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December 15, 2023, Adrian, Michigan – What is it like to teach high-school completion courses to inmates in a federal correctional facility? Judy Wenzel, author of the 2017 book Light from the Cage: 25 Years in a Prison Classroom, speaks of her experiences with the inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan. Her presentation, Light from the Cage, begins at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Weber Retreat and Conference Center. This program is also being live streamed at adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
The free program is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters Office of Racial Equity and Cultural Inclusion as part of the office’s series of presentations to expose Sisters, Associates, and the broader community to the experiences of people of different races, faith traditions, cultures, and sexual orientations.
Kevin Hofmann, Director of the Office of Racial Equity and Cultural Inclusion, said Judy will address the issue of racism in the U.S. criminal justice system. “She has first-hand knowledge of the disproportionate number of Blacks in prison,” he said. “Blacks are over-represented.”
Judy will also speak of her experience with the general population of prison inmates, who often face a stigma. “She will show the humanity of those who have ended up in prison,” Kevin said. “It’s a story you don’t often get to hear – and hopefully, she’ll change our viewpoint of those in the system.”
The presentation is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. To watch via live stream, visit https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, Adrian, Michigan. Traveling east on Siena Heights Drive, pass the Adrian Rea Literacy Center and turn left just before the solar panel-covered parking lot. Follow the signs to Weber Center. For information, call the Weber Center at 517-266-4000.
December 15, 2023, Adrian, Michigan – Weber Retreat and Conference Center continues its Lunch and Learn series in the new year with various topics, from herbs and gardening to the experience of teaching in a correctional facility.
Lunch and Learn is offered monthly on Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. at Weber Center. Bring your lunch or purchase a box lunch for $7. Drinks and dessert are provided for everyone. The box lunch options are egg salad, turkey salad, or chicken salad croissant sandwiches and includes chips. If purchasing lunch, registration is required at least two days before the event.
Upcoming dates and topics are as follows:
• January 10, 2024: The Secret Success of Herbs. Angie Pietraszewski, a registered nurse and the owner of the Lavender and Honey Apothecary, speaks about taking charge of your health with local herbs and the natural world.
• February 7, 2024: A View from Inside the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility. A panel of three guests will speak of their experience addressing criminal justice concerns and teaching inmates at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian.
• March 13, 2024: What’s New at Hidden Lake Gardens. Paul Pfeifer, Managing Director, shares the wonderful features of this 775-acre botanical garden in Tipton, Michigan.
• April 17, 2024: Let’s Get Ready for Spring. Mike Walters, Permaculture Specialist for the Adrian Dominican Sisters, shares tips on soil preparation, when to start planting, and secrets to a good harvest.
Registration for those ordering lunch is available at www.webercenter.org; click on “programs.” Registrations may also be made by calling 517-266-4000 or emailing [email protected].