Procedures from arrest to arraignment and beyond will be explained.  It will include the differences between felonies and misdemeanors; state vs. federal charges.  Basics of the Bail Reform Act.

Instructor: Richard Klingman

Richard graduated from St. Lawrence University.  He was a probation officer in the states of New York and Florida for seven years.  In addition, he was a case management coordinator at a federal prison in charge of prison classification, records, crime victim assistance, and pre-release.

This class will include wreath making and designing.  Any seasonal wreath can be designed and made.  

Instructor will explain step by step procedures.

Required materials:

• 14 inch three or four prong wire ring,
• 6-inch mesh ribbon
• 2 ½ inch rolls of ribbon
• white pipe cleaners.

Instructor: Lucille Proia

Lucille has been a wreath maker for many years.

STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN:

• SCISSORS
• GLUE GUN (PREFERRED) OR A GOOD QUALITY GLUE STICK.

Crafting beautiful paper roses is easy to make from recycled book pages.

Instructor:  Serafina Cosgrove

Serafina is a volunteer at the Thrall Library Book Store.

Come to a presentation by Orange County District Attorney, Darlene DeJesus, to learn about some of the types of scams that are targeted on the elderly.  

Some examples are: Technical Support Scams, Cheque Fraud, AI-Powered Scams, Funeral Scams, Government Imposter Scams, and many others.  

The best way to protect yourself is to be aware and be prepared.

Instructor: Darlene DeJesus

Darlene is the Orange County District Attorney.

STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN:

• SCISSORS
• GLUE GUN 

A $10 DOLLAR FEE WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE FIRST SESSION TO COVER THE COST OF THE SUPPLIES

The plaque can also be made as a chalkboard or corkboard.  We will incorporate stenciling, painting and using pinecones as flowers.

Instructor: Caren Aiello

Caren is a business owner, volunteer and crafter.  Caren has taught workshops at Hill Hold Museum in Campbell Hall.

Now that the elections are over, what investments should you consider owning?

What investments can help you meet your goals?  We will research some stocks and ETF’s (Exchange-Trade-Funds) as a group.  IRA’ s (Individual Retirement Accounts) will be discussed. Dividend -paying stocks, Business Development Companies (BDC’s) be discussed, learn from the instructor’s 50 plus years of investing and avoid his mistakes.  

Beginners are welcome!  All questions are welcome!

Instructor: Robert Pollsen

Robert is a retired Certified Financial Planner professional.  He has worked in NYC’s financial district for over 25 years: Standard & Poor’s, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America and more.

Goshen, the county seat of Orange County, was originally part of the 1703 Wawayanda Patent. The village began to develop in 1714.

We will highlight this development looking at its architecture, past and present, its evolution as the center of harness racing with the Harness Racing Museum and the Hall of Fame of the Trotter.

Instructor: Edward Connor

Ed is the Village of Goshen Historian and a Trustee of the Orange County Historical Society.  He also served as a Trustee of the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society.

This is a PowerPoint presentation of my trip to Eastern Australia, touching on the people, the land and the wildlife.

Instructor: William Fiero

William is an avid traveler, focusing on nature and photography.  He has also been an Encore instructor for a number of years showing beautiful photography of his world travels.

A presentation on the Galapagos Islands and their bird life.

Instructor: William Fiero

William is an avid traveler, focusing on nature and photography.  He has also been an Encore instructor for a number of years showing beautiful photography of his world travels.

Create a unique floral garden plaque by using a variety of vegetables as your paint brush.

PLEASE BRING TO CLASS:  

• 4 broccoli florets with stems (to hold onto)
• green beans
• fingerling potatoes
• an artichoke. 

A $15 DOLLAR FEE WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TO COVER THE EXPENSES.

Instructor:  Diane Kitson

From the time of Diane’s birth, she was painting everything she could see and was under the tutelage of a Fine Arts instructor from age seven to 14.  Diane’s love of painting continues.  She owns an arts and crafts store in PA.

• 1st Session: PHOTOS and FAUNA
  • Elly Knieriemen’s presentation and commentary will cover her photographs of the flora and fauna of the Basha Kill Wetlands.
• 2nd Session: BIRDS OF THE BASHA KILL
  • Karen Miller will give a photo and auditory presentation addressing the large number of bird species that live and breed in the Basha Kill, including migrations.
• 3rd Session: TOUR ALONG THE BASHA KILL
  • Instructor will give a guided tour along the Basha Kill, highlighted by a spotting scope looking for eagles at the boat launch.  

Participants should have good hiking shoes and the ability to walk approximately one mile on level terrain. Walkers need to be aware that there are potential obstacles such as tree roots and rocks.  Binoculars are optional.

Chair exercises are physical activities that you can do while sitting in a chair or a wheelchair.  Helps with balance, mobility issues, exercises, and it reduces pressure on lower back.

Chair exercises allow you to work your lower body while seated or supported making it an excellent choice for people with balance or mobility issues, or those who might be recovering from an injury.  This strengthens (muscles, bones) it gives you better balance and flexibility.
Benefits are improved posture, strengthen shoulders, lubricate knee joints and your upper body flexibility.
Students should bring bottled water to class.

Instructor:  Isabel Gomez

Isabel is an Aqua-size instructor at the Middletown YMCA

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO READ EACH BOOK PRIOR TO CLASS.

On March 26th we will discuss BRAIDING SWEET GRASS by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and on April 2nd we will discuss JAMES by Percival Everett.  For students interested, you might re-read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, since this book is a “re-telling.”

Instructor:  Marlena Lange

A long time Encore instructor; Marlena has also been a teacher of English at Chester High School, SUNY Orange, Harriman College and Mercy College.  She has worked in many prisons.  Marlena is the current president of the Middletown Thrall Library Board of Trustees.  In addition, she is the current president of Friends of Thrall Library.

Each person will make 2 cards per class (example: birthday sympathy, get well).

Instructor will bring supplies needed to the class. Each person should bring their own scissors.
  
A $25 FEE WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE FIRST CLASS FOR SUPPLIES.

Instructor:  Pam Ippolito

Pam has been making hand made cards for over 15 years.  She recently became a stamping -up demonstrator.  She enjoys sharing her cards with family and friends

When the Civil War broke out, the expectation was that it would be over quickly as a result of one decisive battle.

The first Battle of Bull Run taught both sides that this would be a protracted struggle.  As the war dragged on, the conduct of the war had to evolve as both the Union and Confederacy sought victory.

This course will explore seven major battles:  First Bull Run, Fort Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, The Overland Campaign, and the Atlanta Campaign-and how the operations, tactics and strategies changed in relation to goals, public support/outcry, command decisions, and economic factors.

Instructor: Professor Heidi Amelia-Anne Weber, Ph. D

Dr. Heidi Amelia-Anne Weber is a Full Professor of History in the Department of Global Studies at SUNY Orange.  She is actively involved in teaching classes in the Honors program as well as for Encore.

Heidi was selected as the recipient of both SUNY Orange Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching as well as the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Heidi has written the book Like a Great Feudel Landlord: How Architecture and Slavery Created the World of the Upcountry Planter published in November 2022 by Mercer University Press.

We follow the root 3W corridor from Culpeper Virginia to Fredericksburg and circle back to Shenandoah Valley for our beautiful vacation train trip.  You won’t have to rent a car.  

Here’s some highlights of our virtual tour:

Alice Desmond gives us treasured moments about the friendship between Mary Washington and Lafayette in Fredericksburg during his bicentennial tour year of the 24 United States 1824.  
Braddock’s Treasure? Washington’s Teeth! Henry Washington? Witch of Pungo?  Wreck of Old 97! The Female Stranger? Five Battlefields: Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and the Shenandoah Valley.  A snapshot of the civil war.  
Remember there were 94 battles in all.  Much more fun!!

Instructor: Frank Kieck
Frank is an avid old-time radio and mystery fan.

Instructor:  Charles Ford
Charles has taught classes at the Desmond Campus, Vassar College, Bard College, Shawangunk Correctional Facilities, and local churches.  Presentations have included Presidential and First Ladies lives, Civil War (including Abraham Lincoln, and 5 Star Generals and Admirals).

This four-session class is for new or continuing students/yoga practitioners. Poses will be well explained and demonstrated. Participants should be able to easily get up and down from the floor.

Note: Students should wear comfortable exercise clothing and bring a yoga mat and towel.

Instructor:  Mary Berrigan

Mary is a 30 plus year yoga practitioner and teacher.  She has taught several years for Encore and for Adult Education in Warwick, NY.

An introduction and training on how AED works and how to use it; how to administer CPR on an adult and child and how to apply basic First Aid.  Learning the basics can save a life and is enjoyable to learn.

Instructor:  Christine Brinkerhoff

Christine retired as the Capitalized Superintendent of City of Middletown’s Recreation and Parks Department.  As an American Red Cross Instructor, Christine trained Life Guards, Coaches, and Camp Counselors in Life Guarding, First Aid, CPR and AED Training.

At the end of two class sessions, you will have made a useful 8 X 12 handled market basket.  This class is appropriate for beginners and those with some experience in basket weaving.  Basic weaving techniques will be taught and how to weave in a basket handle.  This is a fun, useful basket.

A CLASS FEE OF $20 DOLLARS WILL INCLUDE THE BASKET REED AND HANDLE.  To be collected at the first class.

Participants will need to bring the following supplies from home:  A rectangular basin or pail/large bowl for water (for this basket rectangular is better), spray bottle to mist the basket with clean water, scissors, pencils, ruler, flat head screwdriver, and 20 clothespins (the wooden or plastic spring hinge type).

Instructor:  Susan Parry

Susan is a librarian and retired Director of Libraries at SUNY Orange.  She has always enjoyed trying her hand at a variety of crafts and decorative arts projects, and though not a trained artist, she likes sharing what she has learned with others.  A few years ago, she took a basket weaving class at the Desmond Campus in Newburgh from a team of very talented weavers and has been making baskets ever since.

This education series offers skill-building courses that teach caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia.  Sessions include:  

• BUILDING FOUNDATIONS OF CAREGIVING, explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience, building a support team and managing caregiver stress.
• SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
• COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.
• RESPONDING TO DEMENTIA-RELATED BEHAVIORS details common behavior changes and how they are a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when additional help is needed

Instructor:  Eileen Hendriksen

Eileen has worked for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Hudson Valley Chapter since 2019, in the position of CARE CONSULTANT, DIRECTOR OF EARLY STAGE SERVICES.  She received her Bachelors in social work from the Dominican University in Orangeburg, and her Master’s in social work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, CUNY in the AGING FIELD OF PRACTICE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, Planning, and development method.

A history of migrant farmworker activities in the Black Dirt area will be presented.  A focus on how our local region was impacted by National Events will be included.

Current services for farmworkers and their families will be presented.

Instructor:  Kathy Brieger

Kathy is Executive Director of the Warwick Area Farmworkers Organization.  Kathy has served on national and state advisory committees related to farmworker health.  She served on the NYS Departments of Health Advisory Committee representing the needs of the farmworker community.  In 2020, Kathy received the National Lifetime Achievement Award for Migrant Health from the National Center for Community Health Centers.

Jerry Kleiner will combine the history of the Middletown State Hospital with plans for the new Community Campus.

He is on the committee that is helping to determine how the property will be developed.

Instructor:  Jerry Kleiner

Jerry Kleiner has been the President of the Historical Society and the Wallkill Precinct.  He graduated from George Washington University.  He serves as Second Ward Alderman for the City of Middletown.

This lecture/discussion course, will explore the origins and evolution of the transatlantic slave trade focusing on its formation, operation, participants, and impacts on cultures in Africa and North America including Caribbean Islands.

The course will be enriched by maps, music and visual images.

Instructor:  Dr. Richard Hull

Richard is a NYU Professor Emeritus of History, author of more than a dozen works on African and American civilizations, winner of six teaching awards, recipient of the 2019 Roosevelt Historian’s Professional Achievement Award and former president of New York African Studies Association.  A long time Encore faculty member, Dr. Hull holds distinguished service Awards from the United Nations, Orange County and Warwick, NY, where he recently retired as it’s official town historian.

A look at the famous dress reformer and women’s rights advocate, her husband John, and their octagonal house on Linden Avenue.

Instructors:  Fred Isseks and Andy Mills

Fred taught at Middletown High School for 37 years.

Andy is a psychologist and RN who has worked at a community health clinic for 40 years.  Both are on the board of Middletown Hillside Cemetery.

This film series will have something for everyone.  This semester the movies have been recommended by the students of the fall class.

March 7:  Arsenic and Old Lace
March 14:  Baby Face
March 28:  To Kill a Mocking Bird
April 4:  The Birds
April 11:  Noises Off
April 25:  The Stepford Wives
May 2:  Goldfinger

Instructor: Matt Pfisterer

Matthew Pfisterer has served as the Director at Middletown Thrall Library since 2011.  Matt earned a Master’s Degree in Information Science from SUNY Albany, worked as a public Librarian and gained experience as a director of public libraries in Ulster and Duchess counties.

This introductory class is for swimmers and non-swimmers who are comfortable at the shallow end of the pool.

Participants must be able to enter and exit the pool independently.  The class concentrates on safety and movements in the water.  You will be introduced to equipment used in the water.

Please bring your own lock for the locker, towels, water shoes (if desired) and water to drink.  Shower facilities are available.

Instructor:  Anne Condon

Anne has been a popular, certified and accomplished swimming and Aqua-size instructor for many years.