Writing, Genealogy, Archaeology, Ridgefield History, World History, Art History, Speaking - Keep Scrolling Down!
History
The Great Wall of China
One of the greatest sights in the world — the longest wall in the world, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture. Its winding path over rugged country and steep mountains takes in some great scenery. You will learn about its history, locations, and find out whether it defended China in its two thousand years of history. Instructor Rita Kwan, a native of China, has many years of teaching and overseeing college language and culture programs in China for American students. She recently moderated a book club, “Exploring China through Historical Novels“ at the Pound Ridge Library in New York.
2 Sessions $49 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 39)
Mon., 2/4 & 11 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Annex
The Forbidden City
Also known as the Palace Museum, lies at the city center of Beijing, and once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). We will explore its functions, where the emperors exercised their supreme power over the nation and where they lived with their imperial families throughout the dynasties. Instructor Rita Kwan, a native of China, has many years of teaching and overseeing college language and culture programs in China for American students. She recently moderated a book club, “Exploring China through Historical Novels“ at the Pound Ridge Library in New York.
2 Sessions $49 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 39)
Mon., 3/4 & 11 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Annex
Famous Authors of the Hudson Valley Region
Edgar Allen Poe, James Fennimore Cooper and George Washington Irving all had roots in the Hudson Valley Region of New York and have left their mark on American Literature. Learn some of the colorful tales of these famous authors. Instructor Leon DiMartino is an Adjunct Professor at Westchester Community College who loves teaching topics in American History, Folktales and Authors.
1 Session $ 31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 24)
Wed., 3/20 from 6 to 8 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School NOTE: New date.
The Roosevelt’s of The Hudson Valley:A Tale of Two Presidents & a First Lady
They descend from the early Dutch settlers of the 1600’s. Learn how Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt had an impact on the history of our nation. Instructor Leon DiMartino is an Adjunct Professor at Westchester Community College who loves teaching topics in American History, Folktales and Authors.
2 Session $ 31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 24)
Mon., 4/1 & 8 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Annex
Archaeology
10,000 Years of Life in Ridgefield
We know people have lived here for 10,000 years because they left things behind. These items give us an idea of how they spent their time. For example, 10,000 years ago someone lost a knife and drill at Richardson Park. 5,000 years ago people were at Parks and Rec. cleaning and butchering the animals they had killed in the Great Swamp. We can even tell you what brand of toothpaste was used on the Richardson Estate. This course will discuss the people of Ridgefield and how we know what they did, when they did it and what tools they used to do it. Instructor Lynn-Marie Wieland is a lithic archaeologist specializing in Southern New England prehistory with an emphasis on the Indians of Ridgefield, whose territory covered from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Pound Ridge, New York to the Norwalk River. She has just finished excavating a site in Ridgefield that covered at least 9,000 years of occupation. Her specialty is the study of the manufacturing and use of stone tools.
4 Sessions $92 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 70)
Wed., 3/6, 13, 20 & 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon; Annex
Writing and Speaking
Write Your Novel or Short Story (without getting stuck)
Learn how to finish your story (even one you've been working on for years), one step at a time, by FIRST paying attention to the basics, such as character creation, scene development, and plot. Avoid the most common mistake - jumping in at page one with no real idea who your characters are, how your story will develop, or even how it will end by getting to know all your major and minor characters, and all the main conflicts and actions of your story ahead of time. Prior students are welcome to attend in order to continue developing various aspects of their writing. Instructor Michael Canavan is the author of two novels, a collection of short stories, and nearly a dozen nonfiction books who has taught creative writing in CT, MA, and NY. He is also a graphic artist and musician.
6 Sessions $ 128 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 102)
Thur., 2/28; 3/7, 14, 21, 28 & 4/4 from
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Veterans Park School
Speak in Front of an Audience without Fear
Do you fidget, tremble, perspire, mumble, hide behind the podium when speaking in front of an audience? Are you anxious when you are the center of attention? Many people are uncomfortable speaking to an audience – whether it’s one-on-one with a superior or standing in front of a large crowd. Ken Oxman will help you, young or older, get past this fear – help you develop a more outgoing personality so you will not fear being center of attention, so that you can speak in a controlled and relaxed manner to anyone, anywhere, no matter how large an audience. Instructor Kenneth Oxman is a professional broadcaster, director, author, actor, and teacher who has given workshops in public speaking in the UK and USA. He has also published a novel, “Reluctant Assassin”.
6 Sessions $ 128 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 102)
Thur., 2/7, 21, 28; 3/7, 14 & 21 from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Veterans Park School
Genealogy ~ Scroll down for French and German Genealogy
Genealogy for Beginners
The primary goal of this two-part class is for you to learn how to organize your family facts into a tree and to learn much more by using mostly free sites on the internet. Various topics will be studied including the United States census, military, land, and immigration records. A brief introduction to finding records outside the USA and about how DNA is used in genealogy will be included. Instructor Eileen Burton has been involved in genealogy as a serious hobby for over 10 years. Her research led to a trip to Germany to visit the villages of her ancestors.
Class Limit 7.
2 Sessions $ 49 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 39)
Wed., 1/23 & 30 (2 to 4 p.m.); Town Hall Annex
2 Sessions $ 49 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 39)
Wed., 3/27 & 4/3 from 7 to 9 p.m.; East Ridge Middle School
French and French Canadian Genealogy
If you are a descendant of French or French Canadian ancestors, you are fortunate to have ancestors among the best documented people in the world. This workshop focuses on resources available on-line to help you trace your family history in France and in the French Canadian Province of Quebec and highlights the commonality between French and French Canadian church records. The French genealogy section details what vital, census and military records are available from the French archives and how these data bases can be accessed. The French Canadian genealogy section lays out on-line resources available for the region of Quebec covering the work of earlier genealogists such as Joseph Drouin and Rev. Cyprien Tanguay, the Canadian archives census records and the Quebec notarial records. Specific techniques and challenges of French Canadian genealogy such as “dit-names” are also discussed. Instructor Francoise Lampe has extensive experience doing genealogical research in the US and abroad. Her areas of expertise are US, French and German genealogy.
1 Session $ 31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 24)
Wed., 2/13 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Town Hall Annex
German Genealogy
This workshop focuses on US and German on-line resources available to locate German ancestors and on how to overcome the challenges unique to German genealogy. The course includes a discussion of German history and geography, immigration and emigration of ethnic Germans, church and civil records, given and family names, gothic script and how to use use maps and gazetteers to locate the German village of origin. Besides vital and census records, other sources of information such as passenger lists, city directories and newspapers are also discussed. Instructor Francoise Lampe has extensive experience doing genealogical research in the US and abroad. Her areas of expertise are US, French and German genealogy.
1 Session $ 31 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 24)
Wed., 2/20 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; Town Hall Annex