Going back to school means fun for the whole family!

Posted 8/21/12

Although exhausted from flying around dressed as Peter Pan for last Friday’s Eighth Annual Boys and Girls Club Celebrity Dinner (see page 12), I managed to drag myself out of bed and head out to …

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Going back to school means fun for the whole family!

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Although exhausted from flying around dressed as Peter Pan for last Friday’s Eighth Annual Boys and Girls Club Celebrity Dinner (see page 12), I managed to drag myself out of bed and head out to Narrowsburg, NY last Sunday to check out what’s happening at The Narrowsburg Union (the former Narrowsburg Central School). I had heard that the Union was hosting an open house, where folks could check out the refurbished building and see what courses are being offered for the enrichment of those seeking to learn something new. While the roster of classes is being added to daily, there are already some very interesting (IMHO) offerings, and the halls were lined with like-minded folks who came out for the day and joined me and the Wonder Dog as we peeked into classrooms, observed some demonstrations and chatted with instructors and prospective students like myself.

In association with SUNY Sullivan, the Union is offering a variety of classes for young people and adults. I spoke with a few instructors, including music program director Kendy Gable, yoga instructor Susan Quinn and musician/artist Carol Smith, who will be teaching a painting class. “The college has a vision to expand their offerings to the community,” Smith told me, “and that’s why we’re here. We’ve entered into a partnership with the Union and have already begun offering classes like 20th Century Art with Rocky Pinciotti” (www.artsalliancesite.org).

In addition to Pinciotti’s class, which covers Western art, architecture, decorative arts, photography and graphic design, SUNY Sullivan will be offering classes in drawing, songwriting (for singers and guitarists) that will “focus on basic songwriting and performance techniques, with a performance concert at the conclusion of the class,” and others.

“This is just the beginning,” Smith shared with visitors, “and an exciting new phase of SUNY Sullivan. Part of our vision includes classes for college credit, and the future looks bright for our partnership with the Union.”

Strolling the corridors, I also took a moment to observe Catskill Dance Company’s (like them on Facebook) Isabel Braverman and Corinna Grunn leading a demonstration modern dance class in the auditorium. “We are holding a free workshop today to gauge the amount of interest on the part of the community, and based on what we see this afternoon, we hope to be able to offer ongoing dance classes here at the Union,” Braverman informed me.

Quietly observing a similar scene, I found yoga instructor Quinn demonstrating a “mudra” position with 11-year-old Emily Ruggles, who explained that the “mudra” was “prepping for meditation.”

“This is a gentle yoga class,” Quinn said, “and just one of the many offerings that will be taking place here at the Union. You look tired,” she said, “perhaps you could use a little meditation yourself!” Although I was tempted to regale her with my exploits at the Boys & Girls Club Celebrity Dinner, I didn’t want to disturb Susan’s reverie, and I moved on silently, as she continued her demonstration class.

It’s interesting (to me, anyway) how, as children, some of us can’t wait to see an end to education and then, as adults, we thirst for more. It appears that the new Narrowsburg Union has folks like me in mind when offering up a smorgasbord of classes, tailored to those seeking to expand their horizons while re-purposing an old building, breathing new life into the halls. Coming on the heels of promising to “never grow up,” the timing seemed apropos, and I will be keeping an eye on the growing list of classes and workshops that the Union has up its sleeve. I left with some paperwork, which included the statement, “The Narrowsburg Union is a mixed-use commercial facility located in the heart of the Upper Delaware River hamlet, with spaces dedicated to commerce, education and community.” Going back to school never looked so inviting.

For more information visit www.narrowsburgunion.com, and visit the SUNY Sullivan website (www.sunysullivan.edu) or call 845/434-5750.

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