A new community conversation series is inviting residents to slow down, listen, and learn from one another — and the next gathering is set for Monday morning in Menominee. They’re called Fireside Chats, and the events are designed to create a respectful space where people can better understand important issues and lived experiences. The discussions are facilitated by community member and former educator Michelle Lemire.

The next Fireside Chat takes place Monday, February ninth, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at Spies Public Library, in the second-floor fireplace room. This month’s guest speaker is Millie Hofer, who will share her firsthand experience growing up in Germany during World War II, along with reflections on family, resilience, and the kindness she later encountered in America.

Organizers say Hofer’s presentation will be broken into chapters, covering her childhood, life during wartime, and how those experiences compare to the world today.

The events are free and open to the public. Future topics planned for the series include Medicare policy, election security, artificial intelligence, and energy development in the Upper Peninsula. Monday’s session will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Again, that’s the Fireside Chat with Millie Hofer, Monday morning at 10:15 at Spies Public Library in Menominee.

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