2026 Fall Courses

2026 Fall Course Catalog

  • Sign up for membership in the Academy for Lifetime Learning by paying the $30 per semester membership fee. This non-refundable fee entitles you to sign up for as many courses as you like, but please read the schedule carefully as class times sometimes overlap.
  • Register early, as courses fill up quickly. You will be notified by email that you are enrolled. If a course that you want to take is full, you can sign up to be placed on a waiting list. Should a spot later become available for you, you will be contacted to see if you are still interested in taking the course.
  • If you register and then find you cannot attend, please notify the Registrar so that the seat can be made available for another member.
  • You can register online on our registration page or by mail (click here for a downloadable PDF mail-in registration form).
  • Click here if you want to download a PDF of the course offerings.
  • Some courses have an additional fee for materials. These fees are shown in the course description. In such cases, add the additional fee(s) to the $30 semester membership fee and pay the total amount with your registration. For example: $30 semester membership fee plus materials fee(s) totaling $20 would be a total payment due of $50. Your registration is not complete until total payment is received, so if you pay by check rather than paying online and the roster fills with additional paid registrations before your check is received, you will be moved to the waiting list.
  • Refund Policies
    • The $30 semester membership fee is non-refundable.
    • Materials fees are refundable in full if the course must be cancelled.
    • Materials fees are not refundable if you withdraw from a course less than 14 days before the date of its first/only session. For each course with a materials fee, that date is specified where the fee is noted in the class description in the course catalog.
  • All courses this semester meet in person. Each course’s venue is noted in the catalog description.

Thank you for your participation in the Academy for Lifetime Learning

2026 Fall Courses

(Click on any category or course title in the list below to go directly to that item in the catalog.)

FUN AND GAMES INDOORS

FUN AND GAMES OUTDOORS

DEMYSTIFYING TECHNOLOGY

    ARTS AND CRAFTS

    OUR EASTERN SHORE

    VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    AND SOMETHING SPECIAL

    FUN AND GAMES INDOORS

    Colorful bowl of fried rice with vegees in blue China dish.

    Cooking with MaryKay: Rice
    Instructor: MaryKay Mulligan (grammarrules@verizon.net)

    This is not your mother’s rice. From Korean bibigo and Thai Jasmine to sushi rice and arborio, cultures all over the world grow and cook rice. The class will cook and taste varieties of rice and make both a savory and a sweet rice recipe.

    • Two sessions: Wednesdays, October 28 and November 4, 9:30-Noon
    • Location: Instructor’s kitchen (directions will be given before the class begins)
    • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: All ingredients and utensils will be supplied.
    • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 7

    MaryKay Mulligan never met an exotic cuisine or an unknown food she wouldn’t try. She is a sociologist, a reader, and a passionate home cook.

    Mahjong for Beginners
    Instructor: Jane Mannock (janemannock16@gmail.com)

    A group of women sitting around a table in someone's comfortably furnished livingroom playing mahjong.

    Mahjong is a game of both skill and luck. So many people are playing it, so how about you? This series is for people who have no idea how to play, couldn’t pick a bam or a crack from the pile, and couldn’t say how many tiles each player gets. Our group will be for complete novices. Learning how to read the card, determining how to organize the tiles, and playing some games is the plan. No need to have a set to play with; your instructor will have all the supplies.

    • Four sessions: Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
    • Location: Instructor’s home in Melfa (directions will be given prior to class.)
    • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Students will use the instructor’s mahjong set but are welcome to bring a set if they have one.
    • Materials to be supplied by student: Nothing required; students may bring a snack to share, but this is not required.
    • Notes: Students need to arrive on time so the class can maximize the time for learning and playing.
    • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 6

        Jane has been playing for several years and has taught many others to play the game. She taught high school students for over 30 years and has lots of patience for repeating instructions and expecting mistakes. The point: have fun and do the best thing you can for your brain—learn something new!

        Parlez-vous français? Oui, un peu.
        Instructor: Peggy Swan (peggyswan@verizon.net)

        A group of people sitting around a table in a comfortably furnished livingroom There is a an easel with French phrases that an instructor is directing their attention to.

        Learn how to pronounce French words that are used by English speakers (e.g. “vichyssoise,” “hors d’oeuvres,” & “tête-à-tête”) and learn just enough French to impress a Parisian waiter or an American snob! You will end up with a vocabulary of several hundred words and sentences that will get you instant respect, and you don’t have to learn any grammar or conjugate any verbs—and in just two two-hour classes. No prior exposure to French is necessary.

        • Two sessions: Tuesdays, October 20 and 27, 10:00 a.m.-Noon
        • Location: Instructor’s home, Onancock (Directions will be given prior to class)
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Paper and pencil.
        • Class limits: Minimum 6, Maximum 12

        Peggy Swan is an avid Francophile who spent her senior college year at the University in Strasbourg (Alsace, France) and has made several trips to France since then. She taught French in a local high school.

        FUN AND GAMES OUTDOORS

        How About Birding?
        Instructor: Joanne Laskowski (jlaskowski13@gmail.com)

        Looking to exercise your brain in new ways? You don’t need to learn a new language or musical instrument. Why not try birding instead? During this talk and walk, steps to identify birds will be presented and new assistive technologies will be showcased. Participants should bring a pair of binoculars for a walk around campus after the talk and should download the free “Merlin” app from Cornell University onto their phones.

        Three women are on a wooded trail looking ahead. Two them have binoculars, and one is pointing at something outside the range of the image.
        • One session: Friday, September 18, 9:00-11:00 a.m. (Rain Date: Friday, September 25, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Binoculars; the free “Merlin” app (Cornell University), downloaded onto their cell phones prior to class.
        • Notes: Wear clothes suitable for walking around campus looking for birds; the walk will be on pavement and grass.
        • Class limits: Minimum 5, Maximum 15

        Joanne Laskowski has been an avid birder for over 50 years. She has taught Ornithology while earning her Master’s Degree in Ecology from Rutgers University. She is past President of the Eastern Shore Master Naturalists and a volunteer at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge conducting Waterfowl and Shorebird surveys.

        Birding on the Historic Onancock School Nature Trail
        Instructor: Maggie Long (maggie.long55@gmail.com)

        Join in a leisurely walk along the Historic Onancock School Nature Trail. We will be listening and looking for resident and migrating birds. The trail follows along a gut of the Onancock Creek and has an observation deck from which one may see waders, waterfowl and/or hovering birds seeking out fishes.

        A group of adults are standing on a birding observation platform overlooking a creek. One of t women is pointing toward a wading bird in the water ahead of them. A couple of them are using binoculars to observe the bird.
        • One session: The is a one-session course, but what birds one encounters on the nature trail varies from visit to visit. If you go back a second or third time, you may well encounter new species on those subsequent visits. For that reason, the one-session course will be repeated three times. You are welcome to participate in as many of the sessions as you wish. Just be sure to sign up separately on the registration form for each session you plan to attend. The dates from which you may choose are Monday, September 28; Monday, October 5; and Monday, October 12, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
        • Location: HOS Nature Trail parking area, next to the Historic Onancock School’s parking lot, 6 College Avenue, Onancock
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Binoculars are a must, and several will be available to borrow, but please bring your own if possible.
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Binoculars, if you have them.
        • Notes: Dress for the weather. The trail is mostly shady and may have mosquitoes and ticks. Good walking shoes, long sleeves, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and drinking water are always advisable for nature walks.
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 10

        Maggie Long, an ESVA Master Naturalist, performs stewardship walks at several of the area’s Natural Area Preserves. She has guided many field trips for the Birding Eastern Shore bird club and is actively involved with Eastern Shore Planting Eastern Shore Natives, work that is important to the many species of birds that nest and migrate through the peninsula. An Onancock resident, she is striving to make her own property a Homegrown National Park.

        Bocce Ball
        Instructor: Don McGavock (huntingcreek2@gmail.com)

        A group of adults is playing bocce in what looks like the side yard (not in front of a main entrance) of a one-story, lignt-red brick senior assisted living facility. The group ranges in age from their early 60s to their early 80s, with the upper age range predominating. It is a mixture of women and men, with women predominating.

        There will be a discussion of the basic rules of bocce. Players will learn how points are awarded. After any questions are answered, we will pick teams and jump right into a game which is the easiest way to learn how to play bocce. Everyone will receive a written page describing the complete rules of bocce.

        • Four sessions: Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 10:00 a.m.-Noon
        • Location: Commonwealth Senior Living Bocce Court, 223610 North Street, Onancock
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Bocce ball set
        • Notes: The bocce court is in full sun. Dress for the weather and bring water and snacks.
        • Class limits: Minimum 8, Maximum 12

        Don McGavock started playing bocce ball in an ALL class several years ago. ALL bocce features light-hearted, amateur competition, and, as Don is fond of pointing out, anyone can have fun playing bocce with only minimal experience and skill—even while holding on to a walker.

        Disc Golf 101
        Instructor: Ryan Webb (ryan@easternshorepost.com)

        Students will learn the basics of disc golf, including backhand and forehand shots, putting, keeping score, course etiquette, disc selection, and more. The course is for beginners and newer players looking to improve their game

        A group of people is playing a game of disc golf. One of the women is "putting" on the green.
        • One session: Saturday, October 3, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
        • Location: Indiantown Park, 7399 Indiantown Road, Eastville, VA 23347
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: The instructor has some extra discs that students can use during the clinic.
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Discs. They can be purchased online or at sports retail stores; Walmart may have some.
        • Notes: Dress for the weather and bring bug spray/tick repellent (mosquitoes can be fierce). Wearing pants instead of shorts is recommended.
        • Class limits: Minimum 3, Maximum 10

        Ryan Webb has been playing disc golf casually since 2011. Once a week, weather permitting, he plays with a group of dedicated disc golfers that includes several past ESVA Disc Golf Club champions, and he has logged countless rounds at the Indiantown course.

        Growing an Herb Garden for Health, Happiness, and Habitat
        Instructors: Julie Cardinale and Doris Gebel (harbortonbell1953@gmail.com)

        Students will learn the joys and benefits of growing herbs. We’ll explore topics such as what herbs are, where to grow them, how to grow them, and the many ways to use them for your health and well-being, as well as their benefits to native habitat.

        An image of a pollinator herb garden is in the middle between the logo of the Virginia Master Gardeners Cooperative Extension on th e left and the logo of the Extension Master Gardeners Eastern Shore Chapter on the right.
        • One session: Friday, September 11, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Class limits: Minimum 10, Maximum 25

        Julie and Doris are Eastern Shore Virginia Master Gardeners through Virginia Extension. They are the past and current garden leads at Ker Place Herb Garden in Onancock, VA. Doris and her husband Paul own and operate Turtle Pace Farm, a sustainable farm in Melfa, VA.

        Introduction to Local ESVA Sportfishing
        Instructor: Ken Schultz (finful001@gmail.com)

        On a boat, a woman in a white hoodie has her back to us and is photographing a young boy displaying the fish he's caught for a souvenir shot.

        This is an updated reprise of a 2021 class that will cover the most popular saltwater species on the bayside and seaside of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Special focus will be paid to flounder, striped bass (rockfish), speckled trout, puppy drum, and bluefish. We’ll review the habits of these fish, where they are found, tackle and lures, and popular methods of fishing for them throughout the year. There will also be short commentary on local freshwater fishing.

        • One session: Friday, September 11, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Class limits: Minimum 5, Maximum 25

        Ken Schultz was a longtime editor and staff writer for Field & Stream magazine, the former fishing editor of ESPNOutdoors.com, and is the author of nineteen books on sportfishing and travel topics. He has served on two VMRC advisory committees and has pursued striped bass, bluefish, speckled trout, and puppy drum inshore with light tackle in Chesapeake Bay and along the seashore since moving here in 2009.

        Kayak Onancock Creek: Tour and Instruction
        Instructors: Bill and Mary Burnham (mary@burnhamguides.com)

        Onancock Creek is a living classroom where all elements of Chesapeake Bay ecology are accessible from the seat of a kayak. Starting with on-land instruction, a short, easy paddle from the 1680 colonial wharf reveals an Eastern Shore estuary fresh with oyster habitats, salt marsh, wading birds, and quiet nature coves. Your guides are trained kayak trip leaders as well as certified Virginia Ecotour Guides. This two-hour kayak experience begins with an introduction to basic paddling skills and safety, followed by a tour on the Creek with hands-on learning (including how to serenade a periwinkle!).

        An orange-gold kayak paddle is suspended above the water of a calm stream. Above the paddle, we can see a periwinkle snail on a leaf of marsh grass.
        • One session: Monday, September 14, 10:00 a.m.–Noon (Rain date: Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 a.m.-Noon)
        • Location: Onancock Landing Park, 2 Market St., Onancock (corner of Market St. and Mt. Prospect St.)
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Kayak, paddle, life jacket, and dry bag for phone or other personal items.
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Water, sunscreen, hat, and rain jacket. Optional: A towel and dry clothes to change into afterwards.
        • Materials fee: $50 ($40 if you bring your own kayak), paid directly to Burnham Guides as indicated in the note below. Deadline for fee refund request is August 31.
        • Notes
          • What to wear: Lightweight, drip-dry-type clothing (heavy cottons like jeans or sweatshirts are not the best when wet); sandals or shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops).
          • Participants must sign the liability waiver at www.smartwaiver.com/v/burnhamguides.
          • Participation is not confirmed until payment is made directly to Burnham Guides at
            https://square.link/u/6kheJKzv.
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 10

        Since 2010, Mary and Bill Burnham have operated Burnham Guides Paddling Adventures in Onancock, Virginia. They are certified Virginia Ecotour Guides. For 20 years, they have traveled the world leading kayak expeditions, always to return to Onancock Creek, their favored place to live and share with others. It is their pleasure to showcase the history, both natural and human, that lies outside their front door. In the winter they also lead trips in Costa Rico, the Florida Keys, and the Everglades.

        Pickleball 101
        Instructor: Michael D. Bono (mkbono23420@gmail.com)

        Two women are playing a team of a woman and a man. One of the women on the women's team is returning the pickleball across the net.

        Students will learn the game of pickleball. All aspects of the game will be covered for a new player.

        • Two sessions: Friday October  23, 3-5 p.m. and Sunday Oct 25, 2-4 p.m.
        • Location: Randy Custis Memorial Park, Nassawadox
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Paddles and balls will be provided. (Students may bring their own paddle but must use the balls provided by the instructor.)
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Bring water; wear athletic shoes and comfortable clothing.
        • Materials fee: $5.  Deadline for fee refund request is October 9 (add to your $30 semester membership fee and include with your total payment).                              
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 12

        Michael Bono is a USAA Pickleball Member and a Professional Pickleball Registry Certified Pickleball Coach. He is a health and PE educator in the Accomack County school system and has coached many other sports, including tennis—a wonderful opportunity to learn pickleball the right way.

        DEMYSTIFYING TECHNOLOGY

        Getting Started with AI
        Instructor: Tom McMahon (tommcmahon83@gmail.com)

        Getting Started with AI explores how everyday people can begin using artificial intelligence to save time, spark ideas, and simplify daily tasks—no technical background required. In this hands-on, beginner-friendly session, students will learn practical ways to use tools like ChatGPT for writing, brainstorming, planning, research, and everyday problem-solving. Whether you’re curious about AI for work, personal projects, or simply want to understand what everyone is talking about, this course will help you build confidence using AI in a simple, practical way.

        Graphic showing people using AI for basic tasks.

        A little curiosity, a lot less intimidation. 😄

        • One session: Friday, October 9, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: A one-page take-home guide; if email is provided, the full presentation will be forwarded to all attendees.
        • Materials to be supplied by student: None required. Students may bring a smartphone, tablet, or laptop if they wish to explore examples on their own after class, but hands-on participation during the session is optional.
        • Class limits: Minimum 3, Maximum 15

        Tom McMahon is an AI educator and technology professional with more than 35 years of experience helping people understand and use technology in practical ways. He teaches introductory AI concepts with a focus on real-world applications, showing beginners how tools like ChatGPT can simplify everyday tasks, improve productivity, and spark creativity. Tom’s engaging, down-to-earth teaching style makes emerging technology approachable, useful, and even fun.

        AI Without the Overwhelm: Understanding and Using AI in Everyday Life
        Instructor: Colleen E. Patterson (cpatterson310@gmail.com)

        AI is suddenly everywhere, and it is moving fast—in the news, on our phones, in our restaurants, and even in the scam calls aimed at all of us—and many are left wondering what it really is and whether we can trust it.

        We have designed this relaxed, beginner-friendly course for adults with no technical background and no experience required; you’ll learn by watching clear demonstrations and joining in on the discussions.

        Across three sessions, students will learn what AI is, how it can help with everyday tasks, and how to protect themselves from scams, fake voices, and misinformation.

        • Session 1 – History and Discussion
        • Session 2 – Ask AI Anything (live demonstrations and follow along)
        • Session 3 – Safety and the Future

        We will close session 3 with an honest look at where AI is heading, along with plenty of questions that will be answered.

        • Three sessions: Fridays, November 6, 13, and 20, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials to be supplied by student: None required. Students may bring a smartphone or laptop for Sessions 1 and 2 if desired. Session 3 includes optional hands-on activities, but no device is required.
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 20

        Colleen Patterson is an AI educator and community instructor focused on helping people gain confidence with emerging technology through interactive instruction, demonstrations, and practical examples. She shows students how AI can support creativity, learning, and everyday problem-solving. Brittnae Patterson will also help instruct these classes. She is a college student with a background in AI and structural design. Together, they bring energy, clarity, and a real community teaching experience.

        Introduction to Drones
        Instructor: Marina Pierce (marina.photobythebay@gmail.com)

        This class will be a brief introduction to drones and the requirements to become licensed as either a recreational flyer or a commercial FAA Part 107 licensed pilot. The course will cover the basics of flying a drone, where you can and can’t fly them, what to think about when purchasing a drone, and how to get your license. This course will NOT provide you with a license or, sadly, a drone to take home. But join in and see what these little gadgets are all about!

        Group of people surrounding an instructor who is flying a drone. All are looking up at the drone in the sky.
        • One session: Friday, October 23, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Students are not required to have a drone, but if they already have one, they are welcome to bring it. Students may want to bring materials to write notes, as slides will not be provided in hard copy.
        • Notes: We will be going outside to fly the drone at the end of class, so dress appropriately for the weather that day.
        • Class limits: Minimum 5, Maximum 10

        Marina Pierce is a local photographer and author based in Cape Charles. She is an FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilot who has done extensive real estate work and fine art photography with her drone, and she teaches classes in nature photography, phone photography, and now, for the first time, drone photography.

        ARTS AND CRAFTS

        Broken China Mosaic Tray with Christmas Motif
        Instructor: Poppy Durham (k.y.durham@mac.com)

        It’s not too early to get crafting for Christmas! Join us to make a serving tray decorated with broken China, pottery, or crockery overlaid with resin. If you want to create something highly personalized, bring a broken or chipped heirloom plate or platter. No prior experience necessary.

        Picture of a mosaic tray under construction.
        • Six sessions: Mondays and Wednesdays, October 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, and 28, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
        • Location: Instructor’s home studio near Accomac
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Supplies, tools, and safety equipment will be provided. Wear casual clothing.
        • Materials fee: $85. Deadline for fee refund request is September 28 (add to your $30 semester membership fee and include with your total payment).
        • Notes: The studio is located on the second floor of the instructor’s garage, up two flights of stairs. The stairs are broad and stable with a sturdy handrail on both sides; however, there is no wheelchair access.
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 8

        Poppy Durham began her mosaic art journey in 2015 on a whim. This first class started a love affair that continues today. She began teaching a church youth group and discovered she enjoys teaching the craft as much as she enjoys creating art. She says of her classes, “The joy comes from watching hidden creativity blossom in people who swear they are not artistic!”

        Diamond Dot Painting
        Instructor: Leslie Lowman (lowman.leslie@yahoo.com)

        Woman sitting at a wooden table working on a diamond dot painting of a scene of a wood cabin beside a mountain lake.

        The art of diamond dot is an easy, fun way to create pictures, bookmarks, coasters, and other projects for home or gifts. No special skill needed. All students will make a small picture to take home.

        • One session: Friday, November 20, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: All supplies will be provided.
        • Materials fee: $3. Deadline for fee refund request is November 6 (add to your $30 semester membership fee and include with your total payment).
        • Class limits: Minimum 6, Maximum 10

        Leslie Lowman started diamond dot art about a year and a half ago. Her first picture got her hooked—she finds it beautiful and relaxing, and it gives her pleasure to be creative.

        Fun with Watercolor
        Instructor: Susan McGuire (susan.mcguire1@icloud.com)

        Let’s debunk the myth that watercolor is hard! Together we will put paint and water on paper with a brush and turn out magnificent work that is all your own. After four weeks you will gain the confidence to continue on your own with great results. It’s all up to you!

        • Four sessions: Tuesdays, September 15, 22, and 29, and October 6, 10:00 a.m.-Noon.
        • Location: Instructor’s studio in Wachapreague (Directions will be given prior to class)
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Masking tape; a piece of foam core or cardboard about 16×20 inches to use as a board; a clear plastic or glass jar (about the size of a large peanut-butter jar); and a roll of paper towels.
        • Materials fee: $45, paid at registration. The instructor provides all art supplies at the first session. Deadline for fee refund request is September 1 (add to your $30 semester membership fee and include with your total payment).
        • Notes: As the information is progressive and accumulative, the instructor asks that you please not register if you cannot attend all four sessions; taking the time to catch people up to speed is not fair to the others.
        • Class limits: Minimum 6, Maximum 8

        Susan McGuire has been painting for more than 30 years, taking many courses over that time. She exhibits and sells her watercolors locally and online.

        Introduction to Mosaic Art: 3-D Teacup/Coffee Cup Mosaic
        Instructor: Poppy Durham (k.y.durham@mac.com)

        During this workshop, you will create a small wall hanging with a tea or coffee cup cut in half and attached for a 3-D effect and a colorful graphic background. This delightful art piece will look great in your kitchen, atrium, or screened porch. If you have attended a mosaics class here before, please join us again!

        Mosaic art has been around for thousands of years, and many mosaic art pieces have survived that long. That is because mosaic art pieces are made of resilient materials such as stone, shells, and glass and fixed using concrete-like substances. Creating mosaics is like working puzzles and just as addictive.

        You will learn about the various materials used, how to create art for indoor and outdoor use, and, over four sessions, create your own unique mosaic art piece.

        A mosaic artwork half of a teacup attached to a mosaic background to create a 3-D effect. There is a teaspoon in front of the cup.
        • Four sessions: Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 13, 15, 20, and 22, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
        • Location: Instructor’s home studio near Accomac
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Supplies, tools, and safety equipment will be provided. Wear casual clothing.
        • Materials fee: $55. Deadline for fee refund request is September 29 (add to your $30 semester membership fee and include with your total payment).
        • Notes: The studio is located on the second floor of the instructor’s garage, up two flights of stairs. The stairs are broad and stable with a sturdy handrail on one side; however, there is no wheelchair access.
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 8

        Poppy Durham began her mosaic art journey back in 2015 on a whim. This first class started a love affair that continues today. She began teaching a church youth group, and discovered she enjoys teaching the craft as much as she enjoys creating art. She says of her classes, “The joy comes from watching hidden creativity blossom in people who swear they are not artistic!”

        Knitting: All Levels
        Instructor: Garland Harvie (garlandbharvie@gmail.com)

        The instructor is bending over one of the students in a knitting class helping her learn how to do a new stitch.

        From beginning knitting to advanced. Do you want to learn how to knit? Make a basic scarf? Do you want to learn to make socks? The instructor can help you through the process. Do you have a project you are struggling with? Bring it. Do you want to make a sweater? Let’s get you started and through that process. Bring your materials, and the instructor can help with any project!

        • Four sessions: Fridays, September 18 and 25 (no class on October 2), and October 9 and 16, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Students will supply their own needles and yarn for whichever project they want to complete. These items can be purchased online; Ravelry is a good source for patterns. The instructor also has lots of patterns to bring to class, or students may contact her ahead of time to go through her patterns (712-501-2252).
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 20

        Garland Harvie is a knitter of more than 50 years. She raises her own sheep and spins their wool, and has been a teacher for many years, and loves showing people what they are capable of.

        Make a Portrait of Your Dog
        Instructor: Carrie Jacobson (carrieBjacobson@gmail.com)

        Make a portrait of your dog! You will bring a picture of your dog, something to make a portrait on, and something to make a portrait with. This could be paints and a canvas, pencils and paper, pastels, collage materials, whatever. You bring your stuff, and the instructor will show you how to create a loving portrait of your dog.

        The aim will not be a realistic portrait, but rather, one that captures the feeling and spirit of the animal. So if you are looking for a traditional, realistic, tiny-brush portrait, this will not be the class for you. If you’re looking to create a portrait that feels like your dog and emanates your animal friend’s energy, please sign up.

        A palette knife portrait of a Golden Retriever against a sky blue background.
        • One session: Saturday, October 31, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (session length 4-5 hours)
        • Location: Instructor’s studio in Wachapreague (Directions will be given prior to class)
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: None; students will bring their own materials.
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Everything needed to make the portrait (a picture of your dog and whatever art materials you choose to work with). Bring snacks, lunch, and something to drink if you want.
        • Notes: Students need to have some experience making art; this class is not suited for those who have never made art before, as the instructor cannot simultaneously teach basic art techniques and dog-portrait-specific skills. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should know at least the basics of your chosen medium.
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 5

        Carrie Jacobson is a painter who specializes in oils, using a palette knife. She paints lots of dog portraits, as well as landscapes, florals, shore birds, and whatever else crosses her path. She is self-taught and started painting at the age of 50, two decades ago. She lives in Wachapreague with her partner Dave Groshong (who makes garden art) and their three dogs.

        Photography: Become More Comfortable Using Your Digital Camera
        Instructors: Virginia Long and Suzy Quigley (dalbysva@yahoo.com)

        The content of this course on digital (i.e., not cell phone) photography will be determined largely by what participants want to learn about using the features of their own digital cameras to get the kinds of shots they are envisioning.

        If you are interested in learning what controls your digital camera has, what they do, and how to use them effectively, we’ll explore that. If there are particular kinds of photography you are interested in learning more about (nature, landscape, portrait, sports/action…) we’ll focus (no pun intended) on those areas. If you want to know more about processing your shots once you’ve captured them, we’ll take a look at some of the possibilities for doing that.

        Students sitting around a table in a photography classroom. Two instructors holding cameras stand in front of the class. In the background is a projection screen listing the subjects to be covered in the class. On the right wall is a whiteboard asking what students want to learn and listing several possibilities.

        Once you sign up for the course, you’ll receive a brief questionnaire from the instructors asking you to provide information that will help them prepare to cover the kind(s) of content that you want the course to cover.

        • Six sessions: Fridays, October 16, 23, and 30, and November 6, 13, and 20, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials to be supplied by student: A digital (DSLR, mirrorless, or point-and-shoot) camera.
        • Notes: Instruction will focus on the use of DSLR, mirrorless, or point-and-shoot cameras; cell phone photography will not be covered.
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 12

        Virginia Long started taking pictures of the football team as a favor when her son was in high school. Gradually she got into professional work and has taken many workshops in various kinds of photography.

        Suzy Quigley was a public-school art teacher in Connecticut and has been taking pictures for many years. She loves to share and help with both the technical and the art portions of photography, and her background in editing includes formal training with editing software in addition to years of practical experience.

        OUR EASTERN SHORE

        The Grandparents’ Guide to the Library: E-Resources and Volunteering at Your Local Library
        Instructors: Charlie Ricci, Tiffany Flores, and Kate Baird (tflores@espl.org)

        It can be a challenge to stay up to date on all the electronic resources your library offers. Discover both educational and entertainment resources that can benefit you and your grandchildren, plus enjoy a brief look at behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities with the Friends of the Library.

        Two grandparents sit with their grandchildren, a boy and a girl, who have laptops open in front of them. The front desk of a library building is in the background.
        • One session: Wednesday, October 7, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Library and Heritage Center, 24313 Bennett St., Parksley
        • Materials included with registration at no additional charge: Brochures and handouts related to e-resources and volunteering.
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 15

        Tiffany Flores and Charlie Ricci are librarians with the Regional Library System, focusing on programming, collection development, and community outreach.

        Kate Baird is President of the Friends of the Eastern Shore Public Library and a frequent volunteer with extensive knowledge of the library system.

        Know the Shore: Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce
        Instructors: Betty Martin (facilitator); Robert Sabbatini (presenter) (bmartin40@verizon.net)

        A college about the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Elements include posters of chamber events, a shot of the first page of the member directory, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber logo.

        Join Betty in learning more about our Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Commission. Robert Sabbatini, Executive Director of both organizations, will share information about their work, community happenings, and economic development on the Eastern Shore.

        • One session: Wednesday, September 16, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
        • Location: Chamber of Commerce, Hwy. 13 in Melfa
        • Class limits: Minimum 5, Maximum 20

        Instructor information about Betty Martin can be found below, in the catalog entry for Know the Shore: Eastern Shore Community College.

        Know the Shore: Eastern Shore Community College
        Instructors: Betty Martin (facilitator); Patty Kellam and Amy Shockley (presenters) (bmartin40@verizon.net)

        College of the Eastern Shore Community College logo and campus buildings.

        Patty and Amy will share information about our community college and the opportunities it offers to learners of all ages. The class will meet in the main building and tour the entire campus. Come with questions and be prepared to learn what a great asset the college is to our community.

        • One session: Wednesday, September 9, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
        • Location: Main Building, Eastern Shore Community College
        • Class limits: Minimum 5, Maximum 20

        Betty Martin has been inquisitive about all that happens on the Eastern Shore since coming here in 2003. Her love of learning unabated, she is repeating tours of important venues as they have grown and changed since the tours she led in the past.

        Paws, Policy & People: Inside Eastern Shore Animal Control
        Instructors: Corporal Sue Burdge (friendsofanimalcontroles@gmail.com), Jeri Winn, Shelter Manager

        You probably already know that the Eastern Shore Regional Control Animal Shelter in Melfa serves both Northampton and Accomack Counties, but have you ever wondered exactly what that entails? This is your chance to find out.

        A uniformed female Animal Control officer pets a nursing tabby mother cat while a shelter manager with her takes notes on the animals.

        Sue Burdge and Jeri Winn will explain the facility’s daily operations from caring for the animals in the facility, to taking in strays, to dealing with complaints about suspected animal abuse. You’ll learn what the animal control department actually does—from the moment a complaint is received, through getting the animal to the facility, to what happens in the courtroom.

        They will also explain how and when you can help and give you an understanding of our state and local laws concerning animals on the Shore.

        • One session: Friday, October 23, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Paper and pens for notes if desired.
        • Class limits: Minimum 5, Maximum 20

        Corporal Burdge has been in the animal control division full time since 2016 and became supervisor for the department in 2017. In 2020, she formed a non-profit organization (FACES) to benefit the animals in the facility and in the community. She has served on the board of directors for the Virginia Animal Control Association since 2024. Corporal Burdge has spent most of her life advocating for animals of all species.

        Jeri Winn has been the shelter manager at the Eastern Shore Regional Animal Control Facility since June of 2024. She was previously at the Richmond animal control facility and brought many of her ideas and programs with her. She has created an excellent volunteer and foster program as well as drastically increasing the adoption rates.

        VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

        Estate Planning for Everyone (Section 1: October 6)
        Instructor: Virginia (Ginny) Brown, PC (Ginnybrown@vebrownpc.com)

        A middle aged couple sits facing a young woman in a suit who appears to be going over a document with them.

        Nothing is more important in estate planning than taking the steps to protect what you want to pass on to your heirs. Ginny will explain everything from how to avoid death taxes to protecting your assets from long term care costs. She will discuss the differences between trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. This seminar is a great way to check that you have all of your affairs in order so that you can stop worrying/wondering and start enjoying life!

        • One session: Tuesday, October 6, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
        • Location: ESVA Chamber of Commerce
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Paper and pencil for notes.
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 15

        Ginny Brown has been practicing estate planning and elder care law for many years. She can offer her clients trusts, wills, powers of attorney, etc., that best suit their present and future needs, and she offers Medicaid protection, where appropriate, for asset protection. Although she does not provide financial plans, she is a Certified Financial Planner and combines that knowledge with her legal knowledge to best assist her clients. Ginny was born and raised on the Eastern Shore in Melfa and practices in the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach. She regularly travels to the Eastern Shore to serve her clients.

        A red folder ' The cover indicates that it contains the material to be covered in a class on estate planning.

        Estate Planning for Everyone (Section 2: November 10)
        Instructor: Virginia (Ginny) Brown, PC (Ginnybrown@vebrownpc.com)

        This course is a repeat of the content in Section 1 of Estate Planning for Everyone.

        • One session: Tuesday, November 10, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
        • Location: ESVA Chamber of Commerce
        • Materials to be supplied by student: Paper and pencil for notes.
        • Class limits: Minimum 4, Maximum 15

        Instructor information about Ginny Brown can be found above, in Section 1 of this course.

        Getting a Drug to Market: Drug Approval Process
        Instructor: Sue Mastyl (smastyl@msn.com)

        A chart showing the steps and timeline for the development and approval for a new drug.

        Ever wonder how a drug gets approved? We’ll look at the history of the Food & Drug Administration; the clinical testing process to evaluate a drug’s safety and effectiveness; the separate processes for drugs, medical devices, and vaccines; and current/recent controversies, including the status of approval (not) for vitamins and supplements; the overhaul of the approval process by Congress in the 1980s; and the vaccine system.

        • One session: Friday, September 25, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
        • Location: Eastern Shore Community College
        • Class limits: Minimum 6, Maximum 25

        Sue Mastyl holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Human Genetics and spent most of her career as a Medical Editor/Writer in the pharmaceutical industry. She was involved in continuing education programs and in submitting New Drug Applications to the Food & Drug Administration in the fields of antibiotics, ophthalmology, anti-inflammatories, and antipsychotics. She retired in 2015.

        Taking the Mystery out of Medicare
        Instructor: Jan Andrejco (rjandrejco@gmail.com)

        Part of a document about Medicare is being viewed under a magnifying glass.

        This class is designed to help you enter Medicare for the first time or to help you get a better understanding of how Medicare works. This class will cover everything except prescription coverage (that is another class). Parts A, B, and C (advantage plans) will be explained.

        • One session: Thursday, October 22, 10:30 a.m.-Noon
        • Location: Northampton Free Library, 7745 Seaside Road, Nassawadox, VA
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 8

        This class has been taught for several years. Jan stays up to date on changes and special circumstances using resources that are available to us all. She is not an insurance agent.

        Medicare Prescription Coverage (Part D)
        Instructor: Jan Andrejco (rjandrejco@gmail.com)

        A woman stands in front of students who are seated at desks. On the projection screen next to her is a graphic of the parts of the Medicare program.

        Whether you have been in a Part D plan or are new to Medicare, you should consider this class at least once. Did you know that you should shop for a Part D plan every year? Did you know that having a Part D plan does not mean all of your prescriptions are the best price at the same pharmacy? There are lots of tricks and tips to learn when buying prescriptions when you are on Medicare.

        • One session: Thursday, October 22, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
        • Location: Northampton Free Library, 7745 Seaside Road, Nassawadox, VA
        • Materials to be supplied by student: For your own use, please bring a list of your prescription drugs.
        • Class limits: Minimum 2, Maximum 8

        Jan is not an insurance agent. She has been offering Medicare classes through ALL for several years and has helped several people save money on their premiums and on the cost of their prescriptions.

        AND SOMETHING SPECIAL

        Echoes of the Walk for Peace
        Instructor: Carrie Jacobson (carrieBjacobson@gmail.com)

        Did you follow the Walk for Peace? Did it touch your life and your heart? What have you brought forward from it? What do you remember? How has the Walk changed you? Let’s get together and talk about the Walk for Peace and the place it has in our lives.

        A colorful palette knife painting of monks on a pilgrimage.
        • One session: Saturday, October 24, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
        • Location: At the instructor’s studio, or, if attendance exceeds capacity there, at Powelton Presbyterian Church, 25 Main St. Both locations are in Wachapreague.
        • Class limits: Minimum 3, Maximum 30

        Carrie Jacobson is a painter who has lived on the Shore for 17 years. She followed the Walk for Peace this past winter and was transformed by the ideas and actions of the monks.

        OTHER NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
        AVAILABLE IN THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA COMMUNITY

        • Visit the Events page at the Eastern Shore Regional Library and Heritage Center. Their calendar is updated monthly.
        • Information about courses currently being offered by the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists may be found here.
        • Information about courses currently being offered by the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Virginia Master Gardeners may be found here.