Try out the Lifelong Learning Institute for free

The Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield is offering several free classes through April for people who are 50 and older. Call 378-2527 to register for one or more of these classes at the institute, located at 13801 Westfield Rd. in Midlothian:

• Mar. 6, 11 a.m., Jenny Didas of the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar will discuss women's roles in Civil War history.

• Mar. 18, 1:30 p.m., Gary Powers Jr. will speak about his father, Gary Francis Powers, whose U-2 plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960.

• Mar. 19, 10 a.m., attorney Robert Shawn Majette of Thompson and McMullan will discuss current Supreme Court cases.

• Mar. 25, noon, Dr. Sandra Guerard will discuss her African safaris.

• Apr. 9, 10:30 a.m., Henry Leidheiser will lead a session on fitness and balance conditioning.

• Apr. 10, 10 a.m., Dr. Thelma Bland Watson, director of Senior Connections, will discuss the role of older adults in the community.

• Apr. 25, 11 a.m., Annebel Lewis will facilitate a Socrates café.

The institute is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, fitness and social opportunities to adults who are 50 and older, including daytime courses, lectures, activities and special events throughout the year. Except for the free classes listed above, participants must be members of the Lifelong Learning Institute to attend classes. Membership costs $100 per year, and scholarships are available.

For more information, call 378-2527, e-mail info@llichesterfield.org or go online to www.llichesterfield.org. Lifelong Learning Institute sponsors are the Virginia Center on Aging at VCU, Chesterfield County Public Schools and Chesterfield County.