Highland Community College Lifelong Learning April and May classes include Basic Birding A and B, Pickleball for Beginners and Intermediate Players, History of Taylor Park, Microsoft Excel Fundamentals, and Wire Wrap a Pendant. To register online and view the complete
Lifelong Learning schedule, visit highland.edu/lifelong. For more information about Lifelong Learning and to find out the latest course offerings, call 815-599-3403.
Basic Birding A and B
Location: Oakdale Nature Preserve – Mogle Building, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Rd, Freeport, Ill.
Registration Deadline: April 8 (Basic Birding A), April 15 (Basic Birding B)
Class: April 15; 9 a.m. – Noon (Birding A), April 22; 9 a.m. – Noon (Birding B)
Fee: $15
Instructor: Juliet Moderow
Through photographs and bird specimens, learn about common birds that reside in or migrate through northwest Illinois. Handouts will be provided, but attendees should bring their own field guide if they have one. Attendees will use the accessible 1/3-mile paved trail to find and identify birds that might be present. Bring binoculars or some will be provided to borrow during the class.
Pickleball for Beginners and Intermediate Players Location: Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd., Freeport Ill. Registration Deadline: April 10
Class: April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8;
(Beginners 3 p.m., Beginners 4 p.m., Intermediate 5 p.m., Intermediate 6 p.m.)
Fee: $48 Instructor: Staff
(Beginners) Pickleball, a cross between badminton and tennis, is the fastest-growing sport among baby boomers in America. Learn to play pickleball, rules, and equipment, and have fun during this introductory course.
(Intermediate) This class is designed for pickleball players who are seeking to improve their game through more control and consistency. Topics include both forehand and backhand groundstrokes, creating a wider variety of shots including serves, return of serves, and volleys, plus using slower and faster pace shots to the player’s advantage.
History of Taylor Park
Location: Highland Community College, Building H, room H-127, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill. Registration Deadline: April 12
Class: April 19; 6 – 7 p.m.
Fee: $10
Join local historian Susie Dvorak as she shares her research on the history of Taylor’s Driving Park in Freeport, now known as Taylor Park. This location was once the site of a world-class horse-racing track and the Illinois State Fair. Learn more about the role Taylor Park played in the development of Freeport’s cultural and recreational past.
Microsoft Excel Fundamentals
Location: Highland Community College, Building T, room T-159, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill.
Registration Deadline: April 13
Class: April 20; 6 – 8 p.m.
Fee: $25
Instructor: Jeremy Monigold
Get started with Microsoft Excel. The class includes an overview of the Excel workspace and the creation of a basic inventory spreadsheet where you will apply formatting and calculations using formulas and functions.
Wire Wrap a Pendant
Location: Highland Community College, Building H, room H-208, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport, Ill.
Registration Deadline: April 27
Class: May 4; 6 – 9 p.m.
Fee: $30
Instructor: Art Dawson
Learn how to make a wire-wrapped pendant, ready to hang on a favorite necklace. A few basic styles are taught, along with various techniques to add variation and style. Ready-to-wrap pendants are available for purchase during class or students can bring their own. Attendees must supply hand tools: smooth-faced round and flat nose pliers, and side cutters. A few tools are available. A $5-12 material fee is to be paid to the instructor on the night of the class.
Other Courses Include:
- Write a Novel in a Month – HCC
- Easter Styled Centerpiece A, B, C – Clara Joyce Flowers, Stockton
- Civilian Conservation Corps – Galena Public Library, Galena
- Paint Party with Friends, Cherry Blossom Trees – Freeport Art Museum
- Macramé Hanging Shelf – The Muse on Cedar Creek, Freeport
- Introduction to Oxy-Acetylene Welding – HCC
- New France – Stockton Heritage Museum, Stockton
- GRAT-I-TANGLE – Stockton Library, Stockton
- Metal Detecting Basics – Oakdale Nature Preserve, Freeport
- Fun Summer Dishes – The Muse on Cedar Creek, Freeport