MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- Encore, the SUNY Orange program for senior learners in the Hudson Valley, announces 19 available classes that will be offered this Spring, covering such topics as history, literature, investing, outdoor activities, movies, fitness and relaxation. Courses meet at varying days and times throughout March, April and early May.

Encore, a lifelong learning program established by SUNY Orange for community residents ages 50 and older, supports a variety of high-interest courses, most of which are generally short-run offerings (comprised of one to four class meetings) and held on the College’s Middletown campus. The first class begins March 4.

Courses planned for the Fall include: “Incarceration of Women During the Civil War,” “Mahjongg Beginner,” “Journey Along the Basha Kill,” “Investments: Which Ones are Best for 2020,” “Qigong and Meditation,” “Nutrition for Optimal Health,” “Historians Look to the Future,” “Breaking Barriers: Women of the Supreme Court of the United States,” “The Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection,” “Book Club,” “Color Pencil Drawing,” “Amazon Adventure,” “India Ink Painting on Rice Paper,” “Hiking,” “Mahjongg Continuation,” “The Greek Gods, Part II: Male Gods,” “The Delaware Indians in the American Revolution,” “Films for Everyone,” and “Aquasize.”

Classes are taught by topical experts who have a professional background in the subject or have spent many years studying and/or teaching the topic. They are professors, professors emeriti, lawyers, businessmen, artists, musicians, bridge masters, and specialists in the various modes of spiritual and physical well-being. Class sizes are determined by available facilities, course content (lecture/hands-on) and effective learning strategy requirements.

Prospective participants in the two-session hiking class should be prepared and able to walk for at least two hours on sometimes rocky terrain. The “Book Club” class will discuss “Becoming” by Michele Obama and “Nickle Boys” by Colson Whitehead. The five-session “Films for Everyone” course will examine “Fat City,” “The Long Goodbye,” “Smile,” “The Late Show” and “Girlfriends.”

Membership in Encore is required in order to register for the upcoming courses, and membership must be paid before registration for classes will be accepted. Membership dues are $45 per year and Encore has openings available. For more information, contact Encore at (845) 341-4896 or visit the organization’s web site at www.sunyorange.edu/encore.