It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Sue Freitag, our friend, student and instructor. Mary Sue Freitag went to be with her darling daughter Suzanne. She passed away at the St. Joseph Medical Center on Monday morning February 19, 2018 with her family by her side. She was born to Edward and Eva (Hawkins) Zatarga on November 17th, 1940 at South Bend Memorial Epworth. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Elizabeth Huston and her daughter Suzanne Beth Freitag. On May 14, 1966 Mary Sue married Ronald Freitag at St. Patrick’s Church in South Bend. She was beloved mother to Christopher Anthony and Suzanne Beth. She made it a point to introduce her children to various cultural activities, hoping that they, too, would share in her love of the arts.

The amazing amount of research that we see every day supporting the need for programs such as Forever Learning Institute is staggering. It seems that what we knew intuitively is now attracting the attention of psychologists and sociologists. According to a recent article published in The Caregiver Space, scientists believe that simply conversing with friends and family can stimulate the brain to form new connections. If that's true, image what learning a new skill or debating a philosophical position could do!

Though it didn't make the Course Guide, Jim Turnbo will be returning to Forever Learning this spring with his Aging Gracefully through Balanced Exercise and Nutrition on Mondays. This class will cover ten points to living a long, healthy, and active life. The course is interactive, with both lecture and application periods. As the course finishes, each individual will be armed with the tools to keep them healthy until they take their last breath. As a student, you’ll have a completed workbook for reference to use whenever you want.

With great sadness, we announce the passing of long time Forever Learning Instructor, Jim Fischoff. Jim taught our Sit and Be Fit classes at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. James R. Fischoff, 76, passed away unexpectedly at 8:43 am Sunday at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

The Universe, will be offered this winter at the Jewish Federation on Mondays 10-11:20 a.m. January 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, and 19. Taught by Dr. James Powell, the classes cover The Ancient Universe, Astronomy and Telescopes, The Cosmos, The Galaxies and Stars, The Solar System and Planets, and The Earth. The presentations require little or no prior scientific knowledge. Students may download the Winter Registration Form and note the class title.

Silvertones, Forever Learning Institute's choral singers, have been working all fall on their new repertoire for this holiday season and will debut their talent at the November 30 Fall Festival. Silvertones Director, Maretta Hershberger, has also announced the group's annual holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1021 Manchester,South Bend, IN. We hope to see all of our FLI friends there to enjoy this amazing group of talented singers!

Forever Learning will be offering classes over the winter break hosted by The Jewish Federation. To see class offerings and download a registration form, please below.

Many of our classes still have space, but the following courses have filled for this semester: iPad and iPhone - all courses; Memory, Aging & the Brain; The Universe - at FLI only; MahJong - at FLI only; Watercolor, both beginning and workshop; Spiritual Art Journal and Matter of Balance - at Southfield.

Due to overwhelming interest, two additional class sessions have been added for both Ireland, Troubled History of the Emerald Isle and Dear Leaders and Dark Horizons, the Making of North Korea.

Forever Learning is now offering classes at Southfield Village. Beginning this fall, we will hold classes on Mondays, running concurrently with our regular 10-week semester. Classes will include Exploring Your Voice, Matter of Balance, Beginning Spanish and The Universe. Students will be able to register for Southfield classes, as well as all our locations, online and onsite beginning August 29.

Stores are filling up with back packs and thermoses, but back to school isn’t just for kids any more! Michiana’s own Forever Learning Institute is offering senior adults over 110 classes this fall on just about every topic you can imagine (and possibly a few more). Care to learn a new language, play the guitar, or brush up on your computer skills? Or maybe The Making of North Korea or Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and the American Dream are more your speed. Forever Learning instructors can help you avoid scams, invest your savings, or tackle a mouthwatering tailgate that will entice any football fan. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 29, when registration at Forever Learning Institute is set to begin. Unlike any other school you may have attended, Forever Learning offers students and instructors the opportunity to explore interests they are passionate about and share this excitement with like-minded learners. Serving over 700 students each semester, FLI is quickly becoming the boutique learning center of South Bend. Classes are held at the main campus in the Parish Center of St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, as well as the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, and new this semester, on Mondays at Southfield Village. Students may view all course offerings online at www.foreverlearninginstitute.org or call the Institute at 574-282-1901 to reserve a course guide. Guides are also available at all St. Joseph County Public Libraries. Classes will begin Monday, September 11, 2017. Registration for all classes will be held August 29, 30 and 31. Students may register for classes online, by mail, or in person at the Forever Learning Institute, 54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend.