Co-facilitator: Carolyn Hopkins

This class will be repeated on July 7

Walters Way: Coach, His Runners, and His Race, is the intimate biography of Wilbert Walters, who followed the Great Migration North from New Orleans and founded Aurora Sundowners Track Club. His dream was to turn vulnerable black youth into proud women and men achieving their own potential. Coach Walters learned what it was like to be invisible in one world while his athletes were winning National Junior Olympic medals in another. His story holds up a mirror to 20th century Aurora history. Civil Rights on the national stage meant bombastic events and changes. Black Aurorans were working quietly to break down local systemic barriers, while White Aurora prided itself on being free of racism. The book’s author will lead discussions on how we experience race relations. What has changed in Aurora and what has not?

Walters Way: A Coach, His Runners and His Race By Maureen McKane (REQUIRED) Book can be purchased at the Waubonsee Bookstore or your favorite bookstore. The book is also available at local libraries.

Co-organizer: Amy Stewart

Downtown Aurora was once the heart of entertainment, shopping, and everyday life. For many, this vivid memory still lives. A relaxed walking tour revisits former theaters, restaurants, hotels, and local businesses, along with pivotal moments such as historic fires, Aurora’s cultural ambitions and questionable cuisine. As we walk along Broadway, once dominated by streetcars and interurbans, we will take our time, pause at key locations, and invite participants to share their own stories and recollections. Along the way, we will highlight today’s downtown businesses and spaces, connecting the past to the present. Designed at a comfortable pace, this tour is as much about remembering together as it is about history. Please wear comfortable shoes and come prepared to reminisce. Tour will be led by local historian Tracy Duran. Meet at the Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer, Aurora. Activity Level: LET'S GO. This same tour will be repeated on July 8.

Co-organizer: Betty Williams

Registration deadline: June 10

Tour 2 mansions of historical significance with a deluxe lunch at Uptown Grille. Reddick Mansion is an 1858 pre-Civil War home of Wm. Reddick designed by Olmstead and Nicholson. Reddick was a state senator and LaSalle County sheriff. The 22 rooms in 4 stories overlooked the Lincoln Douglas debates of 1858 at the park across the street. It was the town library until 1975 and is now on the register of historic sites. Industrial baron, Edward Hegeler, was once the largest zinc manufacturer in the U. S. His 1876 home was designed by W. W. Boyington with 57 rooms on 7 levels. Their enterprise is known for science, Asian philosophy and also Cricket magazine for children. You'll view the country's 1st private residence gymnasium along with 80% of the home's period furnishings original to the Hegeler-Carus family. Architects (AIA) rate this as one of Illinois' 200 Great Places.

Activity Level: On Your Feet, or you may opt out of upper level tour. 

Motor Coach pick up location: WCC- Sugar Grove campus, North entrance, Outside Fieldhouse - red door 8:45AM

The history of protests began before recorded time. There was always a fight: Conquer and Conquered. What's behind the scenario? Together, we will explore the notion of "Integrity versus Utility." Fights are won and lost over ideals and ideas. What is your current protest? What are the motives behind your reason or lack of it? Who and what are we fighting for or against? Our goal as life-long learners is to make intelligent decisions, based on intelligent investigation. Anchored in humor, mutual respect and curiosity, we can find new ways to learn and new ways to learn together. If memory is a "group sport", so is curiosity and humor. The course will not be a political arena to support or dispute the current administration. Our focus is on ideas and application.

Co-facilitator: Carolyn Hopkins

This class is a repeat of a previous class on June 10.

Author, Maureen McKane will discuss her book, Walters Way: Coach, His Runners, and His Race. It is the intimate biography of Wilbert Walters, who followed the Great Migration North from New Orleans and founded Aurora Sundowners Track Club. His dream was to turn vulnerable black youth into proud women and men achieving their own potential. Coach Walters learned what it was like to be invisible in one world while his athletes were winning National Junior Olympic medals in another. His story holds up a mirror to 20th century Aurora history. Civil Rights on the national stage meant bombastic events and changes. Black Aurorans were working quietly to break down local systemic barriers while White Aurora prided itself on being free of racism. The book’s author will lead discussions on how we experience race relations. What has changed in Aurora and what has not?

Walters Way: A Coach, His Runners and His Race By Maureen McKane (REQUIRED) Book can be purchased at the Waubonsee Bookstore or your favorite bookstore. The book is also available at local libraries.

Co-organizer: Amy Stewart

Downtown Aurora was once the heart of entertainment, shopping, and everyday life. For many, this vivid memory still lives. A relaxed walking tour revisits former theaters, restaurants, hotels, and local businesses, along with pivotal moments such as historic fires, Aurora’s cultural ambitions and questionable cuisine. As we walk along Broadway, once dominated by streetcars and interurbans, we will take our time, pause at key locations, and invite participants to share their own stories and recollections. Along the way, we will highlight today’s downtown businesses and spaces, connecting the past to the present. Designed at a comfortable pace, this tour is as much about remembering together as it is about history. Please wear comfortable shoes and come prepared to reminisce. Tour will be led by local historian Tracy Duran. Meet at Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer, Aurora.    Activity Level: LET'S GO.

This is a repeat of the June 17 tour.

Cofacilitator: Carl Hayes

How did humans go from roaming the land to building cities? Watch the video and join scientist Ella Al-Shamahi as she relates the story of civilization to life. She reveals how settling down sparked population growth, specialized work, governments, and written records that changed humanity.

Co-facilitator: Carl Hayes

Join us to watch a video of Tom Skilling and Bill Kurtis as they explore the science and stories behind our most unforgettable blizzards. Learn why these powerful storms strike Chicago. Hear firsthand accounts of those who could have been stranded by snow. Could such blizzards happen again?