News October Continuing Education Classes Announced At Garrett College - Garrett College
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Campus News

September 17th, 2019

October continuing education classes announced at Garrett College

Genealogy, cake decorating, knitting, DIY, social media and more scheduled

Continuing Education & Workforce Development recently announced a variety of upcoming courses for the month of October.

Series: For the Love of Outdoors, GC McHenry campus

Tuesday, Oct. 8-22, 6-8:30 p.m. (Soil and Plant Biology)
Tuesday, Nov. 5-19, 6-8:30 p.m. (Site Assessment and Basic Design Principles)

This is a series of courses to guide the enthusiast in either landscape design, heirloom vegetable gardening or native plants and pollinator habitats. Whether you have arid acreage, a barren balcony or a cluttered yard, you can transform it into a stylish sanctuary. These courses will allow you to achieve a professional, cost-effective design with minimum effort.

Soil and Plant Biology provide an introduction to the science behind soil and plants. In Site Assessment and Basic Design Principles, participants will be provided with a general understanding of assessing garden sites and creating basic design.

Instructor for both courses is Ashley Bodkins, of the University of Maryland Extension and coordinator of the Maryland Master Gardener Program for Garrett County. She has a bachelor's degree in agronomy from WVU and an associate's in horticulture from Potomac State College.

Microsoft Excel for the Office Environment

Wednesdays, Oct. 9-30, 6-9:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus

Attend this hands-on class to learn about the new tools in Excel 2019. Commands and features that were often buried in complex menus and toolbars are now easier to find on task-oriented tabs that contain logical groups of commands and features.

The instructor for this course is Laurie Walker who has experience in both the private sector and education with spreadsheet, database, word processing, and presentation software, she enjoys using and teaching computer applications.

Drawing for Beginners

Tuesdays, Oct. 1-22, 6-9:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus

Gain a solid foundation and a basic understanding of the basics to drawing. Explore different drawing materials, set up procedures, lighting and rendering techniques, design and layout methods, and much more. Contacting Continuing Education for a list of materials needed.

Roy Devore, an instructor at Frostburg State University is teaching the course.

The Basics of Genealogy: Tracing Your Roots

Wednesdays, Oct. 2-23, 6-8:30 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center – Grantsville

Are you looking to find a birth parent, long-lost relatives, or to better understand your family's past? DNA is one of many sources that should be investigated on this path – government records, databases, books, websites, etc. Join us and learn about the most useful sources, tools and techniques for getting your genealogy research off the ground. Class will be held in a computer lab to assist in research and hands-on practice.

Instructor for the course is Mary Mannix, an experienced genealogy librarian and the Maryland Room Manager of the C. Burr Artz Public Library of the Frederick County Public Libraries.

Knitting Basics

Thursdays, Oct. 3-24, 6-8 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center

Want to learn the art of knitting? Learn how to choose yarns, read a simple pattern, differentiate between knit and purl stitches, and choosing a proper needle and materials. The result of the class will be a finished simple knitted project and the ability to graduate to more advanced concepts and knitting abilities. Needles and yarn are included in the class fee. Participants are to bring a pocket tape measure.

Regionally known fiber artist Carolyn Groves, who has over 50 years of experience in knitting, crochet and tatting, is the course instructor. She is also involved with several local knitting support groups.

Basic Cake Decorating

Tuesdays, Oct. 15-29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., GC Southern Outreach Center - Oakland

Bring out your creativity while learning a variety of techniques to apply to buttercream cakes. This course will focus on the different techniques of icing a cake with buttercream to include perfectly smooth and rustic touches. You will walk away from this course with the basic knowledge of piping borders, writing on cakes and creating floral designs with buttercream. A supply list will be provided upon registration and the supplies will be needed for all sessions.

The course is being instructed by Crystal Stewart, owner and operator of Deep Creek Cakes & Bakes in Oakland, Md. She specializes in cakes, pastries, events and more.

Line Dancing

Wednesdays, Oct. 16-Nov. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m., GC McHenry campus

Participants in the line dance class can expect to learn a variety of dances to all genres of music. Although line dancing is found most often in country scenes, it can be danced to any style of music. Line dancing can be a fun and simple way to learn how to dance to a song without learning different steps to every single beat of the music.

Garrett County resident Kim Crosco, a certified hip-hop and gymnastics instructor and a professional member of the US All Star Federation, will instruct the course. She manages and coaches the Toxic Twist Crew competition teams at Jessica's Creations in Oakland.

Basic Dog Obedience

Thursdays, Oct. 17-Nov. 14, 5:30-6:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus

This is a fun class to learn basic obedience and bond with animals. Over the course of five weeks, participants and their dogs will learn heel, sit, down, stay, recall and more. All dogs should be a minimum of 6 months old and up-to-date on all vaccines including Bordetella.

The course is being taught by Maggie Brown, owner of Joey's Bed and Bones, a boarding, daycare, and training facility based in Davis, W.Va. She conducts classes ranging from basic obedience to puppy socialization throughout the area.

Increase Your Business Potential with Social Media

Oct. 19, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., GC McHenry campus

This course focuses on the effective use of social media tools in marketing and communications to increase your business potential. Key applications include branding, corporate communication, social media campaigns, and employee engagement. Learn how to design effective marketing applications using the internet and social media tools to engage customers, sustain customer relationships, effectively address communication needs, and much more.

The course is being instructed by Sarah Myers, owner of Curb Appeal Marketing, who has a passion for photography and all things technology, along with several small businesses. She attended West Virginia University majoring in advertising and entrepreneurship, and also earned her MBA.

Walk this Way

Mondays, Oct. 21-Nov. 18, 4:30-5:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus

This is an indoor walking class focusing on proper walking mechanics, postural alignment, interval training, balance and flexibility. Walking is proven to help with weight loss, managing heart disease and high blood pressure, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve mood, balance and coordination. Wear comfortable clothing, walking shoes/sneakers and bring a water bottle and small towel.

Course instructor is Terry Whalen, a former certified Zumba and LaBlast instructor, along with being a member of "KickIt" Country Dance and former member of the County Pride Dancers of Baltimore.

Social Security, Medicare and Retirement: What You Need to Know

Oct. 28, Nov. 11 and 25, 6:00-7:30 a.m., GC McHenry campus

The course is designed to assist in the understanding of social security and Medicare with an emphasis on the importance of retirement planning. Topics include the impact of retirement age on Social Security income, when and how to sign up for Medicare, and understanding Medicare parts A, B, C, and D.

The course is being instructed by Dr. Jesse Ketterman, an accredited financial counselor, who works as an extension educator for University of Maryland Extension serving Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties.

Beginner Landscape Painting

Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Nov. 19, 6-9:15 p.m., GC McHenry campus

Participants will be introduced to basic painting techniques and colors used in producing paintings in oil. Students will be introduced to principles of landscape painting, including composition, color values, structures and textures of natural form, and the application of general principles of art. No prior painting experience is required.

Roy Devore, an instructor at Frostburg State University, is teaching the course. Contact Continuing Education and Workforce Development for a list of course materials needed for this class.

Intermediate Knitting

Thursdays, Oct. 31-Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m., GC Northern Outreach Center

Designed for students who have previously taken a beginner knitting course, this class takes the basic skills of knitting further. Students will increase their knowledge of knitting while working on specific knitting projects and patterns. The class will discuss how the knitting process works and what yarns can be used for better results. Some of the new skills that will be taught in this class are knitting in the round, working lace using charts, following detailed scarf and shawl patterns and blocking and maintenance of finished projects.

Participants will be required to purchase yarn and bamboo needles for the course. Carolyn Groves is the instructor for the course and has over 50 years of experience in knitting, crochet and tatting.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

Oct. 31: 1-4 p.m., 6-9 p.m. (two sessions), GC Northern Outreach Center

Create memorable homemade Christmas ornaments with paper. Paper quilling is an art form dating back to at least the 12th century in England and France. Participants will have a choice of making an angel, wreath or snowflake with the end product being an elegant Christmas ornament.

Reita Marks, who is a guest artist at Spruce Forest Artisan, will be instructing the course. All supplies are furnished. Must be 12 years of age or older to participate.

Course registration fees apply to the above courses. To register of for additional information, contact Garrett College Continuing Education & Workforce Development at 301-387-3069.