Catalog for Printing at Home
Spring 2025 Semester
Center for Lifelong Learning

This is an alternative version of the CLL portion of the printed catalog in a plain format suitable for printing at home. Press Ctrl + P (Cmd + P on Mac) to print. It is about 35 pages, depending on your printer settings. If you are only interested in a few courses, you can go to the course index, open the page for each of those courses, and print them from there. Only active classes (those which have not started or ended) are included in the index.

Open House and Start of Registration: January 8, 2025, 9:00 AM until Noon, B&E Rooms 122 & 116. Online registration starts at same time.
Registration Information: aikenlearning.org/register.html.
For questions, call 803-641-3741 or email info@aikenlearning.org.

1. Introduction to Digital Networks

Meets: Monday
Date(s): Jan 13
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: This class introduces attendees to the capability of digital networks. Attendees will gain a basic knowledge of various digital networks used to connect phones, computers, home automation, and home security. This includes network data limits and availability in this area. This lecture-based class with limited hands-on activity will acquaint attendees with a broad overview of network digital options.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

2. Exploring Windows

Meets: 5 Mondays
Date(s): Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 10
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $25.00
Description: Windows 11 is the go-to Microsoft operating system for modern PCs. This course provides an overview and dives into new features, settings, system-related apps, and powerful ways to organize and access your work. It also covers personalizing Windows 11, managing and backing up files, protecting your computer from malware, and recovering from hardware failures or software issues.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

3. Introduction to AI: Understanding the Future Implications

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Jan 14
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $15.00
Description: This course demystifies Artificial Intelligence (AI) for adults seeking to understand how AI shapes our modern world and impacts daily life. No technical background is required - just bring your curiosity and life experience. Are you curious about ChatGPT, wondering about AI in healthcare, or concerned how AI might affect your profession and the future of work? This course provides a clear, jargon-free exploration of AI technology and its real-world applications. Through interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations, you'll gain practical knowledge about using AI tools while understanding both their potential and limitations.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Larry Deschaine will guide you to the practical world of Artificial Intelligence. As team Lead for Data Science in the Savannah River National Laboratory, Dr. Deschaine brings over 40 years of real-world expertise in making complex technology accessible and practical for everyday life. His expertise and approachable teaching style will ensure you walk away with valuable, immediately applicable skills. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn from a leading expert who understands how to make technology work for you.

4. NATO: Then, Now, & Future

Meets: 3 Wednesdays
Date(s): Jan 15, 22, 29
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 20
Cost: $10.00
Description: This class traces NATO from its 1949 origin to the present day. As a creation of the Cold War era it has been adapted to address international security challenges since the end of the Soviet Union. We will also consider specific NATO military operations in Europe and Afghanistan. Considering the emerging international security environment, does NATO remain relevant and useful? Session 1: NATO origin and early history. Session 2: NATO in the Cold War to 9/11. Session 3: NATO Post-9/11 and beyond.
Instructor Biography: John Carman served 42 years as a US Naval officer and senior DOD civilian at US and NATO military headquarters in Europe, the US, and the Pacific. Michael Durkee is a retired senior US Foreign Service Officer with 11 years' experience as a senior advisor assigned to NATO headquarters in Europe.

5. Excel 101

Meets: 4 Wednesdays
Date(s): Jan 15, 22, 29, Feb 5
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $22.00
Description: Learn the basics of spreadsheet development using Excel 2016 spreadsheet program for Windows. Other Excel versions are easily adaptable. Class exercises will focus on such useful applications as tracking expenses, keeping personal finance records and investments, preparing an address book, and other home/work useful functions. To build proficiency, class exercises for work at home will be provided.
Instructor Biography: Adam Keller taught Guided Missile Electronics in the U. S. Army since 1955. In addition, he has taught computer programming along with computer hardware and software maintenance. He has been with the Center's Tech Section for over 15 years, designing and teaching various courses. He has taught Excel at all levels for many years.

6. PowerPoint Made Easy

Meets: 3 Thursdays
Date(s): Jan 16, 23, 30
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $20.00
Description: This basic course is designed specifically for anyone who wants to learn how to create engaging and professional presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. Through a hands-on, project-based approach, participants will gain practical skills and confidence in using PowerPoint to share their stories, experiences, and knowledge. No prior experience with PowerPoint is required. This course is ideal for participants who are new to PowerPoint or want to enhance their presentation skills.
Instructor Biography: Terry Hallman holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in Instructional Technology. Recently retired from Aiken County Public Schools, Terry boasts a 38-year teaching career. Her teaching experience spans all grade levels from K-12, to offering Professional Development technology courses for fellow educators. Additionally, Terry has served as adjunct instructor for both Presbyterian College and the College of Charleston. Terry's approach to education aligns with the inspiring motto: "Ageless Minds, Timeless Learning: Embracing Wisdom in Every Chapter of Life," attributed to an unknown author.

7. Unlocking MS Word

Meets: 3 Thursdays
Date(s): Jan 16, 23, 30
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $20.00
Description: This basic course is designed specifically for anyone who wants to learn how to create engaging and professional presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. Through a hands-on, project-based approach, participants will gain practical skills and confidence in using PowerPoint to share their stories, experiences, and knowledge. No prior experience with PowerPoint is required. This course is ideal for participants who are new to PowerPoint or want to enhance their presentation skills.
Instructor Biography: Terry Hallman holds a Bachelor's degree in education and a Master's degree in Instructional Technology. Recently retired from Aiken County Public Schools, Terry boasts a 38-year teaching career. Her teaching experience spans all grade levels, from K-12 to offering Professional Development technology courses for fellow educators. Terry's approach to education aligns with the inspiring motto: "Ageless Minds, Timeless Learning: Embracing Wisdom in Every Chapter of Life," attributed to an unknown author. "

8. iPhone 101

Meets: 3 Thursdays
Date(s): Jan 16, 23, 30
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $20.00
Description: In this hands-on class, we will cover the following: Navigating the iPhone, Apps, passwords/codes, Notes, Contacts, how to make a call, Messages/texts, and Email. Attendees must bring their charged device to the class.
Instructor Biography: Pam Stone earned a BSN from Columbia University. She has taught at the university level and with the Center Tech Section for over 6 years. Vicki Gibboney has a BS in Education. She taught elementary school. She has taught and coached for the Center's Technical Section for over 20 years.

9. Introduction to Chromebooks

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Jan 21
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Chromebooks have been on the market for more than a decade. The first ones were lacking in a lot of areas: power, apps, flexibility, and capacity. However, Chromebooks have come a long way since those early days. This course will help you decide if a Chromebook is right for you, the type of Chromebook to look for, and tips and tricks to get your Chromebook up and running trouble-free.
Instructor Biography: Bob Hood holds a BA degree from Franklin & Marshall College and completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Pittsburgh. He has designed and taught computer network courses and also ran his own technology consulting practice where he designed, installed, and managed computer networks, infrastructure and training for small business and non-profit clients. He has been with the Center's Tech Section for six years.

10. Canadian Rockies Travelogue

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Jan 21
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: The rugged grandeur of the Canadian Rockies can best be seen by taking a slow train through the mountains. The Rocky Mountaineer scenic train gives great views of the scenery and wildlife. Ride along with us on this trip!
Instructor Biography: Steve Gordy is an experienced instructor and Lifelong Learning volunteer. While his primary interest is history, he also loves traveling and reading. He is retired from the Savannah River Site and Piedmont Technical College.

11. History in Headstones: A Simple Guide to Cemeteries

Meets: 2 Tuesdays
Date(s): Jan 21, 28
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: If you want to learn the history of anything, remember the cemetery. Among the many sources on any matter, the cemetery often adds more than can be found in traditional references. This course will give you the basics of cemetery visits: sizing up the location, types of stones, common symbolism, preservation topics, and more. This background will help your cemetery visits yield a better understanding, faster. As they say, the stones speak.
Instructor Biography: Jeanmarie Bronson is a longtime member of Civil War Round Tables, the Clearfield (PA) Historical Society, the Lincoln Forum (Gettysburg), the Association of Gravestone Studies and other historical organizations. Prior to an interest in the American Civil War, she started studying the geography, society, and symbolism in cemeteries and the lives that make up the history of an era.

12. Facebook Security

Meets: 2 Tuesdays
Date(s): Jan 21, 28
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $18.00
Description: Get your Facebook questions answered while reviewing your privacy settings. This two-session course includes updating your Facebook account and privacy settings. A Facebook account is required to take this course. Attendees will need their Facebook user ID and password since they will be using their own FB page in class on classroom computers.
Instructor Biography: Wayne Rickman has a master's degree in computer management and has been an instructor with the Center's Tech Section for 20 years. He is a retired U. S. Navy (Nuclear Submarine) officer.

13. Home Security

Meets: Wednesday
Date(s): Jan 22
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Most of us would like the peace of mind and convenience of knowing our home and everything in it is safe and secure. From burglar alarm systems to full security Systems, with and without cameras, this course covers all the systems available today. This class will help you determine the type of home security system that is right for you, your home, your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

14. America's Birth Through Women's Eyes

Meets: 4 Wednesdays
Date(s): Jan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: This course views early American history through women's eyes, focusing on the stories of Anne Hutchinson, Jane Franklin, Martha Ballard, and Ona Judge. Through their experiences and voices, we will understand American political developments more deeply, as well as topics such as religion, education, medicine, and slavery.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Elizabeth Georgian is a Professor of History and chair of the Department of History, Political Science, and Philosophy at USCA, where she teaches a variety of courses, including women's history. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, kayaking, and hiking with her husband and rescued greyhounds.

15. Nuclear Waste Resolutions: New Discoveries

Meets: 4 Thursdays
Date(s): Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 13
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Ruth Patrick Science Center, Room 117
Class Size Limit: 30
Cost: $12.00
Description: Some 70,000 tons of high-level defense and commercial radioactive nuclear waste wait for safe storage in the U.S. It is held in corrosion-resistant steel containers for 50 years, in cooling poos, in trenches (lined and unlined), in research labs, in the ground after accidental release from aircraft, and some in the seas or various other locations, with some unaccounted for. It will be lethal for thousands of years. There is no technology that can destroy it. Government attempts to develop safe repositories for its storage have failed. Government attempts to resolve the public safety, health hazards, and environmental threats are discussed.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Rose O. Hayes is a medical anthropologist who spent her career managing public health programs in developing countries and as a U.S. public health official. From 2009 to 2015, she sat on the DOE Site Specific Advisory Board for SRS, chairing the Nuclear Materials Committee. Her many publications include Politics Trumps Nuclear Science (2014).

16. Private Land Conservation

Meets: Friday
Date(s): Jan 24
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Many people think that land conservation means national parks, state parks, and other public lands. However, private land conservation is at least as important in terms of protecting natural habitats and the species they contain while, at the same time, providing numerous other public benefits. We will investigate why private land conservation is important, how it works, and what is being done both locally and nationally to put it into practice.
Instructor Biography: Peter Kleinhenz works as the Executive Director of the Aiken Land Conservancy. Previously, he worked as the Conservation Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy in Tallahassee, Florida. Peter has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Zoology and Mass Communications from Miami University and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. "

17. Computer Security

Meets: Monday
Date(s): Jan 27
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: You have read about rogues hacking into commercial, government, and financial computer systems so why do you think your computer is any safer? It is a lot easier and a lot cheaper to prevent an intrusion than it is to clean up after your computer has been compromised. Learn about protecting your Windows computer from viruses, worms, adware, spyware, and malware. The second half of the class will address basic Internet privacy and tracking. Learn how to protect your online identity.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

18. Three Centuries of SC Women

Meets: 3 Mondays
Date(s): Jan 27, Feb 3, 10
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: This class is a three-week exploration of SC women from the Colonial-era through the Twentieth Century. As envisioned, the course will focus on Colonial & Revolutionary Women , SC Suffragists (Rollins Sisters, Eulalie Salley) and 20th Century Trailblazers (Septima Poinsett Clark, Modjeska Simkins, Wil Lou Gray, Jean Toal, and others). The stories of SC women, their lives, challenges, and contributions offer insights that are often little known or appreciated. This course will examine the lives of specific women and the times in which they lived.
Instructor Biography: Alexia Jones Helsley is Senior Instructor in History & University Archivist at USC Aiken. She teaches World, Ancient & Medieval, Public & South Carolina History. Among her publications are the Lost History of Aiken County and a requested chapter in SC Women: Their Lives & Times.

19. Home Surveillance Systems

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Jan 28
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Should you decide that a home surveillance system might be right for you, this class will acquaint you with security camera systems along with the integration of burglar alarm/security systems and camera surveillance systems. Residential surveillance systems range from single to multiple cameras and can be incorporated into a comprehensive whole-house security system. Attendees will learn about the interactions between these various systems and the networks that can be used to support their functions.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

20. Freaky and Fabulous Fungi

Meets: Friday
Date(s): Jan 31
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Enter the strange and unusual world of fungi. Some stink, some look like they are bleeding, some look like ears, and some are extremely toxic. Where do they come from? Why are they important? You will learn what criteria experts use to identify different fungi, why you should not forage mushrooms on your own, and how the mycelium network supports the health of ecosystems.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Lisa Ennis is an avid gardener with an affinity for native plants and their role in nature. She has a Certificate in Native Plant Studies from the Birmingham (Alabama) Botanical Gardens and completed the Alabama Extension's Master Gardener course in 2012. She is currently the Dean of the Gregg-Graniteville Library at USCA and holds several academic degrees and honors. She is often found outside gardening, sketching, or playing with her three rescue pups.

21. TV Streaming

Meets: Monday
Date(s): Feb 3
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $15.00
Description: The world of TV streaming can be quite confusing because of the many options available now to watch your favorite TV programs. Are you thinking about "cutting the cord" or exploring the TV streaming options available to you? Comparisons and features of live TV streaming, on-demand streaming and free TV streaming are presented. Smart TV technology and Internet connectivity for TV streaming are also presented.
Instructor Biography: Darrell Pluff has a bachelor's degree and post graduate work from San Diego State University for teaching certification. He is a retired business education instructor who has taught at the high school and college level in the United States and Australia. He has been with the Center's Technology Section for over nine years.

22. Line Dancing

Meets: 6 Mondays
Date(s): Feb 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar 3, 10
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Aiken County Shrine Club, 1526 Columbia Hwy N, Aiken
Class Size Limit: 45
Cost: $18.00
Description: Lessons begin with basic steps, broken down and taught slowly for beginners and progress to more intermediate dances. A new dance is taught each week and dances learned in previous weeks are reviewed. Line dancing is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for partnering, all executing the steps at the same time. Line dancing provides good exercise and is great food for the heart and brain as well as to meet new friends.
Instructor Biography: Brenda Taylor is a lifetime resident of Aiken; an active lifetime member and past president of CSRA Shag Club Aiken-Augusta; a line dance and Carolina shag instructor; a member of SOS in North Myrtle Beach, SC for over 30 years. She teaches and attends club events all over the South.

23. Brain and Body Fitness I

Meets: 4 Tuesdays
Date(s): Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 22
Cost: $12.00
Description: Based on the science of neuroplasticity, Brain and Body Fitness stimulates brain and body simultaneously. Engage core muscles which support the spine and limbs while seated in a chair. This playful fitness program addresses 21 simple movements designed for "Lifelong Comfort and Ease". It focuses on cognitive function, balance/fall prevention, joint mobility, spinal flexibility, breathing, and more, practiced to upbeat, age-appropriate music.
Instructor Biography: Carol Gerson is a Certified Ageless Grace Educator. She has been passionate about the subject of fitness and wellness all her life. Carol is proud to educate individuals about the benefits of staying functionally active and healthy. Managing the care of incapacitated parents for 21 years gives her a unique awareness of the medical and social challenges of living a long life.

24. Brain and Body Fitness II

Meets: 4 Tuesdays
Date(s): Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 22
Cost: $12.00
Description: Class II is designed for those who have already taken a prior session of Brain and Body Fitness and focuses on fall prevention/balance and breathing techniques. A mini foot workshop and body brushing will be incorporated.
Instructor Biography: Carol Gerson is a Certified Ageless Grace Educator. She has been passionate about the subject of fitness and wellness all her life. Carol is proud to educate individuals about the benefits of staying functionally active and healthy. Managing the care of incapacitated parents for 21 years gives her a unique awareness of the medical and social challenges of living a long life.

25. Fight Back Against Computer Scams

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 4
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $15.00
Description: Attendees will learn how to defend themselves against a growing spectrum of scams that are targeting individual users more than ever before. Anti-viruses, firewalls, and modern security tools are no match for the evolving landscape of sophisticated phishing campaigns and fraud attempts that target a wide variety of devices and services. The hackers are becoming more sophisticated as they become richer. The average scam is between $500 and $2,500, but there are cases where the amounts scammed were tens of thousands of dollars with no hope of recovery. All techniques presented in this class are identified in real work situations gathered from real cases.
Instructor Biography: Gabriel Lemnaru has 20 years of hands-on experience in the computer and network security field. He has a Master of Science Degree in Information Security and Assurance. He is a Certified Ethical Hacker; Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator; a Cisco Certified Network and a Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, also recognized with the formal NSA and CNSS 4011 Certification.

26. Apple Watch

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 4
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Learn to use the basics of your Apple Watch. This class will cover choosing a watch face, opening watch apps, notifications and control center. Learn the dock, the Digital Crown, the flashlight, and Siri. Learn how to enable Fall Detection—a lifesaver. There will be a handout for you to take home. You must have your own Apple Watch and have it paired with your iPhone. A knowledge of basic iPhone fundamentals is expected.
Instructor Biography: Vicki Gibboney has a BS degree in Education. She taught elementary school. She has taught and coached for the Center's Tech Section for over 20 years.

27. Understanding the Federal Court System

Meets: 2 Wednesdays
Date(s): Feb 5, 12
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: This course will consider the federal court system. Court decisions have dramatic impacts on our lives and as the only non-elected branch of the federal government are most insulated from public opinion. Whether this is 'good' or 'bad' is often subjective.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Allison Hamilton has worked on presidential races and local elections; and has taught political science courses for 20 years. She is currently the executive director of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness in Aiken, SC, and teaches political science for Middle Georgia State University.

28. Star Wars and Star Trek

Meets: 4 Thursdays
Date(s): Feb 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: We are going to go back, a long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far, away, where no student has gone before, to look at the evolution and growth of science fiction and fantasy movies and television shows, in particular Star Wars and Star Trek. This course will explore the universes created by George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry. Be ready to explore fun and well as serious sides of these franchises. Be prepared to let your geek side show!
Instructor Biography: Corey Rogers is a native of Augusta, Georgia. He earned a B.A. in History from South Carolina State University and a M.A. in History from Georgia Southern University. He is the Executive Director of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.

29. iPhone 102

Meets: 3 Thursdays
Date(s): Feb 6, 13, 20
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $20.00
Description: In this hands-on course, we will cover the following: Safari, The Clock App, Calendar, Maps, Wallet, Translate App, Security and Accessibility features. Attendees must bring their charged device to the class.
Instructor Biography: Pam Stone earned a BSN from Columbia University. She has taught at the university level and with the Center Tech Section for over 6 years. Vicki Gibboney has a BS in Education. She taught elementary school. She has taught and coached for the Center's Technical Section for over 20 years.

30. Near Misses & Untold Truths

Meets: 3 Fridays
Date(s): Feb 7, 14, 21
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: Behind what we see in the news and history books, there are numerous instances of near misses, untold truths, and key events that almost did not happen. Some embarrass politicians and are "buried." Join us to learn why George Washington really beat Cornwallis at Yorktown, why Napoleon may have lost at Waterloo, and several instances in which we came very close to World War III. We will look at little known facts that can have a profound impact on our country and the world, and how we fit into it and can affect it.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Kenneth Stephens is a Nuclear Physicist who, for over 50 years, has supported various government agencies and private organizations. He has been a consultant to the National Academy of Sciences, and numerous organizations. He has been involved with investigating the assassination of Russian spy, Alexander Litveninko, as well as use of neutrons in solving a murder in New York.

31. Ballet and Other Dance Forms

Meets: 2 Fridays
Date(s): Feb 7, 14
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: In each of the classes, we will discuss and share many videos to explore changes in ballet. We will view and compare dancers in class, rehearsals and performances. Over time there have been many interesting changes in the technique and style of ballet. There have also been physical and social changes from the past to the present.
Instructor Biography: Joy and Jeffrey Engel trained many years in Russian Classical Ballet, met in a studio in New York City, and honeymooned on an Equity Summer Stock Tour of "Carousel." Their performing careers included dancing and touring in the United States, Canada, and Europe. They have also choreographed productions, and taught dance in various studios, schools and colleges. This is their 12th time sharing their experiences and insights about ballet.

32. Using Android Devices

Meets: 2 Mondays
Date(s): Feb 10, 17
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $18.00
Description: Android phones are five times more numerous than iPhones in the world, and with a 2-1 advantage in this country. Android devices are manufactured and sold by many companies all over the world because the Android operating system is not proprietary. This course will help attendees navigate the sometimes-confusing settings and app functions of Androids. Also, attendees will learn about some of the most popular apps for the Android. Attendees must bring their Android phones or tablets with them to the class. Attendees should also have with them the passwords that allow them to download apps, if their Android devices require passwords.
Instructor Biography: Dennis Harkins was a teacher and technology specialist in schools in Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He was also an adjunct professor at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Area Computer Society. He has been with the Center's Tech Section for more than 15 years.

33. Advance Planning of Your Final Funeral Wishes

Meets: 3 Mondays
Date(s): Feb 10, 17, 24
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but pre-planning your funeral arrangements not only gives you peace of mind about your final wishes being honored but also alleviates some of the stress and burden your loved ones are going through as they experience the grief associated with the loss. This class will explore the idea of preplanning these wishes while also answering the wide array of questions associated with death.
Instructor Biography: Graham Hall is a licensed funeral director/embalmer and the President of Shellhouse Funeral Home & Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home here in Aiken. He has been serving in the funeral industry for over 15 years. Graham is a lifelong Aiken resident and has degrees from Clemson University and Piedmont Mortuary College.

34. One Drive

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 11
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $15.00
Description: OneDrive is one of Microsoft's most powerful yet often not well understood computer technologies. OneDrive is a file hosting service based on the cloud storage model. The free service allows users to access the file over the internet from any computer or phone. Topics to be covered include: file access anywhere, free storage, no accidental deletes, extra security, and automatic backups.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

35. Applied AI: A Practical Guide for Making AI Work for You (Section A)

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 11
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make your daily life easier in our engaging 2-hour workshop. We will show you how to use ChatGPT and similar AI assistants to write emails and letters, plan travel, research health topics, understand and visualize information, write computer programs, and more. The workshop includes hands-on practice with popular AI applications. Perfect for adults who want to leverage technology to maintain an active, interconnected, and informed lifestyle. No technical background needed - just bring your smartphone or tablet and your curiosity. Small class size ensures personal attention and plenty of time for questions. The same course will also be taught February 18th.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Larry Deschaine will guide you to the practical world of Artificial Intelligence. As team Lead for Data Science in the Savannah River National Laboratory, Dr. Deschaine brings over 40 years of real-world expertise in making complex technology accessible and practical for everyday life. His expertise and approachable teaching style will ensure you walk away with valuable, immediately applicable skills. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn from a leading expert who understands how to make technology work for you.

36. Great Decisions

Meets: 8 Wednesdays
Date(s): Feb 12, 19, 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr 2
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 18
Cost: $25.00
Description: This 8-week group discussion course will address the following topics:
Session 1: American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
Session 2: U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy
Session 3: U.S.-China Relations
Session 4: International Cooperation on Climate Change
Session 5: The Future of NATO and European Security
Session 6: AI and American National Security
Session 7: India: between China, the West, and the Global South
Session 8: After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East
Note: Class book (Great Decisions 2025 Briefing Book) may be ordered at sales@fpa.org. Cost of book is $35.
Instructor Biography: John Karas is a graduate of The University of Toledo and has taught at Harper College in Illinois. His lifelong interest in history led him to become a member of the 250 Committee preparing and educating about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

37. Excel 102

Meets: 4 Wednesdays
Date(s): Feb 12, 19, 26, Mar 5
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $22.00
Description: This course is for attendees who have either completed the Excel 101 course or have a thorough understanding of the basics of Excel. The class covers such concepts as graphing and hiding data, pivot tables that manipulate data, nested formulas, and conditional formatting. The development of formulas will be explained in such a way as to be easily understood. To build proficiency, class exercises for work at home will be provided.
Instructor Biography: Adam Keller taught Guided Missile Electronics in the U. S. Army since 1955. In addition, he has taught computer programming along with computer hardware and software maintenance. He has been with the Center's Tech Section for over 15 years, designing and teaching various courses. He has taught Excel at all levels for many years.

38. The Glory That Was Greece

Meets: 2 Mondays
Date(s): Feb 17, 24
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: This is a two-week course that examines the cultural legacy particularly of the Periclean Age, the Golden Age of Greece. Presentations will discuss Greek contributions to art, architecture, theatre, poetry, philosophy, history and more.
Instructor Biography: Alexia Jones Helsley is Senior Instructor in History & University Archivist at USC Aiken. She teaches World, Ancient & Medieval, Public & South Carolina History. Among her publications are the Lost History of Aiken County and a requested chapter in SC Women: Their Lives & Times.

39. Applied AI: A Practical Guide for Making AI Work for You (Section B)

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 18
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make your daily life easier in our engaging 2-hour workshop. We will show you how to use ChatGPT and similar AI assistants to write emails and letters, plan travel, research health topics, understand and visualize information, write computer programs, and more. The workshop includes hands-on practice with popular AI applications. Perfect for adults who want to leverage technology to maintain an active, interconnected, and informed lifestyle. No technical background needed - just bring your smartphone or tablet and your curiosity. Small class size ensures personal attention and plenty of time for questions. The same course will also be taught February 11th.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Larry Deschaine will guide you to the practical world of Artificial Intelligence. As team Lead for Data Science in the Savannah River National Laboratory, Dr. Deschaine brings over 40 years of real-world expertise in making complex technology accessible and practical for everyday life. His expertise and approachable teaching style will ensure you walk away with valuable, immediately applicable skills. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn from a leading expert who understands how to make technology work for you.

40. Savannah River Plant Retrospective

Meets: 4 Wednesdays
Date(s): Feb 19, 26, Mar 5, 12
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: This class describes the impact developing Savannah River Site (SRS) in the 1950s had on life in the Aiken area. Topics include: (1) Housing – the decision of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) not to have a government town associated with SRS was marvelously timed with the arrival of the American Ranch House in the Southeast; (2) Music and Recreation – the AEC and DuPont knew a happy work force was needed for the construction of SRS and the transition into a permanent workforce; (3) Ecology – now-famous scientists Ruth Patrick and Eugene Odum changed how the world thought about our environment; and (4) Community – what the thousands of men and women who came to the CSRA in search of work at SRS found here, and how they changed it.
Instructor Biography: Mary Beth Reed and Josh Blackmon are historians with the Savannah River Cold War Historic Preservation Program. Nate Price is a digitization expert within the Program. Susie Ferrara, the Program's SRNL manager, and historian Allen Riddick will draw on their deep roots within the Aiken community for their presentation.

41. Who's Afraid of Opera

Meets: 6 Wednesdays
Date(s): Feb 19, 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $18.00
Description: The following operas will be discussed:
Marriage of Figaro, by Mozart (in theaters Sat., 4-26-25 @ 1:00pm)
Salome, by Richard Strauss (in theaters Sat., 5-17-25 @ 1:00pm)
Barber of Seville, by Rossini (in theaters Sat., 5-31-25 @ 1:00pm)
The classes will introduce historical and musical background, composer issues, performing problems, and plots, providing both beginner and veteran operagoers with a deeper insight into each work.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Maureen Simpson has performed in over two dozen operas in the United States and Europe, as well as numerous appearances with symphonies and choral societies. She attended the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia; the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria; and received graduate degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington and the University of South Carolina. Dr. Simpson is currently Artistic Director of the Aiken Choral Society.

42. Life as an Indian Trader

Meets: Thursday
Date(s): Feb 20
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: During this class the instructor, fully dressed in period attire, will be doing an interpretation of a Carolina Indian Trader from 1670-1760. He will provide a lecture about the trade system, its impact on the colony, the traders, and the Indians who participated in the process. The instructor will discuss the economic, social, and political impact on all involved. The presentation will also include a display of trade items from the time period.
Instructor Biography: Bobby Blackwell is a reenactor who interprets the life and times of a Carolina Indian Trader during 1670-1760. Mr. Blackwell has an associate degree from North Greenville College and a graduate degree from the University of South Carolina. He has worked for the South Carolina State Museum for 30 years and now serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Military Museum.

43. Smart Home Solutions

Meets: Monday
Date(s): Feb 24
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Are you intrigued by the idea of a smart home? You might be curious about what exactly a smart home entails. Whether you are interested in enhancing security, optimizing energy usage, or simply making daily life more convenient, our comprehensive course has you covered. You will learn what a smart home is and how it works. We will explore the most common smart home features, including voice assistants, smart lighting, security cameras, and more.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Russ Beckmeyer received his PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Beckmeyer has more than 50 years of applied computer technology experience: micro-computers, super-computers, networks, software, and computer security. After an extensive career at the Savannah River Site, he spent the last 5 years of his professional career as an engineering director for two different small nuclear reactors. Dr. Beckmeyer has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2018.

44. Advanced Computer/Tech Scams

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 25
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $15.00
Description: This class is designed for those who want to learn more about modern scams that target the digital frontier of the 21st Century. Intermediate knowledge of computers and technology is desired for attendees in this class but is not required. No matter how advanced or new you are with technology, you will have a lot to learn from this class. Knowledge is power when it comes to technology and keeping your digital assets safe online. The next few years will bring more technology into our lives and there will be no shortage of advanced scams that target the users. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be better leveraged by hackers and scammers rather than the security tools developed to keep us safe. Learn how to protect yourself and rest better at night.
Instructor Biography: Gabriel Lemnaru has 20 years of hands-on experience in the computer and network security field. He has a Master of Science Degree in Information Security and Assurance. He is a Certified Ethical Hacker; Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator; a Cisco Certified Network and a Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, also recognized with the formal NSA and CNSS 4011 Certification.

45. Apple Help Lab

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Feb 25
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: Free to Members
Description: Your membership in the Center for Lifelong Learning qualifies you to attend the meeting of this group. If you have any questions concerning the operation of Apple products, you are welcome to attend this meeting. This group is led by the instructors of the Apple computer and iPhone/iPad courses. Come and get your questions answered and share your own experience with other members. There is no cost for this session for CLL members.
Instructor Biography: Wayne Rickman has a master's degree in computer management and has been an instructor with the Center's Tech Section for 20 years. He is a retired U. S. Navy (Nuclear Submarine) officer.

46. iPhone/iPad Camera

Meets: 2 Thursdays
Date(s): Feb 27, Mar 6
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $18.00
Description: In this course attendees will learn how to make the most of the camera and photo app on their iPhone and iPad, learn to access and use the various camera controls and settings for photos and video and then how to view them. Attendees will also learn how to use the photo app to edit photos or videos. Attendees must bring their own device to the class along with their Apple ID and Password with them. Knowledge of iPad or iPhone is required.
Instructor Biography: Bob Hood holds a BA degree from Franklin & Marshall College and completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Pittsburgh. He has designed and taught computer network courses and also ran his own technology consulting practice where he designed, installed, and managed computer networks, infrastructure and training for small business and non-profit clients. He has been with the Center's Tech Section for six years.

47. What to Know About End-of-Life Preparation

Meets: 2 Thursdays
Date(s): Feb 27, Mar 6
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: This course is designed to help participants understand and prepare the essential documents and financial information needed when facing the death of a spouse, loved one, or themselves. Attendees will learn practical steps for navigating the complex processes involved, including how to create an "In Case of Emergency" (ICE) binder. This binder acts as a comprehensive guide, providing vital information to assist spouses or family members in the event of sudden death, illness, or injury, ensuring smoother transitions during challenging times.
Instructor Biography: Cheryl Murga, BA, MS is a retired educator living a zen life in Aiken. She strives to support the common good and local community through outreach and enrichment programs. Her early career as a paralegal working with wills, estate planning, lots of research and her own personal loss of loved ones provides the knowledge for being prepared when someone you love dies.

48. The World of Ferns

Meets: Friday
Date(s): Feb 28
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Dive into the fascinating world of ferns, where ancient plant life meets Victorian intrigue! This class explores the biology, diversity, and ecological importance of ferns while taking you on a historical journey through the Victorian-era phenomenon known as ""Pteridomania"" or Fernmania. Learn how the Victorians became obsessed with collecting and cultivating ferns, turning these lush green plants into symbols of status and inspiration for art, design, and literature.We will also discuss how to grow and care for ferns in modern landscapes, with a focus on native species perfect for shade gardens and forest-like habitats.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Lisa Ennis is an avid gardener with an affinity for native plants and their role in nature. She has a Certificate in Native Plant Studies from the Birmingham (Alabama) Botanical Gardens and completed the Alabama Extension's Master Gardener course in 2012. She is currently the Dean of the Gregg-Graniteville Library at USCA and holds several academic degrees and honors. She is often found outside gardening, sketching, or playing with her three rescue pups.

49. Poetry Appreciation and Explanation

Meets: 4 Mondays
Date(s): Mar 3, 10, 17, 24
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: Each class will feature explications of 2-4 poems, depending on length. We will focus on the introductory session of poetic style and movements. Some poems and poets will be known, some not. Poems not originally in English will be offered in translation.
Instructor Biography: Arthur Turfa is a published poet/writer with a half-dozen poetry books, one literary fiction novel, and one short story collection. He has 25 years of teaching experience on secondary and post-secondary levels and is head of the South Carolina Writers Association Poetry Chapter. "

50. Exploring an 18th Century Pantry

Meets: Monday
Date(s): Mar 3
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: What was dining like in the colonial period? This program will discuss both common and interesting items used in cooking for an 18th-century home. A PowerPoint presentation coupled with a traveling trunk of period-correct foods, spices, and enhancers will give attendees a glimpse at what was in the pantry.
Instructor Biography: Gwen Spivey is an 18th Century Living Historian whose passion for sharing history has led to a decade of presentations in various local, state and national historic sites across the Southeast. From portraying a spy at Colonial Williamsburg's "Under the Redcoat" to public school presentations and previously penning a weekly column for The Edgefield Advertiser entitled "Time Traveler," she has engaged visitors, readers, and students alike in the ways of our colonial ancestors.

51. Lewis & Clark Expedition

Meets: 4 Tuesdays
Date(s): Mar 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 40
Cost: $12.00
Description: Experience the 8,000-mile journey, depending on what you consider the beginning, from Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean and back. In 1803 – 1805, why journey without GPS, without vehicles, without a sous chef? What four-legged animal was part of the Expedition? We will explore these critical components using the journals Lewis, Clark and other Expedition members recorded. One session will include a Zoom conversation from Idaho with a descendant of Sacagawea's brother, Cameahwait. There may also be a surprise guest to bring his stories to life for you.
Instructor Biography: Tiajuana Cochnauer, tribal member and registered artist with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, interpreted Sacagawea as an employee of the National Park Service at the Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Astoria, Oregon. She later camped the Idaho portion of the trail to better understand journal entries and to imagine Expedition's experiences."

52. Google Picasa Photo Editing

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Mar 4
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 8
Cost: $15.00
Description: Picasa is a free program to be used for organizing and editing photos taken with a digital camera or an Android cell phone. It cannot be used on Apple computers or photos taken with Apple products. Google no longer provides support for this program; however, it is still in use by millions of enthusiasts to organize and edit their photos. Google support is not necessary. Students will be given a thumb drive with the program to be installed on their home computer. Once installed on your computer, it automatically finds all the photos on your computer and organizes them by date. You will learn a simple four-step process that allows you to quickly correct most of the common problems with most candid photos and you will be able to easily find photos taken even years ago.
Instructor Biography: Douglas Leader graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. He worked his entire career at what is now the Savanah River Site, starting in the Reactor Technology Dept. and finally retiring from the Savannah River National Laboratory. He is a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Doug's interest in photography started when he was very young. For many years he had his own darkroom for developing and printing black and white photographs. He has been with the Center's Tech Section since 2010 and has coached and taught sessions in Picasa and Photoshop.

53. Influential Aikenites

Meets: 3 Tuesdays
Date(s): Mar 4, 11, 18
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: Learn about people who were born in Aiken and went out into the world to make a name for themselves and bring pride to their hometown and in some cases, improve the world around them.
Instructor Biography: Marty Bailey is a transplant from Texas who fell in love with Aiken's people, spirit, and history when she began learning about Aiken through her volunteering at the city's visitors center and the historic museum. Wanting to share her love of Aiken and its fascinating history, she created Tailored Tours of Aiken. What began eleven years ago with just one tour and a few local guests, quickly grew to several different tours and guests from all over the world. When not providing tours, she enjoys time with her grandsons, gardening, domestic travel, and learning more history.

54. Europe 1985: A Trip Like no Other

Meets: 2 Thursdays
Date(s): Mar 6, 13
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: This course is based on the instructor's 9-week guided bus tour of Europe during the summer of 1985. This course focuses on: (1) differences between 1985 and now; (2) sites visited on the tour; (3) photos taken during the tour (on 35 mm film); and (4) personal memories (some amusing, some touching, all heartfelt). "Differences between 1985 and now" include items and places associated with the trip that no longer exist (or are now rare). Examples (in addition to photographic film) include: travelers checks, "Walkman"-type cassette-tape players, luggage without convenient wheels and pull-up handles, the Berlin Wall, and Yugoslavia.
Instructor Biography: Carl Fields is a retired Westinghouse and Savannah River Site engineer who has lived in Aiken since 1990. He has been a member of the CLL and its predecessor organization since around 2005 and taught three previous CLL courses. He still enjoys traveling and (especially) returning to Aiken after each trip.

55. Common Shorebirds of South Carolina

Meets: Friday
Date(s): Mar 7
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: This course will visually introduce participants to the most common, beautiful shorebirds that can be found in South Carolina, with interesting facts and tips on where, when, and how to find them.
Instructor Biography: Liz Malyszek is a certified Florida Master Naturalist and a hobbyist nature photographer. She has lectured for University of South Florida OLLIE in Tampa, FL, and was a University of Florida Extension Florida Master Naturalist Instructor prior to relocating to Aiken. Liz was also a Nature Guide in Florida for over 15 years.

56. Humans are Good—Dogs & Cats are Better

Meets: 2 Fridays
Date(s): Mar 7, 14
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 40
Cost: $8.00
Description: These two class sessions will cover topics relating to differences (genetic, physical and behavior) among the 3 species (humans, dogs, and cats) and veterinary medicine as a vocation and a challenge. Specific topics include a federal government health program emphasizing the interconnection of all species, zoonotic diseases, the next possible COVID- or AIDs-like pandemic affecting humans, and advances in veterinary medicine happening now.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Holly Woltz has advanced degrees in Education, Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Georgia. She was a Small Animal Veterinarian for 36 years.

57. Venona Papers: Cold War Espionage

Meets: 2 Mondays
Date(s): Mar 10, 17
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: The media said Senator Joseph McCarthy saw a Communist behind every door. Well, he and the media were wrong. There were two Communists behind every door. The Venona Papers are a collection of top-secret documents that reveal Soviet espionage efforts against the United States during World War II and the Cold War. They were declassified in 1995 and provide us with a clear and bleak picture of the depth of the Communist effort in America and especially in our government. You won't believe how deep they were in our government during World War II and the 1950s.
Instructor Biography: John Karas is a graduate of The University of Toledo and has taught at Harper College in Illinois. His lifelong interest in history led him to become a member of the 250 Committee preparing and educating about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

58. Using MacBooks and iMacs

Meets: 3 Mondays
Date(s): Mar 10, 17, 24
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $20.00
Description: Moving from a Microsoft Windows computer to an Apple MacBook laptop or Apple iMac computer can be tricky. This course is designed to help attendees get familiar with the many features available on those Apple computers. An introduction to Pages, Apple's answer to Microsoft's Word, is included. For those who do not have an Apple laptop computer, the Tech Center has four Apple iMac computers that are available on a first-come-first served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own Apple MacBook laptops. A flash drive is required for this course.
Instructor Biography: Patricia Pluff has a bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut University and a master's degree in computer science from Kent State University. She is retired and uses her computer skills for volunteer work with the Center for Lifelong Learning and her local community. Wayne Rickman has a master's degree in computer management and has been an instructor with the Center's Tech Section for 20 years. He is a retired U. S. Navy (Nuclear Submarine) officer. Darrell Pluff has a bachelor's degree and post graduate work from San Diego State University for teaching certification. He is a retired business education instructor who has taught at the high school and college level in the United States and Australia. He has been with the Center's Technology Section for over nine years.

59. Helene and Its Impact on the CSRA

Meets: Thursday
Date(s): Mar 13
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: We will look back at the meteorology of the worst wind event for the CSRA in our history, the significant flooding we saw, and even tornadoes that occurred before Helene arrived.
Instructor Biography: Riley Hale is the Chief Meteorologist for News 12-26 and has called Augusta home for 7 years. His wife Emily, daughter Ellie, and two dogs, Copper and Luna keep him busy most of the time but whenever he gets some free time he loves to fish and golf. He has covered dozens of tornadoes across the area over the years and recently won an Emmy for coverage of the EF-3 tornadoes to impact the eastern CSRA April 5, 2022.

60. iPhone/iPad iCloud

Meets: Thursday
Date(s): Mar 13
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: CLL Tech Center
Class Size Limit: 12
Cost: $15.00
Description: Having trouble making sense of the iCloud? In this course attendees will investigate synching their iPad/iPhone to other devices and backing up their devices using iCloud for photo-management, as well as taking a look at other non-Apple cloud storage choices. Attendees must bring their devices and have their Apple ID and Apple password with them. iPhone 101 or equivalent knowledge is a prerequisite.
Instructor Biography: Bob Hood holds a BA degree from Franklin & Marshall College and completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Pittsburgh. He has designed and taught computer network courses and also ran his own technology consulting practice where he designed, installed, and managed computer networks, infrastructure and training for small business and non-profit clients. He has been with the Center's Tech Section for six years.

61. Edgefield Pottery History

Meets: 4 Thursdays
Date(s): Mar 13, 20, 27, Apr 3
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: In this class you will learn the importance of Edgefield Stoneware Manufacturing through firsthand experience in identifying the distinctives of Edgefield Stoneware, the manufacturing process, and the social implications of slave-produced pottery and the life of David Drake; i.e., "Dave the Potter." Dr. McClendon's family began the first Edgefield Pottery Museum and his family still owns the original 105 ft kiln site of Pottersville north of Edgefield. A field trip is a possibility for this 4-session class.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Tim McClendon is no stranger to academia having taught at Emory University in Canon Law and History. He had been an avid potter until a recent accident, and his works have been displayed and shown in a number of museums and galleries. As a native of Edgefield, his familiarity with Edgefield/Aiken Stoneware production is quite extensive.

62. Used Nuclear Fuel

Meets: 3 Thursdays
Date(s): Mar 13, 20, 27
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: Used nuclear fuel is a byproduct of the gigawatts of carbon free electricity our nation generates from nuclear power plants. There are currently 93 operating plants in 28 states that generate approximately 20% of the nation's electricity. The plants generate about 2,000 metric tons of used fuel each year and currently there are about 86,000 metric tons of spent fuel being safely managed and stored. This class will provide a review of spent nuclear management and storage, options for interim storage and permanent disposal, and prospects for fuel recycling.
"Session 1: Used nuclear fuel inventory, management and storage.
Session 2: Used fuel interim storage and geologic disposal.
Session 3: History and prospects for used fuel recycling.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Bob Sindelar is a Laboratory Fellow at the Savannah River National Laboratory. He has nearly 40 years' experience in providing solutions to challenges across the nuclear fuel cycle. Dr. Jim Marra worked at SRNL progressing to the level of Advisory Engineer. He served as CNTA's Executive Director from 2016-2023. Paul Ebel is a degreed Nuclear Engineer with a career that started in the Nuclear Submarine Service, then with the Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plant in Barnwell, SC, and finally with his own nuclear engineering company supporting the world-wide nuclear industry.

63. 1936 Berlin Olympics

Meets: 2 Tuesdays
Date(s): Mar 18, 25
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: Sometimes dubbed "Hitler's Olympics," the 1936 Summer Games were an important moment in the history of Olympic movement. Known for the athletic feats of Jesse Owens, the Games were also a key moment in the world's reckoning with fascism. As the Nazis sought to put their stamp on the event and to use it to further their political and diplomatic agenda, the world considered the potential drawbacks of participating at all. This two-session class will explore the controversies that took place during the lead-up to the Games, the Games themselves, and the consequences that endured long after they were over.
Instructor Biography: Samuel Pierce is an Associate Professor of History at the University of South Carolina Aiken. He teaches courses on European history and has published research on modern Spain in the Journal of Contemporary History and Catholic Historical Review. Current

64. Introduction to Meditation

Meets: Wednesday
Date(s): Mar 19
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: 20
Cost: $5.00
Description: Meditation is known to decrease anxiety and stress, and also to lower blood pressure. In this class, we will practice breathing exercises, exercises for stress reduction and engage in a meditation session at the end of class.
Instructor Biography: Sharon Preston believes meditation is a time to quiet the mind. This provides one with a sense of calm throughout the day. She has been leading guided meditation groups for several years.

65. Martha Kitchings Seawright Ellison

Meets: 2 Fridays
Date(s): Mar 21, 28
Time: 3/21: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM; 3/28: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: 3/21: Business & Education Building, Room 144. 3/28: Wagener Museum, 7401 Wagener Rd, Wagener, SC (directions will be provided)
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: Martha Kitchings Seawright Ellison was born into slavery on November 20, 1849, in Aiken County, SC.
Session 1: This session presents a contextualized narrative of Martha's life, highlighting the local history of South Carolina during the antebellum period and the Civil War, her experiences during the Reconstruction Era, the circumstances of her marriages to two husbands, and her life in the post-Reconstruction period through the Gilded Age (1875-1900).
Session 2: This will involve a field trip to the Wagener Museum, where participants will explore the Kitchings Mill community. This visit will feature a historical exhibition that chronicles the life of Martha, providing both personal and historical insights. We can meet at the Dollar General on Hwy 4/302 in Kitchings Mill and travel to the Wagener Museum. The museum is situated at 7041 Wagener Rd, Wagener, SC 29164.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr. is the founder of Renaissance Publications, LLC, and has published two books that consist of stories that cover the lineage of Dr. Curry's ancestry from slavery, the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, and family life in Aiken County, South Carolina, and beyond.

66. The Grandeur That was Rome

Meets: 2 Mondays
Date(s): Mar 24, 31
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: This is a two- session class that studies the legacy of Ancient Rome. The class will examine Roman architecture, engineering and urban design, oratory, mosaics, frescos and much more.
Instructor Biography: Alexia Jones Helsley is Senior Instructor in History & University Archivist at USC Aiken. She teaches World, Ancient & Medieval, Public & South Carolina History. Among her publications are the Lost History of Aiken County and a requested chapter in SC Women: Their Lives & Times.

67. Historic Hotels of Aiken

Meets: 3 Fridays
Date(s): Mar 28, Apr 4, 11
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: This course will look at the grand and not-so-grand hotels that served our Aiken travelers and learn what drew so many visitors to Aiken.
Instructor Biography: Marty Bailey is a transplant from Texas who fell in love with Aiken's people, spirit, and history when she began learning about Aiken through her volunteering at the city's visitors center and the historic museum. Wanting to share her love of Aiken and its fascinating history, she created Tailored Tours of Aiken. What began eleven years ago with just one tour and a few local guests, quickly grew to several different tours and guests from all over the world. When not providing tours, she enjoys time with her grandsons, gardening, domestic travel, and learning more history.

68. Life in Medieval Europe

Meets: 3 Tuesdays
Date(s): Apr 1, 8, 15
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: This class offers a birds-eye view of life conditions in the Middle Ages in Europe. Normally associated with the Dark Ages, the medieval period witnessed extraordinary developments and unparallel breakthroughs that have transformed life and history. Topics include: responses to plagues and other natural disasters, establishment of printing presses and access to books, invention of military and recreational equipment, fashion and clothing revolution, and global trade and commerce. The main objective is to show, discuss, and learn that the stories and lessons from the past are still prevalent and impactful in our present.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Angel Rañales is Assistant Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at USC Aiken. His research expertise focuses on medieval studies, with special attention to book history and visual culture. He teaches courses on Spanish language, culture, and literature.

69. Creating a Butterfly Haven

Meets: Wednesday
Date(s): Apr 2
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Discover the art and science of transforming your garden into a vibrant butterfly sanctuary! This talk will delve into the incredible relationship between native plants and butterflies, showing how thoughtfully selected flora can attract and support these beautiful pollinators throughout their lifecycle. We will explore plant species native to your region that offer nectar for adult butterflies and serve as host plants for caterpillars, ensuring every stage of their development finds a welcoming home.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Lisa Ennis is an avid gardener with an affinity for native plants and their role in nature. She has a Certificate in Native Plant Studies from the Birmingham (Alabama) Botanical Gardens and completed the Alabama Extension's Master Gardener course in 2012. She is currently the Dean of the Gregg-Graniteville Library at USCA and holds several academic degrees and honors. She is often found outside gardening, sketching, or playing with her three rescue pups.

70. Mysteries Behind the Writing of Dracula

Meets: 4 Thursdays
Date(s): Apr 3, 10, 17, 24
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: This course weaves together the details behind the research and writing of the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. This topic has fascinated audiences around the world, exploring the issues behind the mysteries that have baffled Dracula scholars and fans since the book's publication in 1897. Illustrated with Dacre's collection of never before published, and seldom-seen historic images, students will get a glimpse behind the scenes of the life and the writing of one of the least known authors and one of the world's most famous books.
Instructor Biography: Dacre Stoker is the great grandnephew of Bram Stoker and the international best-selling co-author of Dracula the Un-Dead and Dracul. He is also the co-editor of The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker: The Dublin Years. Dacre has consulted and appeared in recent film documentaries about vampires in literature and popular culture.

71. Seizing Power

Meets: 3 Thursdays
Date(s): Apr 3, 10, 17
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: This class will present three case studies of men who seized control of their respective circumstance. These men are Major Richard Winters of the 101st Airborne Division, Thomas Jefferson of the United States and Christian Fletcher of the HMS Bounty.
Instructor Biography: Justin Guy is a Jean Laney Heritage Award winner and a native of Edgefield. He works primarily at the Old Edgefield Pottery producing high-quality historical pottery by digging clay and firing in a wood burning kiln. He also helps run the Tompkins Genealogical Library at the Edgefield County Archives to preserve Edgefield's History.

72. Chess Mate: For Beginners

Meets: 4 Fridays
Date(s): Apr 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: It's Your Move!!! Explore the meaning, history, and reasoning behind the chess moves and pieces. You will gain the confidence to compete in a mini tournament by learning how to correctly move the chess pieces around the board. Learning chess can develop patience, aid in better problem solving, and develop better planning skills. Chess requires foresight (which we will help you learn and develop) to see how each and every move will influence the outcome needed.
Instructor Biography: Margaret Betaudier has toured the United States in various tournaments and has been an avid chess player and instructor for the past 25+ years. Margaret welcomes newcomers who have always wondered if they could learn to play chess successfully! She has taught for numerous college programs before relocating from New York.

73. Inside The Suitcase

Meets: Monday
Date(s): Apr 7
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Look inside The Suitcase: The Life and Times of Captain X, a biography as posthumous memoir resurrected from the contents in Deborah's father's suitcase. Learn the steps Deborah took to retrace her father's journeys, and the research she and Lauren performed to verify and contextualize his writings and experiences. Attendees will be inspired to explore what's inside their own proverbial suitcases.
Instructor Biography: Deborah Taussig-Boehner is the owner of the suitcase. She received her BS and MA degrees from Syracuse University. In 1986 she moved to Aiken where she pursued her career in Educational Administration. Upon her retirement, her research revealed the story contained in the suitcase for decades.
Lauren Housman received her BA from USCA in 2010 and her MFA from Converse University in 2014. Immediately after earning her MFA, she seized the opportunity to work with Deborah on The Suitcase. She is a part-time USCA English faculty member.

74. Recipes of the Great Depression

Meets: 2 Tuesdays
Date(s): Apr 8, 15
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $8.00
Description: Discover how the Great Depression transformed recipes from expensive, multi-ingredient dishes to simple, frugal dishes that sometimes were just as tasty as the expensive ones. Together we will learn some kitchen tips our grandmothers created that we can still apply today.
Instructor Biography: Marty Bailey is a transplant from Texas who fell in love with Aiken's people, spirit, and history when she began learning about Aiken through her volunteering at the city's visitors center and the historic museum. Wanting to share her love of Aiken and its fascinating history, she created Tailored Tours of Aiken. What began eleven years ago with just one tour and a few local guests, quickly grew to several different tours and guests from all over the world. When not providing tours, she enjoys time with her grandsons, gardening, domestic travel, and learning more history.

75. Genealogy

Meets: 4 Tuesdays
Date(s): Apr 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: Containing information about more than 11.5 billion people, familysearch.org has the largest collection of family history information in the world. This system is free to the public and offers free access from any computer connected to the Internet. The data in familysearch.org is stored in five separate data centers across the country to ensure safety of the data. This class will teach how to build a login, how to add your immediate family history, and how to research your ancestors. New records are constantly digitized and indexed so that computers can read them. About one million records a day are indexed. Attendees should bring a fully charged laptop computer (tablets and cell phones do not work as well) and have an email address to validate a new familysearch.org account.
Instructor Biography: Brent Ruggles is a volunteer at the Center for African American History, Art, and Culture Genealogy Lab. He has been working with familysearch.org for a number of years and has specialized in helping others research their family tree with familysearch.org.

76. Impacts of the American Civil War

Meets: 4 Wednesdays
Date(s): Apr 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: This course presents a broad picture of the American Civil War from its earliest origins to its broadest impacts, even up to the present day. Important leaders and battles will be discussed as well as historical forces of all types. Discussion ofa—nd questions during—class presentations are both welcome and encouraged.
Instructor Biography: Michael J. Crane, Sr holds an MA with distinction and is ABD in military history, with a BA in European and American history. He retired from the USAF Academy a few years back, where he taught military and American history, while serving as the Director of Sponsored Programs. He received the Outstanding Academy Educator Award in 2002.

77. Meditation with Falun Dafa

Meets: 4 Wednesdays
Date(s): Apr 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: This short course covers the basic concepts of cultivation and meditation culture from the East. The emphasis is to introduce Falun Dafa (aka Falun Gong), an ancient meditation and cultivation practice from China. We will learn about the teachings and exercises of the practice in four class sessions. Dr. Xie will provide the text of Zhuan Falun, free of charge.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Frank Tian Xie is the John M. Olin Palmetto Professor of Business and Professor of Marketing at USC Aiken. Dr. Xie currently teaches business statistics, international marketing, quantitative tools of business analysis (MBA level), advertising, marketing research, and sales management. Originally from China, Dr. Xie is an expert on Chinese affairs and author of Dragon's Vault, a book on Chinese business and economy. Dr. Xie has been an avid Falun Dafa practitioner for 24 years.

78. Savannah River Ecology Lab (SREL): Research, Education, Outreach Missions

Meets: 3 Wednesdays
Date(s): Apr 9, 16, 23
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $10.00
Description: The University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory has been embedded on the Savannah River Site for almost 75 years, starting with the research of a single faculty member, and ultimately growing into a thriving center for high impact research, undergraduate and graduate education, and public outreach. This course will discuss each of the three primary missions of SREL. research, education, and outreach, and provide the students with an overview of the ways in which SREL faculty, staff and students conduct these activities at the local, regional, national, and global scales.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Gene Rhodes is the Director of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) a UGA Athletic Association Professor of Applied Ecology and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Rhodes has over 40 years' experience in scientific research, undergraduate instruction, and graduate advising. He currently has over 250 scientific publications in the peer-reviewed literature. Katrina Ford is the Assistant Director for outreach and education at SREL. With more than 15 years of experience, Ms. Ford has a diverse background in outreach, nonprofit, governmental, and education with a special focus on hands-on STEM learning. She holds advanced degrees in public administration and library and information science.

79. Panama Canal Cruise

Meets: Thursday
Date(s): Apr 10
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: This course will start in Acapulco, Mexico where we will see the famous cliff divers and then journey down the coast of the Pacific to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. We will enter the Panama Canal at Panama City and after we exit, we will stop at Columbia and finish in Aruba. A great deal of the talk will center on the history and construction of the Canal.
Instructor Biography: Bob Hartung taught mathematics and coached various sports for 32 years at Port Clinton High School on the shores of Lake Erie. He and his wife Nancy have traveled to 67 countries around the world. He has presented various travelogue talks to civic and fraternal organizations, nursing homes and veterans' groups in Ohio.

80. 1775 & The Shot Heard Round the World

Meets: 4 Fridays
Date(s): Apr 11, 18, 25, May 2
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $12.00
Description: Continuing our march toward 2026 and our 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we will take a look at what started it all. We will first look at Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride," then the "SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD" followed by the "Battle of Bunker Hill," ending with the "Events of 1775." Most exciting is we will be able to celebrate these events close to their actual anniversary dates of April 18 & 19.
Instructor Biography: John Karas is a graduate of The University of Toledo and has taught at Harper College in Illinois. His lifelong interest in history led him to become a member of the 250 Committee preparing and educating about the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

81. Is It Just Heartburn?

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Apr 22
Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: You have a little discomfort in your chest. Is it heartburn or something more? This class will discuss normal cardiac anatomy, coronary blood flow, symptoms of angina, and testing done to rule out heart disease.
Instructor Biography: Susan Steinbis is a Registered Nurse with a background in critical care and a specialty in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

82. Beethoven's Ninth

Meets: Thursday
Date(s): Apr 24
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Beethoven's magnum opus will be performed at St. John's Methodist Church of Aiken in a free performance conducted by Maestro Scott Weiss on Friday, April 25. This session will serve as the pre-concert talk for this performance and will address one of the most important works (if not THE most important work) in music history. Topics will include the background of the work, the structure of the piece and its impact on the course of music in the 200+ years since its composition.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Scott Weiss is the Music Director & Conductor of the Aiken Symphony, the Sarah Bolick Smith Distinguished Professor of Music/Director of Orchestras at the University of South Carolina School of Music in Columbia, and the conductor of the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra. As a guest conductor, Scott has conducted orchestras across the globe and especially in Asia.

83. History of Eurovision

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Apr 29
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Business & Education Building, Room 144
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: Since 1956, the annual Eurovision Song Contest has crowned the year's best song submitted by a member country of the European Broadcasting Union. Besides introducing the world to the likes of Abba and Celine Dion, the contest is known for its occasionally wacky acts and national rivalries. In this class, we will explore the rich history of the contest, some of its better-known acts, and other elements that helped inspire the film Eurovision: The Legend of Fire Saga.
Instructor Biography: Samuel Pierce is an Associate Professor of History at the University of South Carolina Aiken. He teaches courses on European history and has published research on modern Spain in the Journal of Contemporary History and Catholic Historical Review. Current

84. Plant Vogtle Tour (Section A)

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Mar 11
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Plant Vogtle (map & directions will be provided to registrants)
Class Size Limit: 25
Cost: $5.00
Description: The tour will include a 'Nuclear 101' overview and discussion, and a driving tour of the plant site with one stop at the cooling towers. A tour of a control simulator may be included, if time permits. Attendees must be at the meeting location by 8:30 AM. Prior to the tour date, a map will be sent to all attendees who have registered for the tour. The map will show how to reach the plant and where the meeting location will be. The tour is limited to 25 attendees, which is the capacity of the plant bus.
Instructor Biography: Joel A. Leopard, Senior Communications Coordinator at Plant Vogtle.

85. Plant Vogtle Tour (Section B)

Meets: Tuesday
Date(s): Mar 11
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Plant Vogtle (map & directions will be provided to registrants)
Class Size Limit: 25
Cost: $5.00
Description: The tour will include a 'Nuclear 101' overview and discussion, and a driving tour of the plant site with one stop at the cooling towers. A tour of a control simulator may be included, if time permits. Attendees must be at the meeting location by 12:30 PM. Prior to the tour date, a map will be sent to all attendees who have registered for the tour. The map will show how to reach the plant and where the meeting location will be. The tour is limited to 25 attendees, which is the capacity of the plant bus.
Instructor Biography: Joel A. Leopard, Senior Communications Coordinator at Plant Vogtle.

86. The Thompson Family Cemetery Tour

Meets: Wednesday
Date(s): Apr 9
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 1186 Smyrna Church Rd, Springfield, SC
Class Size Limit: None
Cost: $5.00
Description: This cemetery tour will delve into the narratives of the Thompson family, who resided in the Kitchings Mill community of Aiken County, through the accounts of formerly enslaved individuals and distinguished relatives. Participants will have the opportunity to visit the grave markers of a relative who gained his freedom, another who served as a cook for the Confederate Army during the Civil War, a young relative who met a tragic end at the age of ten, a relative known for his vigilante actions and escape from incarceration, and a formerly enslaved individual who found success as a syrup mill operator. The tour will take place at the historic Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr. is the founder of Renaissance Publications, LLC, and has published two books that consist of stories that cover the lineage of Dr. Curry's ancestry from slavery, the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, and family life in Aiken County, South Carolina, and beyond.