The Learning Link Lifelong Learning December 2025
Featured Photo: ICL Hiking Club members trek upward past the Anasazi Ridge petroglyphs - October 2025.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Event
Date
Details
Thursday, December 4 12:00 - 2:00pm
Gardner Center Ballroom Register online at icl.utahtech.edu
Annual ICL Holiday Party
Last day of fall classes
December 4
ICL office closes unƟl Jan. 6th
Online registraƟon opens for Spring classes ICL Spring RegistraƟon Social
Spring class schedules will be online mid - December at icl.utahtech.edu
Monday, January 5 at 9:30am
January 5 @ 9:30am - 12:30pm
Hazy building lobby
Spring classes begin
January 12
Spring semester runs through April 10
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
(Circa 1957 — A Christmas Story) AŌer being biƩerly disappointed the two previous Christmases (no Schwin bike and no Lionel trainset), I had a feeling this might be the year. Finally, at 6:00 am, Father allowed the unwrapping to begin. In rabid anƟcipaƟon, I tore the Frosty - the - Snowman paper from my large and only package. Yes! A Gilbert Beginning Chemistry Set! Next, I ripped off the cellophane and sorted through its contents. Yes – potassium nitrate. Yes – sulfur. Yes – carbon. Yes – ROCKET FUEL! Now, I would have a way to power my aluminum rocket. And now, I had a fighƟng chance to develop an ICBM before the Russkies! AŌer the early fesƟviƟes had died down, and I’d finished my morning chores (milk the cow, slop the hogs and feed the chickens), I crept downstairs to set up my chemistry lab. First, I appropriated the spare bedroom (actually, a junk room) and posiƟoned a discarded kitchen table under the window. To give more light, I drew open the drapes, then set up my chemistry set. At last, I was ready to make rocket fuel. By mixing potassium nitrate, sulfur and carbon, I created a small test pile. Though it fizzed and fumed, it was not what I needed. From the Encyclopedia Britannica , I learned using zinc as a catalyst might help. Yes – I had zinc! AŌer remixing, I created a large mound, then using a kitchen knife, I parƟƟoned off a smaller test pile. Unknowingly, however, I leŌ a trailing furrow of gunpowder leading straight to the big pile. Striking a match, I lit the test pile. Flashing, leaping, and smoking, it ignited with the fury of a volcano. This was more like it! But then, it sparked and hissed and burned down the furrow toward the larger pile. WHOOSH! Suddenly, I had a smoky, roily bonfire! Tongues of flames leaped to the drapes! Now the whole house was in jeopardy. Singeing my hands, I ripped the drapes from the wall brackets, hurling them down on the Formica table. Panicky, I looked around and grabbed a spare twin - maƩress, slamming it down on the fire. With no oxygen, thankfully, the fire died. Now, however, fumes and black smoke were boiling toward the stairwell! Trying to outrun it, I sprinted to the top of the stairs. Just as I was about to slam the door shut, I noƟced my father’s foot! Needless to say, my chemistry set was impounded and my career as a rocketeer floundered and died — and kids, that’s how I became a doctor. As with most of my stories, this one has some truth, some half - truths, and some ficƟon. Let’s not worry about the percentages. Anyway, I want to wish you all happy holidays and hope y’all get your equivalent to a Gilbert Beginning
Chemistry Set (whatever that may be). Stay tuned and see you next semester, ~ Dr. Warren Stucki, ICL President
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ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY It’s not too late to sign up for the Annual ICL Holiday Party! Just go to icl.utahtech.edu and scroll to where it says “ICL Holiday Party — Register Here.” The fesƟviƟes will be Dec. 4 from 12 - 2pm in the Gardner Center Ballroom. Utah Tech's premier performing troupe, Fusion , will entertain us with dance and song. Don’t miss out on the fun and camaraderie - it's only $18 per person and we promise a good Ɵme! If you’d like to register your non - ICL member guest(s), email icl@utahtech.edu — include your phone number and we'll call you to take payment over the phone. Calling all bakers! Please let us know if you can bring treats to sell at the Holiday Party bake sale. Email Caroline at cdulworth@rocketmail.com with a descripƟon & price for your baked goods so we can make small signs in advance. All proceeds go to support ICL.
HOLIDAY TRIBUTE DONATIONS During this season of giving, we offer you an opportunity to make a special holiday giŌ in tribute to someone you’ve met or taken classes from through ICL. For a giŌ of $20 or more, we’ll email a fun electronic greeƟng card to one honoree for whom you provide a name and email address, leƫng them know you are saying, “Thank you,” for your inspiraƟonal class or for your friendship. (If they are an ICL member or instructor, we will have their email on file, so you don't need to provide it.)
How to make your giŌ in less than five minutes: 1. Go icl.utahtech.edu and click the “Donate” tab. 2. Choose the amount of our donaƟon ( we suggest $20 per honoree – but you decide) 3. Enter the name of the person you wish to honor
4. Fill in your informaƟon and click the “Give Securely” buƩon 5. Follow the process to bill your credit card and… you’re done! 6. We are also happy to accept checks: Name on check: InsƟtute for ConƟnued Learning We are a 501 (c) (3) organizaƟon Our Tax ID#: 87 - 0603124 Address: 658 East 200 South, St. George, UT 84770
For each giŌ you can brighten the day and say thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life through ICL. Finally, your giŌ(s) will strengthen ICL and help us grow stronger and more meaningful over Ɵme. Your giŌ will help broaden the reach of ICL. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful organiza- Ɵon…and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
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CLUB SPOTLIGHT ~ ICL SKI CLUB ~ ICL SKI CLUB
Ski season is here! The ICL Ski Club is a group of senior ski- ers who sƟll have the urge to make the perfect carving turn and enjoy the camaraderie of skiing with other like - minded individuals. Led by MaƩhew Asai , the group meets up when Brian Head Resort is open for skiing with two regularly scheduled ski days every week. However, powder days may be scheduled when there is fresh powder. Weather permiƫng, the Ski Club is scheduling ouƟngs to Brian Head on Mondays and Thursdays beginning November 10.
(Above) Ski Club Fall Luncheon, October 2025 — Club Leader MaƩhew Asai (front leŌ)
The club is free to ICL members, and only $10 for non - ICL members. Either way, you must first sign up through ICL at icl.utahtech.edu, then go to www.meetup.com/southern - utah - senior - icl - ski - club/ , then click on "Request to Join." All events will be announced through Meetup. Club leader MaƩhew reports, "The ski season last year ended the latest it ever has. Come join us!"
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CLUB SPOTLIGHT ICL PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
This fall, ICL Photography Club members enjoyed weekly photo walks led by club leader MaƩhew Asai . With digital cameras in hand, they learned to perform camera operaƟons in the field using aperture, shuƩer speed and ISO to create beƩer pho- tographs. MaƩhew helped parƟcipants learn how to stop and blur acƟon, how to change depth of field, and how to take pictures in low light or dark condiƟons. Photo walks were held at parks in St. George, including Town Square, Red Hills Garden, Thunder JuncƟon, Tonaquint, and Pioneer Park. The group also traveled to Gunlock State Park, Sand Hollow, and Snow
Club leader MaƩhew Asai (middle) and the ICL Photography Club
Canyon. Each walk focused on a different topic, such as exposure modes, composiƟon, nature photography and portraiture. The club was iniƟally scheduled to be an annual club, but has been changed to be held only in the fall. However, MaƩhew may schedule photo workshops later in the Spring, so stay tuned...
Photo walk in Pioneer Park, Nov. 1, 2025
Club leader MaƩhew Asai (in red) instructs club members.
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FALL SNAPSHOT We had an amazing fall semester, with 15 new classes, including two ArƟficial Intelligence courses which proved to be so popular that we had to put them in larger classrooms to accommodate 100+ students in each. We also welcomed two new clubs - the Photography Club and the Piano Club - bringing our total number of clubs to eight. ParƟcipaƟon in the Hiking Club has expanded to almost 60 acƟve members and with the addiƟon of two more hike leaders, the club has increased the number and variety of hikes. The Desert Archaeology Society conƟnues to thrive with over 100 members. The Table Tennis Club has 30 acƟve members enjoying lively, twice - weekly play at the St. George Rec Center.
Tracy Jones taught a fascinaƟng class on Exploring ArƟficial Intelligence.
Piano Club members led by Carla Gurr (far leŌ).
This fall, ICL members enjoyed 79 diverse course offer- ings which included 53 classes taught weekly in the tradiƟonal classroom seƫng, 12 online classes via Zoom, four Botany field trips, three Geology field trips, four cooking classes, and three VIP tours of Utah Tech through Campus ConnecƟons.
Instructor Colleen GianaƟempo (front) took this selfie with her Holy Cannelloni cooking class held in October. This fall,
Colleen taught four cooking classes and another popular class called Guided Drawing PracƟce .
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ConƟnued on next page...
FALL SNAPSHOT (CONTINUED)
In addiƟon to the Botany and Geology field trips, several instructors who teach in the classroom included opƟonal field trips in their curriculum, giving their students the opportunity to learn through field experiences.
Botany field trip to Red Cliffs RecreaƟon Area led by Lee Hughes — October 2025.
Instructor Marshall Topham took his Environmental Ethics & Sustainability class on a tour of the St. George Wastewater Treatment Plant — Nov. 2025.
Above: Ghost Towns of Southern Utah class members visit a charcoal kiln at Old Irontown, Utah — October 2025 Right: Ghost Towns instructor Loren Webb in front of the GraŌon church and school building constructed in 1888 — during a field trip to the ghost town — September 2025.
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ConƟnued on next page...
FALL SNAPSHOT (CONTINUED)
Fall field experiences included trips to South- ern Utah ghost towns, local birding trips, ouƟngs to explore the unique biodiversity of Washington County, a field trip to view NaƟve American petroglyphs, a tour of the St. George Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a visit to the Mountain Meadows Massacre site.
Above: Instructor Feather Robinson (grey vest) explains the meanings and history of petroglyphs found along the Tukupetsi Trailhead in the Santa Clara River Reserve on a class field trip — Oct. 25th. LeŌ: NaƟve American Oral TradiƟons class members hiking the Tukupetsi Trailhead on Feather’s field trip.
LeŌ and above: Instructor Marshall Topham took members of his Why Birds MaƩer class on several birding trips this fall. Marshall also taught Unique Biodiversity of Washington Coun- ty and took the class out for field observaƟons.
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ConƟnued on next page...
FALL SNAPSHOT (CONTINUED)
Looking ahead to spring semester, we'll be adding more new classes alongside our iconic ICL favorites. Please go to icl.utahtech.edu around mid - December when we’ll post the classes and watch for our January newsleƩer for more on our exciƟng spring line - up.
Instructor Kim Borgmeyer leads Socrates Café class members in engaging discussion.
Favorite Books class member, Karen Jensen, leading November’s book discussion. The class is led by instructors Nancy Kramer and Kathy McNeil.
ICL tennis players, led by Kelly Beaumont & Roland Chambers.
LeŌ: Spreading the word! From leŌ to right: Instructors Hans de Haan & Clark Layton staffed the ICL booth at Ivins Heritage Days — Sept. 2025. To the right are ICL Director Rob Kramer & his lovely wife Nancy. ICL’s exhibit booths are coordinated by Bill and Kathy McNeil.
Dr. Warren Stucki teaching ConvenƟons and Controversies of Men’s Health .
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ICL SPRING BUS TOUR Get ready for another memorable ICL adventure this spring! From May 26 – 28, 2026, we'll journey through some of Utah's most breathtaking landscapes — Fremont Indian State Park, Capitol Reef NaƟonal Park, and Bryce Canyon NaƟonal Park — with plenty of hikes and scenic stops along the way. Our guide, Diana Hawks, will share her deep knowledge of Utah's rich archaeology, cultural history and geology as we travel along the spectacular Scenic Byway 12, one of the most beauƟful high- ways in America. This unforgeƩable route will showcase dramaƟc red rock canyons, ancient petroglyphs, and sweeping mountain vistas — a true feast for the senses!
Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
Diana recently featured Scenic Byway 12 in her ICL class Exploring Our Region , and this tour offers the perfect opportunity to experience its wonders firsthand.
More details, including pricing and registraƟon dates, will be available in our next newsleƩer. Due to the overwhelming popularity of our tours, registraƟon will once again be handled through our loƩery process. Mark your calendars — this is a trip you won't want to miss!
ICL Tour Director Cynthia Holman - Schmidt
Tour Guide Diana Hawks
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AdverƟsement
LIVE! UPDATE BY DR. ROB KRAMER
Got Rhythm? Every cell in our body moves in rhythmic paƩerns. These rhythms syn- chronize within our body and, many Ɵmes with our external environment, forming regular cycles. These cycles influence behavior, mood and health. When you become aware of your cycles, you can work to keep them on track and use them to your advantage. They are all controlled by the SCN, an area in the brain the size of a mustard seed! Here are just a few examples of cycles and how you can influence them: 24 - hour Sleep/Wake Cycle (Cercadian) Your sleep cycle is influenced by the sun and by consistent rouƟne. To maximize this cycle: · Go to bed and get up at the same Ɵme every day · Expose yourself to sunlight in the morning to help reset your cycle · Prepare yourself for sleep at least an hour before bed by dimming lights, engage in calming, soothing acƟvity, meditate or journal, write your graƟtude statements · Make sure your sleep area is cool, dark and comfortable · Get plenty of exercise and sunshine each day & become sedentary about an hour before bed Your dayƟme cycles (Ultradian) – note these are averages – your cycle may vary · Perform challenging projects around Ɵmes when your energy, focus, and aƩenƟon peak: from 9 - 10 am, 12 - 1 pm, 4 - 5 pm · Limit acƟons that require a lot of brain work to 90 minutes. You have a cycle of high energy that eventually plummets aŌer about 90 minutes (this applies to everything cogniƟve, from taking a class to pracƟcing an instrument) · Take a break (ideally for 20 minutes but at least 5 minutes) to rest your brain. During this Ɵme, take a walk, talk to a friend, watch funny cat videos Seasonal Landmarks (Temporal Infradian) On benchmark dates (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries) our processing of informaƟon in the cortex slows down. This is our brain’s prompt for us to become more introspecƟve and evaluaƟve. It prompts us to assess our current path and determine if our acƟons are consistent with our values and goals. It is an opportunity to iniƟate change and growth By maintaining healthy rouƟnes in sleep, exercise, diet and cogniƟve challenges, you can stabilize these cycles and make them work for you instead of against you!
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AdverƟsement
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