes. If you have any concerns about the use of photos or video footage featuring you, please contact Dyan Childress at (641) 422-4271 or dyan.childress@niacc.edu
SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING
The Lifelong Learning Institute gratefully accepts donations to help offset program costs and support continued growth. All contributions should be made to the NIACC Foundation, designated for the Lifelong Learning Institute. Your gift is tax-deductible and makes a meaningful impact on our community of lifelong learners. Thank you for your support!
LLI SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NIACC STUDENTS
Each semester, the Lifelong Learning Institute proudly provides a scholarship to a deserving NIACC credit student, made possible through the generous support of our LLI members. If you’re interested in contributing to this meaningful opportunity and helping a student achieve their educational goals, please contact the NIACC Foundation to learn more about how you can make a difference.
Interested in getting involved?
Contact Dyan Childress at (641) 422-4271 or email dyan. childress@niacc.edu to learn more about how you can participate.
JANUARY
SPRING KICK-OFF COFFEE
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Muse-Norris Conference Center Classroom: NC180 No need to register.
Start your semester with a cup of coffee, a light snack, and great conversation at our Lifelong Learning Institute Spring Kick-Off! You’ll learn about the many benefits of membership and hear directly from several instructors as they give brief, engaging overviews of their upcoming classes. It’s a wonderful way to get inspired for the semester ahead! You can pre-register online, drop off your registration form at the Continuing Education office, or bring it with you to the event - we’ll help you get signed up for classes on the spot. Bring a friend or two! Enjoy complimentary coffee and a friendly atmosphere. This event is free and open to the public.
SLOW FLOW ONLINE SOMATIC YOGA
Instructor: Miranda Jones
Date: Tuesdays, January 27 – March 3, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Live-Online
Class ID: 21787
Slow down, decrease muscle tension, increase flexibility, and enjoy this restorative yoga session from home!
Miranda Jones is a certified yoga instructor. Enjoy this relaxing and restorative class from a very knowledgeable instructor.
FEBRUARY
ETC GENTLE FITNESS
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Mondays, February 2, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026
Daily Schedule: Mon 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: NIACC Recreation Center
Classroom: RCGYM
Class ID: 21696
room and simple dumbbell exercises to foster muscle maintenance. You will be encouraged to modify things to work for your body. There is no need to bring any equipment to class.
For decades, exercise and fitness have been a part of Dyan Childress’ life. Throughout her career as a coach, teacher, fitness instructor, and personal trainer, she has helped countless people stay fit and healthy. Her goal is to help others increase not only their longevity but also their health span.
BRIDGE
Instructor: LLI Member
Date: Tuesdays, February 3 – May 12, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC Commons
Class ID: 21698
Bridge: A card game and a way to build community with others. Score sheets and cards will be provided. Come and learn how to play bridge.
OPEN INDOOR PICKLEBALL FOR LIFELONG LEARNERS
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb 3 – May 14, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue, Thu 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: NIACC Recreation Center
Classroom: RCGYM
Class ID: 21697
Pickleball for all lifelong learner levels. Come and play pickup games for fun, exercise, and light-hearted competition. Non-Lifelong Learning members must pay a Discover U fee.
INSIDE THE INNOVATION WORKSPACE: A GUIDED TOUR AND CONVERSATION
Join us for light cardio, functional strength, balance exercises, yoga, and relaxation. In this class, you will also learn how to use the machines in the NIACC weight
Instructor: Ian Nelson
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 8:30 - 9:30 AM Class ID: 21761
Daily Schedule: Wed 9:45 - 10:45 AM Class ID: 21778
Daily Schedule: Wed 11 AM - 12 PM Class ID: 21779
Daily Schedule: Wed 1:00 - 2:00 PM Class ID: 21780
Location: NIACC Buettner Careers Building
Classroom: CB128
Step into the Innovation Workspace and experience a place where creativity, learning, and community come together. During this guided tour, you’ll see how tools such
Ian Nelson
Miranda Jones
Dyan Childress
as 3D printers, laser engravers, sewing machines, and digital design equipment are being used by makers of all skill levels to explore new ideas and bring projects to life. As we walk through the space, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, see examples of past projects, and learn about the programs, workshops, and the many ways to stay connected, whether through making, mentoring, or volunteering. You’ll leave with fresh ideas, new inspiration, and a sense of what’s possible when you become part of the Innovation Workspace community. Space is limited, so four time slots are available.
As the Innovation Workspace Facilitator, Ian Nelson helps students, community members, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners explore creativity through hands-on projects and modern maker tools. His passion lies in connecting people, ideas, and technology in ways that inspire curiosity and confidence. Outside of work, Ian enjoys reading, staying active, spending time with family and friends (and his cat), and finding new adventures that push him to learn and grow.
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS OF CAREGIVING
Instructor: Connie and Mike Wentworth
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC118
Class ID: 21763
This class explores the role of the caregiver and changes that may happen over time while you are caregiving. We will discuss how to build your own caregiving support team and find ways to manage and lower caregiver stress. Michael and Connie Wentworth were born and raised in Mason City. They are graduates of Newman High School and are NIACC alumni. Michael and Connie retired in 2011 after Michael’s almost 40 years with the Union Pacific Railroad and Connie’s various officer banking positions throughout their many moves after leaving Mason City in 1986 (Des Moines, Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha). They made the decision to move back home to Mason City in 2014 due to their parents’ health needs. They are now in our 11th year of facilitating our Support Group and in our 7th year of being on the Planning Committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
There is nothing more precious than laughter (Frida Kahlo) - Debbie Scheetz
BEGINNING PICKLEBALL
Instructor: Marta Eenhuis
Date: Friday, February 6, 13, and 20, 2026
Daily Schedule: Fri 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: NIACC Recreation Center
Classroom: RCGYM
Class ID: 21699
Have you been wanting to learn the game of Pickleball? Here is your chance! This is a beginner’s class to help you feel ready to join the Open Pickleball class.
Marta Eenhuis will teach the basics of the game. We’ll cover rules, scoring, etiquette, and gameplay.
ETC TRUE CRIMES
Instructor: Connie Glandon
Date: Monday, February 9,16, 23, and March 2, 2026
Daily Schedule: Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC118
Class ID: 21700
Are you fascinated by true crimes? In this class, participants can volunteer to present and discuss true crimes. If presenting is not your thing, feel free to join in on the riveting discussion as the group dives into the mystery together.
Connie Glandon has been a true crime enthusiast long before the days of podcasts and 20/20 documentaries. She brings a unique blend of skills to her classes, drawing on her diverse background as a U.S. Army soldier, laboratory scientist, researcher, data analyst, class clown, and devoted reader of true crime.
PRE-PRESIDENTS’ DAY PRESENTATIONJAMES GARFIELD
Instructor: John Lee
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21711
Shot by a drifter, kept alive by devotion, and doomed by ignorance, President James Garfield’s story is a forgotten American epic. From a log cabin to the White House, his rise was as improbable as his potential was cut short. Join us for a true mystery of ambition, science, and fate; when one bullet, eighty days, and a nation’s watchful hope changed the course of our history.
John Lee is a dedicated educator, coach, and public
Connie and Mike Wentworth
John Lee
servant with over three decades of experience shaping minds and building communities. Since starting his teaching career in 1995, John has tried to make a lasting impact in the classroom and on the football field, where he has served as head coach for Mason City High School for two different stints, totaling 13 years. John has been a city councilman since 2011 and was recently elected as the mayor of Mason City.
RESPONDING TO DEMENTIA-RELATED BEHAVIORS
Instructor: Connie and Mike Wentworth
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC118
Class ID: 21764
This class will detail how dementia can cause changes in a person’s behavior. We will discuss some possible triggers for dementia-related behaviors. We will explore nonmedical approaches to behaviors and learn to recognize when additional help may be necessary.
Michael and Connie Wentworth see bio on page 6.
LA DE DAH! THE CINEMATIC GIFT OF DIANE KEATON
Instructor: Scott Bertelsen
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21706
We recently lost the beloved actress Diane Keaton. Her wit, heart, and versatility made her unforgettable. Let’s reflect on some of her greatest performances.
HEY, HANDSOME!
THE CINEMATIC TREASURE ROBERT REDFORD
Instructor: Scott Bertelsen
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21707
The world recently lost an American icon of the silver screen: Robert Redford. His film legacy spans decades and has shaped American cinema in profound ways. Let’s take a closer look at some of his most memorable films.
Scott Bertelsen has retired after 39 years of teaching at Forest City High School. Scott co-directed 35 high
school musicals and was inducted into the Iowa High School Speech Association Hall of Fame in 2018. He also received a directing award from the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards. In addition, Scott received the Distinguished NIACC Alumnus Award in 2018.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY: A RECIPE FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21766
Everyone has a story or two to share. On the flip side, everyone loves to listen to stories. If you missed this class last semester, you won’t want to miss it this time. Something is endearing about sharing and listening to the stories of our lives. We all have ideas of ingredients that have helped shape a life well lived. Come share and listen over coffee, tea, and a few morning treats.
A HISTORY OF TED TALKS
Instructor: Melinda Heinz
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Daily Schedule: Fri 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: NIACC Muse Norris Conference Ctr
Classroom: NC180
Class ID: 21771
This class introduces TED Talks, a global platform for sharing ideas through short, powerful presentations. Originating in 1984 as a conference on Technology, Entertainment, and Design, TED has evolved into a movement promoting “ideas worth spreading.” Talks cover diverse topics such as science and education to personal growth and global issues, delivered by experts and thought leaders. Students will explore the history, impact, and storytelling techniques that make TED Talks influential in shaping public knowledge.
A well-lived life has always meant staying curious and open to the large and small beauties that surround us every day. Lifelong Learning has fed my curiosity on many new topics.
- Karon Haun
Connie and Mike Wentworth
Scott Bertelsen
Melinda Heinz
Melinda Heinz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family, Aging, and Counseling at the University of Northern Iowa. She teaches courses in Gerontology, including Families and End-of-Life Issues and Families and Aging. Her research interests include purpose and meaning in life in older adulthood.
ETC BOOK CLUB 1: FRANK AND RED BY MATT COYNE
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21703
Come together to discuss Frank and Red by Matt Coyne. This book club provides the opportunity to share your thoughts while also listening to gain the perspectives of others. Together, we will enjoy lively and sometimes deep discussions. Feel free to either offer your input or sit back and listen. Join us even if you weren’t able to finish the book.
Here is a short synopsis of the book from Amazon. “A solitary, cantankerous widower named Frank lives shut off from the world, keeping company only with the memory of his late wife. His quiet, closed-off life is disrupted when Red a chatty, bright six-year-old coping with his parents’ separation and a new school — moves in next door. When Red pops up over the garden fence, an unexpected friendship forms, transforming both of their lives in surprising and heartfelt ways.”
The book can be found at your local library and on Amazon.
For a local purchase, please consider shopping at Three Bells Books, 14 S Commercial Alley, Mason City.
FROM DUBUQUE TO SELMA AND BEYOND: MY JOURNEY TO UNDERSTAND RACISM IN AMERICA
Instructor: Dave Markward
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21760
Join author Dave Markward as he tells us about his book, From Dubuque to Selma & Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America A powerful, inspiring, and
#1 is that the most successful retirees is they are Lifelong Learners. - Roger Schlitter
Things work out the best for those who make the best of the way things work out! - Dale Mills
thought-provoking memoir that explores the complexities of race in America. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, Dave invites readers to reflect on their own biases and work toward a more just and equitable future.
Dave Markward has dedicated his professional life to public education, serving as a trusted source of knowledge for five decades. After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School (Iowa) and Augustana College (Illinois), Dave earned two advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and a doctorate from Illinois State University. He started his career as a junior high school science teacher, then served as a coach, principal, school district superintendent (including the Cedar Rapids Community School District and the Rock Island-Milan School District), college instructor, and educational consultant. His first book, Free the Teachers: A Guide to Joyful Teaching and Learning, is dedicated to productive education reform. In his latest work, From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America, Dave delves into the complex world of racism. His memoir is a testament to his unwavering belief in humanity and the power of education to effect change.
MARCH
DRACULA: THE NOVEL BEHIND THE MYTH
Instructor: George Riesen
Date: Thursdays, March 5 – April 9, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21765
George Riesen
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) is more than a famous vampire tale; it’s a window into the fears and fascinations of the late Victorian age. In this six-session course, we’ll explore the novel’s themes and context: changing ideas of science and superstition, gender and modernity, and the lure of the foreign “other.” We’ll also consider how Stoker’s
Dave Markward
use of new technologies, typewriters, telegrams, and phonographs builds suspense and shapes his story. Please read Dracula before the first class so we can dive straight into its world. Join us to discover how this masterpiece still haunts and reflects our imaginations today.
Mary Riesen is a former English teacher, a passionate discusser of literature, and a graduate of Yale University. She loves to read, research, and argue about books. She researches and writes the program notes for the Una Vocis Choral Ensemble.
ETC WOMEN’S HISTORY
Instructor: Karen Fick
Date: Mondays, March 9 – 30, 2026
Daily Schedule: Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC118
Class ID: 21701
We know his-story; but what about her-story. In the Women’s History study group, members will introduce two to three women each week to learn about their families, their accomplishments, and even their scandals. They are mothers, authors, doctors, entertainers, adventurers, and wives from around the world. Join us as we discover how these women have influenced our lives today.
Karen Fick graduated from Hamilton Business College and began working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. After raising her family, she worked for the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office as a 911 dispatcher/correctional officer. In her retirement, she continues to work part-time at the Clear Lake Library. She enjoys traveling, attending LLI classes, and spending time with her many friends.
LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
Instructor: Dennis Wilson
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21772
into your eighties, what you looked forward to for so many years is not what you envisioned. Dennis will share some personal experiences on his life’s journey through this period, with the hope that it will help others navigate those later years in life.
Dennis S. Wilson has been married for sixty years. He and his wife Anna have two children and two grandchildren. He graduated from college at age 74. He was employed by the Milwaukee & CP railroads for 42 years. He worked as a conductor, a union representative, a safety advisor, and helped develop Quality Management programs. He experienced strikes, bankruptcies, mergers, deadly accidents, and radical changes in the railroad industry. Dennis has climbed a few mountains, run a few marathons, and has written a few magazine articles. He is always searching for the New in Life.
DECLUTTERING AND DOWNSIZING MADE SIMPLE
Instructor: Jessica Sears and Amanda Kaufman
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21776
Feeling overwhelmed by too much “stuff”? Whether you’re preparing for a move, helping a loved one, or just wanting to simplify life, this class will show you how to make decluttering and downsizing manageable and even enjoyable! Learn practical strategies to sort, organize, and let go of items without stress. We’ll also cover tips on how to maximize space, preserve memories, and create a home that works better for you at any stage of life.
We spend most of our lives preparing for retirement. What we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about is LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT. A lot of things interfere with our later years, such as health concerns, personal conflicts, family dissension, and even feelings of worthlessness. Retirement, as we view it today, extends from somewhere in the late fifties to early sixties. Not that we care to retire, but society expects us to and, in some cases, demands we retire. What many don’t realize is that as you move
Jessica Sears is a Real Estate Broker with Realty ONE Group Welcome Home - proudly serving Mason City, Clear Lake, and the greater North Iowa region. Known for her client-centered approach and deep knowledge of the local market, Jessica has guided numerous buyers and sellers since 2018 through major life transitions with clarity, care, and results. Her expertise includes home preparation, downsizing strategies, maintenance insights, and maximizing property value skills she regularly shares to help North Iowans feel confident in every step of their home journey.
Amanda has spent the past six years helping people achieve their homeownership dreams as a Mortgage Loan Officer with U.S. Bank. When she’s not guiding first-time buyers, veterans, and families through down payment assistance programs, she’s busy being a mom to three
Karen Fick
Dennis Wilson
Jessica Sears Amanda Kaufman
amazing kids and enjoying life with her husband. Amanda loves organizing, decluttering, and volunteering because making things neat and helping others is her superpower!
EVERYBODY HAS A STORY: A RECIPE FOR A CONTENTED LIFE
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21767
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF MODERN ISRAEL
Instructor: Shannon Quigley
Date: Tuesday, March 24 and 31, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21822
Everyone has a story or two to share. On the flip side, everyone loves to listen to stories. If you missed this class last semester, you won’t want to miss it this time. Something is endearing about sharing and listening to the stories of our lives. We all have ideas of ingredients for a contented life. Come share and listen over coffee, tea, and a few morning treats.
MORE THAN DOGS: CREATING INDEPENDENCE AND HOPE
Instructors: Terry Reams and Calvin Ver Mulm
Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
Daily Schedule: Fri 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21842
Calvin Ver Mulm has dedicated nearly his entire career to nonprofit work, driven by a passion for helping others live their best lives. For the past 2½ years, he has served at Retrieving Freedom, where he finds deep fulfillment in advancing the organization’s mission. Before joining Retrieving Freedom, Calvin was familiar with guide dogs for the visually impaired but had little understanding of the broader impact service dogs can have on individuals with disabilities. Today, he is proud to be part of a team that transforms lives through independence, support, and hope.
Terry Reams graduated from Osage High School in 1989 and joined the Navy. He was injured during active duty. He is married with three children and lives in Mason City.
The modern state of Israel was birthed in May of 1948. We will explore definitions of Zionism and what led to this moment in history. Why and how did it happen? Who was involved? After discussing these questions, we will take note of the wars, peace plans, and other events that have shaped modern Israeli history, also assessing relations between Jews and Arabs prior to 1948 and after. We will discuss some of the labels consistently applied to Israel, such as “apartheid” and “colonial settler state.” We will take note of the history of the Gaza Strip and then talk about the October 7, 2023, massacre and kidnapping of Israelis and other civilians by Hamas terrorists and the war between Hamas and Israel that followed. We will conclude by looking at the current ceasefire and its implications for both Israel and Gaza.
Shannon is finishing her Ph.D. in connection with the Weiss-Livnat International Center for Holocaust Research and Education at the University of Haifa in Haifa, Israel. Shannon’s research primarily focuses on the history of the Holocaust alongside religious and ethical issues in relation to this history.
JUNK JOURNALING
Instructor: Candee Schamber
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21708
Create a junk journal in a hands-on workshop. Create a personalized journal using recycled materials and found items such as vintage papers, fabric remnants, ticket stubs, and packaging. Class size is limited. Extra fee: $7.
Candee Schamber is a Graphic Media Design graduate (2013) from NIACC. After earning her degree, she married, retired, and continued pursuing her creative passions through photo editing and paper crafting. She creates junk journals, scrapbook projects, and other handmade designs, and will soon be crafting items for her and her husband’s hobby business, Rock ’n Boxes. A lifelong paper
Dyan Childress
Terry Reams Calvin Ver Mulm
Shannon Quigley
crafter, Candee Schamber discovered junk journaling in 2023 and quickly fell in love with it as a new form of creative expression. Formerly active in dog shows, she now channels her creativity into crafting and enjoys teaching others the art of paper crafting, scrapbooking, and card making.
APRIL
ETC TOPICS OF INTEREST
Instructor: Carol Meyer
Date: Mondays, April 6 – 27, 2026
Daily Schedule: Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC118
Class ID: 21702
Do you enjoy learning new things and sharing your opinions with others? If so, you might be interested in joining the Topics of Interest class. In this class, participants volunteer to present and discuss topics of their choice, such as current events, history, science, art, culture, and more. You will have the opportunity to learn from your peers and broaden your horizons. Come and join us for an engaging and stimulating experience!
Carol Meyer will take the lead. She will contact those who have signed up for the class to see who would like to present and create a weekly schedule.
VOICES. WOMEN SHARE THEIR MILITARY STORIES: THE MERGING OF PROFESSIONALISM, POLICY, AND PERSONALITY
Instructor: Charlene Gooch
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21820
Dr. Charlene Gooch graduated from the University of Maryland (B.S.N.) and served as an Army Nurse in trauma units during the Vietnam War era, stationed at Walter Reed in Washington, D.C., and Tripler in Honolulu. After her initial career plans shifted, she spent 25 years as a nurse clinician and nursing faculty, earning an M.S. from Texas Woman’s University and later a Ph.D. in Family Therapy/ Family Studies from Iowa State University. She went on to direct ISU’s Employee Assistance office, building the program from the ground up and serving as President of the EAP professional organization. Today, she is the Ambassador for the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, where she registers women Veterans and preserves their service stories. She has presented at LLI, national conferences, and major commemorations, including Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Pearl Harbor Day. Last year, she was honored to take part in an Honor Flight visit to Washington, D.C.’s memorials.
A well-lived life begins with virtuewisdom, courage, justice, and discipline, and is guided by purpose, meaningful relationships, and service to others. Life is short, so use your limited time wisely and become someone whose character outlives circumstance.
- Erick Nganyange
ETC BOOK CLUB 2
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Last year our country experienced a number of changes, challenges, and creative attempts to alter lives, environments, and government as we have known them. This demanded we take time to consider and choose possible responses and implement ideas. This presentation explores a small subset of citizens and their responses to the situations. More than 3 million American women have served in U.S. military service since the Revolutionary War. This latest chapter of the VOICES series shares women’s stories of work in the military and discusses how professional
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21704
Come together to discuss The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel. This book club provides the opportunity to share your thoughts while also listening to gain the perspectives of others. Together, we will enjoy lively and sometimes deep discussions. Feel free to either offer your input or sit back and listen. Join us even if you weren’t able to finish the book.
Here is a short synopsis of the book from Amazon. “Colette Marceau, a lifelong jewel thief who steals only from the cruel, lost her mother and young sister in a 1942 raid, and a diamond bracelet vanished with them. Seventy years later, the bracelet resurfaces in a Boston museum, forcing Colette to uncover its path, confront buried truths, and finally face the mystery — and the murderer — from her past.”
Charlene Gooch
The book can be found at your local library and on Amazon.
For a local purchase, please consider shopping at Three Bells Books, 14 S Commercial Alley, Mason City.
LIFE AFTER DEATH? 10 MOST CONVINCING NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES
Instructor: Jim Collison
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21785
There are thousands of near-death experience videos on YouTube. About 1 in 10 people in the world report having near-death, out-of-body experiences. But almost none are provable with objective evidence. Take a close-up look at 10 near-death experiences that are proven with objective evidence.
Jim Collison started digging into Mason City history 62 years ago when he was editor of the Mason City Globe-Gazette’s special edition of the 100-year history of newspapers in Mason City. He was also editor of the Globe-Gazette’s special edition for the premiere of The Music Man and Music Man Band Festival in 1962. In 2022, his article about why Mason City was named “Mason” City was published in Scotland in the 2021 Year Book of the Grand Lodge of the Masonic Rite of Scotland and in the Globe-Gazette. He is the author of Skill-Building in Advanced Reading, Mental Power in Reading, NO-How Coaching: Strategies for Winning in Sports and Business from the Coach Who Says ‘NO!’, and Simply How to Meditate: Meditation Made Easy for Beginners and Busy People.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND GRIDSHOCK VIDEO
Instructor: Lyna Debner
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21826
Join us to watch Gridshock, a riveting documentary exposing the hidden and disturbing reality behind the sex trafficking demand in Iowa. Lyna will also explain the problem of human trafficking and have a question-andanswer session.
Lyna Debner: Federal Transportation Security Officer
State of Iowa Board Member, Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking Partner, North Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Former Advocate – Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking
EASY HOME MAINTENANCE
EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
Instructors: Jessica Sears and Amanda Kaufman
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21777
Owning a home comes with upkeep, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating! In this class, you’ll learn simple, do-ityourself home maintenance skills that save money, prevent costly repairs, and keep your home safe and comfortable. From seasonal checklists to quick fixes for common issues, we’ll cover the basics every homeowner (or renter!) should know. No matter your age or skill level, you’ll walk away with confidence and practical know-how to better care for your home.
See Jessica and Amanda’s bios on page 9.
IMAGINING INVITATION
Instructor: Burton Everist
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21821
We imagine every day: planning a trip, deciding what’s for dinner, budgeting for the week, or preparing a garden. None of it happens without imagination. Think you don’t have one? Think again. This class is for anyone who wants to discover, reclaim, or stretch their imagination. Bring a blank-page notebook to capture ideas, doodles, sketches, or anything your mind sparks. In this session, we’ll explore simple ways to tap into your natural imaginative ability and experiment with playful prompts that help you see yourself and your creativity in a new light.
Burton Everist grew up in Mason City until his family moved to California when he was in the 8th grade. He has explored the uses and effects of media for more than 50 years. In his studies for his B.A., MDiv, and STM, he included courses focused on communication and group processes. He has developed workshops to provide
Jim Collison
Jessica Sears Amanda Kaufman
Burton Everist
awareness of the influence the diverse media has on us. Later, he created features for the nationally syndicated PM Magazine and produced two regular cable television series.
OLGIVANNA: THE WOMAN WHO SAVED FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Instructor: Jim Collison
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21786
also the founder of the digital history project Notes on Iowa and formerly served as an Associate Professor of History at Waldorf University.
THE CHURCHES IN THE NAZI ERA
Instructor: Shannon Quigley
Date: Tuesday, April 21 and 28, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21824
Frank Lloyd Wright was in a constant state of debt until he married his third wife, Olgivanna. She was half Wright’s age when they met, when she was 26 and he was 57. It was love at first sight for both of them! What did a 26-year-old Montenegro, Eastern European woman bring into Wright’s life that saved him from a constant state of financial ruin?
See Jim’s bio on page 12.
RETRACING THE DRAGOON TRAIL IN IOWA
Instructor: Kevin Mason
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21841
World War II and the Holocaust were unparalleled events in world history. We will begin by looking at the varying Christian movements within Nazi Germany. We will take note of the Church Struggle and briefly assess both Christian complicity with and resistance to the Nazi regime, and note how the churches responded to the persecution of German Jewry in the Nazi era. We will then take a brief look at varying churches throughout Europe in the Nazi era and their responses related to the Holocaust.
See Shannon Quigley’s bio on page 10
PLANNING FOR SHARED POWER AND PARTNERSHIP
Instructor: Norma Everist
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Activity Center
In Retracing the Dragoon Trail in Iowa, historian Kevin T. Mason presents a vivid and deeply researched account of Iowa’s evolving landscape, beginning with the 1835 expedition of the First U.S. Dragoons. Drawing from archival records, maps, government surveys, Indigenous histories, and ecological data, Mason explores how Iowa’s prairies and wetlands gave way to farms, towns, and transportation networks. But Mason doesn’t just write about history, he walks it. His 371-mile journey retracing the original dragoon route across Iowa blends scholarship with storytelling, captured through video essays, photography, and writing. This modern-day trek, featured on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Life and Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa, brings the past into the present, offering a compelling look at how landscapes remember.
Kevin Mason, Ph. D., is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Northern Iowa. An alumnus of North Iowa Area Community College and Iowa State University, Mason seeks to influence how his community interacts with the past through rural and environmental history. Mason is
Classroom: AC101
Class ID: 21710
How can we plan to collaborate? We will explore how we can share power in personal relationships and as a nation among nations. We shall converse with care, realizing that we create a partnership by being partners. We will use a six-stage planning cycle. We shall examine the effects of the powerful ignoring, then trivializing, then ridiculing, and finally eliminating the powerless. At any stage, the powerless can claim their presence, use their voices, seek support, and therefore achieve partnership. We will use a collaborative style and enjoy one another.
Norma Cook Everist is Distinguished Professor emerita of Wartburg Theological Seminary, where she taught for 38 years. She previously taught at Yale Divinity School. She is a graduate of NIACC and went on to earn two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. She has written 14 books and is a widely known lecturer across the country. She teaches in a personal, interactive style.
Jim Collison
Kevin Mason
Shannon Quigley
Norma Everist
NUTRITION BACK TO THE BASICS
DURING OUR LONGEVITY
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21774
With so much advice at our fingertips, it’s hard to know what to eat or when to eat. Fast? Not fast? Carbs or no carbs? Let’s get back to the basics of nutrition and explore what the latest science says about our needs, especially as we age. Dyan loves all things health and wellness. Although nutrition isn’t her personal forte due to her love of chocolate and sweets, she would love to share the basics of nutrition. She will also help sort out all of the fads and social media advice. Lastly, she will focus on eating as we age.
AMAZING IOWA
Instructor: Michelle Sprout Murray
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21827
Whether you’re from Iowa or not, you’ll be entertained by the stories that Michelle Sprout Murray shares from her book, Amazing Iowa. Learn about mobsters and artists (and why they loved to hide out here), musicians and authors (and why they seemed to flourish here), astronauts and inventors (and how they dreamed big), and athletes and coaches (and how they put Iowa in the spotlight). She’ll share insider secrets of how she found these stories...and how she continues to discover more as she travels around the state speaking to a wide variety of audiences about her book. Come and have some fun! She promises you’ll learn at least one new thing and leave with a smile on your face!
Michelle Sprout Murray is a former college professor who believes in the power of stories. A lifelong Iowan, she loves traveling, whether in her home state or around the world. She combined her love of stories, travel, research and writing to compile 80 amazing stories about Iowa in her first book, Amazing Iowa. Although this is her first foray as an author, Murray has written columns, features and other content for decades. Michelle and her husband, Marc, are co-owners of Birdsall’s Ice Cream and have two grown sons.
CANYON LANDS
Instructor: Alf Larson
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21709
Come and enjoy the beauty of the national parks, national monuments, and other points of interest of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah (a few of the places he visited were the Grand Canyon NP, Bryce NP, Coyote Canyon, and Lake Powell).
Alf began working in the electronics field after leaving the Air Force in 1972 and has been retired for 14 years. He enjoys spending time outdoors and has a passion for fishing, hunting, and traveling. Alf has visited numerous national parks in the western United States, as well as Alaska and Africa. He will visit Japan next year and travel to the Panama Canal and the Amazon River in 2027.
MAY
WELCOME
TO THE COMMUNITY - SOCIAL WORK: WHERE EVERYONE IS INVOLVED
Instructor: John Derryberry
Date: May 1, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21843
Everyone talks about Siloing, what happens when we do more than talk and we truly put “community” back into community mental health? 43 North Iowa’s reinvented their approach over the last 6 years. John Derryberry shows how strengthening neighborhood connections, engaging employers and landlords, and coordinating across programs create many chances for success (and safe failure) key to growth and recovery. He’ll outline an all-abilities approach that links housing, meaningful work, and belonging, with practical steps any organization can adapt to local partners and constraints.
John Derryberry is Executive Director of 43 North Iowa, a community organization that supports adults with disabilities and serious mental illness to achieve stability through work, housing, and community participation. Under his leadership, the agency has expanded partnerships with employers, landlords, and benefit systems, enabling clients to earn over $2.4 million in wages in a recent year. John is committed to
Michelle Sprout Murray
Alf Larson
John Derryberry
Dyan Childress
bridging system gaps, from outreach to employment, and helping communities adopt coordinated, inclusive solutions that promote recovery, independence, and dignity.
REDISCOVERING THE JOY OF MAKING
Instructor: Ian Nelson
Date: Mondays, May 4 – 18, 2026
Daily Schedule: Mon 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: NIACC Buettner Careers Building
Classroom: CB128
Class ID: 21769
Ian Nelson
Explore how creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning come together in this three-session introduction to the maker mindset. Blend traditional crafts with modern tools and digital design, as each participant will create something uniquely their own while learning alongside others in a collaborative and inspiring environment. No experience needed; just curiosity and a willingness to learn. You’ll also discover ways to stay involved through mentoring, volunteering, or joining the Community Maker Club to keep creating and connecting year-round. Seats are very limited in the class. If there’s high demand, another session will occur next semester.
See Ian’s bio on page 6.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WINDOW TOUR
Instructor: Teri Elsbury and Church Staff
Date: Monday, May 4, 2026
Daily Schedule: Mon 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Location: First Presbyterian Church, 100 South Pierce, Mason City Class ID: 21844
Join us for a tour of the First Presbyterian Church. Bob White was selected to design and create fused glass that would be placed in the window apertures of the church sanctuary. These beautiful windows tell the story of the Bible. Space is limited for this class.
ETC BOOK CLUB 3
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: NIACC Pappajohn Business Center
Classroom: PC117
Class ID: 21705
We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
Maya Angelou - Jean Hansen
Come together to discuss various aspects of the book. This book will be chosen by those attending Book Club Two. The Lifelong Learning book club provides the opportunity to listen to others and gain the perspectives of others based on the lens through which they read the book, their understanding, or their personal experiences. Feel free to either offer your input or sit back and listen. Come even if you weren’t able to finish the book.
SILENT FILM HISTORY
Instructor: Bob Sherman
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Daily Schedule: Wed 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21819
“Silents” is a photo-packed lecture on the history of silent movies shot at the historic Iverson Movie Ranch in Los Angeles. All the photographs are from the family’s private collection, and the presentation is filled with behind-thescenes stories from the earliest period of film history. Bob Sherman spent most of his life in Los Angeles working in various areas of the entertainment Industry. Bob owned the historic Iverson Movie Ranch for 20 years, where thousands of movies were filmed. For 25 years, he also owned an equipment rental operation providing filmmaking equipment to hundreds of movies, television, and commercial projects. Owning these companies gave Bob the opportunity to be involved in many different adventures.
OUTLIVE: A BOOK REPORT
Instructor: Dyan Childress
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21829
Dyan will give a summary of the book Outlive by Peter Attia. This book takes a look at not only preventive medicine but also offers ways to help individuals take control of many areas of their health. This can help increase not only their longevity, but also make those longer years healthier.
Dyan Childress
Bob Sherman
POST HOLOCAUST JEWISH CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE
Instructor: Shannon Quigley
Date: Tuesday, May 12 and 19, 2026
Daily Schedule: Tue 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: NIACC Beem Center
Classroom: BC200
Class ID: 21825
Shannon Quigley
This course follows the course on The Churches and the Holocaust, although it is not necessary to take that course first. We will first briefly assess historical relations between Christians and Jews, including touching upon the response of churches in the Nazi era to the persecution of Jews and the Holocaust. We will then look at the encounter between Jews and Christians after the Holocaust and the efforts to engage in dialogue. We will note the theological shifts among certain churches, particularly via Vatican II in the Roman Catholic Church, and then take note of some of the pioneering personalities involved in this work, concluding by looking at some of the women who spent their lives on these efforts.
See Shannon’s bio on page 10.
NOT FADE AWAY: THE IMMERSIVE SURF BALLROOM EXPERIENCE TOUR
Instructor: Surf Ballroom staff
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Daily Schedule: Thu 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Daily Schedule: Thu 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Class ID: 21789
Location: Surf Ballroom Music Enrichment Center
Class ID: 21788
Not Fade Away is a first-of-its-kind immersive museum experience located next door to the historic Surf Ballroom. This interactive journey honors the lives and legacies of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, while celebrating the artists and audiences that continue to shape the Surf’s enduring legacy. Note: Two different times to choose from. Please only pick one.
“My
- Susan Nagle
REGISTRATION PAGES Name:
1/27/2026 Kick-Off Coffee
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Childress NC180
1/27/2026 21787 Slow Flow Online Somatic Yoga Tue 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Jones Live-Online
2/2/2026 21696 ETC Gentle Fitness
2/3/2026 21698 Bridge
2/3/2026 21697 Open Indoor Pickleball for Lifelong Learners
2/4/2026 21761 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
2/4/2026 21778 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
2/4/2026 21779 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
9/8/2025
2/4/2026 21780 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Childress RCGYM
PC118
2/5/2026 21763 Building Foundations of Caregiving
9/9/2025 20536 Open Indoor Pickleball
2/6/2026 21699 Beginning Pickleball
9/9/2025 20560 The One Folder
9/12/2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Rogness BC200
8:30 AM - 10:45 AM Childress RCGYM
2/9/2026 21700 ETC True Crimes Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Glandon PC118
2/11/2026 21711 Presidents’ Day - James Garfield
2/12/2026 21764 Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors
9/15/2025 20537 ETC Gentle Fitness
2/18/2026 21706 Diane Keaton
9/16/2025 20608 Defining Ethics
2/18/2026 21707 Robert Redford
9/17/2025 20544 Trust
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Childress RCGYM
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Bertelsen PC117
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bertelsen PC117
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Everist PC118
2/19/2026 21766 Everyone Has a Story Thu 10:00
9/17/2025 20929 Constitution Day
2/20/2026 21771 A History of TED Talks
9/18/2025 20634 King Arthur: The Once and Future King
2/25/2026 21703 ETC Book Club 1
9/24/2025 20545 Elderbridge
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Christensen AC101
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC117
2/26/2026 21760 From Dubuque to Selma Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Markward BC200
9/24/2025
3/5/2026 21765 Dracula: The Novel Behind the Myth Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Riesen AC101
9/25/2025 20609 Alzheimer's and Dementia
3/9/2026 21701 ETC Women's History Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Fick PC118
10/1/2025 20579 ETC Book Club 1
3/17/2026 21772 Life After Retirement Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Wilson BC200
3/17/2026 21776 Decluttering and Downsizing Made Simple
10/1/2025 20547 The Burden We Bear 2
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Sears/Kaufman AC101
3/19/2026 21767 Everybody Has a Story Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC117
10/2/2025
3/20/2026 21842 More Than Dogs: Creating Independence and Hope
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Reams/VerMulm BC200
3/24/2026 21822 Brief Overview of the History of Modern Israel
10/6/2025 20538 ETC Current Topics
3/25/2026 21708 Junk Journaling
and Personal Essays
10/10/2025 20574 Death Cafe
4/6/2026 21702 ETC Topics of Interest
4/7/2026 21820 VOICES.
4/8/2026 21704 ETC Book Club 2
10/22/2025 20610 Communicating Effectively
4/8/2026 21785 Life After Death? 10 Most Convincing Near-Death Experiences
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Quigley AC101
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Larson BC200
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Wentworth AC101 10/22/2025 20577 52 Ways to Walk
4/14/2026 21826 Human Trafficking and Gridshock Video
10/28/2025 20953 Warning Signs We Shouldn't Ignore
4/14/2026 21777 Easy Home Maintenance Everyone Should Know
10/29/2025 20581 ETC Book Club 2
4/15/2026 21821 Imagining Invitation
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Childress BC200
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Bottin BC200
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC118
10/30/2025 20558 Book Folding Thu 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM DeVries AC101
4/15/2026 21786 Olgivanna:
11/3/2025 20580 ETC True Crimes
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Glandon PC118
11/4/2025 20645 The Beatles Tue 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Coffey BC200
11/6/2025 20691 A Trip to Antarctica
4/22/2026 21774 Nutrition Back to Basics
11/11/2025 20582 Rotary Cannonball
11/12/2025 20587 Games People Play
11/13/2025 20930 The Amish and Mennonite Culture
11/18/2025 20951 History of Modern Israel
11/20/2025 20633 The Rest of the Story: Griffin
12/2/2025 20950 Churches and the Holocaust
12/3/2025 20588 ETC Book Club 3
12/9/2025 20612 Paul Newman
12/9/2025 20692 Jane Fonda
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Wilson BC200
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Everist PC118
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Schlitter NC180DEF
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Quigley BC200
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Bang BC200
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC118
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Bertelsen PC117
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bertelsen PC117
12/11/2025 20952 Jewish-Christian Dialogue Tue, Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Quigley BC200
Membership/Registration Application
REGISTRATION PAGES Name:
1/27/2026 Kick-Off Coffee
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Childress NC180
1/27/2026 21787 Slow Flow Online Somatic Yoga Tue 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Jones Live-Online
2/2/2026 21696 ETC Gentle Fitness
2/3/2026 21698 Bridge
2/3/2026 21697 Open Indoor Pickleball for Lifelong Learners
2/4/2026 21761 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
2/4/2026 21778 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
2/4/2026 21779 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
9/8/2025
2/4/2026 21780 Innovation Workspace: A Guided Tour
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Childress RCGYM
PC118
2/5/2026 21763 Building Foundations of Caregiving
9/9/2025 20536 Open Indoor Pickleball
2/6/2026 21699 Beginning Pickleball
9/9/2025 20560 The One Folder
9/12/2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Rogness BC200
8:30 AM - 10:45 AM Childress RCGYM
2/9/2026 21700 ETC True Crimes Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Glandon PC118
2/11/2026 21711 Presidents’ Day - James Garfield
2/12/2026 21764 Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors
9/15/2025 20537 ETC Gentle Fitness
2/18/2026 21706 Diane Keaton
9/16/2025 20608 Defining Ethics
2/18/2026 21707 Robert Redford
9/17/2025 20544 Trust
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Childress RCGYM
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Bertelsen PC117
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bertelsen PC117
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Everist PC118
2/19/2026 21766 Everyone Has a Story Thu 10:00
9/17/2025 20929 Constitution Day
2/20/2026 21771 A History of TED Talks
9/18/2025 20634 King Arthur: The Once and Future King
2/25/2026 21703 ETC Book Club 1
9/24/2025 20545 Elderbridge
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Christensen AC101
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC117
2/26/2026 21760 From Dubuque to Selma Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Markward BC200
9/24/2025
3/5/2026 21765 Dracula: The Novel Behind the Myth Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Riesen AC101
9/25/2025 20609 Alzheimer's and Dementia
3/9/2026 21701 ETC Women's History Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Fick PC118
10/1/2025 20579 ETC Book Club 1
3/17/2026 21772 Life After Retirement Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Wilson BC200
3/17/2026 21776 Decluttering and Downsizing Made Simple
10/1/2025 20547 The Burden We Bear 2
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Sears/Kaufman AC101
3/19/2026 21767 Everybody Has a Story Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC117
10/2/2025
3/20/2026 21842 More Than Dogs: Creating Independence and Hope
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Reams/VerMulm BC200
3/24/2026 21822 Brief Overview of the History of Modern Israel
10/6/2025 20538 ETC Current Topics
3/25/2026 21708 Junk Journaling
and Personal Essays
10/10/2025 20574 Death Cafe
4/6/2026 21702 ETC Topics of Interest
4/7/2026 21820 VOICES.
4/8/2026 21704 ETC Book Club 2
10/22/2025 20610 Communicating Effectively
4/8/2026 21785 Life After Death? 10 Most Convincing Near-Death Experiences
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Quigley AC101
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Larson BC200
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Wentworth AC101 10/22/2025 20577 52 Ways to Walk
4/14/2026 21826 Human Trafficking and Gridshock Video
10/28/2025 20953 Warning Signs We Shouldn't Ignore
4/14/2026 21777 Easy Home Maintenance Everyone Should Know
10/29/2025 20581 ETC Book Club 2
4/15/2026 21821 Imagining Invitation
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Childress BC200
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Bottin BC200
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC118
10/30/2025 20558 Book Folding Thu 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM DeVries AC101
4/15/2026 21786 Olgivanna:
11/3/2025 20580 ETC True Crimes
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Glandon PC118
11/4/2025 20645 The Beatles Tue 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Coffey BC200
11/6/2025 20691 A Trip to Antarctica
4/22/2026 21774 Nutrition Back to Basics
11/11/2025 20582 Rotary Cannonball
11/12/2025 20587 Games People Play
11/13/2025 20930 The Amish and Mennonite Culture
11/18/2025 20951 History of Modern Israel
11/20/2025 20633 The Rest of the Story: Griffin
12/2/2025 20950 Churches and the Holocaust
12/3/2025 20588 ETC Book Club 3
12/9/2025 20612 Paul Newman
12/9/2025 20692 Jane Fonda
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Wilson BC200
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Everist PC118
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Schlitter NC180DEF
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Quigley BC200
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Bang BC200
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Childress PC118
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Bertelsen PC117
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Bertelsen PC117
12/11/2025 20952 Jewish-Christian Dialogue Tue, Thu 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Quigley BC200
Membership/Registration Application
COMPUTER 101 (3 WEEK COURSE)
JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 5, 2026
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Follow the instructor-led curriculum to learn the basics of email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Call 422-4358 to register. $38 $19.50 Half Price to Lifelong Learners!
Limited seats, but will have recurring offerings
Brought to you by Aging Services Coalition and NIACC Lifelong Learning
Speakers and educational sessions for independent adults or caregivers. For more information and to inquire about registration, call 641-422-4358.
Registration is not part of the Lifelong Learning membership.
JAN/FEB 2026
Fitness 10-10:45 AM Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM
PM
6:30-7:30 PM
AM
AM
PM
8:30-10:45 AM Bridge 10:00-12:00 PM Online Yoga 6:30-7:30 PM
8:30-10:45 AM
Keaton 10:00-11:30 AM Robert Redford 1:00-2:30 PM
8:30-10:45 AM Everyone Has a Story 10-11:30 AM
MARCH
2026
8:30-10:45 AM
10:00-12:00 PM
8:30-10:45 AM
8:30-10:45 AM
8:30-10:45 AM
AM
8:30-10:45 AM
8:30-10:45 AM
AM
8:30-10:45 AM
APRIL 2026
8:30-10:45 AM Dracula 1:00-2:30 PM 6 7
Gentle Fitness 10:00-10:45 AM Topics of Interest 1:00-2:30 PM
Gentle Fitness 10:00-10:45 AM Topics of Interest 1:00-2:30 PM
Gentle Fitness 10:00-10:45 AM Topics of Interest 1:00-2:30 PM
Gentle Fitness 10:00-10:45 AM Topics of Interest 1:00-2:30 PM
Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM Bridge 10:00-12:00 PM Voices – Military 2:00-4:00 PM
Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM
Club 2 10:30-11:30 AM Life After Death? 2:00-3:00 PM Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM
1:00-2:30 PM
Bridge 10:00-12:00 PM Gridshock Video 2:00-3:00 PM Home Maintenance 6:30-8:00 PM Imagining 10:00-12:00 PM Olgivanna Lloyd Wright. 2:00-3:00 PM Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM Dragoon Trail 2:00-4:00 PM
Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM Bridge 10:00-12:00 PM Churches Nazi Era 2:00-4:00 PM
Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM Bridge 10:00-12:00 PM Churches Nazi Era 2:00-4:00 PM
2:00-3:30
8:30-10:45 AM Amazing Iowa 2:00–3:00 PM
Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM Canyon Lands 2:00-4:00 PM
MAY
8:30-10:45 AM
2:00-3:30 PM
8:30-10:45 AM
10:00-12:00 PM
Dialogue 2:00-4:00 PM Pickleball 8:30-10:45 AM Immersive Surf Ballroom Tour 10:30-11:30 AM 1:00-2:00 PM
STEPS TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS
1. Go to the Registration Page - Visit niacc.augusoft.net
2. Log In or Create an Account
- If you already have an account:
- Click Login
- Use the pull-down menu to select Student
- Enter your username and password
- If you’re new:
- Click Create New Account and follow the prompts
3. Purchase Your LLI Membership
- In the top right corner, click the BROWSE pull-down menu and choose Memberships
- Scroll to Purchase Membership?
- From the drop-down list, select:
- LLI (Spring/Fall Year) – $59
- Click Submit
- On the Shopping Cart page, click Checkout (bottom left)
- When asked, select Catalog for “Where did you hear about this class?”
- Enter your credit card information
- Click Process Payment
4. Register for Classes
- Type the class ID number into the search bar in the upper right and click Go
- When your class appears, click Add to Cart
- Repeat this step for each class you’d like to attend
5. Complete Your Registration
- In the upper right corner, click View Cart to review your selections
- When everything looks good, click Checkout to finish your registration
