First Posted: 2/17/2015

Fat, fluffy, picturesque snowflakes were drifting across the valley as I wrote this column, and we had a welcome break from the freezing temperatures of the past weeks.

I’ll take snow over intense cold any day of the week and revel in its beauty, and its peacefulness. I enjoyed this short reprieve from single digit degree weather, maybe more so because temperatures have been descending to zero more often lately.

The temperature dipped to the single digits just in time for the Frozen Fairy Tales weekend that is Clarks Summit’s Festival of Ice, which took place Feb. 13-16.

The Gathering Place was the scene of many festival events, several supported by the Abington Area Community Classroom. Amanda Caleb, Ph.D., from Misericordia University presented a talk on the history of fairy tales on Saturday.

Posing as Maleficent, I presented a spinning demonstration for kids and adults Saturday afternoon.

In partnership with the Scranton Storyslam, AACC sponsored a story-telling event Friday night, with Pat Martin as emcee. Pat will teach a class on Improv for AACC at 7 p.m. Thursdays, April 9 through May 7.

We supported Appalachia Service Project’s bake sale to sponsor their yearly mission trip taking teenagers to Appalachia to repair homes.

This week the AACC committee has been active planning the mailing and distribution of our brochure, where you will find 35 class offerings running the gambit from cooking to beekeeping, health issues to computer technology and talks at the Keystone Observatory to nature walks on the Trolley Trail.

If you, like countless others, can hardly wait for spring — when hopefully the sun will grace us more than one day at a time — the community classroom has countless reasons to anticipate spring.

Anticipation — what a great word. The looking forward to, a foretaste and expectation of things ahead. I anticipate the coming of Wednesday, March 4 when AACC’s bus trip takes off for the Philadelphia Flower Show; a chance to be astounded by the wealth of flowers and their color and beauty even before the first crocus appears in our gardens. And, of course, your chance to plan your own tour of the city with the hours left before you leave for home at 7 p.m. There are only 11 seats left for this trip.

On Monday, March 2, Jill and Gehred Wetzel begin teaching Advanced Bolero, Intermediate Cha Cha, and Beginners Mambo and Merengue. What greater remedy for the winter blahs than to dance the night away!

If making matters to you, you can anticipate making felt on Thursday, March 19, or creating a colorful silk scarf on Thursday, March 26. Or how about creating your own screenplay? Iris Davison would love to show you how for five Thursdays beginning March 19. She is a script consultant, an adjunct professor at Marywood and has 15 years of experience writing.

Don’t forget to be active and pro-active this spring. Take Brent Stouffer’s introduction to Tae Kwon Do on Saturday mornings beginning 10 a.m. March 21.

At the end of March we have a talented local lady, Kavita Mizen, ready to show you how to plan a year-round garden way before the ground has thawed. Two Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., March 28 and April 4, Kavita will inspire you in your gardening desires, and your wish to eat healthy in any season. She has five years of experience running a family business in organic vegetable and ornamental plant production, and she has a master of science degree in Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences.

Our brochure is out there. Some of you have received it in the mail; if you have not, you may find the brochure at the library, and at different venues about town. Don’t forget we have a website where there is more detailed information on all the classes we offer: www.aacclass.org All of our classes are limited; if you are interested in any class or trip, please register early so you are not disappointed.

The New York City trip leaves at 8 p.m. April 18 from the Viewmont Mall parking lot in front of Sears.

Our May schedule seems to be centered on health with classes discussing these topics: Thinking and Health with Kevin Creegan Ph.D., Create a Healthy Lifestyle with Judy Rienzi, R.N. and The Joy Diet with Janet Dunn.

Licensed acupuncturist Maria Wansacz will teach you the basics of acupuncture, how it works, and how to use acupressure for common ailments on Thursday, May 14; while Gene Geeza, P.T. will explain myofascial release on May 14.

Finally, on Thursday, May 28, volunteers from the Voluntary Action Center will present “What are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life?” Explore various volunteer opportunities available in your community. Through a series of questions and discussions find your passions and where you can contribute your talents.