First Posted: 11/18/2014
Is there anything more magical than seeing a new bird in your neighborhood? Lately a woodpecker with a red cap and nape has accompanied me on my dog walks along the road, flying up into the trees, pecking for beetles in the bark, swooping in undulated flight across the field. What a gorgeous sight all dressed in black and white and red – it’s so striking and what an uplift to the spirit!
Since AA Community Classroom is about at the end of our semester with one felting classes left to go, I thought I might be hard-put to come up with column material. Not to worry! There’s plenty to tell you about.
You may sign up now for one or both of our spring bus trips: Philadelphia on March 4 and New York City on April 18. Our bus trip to NYC has been a great day in the Big Apple for all who have gone with us before. Choose from tours, plays, restaurants, shopping, or just enjoy the city, then board the bus for a relaxing trip home.
Or join us for our new trip to the City of Brotherly Love; we will be going the Wednesday of the Flower Show week, March 4. Enjoy the floral displays centered on the theme Celebrate the Movies at the flower show. Or you can do your own thing: the new Barnes Museum, the Rodin, Museum of Art and the Mutter Museum are close by. American history comes alive at Independence Hall, Betsy Ross’ house, Ben Franklin and Independence Seaport museums. You may sign up now by downloading the registration form from our website www.aacclass.org ; send form and check to address given. Please include your e-mail address as well as your phone number. The e-mail address is very important. This is how we communicate with our registrants and students.
The AACC committee met November 11 to review our fall semester, and throw out ideas for spring. We are never at a loss for ideas. Let us know at news@aacclass.org whether these classes interest you. Let’s get a dialogue going – it’s so easy to give your input via e-mail or the above site. Remember, if five people can pay the instructor’s fee we can usually run a class. We are looking at classes in beekeeping with Orna Clum, improv with Pat Martin, home canning, health self-management with Judy Rienzi, a history walk in Clarks Summit, tech topics – four different ones for four nights, a gardening class, sock-knitting, nuno-felt sampler, more classes at Keystone Observatory, more classes with Rabbi Swartz or maybe a comparative religion class. We hope to have another Special Needs Dance class. Let us know what interests you. Help us make our adult education program more responsive to the people we serve.
Once again we partnered with other organizations this fall. Through registrations, and donations the day of the Trolley Walk, we were able to send $130 to The Countryside Conservancy. The AACC book club donated $95 to SCOLA, the Scranton Council for Literacy Awareness.
The Book Club continues to meet at noon the third Tuesday of the month at Everything Natural. This month they are reading “Orphan Train;” next month’s selection will be decided at November’s meeting. Bring a lunch and discuss. No need to register.
The Gathering Hour, the fundraiser held at the Gathering Place in October, was a great success. Judy Griggs transformed the old fire hall into an autumn wonderland and it was such a congenial place to gather. Many ticket holders, a few walk-ins, a generous bidding crowd- all made for a fun evening and lots of good will. Our chef-instructors prepared gorgeous food, and we were overwhelmed by the graciousness of all our helpers – the “worker-bees” who plunged in and offered their help wherever needed, and so many community members who donated wonderful auction items. A huge thank you to all! We are now about $14,000 closer to making The Gathering Place a reality.
Remember that striking new bird in the neighborhood? The Gathering Place can be your magical, friendly,thrilling, new attraction in downtown Clarks Summit. Make it happen! Buy a brick, or donate today. We want to build The Gathering Place with each and everyone’s support to raise each and everyone’s spirit.