Alpena Community College Community Education classes are scheduled for Fall 2019, starting in September.

A wide variety of classes are offered, including cooking, baking, health and wellness, arts and crafts, computers, photography, grant writing, nature, and children’s craft and baking classes. Some of the classes are seasonal or holiday-themed as well.

Advanced registration is required for all classes. Registration may be completed by phone with a debit or credit card by calling the Alpena Volunteer Center at 989-358-7271. To register by mail, fill out a registration form and send it with payment to ACC Community Ed, CTR 108, 665 Johnson St., Alpena MI 49707. Make checks payable to ACC. Payment in full is required at least one week prior to the start date of each class.

For more information about classes and registration, visit the ACC Community Education website at https://discover.alpenacc.edu/about/visitors/community_education.php, and click on the “Community Education Schedule & Registration” button on the website.

To be placed on the mailing list, call the Alpena Volunteer Center.

Classes take place on the ACC campus unless otherwise noted. BTC stands for Besser Technical Center, and CTR stands for Newport Center Building.

Fall classes are listed below.

SEPTEMBER

¯ Wednesdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25 — Beginning Excel, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., BTC 117. Join Cathy Abraham to learn the basics of creating spreadsheets using Excel. Create and format simple spreadsheets and calculate data using basic formulas and functions. Basic computer usage/knowledge required. Limit of 18. Fee is $75.

¯ Tuesdays, Sept. 10, 17 and 24 — Beginning QuickBooks, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., BTC 115. Peggy Schmidt helps take the fear out of accounting with this introduction to QuickBooks. This class covers basic use of QuickBooks including menu options and preferences. Students learn to create and manage company files, enter bills, create invoices and sales receipts. Limit of 18. Basic computer usage/knowledge required. Accounting experience helpful but not essential. Fee is $70.

¯ Thursday, Sept. 12 — Cucina Italiana, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Discover how a German-Italian aficionado can help you master the methods for cooking shrimp, as well as a traditional Italian dish, to perfection. Not only will participants make (and eat) a tender, succulent shrimp scampi entree, they will also learn to make a delicious Zuppa Toscana (traditional soup of Italy’s Tuscany Region) from a patient teacher. Join as Jim demonstrates some basic cooking methods you’ll be able to reproduce with pleasure and ease in your kitchen. Limit of 10, so register early. Fee is $38.

¯ Tuesday, Sept. 24 — Personalized Basket Weaving for Beginners, 5:30 to 9 p.m., CTR 106. Instructor Diane Kamyszek has been making baskets for decades and teaching for 20 years. This energetic, fun, and enthusiastic instructor enjoys sharing her skill and love of this decorative, useful craft. With hands-on guidance, you’ll create a lovely hand-crafted round basket with an 8-inch wood base using flat reed and embellished with curls (similar to photo). Limit of 10. Bring a pencil, scissors, flat screw driver and a bucket for water. Fee is $45, which includes basket-making materials.

¯ Thursday, Sept. 26 — Fairy Garden, 5 to 8 p.m. at PRATTScape inside Alpena Mall. Enchant your local fairies, children, and the inner fairy in you. With Doug Pratt’s expert, hands-on guidance, create a personalized, charming Fall Fairy Garden to take home. Enjoy a delightful evening with gardening expert and designer Pratt. For ages 10 and older. Limit of 8 students. Additional fairy garden items are available for purchase. Fee is $60, which includes fairy garden door, fairy and one miscellaneous item.

¯ Mondays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 — Shooting Star Stained Glass, 6 to 8 p.m. at My Glass Wings in downtown Alpena. Join team members Alexis Werda and Lynn Beaudoin of My Glass Wings as they guide you in a hands-on class teaching proper techniques on how to create your own personalized Stained Glass Shooting Star (similar to the photo shown) that is approximately 6 inches wide. This class is perfect for beginners. This is a two-night class requiring attendance to both sessions and is limited to 10 students. Students must enter using side door in alley, and must be 14 years or older to register. Fee is $35, which includes all materials.

¯ Monday, Sept. 30 — Survival Skills for Hunters or any Outdoorsman, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the ACC Ropes Course. Join Bill Camp, a survival expert and Navy Veteran with years of experience. Camp is a freelance instructor and has taught classes in Kentucky. Join him and his assistant Lynda as they demonstrate survival skills. This class is designed specifically for building emergency shelters and how to start a fire without matches. This class is great for hunters or anyone interested in learning more about survival tips and techniques. Ages 15 years and older. Class is limited to 10. Fee is $15.

OCTOBER

¯ Tuesday, Oct. 1 — Reflexology, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 106. Join Instructor Yvonne Robinson, a massage therapist of 18 years, graduate of Irene Myomassology Institute, and owner of Essential Therapies in Hillman. Reflexology is a therapy based on the principle that there are specific areas of innervation in hands and feet that correspond to muscle groups or organs. In this system, nerve endings in extremities provide a “map” of the body. Through application of pressure on areas of hands or feet, reflexology is said to promote relaxation of tension, improvement of circulation, and support of function in the related area of the body. In this class, learn about the home treatment technique and how it can help in daily functioning. Fee is $35.

¯ Wednesdays, Oct. 2, 9 and 16 — Intermediate Excel, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., BTC 117. After mastering Excel basics, learn different ways to view the information. Discover advanced features such as charts, graphs, and tables. Also learn to utilize multiple worksheets, advanced formulas, data filters, and sorting information. Prerequisite: Beginning Excel or equivalent.Fee is $70.

¯ Thursdays, Oct. 3, 10 and 17 — Light Painting Photography, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 116. Join professional photographer Tom Sherrill-Mix in Light Painting Photography, an imaging technique that uses a moving light source to add light to an under-illuminated subject while taking a long-exposure photograph. The light painting techniques involve opening your camera’s shutter. It has to be long enough for you to “paint” in the dark with a light source. A scene or object can be brought to life by painting with a beam of light. In this three-session class, students will learn to create amazing images with light painting — making light trails, highlighting parts of your image, crazy spiral effects. Join Tom as he teaches techniques which don’t require a lot of equipment. Students must bring: a camera (with manual settings), cable release, tripod and a flashlight. Fee is $75.

¯ Tuesday, Oct. 8 — Avoid Anxiety, Depression and Anger, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 106. “Getting a comedic view of your situation gives you spiritual distance,” said Joseph Campbell. This class explores the idea that negative emotions are not the result of external circumstances, but how we choose to perceive a situation. Everyone has a sense of humor; it may be either very acute or need work. Learn about the irrational thoughts we all engage that make us miserable. Instructor Joe Garant, LPC, is a licensed counselor. He is currently the rehabilitation coordinator and employee assistance counselor at NEMROC in Alpena. Garant will present a PowerPoint that is both informative and entertaining. Fee is $15.

¯ Tuesday, Oct. 15 — Pressure Cooker Cookin’, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Many of us may have scary memories of our mother’s hissing pressure cooker. Today’s models are a far cry from those used in earlier days and are making a comeback because of the health benefits and because they reduce cooking times by up to 70%. Instructor Jessica Krawczak shares her expertise, techniques, and tips for cooking great, healthy and tasty meals using a pressure cooker. Limit of 12. Fee is $35.

¯ Monday, Oct. 21 — Seafood Cooking for the Holidays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Instructor Jessica Krawczakshares how simple and satisfying cooking seafood at home can be. She walks you through steps for preparing perfectly grilled shrimp, as well as shrimp scampi, and a delicious hot crab dip with toasted baguette. Learn techniques for enhancing flavor — from cooking seafood for a crowd, to cooking an elegant holiday seafood dinner for two. She will highlight using marinades, glazes, and the right spices for each class of seafood. Limit of 10. Fee is $35.

¯ Mondays, Oct. 21 and 28 — Snowman Stained Glass, 6 to 8 p.m., My Glass Wings. My Glass Wings has been a downtown business for over 14 years offering classes, workshops upon request, custom work, and stained-glass repairs. Owner Tina Montgomery has been creating stained glass art for over 20 years. Join team members Alexis Werda and Lynn Beaudoin as they guide you in a hands-on class teaching proper techniques on how to create your own personalized snowman encased in a 6-inch ring. This class is perfect for beginners. This is a two-night session class requiring attendance to both sessions and is limited to 10 students. Students must enter using side door in alley, and must be 15 years or older. Fee is $35, which includes all materials.

¯ Tuesdays, Oct. 22 and 29, and Nov. 5 — Grant Writing 101, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., CTR 106. Instructor/facilitator Dawn Stone is the dean of workforce development of TAACCCT Grant at Alpena Community College and has been writing and managing grants for nearly 20 years. Stone has overseen nearly $3 million from state and federal sources. Writing Winning Grants: Develop the skills to execute successful grant applications for any organization. Fee is $95, which includes lunch.

¯ Wednesday, Oct. 23 — Hand-Crafted Soap — The Natural Way, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Join Instructor Kira Bixel, co-owner and operator of Bixel Family Farm. Cold process soap-making is one technique used in making custom soaps from scratch. Learn step-by-step how to make a batch of cold process soap. Learn safety tips and practices, how to properly handle sodium hydroxide (the basic chemical process of soap), how to customize with color, scents and additives, options for molds and what to do after your soap saponifies. Each student will take home two bars of seasonally scented soap. Limit of 10 students.Fee is $30, which includes all materials.

¯ Monday, Oct. 28 — Bread-Baking 101, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Instructor Cindy Lucas and her assistant Kerrie Kamyszek will guide you through the process for making great bread from scratch. Learn how to mix dough, proper kneading techniques and other essential steps such as proofing, shaping, and baking. Learn fundamental skills for a lifetime of great bread baking. Students will make and take their own bread to bake at home. Bring an apron. Limit of 10. Fee is $30.

¯ Tuesday, Oct. 29 — Got Game? Venison Inspirations, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Venison is tender, juicy, and delicious when properly prepared and its nutrition surpasses many other meats. Join Janet and Gerald Lucas, owners of Lucas Catering, as they demonstrate delicious recipes for venison that ensure great results. Enjoy various samples of venison entrees. This is an all-encompassing opportunity to cook, eat, and learn. Limit of 10. Fee is $30.

NOVEMBER

¯ Monday, Nov. 4 — Kids’ Holiday Ornament, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Join Erin Pilarski in this class where students explore color theory, tips and techniques on how to paint on shatter-proof and BPA-free plastic holiday ornaments. Students will create and paint their own personalized Christmas-themed plastic ornament, and leave with a set of two. For ages 7 and up. Register early, as seating is limited. Parents or guardians may attend but are not required. Fee is $20.

¯ Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Felted Snowman for Parent or Grandparent and Child, 6 to 8 p.m., Spruce Shadow Farm Yarn Shoppe, Alpena Mall. Using soft wool, we’ll needle-felt a snuggly snowman, complete with adorable face and decorative hat and scarf. You’ll have a unique, personalized snowman. While making your snowman, you’ll learn the creative art of needle-felting, which can be used for many other beautiful projects. Instructor Shelia Robbins of Spruce Shadows Farms Yarn Shoppe provides hands-on instruction in this limited class of 15. Fee is $25, which includes all materials.

¯ Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Self-Massage Techniques and Qi Gong, 5:30 to 8 p.m., BTC 201. Fascia throughout the body is designed to connect and protect, influencing how we move, feel and heal. Qi Gong is an ancient art that combines meditation, breath awareness and gentle movement. Explore self-massage techniques as a complement to gentle ranges of motion. Instructor Desiree Nowaczyk is a licensed physical therapist assistant, certified stress management coach, holistic wellness coach, and personal trainer. Limited to 11. Fee is $25.

¯ Wednesday, Nov. 6 — Sunflower Wood Pallet Painting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Tathia (Tasha) Lockhart is an artist and owner of My Front Porch Decor by Tathia. Students will learn techniques for creating a colorful, personally-painted wood pallet art. She will custom cut the wood and stain it so that it’s all ready prior to class. Deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 28. Fee is $40, which includes all materials.

¯ Thursday, Nov. 7 — Two-Needle Knitted Mittens, 6 to 8 p.m., Spruce Shadow Farm Yarn Shoppe, Alpena Mall. Limit of 15. Fee is $20, plus materials purchased at the store.

¯ Thursday, Nov. 7 — No Bake Dulce de Leche Christmas Cake, 6 to 8:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Limit of 8. Fee is $35.

¯ Monday, Nov. 11 — Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Limit of 10. Fee is $35.

¯ Monday, Nov. 11 — Creating Wreaths with Signature Style, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., PRATTScape, Alpena Mall. Fee is $25, plus cost of wreath form/materials.

¯ Tuesday, Nov. 12 — Creative Cookie for Kids Decorating for Holiday and Every Day, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Ages 7 and up, with guardian. Limit of 10. Fee is $25.

¯ Wednesday, Nov. 13 — Candy Making for Holiday or Any Day, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Stoney Acres Winery. Limit of 10. Fee is $35.

¯ Thursday, Nov. 14 — Christmas Pierogi Extravaganza, 6 to 8:30 p.m., CTR 104/102. Limit of 8. Bring rolling pin, chef’s knife, apron and place setting. Fee is $38.