Discover our SPRING 2022 Courses
Registration Opens April 4!
Course participants should note that it is a National Policy of the YMCA to run Member and Guest names thru RAPTOR, the national sex offender database due to the large proportion of youth members and the obligation to protect them.
All of us using the new Hybrid Classroom at the Easton Peachblossom YMCA who are not currently members of the YMCA, may be asked to sign a 1-time Guest Waiver provided by and collected by the YMCA on the 1st day of attending a class at the Y. You can download it in advance here: YMCA of the Chesapeake Program Participant Guest Pass Application
Spring Preview Party!
- with Forest Hansen
- 3 Sessions | Tuesdays | Apr 12, 19, 26
- 10am - noon
- Course Type: Zoom
Interactive memoir writing course where your 1-2 page writing assignments are shared to the others in the class for encouragement and suggestions.
- with Dr. Yuan Liu
- 1 Session | Tuesday | April 12
- 2-3:30 pm
- Course Type: Zoom, Recording
(Recording Now Available!) Join Chesapeake Forum for a docent led virtual tour of the renowned Cherry Blossom Exhibit at the Freer Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Museum.
- with Wayne Bell, Ph.D.
- 2 Class Sessions | Thursdays | April 14, May 19 (plus field trips)
- 2:30-4 PM
- Course Type: Hybrid (In-Person + Zoom), Recording
Two classes coupled with two all day field trips will focus, respectively, on songbird migrants and shorebird transients likely to be seen on selected birding hotspots in Maryland and Delaware.
- with Stephen Goldman
- 3 Sessions | Tuesdays | April 19, 26, May 3
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: Recording, Hybrid
(Course Recording Now Available) A History of Aviation as reported in the newspaper press over four centuries from 1783 through 2021.
- with Charles Yonkers, J.D.
- 3 Sessions | Wednesdays | April 20, 27, May 4
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Hybrid
The question “What is an American?” began in 1782 and persists today. This course uses Hector de Crevecoeur, Mark Twain, and modern journalist George Packer’s “The Four Americans” essay (2021) to animate a discussion of the continuing puzzlement.
- with Linda Schwarten Evans
- 1 Session | Wednesday | April 20
- 2-3:30 PM
- Course Type: In-Person
In today’s pandemic landscape, neighbor-to-neighbor involvement can be improved through social skills for positive results. Group discussion and role play will add to the effectiveness of this course.
- with Doug Levin
- 2 Sessions | Thursdays | April 21, 28
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Recording, Hybrid
(Recording Now Available!) Join Doug’s class and learn why beaches erode and how rip currents work. You will examine globally collected sand samples, or your own, and learn how to analyze their differences.
- with Lisa Hamlin
- 1 Session | Friday | April 22
- 5-6:30 PM
- Course Type: In-Person
Beginning with a discussion of the life cycle of the honey bee, you will have the unique opportunity to watch the installation of a package of honey bees in a new hive in a St Michaels yard and learn what you need for your own hive.
- with Michele Dodge
- 1 Session | Wednesday | April 27
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: Zoom, Recording
RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE! Join a wildlife photographer as she explores the birds of the Great Pacific Flyway, a major north-south migratory path over the Sacramento Valley of California. As a wildlife rescuer, she will also show what happens when wildlife clashes with humanity.
- with David O. Stewart
- 1 Session | Wednesday | May 4
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: Recording, Hybrid
(Recording Now Available!) Family history or family lies? This tale of hard times on the early Maine coast was inspired by David’s mother’s family. The ‘new land’ was fraught with hunger and meager shelter where death was always lurking and warfare was ubiquitous.
- with Bruce Purdy
- 1 Session | Thurs. | May 5
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Recording, Hybrid
(Recording Now Available!) Learn how Smart Growth can create a Resilient City, ready to survive crises and face future shocks and stresses from climate change, growing populations, and depleted energy sources.
- with Lawrence Rudner, Ph.D.
- 1 Session | Thurs. | May 5
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: Zoom, Recording
(Recording Now Available) Recent cyber-attacks by nation states are causing disruptive damage to their targets. Examples are presented and discussed in terms of their approach, magnitude, and perceived motivations. Historical perspectives are addressed.
- with Joe Petro
- 1 Session | Friday | May 6
- 3-4:30 PM
- Course Type: In-Person
Not all tequila tastes the same. This class features a “horizontal tasting” guiding us through a journey of Mexico’s national spirit varieties ranging from Blanco, Joven, Reposado, Anjelo, and Extra Anejelo.
- with Lynn Randle
- & Wayne Bell, Ph.D.
- 3 Class Sessions | Tuesdays | May 10, 17, 24
- 1-2:30 pm
- Course Type: Hybrid
We will examine the benefits of using plants that are native to our area in order to enhance biodiversity and adaptability to our soils while creating a habitat for birds and pollinators through all seasons.
- with Lynn Randle
- Friday | May 20
- 10 AM - 4 PM
- Course Type: In-Person
Join Lynn and the Native Plant Class for a Field Trip to the Mt. Cuba Center for a look at their famous gardens and an in-depth “Green Thumb” Tour. ALL ARE WECOME!
- with Suzanne Sanders
- 3 Sessions | Wednesdays | May 11, 18, 25
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Zoom
This fun introduction to Shakespeare is full of hints to help you enjoy and understand his plays in the way that works best for you.
- with Hans Kuschnerus
- 2 Sessions | Thursdays | May 12, 19
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Hybrid
It is said that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Are we ignoring obvious parallels from the past? Discussions will focus on present United States attitudes towards ‘political enemies.’
- with Sal Simoncini
- 1 Session | Wednesday | May 18
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: In-Person
NOW CLOSED! When Sal moved from New York to the Eastern Shore, he discovered there was no Italian bread to be found, so he made his own. Join Sal as he shares his family’s recipe for authentic Italian bread and marinara sauce.
- with Sal Simoncini
- 1 Session | Wednesday | May 25
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: In-Person
When Sal moved from New York to the Eastern Shore, he discovered there was no Italian bread to be found, so he made his own. Join Sal as he shares his family’s recipe for authentic Italian bread and marinara sauce.
- with Forest Hansen, Ph.D.
- 3 Sessions | Thurs. | May 26, June 2, 9
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Zoom
We will examine “On Liberty,” the seminal work by John Stuart Mills (described as the one piece of political thought most relevant to us today) by analyzing the relative and often competing rights of individuals with the rights of the community.
- with Neressia Lowers
- 3 Sessions | Wed. | June 1, 8, 15
- 10-11:30 AM
- Course Type: Zoom
This course will cover the tax handling of retirement accounts; how your tax returns affect Medicare eligibility; planning for the unexpected; and preparing a retirement budget.
- with Claudia Dziobek, Ph.D.
- 3 Sessions | Wed. | June 1, 8, 15
- 1-2:30 PM
- Course Type: Hybrid
We will discuss the overall architecture and origins of the global economy as well as current economic analysis and policy recommendations using resources from the International Monetary Fund.
- with Mary Helen Gillen
- 1 Session |Thurs. | June 23
- 10-Noon
- Course Type: In-Person
Let’s go butterflying! Join naturalist, Mary Helen Gillen to explore the meadows and wetlands of Pickering Creek Audubon Center in search of swooping Swallowtails, bold Brushfoots, dainty Gossamerwings, and more.