Happy New Year! We hope this year brings hope and happiness to you and yours. Personally I am glad to be rid of 2015; however, even bad things were eclipsed by the good so I shouldn’t complain.
This was the week for the Abington Area Community Classroom committee to gather together and hash out the spring semester . We met to review the instructor applications and discuss the class descriptions that will go in the brochure. As usual, we have a packed agenda and a wide array of classes.
Ballroom dance continues to be a cornerstone of the AACC. We are so grateful to the Wetzels and their commitment to provide these great classes to the community. Our semester will lead off with ballroom dance classes on March 7. Jill and Gehred Wetzel will teach Advanced Nightclub Two-Step, Intermediate Foxtrot, and Beginner Country Two-Step during the first session; the April and May session include Advanced Bolero, Intermediate Hustle, and Intermediate Country Two-Step. Plan to step out and enjoy an evening of dance, movement and fun.
Another cornerstone of our program has been our cooking classes and this semester is no exception. Judy DeSarro has taken over MaryAnn Nichols’ role of cooking class coordinator and she has some dandy ideas for you, with titles like Farm to Table, Cinco de Mayo, Spring Dinner Party on a Dime, Kentucky Derby and Italian Dishes to whet your appetite. More details will go up on the website as soon as the brochure has been sent to the printer.
We welcome back Sarah McCully from State Street Grill and Gene Romaldini, while welcoming new cooks, Sarah and Mike Bodner of Bodner Harvest, and Tom Farrell of Tiffany’s Tap. Eugene Litz from Thirteen Olives (who got rave reviews last semester) will invite you back to his establishment to show you how to prepare dishes using his olive oils and vinegars.
Craft classes abound in this semester’s line-up. Two knitting classes, basic and sock-knitting, will be offered, taught by Ellen Muzi of Electric City Yarns. Did you know Ellen used to have a yarn shop in downtown Clarks Summit years ago? We hope that this is a kind of home-coming for her. She is a caring and patient teacher — I know because she guided me through as I knitted an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern called “baby surprise jacket,” and it is a testament to her teaching skills that I managed to complete a sweater of which I was very proud.
Pam Summa and Val Davidian will both be back to teach Smocking and Sewing a Kaleidoscope Table Runner, respectively. We are proud that the Abington Area Community Classroom has a part in bringing classes on traditional crafts to the area. Val Langan of Woods and Company plans to teach a course on painting furniture at her business on State Street in Chinchilla. Her class on furniture finishes was widely applauded last fall and this one promises to be inspiring as well as provide a fun night out creating.
Cheryl Kaiser from Kaiser Photography will teach a class on how to take better photos, and Kelly Thornton will show you how to create your own flower arrangement using basic principles of floral design.
Be prepared for spring and get your bike in ship-shape (or bike-shape, rather) ready to ride the roads and trails of NEPA. Bike Maintenance will be taught at Sickler Bikes by Zach Wentzel, who will discuss topics such as flat tire repair, chain cleaning and lube, brake adjustments, safety inspection and more. Once you get your bike in tip-top condition, plan on trying the trails at our beautiful Lackawanna State Park, or enjoy the Countryside Conservancy Trolley Trail through Clarks Summit and Glenburn.
Of course, there are more classes on deck, but next month will be time enough to talk about those. The brochure should be out in early February and available at the Abington Community Library as well as churches and other venues about town. Hopefully you will find one or more of our offerings to your liking, and we will see you soon!
