BROOKINGS, S.D. – The popular Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop will be available in person in three communities during Healthy Aging Month in September.
Workshops will be held in Belle Fourche on Sept. 9, 2026; in White River on Sept. 12; and in Madison on Sept. 24. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “wisdom”.
South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Humanities Council collaborated to create the Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop to emphasize reflection, meaning-making, life lessons, generativity, legacy and purpose. Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist, said Healthy Aging Month is a time to recognize that aging well encompasses far more than physical well-being.
“Healthy aging also includes opportunities for reflection, meaning-making and personal growth,” Brown said. “Through writing, adults can explore the experiences that shaped their lives while preserving the perspectives and insights gained over time.”
The Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop engages and inspires attendees through a combination of educational content and writing. Students will explore what they have gained with the passage of time and increasing age, as well as how writing can help them cope during difficult or challenging times.
“Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others and explore wisdom through writing,” Brown said. “Reflecting on the wisdom gained with age offers a valuable sense of perspective, gratitude and empowerment. It can reveal personal strengths, appreciate both joys and challenges, and strengthen connections with others through shared stories and experiences.”
To learn how to bring wisdom writing to your community, contact Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist.
Meeting schedule:
- Sept. 9, 2026: 1 to 3:30 p.m. MT at Highland Senior Solutions in Belle Fourche. Contact Karli Jewett at 605-269-4426 or by email. On-site supervision for loved ones provided.
- Sept. 12, 2026: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT at the Mellette County Museum in White River. Contact Linda Baldock at 605-786-2262 or by email.
- Sept. 24, 2026: 9 to 11:30 a.m. CDT at Lake County Museum in Madison. Contact Julie Breu at 605-256-5308 or by email.
Upcoming Events
Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop @ Madison
SDSU Extension will host a Wisdom Writing Workshop on September 24 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. CDT at the Lake County Museum (221 NE 8th St, Madison, SD 57042).
Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop @ White River
SDSU Extension will host a Wisdom Writing Workshop on September 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT at the Mellette County Museum (502 N Main St, White River, SD 57579).
Heirlooms: Wisdom Writing Workshop @ Belle Fourche
SDSU Extension will host a Wisdom Writing Workshop on September 9 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. MT in Highland Senior Solutions (10907 Sourdough Road, Belle Fourche, SD 57717).