歪歪漫画

The Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning (HCLL) returns with a spring series of eight educational programs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Feb. 25, at the Event Room in Park Rapids.

Leading off the series will be Don Wedll, instructor at Central Lakes College, presenting 鈥淭reaties and Tribal Governments,鈥� an overview of how and why the United States has a treaty relationship with tribal governments.

On March 4, Amy Stearns presents 鈥淒etroit Lakes Trolls.鈥� Director of Project 412, Stearns will share stories about the popular giant trolls built in spring 2024 by recycle artist Thomas Dambo.

John Egelhof presents 鈥淕reat Highland Bagpipe鈥� on March 11. A music teacher and bagpipe band veteran, Egelhof will relate the origin and storied history of bagpipe music and will demonstrate playing the instrument.

Back by popular request, Park Rapids speech students will entertain and inform audiences with creative and thought-provoking performances of their contest pieces on March 18.

Retired librarian Nancy Vaillancourt presents 鈥淢innesota鈥檚 Hooded History鈥� on March 25. Vaillancourt has spent years researching the Ku Klux Klan鈥檚 presence in Minnesota during the 1920s, and recounts a forgotten aspect of organized prejudice in Minnesota history.

Jeremy Norton presents 鈥淓mergency Response and End of Life Challenges鈥� on April 1. Norton, an author and 25-year firefighter/EMT veteran, discusses cultural disconnect, denial of end-of-life realities and emergency response.

Brian and Kathy Brandt of Bagley present 鈥淏arbecue Like a Pro鈥� on April 8. They will share their keys to backyard grilling as well as their journey to grand champion pitmasters and small business owners. Participants will have an opportunity to create their own personalized seasoning just in time for those summer BBQs.

Charlotte Peterson and Nancy Neal will close the spring series on April 15 with 鈥淥ur Transplant Journey,鈥� giving personal details and experiences about Nancy鈥檚 life-saving kidney donation to her sister Charlotte in 2017.

The venue is handicap accessible and provides ample parking. If inclement weather causes Park Rapids schools to close, HCLL鈥檚 program that day will also be canceled.

There is no charge for attendance. HCLL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation run by a volunteer board of directors and funded by tax-deductible donations.