LearningQUEST has presentations open to the general public. All are welcome to attend these programs, so please join us.

Upcoming Programs:

Organ Recital- Jillian Gardner
Dates: 1 Wednesday, Jan. 29
Time: 1 – 2
Location: First United Methodist Church Sanctuary

Award-winning international performing organist Jillian Gardner will present a varied organ recital with something for every listener. The recital will include music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Max Reger, Ad Wammes, Cesar Franck, Georg Thalben-Ball, and Charles-Marie Widor.

P2-Land Trust of North Alabama Critical Connections in North Alabama Land Preservation
Instructor: Hallie Porter
Dates: 1 Wednesday, Feb. 19
Time: 2 – 3
Location: Downtown Library Auditorium

This program will encourage attendees to envisionpermanently preserved corridors of life, natural places where connections are made and a unique sense of place is displayed. It will help participants imagine new and expanded places and trails that bind humans and habitats together and that provide migration corridors and habitat for wildlife to safely travel and flourish. Participants will learn about paths to preserving the incredible critical lands in North Alabama. Come learn about newly preserved lands, how they connect people and wildlife, and the Land Trust’s plans to launch new preservation projects in the coming year.

P3-Human Trafficking: The New Face of Slavery
Instructor: Patricia McCay
Dates: 1 Tuesday, Mar. 3
Time: 2:00 – 3:00
Location: Downtown Library Auditorium

This course provides an overview of what human trafficking is; the forms which it takes; who the most vulnerable to human trafficking are; where it occurs; why the interstates play an important role; the signs of a trafficked victim and how to identify victims; the dangers of the internet; who is the trafficker; how to reduce demand; how anyone can get involved in helping stop these crimes; and numbers to call in case one suspects an incident of human trafficking. This presentation includes examples of cases in Alabama as well as a discussion of what to do if anyone sees a suspicious situation that “looks” like human trafficking.

P4-Forgotten Alabama
Instructor: Glenn Wills
Dates: 1 Tuesday, Mar. 10
Time: 1:00 – 3:30
Location: Downtown Library Auditorium

Fifty thousand miles and 40,000 photographs ago, Glenn Wills began his task of memorializing “Forgotten Alabama.” Over the years, he has captured images of old houses, barns, bridges, businesses, factories, railroad trestles, train cars, filling stations, rundown mansions, churches, jails, vehicles, and other pieces of history that were once an everyday part of life in Alabama. All of these were in their declining years when photographed, and many are no longer in existence. Most interesting, however, is that Glenn almost always has an interesting story to tell about each picture. Participants will see excellent photographs, hear good stories, remember great old times, and enjoy this journey down memory lane in Alabama. All of these images have been published in three well received books: Forgotten Alabama, More Forgotten, and 200 Years of Forgotten Alabama.

P5-Welcome To LearningQUEST’S Open House
Instructor: Darryl Palm
Dates: 1 Wednesday, Mar. 25
Time: 1:00 – 3:00
Location: Downtown Library Auditorium

The focus of this two-hour gathering is to better acquaint the community with LearningQUEST; how it started, what courses, programs, and activities are offered, and how to join. Representatives from each committee, as well as the Board of Directors, will provide insight into LearningQUEST’s various activities and volunteer opportunities. LearningQUEST is seeking input from attendees for program suggestions, as well as ideas on how to better serve the learning community. Refreshments will be provided during the event.

P6-History of Science Fiction Films: 1950 to Present
Instructor: David Lilly
Dates: 1 Monday, Apr. 6
Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Location: Downtown Library Auditorium

This program will explore the history of Hollywood science fiction films as a genre meant to entertain adult audiences. These films, which began in the early 50s, seem to have run in cycles until the early 80s, at which time they became an immensely popular and permanent go-to film genre. They were also significantly influenced by the fears, interests, and concerns of their time and the presenter will explore the historical background that made these films what they were. The program will include a number of films clips of some of the best (and worst!) of these movies. It should be an entertaining and informative presentation for anyone who grew up watching these films and who continues to love them to this day.

P7-The Year the Rockets Came: Huntsville in 1950
Instructor: David Lilly
Dates: 1 Tuesday, May 19
Time: 9:30 – 11:00
Location: Downtown Library Auditorium

This class will look at Huntsville at a crossroads point in its history. What was Huntsville like in 1950 before the Army reactivated Redstone Arsenal and people from all over the world began to come to the city as part of the missile and space program? The course will examine the city’s history, its industry, businesses, and culture at mid-century. It will answer a series of important questions: Who were the movers and shakers in this small community? Why was Huntsville chosen to host the Army’s missile program? What was it like to live in the city before all the changes of the 50s & 60s?