Where I live it’s been unusually quiet this summer. Those of us who live on Route 524 are grateful that a bridge at the end of the street needed repairs, so the road has been closed to traffic. It’s almost as quiet as the year we moved out here (1977). What a difference it makes. No cars or trailer trucks streaming by night and day — too many of them, going too fast. We have been able to regain some peace and quiet, some retreat from busyness.
Well, there’s been no peace or serenity with Abington Area Community Classroom and The Gathering Place this summer. We have kept busy with the Strawberry Day event and the Gathering of Givers morning, when we thanked all our corporate givers and celebrated the Local Share Account grant which we were awarded. The Gathering Place also hosted an Improv Night with Here We Are In Spain, which was a great success. There will be a repeat performance Friday, Sept. 25, so do come out and see the region’s newest performance venue.
The bulk of the summer we have been gathering our instructors for the fall semester. The AACC brochure is printed, and copies can be distributed by mail. Many copies will also be at the Abington Community Library and around town. There is even more detailed information on the classes and bus trips online at GatheringPlaceCS.org and click on “AACC classes.”
Ballroom dance classes will be offered starting Monday, Sept. 14: Advanced Hustle, Intermediate Argentine Tango, and Beginner Hustle. “Hustle” and send in your registration for these early classes soon.
Pam Summa will be back practicing and promoting the fine art of smocking on Mondays, Sept. 14 and 21. Learn how to smock in September and be ready to create a beautiful smocked ornament on Mondays, Oct. 12 and 19.
Since I like to take a class or two each semester, I’m already wondering if I can fit two in one night when Bonnie Alco teaches French for Travelers at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, and Jason Seidman presents Organizing and Creating with Your Digital Photos at 7:30 p.m. Both are on Monday nights. I think I’m going to try. I want to see how much high school French still lurks in my brain, and I’ve always wanted to make one of those photo calendars. We’ll see.
Our first off-site class of the fall will meet at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Thirteen Olives, State Street, Chinchilla. Enjoy a night touring and tasting with Eugene Litz, the store owner and chef, while learning the health benefits of olive oils and vinegars.
Barbara Wagner from The University of Scranton will provide community members with a Fall Risk Assessment on Wednesday, Sept. 23, which is also National Fall Risk Day. This class will meet at 6 p.m. at The Gathering Place, where university students will be on hand to assist.
Cathy McAndrews will facilitate a five-week course on Women’s Journal Writing beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. On the same night at 7 p.m., Megan Hughes will teach how essential oils can be a healthy addition to one’s daily routine.
Gwen Harleman from the art studio Verve Vertu will be back to teach a new unified art class for people of all abilities, which will feature silk art and other fiber art techniques. Gwen is a joy to work with, and everyone creates beautiful art work under her instruction.
Don’t miss our fall bus trip to New York City on Saturday, Sept. 26. We leave from the Clarks Summit United Methodist Church parking lot on the Morgan Highway at 8 a.m. and depart the city at 7 p.m. This trip fills fast so register as soon — the deadline of Saturday, Sept. 19 will be here before you know it.
AACC will close out September with a class on the new SATs on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at The Gathering Place. Anne Armezzani and Paula Baillie welcome parents and students at 6:30 p.m. to learn the changes in format, content and scoring of the new SAT being used in March 2016. Bring a lap top if possible.
Look for all our cooking classes in October and a full slate of other offerings. The schedule is jam-packed through mid-November. Our first trip to the Philadelphia Craft Show comes up Saturday, Nov. 14. This bus will have only 26 seats, so you will want to make your plans early.
Looking forward to seeing you this fall.
