Low-Impact Aerobics

Line Dancing

This is the largest program we offer, with three levels of classes all at our on-site location. Line dancing is the most popular type of dance-exercise for adults over the age of 50. You don't need a partner, so you can practice at home for regular aerobic exercise. An instructor and an assistant lead classes, and new dances can be learned in two weeks. As you become more proficient, you can move up to the next level, which offers more complicated steps. Not only is this a great way to exercise, but it also is great way to make new friends. For those who can't make it to our morning classes on site, classes are offered at churches throughout the community.

Tai Chi/Yoga

Tai Chi is a great form of exercise that promotes balance and good posture. It also is a great stress reliever, and stimulates the circulatory, lymphatic and immune systems. While it has no "impact" on bones, it helps muscles remain loose and supple. The Tai Chi class flows into the yoga class.

Spanish

Three levels of Spanish are offered, depending on your level of expertise. For beginners we offer a class on Friday mornings at 11 am, taught by longtime Shepherd's Center member Herb Kay. For those who have a little Spanish but are not yet fluent, we offer a class taught by Marcelina Goodlett, a native of Cuba and a retired Spanish teacher. Marcelina also teaches the third level of Spanish, which is a conversational class.

French

Three levels of French are offered, depending on your ability. The beginning class and the second level are both taught by Betty Carver, a former high school instructor. In her spare time, Betty takes groups to France so her classes offer more than just text book knowledge. Miclo Wall, a former French teacher and a native of France, leads our third class. This class is for those already conversationally fluent in the language and focuses on French literature and lifestyles.

Computer Tutorials

We offer a wide variety of classes, each with a different focus. From basic instruction for beginners to Internet usage, digital camera usage and classes on particular software such as Excel or Word. Most classes run for 4 to 6 weeks.

Visual Arts and Crafts

We offer two types of visual art classes. The Wednesday class usually features acrylics but can be on canvas or craft projects such as pillows or wood pieces. This class is taught by Peggy Kaminski, an accomplished artist and former teacher. The Friday art class is watercolors. This class is led by Charles Duemmling, an architect who brings many years of training to this class. Students provide their own supplies for both classes.

Creative Writing

The creative writing group is not a class as much as a sharing session. Participants bring a recent "writing project," such as a poem, an essay, a short story or part of a larger project such as a novel. Each participant reads a short passage of their writing and the others discuss what has been shared. The group does not critique the writing style of others. The idea is to encourage others to write about their life stories or events that have influenced them or just to express their thoughts through the written word. Several members have put their writings together as bound collections to pass on to their children. The Shepherd's Center has produced two collections of our group's writings.