MANKATO — For most people, intellectual learning stops soon after college. For members of the Mankato Area Lifelong Learners organization, that learning continues well past diplomas and degrees.
The Lifelong Learners organization is celebrating its 30-year anniversary Friday, June 13. The self-sustaining and volunteer-based organization promotes vitality, socialization and growth intellectually for Mankato residents 50 and older.
Harriet Plotz, former president and a current officer for the organization, said that Lifelong Learners is the perfect way to blend intellectual conversation and providing older folks with interesting things to do.
“ We wanna promote vitality and interest,” Plotz said. “Basically giving people some things to do that stimulate their mind.”
These brain-stimulating events include group discussions over coffee, field trips, guest speakers and movie nights.
Great Decisions, a subsection of the organization that members can pay an extra fee to be a part of, delves into current events surrounding foreign affairs.
Georgia Holmes, chair of the Great Decisions program, said it is a great opportunity for people to learn more about the world beyond just what the news tells you.
“ There are hot topics that are in the news all the time,” Holmes said. “You get more in-depth analysis by experts than you get generally from the newspaper.”
Prior to COVID, membership numbers were at an all-time high of 250, but the restrictions caused by the virus resulted in a loss of nearly 100 members. However, the restrictions didn’t stop Plotz from keeping Lifelong Learners alive.
“ We met in my driveway for council meetings and committee meetings. The church opened up to us, too, so we could have meetings and sit 6 feet apart. But everything else was closed.”
Barbara Keating, Lifelong Learners’ current president, has been trying to get new members to help fund the program.
“ As a thank-you for their sponsorship, Lifelong Learners gives MSU retirees their first year of a silver membership complimentary,” Keating said.
That silver membership would grant you cheaper access to the upcoming 30th anniversary event that includes a presentation given by guest speaker James Fleming about the Dakota Uprising Trials. Non-members also are welcome to join the celebration. (The event’s registration for non-members ends Friday.)
Keating believes Lifelong Learners has something for everyone, even if you aren’t into everything the organization has to offer.
“Everybody can find something they enjoy in Lifelong Learners,” she said. ”We have two book groups. We have social activities. We have a couple of members who do bird walks.”