Iowa City Senior Center November-December 2025 Program Guide

WRITING & LITERATURE

Poetry of World War One Mondays, Nov 3 - Dec 15, 1:30-3 pm Location: Room 309 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Michael Sinclair, MFA

nov dec 2025

Write your Memoir or Novel: 5 Steps to Success Saturday, Nov 1, 9 am - 1 pm and Sunday, Nov 2, 1-5 pm Location: Room 302 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Dr. Venise Berry This weekend workshop offers participants an opportunity to develop the basic structure for a memoir or novel idea. It is led by author and UI professor Venise Berry. Eight exercises will be completed, depending on time and the number of participants in the class. The class will briefly explore specific writing elements: plot, subplot, scene structure, and character development. Participants will complete exercises in class and are invited to share their work in workshop sessions. One major exercise will be written outside of class between the Saturday and Sunday sessions, and shared on Sunday. Whether you’re just beginning or have already started writing your memoir or novel, this workshop can help. Participants should plan to spend a total of 8 hours in class and another 3-4 hours writing outside of class between our Saturday and Sunday sessions. Fee: $250 ($187.50 for those with ICSC's low-income membership); pay instructor.

World War One--"The Great War," as it was named in its duration (1914-1918)--was indeed great in the degrees of carnage, terror, and trauma it engendered. Futurist H.G. Wells predicted it was "the war to end war," a hopeful, confident sentiment proven ironic as the 20th century progressed. U.K.'s Prime Minister Lloyd George bitterly noted near the battle's conclusion, "This war, like the next war, is the war to end war." In this group we will read and discuss selected poetry written in response to this war by soldiers and witnesses. Membership required.

Write Your Life Story Fridays, Nov 7, 21, Dec 5, 19 Morning Class (Zoom only): 10 am - 12 pm Location: Zoom New students: Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Chuck Felling Afternoon Class: 1-2:30 pm Location: Room 308 All students: Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Marge Daniels

LIFELONG LEARNING

Write about the people, places, and events that have created your memories. We encourage and inspire writing using our own everyday voice (vocabulary, grammar, etc.). Authors usually read their stories for the other writers to listen and offer supportive and constructive comments to help the story. Sharing is optional. Membership required.

TECHNOLOGY Device Advice Thursdays, through Nov 20, 2-3 pm Location: 2nd Floor South

Device Advice is a UI student volunteer group that works to help shrink the digital divide between generations! Volunteers will be at the Senior Center to offer guidance on all things technology, so bring your devices and your questions.

Tech Help Drop-in Hours Fridays, 1-3 pm Location: 2nd Floor South

Need to troubleshoot issues or work through questions related to your tech devices? Bring your laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. and your questions. Stop by to connect with skilled volunteers.

icgov.org/senior 319-356-5220 28 South Linn Street, Iowa City 52240

CONTACT US: