Center for Creative Retirement

Courses

• Albany Brewery Talk
• American Mah Jongg
• Annie Oakley: Past into Present
• Armchair Walking Tour
• Bird Watching
• Celebrating 200 Years of the Erie Canal
• Diners - A History
• Earliest Dutch Architecture in NY
• Eleanor: First Lady of the World
• Flip Side of History Part 4
• For the Cause - Women of the Civil War
• Freshwater Fishing at Dyken Pond
• Geology Rocks
• Gourmet Lunch Prepared by Culinary Program
• History of Crown Point
• Hydroponic Growing at Spring Hill Farms
• Ireland's Exiled Children in America
• Irish History Through Song
• Keys to Understanding Shakespeare
• Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch
• Let Those Meneely Bells Ring
• Massacre and the Tea Party
• National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame
• New York as a Global Superpower
• Norman Rockwell Presentation
• Origami Upcycle
• Planning a Family History Trip to Ireland
• Return to the 1960's
• Senior Exercise Class
• Shakers & Their Adopted Children
• Spiritualism in the Gilded Age
• Stone Houses of Hurley & New Paltz
• The Beauty, Design and Fragrance of Spring Flowers
• The Best of Oakwood
• The Iroquois Journey
• The Monarchy of Rome
• The Saugerties Lighthouse
• The Shakers & Medicinal Herbs
• Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch
• Tour of County Waste Single Stream Recycling Plant
• US Foreign Policy & the New President
• Visit 1890's Bookbindery
• What's New with Ancestry Family Trees
• Women of Fort Cralio

Albany Brewery Talk

One evening, Albany beer historian and author Craig Gravina met Discover Albany’s Maeve McEneny-Johnson and said, “I want to tell Albany history through beer.” Maeve replied, “I want to look at Albany’s neighborhoods through historic breweries.”  Together, they took a deep dive into Albany’s downtown neighborhoods and their respective breweries, and uncovered enough unique stories and characters to create a series of summer tours. This course is not a tour, but Maeve will give a presentation about the Neighborhood Brew Tour that resulted from this collaboration. She’ll discuss how she and Craig developed the tour, the surprising themes that emerged and, of course, the over-the-top stories surrounding Albany’s brew history. Think bad boy brewers, politics and prohibition, and even a drunk cat. It will be a spirited event!

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Maeve McEneny-Johnson, Instructor

Albany Brewery Talk

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 3/31 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-818 600	32 seats left	$20	Opens 1/22

American Mah Jongg

Whether you are a beginner or looking for a refresher, join us in learning American Mahjong. This class includes basic instruction and the opportunity to play with people of varying skill levels. Let’s play, learn to conquer the card, and delve into strategies. If you have a Mahjong set, please bring it with you. Course fee includes a $30 materials fee.

No class 3/18 & 4/22

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B06 

Criss Macaione, Instructor

American Mah Jongg

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesdays, 2/25 - 5/13 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm	ZSPI-276 600	12 seats left	$114	Opens 1/22

Annie Oakley: Past into Present

Come enjoy a morning with re-enactor Denise Wright as she portrays the American sharpshooter and folk heroine who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.  After the first-person interpretation, Wright will discuss the use of historical interpretation and interactive dramatizations as methods to bring history to life. There will be an opportunity for participants to try their hand at developing a character from the past into a present-day historical experience. 

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Denise Wright, Instructor

Annie Oakley: Past into Present

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 5/5 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-808 600	32 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

Armchair Walking Tour

During the Gilded Age, Saratoga was famous for its grand hotels. The village guests shopped each afternoon in the stores owned by the independent merchants, many of whom lived on Phila Street, while the homes on Union were often summer residences of the captains of industry and bankers. In this class, we will not be doing the walking tour, but will discuss the merchants and mansions featured on the tour. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Dr. Hollis Palmer, Victorian Historian and Author, Instructor

Armchair Walking Tour

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 4/8 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZCCR-791 600	32 seats left	$30	Opens 1/22

Bird Watching

Join a Saratoga Spa State Park environmental educator on a guided walk through Gray’s Crossing, at the southern end of the park, to spot and identify songbirds during their spring migration. The walking route is a level, one-mile loop trail that covers multiple habitats. Bring your own binoculars and feel free to use mobile devices to help identify birdsongs. Possible bird sightings include several species of warblers, sparrows and waterfowl. The program will be conducted rain or shine, so be prepared for any weather conditions. Wear sturdy shoes as the path may be wet and muddy. Bug spray will be provided. There are no restroom facilities at Gray’s Crossing.

Course will meet at Gray’s Crossing, 87 Northline Rd, Ballston Spa 

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Bird Watching

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 5/8 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-806 600	10 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

Celebrating 200 Years of the Erie Canal

The program will cover the purpose of the Erie Canal, construction statistics, why it was built in New York State, and its effect on New York, the nation, and American engineering in general. We will also discuss the completion celebration in 1825, centennial celebration in 1925, and the planned bicentennial celebration in 2025. Course includes $10 materials fee.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113

Tom Ragosta, Watervliet City Historian, Instructor

Celebrating 200 Years of the Erie Canal

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 4/29 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-810 600	32 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Diners - A History

Diners started out as portable lunch wagons that could be brought from location to location. Soon enough, they were placed on foundations and went from counter seating to booths and tables as well. The buildings increased in size over time as well. This presentation will bring you through this progression and show the viewer that diners were not just popular in New Jersey. They have always been popular in the Capital District, and for a time they were quite popular in the Great Lakes, a region of specific research for the presenter, Michael Engle.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113

Michael Engle, Instructor

Diners - A History

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 2/24 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	ZCCR-819 600	32 seats left	$18	Opens 1/22

Earliest Dutch Architecture in NY

This presentation will examine the earliest homes that were constructed by Dutch families in New York, who copied prototypes from the Netherlands. The class will begin by examining the two earliest homes in New York, located in Brooklyn, which date from the 17th century, as well as some in Schenectady’s Stockade District. Because there are no surviving dwellings in Albany, extremely accurate paintings done by a local artist will illustrate their likenesses. Also, to be featured is a 1730s-era dwelling in the process of being restored, with much of its original content still intact.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

Earliest Dutch Architecture in NY

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 4/10 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-802 600	32 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

Eleanor: First Lady of the World

One hardly has to include Eleanor Roosevelt’s last name to know who President Truman was referring to when he called her “The First Lady of the World.” Her life story and achievements are both astounding and inspiring. Her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, a distant cousin, promised a bright future but was rocked with his infidelity and later, his contracting polio at 37, which left him paralyzed from the waist down, but both Eleanor and he persevered. In supporting his political aspirations during his illness, she found she had the aptitude and passion to become a skilled politician herself. Focusing on helping the poor, the disadvantaged, minorities and people of color, as well as young people, she and Franklin partnered in successfully steering the country through some of its most trying times - the Great Depression and World War II. Following the war, and Franklin’s death, Elanor became a worldwide advocate for peace and human rights.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113

Phyllis Chapman, Instructor

Eleanor: First Lady of the World

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 3/12 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-799 600	32 seats left	$28	Opens 1/22
Wednesday, 3/26 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-799 601	32 seats left	$28	Opens 1/22

Flip Side of History Part 4

Dive into a brand new selection of stories! If you’re someone who loves hearing about everyday people achieving extraordinary things or you’re drawn to quirky, fascinating tales that never made the headlines, this class is for you. For more than thirty years, author Steve Silverman, host of the popular “Useless Information” podcast, has uncovered and shared some of the most unusual, odd, and bizarre stories lost to history. Join Steve as he presents a fresh batch of his favorite forgotten stories – guaranteed to entertain!

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Steve Silverman, Instructor

Flip Side of History Part 4

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 2/27 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-794 600	32 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

For the Cause - Women of the Civil War

While Civil War generals, armies, and battles have been the subject of countless books, magazine articles, movies and documentaries, the contributions of women in the conflict have been less noted, but women served in many ways. The first woman ever to lead a military mission for the US Army did so in 1863, and she was a woman of color. Many filled the vacant occupations left behind by men serving in both armies. Women on both sides of the conflict supported their respective causes in ways great and small: from serving as nurses, spies, and writers, to serving in battle, in industry, or by simply keeping the fires burning at home. For some, their war activities propelled them toward a new, independent mindset, and more active future roles in society. In this class, instructor Phyllis Chapman will tell these stories from the perspective of Medal of Honor recipient Dr. Mary Walker, who was a Civil War surgeon and struggled for recognition both during and after the war.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113

Phyllis Chapman, Instructor

For the Cause - Women of the Civil War

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 4/16 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-659 600	32 seats left	$28	Opens 1/22

Freshwater Fishing at Dyken Pond

This class is intended for those who have little to no experience fishing but have always wanted to learn the sport. We will cover species of fish commonly found in New York State lakes, where they are likely to be found, and techniques for catching them. Learn how to tie a fisherman’s knot, bait a hook, and how to safely handle and release fish. We will cover how to use closed reels and spinning reels and provide an overview on bait casters and commonly-used fishing lures. The final portion of the class will be dedicated to practicing fishing along Dyken Pond’s shoreline. Fishing poles and bait will be provided for all participants, or bring your own. Program restricted to 12 participants to allow for individual attention and hands-on experience. Course includes $10 materials fee.

Course will meet at Dyken Pond

Josh Pulito, Instructor

Marie D’Entrone, Coordinator

 

Do Not Follow Your Car GPS- Some GPS units are directing people to the east side of the lake, which is 25 minutes from the Center. Please follow the directions below.

Directions: From East on Route 2. Watch for Tamarac School on the left and Tamarac Plaza on the right. Go 1.5 miles. Watch for Dyken Pond sign on the right. Turn right onto Route 79 (Blue Factory Rd). Go two miles. Turn left at Dyken Pond sign onto Route 80 (Madonna Lake Rd). Bear right at fork (Jay Hakes Rd. is to the left). Bear right at Dyken Pond sign onto Dyken Pond Rd. (go straight instead of following the turn). Continue 2.5 miles. Dyken Pond Road is a dirt road, go to the end.

From Points West, follow Route 7 east from Troy. Continue approximately 4 miles. Turn right at traffic light onto Route 278. Continue until the end. At traffic light, turn left onto Route 2, you will see Tamarac School and Plaza. Follow directions above.

From Points East: From Route 22, follow Route 2 west. You will pass the blinking light in the town of Grafton. Approximately 0.5 mile from there, look for the white Methodist Church on the left. Turn left at the church onto County Route 85 and continue for 3.1 miles. Turn left onto Route 80 (Madonna Lake Rd). After 0.8 miles, turn left at the sign.

Freshwater Fishing at Dyken Pond

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 4/23 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-813 600	11 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Geology Rocks

This course is designed for community members with no prior geological knowledge and is a very basic introduction to key geological concepts designed provide a foundational understanding of geology, including the study of rocks, minerals, and geological processes. We’ll discuss geology as a science and the basics of Earth’s structure; rocks and minerals, including key properties and identification; geological processes; and the local geology of the Albany area.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Abigail Cavazos, Instructor

Geology Rocks

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 4/9 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm	ZCCR-797 600	18 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

Gourmet Lunch Prepared by Culinary Program

Come enjoy a wonderful meal of contemporary cuisine in the Van Curler Dining Room on SUNY Schenectady’s campus. The meal is fully created and served by hardworking culinary students at SUNY Schenectady. Arrive ahead of time to shop at the meat shop, Boucherie, and Pane e Dolci, the bakery shop, before your lunch; both are open from 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. We will take attendance at 11:45 a.m. outside the Van Curler Dining Room, lunch will end when you are finished dining. Course fee includes $26 materials fee.

Course will meet at the Van Curler Dining Room, 78 Washington Ave, Schenectady, NY.  Parking is available in the student parking lot.

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Gourmet Lunch Prepared by Culinary Program

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 4/23 11:30 am - 2:30 pm	ZCCR-763 600	97 seats left	$41	Opens 1/22

History of Crown Point

Captured! Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Lake Champlain and the Beginning of the American Revolution, 1775-1776

New York’s Champlain Valley became a major theater of the war at the outset of the American Revolution.  The captures of Ticonderoga and Crown Point occurred within weeks of Lexington and Concord and provided the fledgling revolution with much-needed artillery, as well as control over most of Lake Champlain. This presentation provides an in-depth look at the captures of Fort Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Lake Champlain by Revolutionary forces, and examines the events and circumstances leading up to the beginning of the American Revolution in the Champlain Valley and beyond. The presentation also highlights the historic significance of the captures of the critical fortified posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point and how those captures set the stage for the next phase of the American Revolution.   

 

Crown Point and the Battle for Control  of Lake Champlain, 1776-1777

In the summer of 1776, the commanding officers of the Northern Department of the Continental Army, Philip Schuyler and Horatio Gates, held a council of war at Crown Point to determine the best location to defend against a looming British assault down Lake Champlain from Canada. To the disappointment of some New England officers, the commanding officers decided to withdraw from Crown Point and planned to defend New York’s northern frontier from a position south of Crown Point, across from Ticonderoga on a peninsula named Mount Independence. This presentation details the arguments for and against the decision to abandon Crown Point, and how this decision played into the final battles for control of Lake Champlain in the lead up to the Battles at Saratoga, the historic turning point of the American Revolution.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Sam Huntington, Instructor

History of Crown Point

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 4/25 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-782 600	32 seats left	$19	Opens 1/22

Hydroponic Growing at Spring Hill Farms

Spring Hill Farms was established in 2023 by Joshua Zullo and Joseph Rozell with a simple goal in mind: to provide the freshest, highest-quality and most sustainable produce to support a strong and cohesive community. The farm hydroponically grows a variety of lettuce and greens, Asian greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, beans and squash year-round in custom-built systems in our temperature-controlled greenhouses. Guests will be able to go on a guided tour of the greenhouses, see the different stages of plant development, see how the plumbing system is set up, be able to ask about the construction of the greenhouses and systems, and have time to ask questions about hydroponic growing. After the tour, come into our farm store and guests will have the opportunity to plant their own hydroponic microgreens to take home! Course fee includes a materials fee of $5.

Course will meet at 1 Spring Hill Way, Averill Park

Joshua Zullo, Instructor

Jean Chenette, Coordinator

Hydroponic Growing at Spring Hill Farms

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 3/14 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-811 600	11 seats left	$20	Opens 1/22

Ireland's Exiled Children in America

In this class, Dr. Stack will explore the US links to the Easter Rising, and the resonance of the Rising in the US, at a time when America was debating entering WWI and German and Irish-Americans worked desperately to keep America neutral. One of the most quoted phrases of the 1916 Proclamation comes in the second paragraph, in which its authors indicate that the various insurgent organizations were not acting alone: they were supported by their exiled children in America. They were a transatlantic organization from their inception, whose early existence intersected with the mass emigration that came after the Famine; the US became home to a highly disgruntled Irish diaspora that offered compelling levels of support for the Fenians. John Devoy worked to get Roger Casement German allies in New York, before he embarked on his doomed mission to get men and arms into Ireland. 

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113

Elizabeth Stack, Ph.D., Instructor

Ireland's Exiled Children in America

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 4/14 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-809 600	32 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Irish History Through Song

Ireland is an island that has 32 counties, six of which have been under British rule for more than 800 years. It has a rich and troubled history that dates back to 10,500 B.C. Because of its strategic location and its climate, it has been the envy of many nations. Join the Capital Region’s Irish Balladeer Irish Don Kelly as he takes you on a musical journey through Ireland’s history. Songs and stories of Ireland’s fight for freedom and its heroes and beauty will abound. Please join us for this very interesting and educational event. You can even sing along!

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Don Kelly, Instructor

Irish History Through Song

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 4/4 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-731 600	32 seats left	$18	Opens 1/22

Keys to Understanding Shakespeare

With the chronological gap between our time and Shakespeare’s, it is important to understand word usage and historical facts. Instructor Tom Bulger, who has taught Shakespeare for 30 years, will help make the plays more accessible and help you understand key components that make Shakespeare seem more like a contemporary. This class is designed as a springboard for reading Shakespeare’s plays, since once you understand his techniques and themes in one play, you will see them in the others.

Course will be held in  Williams Hall, Room 113

Tom Bulger, Instructor

Keys to Understanding Shakespeare

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 3/24 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-714 600	32 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch

The Knickerbocker Historical Society will be our hosts as they tell us about the history and ghosts of the Knickerbocker Mansion, which dates from about 1770. They will arrange for historical “ghosts” to give moving firsthand accounts of their lives and experiences, and they will explain the renovations – the not-for-profit Society rescued the mansion from certain demolition and has continued to restore it. Our visit concludes with a chance to tour the mansion and a colonial lunch cooked with authentic recipes, a delicious side to the history of the mansion. Course fee includes $30 materials fee.

Course will meet at Knickerbocker Family Mansion, 132 Knickerbocker Rd., Schaghticoke, NY

Michele Doodian, Coordinator

Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 5/14 10:30 am - 1:30 pm	ZCCR-137 600	29 seats left	$45	Opens 1/22

Let Those Meneely Bells Ring

We all have heard about them, some may have even seen a few, but the background of the Meneely bells is absolutely fascinating in the Troy area. Come get the scoop and hear all about them. What they were made of? How were they were tuned? Where are they now?  Find out the difference between a chime, a carillon and a peel. Gene Burns’ son Kim and daughter-in-law Melinda will share his experiences and knowledge from his recently published book “The Meneely Bells of West Troy: Watervliet.”

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113

Kim & Melinda Burns, Instructor

Let Those Meneely Bells Ring

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 4/1 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-626 600	32 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Massacre and the Tea Party

While most of us are somewhat familiar with the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, neither of those terms were used at the time. Recently, historians have uncovered new information about these two events which help to put them in better context. These lectures will explore when, why, and how they occurred with new information that was not known when we were in school.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Jim Sefcik, Instructor

Massacre and the Tea Party

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 3/31 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZCCR-814 600	32 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

Come visit the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame! Enjoy a docent-led tour that will teach you all about American thoroughbred racing and its rich history in our country. The galleries are filled with paintings, trophies, historical artifacts, and much more that celebrate America’s first national sport. The tour will conclude with an 18-minute screening of our Hall of Fame signature film, “What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame.”  Course includes $22 materials fee.

Course will meet at 191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs

Lea Darling, Coordinator

National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 5/9 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-816 600	29 seats left	$37	Opens 1/22

New York as a Global Superpower

This course explores New York City’s role as a global entity. From the time of the Dutch arrival to today, New York has had an outsized global presence and influence. Even amid challenges and downturn, New York is a dynamic power on many levels and in many fields. Hip hop and jazz, Wall Street, the UN, world-class universities, towering architecture, crafted parks, ethnic neighborhoods and much more make New York a special place. But how did this happen? What makes New York different and able to evolve, even amid the crises of the 1970s, the attacks on 9/11, and the COVID lockdowns? We’ll discuss in this course. 

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

James Ketterer, Instructor

New York as a Global Superpower

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 3/4 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-796 600	32 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

Norman Rockwell Presentation

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn about Norman Rockwell‘s life, art and character. The presentation includes the historical background of the artist, his family, his schooling, his teachers, mentors and illustrators, his painting approaches, and his most iconic works. We will also hear about his personal life and the way his work ties into American culture, and hear about the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. 

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Dan Carubia, Instructor

Norman Rockwell Presentation

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 4/9 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-684 600	32 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

Origami Upcycle

During this class, students will be using cast- off items along with origami and paint to create a decorative item. Course fee includes a $5 materials fee.

Course will be held in  Daycare Center, Room B06

Criss Macaione, Instructor

Origami Upcycle

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 3/26 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm	ZARC-414 600	15 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

Planning a Family History Trip to Ireland

Have you always dreamed of a trip to Ireland to see where your ancestors came from, and maybe even meet relatives still living there? Your dream can become a reality, but there are some practical planning steps you can take before you book your flight. Genealogist Lisa Dougherty will offer her recommendations based on 30 years of family history research and seven trips to Ireland.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Lisa Dougherty, Instructor

Planning a Family History Trip to Ireland

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 3/25 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-800 600	32 seats left	$18	Opens 1/22

Return to the 1960's

Join “Brian the Hippie from 1969” as he talks about the lifestyle and values of a cultural phenomenon: hippie culture. Experience the 1960s through his eyes and through historian Rick Reynolds’ interpretation of a turbulent time in America’s past. Groove to the music of the time and share your experiences from the ‘60s. Feel free to dress in your favorite ‘60s clothes and wear love beads or a tie-dye shirt.

Course will meet at HVCC North, 345 Hermes Rd. Malta, NY

Rick Reynolds, Instructor

Return to the 1960's

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 2/11 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm	ZCCR-815 600	50 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

Senior Exercise Class

Over the course of an hour, students in this class for seniors will work on 18 exercises grouped in three modalities in ascending order of difficulty. Students will be provided with a sheet listing the exercises to use at home as part of a daily routine and will need to bring their own mat and one- or two-pound hand weights to class.

Course does not meet on 4/22.

Course will be held in  Brahan Hall, Room 114 

Ihor Evanick, Instructor

Senior Exercise Class

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesdays, 4/1 - 5/13 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZREC-133 600	10 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Shakers & Their Adopted Children

When the first Shakers settled on land that is now part of the Albany Airport, it was 1784 and there were no organized orphanages or social services of any kind in the area. The indigent had to depend upon help from neighbors and local churches, which were the only doors open for food and shelter. This presentation will open up the world of the Shakers through the eyes of four children who were either brought to the Shakers to be educated and raised or came along with their indigent mother. All four of them wrote detailed accounts of their life with the Shakers, which the class will cover, along with period photographs (converted into slides) of the children interacting with the Shakers.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

Shakers & Their Adopted Children

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 5/1 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-804 600	32 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

Spiritualism in the Gilded Age

Join Rensselaer County and Troy City Historian and Director of the Hart Cluett Museum Kathryn Sheehan for an illustrated talk on spiritualism in the Gilded Age. Spiritualism was a religious movement claiming that spirits of the dead are able and willing to communicate with the living. The spiritualist movement began in the 19th century and continued through the early 20th century. Prominent individuals, including Thomas Edison, supported spiritualism. Along with the spiritualist movement, there was a growing religious movement in New York State that spread to New England and included the use of spiritualists and mesmerists in the treatment of physical and mental disorders. This period gave rise to a fascination with mediums and séances, and the lasting impact can be seen in today’s haunted houses and Ouija boards.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Kathryn Sheehan, Instructor

Spiritualism in the Gilded Age

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 4/11 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-820 600	32 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Stone Houses of Hurley & New Paltz

The unique architecture of the stone homes we will explore in this class reflects a blending of three different cultures: French, German and Dutch. The architecture of these one-of-a-kind homes will illustrate the combining of their cultures and building techniques. Slides will detail both the exteriors and interiors, as well as the history of the families who lived within them. An additional group from the Palatinate area of Germany arrived in New York in 1710 with settlements that followed in Columbia County, Schoharie and the Mohawk Valley, and these similar stone structures, known as “fortified homesteads,” will also be illustrated and discussed.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113 

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

Stone Houses of Hurley & New Paltz

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 4/17 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-803 600	32 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

The Beauty, Design and Fragrance of Spring Flowers

Come learn to arrange spring flowers with instructor Michele Peters, who will use her more than 30 years of design experience to teach you how to create a masterpiece with color, texture, shape and style and bring your own ambience to every occasion. We never know what magic will unfold, but Michele always brings her energy, passion, and creativity. You may be one of the lucky students who carries one of her creations home! Course fee includes a $18 materials fee per person.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113

Michele Peters AIFD, Owner of Ambiance Florals & Events, Instructor

The Beauty, Design and Fragrance of Spring Flowers

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 4/2 9:30 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-374 600	32 seats left	$33	Opens 1/22

The Best of Oakwood

Walking Tour of Victorian-Era Oakwood Cemetery

If you’ve been on our Oakwood walking tour before, you might just want to come back for this one! We’ll be taking an exciting new route this year. Opened in 1850, Troy’s Oakwood Cemetery in Troy was one of the first rural cemeteries in the country, with serpentine roads, beautifully sculpted monuments, and lovely landscaping, including thousands of spring daffodils.

Our tour will begin in the magnificent Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel, a National Historic Landmark filled with Victorian splendor. From there we will walk up the main road, stopping along the way to hear interesting and sometimes shocking stories about some of Oakwood’s “residents.” When we get to the well-known Your Monument, we will leave the main road and continue on an unpaved dirt road (wear appropriate shoes). We’ll have several stops to hear more accounts of heroics, tragic deaths, gravestone symbolism and more until we arrive at the grave of Uncle Sam. We’ll pause to see the panoramic overlook of Lansingburgh and the Hudson River Valley, passing a waterfall and the double ponds before returning to the main road for the conclusion of our tour. This slow-paced walk is a 1.5-mile loop on mainly level, paved roads with one dirt road and one or two slight inclines. A restroom at the chapel will be available before and after the walk. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear good walking shoes. You might want to bring bottled water as well. Course includes $20 materials fee.

Course will meet at Oakwood Cemetery. Oakwood Cemetery is located off Route 7 East (Hoosick Street) in Troy. Take Oakwood Avenue (aka Route 40) north from Hoosick Street for about 1/2 mile. You will see the entrance gates on your left. Park near the flagpole. NOTE: If you are using a GPS or Google Maps, use 186 Oakwood Avenue Troy. Do not use 50 - 101^st Street.

Led by Heidi Norton Klinowski

Paula Johannessen, Coordinator

The Best of Oakwood

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 4/28 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm	ZCCR-600 600	24 seats left	$35	Opens 1/22

The Iroquois Journey

The Iroquois Journey will present a very detailed study of the Iroquois, whose true name is Haudenosaunee, meaning “people of the longhouse.” We will explore Iroquois history and culture, from the past to today, including a full explanation and illustration of traditional villages, homes, material culture, religion, and matrilineal society. We’ll discuss the fur trade, which brought many Europeans from France, England and the Netherlands once Henry Hudson sailed into Albany in 1609, and how, despite a very profitable trading post and strong relations between Iroquois and Europeans, contact would ravage their culture, society and ultimately, their very way of life. Struggles continue today, but positive change and improvements are being made to reservation life.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

The Iroquois Journey

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 4/24 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-783 600	32 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

The Monarchy of Rome

This course will cover the establishment and growth of Rome during the monarch period. Topics include the analysis of each of the seven kings’ reigns and their contributions to the city that would become the center of the western world. From the establishment of the Senate and the elite class known as the Patricians, the construction of great buildings such as the Circus Maximus and the Forum, and military expansion against their Latin neighbors, the monarchy period would establish the foundation for the Republic that followed in 509 BC.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Brian Harden, Instructor

The Monarchy of Rome

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 2/20 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-798 600	30 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

The Saugerties Lighthouse

Join us at the Saugerties Lighthouse, an 1869 landmark on the Hudson River that now stands proudly as a living museum and a renowned bed and breakfast. Step back in time more than a hundred years to experience the charm and rustic simplicity of life in the middle of the river. The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy maintains the lighthouse and adjacent lands for the enjoyment of the public. The restored red-brick lighthouse offers overnight bed and breakfast accommodations, public tours, and special events. Furnished as it may have looked in the early 20th century, the lighthouse contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen,  keepers’ quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The operational light tower offers a panoramic view of the 

Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains. Because of its location on the river, tours must be scheduled with tide schedules in mind. The lighthouse can be reached via a half-mile nature trail of dirt and rock paths with wooden bridges and boardwalks and sandy trails. It is at the end of Lighthouse Drive in the village of Saugerties, New York. Suitable, comfortable shoes are recommended as it is a short walk to the lighthouse. Course fee includes $10 materials fee

Course will meet at the 168 Lighthouse Road, Saugerties, NY

Saugerties Lighthouse Staff, Coordinator

The Saugerties Lighthouse

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 5/1 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm	ZCCR-337 600	23 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

The Shakers & Medicinal Herbs

Join Hancock Shaker Village Historical Interpreter Denise Wright for an informative, illustrated lecture about the Shakers and their medicinal herb industry. The Shakers called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing during worship, the world called them the “Shakers,” the most enduring religious experiment in American history. Come learn about who they were, the women and children involved, and their popular medicinal herb industry.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Denise Wright, Instructor

The Shakers & Medicinal Herbs

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 4/7 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-807 600	32 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch

Enjoy taking a step back in time to the mid-1800’s to see and experience the genteel living of the nouveau rich of Troy’s Washington Park, surrounding neighborhoods, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. You will be able to see firsthand the loving care taken to rehabilitate and update many of these one-of-a-kind homes of the emerging millionaires of the 19th century, and visit their own private park. You will see many different types of architecture, including Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne. You may even see a restoration in progress at one of the area homes. We will begin our walk at St. John’s Episcopal Church, where you will discover the many hidden Tiffany treasures, including stained glass windows, intricate floor tile mosaics, and the painted Baptismal alcove, and enjoy the Memorial Garden, which has been on the Troy Hidden Garden Tour. A moderate lunch will be held in the last home we visit on the tour. There will be lots of walking on mostly uneven surfaces: sidewalks, grass, roads, and some home interiors with multiple flights of stairs. Be mindful of your capabilities to keep up with the group, as we have a tight schedule to adhere to for the two-hour tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be on your feet for all of the tour. Dress for the outdoors, rain or shine this time of year. Course includes $25 materials fee.

Course will meet at 146 1st Street, Troy, in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church where the tour begins. Parking lot directly across from the church.

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 4/25 9:30 am - 12:30 pm	ZCCR-329 600	20 seats left	$40	Opens 1/22

Tour of County Waste Single Stream Recycling Plant

How does Single Stream Recycling (SSR) work? Come find out the answers and see the workings of this busy facility. SSR makes recycling easier because there is no separating for you. SSR is also better for the environment, with less going into the landfill and more to be reused. But sometimes objects get recycled which shouldn’t, and once you learn what these are, you will make the workers’ jobs a lot easier. Before our walking tour, we will see a short informative video with discussion. Close-toed shoes, long pants and dressing for outside temperatures is a must, as the garage doors will be open. You will be issued a hard hat, safety glasses, earplugs (optional), and a safety vest that must be worn while on the tour. Be prepared for walking up and down several levels of open stairs while on the tour. If you have a sensitivity to smells, they have disposable masks you can wear, but you may want to reconsider this tour. Parking is at the plant, 865 South Pearl St., Albany. Off South Pearl St., look for Binghamton St. (Leadpoint sign); turn onto it and make a quick left into the red brick building parking lot to green awning office sign to the right, where you will enter.

Course will meet at 865 South Pearl St., Albany

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Tour of County Waste Single Stream Recycling Plant

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 4/18 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-568 600	14 seats left	$15	Opens 1/22

US Foreign Policy & the New President

This course explores what aspects of US foreign policy might change as a new presidential administration takes over, and what will likely stay the same. How will the US manage relations in hot spots like the Middle East, Ukraine, and Taiwan? What is the ongoing US role in NATO and the UN? Other issues to be discussed will include trade, technology, and relations across Africa, Latin America, and North America. The course will also examine key foreign policy institutions, including the State Department, military, intelligence services, and others.

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

James Ketterer, Instructor

US Foreign Policy & the New President

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 2/25 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-795 600	32 seats left	$22	Opens 1/22

Visit 1890's Bookbindery

During this tour, we will print on an iron hand press, trim the edges of a book on a 14th-century-style cutting machine, witness printer’s type being made by hand, and learn about the creation of books in both industrial and preindustrial styles. Course includes $10 materials fee.

Course will meet at Renascent Bookbindery, 1227 Fifth Ave, Troy, NY

Tim James, Instructor

Jean Chenette, Coordinator

Visit 1890's Bookbindery

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 3/27 10:00 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-812 600	17 seats left	$25	Opens 1/22

What's New with Ancestry Family Trees

Working on your family tree on Ancestry.com can be a rewarding or frustrating experience.  There are new features being added all the time, which can make the site confusing to navigate. Different types of membership and no membership at all will drastically affect your Ancestry.com experience. Whether you want to know how to use their vast resources to do research, attach pictures or documents to your ancestor’s profile page, share your tree, or clean up problems, professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty can help! 

Course will be held in WIL, Room 113 

Lisa Dougherty, Instructor

What's New with Ancestry Family Trees

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 4/15 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-801 600	32 seats left	$18	Opens 1/22

Women of Fort Cralio

Fort Crailo, As It Now Stands: 100 Years of Preservation

Did you know that Crailo State Historic site would not exist today without the determined efforts of Susan de Lancey Van Rensselaer Strong? In 1899, Susan, descendant of Hendrick van Rensselaer (who built Crailo in 1707), purchased the badly deteriorated building and spent the next twenty years repairing and stabilizing the structure. Through her determination, Susan prevented the demolition of Crailo and greatly contributed to research on the history of Dutch New York, Crailo, and the van Rensselaer family. For that reason, Crailo State Historic Site is today considered an important architectural landmark and historic resource regarding the Dutch Colonial experience. Join Crailo Historic Site Assistant Fiona Lyons and learn about the history of Crailo and the woman who saved it.

To Serve the Poor for Nothing: The Midwives of New Netherland

Midwives played a vital role in healthcare in 17th century Holland. As Dutch colonists settled along the Hudson River Valley, midwives’ skills were necessary to ensure the health of their growing families, but providing these services in the young colony proved difficult due to poor regulation and overpriced, untrained imposters. Learn how the professional midwives of New Netherland and early colonial New York fought to ensure that women would have access to high-quality, affordable reproductive care. This class will be presented by Crailo State Historic Site Historic Interpreter Loretta Tucker.

Course will be held in WILL, Room 113

Loretta Tucker and Fiona Lyons, Instructors

Women of Fort Cralio

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 4/3 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-805 600	32 seats left	$19	Opens 1/22