SUNY Orange announces a diverse selection of classes in its Fall 2026 Encore schedule, featuring short-run courses in both hands-on and lecture formats. Classes begin September 10 and will be offered primarily on the Middletown campus, with select off-campus experiences throughout Orange County. From exploring local history and global cultures to hands-on crafts, health and wellness, financial education, and creative pursuits, SUNY Orange continues to provide engaging opportunities.

Encore is a program designed for adults aged 55 and older residing in the tri-state area. The Fall 2026 schedule includes courses covering topics such as art, finance, history, literature, music, science, wellness, current events, and practical life skills.

The roster of classes available for the Fall 2026 semester includes: “America’s 250th Historic Films,” “Anxiety Hacks,” “Book Club,” “Chair Yoga,” “Creating Craft Cards,” “Decoupaging a Holiday Plate,” “East Africa Nature Safari,” “Encore: 1776,” “Floral Arrangements for Beginners,” “Heroic Women Who Were Spies,” “History of Middletown II,” “History of Middletown State Hospital,” “Investments: What Investments May Do Well in an ‘AI’ World,” “Introduction to Modern American Mahjong,” “Milestones of Orange County History,” “Music, Music, Music, War!,” “Rise and Fall of Democracy in Ancient Athens,” “Rock Music’s Hidden Secrets II,” “Rope and Twig Wreath/Basket,” “Senior Fraud II,” “The Coup d’Etat of JFK and Its Shadowy Figures and the Warren Commission Report,” “The History of Harness Racing in Goshen,” “The Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Tour,” “Tour of Hillside Cemetery in Middletown,” “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” and “Visiting Museum Village.”

Fall offerings provide opportunities for participants to explore a wide range of interests. History enthusiasts can learn about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the evolution of democracy in ancient Athens, Middletown’s historic institutions, and the history of harness racing in Goshen. Music lovers can explore hidden stories behind classic rock and the role of jazz during World War I, while readers can participate in the Encore Book Club.

Creative and hands-on courses include Decoupaging a Holiday Plate, Creating Craft Cards, Floral Arrangements for Beginners, and Rope and Twig Wreath/Basket. Wellness-focused opportunities include Chair Yoga, Anxiety Hacks, and Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Additional classes address practical topics such as investments in an artificial intelligence-driven world and strategies for recognizing and preventing scams targeting older adults.

Instructors include SUNY Orange faculty, retired educators, historians, healthcare professionals, artists, financial experts, and community leaders 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 after the original catalog is 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.