Fall Term 1

Literature/History

Ray Vergne 
4 Weeks  
08/31-09/02

Alternate History is a literature genre that speculates how actual history may have occurred had one or more points of divergence been different. MacKinlay Kantor's "If the South had Won the Civil War" was first published in 1962 in Look magazine and was promptly a classic hypothetical history of the United States from the end of the Civil War to the early 1960's. It is a short, readable book available on Amazon. The points of divergence and their imagined consequences will be discussed in some detail. Informed and enlightening discussions are anticipated.

Technology 

Karen Davis 
4 Weeks  
4:15-5:30pm

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday life—but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or technical. *Everyday AI* is a welcoming, hands-on course designed for curious learners who want to understand and use tools like ChatGPT in practical, meaningful ways and focused on real-life applications rather than technology for its own sake. Think of AI as a helpful assistant—one that can support everything from planning a trip or organizing your thoughts to exploring hobbies like cooking, gardening, writing, or quilting. Each session includes live demonstrations, guided practice, and plenty of time for questions. Participants will learn how to interact with AI in a clear, conversational way—and how to get results that are actually useful. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

History

Joanne Boyle
4 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm

The four classes will follow a seminar format, using texts—mainly case decisions—to help students understand the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the amendments made in 1982. Classes will cover the VRA’s Constitutional foundations; the 1965 text as a landmark achievement in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equal participation in the political process; SCOTUS decisions preceding the 1982 amendments; seminal SCOTUS decisions since 1982 and how we arrived at Louisiana v. Callais in 2026.

Participants are expected to prepare before class so they can join debates and collaborate effectively, making it possible for everyone to share viewpoints and examine ideas together. We will promote critical thinking while examining key Supreme Court cases that still shape the process of conducting elections and the interpretation of voting rights today.

 

Agriculture

Judy Crow 
4 Weeks @ Crow Farm
4:15pm-5:15pm
Limit to 20 Students

A 3rd generation family, 365-acre farm charts a new path by transforming its traditional operation into a diversified wine and vineyard enterprise and a thriving agritourism destination. Participants will explore the evolution of Crow Farm—from a corn‑and‑soybean farm with a small Angus herd to a vibrant 12‑acre vineyard, winery, and hospitality venue rooted in sustainability. This course offers an immersive look at the many facets of the farm, including vineyard establishment, grape growing, and the full winemaking process carried out in Crow’s state‑of‑the‑art winery. Crow Farm has intentionally preserved and restored its barns and buildings, maintaining an authentic farm atmosphere while adapting to modern agricultural and tourism use. Today, a herd of 90 grass‑fed Angus cattle graze in rotational pastures alongside the vineyard, reflecting the farm’s commitment to regenerative agriculture. The Haybarn Tasting Room supports a thriving retail business featuring award‑winning wines, Angus beef, curated local products, and a calendar of wine and food events. Participants will tour the vineyard, winery, and farm with the owners and winemaker to learn firsthand about the opportunities, challenges, and innovations involved in building and sustaining a successful agritourism and wine business.

History

David Simison
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm

With Union troops encamped outside Annapolis, on April 22, 1861, Maryland Governor Thomas A. Hicks wrote to President Abraham Lincoln imploring him to seek mediation between the "contending parties" with the help of Lord Lyons, then British Consul to the US. This course will consider the political context in which this letter was sent to identify the underlying issues that would have been addressed had such mediation occurred. The course will also explore the possible participants in such a mediation as well as the potential outcomes had such a mediation occurred. This topic will be approached in a highly interactive conversational and collaborative manner – the course is not intended to have a lecture style top-down approach. It is hoped that attendees will join in the process or inquiry to together answer the questions, "What if mediation had occurred?" and "What would it have looked like, who would have been involved, and what were the issues?"

History

Clayton Newell 
5 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:15pm

During World War II the U.S. Army formed partnerships, known as affiliations, with several civilian companies and organizations to recruit individuals with specific skills needed by the Army. Railroad companies formed railway battalions that repaired and operated railroads in support of Allied forces all over the world; hospitals and medical schools staffed Army evacuation and general hospitals; and communications organizations provided a variety of highly specialized Signal Corps units.

This course will provide historical context for the development of these programs, examine how each of them contributed to the overall war effort, and conclude with an assessment of the affiliation concept.

Science 

Larry Vetter 
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm

Each class will be a standalone lecture covering a particular aspect of environmental remediation. Topics will include hazardous chemical remediation, disposal and recycling, petroleum spill response, both land and water, tank farm maintenance, underground and above ground storage tanks, indoor air quality and health and safety issues and related environmental issues. The course will also include an overview of environmental response history. In a nutshell, the course is about what to do to reclaim spoiled industrial sites.

Agriculture 

Judy Gifford
5 Weeks 
2:00pm-3:15pm
Student limit: 20

Many residents of Kent County have fond memories of a grandparents' farm while others have never been on a farm or met an active farmer. In this course, students will have the opportunity to visit 5 unique farming operations. St. Brigid's Farm is a small mom and pop dairy farm with a robotic milking system, while Fair Hill Farm is a multi-generational certified organic dairy operation. Lockbriar Farm, familiar to anyone who visits the Chestertown Farmers' Market, is a family-owned fruit and vegetable farm. Harborview Farms, known for its innovative and sustainable practices, produces corn, wheat and soybeans while Langenfelder Pork is a seventh-generation farm dedicated to quality production of grains for their pigs. Each week students will hear about the challenges and rewards of being a farmer and discuss a wide range of topics from international trade and nutrient management to labor and time management. Because farming is very unpredictable, substitutions will be made as needed. Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear.

Community

Dixon Valve Employees
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm

This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Dixon Group’s move from Philadelphia to Chestertown. Since then, Dixon has become not only a staple of the local community, but an international leader in many manufacturing fields. This lecture series will discuss the history and operations of Dixon in the 110 years since its inception. Each week will introduce new lecturers to discuss one of the many facets of the company, from the modernization of its manufacturing operations to the development of new product lines to the safety and employee wellness protocol that are implemented. Come learn how Dixon has managed to preserve its place as a leader in manufacturing for over a century!

This lecture series will be led by different employees of the Dixon Group every week. Each week will introduce new subject matter experts for their topics, allowing deep insight into their area of expertise.

Experiential Learning

Linda Foster & Michael Shane
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limit to 20 students

Mah Jongg is a popular tile-based game developed in China in the 19th century that combines elements of strategy, skill, and chance. Two, three, or four people can play, however, the class will focus on 4-players. It is also a great way to maintain brain health while engaging in a fun, social activity. In fact, multiple studies have shown that playing Mah Jongg slows the normal cognitive decline of aging by improving memory, concentration, and patience. In this course, you will learn the basic rules and strategies for playing Mah Jongg and then put them into practice by playing games under the guidance of the instructors. Week 1 to 3: Become familiar with the tiles and rules through open-hand play. Week 4 to 6: Practice tile and rule knowledge through guided play and independent games with guidance from the instructors, as needed. Additional information over the 6 weeks will include play etiquette, common questions for new players, and recommendations for getting started and improving your play.

English

Wendy Sand Eckel 
6 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limit to 6 students

In this class Wendy Sand Eckel will teach aspiring memoir writers how to structure, outline, and begin writing a memoir. Through discussion and sharing, the students will choose what section of their lives they would like to write about, how to select the inciting incident that changed their lives, and how to structure through diagramming and writing an outline. Each class will begin with a 5 - 7 minute writing prompt to loosen up the writing juices, followed by discussion of their projects, sharing their homework assignment (if comfortable to do so), with handouts provided at the end of class. By the end of the six weeks, each student will have chosen their topic and title, developed a working outline, and written the first chapter. The most powerful part of the class is the discussions and support between the participants. Wendy creates a safe and trusting environment for students to share, offer feedback, and brainstorm with one another about their projects.

Medical 

Catherine Brooks 
6 Weeks 
10:00am-11:30am
Limit to 25 people

Advance planning for our end-of-life can be an important part of living. It can provide guidance for our families, loved ones, and caregivers during the difficult time leading up to our death. If documented and shared, it can help ensure that we get the care we want and avoid what we don’t want. But where do we start? The discussions in “END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS” are only the beginning of the planning process. Through presentations, videos, worksheets and discussions, we will build on the experience of thousands of others as we clarify our thoughts and wishes about our own end-of-life.

Four questions will be discussed:

*   What are our personal values and beliefs about what is important in our living and dying?

• How do we define quality of life?
• What life-sustaining treatments do we want or not want?

*   How do we choose someone to make decisions for us if we are no longer able to do it for ourselves?  

Sample legal documents, checklists, and other resources will be shared. The goal of these sessions is to guide us through a process we often avoid until a life-or-death crisis happens.

Science 

Steve Solomon 
6 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm

In October 2025, six former surgeons general of the US, who worked for both Democratic and Republican presidents, issued a public health warning letter stating that the "foundations of our nation's public health system have been undermined." In this course we will provide an overview of what public health is, why public health is important and what/who are the components of our public health system. We will broadly explore public health at the local and global level with guest speakers. We will also review what is currently happening that is putting people's health at risk, including impacts of changes in vaccinations and other aspects of the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative under the current administration.

Experiential Learning

Beth Spurry
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limit to 30 Students

This course will cover six modules: Investment Management Concepts, Tax Planning, Estate Planning and Legacy, Insurance and Risk Management, and Comprehensive Values Based Planning.

Health 

Shane Brill 
5 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm

Many people experience changes in energy, sleep, digestion, mood, and body composition and assume they are a normal part of getting older. These shifts often reflect meaningful patterns in how the body responds to daily inputs like food, movement, stress, and recovery. Body Signals is a five-week course designed to help you recognize and interpret those patterns so you can make more informed, sustainable decisions about your health. Grounded in functional, systems-based nutrition principles, the course teaches you how to observe your body with clarity and connect everyday habits to energy, metabolic function, and long-term health. The focus is on understanding how your system works and how to support it consistently over time. Each week blends education with practical application so you can immediately apply what you learn.

Government

Mark Schulman 
2 Weeks
10:00am-11:30am

This course will provide an overview from a pollster's vantage point of the forces shaping American politics as the 2026 midterms draw near, giving a clear sense of how voter attitudes, issue salience, and party strategy stand in the final stretch before Election Day. We will also discuss and scrutinize what polling tells us about historical trends and where the electorate stands on Congressional outcomes at the moment.

Literature

Jim Block
6 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limit to 22 Students

Woolf’s finest novel, To the Lighthouse, upends ordinary narrative conventions. Those methods certainly worked well enough before the Great War transformed European culture. Afterwards, continuity and predictability diminished. Ordinary connections between women and men, children and parents, ideas and reality, even between humans and their experience, altered, certainly not always for the better. Artists, writers, and composers knew they must create new methods—to express the new. In To the Lighthouse, Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness narration examines the post-war problem of the increased separation between people. Her novel both expresses that separation of people and unifies them. The narration takes the reader deeply and immediately into the heads and hearts of others. It shifts readers from one character or scene to another, demanding close attention. However much we change points of view or scenes, in the long run, we are made to know that everyone is connected to everyone else. Some of the book’s other issues are the relation between art and experience, and the problem of what happens to a kitchen table when you aren’t there. In class discussions, we will read (often aloud) key passages and then examine them in detail, often looking at the prose as if it were verse. Participants will receive some background material and a first reading assignment before the course begins.