Outreach
LIFE Macomb
L.I.F.E. (Learning Is ForEver) is an organization dedicated to providing high-quality, low-cost, and enjoyable adult-education experiences. The Macomb L.I.F.E. program is affiliated with the national organization, Road Scholar: Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN). It is independently administered by area residents who develop the courses, select the teachers, establish the fees, and promote the curriculum.
PLEASE NOTE:
LIFE has moved to Scheduling & Events Services located on the first floor of the University Union, right next to the Brattain Lounge.
FULL COURSES:
(Will be added below as they fill)
Digital Photo Organization and Storage FULL/CLOSED
Embroidering on a Photo (10/10) FULL/CLOSED
The Frontier Experience in Western Illinois FULL/CLOSED
Guided Tour of the Kibbe Museum in Carthage FULL/CLOSED
How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace FULL/CLOSED
Introduction to Meditation FULL/CLOSED
Keep it Local (12/12) FULL/CLOSED
Mastering Your iPhone FULL/CLOSED
Park Golf 101 (10/10) FULL/CLOSED
Pontoon Ride on Spring Lake FULL/CLOSED
Riders in the Sky at The Legacy Theater, Including Pre-Concert Tour FULL/CLOSED
CANCELED CLASSES:
Cooking with Harold
Eco Friendly Household Products
Making Maple Syrup in Vermont
Spring 2025 Courses
About Some of Our Art in Town (21/35)
As you look at a piece of art, isn’t it more satisfying when you know the story behind it? Here’s a chance to hear different artists talk about how they chose their subject matter, how long it took and why their artwork is impactful for our community. Come hear the story behind their work so you can tell it to others. Several artists will speak and show images of their works.
Presenters: Colby Fayhee, Bill Howard, Michael Mahoney, Kelley Quinn, Emily Roberts, and Mary Ann Severs have all created murals/mosaics in town.
Class Session: Wednesday, March 5
Time: 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Place: Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 35
Fee: $5
Armchair Traveler (28/30)
March 20: Irish Adventure
Timothy Collins and Shannon L. Price will share their experiences on a three-week trip that they took with their son to Ireland and Northern Ireland. After arriving in Dublin, they traveled to Westport, Sligo, Derry, Belfast, and Giant’s Causeway. They returned to Dublin for their final three nights. They enjoyed the scenery, historic landmarks, farmers’ markets, local pubs, and traditional music.
March 27: Who Doesn’t Travel 6400 Mile to Fly Fish?
Three friends pursued beef, Malbec, and world-class rainbow trout. Neil Armstrong and John Nelson will share their adventures in beautiful Patagonia.
April 3: Norway, Denmark, and Sweden Trip
A Fjord is not an SUV and SCANdinavia is not a QR code. With friends from Macomb, Mike and Marsha Davey spent 23 days in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. While there they traveled by train, bus, ferry, cruise boat, taxi, and bicycle! They will share their travels from “the land of waterfalls” to the “city of islands.”
April 10: Grand European Holiday
Steve Hopper will share about the wonderful trip with his spouse and eleven-year- old grandson. The itinerary, designed for family, specifically grandparents and grandchildren, included visits and special activities in London, Paris, Umbria, and Rome.
Coordinator: Steve Hopper has coordinated the LIFE Armchair Traveler program for several years, and he has traveled to all seven continents.
Class Sessions: Thursdays, March 20, 27, April 3, and April 10
Time: 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Fee: $15
Astrophotography Through a Telescope - Imaging Space (6/25)
Our universe is full of beautiful and interesting objects to view and to take images of. Discover how we amateur photographers create magnificent images of our solar system and even distant galaxies millions of light years away. Each year I travel to dark sites across the country, imaging space gems that most people never get to see. The course will cover telescopic and camera equipment I use in the process, along with the computer software I use to stack and process multiple photos into one beautiful image. You do not need a telescope to benefit from this class; you only need a passing interest in astronomy and a desire to explore the wonders space has to offer. Come enjoy my images of our sun, moon, eclipses, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.
NOTE: This is similar to my 2023 presentation but with many new photographs.
Instructor: Larry Knicl has been an amateur astronomer and space photographer for 25 years.
Class Sessions: Thursday, March 20
Time: 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
Basic First Aid (7/30)
In this class you will learn some simple and basic first aid care that you can use to help prevent further life threatening injuries to both yourself and others.
Instructor: Kory Nichols, a paramedic and national lead instructor, is also the EMS coordinator for McDonough County.
Class Session: Monday, March 24
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Fee: $5
Beginning Euchre (9/16)
Come learn to play an easy-to-learn Midwestern card game, Euchre. Actually, Euchre has been around since the 1800s and was very popular in Europe. You will learn the basic version and then you will play multiple rounds. In the second class you will hone your new skills.
Instructor: Jim Unruh is a retired 5th grade teacher with over 40 years of Euchre playing experience.
Class Sessions: Monday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 16
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Place: Fox Room, 1st floor, WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either side of the union
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Fee: $10
Bird Identification (19/50)
In the first class we will identify important field markings that help distinguish birds. In the second class, we will put those skills to test in a field excursion.
Instructor: Maggie MacPherson is a WIU Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology and she studies spatial dynamics in birds.
Class Sessions: Tuesdays, April 22 and 29
Time: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Place: The 1st class will be in the Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety. The outdoor location for the 2nd class is TBD by the instructor.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee: $5
Cooking with Harold (12/12) FULL/CLOSED - CANCELED
This class is a combination of demonstration and hands on. The focus will be on slow baked pork spare ribs. (In fact, they will be cooking for hours before the class begins.) A sweet and spicy BBQ sauce to complement the spare ribs will be made. A Swiss mixed vegetable casserole will also be prepared and served with the meat. Participants will get to eat the prepared food.
Instructor: Harold Schmalfeld is a retired WIU professor who loves cooking, and he has taught this LIFE class for years.
Class Sessions: Thursday, March 20
Time: 5 - 7 p.m.
Place: First Christian Church, 124 N. McArthur St.
Parking: On the west side of the church. Enter through the southwest door (close to W. Jackson St.) where there is an elevator down to the fellowship hall.
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Fee: $15
Digital Photo Organization and Storage (20/20) FULL/CLOSED
Faster cameras and high capacity memory cards have made it easier than ever to shoot and store hundreds of photos on our computers, cell phones, and thumb drives. This course will help you store, find, and even edit your favorite photos to get your images in order.
Instructor: Brenda Allison is a r etired IT Director for AFSCME who worked in many levels of technology. Teaching classes helps keep her skills current.
Class Sessions: Thursday, March 13
Time: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $5
Diseases and Pests of Trees (7/30)
Trees are the biggest investment in our landscapes and can live for hundreds of years. Learn about common diseases affecting trees and also about how some insects can be pests to trees. Chris Enroth will also discuss some looming pests on the horizon that we need to keep a close eye on in case they spread to western Illinois.
Instructor: Chris Enroth is a horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension.
Class Sessions: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 9 - 10 a.m.
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either side of the union
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Fee: $5
Embroidering on a Photo (10/10) FULL/CLOSED
This class can be for beginners as well as for people with embroidery experience. You will learn to embroider on a photograph of nature provided by the teacher. Simple stitches will add a special touch that will make every photo different. You will leave with a unique art project that you can frame and keep for yourself or maybe give to someone you love. Materials will be provided, but if you have your own embroidery threads or needles they will be welcomed as well.
Instructor: Ximena Barreto has worked as a photographer for more than 30 years. She makes mixed media pieces using embroidery on photographs.
Class Sessions: Wednesdays, April 16 and 23
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 10
Fee: $15
Freedom of Speech: What Can I Say? (22/25)
A basic explanation of the freedoms and limits of our right of free speech and expression. The audience will have the opportunity to provide examples that illustrate the law.
Instructor: Gayle Tronvig Carper practiced law from 1983-2005, taught law classes at WIU's School of LEJA from 1987-2012, and is now happily retired.
Class Sessions: Tuesday, March 4
Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Place: Lincoln Room on the 1st floor of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
The Frontier Experience in Western Illinois (20/20) FULL/CLOSED
Most of the counties in western Illinois were established 200 years ago. That promoted the coming of settlers, the creation of communities, and the struggle with harsh conditions that lasted until the 1850s. This two-hour class will introduce participants to historical materials that reflect the earliest generations (1820s-1850s) here – including maps, drawings, photographs, records, and personal accounts. Those will depict the creation of counties, the development of homes and farms, the founding of small villages, and the challenges that made frontier life so difficult. The focus will be on everyday experiences rather than noted individuals and events, and it will be a fascinating introduction to the vast array of materials available to the public at WIU’s Malpass Library’s Archives & Special Collections.
Instructor: John Hallwas is a retired archivist and author of many literary sources about the Illinois frontier, including Western Illinois Heritage.
Class Session: Tuesday, May 13
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Place: Archives & Special Collections, Malpass Library, at WIU Campus A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available in the lot across the street from the library
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $5
Gardening for Pollinators (12/50)
What do pollinators do for us? Imagine how much an apple would cost if we had to pay a worker to climb around and pollinate the apple bloom. Pollinators are integral to the health and well-being of a garden and are essential for much of our vegetable production needs. Join Chris Enroth as we discuss the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, as well as how to attract them to your garden. As pollinator habitats dwindle, come find out what you can do to support nature’s most vital workers.
Instructor: Chris Enroth is a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension.
Class Sessions: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee: $5
Guided Tour of the Kibbe Museum in Carthage (20/20) FULL/CLOSED
This is one of the most enjoyable local museums in western Illinois. Well-known for its broad variety of exhibits, the museum features displays focused on farming, women’s dresses, rural school education, toys, church history, various military experiences, technology (including a car manufactured in Hancock County), regional wildlife, Native American artifacts, and even some vanished local communities. The museum was named after Alice Kibbe, who was a professor and chair of the Biology Department at Carthage College. In recent years, the museum also developed a special Lincoln exhibit, featuring a log cabin, as well as aspects of his legal and political career.
Instructors: Keith Bruns is the head of the Hancock County Historical Society and a board member of the Kibbe Museum. John Hallwas has published many books and articles on the history of Hancock County and is president of the Illinois State Historical Society.
Class Sessions: Tuesday, May 6
Time: 10:30 a.m. - noon
Place: Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum, 306 Walnut St., Carthage. Meet inside the
museum.
Parking: on Walnut Street
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $5
Hearing Loss: How to Treat Your Hearing (12/20)
In this course we will explore hearing loss, how it happens, how to recognize it, how it relates to healthy aging, and how to treat it appropriately.
Instructor: Dr. Mike Sharpe is the Audiology Clinic Coordinator of the WIU Speech and Hearing Clinic and teaches in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Class Sessions: Tuesdays, February 25 and March 4
Time: 6:15 - 7:45 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $10
A History of and Memorial About Lynchings in the United States (15/25) TIME CHANGE BELOW!
The first week, led by Tim Roberts, will consider particularities and patterns of known lynchings in Illinois, c. 1889-1943. The second week, led by Ron Pettigrew, will consider lynching memorials, particularly the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama
Instructors: Dr. Tim Roberts is a professor and chair of the History Department at WIU. He teaches and researches American history. Ron Pettigrew is the director of WIU’s Veteran Resource Center, was a Navy Chaplain for 30 years, and has been an inner-city pastor for years.
Class Sessions: Tuesday, February 25 at 10:30 -11:30 am and Thursday, February 27 from new time which is 11 - noon
Time: see above
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will
be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
Hospice: When Care, Not Cure, is the Focus (5/25)
The MDH Hospice team will explain what hospice care is and when it is appropriate for you for you and your family. Topics will include the type of care provided, how the cost is covered, who is on the care team and who is eligible for it. The instructors will explain the benefits of hospice care and the focus of enhancing quality of life.
Instructors: Lisa Hood, RN, is the Patient Care Coordinator for The MDH Hospice. Michael Zimmerman, RN, is the Director of The MDH Hospice
Class Sessions: Tuesday, April 15
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace (25/25) FULL/Closed
Do you have unwanted items that your children don't want to inherit? Items that you want to sell but you don't want to have a yard sale? This class will teach you how to sell items on Facebook Marketplace.
NOTE: In order to participate in this class, it would be helpful to bring your Smartphone and have the Facebook app loaded on it, so you can follow along on your device.
Instructors: Rose Elam is retired from WIRC and has been selling items for herself and others for several years. Trisha Kuster is the owner of the online vintage resale store The Tippy Canoe, and she sells on EBay, FB Marketplace, Mercari, Etsy, and Poshmark.
Class Sessions: Friday, April 4
Time: 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
I Hiked and Camped the Appalachian Trail (36/50) TIME CHANGE BELOW!
This is a unique opportunity to hear the story of a woman who is living in Macomb temporarily until the summer of 2025. Jacqy hiked the 2200 miles and did it alone, leaving behind her husband and teen son for almost 6 months. Jacqy will show photos and tell how she ate, slept, showered and stayed safe, as well as share stories about people and critters she met along the way. She will also show the equipment that she carried daily. Jacqy has hiked many other national and international trails and has even led Boy Scouts on some of their hikes.
Instructor: Jacqy Sherer
Class Sessions: Thursday, February 27
Time: new time: 9 - 10:30 a.m. (old time: changed from 10 - 11:30 am)
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee: $5
Illinois Women in World War I (35/50)
You’ve heard of WW2’s Rosie the Riveter, but how much do you know about what women did during the First World War? We’ll focus on Illinois women, exploring their contributions to the war effort both on the home front and overseas.
Instructor: Dr. Ginny Boynton taught US & Women’s History at WIU for several decades before retiring.
Class Sessions: Wednesday, March 26
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee: $5
Intermediate Euchre (9/16)
This intermediate class is for people that took the beginning class or who already know how to play Euchre. Participants will practice strategies with the instructor there to offer support and advice.
Instructor: Jim Unruh is a retired 5th grade teacher with over 40 years of Euchre playing experience.
Class Sessions: Monday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 23
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Place: WIU Union Sandburg Lounge, basement of union. Park on either side of union.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Fee: $10
Introduction to Astronomy (7/25)
How did our solar system form, why is Pluto no longer a planet, and what are those beautiful objects we love to admire in Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope images? Learn about our solar system, deep space objects, constellations, and telescopes. Explore our universe through photos, animations and video and go on a virtual tour of the Miami Astronomical Society’s Winter Star party in the Florida Keys.
NOTE: This is essentially the same LIFE presentation from 2023, but you are so welcome to come again and introduce a friend to how wonderful it was!
Instructor: Larry Knicl, an amateur astronomer for 25 years, enjoys helping folks learn about the vast wonders of the universe.
Class Sessions: Tuesdays, March 18 and 25
Time: 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
Introduction to Fly Fishing (8/15)
This class is designed to provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of fly fishing. The course will include a brief history of fly fishing, an overview of the equipment needed to get started, a discussion of flies used to catch freshwater species, a short fly-tying demonstration, and hands-on casting instruction.
Instructors: Greg Montalvo is a retired WIU professor with a lifelong interest in fly fishing. Steve Larimer taught art in Macomb for 25 years with fly fishing as a major distraction/pastime.
Class Sessions: Monday, March 17, Wednesday, March 19, and Friday, March 21
Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
Place: WIU’s Horrabin Hall Gym, corner of Western Ave. and University Dr. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: In the parking lot south of Horrabin Hall
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Fee: $20
Introduction to Meditation (12/12) FULL/CLOSED
While meditation is not a cure-all, it can certainly provide you with some much-needed space in your life—and sometimes, that’s all we need to inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives, as well as to make better choices for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Health-wise, the practice of meditation can help to lower stress, improve focus, understand pain, connect better, and reduce brain chatter. This class will provide a brief, practical introduction to meditation by three instructors from different meditative traditions.
Instructors: Dawn Piper is a Certified Yoga Therapist, Tera Mai Reiki practitioner, trained in iRest Yoga Nidra and owner of Free Range Yoga. Gloria Barr is a Certified Reiki Master and highly experienced in Reiki therapy. Bill Maakestad is a Tai Chi and Qigong instructor of “moving meditation” and attended Albuquerque’s Center for Action and Contemplation.
Class Sessions: Thursday, March 20
Time: 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Place: Free Range Yoga and Community Wellness Center (South Wing), 118 N Lafayette St.
Parking: On or near the Macomb downtown square
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Fee: $5
Introduction to Pickleball (6/12)
See what the fun is all about with this introductory class on Pickleball. You will learn the basic rules and strategies of the sport and participate in some skills and drills. Participants will play doubles each session. All equipment to play will be provided by the YMCA. Wear athletic shoes and clothes.
Instructor: Cindy Cavett, YMCA Senior Center Director, had free time when her kids left home so introduced the Y to pickleball. It’s still an obsession for her.
Class Sessions: Tuesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 6
Time: 9 - 10 a.m.
Place: YMCA gym, 400 E. Calhoun St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Fee: $5
Israel in Times of War: A Personal Travel Account (17/25)
Professor Chamberlin will share her images, impressions, and insights from a professional trip to Israel and the World Holocaust Remembrance Center at the Yad Vashem campus in Jerusalem that she took in June 2024. She will use a historical lens to explore the linkages between Israeli past and present.
Instructor: Dr. Ute Chamberlin is a member of the History Department at WIU where she teaches Modern European and World History.
Class Sessions: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 10:30 a.m. - noon
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
Keep it Local (12/12) FULL/CLOSED
Learn about local food producers and the avenues they use to provide healthy food in the community.
Instructor: Alyson Sturgis is the president of the board for the Macomb Farmers Market and is a board member of the Macomb Food Co-op.
Class Sessions: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Place: Macomb Food Co-op, 211 S. McArthur St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Fee: $5
Making Art (6/25)
The creation of any work of art is a long and complicated process. This process can best be described as an act of discovery – one that begins with an original conception and culminates in a completed artifact. This is a course about the act of making art (painting and music) and the work that is involved in doing so. Based on the personal experiences of two practicing artists (a painter and a composer) the course will present the various steps involved in each individual artist’s creative processes and the ways in which it relates to their own work and artistic discipline.
Instructors: Paul Paccione is Emeritus Professor in Music and Michael Mahoney is Emeritus Professor in Art at WIU.
Class Sessions: Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18
Time: 2 - 3:30 pm.
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $10
Mastering Your iPhone (20/20) FULL/CLOSED
This is a basic class in understanding the function and operation of your iPhone. You will learn navigation of the menus, messaging, resetting, iOS mail app, browsing the internet, using the contacts, and using your phone camera.
Instructor: Brenda Allison is a retired IT Director for AFSCME who worked in many levels of technology. Teaching classes helps keep her skills current.
Class Sessions: Thursday, April 10
Time: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $5
Mastering Your Samsung Android Smartphone (9/20)
This is a basic class in understanding the function and operation of your Samsung Android phone. You will learn navigation of the menus, messaging, resetting, browsing the internet, basic Google account info, using the contacts, and basic camera use.
Instructor: Brenda Allison is a retired IT Director for AFSCME who worked in many levels of technology. Teaching classes helps keep her skills current.
Class Sessions: Thursday, March 27
Time: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $5
Medicare Annual Wellness Exams (3/30)
We will discuss the importance of preventative care, what screenings Medicare pays for, and what services McDonough District Hospital provides.
Instructor: Brittany Taylor is a family nurse practitioner and a registered nurse. Her passion is family medicine with a focus on prevention.
Class Sessions: Monday, March 3
Time: 2 - 3 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Fee: $5
On the Rails: Train Cargo and Emergency Response (10/25)
You will learn about what is carried on the railroad that comes through this area and how first responders respond to railway incidents.
Instructor: Dan Meyer has been with the Macomb Fire Department for 23 years and has been the fire chief since 2021.
Class Sessions: Friday, March 7
Time: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
Park Golf 101 (10/10) FULL/CLOSED
This course will discuss the history of park golf, how it came to America and how to play. We will work on your golf stroke for driving and also on how to hit the ball so that every shot is consistent.
Instructor: Blake Severs works at the Macomb Park District and helped establish Illinois’ first park golf course at Ball Fore.
Class Sessions: Monday, May 5
Time: 9 - 11 a.m.
Place: Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center, 9575 US Hwy 136
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 10
Fee:
$15
Planning a National Park Adventure (24/30)
How many of us want to take a trip to a national park but the when, what and how of the planning process seems daunting? This class will incorporate a hands-on session for planning with tips as to when to begin planning, when and how to book NP lodging, websites for lodging and trail bookings, and other valuable information for planning the best experience you can have.
Instructor: Jim Unruh and his wife Nancy have been to 45 national parks in the past 10 years. They have stayed in lodges in the park, as well as cabins, hotels, Airbnbs, tents, and KOAs.
Class Sessions: Monday, April 7
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 30
Fee: $5
Pontoon Ride on Spring Lake (12/12) FULL/CLOSED
Enjoy a relaxing pontoon ride around beautiful Spring Lake. As you look for local wildlife, you can ask questions about fish, plants, and birds, as well as about services that the Spring Lake facility offers.
Instructor: Ryan Hansen is the president of Spring Lake Management, Inc.
Class Sessions: Wednesday, May 7 and rain date Friday, May 9
Time: 11 a.m. - noon
Place: Spring Lake Park, 620 Spring Lake Park Rd.
Parking: At the bottom of the hill by the bait shop
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Fee: $5
Presenting Alfred Hitchcock (4/12)
Alfred Hitchcock remains one of the most recognized, popular, and influential directors in the history of cinema. This course will explore themes and techniques in Hitchcock's work. The class will include screenings of both well-known films and seldom screened works to demonstrate why Hitchcock continues to fascinate film scholars and general audiences.
Instructor: Internationally recognized film scholar Richard Ness has written for Cahiers du cinema, Hitchcock Annual , and anthologies on Hitchcock, Bergman, and Altman.
Class Sessions: Wednesdays, February 26, March 5, (not 12), 19, 26, April (not 2), 9, 16, 23 and 30
Time: 3 - 6 p.m.
Place: WIU Library, Room 180. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Across the street from the library
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Fee: $20
Riders in the Sky at The Legacy Theater, Including Pre-Concert Tour (20/20) FULL/CLOSED
Taking a break from their regular performances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Riders in the Sky will appear for a one-night-only concert at The Legacy Theater in Carthage. This group has won two Grammy Awards; appeared on Austin City Limits, Public Radio and CBS-TV; done projects for Disney and Pixar (including Toy Story 2 ); produced 40 albums; and toured in all 50 states and around the world. What began as a low-key celebration of vocal harmony, classic Western Music, and witty humor, has become a legendary career. Forty years later, they show no signs of stopping or even slowing down. BONUS: Prior to the concert, those taking this LIFE class can choose to enjoy a personal tour by the CEO of the theater.
Coordinator: Bill Maakestad, a musician, considers Riders in the Sky among the finest purveyors of vocal harmony and humor in music today.
Class Sessions: Saturday, April 12
Time: Concert: 2:00 p.m. / Pre-concert Tour TBD
Place: The Legacy Theater, 1160 Buchanan St., Carthage
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $49 (Includes tour ticket)
The Role of the Mayor in Our Community (13/35)
Mike Inman, as mayor, is the Chief Executive Officer of the City and the local liquor control commissioner, overseeing a nearly $35 million annual city budget. He will share about his role in our local community and describe the various responsibilities he has.
Instructor: Mike Inman, a Macomb lifelong resident, has been the mayor since 2011 and has a 30 year history of working in law enforcement prior to that.
Class Sessions: March 6 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. / backup date Tuesday, March 25, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Time: See above
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 35
Fee: $5
Top Ten Tips to be Safe During an Active Shooting Event (13/25)
A straightforward presentation about what can be done to recognize, respond, and survive an active shooter situation. This course will prepare regular citizens to identify a dangerous situation, determine a safe course of action, and respond to keep themselves and others safe. No firearms allowed as this is NOT a tactical course.
Instructor: Sgt. JP McLaughlin is a subject matter expert in patrol, Active Shooter training, SWAT operations, and firearms instruction.
Class Sessions: Tuesday, February 25
Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Place: Sandburg Lounge in the basement of the WIU Union. A no-ticketing request will be made for this class from the Office of Public Safety.
Parking: Available on either the west or east side of the Union
Maximum Enrollment: 25
Fee: $5
Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike (3/20) F INISHED
In class the director, Carolyn Blackinton, will talk about the influences and the play Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike . The play can best be described as If you were to take a blender to Anton Chekov’s classic plays and sprinkle them liberally with Christopher Durang’s unique and simmering contemporary humor; the result is this rollicking play. Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker, indulge in sighs, and make snappy retorts about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old sibling beefs and competitions flare up, including threats to sell the house. Their lives will never be the same after this visit.
NOTE: You need to pre-purchase your ticket and not wait to buy it at the door as the show may be sold out. For tickets, contact the Hainline Box Office at 309.298.2900. Hours: Tuesday - Friday from 1 - 5 p.m.
Instructor: Professor Carolyn Blackinton, Professor of Theatre. She is also the Head of Performance, a professional union actress, and a specialist in voice for the actor and camera acting.
Class Sessions: Thursday, January 30 class at 6:00 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.
Time: See above
Place: WIU Horrabin Hall Theater/Auditorium (Room 114), Corner of Western Ave. and University Dr.
Parking: In the lot south of the site
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $5 plus ticket purchased in advance from the box office at WIU. See above.
We Need to Talk Book Club (15/35)
There will be two books that the club will read and then discuss together. By late January we will post the book titles at WIU.edu/life under the name of this class and we will email you the names of the books once you register for the class.
Instructor: Connie LaRue is a retired English teacher who loves books. She encourages and supports book clubs and book discussions.
Class Sessions: Tuesdays, March 4 and May 6
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Place: On Zoom only
Parking: Not applicable
Maximum Enrollment: 35
Fee: $10
Women Who Rock (27/32)
Sit back, relax, and enjoy three soulful, candid, and music-filled documentaries about women who broke the mold and succeeded in the male-dominated world of rock & soul. Background, opinions, and memories will be offered for each film by Jean and Bill, each of whom has a long history of performing rock & roll music. As always, class participation, along with popcorn consumption, will be wholeheartedly encouraged! Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015) – Directed by Amy J. Berg, this film offers an insightful review of the all-too-short life of a quintessential ‘60s rock & roll legend, Janis Joplin, who left a musical legacy that continues to fascinate today. Tina (2021) – This riveting film, directed by Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin, follows the turbulent life and career of Tina Turner, one of the most explosive talents in the history of popular music. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019) – Oscar-winning directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman cover this legendary singer’s life and career from childhood through her early retirement due to Parkinson’s disease.
Instructors: Bill Maakestad and Jean Davenport have sung and played guitar in a variety of rock, soul, and blues groups for decades.
Class Sessions: Mondays, April 7, 14, and 21
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Place: Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St.
Parking: At the site
Maximum Enrollment: 32
Fee: $15
Due to a change in policy, PayPal will no longer be refunding the transaction fee when course registration fees are refunded due to cancellations. However, depending on who makes the cancellation, there will be instances in which the transaction fee will be refunded. When a course is cancelled by the LIFE Organization or Instructor, the PayPal Transaction Fee will be refunded. When a course is cancelled by the LIFE Registrant, even if the cancellation comes within the 30 Day current cancellation policy deadline, the PayPal Transaction Fee will not be refunded.
Registration Page PDF
Course Proposal Application Form
Spring 2024 PHOTOS
Contact Us:
Emily Roberts: es-roberts@wiu.edu
Sally Adams: sa-adams2@wiu.edu (Scheduling & Event Services, University Union)
PARTNERSHIPS
The LIFE organization is grateful to our sponsor, Western Illinois University's Study Abroad and Outreach Office, and the following community partners and individuals who are committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities for area residents:
COURSE SITES
- Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center
- First Christian Church
- Free Range Yoga and Community Wellness Center
- Kibbe Museum
- Macomb City Hall
- Macomb Fire Dept.
- Macomb Food Co-op
- Macomb Police Dept.
- McDonough District Hospital
- Oakland Acres Farm
- Spoon River College Community Outreach Center
- Spring Lake Park
- The Legacy Theater
- Western Illinois Museum
- Western Illinois University
- YMCA of McDonough County
INSTRUCTORS
- Alyson Sturgis
- Barrie McVey
- Bill Howard
- Bill Maakestad
- Blake Severs
- Brenda Allison
- Brittany Taylor
- Carolyn Blackinton
- Chris Enroth
- Cindy Cavett
- Colby Fayhee
- Connie LaRue
- Dan Meyer
- Dawn Piper
- Emily Roberts
- Gayle Tronvig Carper
- Ginny Boynton
- Gloria Barr
- Greg Montalvo
- Harold Schmalfeld
- Jack Wohlstadter
- Jacqy Sherer
- Jean Davenport
- Jim & Nancy Unruh
- John Hallwas
- John Nelson
- JP McLaughlin
- Kelley Quinn
- Kory Nichols
- Keith Bruns
- Larry Knicl
- Lisa Hood
- Maggie MacPherson
- Mary Ann Severs
- Michaell Zimmerman
- Michael Mahoney
- Mike & Marsha Davey
- Mike Inman
- Mike Sharpe
- Neil Armstrong
- Patti Jones
- Paul Paccione
- Richard Ness
- Ron Pettigrew
- Rose Elam
- Ryan Hansen
- Shannon L. Price
- Steve Hopper
- Steve Larimer
- Timothy Collins
- Tim Roberts
- Trisha Kuster
- Ute Chamberlin
- Ximena Barreto
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