Sneak peek

Yoga instructors, line dancers and quilters gathered at State Fair Community College on Friday for the lifelong learning program’s sneak peek at upcoming courses.

“This is the first time we’ve had an open house like this,” said Melody Chapman, director of the lifelong learning program. “We had a number of instructors that were very enthusiastic about it so we gave it a try.”

Chapman said the non-credit classes began with yoga and line dancing nearly 20 years ago, but it wasn’t until the past two years that the courses started to grow.

“This open house is a great event because it allows people to go shopping for these courses,” said Cynthia Crawford, of the University of Missouri extension program. Crawford teaches the thrifty living series, which offers a series of classes on wealth building, investment strategies, estate planning and retirement planning.

“You can meet instructors and see the materials you’re going to use in class; you just can’t really lose,” she said.

Quilting instructors Ann Spurrier and Glenda Hawkins said they have been teaching courses for the past six years.

“We have 20 or 21 people in all of our classes right now, which is pretty large” said Spurrier. “We hope they continue to grow though; we’re always welcome to have more new faces in our classes.”

Both Spurrier and Hawkins are retired teachers; Spurrier taught at Herbert Hunt and Hawkins taught for the University of Missouri extension services.

“When I retired, I thought teaching a quilting class would be fun,” Spurrier said. “And we do have fun in our classes, besides just learning quilting techniques, students have an enjoyable time.”

“I came to the open house today because I read about it in the paper and thought it’d be good to sign up for a class and get out of the house,” said Ruth Piers, of Sedalia. “I’m going to sign up for the quilting class; I’ve always wanted to do it, and I have the materials at home. I think this will just get me started.”

Piers’ sister, Roberta Perrin said, “I took an eBay course here last year. I like the classes they offer; you’re able to meet neighbors and people you might have otherwise never met.”

Demonstrations of ballroom dancing, line-dancing and Latin-style dancing also took place.

Pilates instructor Jennifer Richardson demonstrated a basic abdominal workout and leg exercises. She explained to the group that she started Pilates in 2004, after a major car accident that left her lower back and pelvis in pain.

“My physical therapist was a Pilates instructor and so she got me into it,” she said. “I needed something that was going to relieve my pain.”

Richardson said she got her Pilates teaching certification in 2005, after attending workshops, studying and taking a test.

“Pilates is about strengthening your core muscles, which is very important,” she said. “It helps maintain movement. Doing demonstrations and having an open house like this helps people decide if it’s something they’d like to do.”

“At our age, it’s important to keep your mind active,” said Piers. “Me and my sister are both in our ’60’s and now that we don’t have to help with our grandchildren as much, it’s time to do something for ourselves. These classes are a good way to do that.”

For more information about the Lifelong Learning Program, call (660) 530-5822 or go online at www.sfccmo.edu/lifelonglearning.