Film   

• 1950s Horror Film: THEM! 

• IN-PERSON: The Elderwise classroom, 2275 Platt Road

  Regarded as one of the first "nuclear monster" movies that rose to prominence in the 1950s, Gordon Douglas' 1954 sci-fi horror film Them! features violent, enormous, irradiated ants who mutate in the New Mexico desert after atomic tests are conducted. Lauded for its spectacular special effects (which also earned it an Oscar nomination), action-packed storyline, and spine-tingling creatures, Them! took the cinema by storm and was a massive critical and commercial success. Join us during Halloween week as we journey back to a time when horror movies crept into our nightmares, sent chills racing down our spines, and made us fear they might actually come true! Mary Miller is a long-time Member of Elderwise Learning and the current Council Chair. She is involved in Friends of Restorative Justice and The Dispute Resolution Center and enjoys spending her free time reading and watching films. 

  

  

• Fee: $20.00

• Instructor(s): Mary Miller

• Dates: 10/29/2026 - 10/29/2026

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: 2275 Platt Road

  Room: Classroom

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• Documentary: A Letter to the West Side 

• ONLINE: A Zoom invitation link will be sent one day before class begins.

  Uncover Ann Arbor’s hidden Black history! A Letter to the West Side is a touching documentary that explores the rich history, challenges, and resilience of Ann Arbor’s historic Black community, the West Side. Through personal stories and historical accounts, this film looks at the vibrant social atmosphere of the West Side, thriving Black local businesses and schools, and the systemic challenges that shaped the community and eventually led to its loss. A Letter to the West Side pays tribute to the trailblazers who laid the foundation for progress, celebrates the community’s remarkable achievements, and sheds light to the injustices once faced by giving a voice to those whose stories have been silenced and forgotten. This film was written and directed by Kameron Donald, a two-time Emmy Award-winning storyteller and driven by a mission to use compelling visual storytelling and strategic communication to bridge communities and institutions. Mary Miller is a long-time Member of Elderwise Learning and the current Council Chair. She is involved in Friends of Restorative Justice and The Dispute Resolution Center and enjoys spending her free time reading and watching films. 

  

  

• Fee: $20.00

• Instructor(s): Mary Miller

• Dates: 11/12/2026 - 11/12/2026

  Times: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Sessions: 1

  Days: Th

• Building: Online Course

  Room: Online via Zoom

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