To help beat those winter blues, Legacy Learning Boone River Valley is offering a variety of workshops Jan. 27 to 28.

Preserving Holiday Rituals, Traditions, Memories with Jennifer Berte

Join Jennifer Berte at the Briggs Woods Hickory Cabin on Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a relaxing weekend of writing in the woods. Attendees are also welcome to come early Friday evening for the workshop.

“Writing is an opportunity for us to use our language to express ourselves in a more intimate way,” Berte said. “When you put something on paper, you do it knowing that it’s going to be there for other people to look at when you’re gone.”

With the conclusion of the holidays, Berte will give tips and writing prompts on how to put rituals, family traditions and memories down on paper.

“I will lead participants through a series of exercises and writing prompts to get their creative juices flowing and taking some of that fear out of what they may feel is a daunting task,” said Berte. “We’re focusing this workshop on writing down your memories and stories.”

“We thought trying this in the winter might be an interesting retreat for people,” said Berte. “I’m really trying to encourage folks to spend the night – either Friday night, Saturday night or both.”

“To really take time for yourself and attend this workshop for you is a great way to relax and rejuvenate,” said LLBRV Board member Maureen Seamonds.

This is the second writing workshop Berte has instructed through Legacy Learning. Her first class, held last October, left participants ready for more.

“We talked a lot about establishing a writing community and being able to share what you are working on with other people in a non-threatening atmosphere where other people in the room have the same goals as you,” Berte said.

Berte, who has a master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Northwest Missouri State University, taught at Iowa Central Community College for 14 years.

Workshop participants of all writing skill levels are welcome to attend. Berte hopes to help participants explore the art of writing and hone their craft.

“My experience with students and taking them through the writing process, I find that a lot of people have writing anxiety just like people have math anxiety. We just don’t talk about it,” Berte said.

Berte will also be providing participants with a hand bound fabric-covered journal of their choosing.

“It’s an art that allows so much room for personal expression,” Berte said. “I really encourage people to come out.”

Berte encourages attendees to stay overnight at the cabin Friday and Saturday evening if they wish. Participants can stay in one of the upstairs alcoves for $40 a night. Those who bring a friend can stay for $20 each a night.

Berte will be bringing a lasagna dish for Friday night. She encourages individuals to come on Friday to get to know one another so that Saturday and Sunday can be filled with workshop related information. Berte also recommends participants staying overnight on Saturday to bring their favorite soup for a potluck meal. Participants can bring snacks for Sunday. Time will also be given for attendees to go into town for meals on Sunday.

“Anybody who wants to come Friday night, it’s completely optional, but it will give us a chance to get started and get to know each other” Berte said. “What we found at the last workshop was that we spent a lot of time getting to know each other and it took away from our writing time, so if people could come on Friday night, that would be fantastic.”

Cost for the class is $100. To register, call (888) 832-0012 or visit www.legacylearningbrv.org.

Cooking with Culture

With a new year comes new Legacy Learning Boone River Valley workshops. Visit ACE Community Center the second Saturday of each month to create a new dish with experienced chefs.

The first cooking class is this Saturday at ACE Community Center from 1 to 4 p.m. with supper to follow from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Cost for the workshop is $40 per couple. There is also a materials fee of $25 which includes the meal for two.

Local cooks will instruct participants in the fine art of cultural cooking.

The following meals will be feature in 2018: January – Soups and breads around the world featuring Pho, Mexican soup and German breads; February – French food with Peter Anselman; March – Irish soda bread, potatoes and food celebrating St. Patrick’s Day; April – Thai food including spring rolls, fresh fruits and vegetables and more to celebrate the advent of spring; May – A selection of foods from different regions in Mexico; June – Summer picnic using foods from the community garden; July – An island experience in cooking from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic including a pig roast and the fixings; August – Caning with the ISU Extension with light meal to follow; September – Salsas from around the world, including recipes from past ACE Salsa Festival winners; October – German cooking to prepare for Oktoberfest; November – Holiday traditions around the world; December – Cookies in the Cabin for all generations.

Legacy Learning Boone River Valley and ACE Community Center will also be inviting residents from the community to join in. Not only will attendees get to make the food of another culture, they will have an opportunity to get to know more people throughout the community who come from these diverse backgrounds.

Register by calling (888) 832-0012, (515) 450-4973 or by visiting legacylearningbrv.org. When registering, please put in the notes which month you are planning on attending.

ACE Community Center is located at 1440 East Second Street.

Unbeatable Baking, Iowa Style

Join blue-ribbon baker, food writer, farm cook and Iowa author Darcy Maulsby at the end of January for a winter baking weekend.

The workshop will be held at the Oak Cabin at Briggs Woods Park on Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Individuals will explore the art of Midwest baking through hands-on learning. Bake versatile yeast rolls, fool-proof pie crust, classic Dutch apple pie and scrumptious cake. Participants will even get to take home treasured recipes that may even become staples in their homes for years to come.

Cost for the class is $100 plus an additional $15 materials fee to be paid to the instructor.

To register, visit www.legacylearning.brv or call (888) 832-0012.

Making Memories in Wood with Ernie Koch

Join Ernie Koch Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Webster City High School wood shop to create a one-of-a-kind wood bowl.

Koch specializes in hand made wooden bowls carved from found woods and special memory woods. Salvage wood from your wood pile or a special barn or building and bring a chunk to turn into a beautiful bowl.

Ernie uses natural “found” woods because they provide a warmth and beauty not found in purchased wood and he will help you create a unique treasure. Two inch thick pieces make great bowls or if you have a one inch piece, turn it into an heirloom cribbage board. If you do not bring wood, there will also be some available.

Cost for the class is $100. A $10 materials fee must also be paid to Koch at the beginning of the workshop. The Webster City High School wood shop is located at 1001 Lynx Ave.

To register, call (888) 832-0012 or visit www.legacylearningbrv.org.

Tall Cats Head Basket Weaving with Delayne Segar

Join Delayne Segar on Saturday, Jan. 27 and Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oak Cabin at Briggs Woods Park and create a unique basket. The Cat’s Head basket will be approximately six inches tal by ten inches wide. Noted for it four pointed ‘feet’ on which it sits, this unique basket looks like a cat when held upside down.

According to the Legacy Learning website, this basket was first create by the Shakers.

Cost for the class is $60 plus an additional $15 to be paid to the instructor. To register, call (888) 832-0012 or visit www.legacylearningbrv.org.