Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education Services

Raise your hand if you are ready to be able to get in the car and do a day or weekend Road Trip around the State! We could almost feel the breeze from all the hands shooting up! Join Professional Photographer, Jay Grammond as he takes you on a Virtual Road Trip around the state to learn about some of Minnesota’s waterways which were so vitally important to travel and trade in bygone days. In today’s world, these same waterways are vital to the State’s and local community economies; and to the citizens as a form of recreation and relaxation. After participating in this class, you should come away with the seeds of your own road trip ideas planted and ready for Spring and Summer.

Minnesota is home to a fantastic variety of Veteran Memorials. Everything from street names; to granite monuments, to statues, and other ways to honor our Veterans. Join our instructor as he guides us around the state to see some of these memorials that he has discovered through his travels. Why not make a road trip plan to go see some of these?

Minnesota is fortunate to have several Barn Quilt Trails. Pieces of art that adorn the side of barns and buildings throughout the state are set up to not only pay homage to heritage or interests; but to bring people into an area. Instructor Jay Grammond will lead you around the state to give you a sampling of what is out there in hopes that you will make your own road trip!

We write everyday: emails, social media posts, work projects, and even non-fiction or creative writing. Improving is just a matter of knowing some simple tricks to make your writing more impactful and readable, and may help get you a promotion at work or avoid rejection from a publisher. In this hands-on session, there will be writing/editing examples and exercises so you can see in real time how to make sentences flow properly while still maintaining reader interest, and you will leave with a workbook full of writing tips and tricks. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

If your goal is to become a published freelance writer by selling a magazine article, short story, poem, or even a novel to a traditional publisher, this comprehensive workshop will guide you to, then past the editor's desk. You will discover how to: Become a “published”writer overnight Submit manuscripts the correct way Find the right publisher for your work Write irresistible query letters Determine when and how to get an agent 100 ways to make money as a freelance writer If you really want to succeed, this step-by-step workshop is a must! A detailed tutorial will be emailed to set up your free Zoom account, then the webinar login information and materials will be sent the day of class. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

Whether you need to make a dull work presentation more lively, mix laughter with learning in the classroom, or ultimately want to write for print/production or perform your own stand up routine, this fast-paced session will show you how to apply humor to all aspects of your life. You will learn the anatomy a joke, how to use your powers of observation to sharpen your wit, write different types of jokes, and use humor to entertain and influence people. Informative handouts for future use are included. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former stand-up comedian at places like The Laugh Factory in Hollywood, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

Have you seen ads telling you how to become a shopper, but only if you send them a lot of money? You do not have to pay to begin your new career in this exciting field. (Participants must also attend “Explore 250 Legitimate Home-Based Business Ideas” for a clear understanding of this endeavor.). You will learn how to sign up with many legitimate mystery shopping companies WITHOUT FEES, avoid pitfalls and scams, create a required mystery shopping resume and profile, and how to file your mystery shopping reports for payment. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee, including a list of 25 legitimate companies you can work for. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

(prerequisite) (participants must attend “Beginner’s Guide to Getting Published”) Self Publishing is all the rage, but is it the best option for YOU? And, can you do both? You will discover the pros and cons of all the self publishing options, including print-on-demand and e-book publishing, as well as Amazon options. You will leave with a rated description of 50 self publishing companies. A detailed tutorial will be emailed to set up your free Zoom account, then the webinar login information and materials will be sent the day of class.

If you love to travel and love to write, this is for you! We will discuss how to use all your senses in a new destination to create more detailed and in-depth descriptions that capture and maintain readers’ interest, and whether or not you need to include photos with your work. You will also learn how to find and submit your finished product to print and online markets, the business side of travel writing (how to take travel tax deductions), and how to avoid worn-out travel writing cliches. Informative handouts for future use are included. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

Do you remember seeing those old painted ads on the sides of buildings for Coca-Cola, Grain Belt Beer, grocery stores, warehouses, etc. Our instructor, Jay Grammond has been drawn to Fading Ads, or “Ghost Signs” for quite some time. In the Summer of 2020, that interest became so much more when he signed a book deal to publish a book about the topic. Join Jay as he takes you on a virtual walk around the Twin Cities to view this sort of “Art Gallery” that surrounds us. You will also learn a bit about the history of some of these companies that date back into the 1800’s.

Learn how Gina has taught her way around the world & paid for vacations and travel to over 98 countries. Teaching English is a high paying career or simply a great way to go on vacation for free. English is the world’s business & travel language. If you speak English, you can teach conversational English! Learn about the best paying jobs, qualifications, teaching English online, certification programs & specific hiring organizations. Tuition includes instructors 100-page digital book (a value of $39.95).

Do you love animals…especially dogs? Learn how to make extra money after school or work by watching dogs or other pets, usually in the pet’s home. You will learn about feeding, watering, and exercising pets, how to make a good impression as well as what questions to ask when interviewing for a pet sitting job, and what to do when a dog has behavioral issues. You will also discover other services you can offer to make more money, such as dog walking, grooming, puppy training, etc. Informative handouts for future use are included. This class is taught by a seasoned professional pet sitter and a longtime entrepreneur.

Romance is the #1 selling fiction genre. Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this comprehensive session will help you sharpen your skills with practical step-by-step advice. You will discover the different romance sub-genres and understand the proven romance formula. You will also learn to create a unique setting, introduce your protagonist (lead character), percolate friction, and write relatable dialogue as well as intimate scenes. Publishing options will also be discussed. Informative handouts for future use are included. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

Tired of working for someone else? Do you need to make more money? Turn your talents and hobbies into profits by starting a home business. Taught by a Chamber of Commerce Past President and award winning business owner, this is probably the most comprehensive business start up workshop you will ever find. You will discover: more than 250 legitimate home business ideas, mandatory legal documentation, many ways to market your product/service, how to take tax deductions (this workshop included!) Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

You don’t need to be famous to have a legacy to leave behind. Create an inspirational autobiography for family, friends, and others. Learn how to recall vivid memories, analyze events and people that shaped who you are, and bring your story to life. Your handout, included in the class fee, will have an outline to help you organize and write your memoir step-by-step. Printing/publishing options will also discussed. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. The webinar login information will be emailed the day before class.

Medical terminology is the first step to any career in the medical field or simply to understand your family’s medical visits. No prior experience is necessary. This highly specialized language involves word building with root words, prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations. You will leave with a solid foundation of medical language, as well as basic medical billing and coding terminology. After submitting and passing the open-book exam included in the workbook you receive in class, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. This comprehensive course is taught by longtime educator LeeAnne Krusemark, and Credentialed Medical Professional Vanessa Grinnell, RRT.

In this comprehensive session, you will learn about special screenwriting terms and formats for television and the big screen. You will also learn how to plot a story, develop characters, and execute your work in the proper screenwriting format. You will discover the difference between a Treatment, a Spec Script and a Shooting Script and when to do each. And, you’ll get an inside look into the business of selling your script to agents and producers. Informative handouts for future use are included. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

If you can type, then you can make money at home using your computer. You will discover how and where to find clients, 50 ways to advertise/market your services, effective home office equipment choices, and 100 ways to make money with a computer.(Participants must also attend “Explore 250 Legitimate Home-Based Business Ideas” for a clear understanding of this endeavor.) There really is a need for your services, so learn to be your own boss, set your own hours, and make more money. Informative handouts for future use are included.

Have you ever wanted to talk to a real agent or publisher? Are you tired of having your manuscripts critiqued by non-professionals or paying an editor too much money to change your writing to their voice? Email one page of your in-progress manuscript for an in-class critique or one page of your poetry, article, short story, screenplay, novel, non-fiction book, or children’s book. (Optional: You can then send your manuscript for a professional critique (for a critique fee of $50 for up to 25 double-spaced pages + $1/page thereafter, and a list of publishers/agents who are interested in your type of work.) Informative handouts for future use are included. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education.

Members of the “Greatest Generation” are leaving us at an alarming rate. Photographer and Amateur Historian, Jay Grammond planned and facilitated a WWII History Series in Elk River for 13 years. In that time, he got to know numerous people that lived during that time in history. Holocaust, and Japanese-American Internment Camp Survivors; Homefront Workers; Allied POW’s; Veterans from all branches and Theatres, and in one case, even a German Soldier who fought the whole war on the Eastern Front! In this presentation, Jay is going to tell you about some of these people who participated in his History Series, and are sadly, no longer here. One Veteran even stated, “This will probably be my last time telling this story.” Don’t miss this unique insight into the lives of these amazing people.

Learn how to save $$$ every day with extreme couponing. Coupons are NOT just for groceries. The savings can add up to HUNDREDS or even THOUSANDS of dollars every year. This comprehensive workshop will teach you: where to find all different types of coupons, even for high ticket items, how to find the best coupon apps and websites, how to match coupons with sales for maximum savings. This workshop is taught by someone who has used many couponing secrets to save thousands. Informative handouts for future use are included.

Do you have future aspirations for traveling to a Spanish speaking country? If so, this is the class for you! Participants learn basic conversation skills to get around a Spanish-speaking country with greater ease. This class will include helpful dialogue, greetings, how to barter at a market and order in a restaurant, and how to ask for simple directions. Each class will include a travel related theme to practice real world Spanish! Like all Futura classes, a dynamic and interactive approach will be used to keep the class fun and exciting! Applicable to new students and previous Spanish conversation participants.