TriDistrict Community Education

Thompson Times Subscription Subscription year runs from September 2025 through August 2026 and is printed 6 times throughout the year. Price is pro-rated as the year progresses.

These exercises are chair-based and low-impact. Improve muscle tone as you follow along with the 3x3 workout DVD, using resistance bands or rings. If you love it, you may decide to purchase your own set of rings.

Bean Bag Toss (aka Corn Hole) is a fun game for 2-4 players. Toss bean bags and score 1 point for landing on the board or 3 points for putting the bag through the hole; it's not as easy as it sounds! We supply the boards and bags, while you supply the fun and competitive spirit of the game. Played outdoors.

Discover the majestic world of bears using clues from berries, small rodents and fish. These super-sized, furry animals are our guardians of forests, mountains, and rivers. Showcasing in black, brown, white, glacial blue, and Spirit-bear-cream, bears hold wide respect in native cultures. They often instill fear in humans, as they are misunderstood. Learn why we all need bears to share our planet, unveiling the Spirit Bear as a symbol of successful collaboration in protecting one of the rarest bears on Earth. Presenter: Melanie Shipman, Lifelong Naturalist

Enjoy the camaraderie and skillful competition of Bocce Ball—a game that brings fun and health benefits. Simply aim to place your bocce balls closer to the pallino (little white ball) than your opponents. Games are self-monitored, with teams formed weekly, gathering around TPAC's patio for some outdoor enjoyment.

Get ready for a fun, hands-on class where you'll create 3 beautiful, handmade greeting cards! In May, we’ll focus on get-well, sympathy, and thanks; while August’s class will highlight kid and adult birthdays. Each card is thoughtfully designed and prepped by Stacey, so you can relax and let your creativity flow. All supplies are provided—just bring your enthusiasm! All skill levels welcome.

Being a caregiver as a spouse, child, or friend of an aging adult can take a toll. Your life is simply not the same. Access to information is key to navigating aging in a positive way. The caregiver support group comes together with trained facilitators to learn about topics relevant to this role. Please register in advance. Sponsored by DARTS. 2nd Wednesdays

Spread joy by crafting heartfelt notes with fellow volunteers. These messages of kindness will be included in locally delivered meals and brighten someone's day! Join us to create a ripple of happiness. All materials are supplied for this act of community compassion. Cardstock donations greatly appreciated. Facilitator: Pat Marshall 2nd Tuesdays

Join this fun group and work on your latest pencil project. All levels welcome, from novice to skilled. Staying inside the lines is your decision, but laughter and camaraderie is mandatory in this creative process. There is no instructor, but sharing your techniques is welcome! Bring your own pencils and art equipment.

Dementia Friends Dementia Friends is led by a Dementia Friends Champion. This one hour session is a discussion led by Dementia Friends Champion. It is not a training session. You’ll learn what dementia is, what it’s like to live with the disease, and some tips for communicating with people who have dementia. Everyone who attends is asked to turn their new understanding of dementia into practical action that can help someone living in your community. The action can be as big or as small as you choose-every action counts! Presenter: Colleen Fitsch

DoNut Forget the Music! Join us for a sweet time with live music by Vinnie Rose, who will take you on a musical journey through the decades-featuring swing, rock country, pop, blues and more! Great tunes Delicious donuts Unforgettable vibes Don’t miss out - come for the music, stay for the donut! Vinnie Rose is a dynamic solo performer known for captivating audiences with his solo acoustic live-looping shows, and delivering high-energy, interactive shows that are as skillful as they are fun. Spanning over nine decades of music, his setlist is a genre-spanning journey—swing, rock, country, pop, folk, blues, and more—often tailored on the fly to fit the crowd. Whether it’s a themed performance, spontaneous, or taking requests in real time, Vinnie brings a personal touch to every show. With a remarkable 3¼-octave vocal range and a looping guitar pedal that layers rich, rhythmic guitar textures, Vinnie creates the sound of a small band—all on his own. His passion for performing and connection with his audience consistently make him a favorite at venues throughout Minnesota. Vinnie Rose is a dynamic solo performer known for captivating audiences with his solo acoustic live-looping shows, and delivering high-energy, interactive shows that are as skillful as they are fun. Spanning over nine decades of music, his setlist is a genre-spanning journey—swing, rock, country, pop, folk, blues, and more—often tailored on the fly to fit the crowd. Whether it’s a themed performance, spontaneous, or taking requests in real time, Vinnie brings a personal touch to every show. With a remarkable 3¼-octave vocal range and a looping guitar pedal that layers rich, rhythmic guitar textures, Vinnie creates the sound of a small band—all on his own. His passion for performing and connection with his audience consistently make him a favorite at venues throughout Minnesota.Vinnie Rose is a dynamic solo performer known for captivating audiences with his solo acoustic live-looping shows, and delivering high-energy, interactive shows that are as skillful as they are fun. Spanning over nine decades of music, his setlist is a genre-spanning journey—swing, rock, country, pop, folk, blues, and more—often tailored on the fly to fit the crowd. Whether it’s a themed performance, spontaneous, or taking requests in real time, Vinnie brings a personal touch to every show. With a remarkable 3¼-octave vocal range and a looping guitar pedal that layers rich, rhythmic guitar textures, Vinnie creates the sound of a small band—all on his own. His passion for performing and connection with his audience consistently make him a favorite at venues throughout Minnesota.

THIS TOUR HAS A LOT OF WALKING L.A.R.K. Toy’s in Kellogg, MN for self-serve coffee and muffin (included). Look around the toy store with specialty items and books. Meet your Wildlife Tour Interpreter, Jim Nissen. Each year migration patterns change depending on food sources and weather conditions. Jim will make adjustments to the route in order to view species of waterfowl, raptors and shorebirds moving from their northern summer nesting areas to warmer southern wintering grounds. Spectacular tundra swans, majestic eagles, ducks and geese use this migration corridor. Stops along the route may extend into the La Crosse area. Bring your binoculars. Lunch at the Blue Moon Restaurant in Onalaska, WI Sample Menu: Soup & Sandwich Special - A Cup of Soup and Club Sandwich - Thinly sliced Turkey, Ham and Bacon with Lettuce, Tomato, Onion and Mayonnaise on Sourdough Bread, Homemade Potato Chips, Beverage, Cookie. Onalaska Upper Mississippi River National Fish & Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. There is information about the seasonal sights and sounds on the refuge. View some interactive exhibits about the diverse wildlife and habitats. The River Walk exhibit allows you to “walk on water” and see what lies below the surface of the river. Another activity is to walk to the nearby Lake Onalaska Overlook. Thursday, October 30, 2025 $108.00 Depart TPAC 7:30am / Return 6pm Depart SSP 7:45am / Return 5:45pm Depart IGH 8am / Return 5:30pm Register by Friday, September 26

Arrive for lunch at Coyote Moon Grille Restaurant overlooking the Territory Golf Club in St. Cloud. Menu: Entrée, Popover, Salad, Side Dish, Beverage, Dessert. Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. Step into the shoes of an inmate at Folsom Prison in 1968 and participate in the electrifying Johnny Cash show. Feel the palpable tension as the watchful Warden and his guards keep a vigilant eye, while Johnny Cash, June Carter, and the Statler Brothers ignite the stage with their timeless music. Be part of the historic performance! Friday, January 16, 2026 $120 Depart IGH 9am / Return 6:15 pm Depart SSP 9:15 am / Return 6 pm Depart TPAC 9: 30am / Return 5:45pm Register by Friday, Dec 5

Discover the joy of spontaneous fun in this lively beginning improv class designed especially for seniors! No scripts, no pressure—just playful exercises and games that spark creativity, laughter, and connection. You'll build confidence, improve thinking, and enjoy the freedom of expressing yourself in a supportive, low-stress environment. Come for the fun, stay for the friendships, and laugh because you can. Instructor: Laura Berger

Hear a first-hand account of what it was like for JapaneseAmericans who were interned in concentration camps right here in the U.S. during World War II. Sally’s family was moved from their home to the Puyallup Assembly Center in Washington state and then on to the Minidoka concentration camp in Idaho, where they spent the war years. Presenter: Sally (Ohno) Sudo

Join us for Toast and Topic on the last Monday of each month, a special time for men to visit and share their insights. Discuss various topics in an engaging environment. Take this opportunity to connect with new folks and contribute your thoughts. Even if you don’t usually ‘get involved’, your participation and insights will be appreciated. Facilitator: Rob Meyer No meeting December or May.