Hastings Community Education

Simplify supper with one pot cooking! Using a sheet pan OR a skillet OR a pressure cooker to make a complete meal saves time and energy. Join Kirsten online in her kitchen as she demonstrates Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Peas, Sheet Pan Quesadillas or Pesce Primavera, and pressure cooker Beef Stroganoff Soup or Curried Wild Rice Soup for Two. There’s something for a wide spectrum of eaters: additional recipes in the handout range from 2 servings to 8, from vegan to omnivore. Class recording as well as bonus extra recipe videos will be provided to students afterwards if you’d like to cook along at your convenience.

Having a will is important for married couples, singles and divorced people. If you are without a will, the laws of Minnesota and a judge will make all the decisions regarding your estate. Don't let this happen. Learn about estates and wills, and prepare a legal will in class. Receive instructions and a professionally prepared form, have access to witnesses and a notary public. Prior to class, review the information forwarded to you. The will form is designed for individual use; couples cannot share this form (each person must register individually). Appropriate for people who have an estate of less than $2,000,000, including life insurance, live in Minnesota and do not own a business.

Have fun with your friends and family and make your own 8x8 Plate or Bowl – Show your creative flair and bring your great ideas to life in this fun class! You will select special COE glass, hand cut and design your own plate or bowl. There will be lots of different types of colors and nuggets to make something special. Make your piece of art at class and pick up your treasures a week later. Artist: Theresa Charpentier. Over 20 years of fused glass, mosaic and stained glass artistry experience.

Are you and your spouse nearing retirement age? Learn how to get the most out of your Social Security benefits as a couple. Topics include: How marriage impacts Social Security - The spousal and survivor benefits you may be eligible for based on your work records Deciding when to claim - Strategies for timing when each spouse claims benefits to maximize your household income over your lifetimes Coordinating with other income sources - Factoring Social Security into your overall retirement income plan alongside 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, etc. Taxes and Social Security - How benefits are taxed and ways to minimize taxes on your benefits in retirement Working while receiving benefits - The earnings limits that may affect your benefits Techniques higher-earning couples can utilize This class is essential for married couples wanting to ensure they receive their full share of the Social Security benefits they’ve earned. Attend with your spouse or partner.

Enjoy a blast from the past with the once-again popular art form, macrame. A fixture of every 1970s home, this art form is making a comeback on the contemporary art scene. In this project, you will learn a variety of knot-tying techniques to create a unique macrame project perfect for any home. This class is open to ages 14+.

Make 9 adorable cards and keep the supplies included in your kit. Plan to give the instructor $35 for your card kit at class and bring your own scissors. Kit includes: * Makes 9 cards sized: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (10.8 x 14 cm) * Includes 9 envelopes * Includes 2 Classic Stampin’ Spots in Bermuda Bay and Pumpkin Pie * Includes the exclusive Robot Buddies Photopolymer Stamp Set * Includes 2 printed sticker sheets * Includes 1 printed die-cut sheet * Includes 1 sheet of adhesive-backed googly eye embellishments * Includes enough adhesive to complete projects * A printed box for storage or crafting on the go

Are you nervous to begin filming and posting your own social media content? Do you have a business, product or service, but panic at the thought of putting yourself on social media? Well in this beginner class, you’ll learn helpful tips and strategies to create social media content with ease. You’ll never have to worry about freezing up in front of a camera, all thanks to the helpful skills you’ll be taking with you once your class is complete. We’ll walk you through a step-by-step process so that you can get started today! Students will leave the class with confidence on how to effectively create social media content for their specific audience, tips for filming a video and more! They will understand key terms, and leave with action items to create successful social media posts without panicking. Please note that class is taught live online. If a student is unable to attend the live online training time, they can still register and watch the recording of the training at their convenience. Follow-up support is also included from the instructor and students are encouraged to reach out with questions at any time before or after the class has concluded.

An educational presentation for anyone who wants to know more about Medicare. Topics will include Parts A, B, C, & D of Medicare, application process, estimated costs, supplements, MAPD, and when is the right time to sign up. This is an ideal course for people that are turning 65 or over 65 and coming off their employer medical plan as well as those currently enrolled in Medicare.

Make your very own tumbled sea glass holiday tree! A variety of colorful pre-tumbled glass colors in several sizes will be available for you to choose from to customize your 10” tall tree. Starfish and seashells options will also be available to adorn the top of your tree. A string of 10 fairy lights is included to add a finishing touch. Class includes all supplies and directions, no experience needed! You will love your adorable tree so much; you just might want to keep it up all year round! (Glass colors may vary depending on availability).

If you love to travel and love to write, this is for you! We will discuss how to use all your senses in a new destination to create more detailed and in-depth descriptions that capture and maintain readers’ interest, and whether or not you need to include photos with your work. You will also learn how to find and submit your finished product to print and online markets, the business side of travel writing (how to take travel tax deductions), and how to avoid worn-out travel writing cliches. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

You don’t need to be famous to have a legacy to leave behind. Create an inspirational autobiography for family, friends, and others. Learn how to recall vivid memories, analyze events and people that shaped who you are, and bring your story to life. Your handout, included in the class fee, will have an outline to help you organize and write your memoir step-by-step. Printing/publishing options will also be discussed. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Prepare to be more informed boiler operators and gain knowledge of boilers, codes and practices, in preparation for the State of MN boiler operator’s exams resulting in possible career advancement. Focus on low PSI steam and hot water heating boilers. Numerous components from boilers are used to provide accurate learning and a folder of pertinent information is provided. Three sample tests and corrected copies are provided. Handouts relating to the governing jurisdictional codes, applicable and currently enforced in Minnesota, are explained in an easy format. State exam applications and affidavit forms provided. (Opt’l textbook: Low Pressure Boilers, third edition, by Frederick M. Steingress and Daryl R. Walker. 2C students may not need this book, but the instructor highly recommends it for 1C and Chief students.) Lunch will be on your own.

Let’s get creative and design our own wine glasses and wine glass stem charms. Learn this easy and fun way to custom etch any glass. Several design options will be available. We will also create a set of 4 wine glass stem charms out of colorful beads. All supplies and instructions are included, and each participant will leave with 2 completed wine glasses and 4 charms.

With our presenters’ over 50 years of practice with Minnesotans planning for and reaching their retirement years, we have learned time and time again that whether you are in your 40s, 50s, or 60s there are several milestones and overlooked life areas where mistakes can lead to results that range from discomfort to disaster. Let’s identify those issues for you in a comfortable learning session full of real-life examples and opportunities to get questions and issues answered. A Zoom link will be emailed to you a few days before class starts. Be sure you have an active email account in our system.

Have you been curious about what ChatGPT is exactly and how it may affect you? Learn what you need to know about ChatGPT powered by Artificial Intelligence in this fun and engaging class! You will understand how it works exactly and why it's taking the world by storm. You'll also learn practical everyday uses for ChatGPT in the workforce and at home. Don't get left behind in today's tech savvy world, and attend this upcoming training! Please note that class is taught live online. If a student is unable to attend the live online training time, they can still register and watch the recording of the training at their convenience. Follow-up support is also included from the instructor and students are encouraged to reach out with questions at any time before or after the class has concluded.

¿Hablas un poquito español? Then this course is for you! Intermediate Spanish is specifically designed for the adult learner who has taken some Spanish in the past but wishes to improve conversational skills. Grammar and vocabulary concepts will include present tense AR verb conjugation, infinitive verbs, future tense with the verb IR, adverbs of frequency, useful prepositions, and more. Participants will practice conversation skills including learning how to make plans and discussing preferences in Spanish. Culture discussions will cover holiday traditions and celebrations in Spanish speaking countries. Like all Futura classes, a dynamic interactive approach will be used to keep the class fun and exciting! Applicable to new students and previous Beginner Spanish Part 1 and 2 conversation participants. Ability to access zoom and basic working computer knowledge essential.

Do you have future aspirations for traveling to a Spanish speaking country? If so, this is the class for you! Participants learn basic conversation skills to get around a Spanish-speaking country with greater ease. This class will include helpful dialogue, greetings, how to barter at a market and order in a restaurant, and how to ask for simple directions. Each class will include a travel related theme to practice real world Spanish! Like all Futura classes, a dynamic and interactive approach will be used to keep the class fun and exciting! Applicable to new students and previous Spanish conversation participants.

¿Quieres mejorar tu español? Then this is the course for you! This advanced course is for students who have had previous Spanish classes and are looking to take their skills to the next level. Advanced Spanish will focus on the past tense (preterite and imperfect tenses) and more complex grammatical aspects of conversation including verb tenses and conjugations. Students will learn to express things they’ve done in the past in Spanish as well as broaden their conversational skills. Applicable to new students and previous Intermediate Spanish conversation participants. Ability to access zoom and basic working computer knowledge essential.

Learning a language is a lifelong journey and now you are on your way! Keep up the momentum in Beginner Spanish Part Two. Participants will continue with practical conversational components and builder phrases in Spanish enabling them to carry on small conversations related to giving and asking for directions and restaurant conversation. Vocabulary and grammar components will include weather, seasons, dates with months, days of the week, family vocabulary along with the verbs ser and tener conjugations. Culture discussions will include the importance of food, family, and friendships in Spanish speaking countries. Applicable to new students and previous Beginner Part 1 Spanish conversation participants. Ability to access zoom and basic working computer knowledge essential.

Glass mosaic sounds like a fancy, difficult art form however in this class, you will learn how it can be fun and easy while you mosaic a table lamp or candle lantern. Look through the idea book, browse the patterns and stencils, and choose from dozens of colors of precut glass. The first evening will involve homework and the second evening will be grouting. Additional supply fees are paid directly to Lindsey. The 4x4x9 lamp is $45 and the 11" tall candle lantern is $40.