Summer Newsletter 2026
Thanks! Let’s Do It again!
By President Barbara Keating
I have really enjoyed seeing and meeting our new members at our LL events this past fiscal year. “Thank You!” to members who recruited friends to join. A special “Thank You!” to our volunteer leaders who have organized all our wonderful educational, social and special events!
Good news: Thanks to many member donations, Lifelong Learners finished our 1 July ’25 to 30 June ’26 fiscal year with a balanced budget! Yay…!! But … we have the same challenges facing us in FY ’27.
Please help as you can:
- Recruit more members: Our great programming includes something for everyone.
- Please volunteer for the committee or Council role of your choice! It is time for transition as well as for your new ideas and energy.
- If feasible, renew your membership at the Gold level.
- If feasible, make an additional donation on our website. Thanks!
Welcome New Members
- Julie Kroubetz
- Jane Unzeitig
- Susan Schalge
- Carol Pavel
- Joann Jaqua
- Joe Spear
Important Information
Membership and event registrations
Social Groups and Clubs Information
Save the Dates
Love Your Age Vine’s 55+ Expo
- When: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Mankato Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato
2026 Nobel Conference (62nd Annual)
- When: Tuesday and Wednesday, October 6 and 7, 2026
- Location: Christ Chapel, 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter
- Free
Learn more about our events or view our calendar of events.
Free First Friday Movie and conversation
Enjoy a free movie and good conversation!
- When: First Friday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
- Upcoming Movies:
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July 3 – NO MOVIE
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- Location: Pathstone Latitude and Landing, 115 Rogers Street, Mankato
Coffee and Current Events
Grab your coffee and join us on Zoom for relaxed, thoughtful conversations about what’s happening in the world. To sign up and receive a Zoom link for any of the meetings, email to coffeeandcurrentevents@gmail.com.
- When: Fourth Friday of each month from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- The next gatherings are: July 24, August 28, September 25
- Hosts: Steve Gilbert and Georgia Holmes.
Bridge Club
Do you enjoy using strategy, memory, and teamwork? It’s a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, connect with fellow players and just enjoy an afternoon of fun and camaraderie.
- When: Third Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
- Location: WOW! Zone, 2030 Adams St., Mankato.
- Host: Mary Bliesmer
Book Clubs
BookMarks Book Club
This book club reads fiction, books are selected monthly and announced in the weekly updates.
- When: Fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Conference Room at the Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St., Mankato.
- Book Selection (June 24): The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John Donahue and J. T. Molloy.
- Host: James Booker
History and Non-Fiction Book Club
This book club reads non-fiction and meets quarterly on the second Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Books are selected monthly and announced in the weekly updates.
- When: Quaterly on the second Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
- Next Meeting: September 10
- Location: North Mankato Police Annex at 1001 Belgrade Ave., North Mankato
- Book Selection: Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to Present by Fareed Zakaria.
- Host: Steve Gilbert
Dining Groups
Twice each month, we come together for a relaxed meal and good company. These gatherings offer an easy way to meet others, share stories, learn from one another, and enjoy lighthearted conversation.
Luncheon Group
- When: Second or Third Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Restaurants chosen monthly.
- Host: Sue Howard
Evening Dining Group
- When: Third or fourth Thrusday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Restaurants chosen monthly.
- Host: Sarah Suskovic
Weekly updates will include details about upcoming dining dates, and RSVPs can be made through the office manager.
Summer Quarter 2026 Presentations
Please Register in Advance of Attending.
Presentation Fees
- Gold Members: Free
- Silver Members: $7.00 per presentation
- Non-Members: $15.00 per presentation
Presentations
Click on the links below to learn more about each presentation. Register for presentations here.
1. Tuesday, July 14
- Understanding Your Body From the Inside Out: Muscle, Bone, Metabolism, and Healthy Aging
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2. Tuesday, July 21
- Why War?
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
3. Thursday, July 30
- Connections Shelter and Drop-In Center: Serving our Unhoused with Radical Welcome
- 10:00 a.m. - Noon
4. Monday, August 3
- Medical Emergency Response Procedures for Lay People
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
5. Tuesday, August 11
- The Secret Life of Cities: How Nature and People Shape Each Other in Urban Environments
- 2:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m.
6. Thursday, August 20
- Safe Harbor Services (Sex trafficking Case Management)
- 10:00 a.m. - Noon
7. Tuesday, August 25
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End of Life Doulas
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2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
8. Tuesday, September 8, 15 and 22
- Humanism as a Lifestance Three-Part Series: Naturalism, Ethics without Religion, and Meaning and Mattering
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Money Matters
Lifelong Learners is on track to end Fiscal Year 2026 on stabile financial ground.
- Income from tuition and membership (while short of the budgeted FY26 income) is projected to be $1,500 over the FY25 income.
- Great Decisions is running $1,500 ahead of budget in FY26.
- The largest contributor to our income this FY is donations. At the end of April, Lifelong Learners had received around $22,000 in donations and bequests.
- $15,721 of this amount came from two very generous gifts, more than $7,500 came from smaller gifts, which is over $1,700 ahead of the donations received by this time last fiscal year.
- $15,721 of this amount came from two very generous gifts
- More than $7,500 came from smaller gifts, which is over $1,700 ahead of the donations received by this time last fiscal year.
- 59 donors including 54 members have made monetary contributions. This represents over 25% of the Lifelong Learners membership. This does not include the countless hours donated by many of our member volunteers.
- We are grateful for memorial donations made for Pam Blair, Anita Dittrich, Dave Janovy and Nancy Zwickey.
Although FY26 ends in financial stability, it will take a monumental effort to have a similar ending for FY27 and subsequent years. A significant increase in our membership numbers is crucial for the long-term stability of our organization.
Therefore, for our organization’s future, recruit a friend, continue making donations and, if possible, volunteer for a committee, a Council position, a social activity, or a special event.
