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Asahi is a Finnish health exercise program designed to gently increase muscle stamina, balance, coordination, and concentration. Asahi's goal is to promote health, functionality and general well-being at all levels of ability and is taught by certified teachers. Wear any flexible, comfortable clothes and shoes. Chairs will be available to use for help with balance, if needed. LIMIT 30

It can be daunting to think about getting into birding, but, with a little bit of knowledge, it's much easier to begin! This class will introduce you to where to bird in the Northland; to the migration and natural history/phenology of the birds who live here; to how to choose and use binoculars, bird books, and birding apps; and to backyard bird feeding tips and ethics. We'll end the class with a morning of birding in the Bagley Nature Area, weather permitting.

Learn the Ojibwe alphabet and how to pronounce the letters. Then study some basic Ojibwe words and sentences. Additional topics include the Ojibwe migration story, the significance of wild rice in the story, and some Ojibwe traditions.

Insects and bird populations are in decline around the world, but we can help reverse that by creating gardens and habitat. This class will focus on butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects and birds.

The final four plays by Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)–The Sea Gull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, and The Cherry Orchard–are like no others. Wise, funny, serious, perceptive, troubling, and unusual, they are uncanny in their presentation of characters and situations that strike us as true. They have become staples of dramatic repertoire all over the world and rank with the plays of Shakespeare and the Greek tragedians as “great.” We will spend two classes on each of these engaging, easy-to-follow plays. They all share the special “Chekhov quality” that makes them uniquely insightful and unforgettable.

Children's literature as a category covers books for humans who have been alive for 0-17 years, although most of us would probably confess to still loving a book we first read when we were very young. Each year, about ten-thousand new titles become part of an ever-growing collection of children's literature in the United States. With so many titles to choose from, how do we find just the right books for the children we love or for the child who still lives in each of us?

Many changes in highways, vehicles, laws, and traffic density, as well as in our physical, visual, and cognitive skills, have occurred since we were first licensed to drive. The goal of this class is to help members maintain their driving independence through  discussions, videos, and guest speakers. Topics will address the changes mentioned above as well as trip planning, weather, and electronic (GPS) assistance for long distance travel. For a small extra fee, participants can purchase resource material and be certified to receive an insurance company’s discount. Join us to continue independent, informed, safe, and possibly fun driving. LIMIT 20

Using the Great Courses offering Epic Engineering Failures and the Lessons They Teach, we will explore some of the more significant failures to see exactly what happened and why. We will learn that engineering does not function independently - that economic, political, and social influences are often included as factors causing failures. Finally, we will learn that failure is part of the process of technical advancement.

Participants will explore films of the genre called film noir through weekly viewings and with discussion if time allows. Spring-term films are What is Film Noir?, Out of the Past- a classic film noir; Chinatown- a neo noir; and Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid- a noir parody.

We will read and discuss four of Herman Melville's best works of short fiction, enabling us to recognize the artistic skill of the author in bringing us closer perhaps to fictional characters than to actual people in our lives. Such reading of imaginative literature reinforces our empathy and appreciation of our fellow humans as well as revealing the art of Melville.

Explore new material concerning local geology and interesting or unique global geologic topics. Learn about igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; study minerals, crystals, agates, and zeolites (thomsonite); and mineral collection. Geologic features will include folds, faults, and jointing; geologic time; glaciers; volcanoes; earthquakes; plate tectonics; fossils; dinosaurs; asteroids; and extinctions. Class will include an optional half-day geologic field trip to examine local geology.

In medieval Europe, a group of remarkable women emerged as God’s messengers through writings, art, and music inspired by their mystical visions. This short introduction to these female mystics covers Hildegarde of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, St. Bridget of Sweden, Margaret Porete, Julian of Norwich, and Margery Kempe, among others. Some were later canonized as saints, but Porete was burned and Kempe imprisoned for heresy.

We will read and discuss articles, essays, short stories, poetry, and even ad jingles on the topic of television. Authors include George Carlin, David Sedaris, Aziz Ansari, E.B. White, Gil Scott-Heron, and many others. Topics covered range from comedy, educational TV, news and politics to reality TV. There's no need to have watched the shows discussed, but an interest in American popular culture is desirable. LIMIT 16

Aging is not an ending—it is a time of discovery, reflection, and renewed purpose. In this discussion-based class, participants will explore Joan Chittister’s The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully, a thoughtful and inspiring look at the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual opportunities that come with growing older. Through reflective preparations and guided conversation, participants will be encouraged to share the wisdom of their years, challenge cultural assumptions about aging, and build a supportive community of lifelong learners.

Learn about basic teas and herbals. Topics will include their history, wellness benefits, and preparation methods and styles. The third session will be at the Duluth Tap Exchange so we can pair with spices and appetizers.

Explore the many trails in the Duluth area. Participants determine the pace of walking. Some set out on a brisk walk; others take their time. All are welcome. The trails and walkways we choose will be dictated by what nature allows us in the spring. Easy hikes on paved or smooth paths will be included. There will be options for shorter distances for most hikes. LIMIT 25

Engage with a stirring correction of United States history that emphasizes Black survival and resistance, Michael Harriot’s history, “simplifies complex issues into easily understandable, digestible bites with blunt, entertaining, irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes laugh-out-loud statements." It’s a provocative explanation of how the United States came to be and, “how money-focused, self-serving intentions made it what it is today.” (Library Journal). As we delve into it, some of the chapters we’ll discuss are: ”Earth, Wind and America,” “The Church Fight That Started Slavery,” “So Devilish A Fire: The Black Women Behind The Civil Rights Movement,” “Race War III,” and ”The Great White Heist.”

The United States incarcerates more people than any other country by far. Who are the people being incarcerated? Why do we do this? Do we even need to be doing this? In this class we will explore what is going on currently in our jails and prisons and give faces and stories to those we have put away. One session will include a field trip to tour the local jail.

We will read the book In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. This book explores the rise of Nazi Germany in 1933-37 through the eyes of the first and last American Ambassador to Berlin. The book provides a firsthand account of Hitler's early rise to power through the experiences of the Dodd family.

Dancing is an excellent activity for both the body and the brain. Physical activity protects the brain, learning lets it grow, socialization helps it thrive, and, most of all, it is fun. Dance to music from many countries. All are welcome to join, and no partners are needed.

This group will "do lunch" and get acquainted with some restaurants in the Miller Hill Mall area. Participants can look forward to hearing from owners/managers of three establishments about managing a food business in their location. And, of course, we will explore the food offerings at each venue. It's a “going dutch" affair, but we can get creative in sharing menu selections. LIMIT 15

Prepare to focus on spring plants you are likely to find in this environment and to learn their healing benefits. Discussion will include medicinal plants you might grow in your garden in the coming season and local wild plants to watch for. Slides and samples will be provided to aid identification and discussion of guidance for use. Each week, the class leader will bring seasonally available herbs that participants are encouraged to try.

“We are all captives in today’s world: captives of a political system, of circumstances, of obligations or illusions, to say nothing of those who are captives in a literal sense. The world seems full of misplaced people trapped in captivity, sometimes self-imposed, but feeling nonetheless alienated from a hostile world.”-- a “Prisoner of the Caucasus.”  If Russia has a cultural subconsciousness, it lies in the Caucasus. Its greatest writers, Pushkin, Lermontov and Tolstoy all wrote either a poem or a story called “Prisoner of the Caucasus.” Its land, an area straddling two continents but smaller than France, is called Hajiz Iskender “the barrier of Alexander.” It was the home of the Amazons, Medea, the Golden Fleece, and the mountain to which Prometheus was chained. It currently contains four countries, four major religions, over fifty-three ethnic tribes and languages, two disputed countries, and ten Autonomous Republics. Prepare to be a temporary captive of the Caucasus in order to explore its impact on Russian literature, media, and world history.

Review and discuss the major religions of the world. A brief history of each featured religion will be offered along with its myth, scripture, and theory of knowledge and the supernatural. South Asian, Western, Far Eastern, and also modern traditions will be presented.

Join this participant-driven discussion group that encourages all attendees to contribute. Topics discussed will be determined by class members. Recent periodical articles and world events, general concepts, and personal reflections/observations are all potential ideas for discussion. Political and/or polarizing topics will not be pursued. LIMIT 15

Take some time to explore the complex and intertwined histories of Israel and Palestine. The book Side By Side: Parallel Histories Of Israel - Palestine provides a “dual narrative” of Israeli and Palestinian conflict, providing both perspectives on key historical events.

Relationships take work no matter the circumstances, and loving an alcoholic or addict adds an additional set of challenges. There are mental health risks for both parties, as well as subtle and overt physical scars and questions about how to address substance use disorder head-on. All this can be exhausting, draining, and terrifying. If you or someone you care about is in such a relationship, there are ways to cope with it personally while simultaneously encouraging recovery for all parties. This class will educate and offer potential solutions but is not to be seen as a "fix" for these relationships. LIMIT 35

Welcome Spring! Let’s look at what's happening in nature in the new season. We will emphasize local spring wildflowers but also note other signs of the season.

We are, "in just spring, when the world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful..." (e. e. cummings). We will do our best to enjoy April and May mud and puddles with walks and maybe hikes. Spring weather is unpredictable, but the plan is that participants will walk along the lake and the bay and then head inland and upland as the ground dries. We will stop along the trails to enjoy signs of spring in the Northland. LIMIT 25

From the Sundance Kid to the Sundance Film Festival, Robert Redford left a legacy of iconic characters and a commitment to independent filmmaking. This retrospective reprises roles spanning five decades. It begins with Neil Simon’s 1967 Barefoot in the Park with Jane Fonda and ends with Our Souls at Night from 2017, also with Fonda. Between those,we'll view The Way We Were (1973) with Barbara Streisand; the spy thriller Three Days of the Condor (1975) with Faye Dunaway; and Isak Dinesen’s Out of Africa (1985) with Meryl Streep. Three films directed by Redford follow: the Oscar-winning Ordinary People (1980) with Mary Tyler Moore, Quiz Show (1994) with Ralph Fiennes as Charles Van Doren, and All is Lost (2013), in which Redford directs himself as a solo sailor in trouble.

Tai Chi is a slow, graceful exercise that is sometimes called a moving meditation. Its many benefits include reduced stress, increased flexibility, improved balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Whether you are new to Tai Chi or a seasoned expert, all are welcome! Members may enroll in one or both offerings of this class. LIMIT 30

Tai Chi is a slow, graceful exercise that is sometimes called a moving meditation. Its many benefits include reduced stress, increased flexibility, improved balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Whether you are new to Tai Chi or a seasoned expert, all are welcome! Members may enroll in one or both offerings of this class. LIMIT 30

Enjoy a potpourri of favorite live Beatles performances, standout Beatles cover songs, media clips, first-time reaction videos, karaoke renditions, and other Beatles-related curiosities. Together, these selections illustrate the profound impact the Beatles have had on Western culture and highlight the joy, creativity, and cultural energy they continue to inspire.

Using Ken Burns' PBS documentary The Dust Bowl, this class will chronicle the worst human-made ecological disaster in American history. Clear-cut logging and frenzied farming followed by a decade of drought during the 1930s nearly swept away the breadbasket of our nation. This is also a morality tale about our relationship with our land and with the planet that sustains us.

Each week we will listen to songs by the four greatest folk singers in American history: Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Phil Ochs. Plan on hearing at least ten songs each week, with an emphasis on political/protest songs. You will learn about the historical contexts for these songs and their musical roots and judge their effectiveness and appropriateness. Participants will probably recognize a lot of these songs but doubtless you should be introduced to some "new" songs as well.

What are the real possibilities of nuclear warfare occurring in the near future? We will discuss those possibilities as well as study the history of the development of nuclear weapons and instances in history where the world came very close to a nuclear holocaust.

Discover the history of the Radical Reformation, the branch of the Protestant Reformation that includes the Anabaptists, Quakers, Unitarians, and Universalists. Special emphasis will be given to the works of Faustus Socinus and the Unitarian Polish Brethren as well as the history of Unitarianism and Universalism in the United States. Readings will be provided and will consist of primary works, including Socinus in translation, and secondary sources such as Hunston-Williams' Radical Reformation and a selection of Unitarian and Universalist historians. Wilbur's History of Unitarianism, and public domain texts readily available online, likely George de Benneville and Jane Leade, will also be included.

History is not always about facts but about reworking the past to serve new political, cultural, and social situations. This class will review the controversies that played out when past "history" needed to be "changed." These historical arguments will be presented as a spur to analysis and discussion of current efforts to change "history." LIMIT 15

During its short life as a country and a concept, the United States has transformed the world through its revolutionary enshrinement, as governing principles, of the rule of law and sovereignty of the people. For eons, monarchs and chieftains ruled by force, whim, and fiat and were “the law” and beyond its reach. Heeding Thomas Paine’s call “to begin the world all over again,” America consciously made law – not any individual – king.

Within the United States, “democracy” has been employed as a pejorative, an inevitable result of reasoned governance, a weapon clothed in religious righteousness, and a challenge to established ways. Worldwide, our odes to “democracy” have alternately inspired oppressed peoples and spawned dictatorships cloaked in electoral clothing. This class will explore the complicated travels and travails of “democracy” as a governing principle throughout history and the many surprising flavors of “democracy” on offer here and around the world today.

"Mrs. Satan" was the nickname for Victoria Woodhull, America's first woman presidential candidate (1872) and a women's rights advocate. It was given to her by critics for her advocacy of “free love” and spiritualism, and her challenging of Victorian norms. Cartoons often depicted her as the devil tempting wives away from traditional domesticity. Join us as we explore her life and activities and society's reactions to her.

The Victorian Era’s stark social divisions and uneven advancements are vividly illustrated in the fascinating tales of everyday individuals and prominent personalities. The period comes alive through accounts of authors, programmers, suffragettes, and journalists, as well as grave robbers, fasting girls, and scam artists. All paint a rich portrait of an age defined by gas lamps and horse-drawn carriages.

NOTE: This class covers material different from the Fall 2025 Victorian Era course.

Participants will learn about the life of the ancient Persian mystic poet Rumi. There will be analysis of his writings and interpretations of his words as they apply to everyday life. Attendees will be encouraged to write an original poem from a Sufi perspective/through a Sufi lens. LIMIT 16

This class explores World War II through the personal stories of the people who lived it. From Pearl Harbor to the Pacific Theater, from Richard Bong and John Blatnik to the women of the WASP program and the families on the homefront, we’ll look at the war’s major events through a local lens. Each session includes clips from the Bong Center’s oral history collection, allowing participants to hear veterans and community members share their memories in their own words. The last day of the session will be a tour of the Bong Veterans Museum in Superior. Participants will meet at the museum and receive a guided tour of the museum and a behind-the-scenes tour of the archives.

Beginners, intermediates, and those who just want to get together to paint while inspiring others: bring a brush and join the class! The weekly sessions consist of a demonstration, time to paint and ask questions, and the opportunity to share individual projects. Basic watercolor supplies are required. LIMIT 20

Anyone interested in continuing the study of Spanish at whatever level should join this class. Communicating with one another is the most valuable aspect of this class. Join to improve your Spanish language conversational skills, and enjoy others doing the same. Share in the exploration and fun.