2026 COURSES
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Our classes are listed with their respective descriptions and class size limits.
(This is being continuously updated as more teachers submit their classes) |
2026 COURSES
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Beading with Penny
Penny Gates Students will learn how to create a pony bead cuff bracelet Class Max: 5 Beginning Hand Druming
Scott Holliman The class will introduce you to the basics of hand drumming. Students will learn the three primary strokes that create different tones; as well, students will learn how to count and keep rhythm using the different strokes. Before the night is over, we play rhythms together as a collective. Class Size: 5-6 How to Graft a Fruit Tree
Richard Kniffin With simple tools and a little knowledge, backyard orchardists have been creating their own fruit trees for thousands of years! Come learn how. Class Max: 8 |
College Application 101
Chip Stevens I’ll offer practical advice as to the college application process, essay writing, athletic recruitment, general financial aid - and try to answer questions. Class Size: No Limit Designing with Grocery Store Flowers
Chère Tournet Bring 3-4 bundles of grocery store flowers and foliage. A vase, pitcher or container of your choice will also be necessary. You’ll learn some basic flower care pointers plus several design skills and vocabulary. You can create a Hand-tie Spiral or a “nest” bouquet. If there is interest a second class could cover how to create an arrangement, learning about mechanics and color harmonies. Class Size: 10-12 
Middletown Springs Park by Peter Huntoon, with permission
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Preserving the Past at the Old Cemetery
Patty Kenyon Weather permitting we'll do a brief tour of the Old Cemetery in the center of town. We'll talk about the ongoing efforts to revive and complete the cemetery inventory. Interesting things we've discovered along the way and what we'd like to do next to help preserve the final resting places of our town's founders. Class Max: 12 Dosa Making
Michael Beattie Dosas are a wonderful combination of gluten-free ground cereals and legumes that ferment (like sourdough) with just the micro flora present on them, producing a bread-like food that is both digestible and higher in nutritional value than the raw grains. We will experience all the steps for cooking and eating them, and go home with instructions. Classic dosas are to South Indians what crepes are to the French. But unlike crepes, (made from eggs, flour and milk) dosas are made from an airy puree of ground rice and dal. More like a spoonable cake batter than pourable crepe batter, this mixture is spread out on the griddle with the back of the ladle instead of turning the pan with a flick of the wrist. Class Max: 8 |
Time-Tested Tips for Travel Photographers
Hugh Coyle Whether your destination is near or far, photographs can play an essential role in documenting your trip and sharing stories from your journey with friends and family. This class will provide simple techniques and a few clever tricks to help you take the best pictures possible along your way, whether you're shooting with your phone or a vintage SLR camera. Come prepared to share examples of what worked (and what didn't) on your own travels so that we can all learn from one another. Class Max: 20 
Sun Dog Lane, Peter Huntoon, with permission
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What Horses Teach Us
Sarah Grimm Spend an hour with the horses of Spruce Knob and learn about horse communication with kids. Class Max: 15 |
Winter Tree I.D. Woods Appreciation Walk
Daniel Brooks A walk in the woods with frequent stops to discuss different tree species and their importance, as well as examples of non native species and information on invasive pests. Class Size: 10-15 |
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Knitting
Wendy Herrick 2 night course - 1st night for beginners, the basics of learning to knit and purl and 2nd night beginners are welcome, but instructions will be aimed at intermediate knitters, including problem solving and pattern reading. Class Max: 10 
Vermont Sunset, Peter Huntoon, with permission
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Learn to Twine
Patty Kenyon If you love fabric, like to repurpose things, and like to work with your hands, this might be your next favorite hobby! Twining is a loom weaving method that is easy to learn, fun, and functional. I will bring some small looms so everyone can do some hands-on twining. I will also bring samples of my work and will show some visuals of what other people twine, from simple organic designs to complex patterns, the possibilities are amazing. Class Max: 12 Bookbinding
Live Lane In this class students will learn the basic fundamentals of book binding, using materials that can all be found around the house! Each participant will create a small blank journal/notebook. Class Max: 8 
Spruce Knob, October 19, 2020 Peter Huntoon, with permission
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Sing Together Some More
Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman Your voice is your first instrument. It's great to share it with other people and make harmony. We'll do a variety of songs, rounds and some familiar from past years, and some new pieces. You don't have to read music to sing in a group! Class Max: 30 Collage a Card
Heidi Smith, Norton Rd Let’s inspire the art of letter writing by collaging cards! In this class we will collage on greeting cards making them more fun, personal, and creative. Anything goes! Class Max: 8 Creating a Town Response Network
Leslie Silver Strong Communities respond better together. The hope of this workshop is to explore how we can create a town response network that connects people, skills and resources before a crisis happens. We will look at the model of the Resilience Hub Toolkit designed after the 2023-24 Vermont floods. This toolkit was compiled by frontline, grassroots flood responders. Following their lead, this workshop is intended to be the beginning of our own Middletown Springs resilient network. Please join us to help create something powerful and meaningful. Class Size: No limit Indian Spice Blends
Dunstan Smith Choose one or more spice blends you would like to make (Spices and recipes will be provided). Learn how to mix, toast, blend and use your spice mix at home for curries, marinades or tea. Class Max: 15 Make a Resistance Zine!
Laurie Brooks Our fragile Democracy is hanging by a thread and speaking up is more important now than ever before! Come make a protest/resistance zine and learn a little bit about the tradition of zine making in activism. Class Max: 10 |
Responsible Pruning of Trees and Shrubs
Paul Morgan How to, when , and why to prune; dress appropriately for cold weather. Class Size: No Limit Basic Home Electrical Repair
Trevor Humphreys The basics of home electrical repairs. How to be safe. What you can reasonably expect to do yourself. When to call a professional. Class Max: 8 Tai Chi - Qi Gong
Joel Pliner Qi Gong (pronounced “chee-gong”) is a system of meditative movements and exercises that is based in ancient Chinese medicine and has much in common with modern physical therapy. The exercises are designed to promote the flow of Qi, or life energy, throughout the body. They are simple and easy to follow. Participants are never asked to go beyond their own comfort level. Class Size: Venue Dependent (stay tuned!) Winter Twig Workshop: Tree and Shrub Identification Demystified
Jim Graves & Lisa Thornton Open home and wild landscapes in winter to the joy and satisfaction of taking a closer look at the dormant structures of woody plants. Learn hands-on what to look for, simple tools, and how to identify trees in winter. With fresh twigs from town locations, we’ll study species together to nail down morphology, keys, and other tools, then branch out as you practice your skills on any trees and shrubs from our wild flora that we’ll have on hand or specimens you have brought. If you’d like to apply skills practiced in the workshop in the woods, sign up for the Saturday Sullivan Woods tree walk (led by Daniel Brooks)! Class Max: 20 Concepts and Techniques in Timber Framing
Luke Larson This class will start with an overview of historical styles of timber framing brought to New England in the 1600s and 1700s, and then we will discuss how the craft developed and changed in the 1800s. We will discuss some of the key factors that guide timber frame joinery design, and then we will shift into a hands on demonstration of lay out and cutting of a mortise and tenon joint with the use of hand tools. Class Max: 10 |
With thanks to the 2024 Faculty: Nita Burch-Clay • Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman • Robin Chesnut-Tangerman • Herb Childress • Carl Diethelm • Laura Derrendinger • Christopher Garcia • Jim Graves • Rita Hansen •
Lina Hanson • Wendy Herrick • Mary Lamson • Luke Larson • Jon Mathewson • Paul Morgan • Trevor Pearsall •
Joel Pliner • Angela Polizzi • Leslie Silver
Lina Hanson • Wendy Herrick • Mary Lamson • Luke Larson • Jon Mathewson • Paul Morgan • Trevor Pearsall •
Joel Pliner • Angela Polizzi • Leslie Silver
In 2023, we asked the community to step up to teach what inspires them. These folks responded. Thank you!!!
Michael Beattie • Beth Carmody • David Carr • Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman • Holly Cronin • Sarah Cook •
Laura Derrendinger • Sarah Grimm • Gabby Hayward • Scott Holliman • Patty Kenyon • Steven Letendre •
Jon Mathewson • Jodie Ruck • Leslie Silver • Chip Stevens • Emma Weatherhogg
Michael Beattie • Beth Carmody • David Carr • Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman • Holly Cronin • Sarah Cook •
Laura Derrendinger • Sarah Grimm • Gabby Hayward • Scott Holliman • Patty Kenyon • Steven Letendre •
Jon Mathewson • Jodie Ruck • Leslie Silver • Chip Stevens • Emma Weatherhogg
Thank you to Michael Beattie, Jeanne Arsenault, and Maria Riley for their work on the logo and design.
Thank you to the Middletown Springs Town Office, the Middletown Springs Public Library,
the Middletown Springs Historical Society, and
Green Mountain Timber Frames for contributing classroom space!
Thank you to the Middletown Springs Town Office, the Middletown Springs Public Library,
the Middletown Springs Historical Society, and
Green Mountain Timber Frames for contributing classroom space!
