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Mahtomedi District Education Center

Normandy Park Education Center

History: American Leper Colonies

We don’t think of leprosy as an “American disease”, but it was and is. Patients (often called inmates) were held as prisoners. They lost their civil rights and frequently their families. Hansen’s Disease/Leprosy destroyed lives as much through stigma as through illness. Learn how a mistranslation of the Bible was used to put people away for years, sometimes with the goal being for them to die. More importantly, learn how they coped with banishment and even found joy.

Fri, Jun 20

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Normandy Park Education Center

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History: Hoping For a Home: the Orphan Trains

From 1854 to 1930, more than 200,000 children were put on trains to remove them from the poverty and danger of the city streets in the East. They were to be offered to morally upright farm families in the Midwest, many in Minnesota. The children were put on display and chosen by those willing to take them, with results that were sometimes great and sometimes horrible. Come learn about the process and the stories of the children who went through it, hoping for a home

Fri, May 9

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Normandy Park Education Center

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History: Our Government in Hiding

What happens if a catastrophe or nuclear attack killed our president and government leaders? Who would be in charge? Where would they be located? How would the country function? We’ll be talking about the history of plans for such an event, beginning way back in 1776, through WWII and today. You’ll learn about the bunkers, the plans for succession (not always what you think), the practice drills currently held each year, who will be saved and who is expendable if the unthinkable happens.

Fri, Apr 11

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Normandy Park Education Center

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How To Raise Butterflies

Did you know that in the wild, less than 10% of eggs laid survive long enough to become butterflies? The survival rates for butterfly eggs are so low due to various threats like predators such as ants, bees, spiders as well as bad weather and pesticides. Learn how to collect eggs from Black Swallowtails and Monarchs and raise them indoors to increase their chances of survival. Raising butterflies inside is easy and educational as you watch the transformation life cycle from egg to a beautiful butterfly. It is a miraculous experience for people of all ages. Students ages 7-17 can attend with a registered adult

Thu, Apr 24

7:00 - 8:30 PM

7 yr.

Introduction to Voiceovers ...get started in voice acting! (online)

Explore the craft of voiceovers! Discover current trends, opportunities and tools you need to find success in this growing remote working industry. Read a real script and receive coaching from your instructor, a professional voice actor, to improve your delivery. One-time, 90 minute, one-on-one, video-chat class! Learn more: http://www.voicesforall.com/ooo 18 and over. Upon registration you will be contacted by VFA to schedule your class for a day and time of your convenience. Requirements: Students must have Internet Access and Video Chatting capabilities using a method such as: Zoom, Skype, or iChat/FaceTime.

Introduction to Voiceovers ...get started in voice acting! (online)

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Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Come join our instructor, Melinda Colwell, to learn this interesting and challenging game of arranging tiles for a winning hand. Mahjongg is a fantastic game for giving our brains some great exercise and bringing players together for sociability and fun! Melinda teaches with enthusiasm and compassion, striving to bring everyone along together. First, by learning the basics, then finish with the ability to play together with confidence and enjoyment. Come join us! NOTE: There is a $15 cash supply fee for the 2025 Mah Jongg game play card.

Fri, May 2 - Jun 6

2:00 - 3:30 PM

Normandy Park Education Center

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Native Plants for Lousy Soil

Do you have that patch of lousy soil where nothing seems to grow very well? There are plenty of tough MN native plants that will not only survive, but thrive in sketchy soil conditions. We will chat about all aspects of those tricky soil sites to get plants and blooms started for season to come including free soil testing. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Mon, May 12

Forest Lake Area Schools Education Center

Native Plants for Shade & Woodlands

Do you have a dark and damp corner of your property that you want to bring out of the shadows with blooms and bunchgrasses? Let’s go beyond hostas and the humbugs of traditional green foliage for these tricky shade areas. There are lots of woodland treasures that will add a nice glow to the shadiest swaths. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Mon, Jul 14

Normandy Park Education Center

Parking Lot Sale

We have the space, you bring the stuff! Individuals, non-profits, small businesses, EVEREYONE, is invited register for set up their own mini-sale. The sale will be held outside in the Normandy Park Education Center / Senior Center in the parking lot, on the sidewalk and in plaza areas if needed, rain or shine. Sale Hours Set Up: 7:30 - 9:00 am Sale: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Clean Up: 2:00 - 3:00 pm Equipment Bring tables and chairs from home (we do not have any tables for rent this year) OR Pull your car/truck into your space and sell out of your trunk Cash box with change Beverages and food for the day Tents are permitted (no stakes) Rental Options: All rental proceeds help support the White Bear Area Senior Program. No refunds. $25 for a 18' x 19' space (size of 2 side by side parking spaces) Questions? Call 651-653-3121 THE PARKING LOT SALE IS A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE SENIOR CENTER. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS .

Sat, May 17

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Normandy Park Education Center

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Spring Lawn Care

Once the snow melts, let’s get that lawn perked up and growing! When to dethatch, fertilize, seed, and treat those pesky weeds will be discussed, plus a ton more. Learn some simple tips and techniques that can help you get the best performance out of your yard while saving some cash and preventing pollution. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Thu, Apr 24

Forest Lake Area Schools Education Center

The Many Minnesota Milkweeds

We have over a dozen Milkweeds that are native to Minnesota. Let’s chat about the wide variety of these great pollinator plants! Some are wildly popular and very common growing in gardens and local sceneries. We also will discuss where to buy milkweed plants and seed, plus how and where to add these pollinator magnets to your landscapes. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Thu, Jun 26

Normandy Park Education Center

Women Veterans Day

Join us in honoring our past and present women veteran's with a short program and refreshments for their service thanks to the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. Sponsored b V FW 1782 Women's Auxiliary

Thu, Jun 12

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Normandy Park Education Center

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Women's Self-Defense Seminar

This women's self-defense seminar will help you acquire the strategies and skills sets necessary to protect yourself from attack situations which are common and unique to females. Learn preemptive tactics, escape maneuvers, verbal interventions, physical techniques, and the effective use of self-defense devices, in order to quickly, and successfully, end a potentially dangerous encounter or assault. A strong emphasis will also be placed on empowering the mind, which is of paramount importance in prevailing in an attack. Come see for yourself how this seminar will give you the supreme confidence and extraordinary power to face any threatening situation. Ages 13-15 must be accompanied by a registered adult, Ages 16-17 with an adult (female or male) who stays to observe.

Wed, Aug 20

5:00 - 8:00 PM

Mahtomedi High School

13 yr.