2024 COURSES
Listed in alphabetical order, descriptions and class size limits. Have a good scroll!
(Instructors' name followed by where they live in town) |
Listed in alphabetical order, descriptions and class size limits. Have a good scroll!
(Instructors' name followed by where they live in town) |
Active Workout to Build Leg and Core Strength
Nita Burch-Clay, K Lane Get ready for spring and summer activities by building strength in your legs and core. Learn an effective workout that you can easily do at home. Appropriate for moderately active and above teens and adults. Come dressed for moving, including sneaker-type shoes. Class Max: 10 Concepts and Practices of Green Woodworking
Luke Larson, North Street We will be discussing woodworking traditions that include working with green, or unseasoned, wood. These practices take into consideration the living and moving nature of trees, and seek to work with the nature of wood rather than forcing it into rigid machined forms. The first part of the class will be discussion and demonstration, followed by hands- on experience with a riving break used to split wood, a shaving horse used to hold wood during the work, and hand tools used to shape it. Bring work gloves if you have them. If not, we will provide them. If the weather is good, we will be outside for some of the class. Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Class Max: 10 |
Brains And Screens: How do Screens Impact Our Brains?
Laura Derrendinger, South Street What do independent medical experts say about how our brains are impacted by digital screens? Come and hear about the science, brain biology and research presented in a way you can actually understand, with books and pictures explaining how the brain works. For both children (teens and tweens) and adults; developed by nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians and child development experts. Let's move away from mythology and what commercial industry wants us to believe, and empower ourselves with the facts. Participants will go home with a practical evidence-based printed workbook guide to use at home and share onward. Chair or Office Yoga
Lina Hanson, Buxton Ave In this specific chair yoga class we work in a seated position as well as get up to standing, using the chair for support and for help with balance as needed. The class will be gentle enough for those who need that, and still provide challenge for those who want that. Please try this class even if you usually take a floor class. Also called “office yoga” or “desk yoga” as many of the adapted postures and flows would be easy to do as movement breaks in your workday. You need a sturdy chair without armrests, and about a yoga mat’s length of space to move around on (but a mat is not necessary). Zoom Link will be provided to participants. If you do not yet have Zoom, please create an account on your computer or device before the class. |
Crocheting for Beginners
Rita Hansen, Garron Road Always wanted to learn to crochet? You'll learn basic crocheting skills in this class and make a simple scarf. 1 skein of yarn (light colors are easiest to work with), 1 size 5mm or greater crochet hook (let me know if you need one to borrow as I may have extras). Class Max: 6 |
Discussing Sensitive Subjects with Teens and Tweens Jodie Ruck, Garron Road
Being a teenager has never been easy, but teens today face rapid changes and new challenges that make it even more important for them to be able to have open, honest discussions with their home grown-ups. Come with questions or just to listen as we take some time to discuss topics such as vaping, mental health, and media influences, in a supportive and caring environment. Class Max: 15 |
Game Night
Mary Lamson, Mountain Road Have a favorite game and no one to play with? Want to learn a new game? Or maybe relive a classic from your childhood? From Battleship to Bananas, Candyland to Catan – come out for some good clean fun! There will be an assortment of games to play. Bring your family, bring a friend, or just bring a good attitude! You can bring a game to share, too! Gardening Questions Answered Leslie Silver, Rocks and Trees Lane Have questions about gardening? Come ask a group of experienced gardeners who might be able to answer them. From starting new gardens, to winter storage crops, seed varieties , to shade growing, there's lots to learn. If you know a thing or two about gardening come and share your knowledge as well! We can all learn from each other. Come with questions! |
Health and Wellness: Why Supplementary Nutrition?
Lina Hanson, Buxton Ave This lecture about health and wellness starts by untangling the question: Why take supplements? I will share what I have learned through my personal health journey and in helping others. This inspiring and informational session includes room for questions. I am offering further support to all participants who after this session want to learn more or take further steps with their health, whether it be improving health in general, weight-loss or gaining body mass and muscle tone. No products will be sold at this event. All are welcome. |
Hula Hooping for Teens and Adults
Leslie Silver, Rocks and Trees Lane Come join us for fun, exercise and some challenges as we warm up our bodies by hooping. Never hooped before but always wanted to? This is the place. These are not the hoops you might have grown up with. They are bigger and heavier, making them easier to use. We will have hoops for everyone to use, and people to help teach some tricks if you want to go further. Class Max: 15 |
Interactive Civics: How an Idea Becomes Law
Robin Chesnut-Tangerman, Sundog Lane This will be a discussion and internet exploration of the work of the Vermont Legislature. Bring laptops or other internet-capable device, and note taking materials. |
Intro to Guitar
Carl Diethelm, Pawlet Learn and improve your guitar skills! This class will get you started so you can learn just about any song you want to. Students need to bring a guitar and music stand. Students with some experience (self-identified beginners) will still benefit from learning specific techniques. Class Max: 10 |
Knitting for Beginners
Wendy Herrick, Buxton Ave If you have been wanting to try out knitting, here’s your chance. We will learn basic knit and pearl stitches and how to begin and end a project. If you have needles and yarn , please bring them, but if not don’t let that stop you from joining! Knitting needles and yarn if you have it Class Max: 8 |
Learn to Crochet a Stuffed Animal
Rita Hansen, Garron Road This is a 2-session class for folks with some experience in crocheting. Session 1: We'll go over basic instructions to begin the crocheted rabbit or bear. You'll start it in class, then continue at home. Session 2: Learn to stuff and sew animal together and add finishing touches. 2 skeins of yarn (I don't suggest very dark colors as they are harder to work with!), Crochet hook size (either 4mm, 4.5mm or 5mm), small scissors, sewing needle with large eye (like darning needle) Class Max: 6 |
Middletown Revolutionary War Narratives
Jon Mathewson, Montvert Road Several early settlers of Middletown served in the Revolutionary War, and their memories of the war were published (posthumously) in the Poultney Journal. We will read these narratives, and analyze them: how do these memories intersect with our historical knowledge of the war, and how to they diverge? Copies of the narratives will be made available to students before the class Class Max: 20 |
Middletown Springs Elected Officers:
What Do All These People Do? Herb Childress, Spruce Knob Road A small town only runs because people step up to take on many, many roles. This session will help you understand all of the options for participating in Town government, so that you'll be prepared to run for your preferred office. A pen would be good. If you have a copy of this year's Town Report, that also would be good, but we'll have some extras. No preparation or precautions necessary. Class Max: 25 |
Make and Fly Paper Air Planes
Angela Polizzi, West Street I'll be demonstrating how to make a few different types of paper airplanes, along with trying them out and learning some fun facts about paper airplanes. Bring drawing supplies if you want to decorate your airplanes. The more the merrier! |
Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Paul Morgan, East Street How to successfully and responsibly care for your woody plants. Wear appropriate clothing to be outside: boots, gloves, hat. ______________________________________________________ Sing Out! Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman, Sundog Lane We’ll come together to just sing - any level of experience welcome. Fun rounds and follow-able part songs. Music will be provided. Bring water and reading glasses if you need them. Class Max: 20 _________________________________________________________ Teen Cookie Gathering Lina Hanson, Buxton Ave Welcome all teens in Middletown Springs! From 13 and up. A first meeting to get together (and maybe we will decide to continue once a month)… You’ll get a chance to see old friends and meet new ones. Hear who has the same interests as you; maybe connections will be made and smaller groups formed. We will brain storm about what teens want to do in town…and take it from there. ________________________________________________________ Wild Game Cooking Trevor Pearsall, Proctor This is an opportunity to learn: 1) wild game cooking fundamentals 2) the appeal of eating wild game, and 3) perhaps eat something new. Please indicate any food allergies when you sign up! Class Max: 12 _____________________________________________________ Yoga Prana Shakti Floor Yoga Lina Hanson, Buxton Ave Intermediate (though beginners are welcome), for adult & teens. In this Yoga Prana Shakti class, you will stay on course, cultivating spirit and mind while working on the physical body, all in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. Each class brings awareness to Prana (breath). All students will be guided to better understand the details of physical alignment and the coordination of breath while moving in and out of poses. With a sense of playfulness and exploration, each student on their individual level will work on improving flexibility, strength, stamina, body awareness and function of the entire body. There will be a mix of Vinyasa and held Asanas. Breathing and relaxation techniques will be used to calm the mind and reduce stress. Class ends with relaxation & centering. Yoga mat, blankets, blocks if you have. Wear comfortable clothes. Zoom Link will be provided to participants. If you do not yet have Zoom, please create an account on your computer or device before the class. |
Qigong (pronounced chee-gong)
Joel Pliner, Wells Qigong is a system of gentle movements, postures, and breathing, sometimes described as moving meditation. It comes from Chinese - Qi, meaning energy and Gong, meaning work, designed to promote health and well-being. Class Max: 10 _______________________________________________________________ Tales from Botany: A History of Plant Chemistry Jim Graves, South Street Do you know lots of interesting things about plants but can't say the same about chemistry? Chemical compounds and reactions provide the basis for those interesting things, from oxygen production to wood characteristics and marsh marigold flowers. Hear the stories behind discoveries in plant chemistry since ca. 1630, when the Belgian van Helmont provided evidence that plants get little of their mass from the soil. And, find out how much you love chemistry! Optional note-taking method if desired; I can provide digital copies of class materials afterwards. Questions are welcome! No class limit. _______________________________________________________________ Villanelle vs. Pantoum: Write the Difference Jon Mathewson, Montvert Road There are many forms of poetry, including the villanelle and pantoum, which are similar to each other. Find out the difference between the two, and write one of each in this poetry workshop. Bring paper and a writing utensil, as well as a willingness to create! Class Max: 12 _______________________________________________________________ Y’all Know What Data Is? Christopher Garcia An introduction to the practical uses of Excel. Learning how to learn and shaping up data into something useful. If you have a laptop with Excel, bring it, but it's not necessary for demonstration. |