Author Archives: Robert Traczyk

Spring 2021 Courses

Purple Loosestrife and the Turtle Flambeau Flowage

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Date: August 19, 2021

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

What has 14,000 acres of water, over 212 miles of shoreline, 195 islands, 95 percent publicly owned, and has the highest concentration of breeding eagles and loons in the state?  You guessed it… the Crown Jewel of the State, the Turtle Flambeau Flowage Scenic Waters Area.  Unfortunately, it also has the wetland invasive, Purple Loosestrife.  For over 10 years a group of Conservation minded individuals have been fighting this invasive.  Come join us and learn about their efforts.
Meeting Location:  Mercer Public Library, 2648 Margaret St, Mercer, WI 54547

 Covid –19 Protocols: Mask Required and Social Distancing
(Space is limited to 8 participants) Canoes, Paddles, and Lifejackets Provided.

Spring 2021 Courses

Iron County Loon and Lake Study

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Date: July 28, 2021

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

For over 20 years the Iron County Land and Water Conservation Department has been studying the relationship between the Common Loon and our Northwoods Lakes.  Tag along and learn about their research and how Conservation efforts through this project have helped loons hatch 74 loon chicks.
Meeting Location:  Mercer Public Library, 2648 Margaret St, Mercer, WI 54547

 Covid –19 Protocols: Mask Required and Social Distancing
(Space is limited to 8 participants) Canoes, Paddles, and Lifejackets Provided.

Spring 2021 Courses

Northwoods Aquatic Invasive Species

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Date: June 23rd

Time: 1:00pm-4:pm  

Join Conservation Specialist Zach Wilson as he shares his knowledge of the aquatic invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil and Yellow Iris. Learn how to identify these invasive plants and explore the threats they pose on our water ecosystems.
Meeting Location:  Long Lake Boat Landing Hwy G, Iron County, WI.

 Covid –19 Protocols: Mask Required and Social Distancing
(Space is limited to 8 participants) Canoes, Paddles, and Lifejackets Provided.

Past Fe University courses

Navigating the Home Stretch

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Course Title:  Navigating the Home Stretch:

Dates:  Mondays, May 3, 10, 17, 24

Time:  10:00 – 11:30 AM

Location:  Zoom

Fee: $20

Objectives:  To support and help students make informed end-of-life decisions

Course structure:  The course will be given in _4__ sessions, each _90__ minutes long, covering the following topics:

Session 1: Watch and discuss video, “What Really Matters at the End of Life with panel, Rev. Erv Teichmiller, Chad McGrath, psychologist, Dr. Gordon Pierpont, retired physician, Martha Pierpont, retired nurse practitioner.

Session 2: Discuss the book, Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande, on navigating the health care system, led by the panel.

Session 3: Attorney Ryan Long and paralegal Jennifer Rye will present options in the area for assisted care and documents like living wills and healthcare powers of attorney. Representatives from Avanti Home Health Care Services and Midwest Regional Hospice will discuss what their organizations offer.

Session 4: End of life celebrations and burial options. Andrew Smithson from McKevitt Patrick Funeral Home will funeral options and traditional burial, and other burial options will be discussed.

Requirements: It is recommended that students read the book, Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande. Copies are available at the Mercer Library and on Amazon.

Instructors:

Reverend Erv Teichmiller is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Garrett Theological Seminary. In addition to serving a number of churches in Wisconsin over the years, he directed the Northwoods Guidance and Community Mental Health Center in Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties. He is currently ministering at the Mercer United Methodist Church, is chair of the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission and a member of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources State Board. Erv is married to Nancy, has three sons and seven grandchildren.

Chad McGrath has a bachelor’s degree from Carthage College in Kenosha WI and a master’s in psychology from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He has worked as a psychologist at Elgin State Hospital and as an administrator at mental health centers in Marshfield and Wausau. He spent five years working part-time as a psychotherapist for Community Health Services in Rhinelander and ran the Dr. Kate Newcomb Nursing Home and the Koller Behavioral Health center. He is currently on the adjunct faculty at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau and has taught at Lac Courte Oreilles College out of Hayward. He now runs a nursery in Springstead, WI, and has authored several books. He has previously taught psychology, landscaping and cross-country skiing courses for Fe University.

Dr. Gordon Pierpont grew up in Montreal, WI, and graduated from Hurley High School. He earned a PhD at the University of Wisconsin in 1970. After completing a post-doctoral fellow in research at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, he obtained an MD from the University of Miami where he met his wife Mary Ella. Gordon and Mary Ella moved to the Twin Cities where he specialized in cardiology. He chose the VA Hospital in Minneapolis for his career’s work where he taught, carried out research and provided care to VA patients for thirty years. His work with aging veterans has given him a unique perspective into caring for the geriatric population.

Ryan Long is an attorney with Sturgul and Long, S.C. where he practices primarily in the area of elder law, which includes estate planning, nursing home planning and Medicaid planning. He focuses on asset protection and recently taught a course for Fe University on that subject. He graduated with a BS degree in business management and philosophy from Hamline University and earned his juris doctor from Hamline University School of Law in 2012. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Wisconsin Elder Law and Special Needs Section. Ryan and his wife, Kim, live in Ashland, WI with their twin children, Luke and Elizabeth. Ryan enjoys biking, skiing, tennis and backpacking in his free time. He began working with Attorney Paul A. Sturgul in 2014.

Jennifer Rye, LBSW, is a medicaid paralegal with Sturgul and Long, S.C. She is a licensed social worker in both Michigan and Wisconsin. At Sturgul and Long, S.C., she assists clients with Medicaid eligibility, prepares and files Medicaid applications, coordinates benefits of all kinds, finds placement for clients in long-term care facilities and helps families navigate the complex long-term care process. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Superior with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She has worked for Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress, Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center, Sky View Nursing Center and Regional Hospice Services as a social worker. Jen and her husband have raised their family in Iron County and spend their leisure time enjoying the Northwoods.

Past Fe University courses

Using Irrevocable Trusts to Protect Asset

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Course Title:  Using Irrevocable Trusts to Protect Assets

Dates:  Tuesdays, April 13, 20, 27, 2021

Time:  10:30-noon

Location:  Virtual

Fee: $15

Objectives:  There is great confusion over what happens to certain assets, such as a home or cabin, when long-term care arises.  Will you be forced to sell your home or cabin?  Will the state recover against these assets?  What do you do with your estate if one of your beneficiaries has a legal disability and is prohibited from having any assets of value?  This course will teach you the basic rules around long-term care and Medicaid and the steps you can take in advance to protect your most cherished assets.  This course will also teach you how to properly plan for leaving assets to a beneficiary that has a legal disability. 

Course structure:  The course will be given in 3 sessions, each 60 minutes long, covering the following topics:

Session One:   Basic Long-Term Care and Medicaid Rules

Session Two:  Using Irrevocable Trusts to Protect Assets from Nursing Home Costs

Session Three: Using Irrevocable Trusts to Leave Assets to Disabled Beneficiaries

Requirements: There is no requirement that attendees have any knowledge on these subjects,  nor are there any required readings.

Instructor:

Ryan J. Long is an attorney with Sturgul & Long, S.C. where he practices primarily in the area of elder law, which includes estate planning, nursing home planning, and Medicaid planning. As part of his nursing home planning and Medicaid planning practice, he focuses on asset protection.

Mr. Long received his bachelor’s degree in business management and philosophy, summa cum laude, from Hamline University School of Business in 2009.  He earned his juris doctor, cum laude, from Hamline University School of Law in 2012.  He is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.  Mr. Long also serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Elder Law and Special Needs Section and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Past Fe University courses

Ducks, Geese, Swans and More-The Water Birds of Our Northern Lakes,Wetlands and Rivers

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Fe University course description

Course Title:  Ducks, Geese, Swans and More – The Water Birds of Our Northern Lakes, Wetlands, and Rivers

Course #  

Dates:  Live Zoom program: 5/4, 9-11am, In-person field trip: 5/5, 9-11am

Time:  9-11am

Location:  Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Course Fee: $15 (includes field trip), 10 for Zoom class only

Class Size:   Field trip is limited to ten participants

Objectives:  
The Waterfowl family is a diverse assemblage of ducks, geese, and swans, which are an important and fascinating part of our landscape in the Northwoods.  In this program, we will explore the captivating world of this family, from the Mallard to the Mergansers, and all the dabblers and divers in-between.  Participants will learn how to identify of waterfowl species, their life history strategies, habitat requirements, and what landowners can do to protect their environment.  

Course structure:  Presentation: 2 hour live zoom.  Field Trip: 2 hours at the Little Turtle Flowage

Requirements: There are no specific requirements for this course.  I will provide a list of references, field guides, and websites for those who are interested in more information.  The field trip portion will consist of a ~ 2-mile walk on gentle terrain.  

Materials Required:  I will provide a few handouts for participants to help with bird identification, as well as the specifications for wood duck house construction.  

Instructor:  Annie McDonnell is the Naturalist, Citizen Science & Volunteer Coordinator at North Lakeland Discovery Center since 2016.  She earned degrees in Biology and Wildlife Ecology and has spent 5 years researching grassland songbirds, waterfowl, and owls throughout Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Course #  

Dates:  Live Zoom program: 5/4, 9-11am, In-person field trip: 5/5, 9-11am

Time:  9-11am

Location:  Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Course Fee: $15 (includes field trip), 10 for Zoom class only

Class Size:   Field trip is limited to ten participants

Objectives:  
The Waterfowl family is a diverse assemblage of ducks, geese, and swans, which are an important and fascinating part of our landscape in the Northwoods.  In this program, we will explore the captivating world of this family, from the Mallard to the Mergansers, and all the dabblers and divers in-between.  Participants will learn how to identify of waterfowl species, their life history strategies, habitat requirements, and what landowners can do to protect their environment.  

Course structure:  Presentation: 2 hour live zoom.  Field Trip: 2 hours at the Little Turtle Flowage

Requirements: There are no specific requirements for this course.  I will provide a list of references, field guides, and websites for those who are interested in more information.  The field trip portion will consist of a ~ 2-mile walk on gentle terrain.  

Materials Required:  I will provide a few handouts for participants to help with bird identification, as well as the specifications for wood duck house construction.  

Instructor:  Annie McDonnell is the Naturalist, Citizen Science & Volunteer Coordinator at North Lakeland Discovery Center since 2016.  She earned degrees in Biology and Wildlife Ecology and has spent 5 years researching grassland songbirds, waterfowl, and owls throughout Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Past Fe University courses Winter 2021 Courses

Ireland through the Ages: A Virtual Tour

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Course Title:  Ireland through the Ages: A Virtual Tour

Dates:  Thursdays, January 21 through February 11

Time:  10-11:30 a.m.

Location:  Zoom class

Class Size limited to 12; Please contact instructor before adding more to class

Class Fee: $15

Objectives:  In this course we will be going on a whirlwind virtual tour of Ireland, one of Europe’s smallest countries and—in terms of the sheer number of historical sites and archeological remnants still present on the cultural landscape for the armchair visitor to see—one of its most fascinating. Nowhere in all of western Europe do these historical and archeological remnants survive in the concentration that exists in Ireland—hundreds of thousands of them in a country not even two-thirds the size of Wisconsin. This is often explained by pointing to the country’s traditionally rural culture, and more specifically to its dearth of tillable agricultural land. While about 80% of the total land area of Ireland is devoted to agriculture, most of it grazing of livestock, just 6% is tillable, compared with anywhere from a third to half elsewhere in western Europe. That’s meant that ancient temples and tombs, medieval castles and towerhouses, religious settlements and artifacts from the dawn of Christianity, and forts and other defensive dwellings of an age long past were never churned up or plowed under. Rather, they remain where they were constructed, “monuments” of the past—the physical, material, and “readable” record of a long and rich history that has lain largely undisturbed despite the many political, social, and cultural upheavals that have occurred in the interim. Experiencing these amazing monuments in person can be as close to time travel as we will ever get. Until that is again possible, it is my hope that this virtual visit will go some way toward sustaining the curious traveler in each of us.

Course structure:  The course will be given in four sessions, each ninety minutes long, covering the following topics:

“Day” 1: The South (Leinster & Munster)

“Day” 2: The West (Munster & Connacht)

“Day” 3: The Northwest (Ulster) & Northern Ireland

“Day” 4: The Northeast (Leinster)

Requirements: Only an interest in travel and history. Handouts provided on the website.Instructor: Dr. Mary Magray has an MA in European history and a PhD in British and Irish history, with a focus on women and religion. She has been teaching a wide variety of European history courses to students of all ages for more than thirty years, including the history of early Irish and British Christianity at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is the author of The Transforming Power of the Nuns: Women, Religion, and Cultural Change in Ireland, 1750-1900, published by Oxford University Press in 1998, and is currently an instructor in the Division of Continuing Studies at UW–Madison.  Dr. Magray, a popular instructor, has taught four other classes for Fe University.

Past Fe University courses Winter 2021 Courses

Civil Discourse

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Course Title:  Civil Discourse

Dates:  Jan. 25, 2021

Time:  10:00-11:30 AM

Location:  Zoom

Objectives:  Students will learn about what makes difficult conversations difficult, how to hone skills for coping with personal reactions to difficult conversations, ways to engage others in dialogue and some advanced skills for managing challenging circumstances.   

Course structure:  The course will be given in 1 session, 90 minutes long, covering the following topics: 

This non-partisan, non-political class is about ways to connect, understand, and have civil conversations when it seems there are no paths through the thickets. Pick up some fundamental skills in how to converse with people with whom we disagree. Learn a bit about how our brains work (stories vs. facts and data), how to ask a great question, plus a couple of strategies for keeping cool. 

Requirements: NoneInstructor: Jane Banning earned her Masters of Science in Social Work from UW-Madison in 1979. She worked in heath care for twelve years and then directed the Clinical Teaching and Assessment Center at UW School of Medicine and Public Health for sixteen years. Following retirement, she was an adjunct faculty member for Nicolet College, taught at the YMCA of the Northwoods and worked as a contact tracer for Oneida County Heath Department. She enjoys reading, writing and pickle ball.

Past Fe University courses Winter 2021 Courses

On Viruses and Vaccines

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Course Title:  On Viruses and Vaccines

Dates:  February 15th and 22nd, 2021

Time:  3:00-5:00PM  with a 10 minute break.

Location:  Zoom

Fee: $10

Objectives:  The student will leave understanding the structure and function of viruses and vaccines with the goals of being able to make better informed health care decisions and to be able to understand and interpret media claims and articles about the pandemic.     

Course structure:  The course will be given in 2 sessions, each 120 minutes long, covering the following topics:

·   The characteristics and molecular structure of viruses

·   The co-evolution of humans and viruses

·   The structural and reproductive powers of DNA and RNA

·   How viruses enter the body and cells and what they do once there. Are viruses alive?

·   The mechanisms if immunity; antigens, antibodies and vaccines.

·   Discussion of the “politics” of vaccines.  The anti-vaxxer argument.

Requirements: The course is structured for students with limited or no scientific background who are intellectually curious about biology, viruses and vaccines.  Students who have had high school biology and have forgotten everything are welcome.  Scientific vocabulary used will be limited and simple.  Out of class viewing of a few videos on biology and evolution will be optional.  No homework will be required, and class discussion and questions encouraged.

Instructor: Richard Thiede is a resident of Oma, Wisconsin.  He has a BS degree from Southern Methodist University and extensive post-graduate work in science, medicine and education at UWM, University of Colorado, University of Texas Southwest Medical School, Dartmouth College, University of Massachusetts and Northeastern University.  His major field of study was molecular biology.  He taught biology, chemistry and physics at SMU, Mount Hermon School and Greenfield High School (Greenfield, MA)

Past Fe University courses Winter 2021 Courses

Baffling and Breathtaking Bogs, the ecology of nature’s pickle jars

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Course Title:  Baffling and Breathtaking Bogs, the ecology of nature’s pickle jars

Dates:  2/8/2021 & 2/9/2021

Time:  Zoom program 2/8: 10-11:30am, In-person Hike 2/9: 10am-12:30pm

Fee: $10 for zoom class and hike or $10 for zoom sessions only of Bog Ecology and Winter Ecology classes. Please indicate if you want to register for the hike, as space is limited to 10.

Location:  Meet at the Discovery Center parking area, and we will caravan to the fieldtrip site

Objectives:  There a number of different types of wetlands in Wisconsin, but no marsh or swamp is as unique and captivating at the Bog!  In this program, we will discuss the characteristics that make a bog a bog, from their hydrology to their peculiar plant communities.  We will explore a bog and the fascinating adaptations of the plants and animals that thrive in the harsh conditions of this special landscape with both a PowerPoint presentation and a visit to a Bog in our own backyard. 

Course structure:  The course will be given in __2_ sessions, each __90 – 150_ minutes long, covering the following topics:

·   Wetland characteristics

·   Bog hydrology

·   Bog plant communities

·   Bog animal communities

·   Bogs and landscape succession

·   Interesting current research and climate change in relation to bogs

·   Notable bogs of Vilas County

Requirements:  An interest in the Northwoods environment and ability to walk ~1.5 miles on flat terrain for a 2.5-hour fieldtrip.  The instructor will provide a list of resources for further reading and more details for participants who desire more information. The number of students participating in the field trip is limited to 10. An unlimited number may sign up for the zoom class only.

Instructor:

Annie McDonnell is the Naturalist, Citizen Science & Volunteer Coordinator at North Lakeland Discovery Center since 2016.  She earned degrees in Biology and Wildlife Ecology and has spent 5 years researching grassland songbirds, waterfowl, and owls throughout Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Past Fe University courses Winter 2021 Courses

Winter Ecology & Mammal Tracking

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Course Title:  Life on the Edge: Winter Ecology and Mammal Tracking

Dates:  2/17 & 2/20

Time:  2/17: 10-11:30am, & 2/20: 10am-12:30pm

Fee: $10 for zoom session and hike or $10 for zoom sessions only for Winter Ecology and Bog Ecology. Please indicate soon if you wish to register for the hike, as space is limited to 10.

Location:  Meet at the Discovery Center parking lot, and we will caravan to the trailhead

Objectives:  Winter in the Northwoods is a time of quiet and tranquility for us humans, but its harsh conditions present immeasurable challenges to our plants and animals.  We will explore everything winter, from the physics of snow and ice, to the fascinating survival strategies of our wildlife and plant communities.  Join us for a PowerPoint presentation discussing the basics of winter ecology and a fieldtrip in search of winter-active mammals.    

Course structure:  The course will be given in _2__ sessions, each _90-150__ minutes long, covering the following topics:

·   Intro to winter ecology & snow/ice dynamics

·   Survival strategies of plants and animals

·   Life under the ice

·   Mammal tracks identification

Requirements: An interest in the Northwoods environment and ability to walk ~1.5 miles on flat terrain for a 2.5-hour fieldtrip.  The instructor will provide a list of resources for further reading and more details for participants who desire more information. 

Instructor:

Annie McDonnell is the Naturalist, Citizen Science & Volunteer Coordinator at North Lakeland Discovery Center since 2016.  She earned degrees in Biology and Wildlife Ecology and has spent 5 years researching grassland songbirds, waterfowl, and owls throughout Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. 

Future Fe University courses

Future Fe University Courses

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The following classes are currently under consideration but have not yet been finalized.  Please re-visit this web page for updates.  Contact Fe University in advance and we will get you on the class roster.  Call Wendy Thiede at 715-476-2881 or Bob Traczyk at 715-561-3098

 

Upcoming classes:

3 conservation field trips on the water with Zach Wilson, co-sponsored with the Iron County Land and Water Conservation Department. Taking registration now for up to 8 students in each session. Aquatic Invasive Species, June 23; Iron County Loon and Lake Study, July 28; Purple Loosestrife and the Turtle Flambeau Flowage, August 19. See information below.

Geology for Tourists lecture and field trip in early August.

Lecture series on forests and field trip with John Bates, August 23, 26, 30 and September 2. Topics will be Trailside Botany: Favorite Trees, Shrubs and Wildflowers; Birding by Habitat; and History and Ecology of Old-Growth Forests in Wisconsin.

Local History lectures and bike tour in September with Cathy Techtmann and Paul Sturgul.

The Bill of Rights with Sam Filippo will be offered in September/October.

The Role of Development Assistance in US Foreign Policy with Gary Theisen, retired VP of the World Bank, October 26, 28, November 2, 4. This class will be a repeat, with updates, of the class on foreign aid he taught in 2016. If you missed it or want a refresher, now is your chance to catch it again to learn why we support other countries.

Economics, November/December, to be taught by a new Fe U instructor, Dr. Richard Ray Shreve.

Dr. Mary Magray will teach a class this winter, either a repeat of a previous class or something new.

Dr. Beth Tornes will teach either Native American literature or a poetry class.

Past Fe University courses

Cross Country Ski Instruction

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Course Title:  Cross Country Ski Instruction

Fee: $30 (minus $5 if registration received by Dec. 20); Includes $10 discount subsidized by the Turtle River Pursuit, and $10 MECCA trail fee.  Scholarships available.

Dates:  Monday and Wednesday, Jan. 13, 15, 20, 22, 2020

Time:  1:00 – 3:00 PM

Location: Mecca Ski Trail, 4686 Fierick Rd., Mercer WI, 54547  http://www.skimecca.org/

Objectives:  At the conclusion of this course, students will understand the basics of both diagonal stride and skate style skiing, as regards both technique and equipment.  They will be able to stand comfortably on skis, compress each ski and grip the snow, kick off and then repeat with the opposite leg. They will be able to glide forward on the gliding ski after their kick, maintaining balance, as they shift their weight forward over the gliding ski.  They will be able to engage their poles at the proper time and push, assisting forward movement.            Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

Repairing the Harm: The Root of Restorative Justice

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Title: Repairing the Harm: The Root of Restorative Justice, Dr. Jane Nicholson, Instructor

Fee: $30 minus $5 early bird discount if registration is received by December 31. This course is offered for less than half the normal Fe U rate for a 16 hour class to introduce students to the concept of Restorative Justice.

Dates: January 14, 16, 21, 23, 2020

Time: 1:00-5:00 PM

Location: Mercer Library, 2648 Margaret St., Mercer, WI 54547

Overview:  The field of Restorative Justice emerged during the late 1970’s in response to historically high incarceration rates around the world.  Currently, Restorative Justice is endorsed by the E.U. and the U.N., in addition to many nations. In particular, we can recognize its impact globally in peace and reconciliation processes, juvenile justice, and as an alternative to suspension and expulsion in schools.  Restorative Justice is a distinct approach to justice that involves everyone (stakeholders) affected in the particular harm caused; they share their perspectives, determine the appropriate accountability for the harm caused, and determine what resources are available to ensure better future outcomes.  Depending on the harm and its context, Restorative Justice may be mandated as a parallel process in Criminal Justice matters. Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

The Making—and Unmaking—of the United Kingdom: 1283 to the Present

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Course Title:  The Making—and Unmaking—of the United Kingdom: 1283 to the Present

Fee: $38 minus $6 if registered by Jan. 15

Dates:  Wednesdays, January 29, February 5 & 12

Time:  9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Location:  Mercer Community Center, 2648 Margaret St., Mercer

Objectives:  

The objective of this course is to survey the long and complicated history of the multinational state known as the United Kingdom. Today the country is much in the news because of the ongoing political crisis caused by “Brexit”—its 2016 vote to leave the European Union. In fact, the crisis caused by Brexit has been building for a very long time: its roots lie in the distant past—in the English Crown’s conquest, over a period of some 500 years, of its nearest neighbors Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Only since the end of that period of conquest in 1801 has the “United Kingdom” as we know it even existed.

Today the future of that multinational state is not assured. For not only did these three conquered countries “make” the United Kingdom, they may yet prove to be the unmaking of it. Committed and well-organized nationalist, independence-demanding movements challenging the very existence of the UK have developed over time in all three countries—and are still growing and active today. Understanding these historical complexities is essential, for only then can we make sense of the current precarious predicament of the first Western nation to develop a representative form of government and one of our oldest and closest allies. Continue reading

Winter 2020 courses

Background to the Vietnam War

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Course Title:  Background to the Vietnam War

Dates:  Wednesdays, Feb. 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18

Time:  4:00 – 6:00 PM

Location:  Room 430, Hurley High School, 5503 W Range View Dr., Hurley, WI 54534

Course fee: $40 with $5 early bird discount if registration is received by Feb. 5th. This class is free for Vietnam veterans.

Class size: Limited

Objectives:  To understand the history leading up to the Vietnam War Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

Furbearers of Wisconsin; Diversity, Trapping & Management

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There is still room in this class, please give us a call to register 715-561-3098.

Course Title: Furbearers of Wisconsin; Diversity, Trapping & Management

Fee: $25

Dates:  1/7 & 8/2020

Class Hours: 2 hours in class and 3 hour hike 

Maximum Attendance:  15

Time:  1/7, 1-3 pm (in class), & 1/8,  1-4 pm (hike) 

Duration:  5 hours

Location:  Mercer Public Library and MECCA trail system for hike 

Course Description:   The name Furbearer refers to a diverse group of mammals that have an interesting history of harvest and population management.  We will discuss the different species of Wisconsin’s furbearers, their life histories and adaptations. Following our in-class presentation, we will go to the MECCA trail system for a short hike in search of sign of these interesting mammals.   Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

The Story of Reconstruction

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Course Title:  The Story of Reconstruction

Course: #19F08

Course fee: $35 with $5 discount if registration is received by Nov. 6. Scholarships available.

Dates:  Wednesdays, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 11, 18

Time:  4:00-6:00 PM

Location:  Room 430, Hurley K12 School, 5503 West Range View Dr., Hurley, WI

Objectives:  Students will gain an understanding of the difficult task of restoring America to its former glory following the Civil War.

Course structure:  The course will be given in _4__ sessions, each _2 hours__ long, covering the following topics:

  •         The closing days of the Civil War,
  •         The impeachment of Andrew Johnson,
  •         Radical Reconstruction and the presidencies of U.S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes.  
  •         The last class will develop the ideas behind the impending Civil Rights movement.  

Requirements: No requirements.

Instructor: This will be the fourth class that Mr. Kelly will be teaching for Fe University.  He previously taught a History of the Civil Rights Movement, the Holocaust Examined, and the Causes of the American Civil War.  He has been a history teacher in the Hurley School district for the past 33 years, holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and has attended numerous seminars, graduate classes and workshops on U.S. History. 

Past Fe University courses

Russia Through the Lens of Short Fiction

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Course Title:   Russia Through the Lens of Short Fiction

Course #19F07

Course Fee: $35 Early Bird Fee $30 by Oct 1st

Dates:  October 14, 21, 28, and November 4, 2019

Time: 10:00 a.m. to noon

Location: Mercer Public Library, 2648 Margaret St. Mercer

Objectives:    Russian literature is perhaps known best for its lengthy works: War and Peace, Anna Karenina, The Brothers Karamazov, and the like.  This course, to the contrary, will introduce students to four outstanding Russian short stories.  Our study of these works will both illustrate the artistic variety of Russian short fiction and enhance our understanding of Russian life over the span of 100 years. Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

Winter Birds of the Northwoods

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Course Title: Winter Birds of the Northwoods

Course # 19F09

Course Fee:- $25

Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov 12 and Nov 13

Class Hours: 2 hours in class and 3 hour hike

Maximum Attendance: 15

Time: 11/12 1-3pm in class lecture/discussion, & 11/13 1-4 pm field trip

Duration: 5 hours

Location: Mercer Public Library, 2648 Margaret St. Mercer and field location TBD

Course Description: The Northwoods region is known for its harsh winters, with heavy snow, freezing temperatures and lack of sunlight.  However, despite these conditions a number of bird species call this frozen landscape home.  During this session, we will discuss the winter bird species of the Northwoods and their unique adaptations that enable their survival.  We will also discuss how landowners can provide quality forage, cover for birds, and improve habitat for birds in the Northwoods.  Following the in-class portion, we will go for a field trip hike to observe birds in their natural habitat and expand our identification skills. Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

The Bill of Rights: Its Origins and Evolution

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Course Title: THE BILL OF RIGHTS: ITS ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION

Course #: 19F03 

Course Fee: $35 ($5 early bird discount if registered by Aug. 28)

Dates: Wednesdays – 11 September through 2 October 2019; 

Time: 4 – 6 p.m.

Location: County Board room, Courthouse, 300 Taconite Street, Hurley, Wisconsin

 

Objectives: The student will learn the origins and history of the first ten amendments to the U.S.

Constitution and their guaranties of due process and equal protection of the law according with

Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

Exploring the History and Legacy of Camp Mercer

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Course Title: Exploring the History and Legacy of Camp Mercer

Course #19F06

Dates: October  8 -3.5 hours, October 15 _3.5 hours, October 17 -3.5 hours,

Time: Classroom instruction and field instruction 2:00 pm-5:30 pm

Class size: Limited to 14 participants.

Locations: Mercer Library and Camp Mercer CCC site

Objectives: Participant’s will:

1.) explore both written and digital historic sources regarding the Civilian Conservation Corps and 

   Camp Mercer.

2.) engage in field work analyzing historic sites (as participants are comfortable).

3.) collaboratively suggest stewardship plan and products that will overview of the historic  

   importance of both the CCC and Camp Mercer

4.) consult with Cynthia Stiles Archeologist who recorded Camp Mercer as a cultural site with the

   State of Wisconsin Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

Antiques

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Course Title:  American Antiques: 1700-1950

Course #19F05

Dates:  9/30, 10/3, 10/10

Time:  10:00-12:00

Location:  9/30 – Mercer Library, 10/3 –  Thiede home, 10/10 – Antiques N Stuff, Mercer

Objectives:  Following this class, students will have a better understanding of many categories of antiques, what is an antique, and how to tell authentic antiques from reproductions Continue reading

Past Fe University courses

Ceramics for Beginners

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Course Title:  Ceramics for Beginners

Course #19F04

Dates:  September 9-26, Mondays and Thursdays

Course Fee: $35 plus $10 for supplies with early bird discount of $5 if registered by August 26.

Time:  4:00-5:30

Location:  Art room, Mercer School, 2690 Margaret St., Mercer, WI

Objectives:  In the 6 sessions, students will learn three fundamental techniques for working with clay: coils, pinch and slab-work. By the end of the class, students will have made three projects, including a mug they will build out of coils, a multi-purpose bowl utilizing the pinch technique, and a flat dish made from rolling slabs from clay. Returning students will have the options to work in any three of the taught techniques and encouraged to combine techniques into more elaborate creations. Continue reading