Fall Term 2

Health 

Deb Reid 
Saturday and Sunday 
10am-4pm and 2pm-6pm
Limit to 10 Students

Reiki is a Japanese based energy healing method that allows self-healing to occur physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It works through using the electromagnetic energy that is all around and within us. But most importantly, it works through empathy and helps grow empathy for yourself and others. Reiki can relieve acute or chronic pain, improve circulation, reduce your blood pressure, relieve fever, and speed up wound or injury healing times. Reiki will also reduce stress and provide relief from emotional pain such as grieving, anxiety, and depression while improving your mental and emotional clarity. During this 2-session weekend class, you will learn about the history and origins of Reiki, the basics of the human chakra / energetic system as well as how to give Reiki to yourself and others. Following completion of this class with attendance of both sessions, you will receive a certificate of completion as a First-Degree Usui Reiki Ryôhô Provider.

Government 

George Nilson
3 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:15p

The 2026 Midterm Elections will be like no other. The first class of this course will describe the stakes and focus in the House and Senate, discussing key House Seats in play and the dozen or so Senate seats thought to be in play. We will discuss state rules and the efforts of the current administration to set national voting requirements. We will cover the impact of recent gerrymandering battles. We will discuss the history of election fraud, real and imagined, and identify the “games both sides will play” before, during, and after Election Day. It is said to those who seek elective office “if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen”. The second class will take place the Monday after Election Day and we will discuss the extent to which things have changed since the first class. The students will be asked to cast secret ballots on various questions. We will focus on whether our election system should change or evolve and whether it can survive current pressures.

Social Science 

Donna Van Dusen
5 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm
Student limit if applicable

Course description 

Literature

Yolanda Sanchez 
5 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm

This course will explore the remarkable lives and enduring literary contributions of the Brontë sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. Raised in the windswept moors of West Yorkshire (England), the Brontës defied the constraints of their time on female authors to write some of the most powerful and imaginative novels in English literature. The Brontë sisters lived tragically short lives, but their cultural influence is everlasting; in addition to numerous literary analyses based on their lives and works there have been more than a hundred film, theater, and television productions of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Through a blend of literature, biographical information, and history, we will trace the lives of these closely knit sisters, examine their iconic works (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Agnes Grey), and discuss the social, historical, and personal forces that shaped their creative worlds. Participants will gain insight into the Brontë family history and its influence on their writing, the themes of love, female independence, morality, and mental health in their novels, as well as the challenges of female authorship in the 19th century and the lasting cultural and literary legacy of the Brontës. No prior familiarity with these novels is required, just curiosity about great literature and the extraordinary women behind it. This course is designed for anyone interested in the intersection of gender, art, and personal resilience.

Experiential Learning

Linda Foster, Michael Shane
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limited to 20 Students 

In this course, you will learn advanced skills for playing Mah Jongg - maximizing strategies for the Charleston, defensive play (ex. when to expose, joker management, discarding strategies), learning to identify what hand opponents are playing, scoring, and tournament preparation. Class time will be split between instruction, discussion, and hands on playing to put these techniques into practice under the guidance of the instructors.

Prerequisites: Mah Jongg playing experience - 1-2 years or more.

Course Materials: National Mah Jongg League, Inc Official Standard Hands and Rules card for 2026 (Request via: www.nationalmahjonggleague.org, (212) 246-3052, or writing 450 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10123 - include a self- addressed stamped envelope).

Science 

Dennis Hermann 
6 Weeks 
6:30pm-8:00pm

An introduction to the night sky, this course attempts to make participants more knowledgeable about what they might see from their own backyards. Constellations for every season along with the zodiac and circumpolar stars will be examined. Current planets and the phasing Moon will be observed by telescope. Basic motions of celestial objects as seen from Earth will be learned along with the Celestial Sphere model of the sky. Eclipses, Moon phases, precession, occultations, and conjunctions will be explained. The planetarium instrument (at Kent County High/Worton), slides, and videos will be used in each session to help illustrate topics and to enhance learning.

Social Studies 

Jeff Coomer
5 Weeks
10:00am-11:15am
Limited to 30 Students

This course will explore the main ethical issues arising from the sweeping deployment of

artificial intelligence systems in nearly every sphere of human activity. Through guided

discussion of real-world examples, the five class sessions will consider:

1. The Ethical Framework: What principles and values should we use to decide

whether use of AI technology is ethical?

2. Transparency, Misinformation, and Accountability: What constitutes

“truth” in systems trained on the entire body of recorded human thought? How

much trust should we place in decisions arising from processes we are unable to

fully explain? Who should be held accountable when an autonomous system

misleads or causes harm?

3. Privacy, Surveillance, and Manipulation: What level of surveillance and

manipulation of our thoughts and behavior is acceptable for the benefits AI

offers? Should AI systems be allowed to present content using persuasive,

emotionally engaging language?

4. Social Disruption: Do the benefits of AI technologies justify the unprecedented

level of resources being devoted to their deployment? Do the benefits justify the

potential disruptions to the existing social order, and perhaps even to the human

capacity for original thought? Who should make such decisions, and how?

5. Governance and Regulation: What steps should governments, social

institutions, and individuals take to ensure that AI technologies are implemented

in ways that enhance human dignity and society as a whole?

Some experience using AI systems would be helpful for this course, but is not required;

the focus will be on examining the impact these systems may have on the way we think

and behave toward each other.

Science 

Jen Milus 
6 Weeks 
1:00pm-2:00pm
Limited to 20 Students 

This course will provide an overview of Bone Health, covering DEXA scans, nutrition, exercise, meds, myths. and self-help strategies. The instructor will share her professional background, educational journey, and the inspiration behind founding a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women’s health. Participants will learn how to understand DEXA scan results, the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis, and the many risk factors that contribute to bone loss, including sleep apnea, medications, alcohol, caffeine, and other health conditions. The class will discuss the importance of advanced laboratory testing, bone quality versus bone quantity, and the role of TBS scoring in fracture prevention. Additional topics include nutrition for collagen production and calcium absorption, exercises that improve posture, flexibility, and bone strength, and the importance of exercise timing. Participants will also explore vibration devices, myths surrounding bone health, and evidence-based approaches to supplements and medications. The course concludes with guidance on when medication is appropriate, why accurate diagnosis matters, and how treatment decisions are influenced by both research and insurance practices.

History

Airlee Johnson, Carolyn Brooks
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm
Limited to 35 Students

This course will educate audiences on the astounding history and hidden culture of African American communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. These counties have vibrant communities of African American citizens whose lives and work expand our understanding of what life was like for freemen and descendants of enslaved Africans on the Shore. The WC Starr Center has been conducting a substantial exploration of African American artifacts, oral histories, videos, and audio recordings that are now housed in the Chesapeake Heartland Digital Archive. An African American humanities project created by WC and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Chesapeake Heartland Digital Archive preserves, digitizes, interprets, and makes materials accessible to the public through a website, programming, and community outreach. This course will foster knowledge of the rich heritage and pride generated from within the Black community through time. Unearthing this hidden information affirms that the African American free Blacks and descendants of the enslaved achieved far more than their limited resources would allow. The Black experience will explore how this culture was erected and maintained through participation in education, sports, debutantes/cotillion balls, community/fraternal organizations, veterans, religion and family/social life and employment.

Social Studies

Karen Davis 
6 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limited to 35 Students

Leadership doesn’t end with a job title—or a career. In many ways, it becomes even more important in the everyday moments that shape our lives: with family, friends, volunteer work, and our communities. This interactive course is designed for adults who want to be more intentional about how they show up and positively influence the people around them. Drawing on real-life experiences (not corporate theory), we will explore practical ways to communicate more clearly, build trust, handle difficult conversations, and navigate every-day situations. Along the way, you will reflect on your own habits and strengths, learn a few simple but powerful frameworks, and have the chance to share perspectives with others in the room. We will discuss what leadership concepts really mean in everyday life—and how small actions can make a meaningful difference in how others feel and respond. Each session is relaxed, engaging, and focused on thoughtful discussion and practical takeaways. Whether you are leading a volunteer group, working in the community, supporting family, or simply want to be more thoughtful in your interactions, this course offers useful tools—and a chance to learn alongside others with rich life experience. No prior leadership experience required!

Music

Muphen Whitney
6 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limited to 24 Students

This is Part II of last Fall’s “Works by Little-Known Composers and Little-Known Works by Well-Known Composers”. We will again explore the lives and compositions of little-known composers, and we will hear some of the lesser-known compositions by very well-known composers. There are hundreds of composers throughout the various eras of classical music who have not become well known, but who composed very exciting, interesting, and beautiful music. And, despite some composers becoming well-known to the point of being household names, not all their music is as well-known as the composers themselves. Composers such as Lili Boulanger, James Hook, Ferdinand Reis, Friedrick Gulda, and Caspar Cassado have written music that deserves to be heard by an appreciative audience. And some much better-known composers such as Maurice Ravel, Richard Strauss, Astor Piazzola, German composer Engelbert Humperdinck (no, not the pop singer), and Camille Saint-Saëns, and even better-known composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky have little-known musical gems to their credit. We will hear these and more! If you liked Part I, you will love Part II. If you missed Part I you will not be at a disadvantage; come see what all the excitement is about by joining us for Part II!

Poetry

Vic Evans
5 Weeks
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limited to 20 Students

Artificial Intelligence is challenging traditional ideas about human expression, authorship, creative endeavor, output and ownership rights. Replicating forms, styles, and poetic devices from classical to contemporary sources, generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can now generate tailored poetry on demand by drawing upon vast datasets of existing works created by others. Are these AI platforms poets? They produce technically polished poems with a clarity, rhythm, and emotional resonance that many people think surpass the appeal of human-authored poetry. But AI creativity is derivative, and AI poets lack a physical presence, lived experience and the layered ambiguity and interpretive depth that humans bring to poetry. AI is a powerful tool for generating novel content and a potential collaborator available now. Standards of acceptance about cultural authenticity will change. AI is challenging human poets to assert their unique creativity, ethical viewpoints, and cultural voices. Will the future of poetry be a hybrid space where unique human capability and AI output merge? Class discussion will focus on identifying creative possibilities and imperatives for human poets in the context of our nascent AI era. Weekly writing prompts will relate to each session topic. Half of class time will be devoted to sharing the poetry, narratives and opinions of class participants and their collaborators.

Five Sessions: 1. AI Poetry Impacts: Essays and Opinions (Session #1 Prompt: “AI Poetry exists to…” 2. Constructing/Deconstructing AI Poetry. 3. Qualities Unique to Human Poetry 4. Renewed Poetic Essentials: Intention & Revision. 5. Emerging Practices for Human Creativity

History

Kathy Lee 
6 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm

Native nations are sovereign governments with histories that long predate the United States; tribal sovereignty is a living legal and political reality. This course will explore how Native sovereignty has been shaped and challenged over time through law, policy, and culture. We will look at challenges to Native territorial sovereignty such as young George Washington’s surveying of Native homelands. We will discuss Chestertown’s own Thomas McKenney who was President Monroe’s Superintendent of Indian Trade from 1816 to 1822 and who then was the first director of the Office of Indian Affairs from 1824-1830. McKenney was key in the passage of the Civilization Fund Act of 1819, the goal of which was to assimilate Native peoples into white society. Other topics will include the famous Supreme Court decision in Johnson v. McIntosh (1823), which established the legal framework for federal authority over Native lands and in which the original plaintiff was Thomas Johnson, Maryland governor from 1777-1779. This year is the sesquicentennial of the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn. We will discuss how the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 and subsequent violations led to the battle. Although a victory for the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho nations, just one year later, in 1877, federal policies toward Native nations shifted dramatically. That shift was reflected in the assimilation and allotment era of the Dawes Act (1887) which propelled further dispossession of both land and culture. The class will conclude with contemporary issues that demonstrate why sovereignty remains vital in daily life, including treaty-based fishing and hunting rights, religious freedom, and burial protection laws. Native sovereignty continues to shape power, resources, and relationships in the United States today. As several Native American writers and activists have said, “We are still here.” Relevant readings, documentaries, and feature films will be suggested.

Experiential Learning

Linda Foster, Michael Shane 
6 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm
Limited 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 
Limited to 6 Students

In this class, Wendy Sand Eckel will continue teaching the art of writing memoir for students who have completed the six-week introduction to writing memoir class. This class will enable students to further their understanding of memoir, enhance their writing and editing skills, and to make forward progress on their memoir. Publishing and promoting their completed work will also be discussed. The goal is to give students an incentive to get to the finish line by assigning writing homework and providing the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from fellow students and the instructor.

Social Studies

Jill Royston
4 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm
Limited to 15 Students

“How do I decide?” Whether deciding what’s for dinner or to sell a home, decision making can be frustrating and leave us feeling overwhelmed. “Decision Making, Simplified” is an engaging course where you’ll learn the simple and repeatable INSIGHT framework. This approach was created to help you use your head, heart, and the facts to make decisions based on what matters most to you. Tested over 20 years with many people, participants say “I wish I knew this sooner!” and “I can’t wait to share this with my family!” Let’s cut through the overwhelm, minimize the frustration, and try something new. How fun will it be to finally break the endless refrain of “I don’t know, what do you want for dinner?” Sign up for this course and find out!

Polictical Science 

Wayne Gilchrest 
4 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm

Drawing on my 18-year experience in Congress, this course will be a practical, insider’s view of legislative life. We will discuss political campaigns (emphasizing the demands of constituent engagement, message discipline, and the tension between political viability and personal conviction), legislation (tracing how ideas evolve into law through negotiation, committee work, and compromise), and congressional travel (presented as a critical tool for informed decision-making, offering firsthand exposure to military operations, environmental challenges, and international diplomacy). We will also discuss political tensions and pressures, including the influence of party leadership and the consequences of dissent. Lobby groups will be discussed to highlight how organized interests shape policy through advocacy, data, and strategic relationships. A central theme will be the increasing polarization within Congress. Drawing on my firsthand experience, we will explore the shift from bipartisan cooperation to partisan division, assessing its causes and implications for governance. Overall, this course will present Congress not simply as an institution, but as a complex environment requiring judgment, resilience, and a continual balancing of principle and representation.

History

Beverly Hall Smith 
5 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:30pm

Major international changes occurred at the turn of the century in Europe. Industrial and scientific revolutions rocked human knowledge and experience to the core. Freud brought a new understanding of human experience, and the telephone and telegraph connected the world as never before. These and other dynamic changes created a new world. Art has always presented a picture of these changes. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists in Paris in the 19th Century began depicting this evolution. 20th Century artist such as Matisse, Picasso, and the many “ism” styles developing elsewhere in Europe sought to bring these new ideas to life. Like the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, whose art was disliked and is now very popular, the new artists were looked on with skepticism and distain. This course will take a critical look at the changes in culture and art in this period and the reasons and explanations that help us to understand this art. Early 20th Century art is not as daunting as one may think. It is as always, a reflection of new experiences and new ideas. Cubism, Fauvism, Orphism, Futurism, Die Brucke, Der Blaue Reiter, Munch, Ensor, and Dada will be discussed. No previous knowledge of these art styles is necessary to engage in this course. Bring you curiosity and questions.

Technology 

Jack Squadrito 
5 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm
Limited to 30 Students 

Tech Savvy Chestertown is a five-session course designed to help senior learners feel more confident, capable, and safe using everyday technology. The course focuses on practical skills participants can immediately apply to their own smartphones, tablets, or laptops, with an emphasis on clear explanations, real‑world examples, and common problems seniors encounter. The class is intentionally paced and classroom‑focused, making it accessible to those with a wide range of experience—from beginners to those looking to better understand how their devices work and how to stay secure online. Participants will learn how to navigate their devices, communicate through email and video calls, recognize online scams, and solve basic technology issues independently.

History

John Murphy
4 Weeks 
4:15pm-5:15pm
Limited to 20 Students 

In more than two-thirds of the world’s countries, the average number of children born to each woman has dropped below the "replacement rate" required to keep populations stable. This course offers a clear, data-driven exploration of modern demographics, focusing on the long-term and more acute declines in global and U.S. fertility rates. Designed for a general audience, the sessions will prioritize the graphical display of demographic data—utilizing population pyramids, trend lines, and mapping—to translate complex statistics into intuitive visual stories. Participants will explore the historic transition from high to low birth rates, evaluate the shorter-term spikes and drops driven by recent economic and public health crises, and confront the realities of a rapidly aging society. Additionally, the course will examine critical global and domestic health indicators, including trends in neonatal and maternal mortality. No prior background in statistics or medicine is required—just an interest in how shifting populations will reshape our economies, communities, and future.

Science 

Dr. Robert Abel
3 Weeks
10:00am-11:00am
Zoom

Good health depends on more than medical care alone. This three-session course explores practical, evidence-based strategies to help maintain vision, support overall wellness, and preserve cognitive function as we age. Questions and discussion are encouraged.

Session I: Eye Health and Vision.
Vision is one of our most important senses and a key contributor to independence and quality of life. This session reviews the anatomy of the eye and visual system, common age-related eye disorders, and nutritional and lifestyle approaches that may help support healthy vision.

Session II: Complementary Approaches to Wellness.
Many health decisions are within our control. This session explores complementary and lifestyle-based strategies that can support overall health and well-being.

Session III: Memory and Cognitive Health.
Memory loss is a growing concern as people live longer and become more aware of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. This session examines how memory works, normal age-related changes in cognition, and practical techniques that may help support memory and brain health.

Whether your goal is to protect your eyesight, take a more active role in your health, or keep your mind sharp, this course offers valuable information and practical tools for healthy aging.

History

Jude Pfister 
4 Weeks
4:15pm-5:15pm

With the American revolutionaries in discord following victory at Yorktown and the Paris Peace Treaty of 1783, the proposed federal Constitution of 1787 faced an uncertain future when it was sent to the states for ratifications. Sensing an historic moment, three authors--John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison--circulated 85 essays among their fellow American statesmen (initially in New York), arguing for a strong federal union. Next to the Constitution itself, The Federalist papers are the most referenced statement of the Founding Fathers' intentions in forming the United States government.