Center for Creative Retirement

We offer more educational and fun classes, trips and workshops to keep you actively engaged.

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A Musical Trip Through Ireland

All aboard the musical train around Ireland! Your conductor for this adventure is none other than Irish Don Kelly, a Capital Region musician and storyteller. Don will take the class participants on a musical journey around the Emerald Isle. Throughout history, Ireland has been the subject of many songs, books, poems and movies that tell the story of the island, its places of interest, its people, its struggles and its many achievements. Don will discuss the history behind the songs that speak about many of these places of interest.

Course will be held in

Don Kelly, Instructor

A Musical Trip Through Ireland
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 9/27 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-788 500	0 seats left	$18	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Abel Brown: Forgotten Hero of the Underground Railroad

Called “the unimpeachable man,” Baptist minister Elder Abel Brown came to Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, in 1841, from a pulpit in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was 31 years old and had previously served in ministerial postings in western Pennsylvania, where he formed the Western Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society in Pittsburgh, and had lectured widely and tirelessly for over a decade across “the burned over district” of upstate New York in the causes of temperance and abolition. A militant and radical abolitionist, within a year, Elder Brown was dismissed from the pulpit in Sand Lake for “agitating” and relocated to Albany. He went on the become, at various times, editor and publisher of two abolitionist newspapers, principal agent for the Eastern New York Anti-Slavery Society, and a campaigner for the upstart Liberty Party. He also was vigorously engaged in what we now call the Underground Railroad (the naming of which is part of his story, too). This class will explore Elder Abel Brown’s life and career, his impact on the abolitionist movement, what he was doing in Sand Lake (and the Capital Region), and why you’ve probably never heard of him.

Course will be held in

Peter Finn, Instructor

Abel Brown: Forgotten Hero of the Underground Railroad
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 10/21 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-792 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

American Mah Jongg

Whether you are a beginner or looking for a refresher, join us in learning American Mahjong. This class includes basic instruction and the opportunity to play with people of varying skill levels. Let’s play, learn to conquer the card, and delve into strategies. If you have a Mahjong set, please bring it with you. Course includes a $15 materials fee.

Course will be held in

Criss Macaione, Instructor

American Mah Jongg
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesdays, 9/17 - 11/19 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm	ZSPI-276 500	3 seats left	$99

Armchair Walking Tour

A new “almost” walking tour in the comfort of a classroom. During the Gilded Age, Saratoga Springs was a top summer destination in the United States. This “tour” is a combination of parts of all five of Derby Tour walking tours. Without leaving the classroom, we’ll learn about the growth of Saratoga and the ever-changing architecture, while hearing the stories of the families that made Saratoga the place we know today. Price includes one of Hollis’ books. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will be held in

Dr. Hollis Palmer, Instructor

Armchair Walking Tour
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 9/17 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZCCR-791 500	16 seats left	$30

Birding for Beginners

This class will help you identify the birds you are most likely to see around your own home or at birdfeeders. We will discuss what works and what doesn’t work for bird feeding, including seed types, feeder types and controlling invasive bird species and squirrels. We’ll discuss preventing bird-to-window collisions, with numerous options for participants to implement at their home feeding stations. We will conclude by reviewing proper binocular use before practicing sight identification at the Center’s feeding station. Binoculars are available for all participants to borrow, or bring you own. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will meet at Dyken Pond.

Josh Pulito, Instructor

Marie D’Entrone, Coordinator

Do Not Follow Your Car GPS- Some GPS units are directing people to the east side of the lake, which is 25 minutes from the Center. Please follow the directions below.

Directions: From East on Route 2. Watch for Tamarac School on the left and Tamarac Plaza on the right. Go 1.5 miles. Watch for Dyken Pond sign on the right. Turn right onto Route 79 (Blue Factory Rd). Go two miles. Turn left at Dyken Pond sign onto Route 80 (Madonna Lake Rd). Bear right at fork (Jay Hakes Rd. is to the left). Bear right at Dyken Pond sign onto Dyken Pond Rd. (go straight instead of following the turn). Continue 2.5 miles. Dyken Pond Road is a dirt road, go to the end.

From Points West, follow Route 7 east from Troy. Continue approximately 4 miles. Turn right at traffic light onto Route 278. Continue until the end. At traffic light, turn left onto Route 2, you will see Tamarac School and Plaza. Follow directions above.

From Points East: From Route 22, follow Route 2 west. You will pass the blinking light in the town of Grafton. Approximately 0.5 mile from there, look for the white Methodist Church on the left. Turn left at the church onto County Route 85 and continue for 3.1 miles. Turn left onto Route 80 (Madonna Lake Rd). After 0.8 miles, turn left at the sign.

Birding for Beginners
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 10/17 9:30 am - 11:00 am	ZCCR-361 500	1 seats left	$25

Capitol Hauntings

This special tour explores the legends, folklore, and tales of ghost sightings and other strange things connected to the historic state Capitol. Mixing history and the macabre, tour guides will tell stories about the night watchman who died in the Capitol fire of 1911 and who some believe still makes his rounds today. This is just one of the hauntings told by your tour guide.

Find out where the Assembly Chamber’s “lost” murals are located and what happened to the tormented artist who created them. Walking among the gargoyle-like carvings and strange carved faces, visitors will discover the location of the Capitol’s “secret demon,” and evidence of a curse the demon may hold on the Capitol will be revealed, along with other dark secrets. The tour lasts about an hour, but the chilling, ghostly tales might haunt you forever. Our Capitol Hauntings tour begins at the State Street lobby desk, where security procedures are in place. Must bring photo ID.

Course will meet at State St. and Washington Ave, Albany, NY

Michele Doodian, Coordinator

Capitol Hauntings
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 10/28 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm	ZCCR-175 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Cherry Hill House Tour

Our guides will lead you on a story of how one Albany household reacted to loss and change at the turn of the 20th century. Cherry Hill was home to Catherine Putman Rankin, and was her household from 1884 through 1963. During her lifetime, she and other members of America’s elite faced profound social, economic, and political changes that they perceived as threatening to their position in American society. Catherine and many others in her class chose to recreate a rose-colored version of the past as a means of coping with these changes. This guided tour walks through recreated interiors of Catherine’s Cherry Hill as an expression of colonial aristocratic nostalgia and identity- as well as the spaces in which other members of the household lived and worked through the centuries. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will meet at Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ½ South Pearl Street, Albany, NY

Fri. 9/27, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Marie D’Entrone, Coordinator

Mon. 9/30, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Michele Doodian, Coordinator

Cherry Hill House Tour
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 9/27 11:00 am - 12:30 pm	ZCCR-793 500	0 seats left	$19	Section Full Call to be added to wait list
Monday, 9/30 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm	ZCCR-793 501	0 seats left	$19	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Discover Albany's Gilded Age

Join Discover Albany’s Maeve McEneny-Johnson for a chat about Albany in the Gilded Age. Inspired by the hit HBO series, “The Gilded Age,” Maeve will share stories of the show’s filming in Albany, while showcasing the real residents who called Albany home during this time period.

Course will be held in

Maeve McEneny-Johnson, Instructor

Discover Albany's Gilded Age
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 9/20 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-787 500	6 seats left	$22

Documenting Care at Home

This course is for students with limited or no health care background, teaching them how to document the care that is being given to someone in the home. We’ll discuss how to keep track of appointments and other very important information by providing an organized, structured approach and using ready-to-use documents and instructional videos for online learning (documentingcareathome.com), as well as live lectures where available. These skills can be used to take care of someone with a serious illness (even if only temporary), chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes), temporary treatment situations (such as chemo and/or radiation therapy), a terminal illness, or to help people monitor their own medical condition that requires constant management.

Course will meet in the , Room 113

Valerie Falzo, Instructor

Documenting Care at Home
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/16 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm	ZCCR-781 500	19 seats left	$65

Erie Canal & The City of Watervliet

The Erie Canal runs east-west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. It was completed in 1825. Tom Ragosta, president of the Watervliet Historical Society, acting curator at the Historical Society Museum in Watervliet, and city historian for the City of Watervliet, will give a presentation on the Erie Canal, describing the history of the original and enlarged Erie Canal and its relationship to present day Watervliet.

Course will be held in

Tom Ragosta, Instructor

Erie Canal & The City of Watervliet
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 9/23 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-790 500	3 seats left	$25

Female Spies of the Civil War Part 2

In this new presentation, we’ll meet seven daring women who made significant differences on each side during the Civil War. One uncovered a major naval secret. Another woman, part of a sister spy duo, appeared in movies in the 1920s. There was a teenage terrorist, while another young girl had a song written about her and her exploits. And there was a woman who may have been a secret adviser to Lincoln. All fascinating stuff.

Course will be held in

Jim Cochran, Instructor

Female Spies of the Civil War Part 2
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 10/8 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-785 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Flip Side of History Part 3

Dive into a brand new selection of stories! Are you the type of person who is fascinated by ordinary people doing extraordinary things? Are you intrigued by compelling, quirky stories that never became front-page news? If so, then this class is for you. For more than 30 years, author Steve Silverman, host of the popular “Useless Information” podcast, has been researching and telling some of the most unusual, odd, and bizarre stories that time has forgotten. Come join Steve as he shares another selection of his all-time favorite stories. It is sure to entertain.

Course will be held in

Steve Silverman, Instructor

Flip Side of History Part 3
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 11/8 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-776 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Flowers of the Fall: Design, Color and Texture

When do you ever have the opportunity to spend a morning with a versatile floral artist, who can design a classical look but make it follow a modern trend? Take advantage of instructor Michele's 30 years of experience and let her show you how you can put creativity and energy into floral designs for everyday and special events. If you have been with us before, you know she brings a passion for what she does, and always brings new ideas and demonstrates what is "hot" in the flower world. You may be one of the lucky students who carries one of her creations home! Course fee includes a $18 materials fee.

Course will be held in

Michele Peters, Instructor

Flowers of the Fall: Design, Color and Texture
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/2 9:30 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-338 500	0 seats left	$33	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Gilded Age Part 2

Join Rensselaer County and Troy City Historian Kathryn Sheehan for an illustrated lecture on season two of the Emmy Award-winning television show “The Gilded Age.” Season two is once again set in Troy, as well as Cohoes and Albany. Kathy will be linking the history of the real Gilded Age in Rensselaer County to the storyline in the series, including sharing more behind-the-scenes stories.

Course will be held in

Kathy Sheehan, Instructor

Gilded Age Part 2
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 11/1 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-717 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Gravestone Cleaning Workshop

This hands-on workshop will offer instruction on how to properly clean historic gravestones located in Historic St. Agnes Cemetery. All materials to clean the stones will be provided. Bring your own gloves and a bucket for rinse water and wear clothes you won’t mind getting dirty! This workshop is led by historian and preservationist Kelly Grimaldi. There is plenty of parking and a restroom on site in the Visitors Center. Join us and learn how to safely and effectively clean gravestones that have suffered the elements of time and weather. Cleaning pollutants, lichen and mold off old gravestones helps to preserve them and it is a fun and relaxing way to spend time in a peaceful, Victorian-era cemetery! (Please note this workshop will not include making repairs to stones.) The rain date for this class is 9/19. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will be held at The Living Room Art Gallery, Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave, Menands.

Kelly Grimaldi, Coordinator

Gravestone Cleaning Workshop
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 9/12 10:30 am - 1:00 pm	ZCCR-773 500	7 seats left	$50

Great Ladies Walking Tour

See and hear the fascinating historical tales of the Victorian houses (originally referred to as “Great Ladies”) on North Broadway in Saratoga. Our tours are different because they focus on the families who built the houses, not the architecture. The tour includes stories about the man who was so angry at the city he turned his back on it; the son who took his mother’s jewels from her safety deposit box and what he did with them; the man who won three Academy Awards; the competition between two shirt manufacturers; and the “Million Dollar House.” Wear comfortable shoes! Price includes one of Hollis’ books. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will meet at 563 North Broadway, Saratoga, NY

Dr. Hollis Palmer, Victorian Historian and Author, Instructor

Marie D’Entrone, Coordinator

Great Ladies Walking Tour
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 9/10 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZCCR-231 500	0 seats left	$30	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Help! My Ancestry Family Tree is a Mess

Even the most diligent researcher can have an Ancestry family tree go wrong very easily. Maybe you are not tech savvy, don’t understand how Ancestry’s hints work, have never used family tree software, or are inexperienced in genealogy research. Professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty has more than 25 years of experience with online research and software and can help you take your tree from mess to success!

Course will be held in

Lisa Dougherty, Instructor

Help! My Ancestry Family Tree is a Mess
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 11/12 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-756 500	15 seats left	$18

History of Crown Point

2 PRESENTATIONS IN 1!

18th Century Life at Crown Point, 1759-1773

After taking control of the Crown Point Peninsula in 1759 during the Seven Years’ War, the British army built one of the largest fortifications in North America, His Majesty’s Fort at Crown Point. In the years that followed, the Seven Years’ War came to an end, and the garrison at Crown Point shrank and refocused from military operations towards the administration of colonial affairs and policy. During this time of relative peace, civilians, settlers, and traders found their way to the British fort at Crown Point and its environs. This presentation explains the construction of the British fort during the Seven Years’ War and addresses the transition to a peacetime garrison. Specifically, the presentation relies on material culture, historic documents, and archaeological evidence to portray daily life at Crown, and highlights some of the figures and colorful characters who passed through and settled in the Champlain Valley in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

Crown Point and the Great Fire of 1773

This presentation offers an in-depth look at the devastating fire that destroyed the British fort at Crown Point in late April of 1773. The British fort at Crown Point was one of the largest British military installations in North America, and the 1773 fire left it ruins. Relying on firsthand accounts and archaeological evidence related to the fire, Crown Point’s Historic Site Manager Sam Huntington will tell the story of how a chimney fire in the soldiers’ barracks quickly spread to roofs and timbers supporting the fort’s walls and eventually detonated the fort’s powder magazine. This presentation will explore the events leading up to the fire, the heroic efforts to battle the blaze, and the dramatic circumstances that played out in its aftermath, while placing the fire and the British presence on Lake Champlain in the broader context of the of 1770s.

Course will be held in

Sam Huntington, Instructor

History of Crown Point
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 9/24 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-782 500	17 seats left	$22

How to Travel Like an Expat

This course draws on the instructor’s many years of living, working and traveling around the world (and throughout the US). It addresses the challenge of how to really experience a new place like locals do, including transportation, lodging, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and languages. The course also addresses issues like safety, health and political concerns. Get out of the bubble created by group tours and sanitized experiences!

Course will be held in

James Ketterer, Instructor

How to Travel Like an Expat
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 10/22 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-774 500	2 seats left	$22

Keys to Understanding Shakespeare

With the chronological gap between our time and Shakespeare’s, it is important to understand word usage and historical facts. Instructor Tom Bulger, who has taught Shakespeare for 30 years, will help make the plays more accessible and help you understand key components that make Shakespeare seem more like a contemporary. This class is designed as a springboard for reading Shakespeare’s plays, since once you understand his techniques and themes in one play, you will see them in the others.

Course will be held in

Tom Bulger, Instructor

Keys to Understanding Shakespeare
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 9/17 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-714 500	19 seats left	$15

Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch

The Knickerbocker Historical Society will be our hosts as they tell us about the history and ghosts of the Knickerbocker Mansion, which dates from about 1770. They will arrange for historical “ghosts” to give moving firsthand accounts of their lives and experiences, and they will explain the renovations – the not-for-profit Society rescued the mansion from certain demolition and has continued to restore it. Our visit concludes with a chance to tour the mansion and a colonial lunch cooked with authentic recipes, a delicious side to the history of the mansion. Course fee includes $30 materials fee.

Course will meet at Knickerbocker Family Mansion, 132 Knickerbocker Rd., Schaghticoke, NY

Jean Chenette, Coordinator

Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/9 10:30 am - 1:30 pm	ZCCR-137 500	0 seats left	$45	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Lillian Gish: Silent Screen

Lillian Gish’s career as an actress encompassed nearly a century, from her beginnings as a child actress in live theater to her participation in full-length feature films, her last at the age of 93! On the advice of her good friend, Gladys Smith (Mary Pickford), she moved from theater to silent film, working with the legendary D.W. Griffith. As his leading actress, together they worked to define a new medium and language in film, with such movies as “Broken Blossoms,” “Way Down East,” and the controversial “Birth of a Nation.” After concluding her work with Griffith, she continued to work in live theater, movies, and eventually, television. Her story about the evolution of the film industry, and her memories of it, is a fascinating tale of an influential medium that remains an important means of communication and influence today.

Course will be held in

Phyllis Chapman, Instructor

Lillian Gish: Silent Screen
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/16 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-335 500	8 seats left	$28

Murder at Historic Cherry Hill: Re-enactment

Historic Cherry Hill is a historic house museum in Albany, and the five-generation home of the Van Rensselaer family from 1787-1963. In 1827, a murder occurred at the Cherry Hill farm, home of the well-known Van Rensselaer family. The crime aroused tremendous public interest, and the subsequent trial culminated in the last public hanging in Albany. Although it appeared to be a crime of passion, it uncovered some simmering issues of the day, including women’s roles and legal rights, social class, punishment and the law, and slavery in New York. Hear the words of those involved in the crime and decide whom you think was guilty or innocent. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will meet at Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ½ South Pearl Street, Albany, NY

Cherry Hill Staff, Coordinator

Murder at Historic Cherry Hill: Re-enactment
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 10/25 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm	ZCCR-736 500	4 seats left	$30
Saturday, 10/26 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm	ZCCR-736 501	0 seats left	$30	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Navigating Death Care Options

This course provides an understanding of the terminology and steps to take in pre-need versus at-need death care planning. You will learn about the various options within the categories of traditional burial, cremation, above ground, and memorialization.

Course will meet in the , Room 113

Nancy Bellard, Instructor

Navigating Death Care Options
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 11/6 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm	ZCCR-747 500	29 seats left	$15

Nijmegen, Albany's Sister City in the Netherlands

Nijmegen, Netherlands is the country’s oldest city. The US tragically bombed the city in February 1944, during World War II. In September 1944, Americans liberated the city from Germany. In 1945, Maj. General Gavin suggested that Albany, with its Dutch roots, adopt Nijmegen. Albany became Nijmegen’s sister city in 1947, and many goods were sent over. In thanks, Queen Wilhelmina donated 2000 tulip bulbs to Albany, leading to the first Tulip Festival in 1949. A bridge erected in 2013 honors the 48 US servicemen who died liberating Nijmegen. In this class, we’ll discuss the history of this city, the US war effort, and continuing efforts of FAN, or Friendship Albany Nijmegen, to strengthen the friendship between Nijmegen and the Capital District.

Course will be held in

Jill Knapp, Instructor

Nijmegen, Albany's Sister City in the Netherlands
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 9/30 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-750 500	20 seats left	$18

Perspectives on Democracy

At the end of the Cold War, it seemed that democracy was on the rise around the world. Thirty years later, democracy seems under threat. But there are many lessons we can learn from those countries who have struggled to make democracy work in the last few decades, some spurred by dramatic revolutions and others making quieter but notable transitions. What can we learn about elections, institutions, civil society and the media? The instructor has worked on elections in Africa, the Balkans and in the US and will draw on those experiences as we assess progress over the last decades and where things might be going this year, which is filled with important elections around the world.

Course will be held in

James Ketterer, Instructor

Perspectives on Democracy
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 10/29 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-775 500	0 seats left	$22	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Senior Exercise Class

Over the course of an hour, students in this class for seniors will work on 18 exercises grouped in three modalities in ascending order of difficulty. Students will be provided with a sheet listing the exercises to use at home as part of a daily routine and will need to bring their own mat and one- or two-pound hand weights to class.

Course will be held in

Ihor Evanick, Instructor

Senior Exercise Class
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesdays, 9/24 - 10/29 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZREC-133 500	7 seats left	$25

Sources for Researching Your New York State Family History

Having ancestors from New York State poses unique challenges for the family historian. Learn how to effectively utilize two of the state’s most valuable resources: New York State vital records and the New York State census. Professional genealogist and longtime New York State researcher Lisa Dougherty will show you strategies for effectively locating, accessing and interpreting these records to document your Empire State ancestor!

Course will be held in

Lisa Dougherty, Instructor

Sources for Researching Your New York State Family History
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 10/15 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-701 500	22 seats left	$18

Tanner & Wool: Two American Soldiers

Two notable American military men will “visit” �鶹��ý�� to tell their stories. Sgt. James Tanne, portrayed by Bob Mulligan, will relate his own compelling story, and also explain why he has been referred to as “The most famous 19th century American you’ve never heard of.” Hint: he was a witness to one of the most impactful events of that century. Additionally, Troy’s own national hero, Major General John Ellis Wool, depicted by Jim Cochran, will discuss his illustrious 60+ year military career, from the War of 1812 to the Civil War, as well as his lifelong connection to the City of Troy.

Course will be held in

Jim Cochran and Bob Mulligan, Instructor

Tanner & Wool: Two American Soldiers
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/23 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-786 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

The Alarming History of Pharmacy

This presentation explores the more unusual medications and formulations used as treatments for a variety of ailments, from ancient Egypt to present day. The presentation will also include a demonstration on pill rolling and other artifacts used by apothecaries in a 19th century drug store. There will be time for questions and discussions at the end.

Course will be held in

Lee Anna Obos, Instructor

The Alarming History of Pharmacy
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 10/24 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-769 500	18 seats left	$18

The Grand Hotels of Olde Saratoga

Saratoga Springs was a top tourist destination in America during the 1800s. Visitors traveled great distances to arrive at this destination, and found wonderful accommodations in the grand hotels of the city. Come and hear the stories of these wonderful hotels that provided great entertainment and wonderful food during the grand Gilded Age of American history. Presentation will be given by Charlie Kuenzel, director of education and programs for Saratoga Springs Historical Society.

Course will meet at �鶹��ý�� North TEC-SMART 345 Hermes Rd, Malta, NY

Lea Darling, Coordinator

The Grand Hotels of Olde Saratoga
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 9/26 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm	ZCCR-779 500	28 seats left	$25

The Irish in Vaudeville

Portrayals of the Irish as ignorant savages, or cockily obsequious servants, were a familiar trope in British literature, which followed the Irish to America. Their position as the first massive, unskilled underclass in cities like New York ensured the stereotype persisted until after the Civil War. Along with their alleged violent tendencies, their Catholicism was also negatively portrayed, which some took as a demonstration of their credulity and superstitious nature. As the Irish slowly achieved upward mobility, that negative image was finally challenged. When Irish immigrants began producing material themselves, their sketches and songs became so popular that they transcended ethnicity and became a sentimental standard for all New Yorkers. Not only did they succeed in rehabilitating the portrayal of Irish people on stage completely, they also set the tone for the depiction of Irish-Americans in films to come for many years.

Course will be held in

Elizabeth Stack, Ph.D, Instructor

The Irish in Vaudeville
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Monday, 9/16 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-789 500	5 seats left	$25

The Iroquois Journey

The Iroquois Journey will present a very detailed study of the Iroquois, whose true name is Haudenosaunee, meaning “people of the longhouse.” We will explore Iroquois history and culture, from the past to today, including a full explanation and illustration of traditional villages, homes, material culture, religion, and matrilineal society. We’ll discuss the fur trade, which brought many Europeans from France, England and the Netherlands once Henry Hudson sailed into Albany in 1609, and how, despite a very profitable trading post and strong relations between Iroquois and Europeans, contact would ravage their culture, society and ultimately, their very way of life. Today their struggles continue, but positive change and improvements are being made to reservation life.

Course will be held in

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

The Iroquois Journey
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 10/3 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-783 500	0 seats left	$22	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

The Rare Opulence of The Gilded Age

The 1870s - 1890s, known as the Gilded Age, was a period of huge economic growth and activity in which a small collection of eager American entrepreneurs became known as “robber barons.” Their wealth centered on the banking, steel and railroad industries, and was created much too often through greed and unscrupulous methods. This produced a monopoly, with the most powerful families at the top presiding over political corruption across the country while hiding the sweatshops, terrible working and living conditions, and poor wages most Americans experienced. The wives of the most powerful millionaires competing with each other in their fashions, houses and furnishings to reflect their husbands’ success drove the overwhelming opulence of fashion and design even higher. The presentation will illustrate the beginnings of haute couture in ladies’ fashion and the creation of the necessary underwear to shape their bodies for the magnificent gowns of the time. It will also explore furniture designed by the leading cabinetmakers specifically for women, and the spectacular splendor of lavish late-19th-century homes like the Paine Mansion in Troy and the Frick residence (now a museum) in New York City, and the Vanderbilt summer estates in Newport, RI.

Course will be held in

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

The Rare Opulence of The Gilded Age
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 9/19 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-706 500	0 seats left	$22	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

The Real Bridgerton

“Bridgerton” is a TV series based on a historical period in English life during the early years of the 19th century, when it was extremely important to families of the aristocracy to find suitable husbands for their daughters. This period of time in England (1811-1820) is named for the king’s son, George the Fourth, who was considered the Prince Regent; thus, the Regency period corresponds to the Federal period in America. This class will discuss the similarities in British and American cultures at the time, including architecture, furnishings and fashion, as well as customs such as high tea and the all-important arranged marriage to prosperous husbands. We’ll also discuss the history of the grand English manor homes and furnishings featured in the series and the American homes that were inspired by them, as well as the differences in the fashion of the day vs. what is portrayed in the show.

Course will be held in

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

The Real Bridgerton
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 10/10 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-784 500	6 seats left	$22

The Saugerties Lighthouse

Join us at the Saugerties Lighthouse, an 1869 landmark on the Hudson River that now stands proudly as a living museum and a renowned bed and breakfast. Step back in time more than a hundred years to experience the charm and rustic simplicity of life in the middle of the river. The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy maintains the lighthouse and adjacent lands for the enjoyment of the public. The restored red-brick lighthouse offers overnight bed and breakfast accommodations, public tours, and special events. Furnished as it may have looked in the early 20th century, the lighthouse contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen, keepers’ quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The operational light tower offers a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains. Because of its location on the river, tours must be scheduled with tide schedules in mind. The lighthouse can be reached via a half-mile nature trail of dirt and rock paths with wooden bridges and boardwalks and sandy trails. It is at the end of Lighthouse Drive in the village of Saugerties, New York. Suitable, comfortable shoes are recommended as it is a short walk to the lighthouse. Course fee includes $10 materials fee

Course will meet at 168 Lighthouse Dr., Saugerties, NY

Saugerties Lighthouse Staff, Coordinator

The Saugerties Lighthouse
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 9/26 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm	ZCCR-337 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch

Enjoy taking a step back in time to see and experience the genteel living of the nouveau rich of Troy’s Washington Park, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. You will be able to see firsthand the loving care taken to rehabilitate and update many of these one-of-a-kind homes of the emerging upper middle class of the 19th century, and visit their own private park. We may even see a restoration in progress at one of the area homes. Newer on this tour is St. John’s Episcopal Church, where you will discover many hidden Tiffany treasures, from stained glass windows and intricate floor tile mosaics to the painted Baptismal alcove. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy the Memorial Garden, which has been on the Troy Hidden Garden Tour. A moderate lunch will be held in the last home we visit on the tour.

There will be lots of walking on mostly uneven surfaces: sidewalks, grass, roads, and some home interiors with multiple flights of stairs. Be mindful of your capabilities to keep up with the group, as we have a tight schedule to adhere to for the two-hour tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be on your feet for all of the tour. Dress for the outdoors, rain or shine this time of year. Course includes $25 materials fee.

Course will be held at 146 1st Street, Troy, in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church where the tour begins. Parking lot directly across from the church.

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 9/17 9:30 am - 12:30 pm	ZCCR-329 500	0 seats left	$40	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Tour of County Waste Single Stream Recycling Plant

How does Single Stream Recycling (SSR) work? Come find out the answers and see the workings of this busy facility. SSR makes recycling easier because there is no separating for you. SSR is also better for the environment, with less going into the landfill and more to be reused. But sometimes objects get recycled which shouldn’t, and once you learn what these are, you will make the workers’ jobs a lot easier. Before our walking tour, we will see a short informative video with discussion. Close-toed shoes, long pants and dressing for outside temperatures is a must, as the garage doors will be open. You will be issued a hard hat, safety glasses, earplugs (optional), and a safety vest that must be worn while on the tour. Be prepared for walking up and down several levels of open stairs while on the tour.

Parking is at the plant, 865 South Pearl St., Albany. Off South Pearl St., look for Binghamton St. (Leadpoint sign); turn onto it and make a quick left into the red brick building parking lot to green awning office sign to the right, where you will enter.

Course will be held at 865 South Pearl St., Albany, NY

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Tour of County Waste Single Stream Recycling Plant
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 10/1 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-568 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Tour of NYS Military Museum

The New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs will be welcoming us for a tour that will explain how our citizens have given of themselves for the preservation of our democracy. We will see, through a guided self-walk, many exhibits and galleries focusing on New York’s military contribution to our nation’s history, from the Revolutionary War to today. We will also see a short presentation on the museum’s Korea/Vietnam exhibit. The newest gallery is on “New York & Naval Nuclear Propulsion,” which is very important in our area of New York State.

Course will meet at New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Tour of NYS Military Museum
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 9/20 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-778 500	17 seats left	$15

Toys as a Reflection of Childhood History

The study of children’s toys as they developed from the ancient world to the 20th century profoundly illustrates the treatment of children through the ages. The first toys were mainly educational to prepare children for the roles they would assume as adults. This class will explore that history, from the Puritan influence on toys in colonial America through the 17th century toys of Dutch children in New York, the 19th century importation of toys from Germany, the advent of American toy manufacturing at the turn of the century, and the popularity of American toymakers throughout the 1950s. We’ll also explore the history of the teddy bear.

Course will be held in

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor

Toys as a Reflection of Childhood History
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 9/26 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-759 500	15 seats left	$22

Traveling the Mother Road: America's Route 66

Follow along with Joanne and Rick as they recount their personal and professional road trip from the beginning to the end of America’s Mother Road, Route 66. Full of stories, pictures, and an emphasis on the preservation of the past for all to experience now and into the future, this is not a day-by-day travelogue (i.e., the old-fashioned slideshows of people’s trips), but a look at how you can plan and experience a road trip like this for yourself.

Course will meet at �鶹��ý�� North TEC-SMART 345 Hermes Rd, Malta, NY

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Traveling the Mother Road: America's Route 66
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 11/12 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZCCR-777 500	11 seats left	$15

Vintage Dresses and the Ladies Who Wore Them

Join Halfmoon’s historian and president of the Halfmoon Historical Society as she shows us a collection representing 104 years of fashion, all worn by women of the same family.

The collection dates from 1869 all the way to the mod styles of the 1970s. These family dresses have survived through the years, and now you will get to enjoy all of them in all of their beauty and splendor while hearing the stories of the ladies who wore them. Don’t miss this chance to see such a unique and rare collection of fashion up close! Leave time to wander around the permanent and changing exhibits at the Saratoga History Center. Tea will be served with cookies. Students who have to withdraw must do so at least one week prior to the start of the course for a full refund.

Course will meet at Saratoga County History Center, Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa, NY

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Vintage Dresses and the Ladies Who Wore Them
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 10/24 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm	ZCCR-780 500	4 seats left	$22

Visit the BASF Environmental Educational Classroom and Wildlife Habitat

This former industrial site has been converted into a wildlife habitat that promotes the growth of indigenous plants that provide foraging and nesting for a wide variety of animals; a way-station for migratory birds; and a freshwater wetland area that provides a habitat for aquatic species, amphibians, and reptiles. Walk the trails to observe flora and fauna. Birdwatchers, bring your binoculars. We’ll also learn about the construction process of the sustainably-designed green education classroom. And, of course, lunch will be provided!

Course will meet at BASF Environmental Education Classroom, 70 Riverside Avenue, Rensselaer, NY

Fran Pilato, Instructor

Visit the BASF Environmental Educational Classroom and Wildlife Habitat
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 10/4 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-526 500	9 seats left	$15

Visit to Burden Iron Works Museum

The Burden Iron Works Museum highlights the industrial heritage of the Hudson-Mohawk region. Recently reopened after a major refurbishment, the museum features exhibits and artifacts representing major local industries such as iron, bell casting, textiles and precision instruments, among others. A steam engine and several bells are displayed inside the museum, while a number of larger artifacts are displayed on the grounds. The museum’s executive director will begin the program with an overview of the region’s industrial history, with a special focus on the contributions of Henry Burden. Participants will then have the opportunity to experience the museum’s displays at their own pace. Docents will be available to answer questions. Light refreshments will be served. Course fee includes $10 materials fee.

Course will be held at Burden Iron Works Museum, 1 East Industrial Parkway, Troy, NY

Susan Ouellette, Instructor

Paula Johannessen, Coordinator

Visit to Burden Iron Works Museum
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 9/18 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-530 500	7 seats left	$25

Watervliet Historical Society - Tour of the Museum

First, we’ll have a brief history lesson on the development of the city of Watervliet (formerly West Troy), including the Watervliet Arsenal and Erie Canal. Then, we’ll take a tour of the Watervliet Historical Society Museum’s many displays on such historic topics as ice harvesting, Meneely bells, and more. Course fee includes $10 materials fee.

Course will meet at Watervliet Historical Society, 1501 1st Ave, Watervliet, NY

Tom Ragosta, Watervliet Historian, Instructor

Paula Johannessen, Coordinator

Watervliet Historical Society - Tour of the Museum
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/30 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-318 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Woman of the Revolution

Abigail Adams counseled her husband, John Adams, to “remember the ladies,” but have we? The women in America could hardly escape participation in the Revolutionary War, nor did they wish to. Having helped build a new nation as settlers, they were fully prepared to make it their own. In politically charged times, they organized protests and boycotts, maintained homes and farms for soldier husbands, and, when necessary, defended the near and dear. Who was the politically astute woman who wrote the first official history of the Revolution- and, arguably, the Bill of Rights? Was Molly Pitcher a real person? What made soldier Robert Shurtleff’s story so remarkable? You will be surprised how women’s contributions and actions were crucial to the success of our bid to become an independent nation.

Course will be held in

Phyllis Chapman, Instructor

Woman of the Revolution
Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 9/25 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-263 500	0 seats left	$28	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Division of Workforce Development and Community Education

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Fitzgibbons Health Technologies Center, Room 334

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Fax: (518) 629-8103

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Summer 2024 Hours (May 20 - July 26): Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday, Closed
(excluding college holidays and vacations)

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