Course Descriptions and Instructors
GEORGETOWN CHEER CENTER
JAC’s ARTS & CRAFTS
Starts: Monday, September 14th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Instructor: Jacqui Bivens
Jac’s Arts & Crafts is a hands-on faith based class for beginners or seasoned crafters to be creative, to be uplifted spiritually, to share laughter, stories and prayers. Where you can come and fellowship with other believers.
We will connect scriptures with arts and crafts and reflect on God’s word. We will start each week with a new scripture and create arts or crafts that reflect that scripture. You will design inspirational treasures to take home or to share. This class is a place where you do not have to be perfect, just the person that God created you to be. So, let’s inspire each other and create beautiful treasures while thanking God for the vision that he has given us.
Instructor Bio
Jacqui Bivens has been hosting and instructing arts and crafts for years. She uses arts and crafts not just as a hobby, but 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 and how amazing He is, and how He has blessed her.
LINE DANCING MADE EASY
Starts Monday, September 14th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Instructor: Kelly Valeski
Whether you are brand new to line dancing or looking to build on the this 90-minute class is designed to help you learn with confidence and have fun on the dance floor!
Class Format:
• First 30 Minutes: Step Review – Learn and practice the fundamental line-dance steps and terminology.
• Second 30 Minutes: Absolute Beginner Dances – Easy-to-follow dances perfect for those just getting started.
• Final 30 Minutes: Beyond Beginner Dances – Build your skills with slightly more challenging dances that help you progress at a comfortable pace.
Choose the portions of the class that best fit your experience level! Join us for the full 90 minutes or attend the sections that match your current skills. Whether you need extra practice with the basics or you’re ready to move beyond beginner dances, you’re welcome to customize your class time.
Please Note: For the safety of all dancers, no wooden-sole boots/shoes are permitted on the dance floor.
Instructor Bio
Line dancing found me in 1997 at a country music festival, and the moment I stepped onto the floor, I was hooked. The music, the movement, and the energy of the dance floor sparked something in me that has never faded.
In 2011 I started teaching beginner classes at a local senior center and the rest is history. Working with beginners quickly became my true passion. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching students gain confidence, master steps, feel that sense of accomplishment, and grow into dancers ready to take on the next level.
Today I share my love of dance with all levels at local venues, community events, and fundraisers. My 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.
GREENWOOD CHEER CENTER
CREATIVE ARTS & CRAFTS
Starts Wednesday, September 15th from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Instructor: Heather Capezio
The 10-week workshop will include textured art with acrylic and mixed media; watercolor resist pieces and nature art collage.
Instructor Bio
Heather Capezio is an artist and art educator, leading groups through hands-on art experiences throughout Delaware. She creates mixed media, using texture and natural elements in static art pieces, as well as creating wearable art with pyrography and paint. Credentials: Heather Capezio collaborates with art groups throughout Delware. She is a member of Mispillion Art League and Milton Art Guild, as well as the Developing Artist Collective. She displays with Wilmington area art groups and has participated in Wilmington’s Art Battle. She regularly enters work into gallery shows for both group and individual displays. She is certified in Creative Aging curriculum through DE Division of Arts, and studies new techniques to continually grow her skills and art knowledge.
TAI CHI/QIGONG
Starts Saturday, September 19th from 10 to 11 a.m.
Instructor: Gary Tompkins
Tai Chi is a safe, low impact exercise ideal ages. The practice uses slow, fluid movements that both relaxes and strengthens the body. Learning Tai Chi can help you improve your balance, strength and health. We will explore and learn various forms and movements in the Tai Chi practices. This hour-long class will start with a gentle warm up followed by Qigong exercise then instruction on the selected Tai Chi form, also information on the basics and principles of Tai Chi and Qigong. Best for beginners and intermediate levels, although all are welcome. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Comfortable shoes with flat soles are preferred.
Instructor Bio
Gary Tompkins is a retired RN and has been practicing Tai Chi since 1987. He has previously worked with masters in Austin, TX and Denver, CO and is currently studying with instructors from Silver Lotus Training Institute in Lewes DE. He 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. Gary is also a Reiki master practitioner and a woodworker making bowls. His passion for Tai Chi stems from his initial Tai Chi experience where he developed and gained better coordination, balance, strength and energy. His desire is to share Tai Chi experience and help others to develop in similar ways.
HARBOUR LIGHTS CHEER CENTER/LEWES
TAI CHI/QIGONG
Tai Chi/Qigong is a mind-body exercise that can improve balance, strength, reduce stress, and calm the mind. Tai Chi is a series of slow, gentle movements that create mind/body harmony. Students will learn safe walking, deep breathing, and healthy postures, all within their own body’s capabilities. We plan to provide step-by-step instruction in the Yang 24 form which is most popular in the USA. Tai Chi is safe and effective for everyone! Hope you’ll come join us.
Starts Wednesday, September, 16th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Instructors: Laurie deLaski and Gretchen Wolfe
Instructor Bios
Gretchen Wolfe is a retired first grade teacher who began her Tai Chi journey because she was interested in finding a way to relieve stress and improve her flexibility and balance. Through learning and practicing Tai Chi she was able to not only improve her health, she found great joy in the practice. Gretchen wanted to share the joy with others and attended programs to become certified to teach. She is certified by Silver Lotus in the teaching of Qigong and Beginning Tai Chi forms and certified by Dr. Paul Lam in the teaching of Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.
Laurie deLaski is a retired Certified Industrial Hygienist and Safety Professional and taught worker safety for more than 40 years. She began her Tai Chi journey after retiring and moving to Lewes, DE. The practice greatly reduced her stress, allowing clearer thought and greater inner peace. Laurie wanted to provide that experience to others and increase 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 in the benefits of Tai Chi.
LONG NECK CHEER CENTER
AERO PUMP AND CARDIO DRUM CLASS
Starts Saturday, September 19th from 9 to 10 p.m.
Instructor: Suzanne Sirchie
Aero Pump is an interval training class alternating aerobic combinations with resistance training using 2-to-5-pound weights. This is a fun high energy class that all ages can enjoy. The class hits the fitness components of cardio respiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility while promoting the development of neural pathways enhancing neuroplasticity in the brain. Also, we get the release of endorphins which keeps us positive and happy. Fitness is Fun!
Cardio Drumming is a fun high energy class set to classic rock music. We use 1 or 2 drums in the form of fitness balls set on a bucket or basket and 2 drumsticks to create a challenging fun drumming combination that promote cardio respiratory fitness, flexibility and resistance impact while promoting neural pathway development, endorphin release and mind body connection. Fitness is Fun!
Instructor Bio
“I started teaching fitness classes at the age of 18. I received intensive training through the Elaine Powers instructional program while attending West Chester State College studying Health and Physical Education. On the way I earned a number of certifications relating to group fitness classes and also a credit provider for these national organizations. I taught Health and Physical Education in the Norristown Area School District, got married, had two kiddos and I am now retired. Not from being a mom or from being a wife, just from NASD. I love choreographing and designing new and exciting fun fitness programs. Fitness is Fun!”
MILTON CHEER CENTER
LEARN TO PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG
Starts: Tuesday, September 15th from 3 to 4 p.m.
Instructor: Sharon Beaulieu
Mah Jongg has been growing in popularity over the last few years. Want to know what the big deal is all about? The game is ideally a four-player tile game similar to Rummy but more. This class is for beginners who wish to learn American Mah Jongg using National Mah Jongg League rules. Beginner players learn tiles, hands, and etiquette. This 10-week session will be held every Tuesday from 9/15 through 11/17 starting at 2:30 for one hour. The first couple of weeks will be teaching periods, then coached play the remaining weeks. Sign up now and get in on the fun.
Instructor Bio
Sharon was a licensed librarian and educator from New Jersey. She retired in 2023 and moved to Delaware, which led to taking classes and hobbies. After two years of playing Mah Jongg under various teachers, she is pleased to give back to other students.
CHESS LESSONS FOR ALL
Starts: Thursday, September 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Instructor: Art Decker
In this course you will learn:
• The names of the chess pieces and how each one moves
• How to set up the board
• Pawn promotion
• What checkmate means and how to achieve it
• The more difficult moves of castling and en passant
• The three phases of the chess game
• When a game ends in a draw
• Chess notation
• Chess etiquette
INSTRUCTOR BIO
I learned to play chess in high school and was a member of the school chess club. For many years I played the occasional game but was not a serious player. After moving to Millsboro some 15 years ago I joined the chess club at the Millsboro Library and became committed to improving my game. This included studying books and videos, taking on-line classes, playing against the computer and competing in chess tournaments in Salisbury, Georgetown, and Long Neck. I’m currently the facilitator for the Millsboro Chess Club. My FIDE Ranking is around 1100.
OCEAN VIEW CHEER CENTER
SQUARE DANCE LESSONS
Starts Thursday, September 17th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Instructor: Dennis O’Neal
Introduction to Square Dancing that will introduce new steps each week to build into the lessons previously taught. Connecting with others through joyful movement and rhythm.
Instructor Bio
Dennis started teaching and calling square dancing in Frisco, Colorado in 2006. He is a member of the Callerlab, the largest organization of Square Dance Callers in the world. He is currently teaching/calling for two clubs on the Eastern Shore, “The Pine Steppers” and the “Dorchester Swingers”. Square Dance is “Friendship set to Music”, it’s a lively and social form of fold dance.
CONTEMPORARY POETRY WRITING
Starts Saturday, September 19th from 10 to 12 p.m.
Instructor: Gail Braune Comorat
Example Poems to be used as prompts:
As soon as I could hold a crayon I wrote poems, one about a bunny who had no tail. I wanted to be an astronaut so I could escape the gravity of childhood. My first crush was on the winter night sky. Sleep was never a friend. Hula hoops and I reached a truce. I have failed at everything, some things more than once, some things a thousand times. This hasn’t stopped me. Coffee is a verb. Poetry is breakfast. I trip over words, especially Goodbye.
Instructor Bio
Gail Braune Comorat is a founding member of the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild. She is the author of Phases of the Moon and is co-author of Walking the Sunken Boards. She served as an editor for Quartet, an online poetry journal by women fifty and over. She’s 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.
DELAWARE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE KITCHEN INCUBATOR
HEALTHY COOKING CLASS
Starts Thursday, September 17th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Thornton
This class is intended for people who would like to cook healthy meals for themselves and maybe a partner but do now want to have leftovers for a week. The recipes cooked have been modified to provide 1 – 4 servings instead of the average 4 – 6 servings. The recipes will be fairly simple in that they will not require any special equipment not found in the average home or any special ingredients. The larger recipes will be foods tht freeze well for future meal planning. Tweaks will be discussed for specific dietary and health needs. There will also be discussions on ways to cut food costs and/or food waste.
Instructor bio
Susan Thornton is a retired teacher from Maryland with 27 years of experience. She started her career by teaching Foods and Nutrition and Food Trends and Technology (Food Science) classes for eight years. She then taught a National Restaurant Association program in hospitality management called ProStart for nine years. Most recently she taught International Culture and Cuisine for the last 10 years of her career.