Co facilitator:  Carl Hays

Gain insight into the perspectives of today's college students by attending a meeting of the Waubonsee Socialists, a student organization at Waubonsee Community College. Club members explore socialist ideas, discuss political and social issues, and learn through conversation and debate. LLI participants will observe a regularly scheduled meeting and may have an opportunity for respectful interaction with club members. This is not a lecture or advocacy program, but an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand how some younger adults view issues affecting society today.

Speaker:  J. Chatman, WCC Professor

Co-facilitator:  Sandy Funkey

On this day of remembrance, embark on a review of The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, written by John U. Bacon. Your captains of the day will focus on Gordon Lightfoot who made the wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald famous; the fabled Lake Superior; and the men and families at the center of this disaster. When you disembark, you will know much more about this seafaring legend.

Book:  The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon (NOT REQUIRED)

Co-facilitators:  Ann Hastert, Kim Carew

Why study the Underground Railroad (UGRR) when there are so many current events that demand our attention? Study to help give us greater and/or deeper understanding of today's events. Our study will be in two parts. Session 1: "Beginnings" will focus on those events dating from the Magna Carta in 1215 that contributed to a mindset that made the UGRR possible. Session 2: "Civil Disobedience" will go into detail on the involvement of First Congregational Church's pastors and members in this great endeavor. Be prepared to research areas mentioned that you don't know about and share your findings. Be prepared to share any knowledge you have of your church's involvement in similar acts of civil disobedience then and now - in today's "above ground" Underground Railroad.

In this course, participants will create a lighted glass vase centerpiece. Participants will learn the basics of centerpiece arrangement and how to use "fairy lights" in a simple craft.

From electricity and motion to renewable resources, energy powers nearly everything we do. Participants will examine how energy is created, transferred, and used in everyday life through discussion, demonstrations, and simple engineering challenges. The session also explores how energy technology has evolved over time and what the future may hold. Activity Level: Easy Going

The Registration DEADLINE is 10/28/2026. (No Exceptions)

In this course, participants will create a lighted glass vase centerpiece. Participants will learn the basics of centerpiece arrangement and how to use "fairy lights" in a simple craft.

Co-facilitators:  Carolyn Hopkins, Amy Stewart

NOTE:  Classes will be held on 11/13, 11/20, 12/4 and 12/11.  NO class on 11/27.

Facilitation is more than presenting content—it’s about creating meaningful learning experiences. This course will provide practical guidance and tools to help you succeed, whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow your facilitation skills. We’ll cover the skills needed to encourage meaningful discussion, choosing topics, and create a course outline, as well as practical experience with forms, tech equipment, and resources.

-THIS COURSE IS FREE-

There will be no class on 11/27/26.

Critical Thinking for Everyday Life 1 covers claims, cognitive bias, media literacy, scientific thinking, persuasion, and manipulation. It presents critical thinking as a disciplined method for judging claims fairly and minimizing the chance of falling for and acting on misinformation, disinformation, and scams. It helps attendees recognize fallacies, decode statistics, evaluate sources, spot manipulation, and navigate AI-generated content.

This is the first of a two part series.