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.

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.

We select a wide range of authors and locales, and enjoy stimulating discussions on our interpretations, speculations and theories of the book. It’s truly amazing the wonderful insights each reader brings to the discussions! Facilitator: Joyce Wahlquist July: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister Aug: Hidden Depths by Ann Cleves 2nd Tuesdays

Discover the exciting world of high-altitude research with the NASA MN Space Grant Consortium! This presentation explores the science behind weather balloons, how they collect atmospheric data, and their role in space and climate research. Learn how these balloon missions help advance scientific understanding and provide valuable insights into our planet and beyond. Don't miss this fascinating event. Presenter: James Flaten, PhD, Assoc Dir of NASA's MN Space Grant Consortium

Eloise's programs are designed to promote connections with nature. Register one week or more in advance. It's time - let's go! March Looking for Spring Hike Maybe you will need to wear boots or a raincoat, or winter-wear still, but we are heading out on Thompson Park trails in search of early signs of spring. Will March come in like a lamb or go out like a lion? Whatever, there will be signs of spring and we will find them! April April Foolery This program is all about nature facts, fiction, trivia and maybe even attempts at stumping the naturalist. Let's have some laughs! May Spring Birding Join fellow bird enthusiasts on a guided hike through the woodlands, around the lake, and across nearby grasslands at Thompson Park. We'll be on the lookout for early spring migratory birds in their natural habitats. Bring your favorite field guides and binoculars if you have them! June Plants Alive How much do you really know about plants? Discover surprising facts and answer intriguing questions during this engaging, station-based activity that takes place both indoors and outdoors. July Summer Garden Tour Looking for gardening inspiration? Join us for a tour of three unique off-site gardens during their peak blooming season. We'll meet at Thompson Park Activity Center (TPAC) at 9:00 AM to arrange carpools, then explore the vibrant and imaginative gardens in West St. Paul and St. Paul, spending 20–25 minutes at each garden. Aug The Soil Beneath Our Feet Soil is a vital resource we often take for granted. In this class, you'll learn about the different types of soil, how it's used (and abused), and its importance to life on Earth. Gain a deeper appreciation for the ground beneath your feet!

Join our nonfiction book club on the first Thursday of the month at 1 pm.

Register here to board the bus at Thompson Park Activity Center: Set out on a riding tour with a tour guide to discover the works of Norwegian entrepreneurs, architects, athletes and educators in the Twin Cities. Pass statues created by nationally known sculptors and view imposing structures created by famous architects. The tour will weave in other significant contributions by those whose roots reach back to Norway. Learn about the Anderson Library, colleges, medical breakthroughs and prominent statesman. Go inside the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church “Minderkirken” - one of the last Norwegian speaking church congregations in the U.S. The Pastor will talk about the church's significance in the celebration of the first Norwegians to sail to America and the 2025 Bicentennial Celebration. Walk next door to Norway House for coffee and a light lunch (included) at The Kaffebar Café. The Norway House is dedicated to connecting contemporary Norway and the United States through education and partnership. Take time to visit the small museum, the gift area and the exhibits throughout the building. Continue the tour this afternoon and conclude at Nordic Ware to do some shopping. Thursday, September 25 Depart TPAC 9:30 am / Return 4 pm Register by Friday, August 22

Come together for fun and heartfelt moments of connection and creativity. Share your knitting, crocheting, and other hobbies in this warm, non-instruction peer group. It's a space to learn from one another while forming lasting bonds.

This group session time period is September 2024 through August 2025: Enjoy getting together with this social group for men and women for 1-2 outings a month, often including lunch. After registering, information will be emailed to you by the group's Communications Coordinator. Each member supports the group in the following ways: Pay the $10 annual fee to TPAC. Pay costs of activities in which you participate. Organize an activity (we can help with ideas). If ride-sharing, optional cash donation to the driver for gas. Dates vary Communications Coordinators: Dorothy Lea & Kathy Hansen