We understand the importance of staying engaged and inspired throughout our learning journeys. That’s why, in this series, dedicated instructors choose their favorite subjects and volunteer their time to contribute to the wonderful program at the Norman Adult Wellness & Education Center, located at 602 N Findlay Ave, Norman, OK.
We invite you to join us for a warm cup of coffee and a morning of meaningful and enjoyable interactions. Your participation not only enriches your own experience but also fosters a supportive community where we can all learn and grow together.
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Jerusalem: The City of Three Great Religions and of Conflict | $5 Ken Johnson
March 18, 2026 | Wednesday | 9:30-11:00am
The long history of Jerusalem has led to modern conflicts over who controls the city that contains religious sites important for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Jerusalem, first settled around 3000 B.C., was captured by David from the Canaanites around 1000 B.C.; it then became the center of Judaism and is the location of the most holy of Jewish sites—the First and Second Temples (destroyed), and now the Western Wall. The life, teachings, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ established Jerusalem’s importance to Christianity, and early Christians regarded it as the “Center of the World.” Jerusalem is also a holy site for Muslims, from which the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven to receive revelations from Allah. And the conflicts continue.
The Tower of London: A Fascinating Part of British History | $5 Ken Johnson
June 17, 2026 | Wednesday | 9:30-11:00am
The famed Tower of London has been the scene of some of Britain’s most dramatic and compelling history. It has been a royal residence, a zoo, a prison, an execution site, a museum, and a repository for the Crown Jewels. Construction was started in 1075 AD by William the Conqueror to demonstrate Norman dominance over the recently conquered Anglo-Saxons. The original Tower has been enhanced and expanded with the addition of more towers, extra buildings, moats, and walls, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From 1100 to 1954, more than 8,000 persons have been imprisoned in the Tower, but only 22 have been executed within the Tower grounds; most executions (about 125) occurred on Tower Hill, just outside the Tower walls. Among the more famous prisoners were four queens of England (Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, and Elizabeth I), Sir Walter Raleigh, two English princes, Guy Fawkes, and Rudolf Hess; however, not all these prisoners were executed. Come and find out about the ravens, the beefeaters, the Traitors’ Gate, and the fascinating history of one of Britain’s greatest landmarks.
