THURSDAY CLASSES 

EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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9:00 AM

WHAT IN THE WORLD:  Robin Cramp (bio) has traveled extensively throughout the world and lived overseas giving him a deep insight on how the U.S. is viewed by our friends and foes.  His weekly sessions cover current events, and surveys the geographical limitations, political upheavals, and economic struggles of these areas.  Robin’s abounding professionalism and his enchanting British delivery causes this class to fill up rapidly.  

 

FLORIDA GARDENING:  This semester we will be studying fall vegetables and herbs, container gardening, small trees, invasive plants, and bonsai basics. Plant Questions are always appreciated. After 26 years as a Master Gardener, Jane Mandeville (bio) likes to hear about your gardening experiences. Your interest in plants energizes the class.            

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MAGIC FOR EVERYONE:  Tom Sanders (bio) is again teaching this class for both beginners and experienced magicians.  This class is aimed at anyone interested in entertaining grandchildren and family.  The course will cover magic with cards, ropes, coins, and other everyday items.  Tom introduces new “tricks” each session so you can learn something new.  Please bring a deck of new cards to the first class.

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CHRISTMAS FUN:  Gnomes are big this year, so they have been added to the make and take Christmas Craft class.  Join Nancy Dennee (bio) supported by Bernadette Matousek and Margaret Moore to make some cute decorations, some repeat favorites from past years and some new ones: yarn gnomes, button Christmas trees, decorated Styrofoam balls, cones and mini trees, to name a few.  Keep those hands nimble and enjoy conversation like an old-fashioned circle of friends.                                     

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INTRODUCTION TO THE SPANISH LANGUAGE:  Señora Isabel Ochoa-Youssef (bio) will introduce us to easy Spanish phases and sayings in this session.  If you are new to this language, this is the session for you.  Basic terms such as days, time, counting, food, and travels are a few of the topics Isabel will cover.  This term, in our Spanish Made Simple book, we will start with chapter 6 or 7 and review chapters one through five. Copies of this book are available for purchase in class.

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BASICS OF PERSONAL FINANCE:  This course is designed for those new to investing who would like to more deeply understand some concepts related to budgeting, investing, and planning.  Rusty Stuart (bio), financial advisor for Edward Jones, will explore areas many retirees utilize but would like to know more about.  His eight-week lesson plan is as follows: 

SEP 29            Rules of the Road

OCT 6            Preparing your estate

OCT 13          Stocks: The Nuts and Bolts

OCT 20          Ready or Not? Preparing for the Unexpected

OCT 27          Focus on Fixed Income

NOV 3            Retirement by Design

NOV 10          An Investors Tour of Mutual Funds 

NOV 17          Tax Free Investing

 

10:00 AM

THE SCIENCE OF MATTER: This entertaining DVD course is taught by a Professor of Chemistry at Cleveland State University. The study of matter has led directly to such inventions as new fabrics for clothes, powerful chemicals for medicine and industry, and semiconductor circuits for computers. Starting with the fundamental components of the universe, matter and energy, the course moves to atoms and the different ways they bond to each other, forming molecules and other compounds. The course moderator is Tom Sanders (bio).

 

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19th CENTURY BRITISH LITERATURE:  Join Leslie Johansen (bio) as Professor Emeritus, John Sutherland of University College London takes us on a trip through 19th Century British Lit. This course consists of lectures and discussions on the development of the novel. Topics to be covered will include:

 

George Eliot - Middlemarch

Thomas Hardy - Jude the Obscure

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - The Red-Headed League

Joseph Conrad - Heart of Darkness

Oscar Wilds - The Importance of Being Earnest

George Bernard Shaw - Pygmalion

Virginia Woolf - Mrs. Dalloway

E.M. Forster - Howard’s End

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GENTLE YOGA:  Jim and Mary Ann Loafman (bio) have been a team for over 50 years and return with their very popular classes.  This session consists of gentle stretching and breathing exercises (no headstands) and finishing with 15 minutes of relaxation.  Goals are to become more flexible, relaxed, and centered.  Every part of your body will be used from your head to your toes.  

 

CHAIR YOGA:  Mary Ann and Jim Loafman (bio) are certified Yoga instructors since 1988.  This session is for those who do not feel comfortable or able to do floor exercises.  The exercises are gentle and enable students to relax and become more flexible.  Bring a big smile and enjoy a lovely time.  

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KNITTING:  Come enjoy some conversation while knitting or crocheting.  We will also try to throw in some new techniques such as making cables, adding beads or felting.  Join Shannon Miller (bio) for this hour of fun while learning something new.

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CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH:  Señora Isabel Ochoa-Youssef (bio) will offer, using various modalities such as talking, reading, and writing, experiences that will help you master and speak basic and intermediate Latin-American Spanish.  Spanish has become the second language of many Americans especially here in Florida.  Some knowledge is almost mandatory in south Florida.  You have an opportunity to learn from a native of this language.  Isabel suggests purchasing Spanish Made Simple.  This term, the class will pick up at Lesson 15.  New enrollees are responsible for “catching up” to this point.

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11: 00 AM

THE SCIENCE OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION:   This course is a continuation of study of the science behind meditation as the path to well-being. In recent decades, modern science has dramatically confirmed what advanced meditators have long claimed—that meditation, correctly practiced, offers deep and lasting benefits for mental functioning and emotional health, as well as for physical health and well-being.  The many practical benefits of meditation include

  • marked and lasting reduction of stress

  • increased ability to focus and concentrate, as well as clarity of thinking

  • freedom from detrimental patterns of thought and emotion

  • increased learning capacity and memory; and

  • greatly enhanced well-being and peacefulness.

Each class will end with various forms of meditation practice.  Come and join Leslie Johansen (bio) as we explore this fascinating practice.

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BEACHSIDE BOOK CLUB:  Jan Case leads this group and invites new members to join all the veterans for a fascinating hour.  The group has selected the following contemporary books for the fall term:

FALL 2022:

SEP 29            Rosemary:  the hidden Kennedy daughter -NF by Kate Clifford Larson

OCT 6             The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen 
OCT 13           The Maid by Nita Prose

OCT 20           Emma by Jane Austen 

OCT 27           The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles 

NOV 3            The Reading List by Sara Nissan Adams

NOV 10          The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

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POSTURCIZE:  Learn a fun, simple to do exercise routine that will strengthen your muscles for good posture and improve joint movement.  Look and feel great, keep fit, and prevent pain!  This session is led by Janet Harazda (bio), a Registered Nurse (FL 936802) and Licensed Massage Therapist (MA24421) specializing in Hoshino Therapy©, a manual technique and body of practical knowledge for the rejuvenation of overused or stressed tendons.  Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring an exercise mat.  This class will only meet the first five weeks of the term!

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THE MAGNIFICANCE OF FLORIDA’S STATE PRESERVES AND NATURAL SITES PLUS U.S. NATIONAL PARKS:  Let’s go exploring to beautiful places, scenery and waterways through the sights and sounds of our natural surroundings.  Let’s throw in some historic content to see how these places and parks came into their existence.  Let’s dine in the tropics without leaving our own State.  Let’s hear the songs and poems that bring these places to life. We will examine the Cultural Backgrounds of ancient to modern groups who helped form the places of interest which we view. We’ll do it virtually through the classroom with the opportunity to take a few live field trips to some of the places firsthand. For a full Syllabus contact Lee Rosenkranz, CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) by e-mail at floridagreeters@yahoo.com or through the web site-www.dayawaytravelclub.com then hit School. We’ll see you in September!     NOTE: THE FIRST CLASS WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL 6 OCTOBER!

 

BEGINNING UKULELE (Ukulele I):  Beginning Ukulele will start at the very beginning. Parts of the instrument, some history, how to hold a uke, tuning, strumming, some chords, and several simple songs. Teacher, Linda Paul (bio), will cover techniques to improve as a player and resources. Students should bring pencils and paper; a ukulele and a music stand if they have them. Several handouts will be provided. A few loaner ukuleles and music stands will be available for in class use only, but students are expected to provide their own instrument after the first class. (They need to be able to practice at home.)

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THE HISTORY OF RUSSIA:  Russian history is particularly pertinent today since many historians believe that a country’s historical experience and development greatly affect its present-day cultural philosophy and attitudes. This course will help you understand how Russia’s past has affected it’s present. We will be using Great Courses lectures by Dr. Mark Steinberg covering Russian history from the time of the Populist and Marxist movements of the mid 19th century to the failed revolution of 1905. Moderator, Jack Blasy, will share some of his experiences and insights from over 40 trips to Russia. 

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