SUNY Orange announces a diverse selection of classes in its Spring 2026 Encore schedule, featuring short-run courses in both hands-on and lecture formats. Classes are held primarily on the Middletown, N.Y., campus, with select off-campus experiences beginning in late March and continuing through early May. From exploring regional history and global cultures to hands-on art, health, wellness, and practical life skills, lifelong learning at SUNY Orange continues to offer engaging and enriching experiences. Encore is a program designed for adult learners aged 55 and older residing in the tri-state area. Topics include art, finance, health and wellness, history, science, literature, and creative pursuits.

The roster of classes available for the Spring 2026 semester includes: “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s,” “Ancient Societies of the Southwest,” “Aquasize 101,” “Book Club,” “Chair Exercise,” “Conservative and Operative Management of Arthritis,” “Decoupaging Terracotta Pots,” “Epigenetics II,” “Famous First Shots in History,” “Feel Better, Move Better, Live Better: How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle as We Age,” “Floral Arrangements for Beginners,” “Forgotten Black Army Unit of WWI,” “Gentle Yoga,” “History of Cheechunk Canal,” “History of Middletown,” “Introduction to Modern American Mahjong,” “Investments: What Investments Are Best Right Now?,” “Journey Along the Basha Kill,” “Migrant History in the Black Dirt Region,” “Ocean Hill–Brownsville and the Historic 1968 Teacher Strike,” “Painting with Produce III,” “Public History at Small Museums,” “Rock Music’s Hidden Secrets,” “Senior Fraud,” “Sleep 101: How to Rest for Success,” “Spring 2026 Film Series: Love Stories,” “Travels in the Amazon,” “Varied Ways to Start Writing Poetry,” and “Wooden Spoon Wreath.”

Among the Spring offerings are Senior Fraud, a presentation focused on recognizing and preventing scams targeting older adults; History of Middletown, an in-depth look at the city’s past through film, photographs, and artifacts; and Epigenetics II, which explores how life experiences influence human biology at a molecular level. Creative and hands-on classes include Painting with Produce III, Wooden Spoon Wreath, and Floral Arrangements for Beginners, while wellness-focused options range from Chair Exercise and Gentle Yoga to Aquasize 101 and sleep and arthritis education sessions.

Instructors include SUNY Orange faculty, retired educators, healthcare professionals, historians, artists, and community experts with extensive professional and teaching experience. Class sizes are determined by available facilities, course format, and the ability to meet meaningful learning objectives. Some classes may require additional equipment or supply fees.

Detailed information, including class meeting times and locations, can be found on the Encore website at www.sunyorange.edu/encore. Please note that changes may occur since the original catalog was issued.

To register, students must be Encore members with their $45 annual dues paid in full. For more information, call (845) 341-4896 or email encore@sunyorange.edu.