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Fall 2008 Courses
Registration is required for all ALI classes. For registration after August 12, mail a
registration form to Adult Learners Institute, 1163 South Main, Suite 255, Chelsea, MI 48118,
with a check made out to ALI of Chelsea MI Inc.
The only closed classes are “Rooms of Blooms Behind Seas of Trees”, “Underground Railroad”, and “Writing Your Life Stories”. When a class fills, you may add your name to a wait list. If enough openings do not occur the names will be kept and if the class is offered again in a later semester those people will have the opportunity to pre-register for the class.
Themes in Poetry: Classical to Modern
Esther Hurwitz
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13
[six Mondays]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea MI
Poetry is the art of using words to describe
something for which there are no words, and
it is the precise organization of these words
that makes them come alive and connect
with us. Each week we use modern and
classical poetry to explore contemporary
themes including love, war, and family.
NOTE: The instructor requests that, prior to
the first class meeting, participants purchase
the book Good Poems for Hard Times
[paperback], by Garrison Keillor [editor].
ISBN: 0143037676.
Flicks From the Mid-East
Susan Conley Weeks
Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9 [four
Tuesdays]; 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Dancey House, Chelsea Retirement
Community, 801 W. Middle, Chelsea , MI.
Have you ever gone to a movie or watched a
video and wondered what it was all about?
Was there a message? If so, what was the
message? What did I miss? The experience
of viewing and discussing films is designed
to engage viewers in the layers of
meaning embedded in films. In addition to
being entertained, films can offer values and
meaning designed to enhance your viewing
experience. After viewing together contemporary
mid-eastern films, Susan Conley
Weeks facilitates a discussion of religious
and democratic values. Films we may view
include: Children of Heaven, Lemon Tree,
Syrian Bridge, and Kite Runner.
Historic South & Southwest Washtenaw
County
Grace Shackman
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14
[six Tuesdays]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Through lectures and walking tours, we explore
the history and architecture of Saline
and Manchester. We’ll learn how and why
these places were founded, their early settlement,
the mill industry on the river, the impact of the arrival of the railroad, and he
importance of sheep farming to the
economy. We’ll also learn about some of
the smaller towns in the area, such as
Bridgewater, Fredonia, and Raisin River, as
well as some of the historic bridges. The
two walking tours take place in Saline and
Manchester.
Rooms of Blooms Behind Seas of Trees
David Mastie
Sept. 10 (one Wednesday), 10:00 —Noon
Private Home in Chelsea—address available
at registration.
NOTE: abundant parking on site. Individuals
with handicaps have frequently toured the
gardens which are navigable on foot, with
canes and walkers, or in a wheelchair with
some one to assist.
Growing a garden is more than growing
plants. It’s the totality of the picture that
evolves over time: the garden rooms [eight
containing over 20 minor gardens], trees [65
species, with some over 50 years old],
shrubs [over 85 species], perennials [more
than 240 different species], hardscape
[literally tons of rocks] and man-made structural
elements [pergolas, fences, decks, and
a chessboard]. Hidden behind trees, these
“secret gardens” are largely unknown to
Chelsea residents and passers-by alike.
Through an introductory slide presentation,
you’ll see the evolution over years and
seasons as these wonderful gardens took
shape. Commentary accompanying the
slides is enlivened with references to royal
scandals, Bible stories, geographical routes,
climate changes, cooking and poisons.
Splendid views out into the garden from the
sunroom are supplemented with a walking
tour of the 8 major gardens, weather
permitting. Photographs and questions are
encouraged. Course is full.
Underground Railroad
Carol Mull
Sept. 11, 18, 25, and Oct 2 [Bus Tour] [four
Thursdays]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
From the decades of settlement through the
Civil War, there existed in Michigan a highly
complex and adaptable network of people
assisting freedom seekers out of slavery.
Through presentations, you’ll hear stories of
escape from enslavement and learn about
the people and places in our community
associated with the Underground Railroad.
We’ll explore the myths and realities of
slavery, abolition, and the Underground Railroad.
Our final class includes a guided bus
tour of documented sites. Course is full.
NOTE: There is a $5.00 charge for bus rental
included in the course fee.
Journeys Through Western Civilization:
Revolution to Revolution [18th through
20th Centuries]
Nancy Nilsson
Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, Nov 7
[eight Fridays]; 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12,
Chelsea, MI.
Art historian Nancy Nilsson, with her usual
abundance of slides and enthusiasm, uses
the architecture, painting, and sculpture of
Western culture to chronicle its changes.
This time the course moves from the industrial
and political revolutions of both the 18th
and 19th centuries to the artistic, scientific, and technological revolutions of
the 20th century. A journey full of surprises!
Learning More for Your Listening
Pleasure
Ian Cumming
Sept. 26 [one Friday]; 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12,
Chelsea, MI.
This class is a pre-concert chat, throwing
light on the music to be performed at the free
Chelsea Chamber Players Concert on Sunday,
September 28, at the Historic Chelsea
Depot. The centerpiece of the concert is the
Dvorak String Quintet in G, Op 77. All the
works on the program are discussed in
depth, and placed in the context of the time
they were written. The discussion covers
some aspects of musical form and construction,
and ties these aspects of the music together
with events going on in the lives of
the composers. This makes all the more understandable
and enjoyable the experience
of listening to the actual performance two
days later on September 28th.
More Monuments and Culture
Elisabeth Z. Thoburn Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
[five Wednesdays]; 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Maples 2, Silver Maples, Old US 12,
Chelsea, MI.
Monuments such as the pyramids of Egypt,
palaces, temples, or national monuments
have always expressed the essence of a
people and their cultural identity. In this
course we highlight a few of those
monuments from around the world and explore
the history, myths, ideas, religious
beliefs, and the arts that find expression in
these monuments. From far to near, from
known to unknown, this exploration is an
adventurous undertaking, exposing students
to a variety of media and thought and highlighting
the best of human creativity. The
instructor has traveled to these monuments
and the class is enriched by a variety of
original materials and experiences. More
Monuments and Culture is a continuation of
the exploration of monuments and covers
different monuments than were presented
last year.
Writing Your Life Stories
Nancy Schumann
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 [four Fridays]; 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement
Community, 809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
Do you have interesting stories to tell but you
just don’t know how to make them come
alive? Whether your stories are sensational
or ordinary, once you find your unique voice,
extraordinary stories are born. Through this workshop, participants can read excerpts
from published memoirs, write several short
memory stories, read these stories aloud in
class, and offer support and comments to
other class members. Bring a legal pad and
pen to class and be prepared to write outside
of class. Please plan to attend all four
classes. Attendance is crucial because one
class builds on another and students build
trust by attending regularly and critiquing
fellow students’ work. Course is full.
The Relationship Between Islam and
Democracy
Paul Kubicek
Oct. 6 [one Monday]; 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Chelsea Community Hospital, White Oak
Center, Auditorium Room.
Professor Paul Kubicek discusses various
debates regarding the relationship between
Islam and democracy. Among questions to
be considered: What guidance does the
Koran give on political governance? Why are
so few Muslim-majority states democratic?
What do historical and contemporary Islamic
scholars have to say about democracy?
Does Islamic law conflict with democracy?
Is “Islamic democracy” possible or an
oxymoron? Besides Islam, what else might
account for lack of democracy in the Middle
East? This class is informative for anyone
wishing to learn more about the Muslim world
and prospects for democracy in the Middle
East.
Sewing—How to Get a Husband in the
1800’s
Jean Lewis
Oct. 8 [one Wednesday]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
The Pines, Community Room, 325 Wilkinson
Street, Chelsea, MI.
This class tells how sewing affected the
early years of our country through learning
about the history of sewing. In addition,
samples of sewing and of sewing
implements used from the 1800’s to the
present day, are shared. Over 100 items
are displayed and discussed.
This Old House: Restoring Your Historic
House
John and Jackie Frank
Oct. 20, 27 [two Mondays]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Private home in Chelsea—address available at
registration.The home is NOT handicap
accessible.
Do you love historic houses? Do you know the
difference between Preservation, Restoration,
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction? This course
provides an overview of Historic Preservation.
John and Jackie Frank explore some of the
dilemmas faced by owners of historic houses.
They also describe the resources they utilized in
researching their 19th Century home and
explain the reasons for the choices they made
during its rehabilitation. A tour of the restored
rooms illustrates the results.
Michigan Townships—Who Drew Those
Lines and Why?
Peter Flintoft
Oct. 28 [one Tuesday]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
County Courthouse, Downtown Chelsea
The first part of this course explores the history
and organization of Michigan Territory,
homesteading, and creation of local government.
Topics include early Federal organic
law of the Michigan Territory, history of local
governments before statehood, geography,
schools, transportation before the railroads,
creation of roads, drain systems, historical
measurements of land and bodies of water.
This history remains relevant today to our
society and our development. Mr Flintoft’s
presentation includes a short guide to the
Glazier Bank building and its transformation
into the 14th District Court. The missing
pieces of a still beautiful structure are
described.
Your Vote and the Electoral College
Laura Lutz
Oct. 28 [one Tuesday] AND Nov. 10 [one
Monday]; 4:30—6:30 p.m.
Chelsea Community Hospital, White Oak Center,
Atrium Room.
Why do we have an Electoral College?
How does the Electoral College elect the
President? Is my vote for President and Vice
President meaningful in the Electoral
College? Is there still a need for an Electoral
College? These questions and more are
answered to understand how the Electoral
College works prior to Election Day,
November 4. Following the Election, the
results are then viewed through the lens of
the Electoral College process.
The Crusades and Their Relevance to the
21st Century
Bill Allen
Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20 [four Thursdays];
1:00—3:00 p.m.
Triplett Building, Chelsea Retirement Community,
809 W. Middle, Chelsea, MI.
This course is an update/repeat of Bill’s
popular course last Winter Term. Although
the last crusader died about 700 years ago,
the Crusades remain alive and relevant in
the 21st Century. This course examines the
nine Crusades as: a major cause of modern
21st Century Middle East friction; a fascinating,
improbable adventure story filled with
saints, sinners, heroes, villains, inspired
leaders, and feckless losers; and the
seminal event for Western Europe, which
ended the Dark Ages and triggered the
Renaissance.
Growing and Using Garden and Wild
Herbs
Pat Price
Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12 [four Wednesdays];
1:00—3:30 p.m.
The Pines—Theater and Kitchen, 325 Wilkinson
Street, Chelsea, MI.
Before there were cookbooks, there were
herb books. Aromatic and delicious, herbs
have flavored foods, helped ward off
diseases and assisted with household
cleanliness for centuries. Great pieces of literature have been created
around the love of herbs. Myths and legends
often include references to herbs. We start
our own romance with herbs and you’ll leave
with recipes and bundles of herbs to use
in cooking and in teas. NOTE: there is an $8
charge for supplies included in the course
fee.
Exploring Musical Theater
Angelo Angelocci, Bob Southgate, and
Chris Lenehan
Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 [four Mondays];
1:00—4:00 p.m.
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12,
Chelsea, MI.
This program is a continuation of the popular
course from last Fall for all those who like
musical theater. The musicals we are going
to see this time are: Showboat, The Mikado,
Carmen Jones and Rent. For those of you
who saw Carmen last session, you might
enjoy the updated version Carmen Jones for
comparison. Each of the movies are
preceded by an introduction which includes
a brief history of the production, information
about the director, casting problems, location
decisions, difficulties to overcome, perhaps
some out-takes, and sometimes inconsistencies.
After the showing, there is time for discussion
and evaluation.
The Splendors of Southern India
Bob and Carolyn Collins
Nov. 20 [one Thursday]; 1:00—3:00 p.m.
Maples I, Silver Maples, Old US 12,
Chelsea, MI.
Ancient spice ports, wild elephants, temple
festivals, lavish maharajas’ palaces, tea
plantations, widely diverse people — what a
colorful world India is! Roam the narrow
lanes from Bangalore to the Mysore
Markets, Malabar Coast, Kerala backwaters
and magnificent temple architecture of
Madurai and Thanjavur. This trip includes
the three most southerly states of Karnataka,
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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