Forest Lake Area Schools Community Education

Do you have a dark and damp corner of your property that you want to bring out of the shadows with blooms and bunchgrasses? Let’s go beyond hostas and the humbugs of traditional green foliage for these tricky shade areas. There are lots of woodland treasures that will add a nice glow to the shadiest swaths. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, a native plant book and several door prizes from local plant specialists will be given away. This class will be held in White Bear Lake.

Maximize your Social Security benefits. We’ll explore claiming rules and strategies for couples, divorcees and surviving spouses on how to get the most out of your Social Security benefit. We will discuss the important role Social Security plays in retirement planning, ways to maximize your benefits and how to avoid becoming a victim of the "widow trap". You should attend if you’re within a few years of retirement. The instructor, Charles Taylor, is the owner of Four Points Advisory LLC. Investment and advisory services offered through World Equity Group Inc., member of FINRA/SIPC.

It's critical to have a solid understanding of the tax status of investments to make informed decisions and avoid paying more than the fair share. Learn how future tax changes may create the potential for higher taxes, ways to create tax-free retirement income, how Social Security is taxed and how to work efficiently within current tax brackets.

Imagine making a one-of-a-kind fish painting for your home. After creating the outline of the fish, you will choose your alcohol ink colors to fill in the body, tail and of course, the lips. After the basic fish is completed, you will use markers to really give your fish a whimsical personality! You will go home with two unique fish. A $15 supply fee is payable to the instructor at class.

Join us for a fun-filled session as you create and paint your very own canvas at this beautiful setting at Lakeside Memorial Park. You’ll enjoy a no-experience-required art class on the shores of Forest Lake guided by Jeremy Ross of Your Bearded Artist. He will lead you step-by-step through an acrylic painting on a 16x20" canvas. All supplies are included. Due to materials being prepared in advance, there are no refunds after noon on Friday. In case of inclement weather, the class will be moved to Forest Lake Area High School.

You work your whole career with the goal of retiring someday. Plans change throughout preparing to retire and during retirement years. We’ll cover estate planning, Social Security, financial products and services available such as annuities and life insurance and what to look for in a financial professional - Financial Advisor, CFP, RIA, Fiduciary.

Saturday, September 20-27, 2025 (Must be at least 21 years old.) Grab your friends and your cowboy boots. Community Education is heading to Nashville! Saturday, Sept 20: Sit back and relax and let us do all the driving. We’ll travel by motorcoach beginning Saturday morning. On the bus a muffin and fruit will be provided. Before dinner we will stop to purchase food/snacks (on your own) at a bathroom stop, you can also bring your own lunch on the bus. We’ll stop at a dinner buffet at Fiddlesticks in Hannibal, MO and then head to the Drury Inn St. Louis for an overnight stay. Sunday, Sept 21: Before leaving St. Louis, we’ll visit the famous Gateway Arch, (admission, movie and tram ride and lunch is included). Dinner is included this evening when we arrive in Nashville, at Nicky’s Coal Fired Pizza. Once in Nashville, get ready for a variety of famous and exciting sights and sounds in this thriving musical city. Our accommodations will be at the Drury Inn Nashville which includes a free hot breakfast and a free kick back happy hour, including hot food and cold drinks, daily. https://www.druryhotels.com/menu. The Drury Inn Nashville is a great location, just off of Broadway, so you have easy access to bars and restaurants. Nashville Highlights: Monday, Sept 22: We are going to start our time in Nashville with some big attractions! We will have a guided tour of the original Grand Ole Opry location- the historic Ryman Auditorium. A buffet lunch at a nearby restaurant is included. After lunch we will visit the Country Music Hall of Fame. Tour the Hall of Fame at your leisure and make your way back to the hotel, which is only just a few blocks away. Dinner this evening can be at the Drury Inn, or choose to do something on your own. Tuesday, Sept 23: Our day will begin with a tour of the Belle Meade Historic Site & Mansion. A wine tasting and time to shop will be included. For lunchtime/midday, you may choose on your own. We will go for an early dinner at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen before heading to the fabulous Grand Ole Opry. We’ll update you when we receive information on who will be performing for us that evening! Wednesday, Sept 24: Today we’ll enjoy a tour of the Andrew Jackson Hermitage historical museum in the morning, lunch is included. On The way back to the hotel we’ll stop at the Opryland hotel. It is free to walk through their amazing inside gardens. You may have dinner at the Drury Inn, or choose something on your own. Thursday, Sept 25: Spend the day at your own leisure. You will have a ticket for the Hop on Hop Off Trolley, this is a great and convenient way to do more exploring and see more of Nashville. In the evening we’ll set sail on the elegant General Jackson showboat, which includes dinner and a show. Friday, Sept 26: We’ll depart Nashville in the morning, lunch will be included. We’ll stop in Hannibal Mo, at the Best Western Downtown on the river. Dinner will be on your own, with several restaurants to choose from that are within walking distance. Saturday, Sept 27: Breakfast will be included at the hotel. We will make several stops on the way home for snacks/food and the bathroom. There will be no formal lunch stop. We will return to Circle Pines around 6pm. Price: Double Room Occupancy: $2,189 per person - $449 initial deposit, and subsequent payments on the 15th of $435 for March-June. Single Room Occupancy: $3,204 - $644 initial deposit, and subsequent payments on the 15th of $640 for March-June. This trip is planned by Centennial Community Education. No refunds after June 19. A refund request at any time before June 19, 2025 will incur a $50 cancellation fee, per person. If you would like travel insurance call 855-874-0156 or visit mytravelinsure.com/isd12 account #50097. Community Education does not provide insurance or refunds for emergencies. If registering after an installment payment due date, initial deposit plus missed payment will be due at time of enrollment. (ie: If registering on April 20, initial deposit plus March and April payment due at time of enrollment). All hotel breakfasts included 4 Lunches and all dinners provided (some at Drury Kickback) except dinner on our last day 8 attraction admission/tickets 7 nights hotel accommodations trip chaperone and motor coach transportation included individual travel insurance is encouraged - click here for details