Mondays | Mondays and Wednesdays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays

Mondays

Tennessee Williams – Stage to Screen
Instructor: Kathy Coudle King
Dates: September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13 & 20 (Mondays)
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Tennessee Williams is one of America’s most lauded playwrights. His work deals with complex family issues, love, lust, and betrayal. His memorable characters were and are sought after by stage and screen actors. In this course we will read the scripts and view the films of several of Williams’s most notable plays: The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, in addition to two of his less widely read pieces: The Rose Tattoo and The Night of the Iguana. The titles listed are also recommended reading for the course.

Kathy Coudle King is a playwright, novelist, and Sr. Lecturer in English and Women Studies. She earned her BFA at New York University where her program emphasis was playwriting, and went on to earn her M.A. in English at UND. She is the founding member of the ND Playwrights Co-op and is Administrative Assistant for the 2009 UND Writers Conference.

We're sorry. This class is now full.

T’ai Chi Chih – Joy and Serenity
Instructor: Heather Helgeson (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13 & 20 (Mondays)
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Location: Holy Family Catholic Church, Gather Room (1018 18th Ave. S., GF) The circulation and balancing of the Chi (our internal energy) is the great secret of life. It is a valuable exercise that affects the inner organs and muscular structure. T’ai Chi Chih is moving meditation – with far reaching benefits. The slow, soft movements have a real effect on blood pressure, weight control and other physical aspects.

Heather Helgeson serves as the Program Coordinator of the UND Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program; a multidisciplinary program intended for students who want to acquire skills and enhance their qualifications for service with nonprofit organizations. Heather is a certified T’ai Chi Chih instructor and has been teaching and sharing the movements of T’ai Chi Chih with people of all ages for 14 years.

We're sorry. This class is now full.

Gourmet Entertaining with Flair*
Instructor: Chef Jess Karley
Dates: September 15, 22, 29, October 13, 20 & 27 (Mondays)
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Wishing to entertain without the stress of planning a menu? Indeed, throwing a dinner party at home is fun – your guests can visit and mingle in a way impossible at a restaurant, plus you get to show off your incredible culinary talents! Chef Jess will teach you everything you need to know about dishes that will knock your guests over (not literally!) After this class you will be able to prepare food that seems to have taken hours, while you never break a sweat in the kitchen! Make “staying in” the new “going out!” *Price for the class is $80, which includes a supplies fee.

Chef Jess Karley graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis with the highest honors. Prior to joining the dining team at UND, she was a pastry chef at a popular resort in Illinois, and operation manager for Culinary Services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Fargo.

Mondays and Wednesdays

SPECIAL FEATURE* Rogers and Hammerstein’s – South Pacific
Instructor: Dr. Kathleen McLennan
Dates: Mondays, October 20 & 27 — Wednesdays, October 22 & 29 Performance date: Tuesday, November 4 (time TBA)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Set in an island paradise during World War II, the musical tells the parallel stories of two loves threatened by prejudice and war. Featured songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and “Bali-Ha’i.” We will watch the film version, discuss the musical in the context of WWII, and see the UND production of South Pacific November 4, 2008. We will also attend a guest speaker and panel presentation on the musical. We will have one meeting after the performance, time and date TBA. *Price for the class is $70, which includes the theater ticket.

Dr. Kathleen McLennan, Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts earned her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She teaches Theatre History and Playwriting and directs in the UND theatre season. Recent shows include Hedda Gabler and A Doll’s House.

More Nonsense of Estates: The Myths of Fiduciaries and Misconcept ions of the IRS
Instructor: Marilynn Ogden (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, October 1 (Mondays & Wednesdays)
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Class meets twice a week, Mondays & Wednesdays, same place, same time. This course follows the initial course, Myths, Misconceptions, and Downright Nonsense of Estates, and endeavors to bring further understanding to the process of estate planning. We will explore the concept of a fiduciary: who is one, and what does it mean. We will discuss how estate taxes are determined, how they can be avoided, and what role the IRS plays in our planning process. In addition, we will discuss asset management, the benefits of using professional asset management services, what different types are available, and which one is best for different situations.

Retirement accounts make up a large share of our estate assets, therefore understanding how they transfer upon our death to our spouse or to someone other than our spouse is critical. Many of us would like to leave a charitable gift but are unsure how to accomplish it. We will look at what types of assets work best for charitable gifts, and how we can ensure our charitable goals are met. In addition to the instructor, we hope to have guest speakers who are experts in these topics participate in our course.

Marilynn M. Ogden graduated from UND with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. She is a licensed CPA in North Dakota and Minnesota with 18 years of experience in probate, estate and retirement planning, and trust administration. She has worked with most of the attorneys in the Greater Grand Forks area.

Tuesdays

We're sorry. This class has been cancelled.

Creative Writing
Instructor: Barbara Crow (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, & 21 (Tuesdays)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – NOON

This course will help students discover – or rediscover the joys of creative writing through everyday sights and events. There are words waiting to be written that only you can say, and you’ll be surprised by where words will take you. While poetry will be the focus of the course, we’ll also discuss and write fiction, memoir and non-fiction, and read contemporary literature. In a very casual, non-threatening but encouraging environment your ideas and writing will be held in high regard. Toss off that nagging editor sitting on your shoulders and just write. Later, written and spoken responses, which will be respectful and gentle, might offer suggestions for changes. We will admire the written and spoken word and share a sense of accomplishment and wonder. Suggested reading: Trust the Process – An Artist’s Guide to Letting Go by Shaun McNiff.

Barbara Crow, formerly a teacher and journalist, has been published in journals, anthologies and newspapers. Her essays have been broadcast over Prairie Public, and she is author of two collections of poems, Coming Up for Light and Air and Going On. Crow has led several creative writing workshops.

Don’t Know Why There’s No Sun Up in the Sky – “Stormy Weather”
Instructor: Mark Ewens
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, & 21 (Tuesdays)
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Ever wonder why it always rains on the weekend? And what has happened to our winters? The weather affects every aspect of our lives, yet we still do not know a great deal about how and why. Meteorology is a young science, and while we’ve made great strides in the past 50 years, there is a lot to learn. Is the Farmers Almanac as good at predicting the weather as anyone else? We’ll take a close look at how the weather works, how it affects our daily lives, and our national and global economy. You’ll learn how weather data is collected, how forecasts are made, and what the effects of Climate Change will mean to the Red River Valley. Suggested reading: Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson, Red River Rising by Ashley Shelby, and The Essential Book of Weather Lore by Leslie Ann Horvitz.

Mark Ewens received a major in Soil Science from North Dakota State University. He’s had 34 years in the field of meteorology, including 8 years as a forecaster observer with the U.S. Air Force and 26 years with the National Weather Service.

Spanish For Fun
Instructor: Juan Pedraza (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, & 21 (Tuesdays)
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Ole! Que tal? That’s Spanish for “Howdy, how are you?” in Spanish. Learn the basics of the world’s second most spoken language with the fun, no-stress OLLI way. You’ll learn usable phrases along with cultural notes from around the Spanish-speaking world with a Spanish-born teacher who has lived in five Spanish-speaking countries and traveled extensively all over Central and South America. This is Spanish the fun way! You’ll be talking in Spanish the very first day in class!

Juan Pedraza is a former newspaper, magazine, and radio journalist and Russian linguist for the U.S. Army. He served as a public relations officer for UND prior to becoming the Director of Communications for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He also is an instructor of French language at UND.

IMPACT Personal Safety
Instructor: Kay Mendick (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, & 21 (Tuesdays)
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

IMPACT (International Movement Promoting Assault Contravention Training) builds safety from the inside out. Learn the critical, emotional and physical skills necessary to reduce risk, prevent violence, make safe choices and live and work with greater confidence. IMPACT provides opportunities to practice new verbal and physical skills in reality-based scenarios. Once you have taken this course, you can’t imagine your life without knowing the skills you’ve learned.

Here is what some women have said about the program: “Some experiences in life cannot adequately be described in words. When trying to relay moments to others, language falls short. These are more often than not the moments that are the most important; the ones that will last forever in the heart and mind.”

“The only thing that I wish I would have done differently is take the class sooner. It is truly a life changing experience. And, having been through an incident in the past, makes me more confident that what I learned in this class really can be applied in “real life” situations. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Kay Mendick has been the Director of the UND Women’s Center since 1998. In 2000, Kay became a Certified IMPACT Personal Safety Instructor and the Director of IMPACT-U Personal Safety Program.

Watercolors – Hues in H2O
Instructor: Karla Nelson
Dates: September 16, 23, 30 October 7, 14 & 21 (Tuesdays)
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Watercolor can be a tricky medium to master. In this class we will explore several techniques to help students control this medium including wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry washes, color and lifting, masking, etc. Each class is designed to provide students a better understanding of the demands and rewards of watercolor. A supply list will be sent to enrolled students.

Karla Nelson graduated from UND with a B.A. in Visual Arts. For years she’s been teaching budding artists of all ages right here in Grand Forks.

Wednesdays

Mid-Life, Best Life
Instructor: Bev Benda-Moe
Dates: September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15 & 22 (Wednesdays)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Welcome to the challenges and opportunities of mid-life! What do you want to accomplish? You may be contemplating a career change, retirement, down-sizing, relocation…or, maybe you are seeking better health and well being, deeper spiritual understanding, greater authenticity, and ways to make life more meaningful and joyful. Join others in this interactive coaching group exploring options to create your own action plan for moving forward. Class will be held at Seasons Family Restaurant in EGF.

Suggested reading: Awakening at Midlife by Lathleen A. Breony.

Bev Benda-Moe is a Licensed Registered Dietitian and a Life and Wellness Coach. She has over 20 years of experience and currently serves clientele through her private coaching business, My Coach, Bev.

Alzheimer’s Disease – Lend a Helping Hand
Instructor: Cindy Janssen Holweger
Dates: September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15 & 22 (Wednesdays)
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Because people are living longer, most of us will know someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. Many people want to lend a helping hand to that person and/or their families; however, it can be difficult to know how to help because the disease is so complicated. This course will help participants gain knowledge about Alzheimer’s so they can confidently lend a hand when needed. The course will offer information about Alzheimer’s disease, how to offer assistance, care giving issues, and how to handle the confusion in the person with Alzheimer’s. Students will be able to share their own successful and/or challenging experiences as they collaborate with each other. Suggested reading: Losing My Mind by T. DeBaggio, Don’t Eat the Elephants by P.H. Miller, and Always on Call: When Illness Turns Families into Caregivers by J.R. Tallon, Jr.

Cindy Janssen Holweger is an Occupational Therapist who has worked with elderly people for 15 years. She has extensive experience working with Alzheimer’s units in the area. Cindy has her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupation therapy from UND. She is completing course work toward a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Higher Education. She’s currently an instructor in the OT department at UND teaching Gerontics and other courses. Her special interest is in wellness and learning in the aging population.

We're sorry. This class is now full.

Digital Photography – Revisited
Instructor: Brian Barclay (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15 (Wednesdays), & October 21 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Do you have digital pictures? Would you like to learn how to use the computer to edit and enhance your pictures plus create collages with them? Then this course is for you! You will learn how to remove red-eye, edit colors, crop, re-size, and create interesting effects on your photos. Next, you can take those pictures and put them together in interesting collages for banners, flyers, graduation announcements, and even scrapbook pages. Basic computer skills (Mac or PC) are a must for this course. On the last week of this course, class will be held Tuesday, Oct. 21, same time, same place instead of Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Brian Barclay is a University of North Dakota graduate with a BA in Graphic Design. He worked for the UND Division of Continuing Education as an online education media developer and is now a Web database specialist with the UND Center for Rural Health.

“UFF DA OLI!” - Conversational Norwegian
Instructor: Steven Finney
Dates: September 17, 24, October 1, 15, 22 & 29 (Wednesdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

In Norwegian, Midwestern, USA cultures, “Uff Da” translates into: “I am overwhelmed.” It has become a mark of Scandinavian roots, particularly for people in Minnesota. This class will be a fun and relaxed beginning to modern Norwegian, from introductions, greetings, and phrases of courtesy in common social situations (visiting, dining, and sightseeing) to expressions of likes and dislikes. Along the way we’ll also learn lots of tidbits about Norway, its culture, history, art and literature. We may even share a Norwegian meal or two!

Steve Finney teaches Norwegian at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels at UND, as well as online for the Berlitz Company. In 2006, he was a visiting lecturer in Humanities and Integrated Studies at American College of Norway in Moss, Norway.

Thursdays

Buddha – His Life and Teachings
Instructor: Dr. Burt Thorp (veteran OLLI instructor)
Dates: September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16 & 23 (Thursdays)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – Noon

In this course we will explore the life of Buddha and the classic concepts of the Buddhist religion. We will read and discuss passages from the Buddhist canon of scriptures, and look at how historians of religion have reconstructed the life and doctrines of Buddha as they were first established in ancient India. No previous knowledge of Buddha is necessary.

Dr. Thorp earned a Ph.D. from UCLA in Languages and Literatures of India and in Indian Buddhism. At present he serves as Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at UND.