BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce the 2025 dates for its Heirlooms online creative writing workshops to help participants craft their own life stories.

Heirlooms includes three workshops, each dedicated to a different autobiographical writing style. Workshops are from 10 a.m. to noon CST/9 a.m. to 11 a.m. MST on Jan. 25; noon to 2 p.m. CDT/11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MDT on April 22; and noon to 2 p.m. CDT/11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MDT on Oct. 16.

Participants can attend individual workshops or the entire series. All workshops are free and held online via Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register for the January workshop, visit extension.sdstate.edu/ events. Technical support will be available before the workshop if needed.

The Jan. 25 workshop on life story writing will take participants into the art of crafting personal narratives. They will learn techniques to capture their own unique experiences and reflections that can be enjoyed by future generations. Participants should come prepared to write and share their work in this highly interactive workshop.

“This workshop is great for anyone who wants to get started on writing their life story,” said Leacey E. Brown, SDSU Extension gerontology field specialist.

The April 22 workshop on obituary writing will teach participants how to write memorable, thoughtful tributes. On Oct. 16, the ancestor story writing workshop will teach participants how to research and write about their ancestors’ stories.

Led by South Dakota Humanities Scholar Molly Barari, this series is perfect for anyone looking to explore various facets of writing about life and family. Barari and Brown began collaborating on this initiative in 2021, expanding access to South Dakotans beyond the Black Hills region.

Barari, who holds a master of fine arts in creative writing and a doctor of education in adult education, will provide writing prompts to help participants uncover important details about their lives and family histories. For more information about Barari, visit www. mollybarari.com.

Participants will be inspired to write pieces of South Dakota history that can be cherished as family heirlooms. Brown said capturing these stories is vital for preserving the rich history of the people, places, cultures and traditions of South Dakota. By the end of each workshop, participants will gain valuable skills to write memoirs and develop strategies for life story writing.

This program is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, contact Brown at 605-394-1722 or Leacey.Brown@sdstate.edu.