Willmar Community Education

The Bounce Back Project is focused on promoting health and resiliency. Our book reads allow us to share laughter and perspectives with one another as we learn to better understand ourselves, allow ourselves grace, and develop the courage to be who we are. September: Roundtable group share! What have you read recently that you can’t wait to talk about? Any recommendations for fellow bookworms? Let’s hear it! November: This book will be chosen at our September gathering. Books in various formats may be requested through the Pioneerland Public Library System online at https://www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us/ or by visiting your local library. Learn more about the Bounce Back Project™ HERE and connect with the Willmar group HERE.

From deep fakes to manipulative chatbots to social media firestorms, AI poses great challenges and risks for democracy. Come learn about AI’s fraught relationship with democracy and how we might find our way forward in the age of AI manipulation and disinformation. This virtual presentation will be held via Zoom. Participants must have audio and visual technology capabilities such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Microsoft Word is a word processing software used to create letters, reports, and other documents. We will create a document and then learn the basics of using the software such as cut and paste, changing the font and font size, changing margins, changing the paragraph alignment, and how to save and print. This is a slower paced class for those with little or no experience using a word processing program. Basic typing skills are helpful. Make sure to bring a jump drive if you wish to save your work.

This course aims to analyze the disparities between the findings of the Warren Commission and the United States House of Representatives regarding the assassination of President Kennedy. The Warren Commission, which conducted a ten-month investigation and released its conclusions in September 1964, will be compared with the conclusions reached by the House of Representatives, which conducted a more extensive thirty-one-month investigation and published its report in March 1979. Throughout the course, participants will have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the controversies surrounding President Kennedy's assassination. The sessions are structured to provide ample time for participants to share their comments and pose questions, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. There is no political agenda, and I am not promoting any products or services. This approach encourages a well-rounded exploration of the subject matter, allowing participants to delve into various perspectives and gain a deeper insight into the complexities surrounding this historical event.

Make the stars your old friends as we watch the great celestial show in the skies over Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center! We’ll have giant telescopes aimed at Saturn, star clusters, galaxies, and more. Get to know constellations like The Big Bear, Cygnus the Swan, Pegasus the Winged Horse, and others. Great constellation mythological stories will also be featured. Mike Lynch is a retired WCCO Radio meteorologist and has been hosting star watch parties and teaching astronomy classes for more than 50 years! He also writes a weekly stargazing column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is the author of the book “Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellations.” Even if it’s cloudy, you’ll learn a lot and have a great time! Star Watch will be held at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center Westby Observatory. Please park below the main building and walk up the hill for the program; those with limited mobility are welcome to park in one of the few spots next to the main building on the hill. No cancellations/refunds after September 23.

PLEASE USE THE WAITING LIST AS WE ARE WORKING ON SCHEDULING ANOTHER BUS Spend a day in Stillwater! Take in the fall colors, shop, browse the fall art festival, and cruise down the St. Croix if you wish! Option 1: Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Fall Colors, and Shopping with lunch on your own and NO cruise The Rivertown Fall Art Festival is located in beautiful historic downtown Stillwater, MN along the scenic St. Croix River, a stunning fall backdrop to showcase art! This event also offers a beer & wine tent, a variety of food selections, live music and entertainment. The Art Festival is just steps away from a bustling main street that features art shops & galleries, boutiques and every flavor of restaurant. The Art Festival showcases specialty hand-crafted items, including artist mediums of all kinds: ceramics, clay, culinary arts, drawing, fiber work, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, pottery, wood and an others category. Option 2: St. Croix River Cruise with lunch, Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Fall Colors, and Shopping Interested in viewing the scenic St. Croix by boat? Join us for a cruise down the St. Croix with a lunch buffet. Cash bar on board. Walking is required. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Please note the bus times may change depending on the number of buses needed; bus loads at the NL-S High School.

Have you ever seen a knitting project that someone else made and thought to yourself, "I wish I could do that"? Well, here is your chance to learn how to knit! In this introductory session, you will learn the basic stitches: casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch, and casting off. Using these skills, we will be making the ever popular first project - a scarf. Required supplies: scissors, a set of size 6 or larger needles, and a skein of worsted weight (4) yarn.

Have you ever wished you could crochet? Well, here's your chance! In this introductory session, you will make a dish or wash cloth using basic crochet stitches: starting chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. Required supplies: scissors, size H crochet hook, and a skein of cotton yarn.

Painting barn quilts is a popular, lively, and rewarding four hour class of guided instruction which takes you through the process of barn quilt painting from beginning to completion. You will learn how to create a barn quilt that looks professional and leave with your own masterpiece, ready for hanging and unequivocal admiration. A $60 materials fee is payable to the instructor at the beginning of class. This includes: 2’ x 2’ Aluminum Composite. It is a premium grade material that professional sign makers use. It will never rust or rot. It is lightweight and easy to hang, but very sturdy and great to work on. 60 plus fabulous paint colors to choose from. We use the highest quality Behr Marque exterior paint. Purple 3M tape, rulers, pencils, aprons, hair dryers, and yardsticks. Many quilt block patterns to choose from that have been drawn to scale. Participants under 18 years old should enroll with a responsible adult.

Learn all the steps of creating a stained glass window! From cutting to soldering, we will do one copper foil project in this class. Lead assembly techniques will also be demonstrated. At the completion of class, each participant can continue on and create designs of their own. In the first class gathering, we'll discuss stained glass and our projects. Tom will demonstrate glass cutting techniques and the process of making a panel. We will cover the materials and tools needed, safety concerns, and answer any questions. Everyone gets to cut glass the first night! The remaining class sessions will be spent working on projects. Everyone will do the same design. Besides the class fee, students will need to purchase supplies and tools for class. Expect to pay $50-100 for your personal supplies and tools, some of these materials may be purchased from the instructor. Some equipment and materials will be provided by the instructor for use during class.