Jacqui Bivens has hosted and instructed arts and crafts for years. She uses arts and crafts not just as a hobby, but also as a way to relax and meditate. She enjoys being creative, having fun, reflecting on God’s Word, and sharing her creativity with others. One of her favorite things to do is talk about God, how amazing He is, and how He has blessed her.

Line dancing found Kelly in 1997 at a country music festival, and the moment she stepped onto the floor, she was hooked. The music, movement, and energy of the dance floor sparked something that has never faded.

In 2011, Kelly began teaching beginner classes at a local senior center, and the rest is history. Working with beginners quickly became her true passion. There is nothing more rewarding to her than watching students gain confidence, master steps, feel a sense of accomplishment, and grow into dancers ready for the next level.

Today, she shares her love of dance with all levels at local venues, community events, and fundraisers. Her mission is to create a friendly, upbeat atmosphere where anyone can step onto the floor, shake off the stress of everyday life, build new friendships, and feel the joy that dance brings.

Heather Capezio is an artist and art educator who leads groups through hands-on art experiences throughout Delaware. She creates mixed-media pieces using texture and natural elements, as well as wearable art with pyrography and paint. Heather collaborates with art groups throughout Delaware and is a member of the Mispillion Art League, Milton Art Guild, and Developing Artist Collective. She displays with Wilmington-area art groups and has participated in Wilmington’s Art Battle. She regularly enters gallery shows for both group and individual displays. Heather is certified in Creative Aging curriculum through the Delaware Division of the Arts and continually studies new techniques to grow her skills and artistic knowledge.

Gary Tompkins is a retired RN and has practiced Tai Chi since 1987. He previously worked with masters in Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, and currently studies with instructors from the Silver Lotus Training Institute in Lewes, Delaware. Gary is certified by Silver Lotus in Qigong and Beginner Tai Chi Forms and by Dr. Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute in Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. He is also a Reiki master practitioner and a woodworker who makes bowls. Gary’s passion for Tai Chi stems from his own experience developing better coordination, balance, strength, and energy. He hopes to share that experience and help others grow in similar ways.

Gretchen Wolfe is a retired first-grade teacher who began her Tai Chi journey while seeking a way to relieve stress and improve her flexibility and balance. Through learning and practicing Tai Chi, she not only improved her health but also found great joy in the practice. Gretchen wanted to share that joy with others and attended programs to become certified to teach. She is certified by Silver Lotus in teaching Qigong and Beginning Tai Chi forms and by Dr. Paul Lam in teaching Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.

Laurie deLaski is a retired Certified Industrial Hygienist and Safety Professional who taught worker safety for more than 40 years. She began her Tai Chi journey after retiring and moving to Lewes, Delaware. The practice greatly reduced her stress, allowing clearer thought and greater inner peace. Laurie wanted to give that experience to others and deepen her own practice by teaching Tai Chi. She is a certified teacher at Silver Lotus Institute and is also certified by Dr. Paul Lam, a world-renowned expert on the benefits of Tai Chi.

Suzanne Sirchie began teaching fitness classes at age 18. She received intensive training through the Elaine Powers instructional program while studying Health and Physical Education at West Chester State College. Along the way, she earned multiple certifications related to group fitness and became a credit provider for national organizations. Suzanne taught Health and Physical Education in the Norristown Area School District, married, raised two children, and is now retired from the district—though not from being a mom or wife. She loves choreographing and designing new, exciting, and fun fitness programs. Fitness is fun!

Sharon was a licensed librarian and educator in New Jersey. She retired in 2023 and moved to Delaware, which led her to explore new classes and hobbies. After two years of playing Mah Jongg under various teachers, she is pleased to give back to other students.

Art Decker learned to play chess in high school and was a member of his school chess club. For many years, he played the occasional game but was not a serious player. After moving to Millsboro about 15 years ago, Art joined the chess club at the Millsboro Library and became committed to improving his game. His development included studying books and videos, taking online classes, playing against the computer, and competing in chess tournaments in Salisbury, Georgetown, and Long Neck. Art is currently the facilitator for the Millsboro Chess Club, and his FIDE ranking is around 1100.

Dennis began teaching and calling square dances in Frisco, Colorado, in 2006. He is a member of CALLERLAB, the largest organization of square dance callers in the world. Dennis currently teaches and calls for two clubs on the Eastern Shore: The Pine Steppers and The Dorchester Swingers. Square dance is “friendship set to music”—a lively and social form of folk dance.

Gail Braune Comorat is a founding member of the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild. She is the author of Phases of the Moon and co-author of Walking the Sunken Boards. Gail served as an editor for Quartet, an online poetry journal by women age 50 and over. She has received two poetry fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts and was the 2012 winner of the Artsmith Literary Award. Her work has appeared in Gargoyle, Grist, and The Windows’ Handbook.

Susan Thornton is a retired Maryland teacher with 27 years of experience. She began her career teaching Foods and Nutrition and Food Trends and Technology (Food Science) for eight years. Susan then taught ProStart, a National Restaurant Association hospitality-management program, for nine years. Most recently, she taught International Culture and Cuisine for the final 10 years of her career.