MECHANIC FALLS – The Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult and Community Education winter program is under way. The Learning Center is accepting new day and evening students for skill upgrading, high school diplomas and General Educational Development testing. Persons may enroll now or later in the year.

Call the adult education office at 345-3217 for more information about the classes and for classes that are offered at Minot Consolidated School.

Other classes include the following:

Fitness for Life: Aerobics classes feature step aerobics and resistance exercises to tone and strengthen the body. Classes are taught in levels to accommodate adults of all abilities and fitness. Teens are welcome with an attending adult. Walk-in classes on Jan. 3 and 10 at $5/$7 for Mechanic Falls and Poland resident/nonresidents.

Registration will be Monday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Six-week sessions will continue from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 24 through the school year at Poland Community School. When school is not in session, classes will not be held. Registration is $25/$28, Mechanic Falls and Poland resident/nonresident. There will need to be six paid registrations before Jan. 24 if the class is to run. Instructor will be Deb Conway, 998-5282

Ballroom Dancing for Beginners: Learn the basics of dancing with a partner; couples and singles, welcome. Maine Ballroom Dance provides professionally trained dance instructors who not only teach dance steps, but include partnering and technique training. Dancers receive coupons for other dance events. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, March 1. A minimum of 10 dancers is needed. Registration is $40/$45.

Ballroom Dancing, Intermediate: For those dancers who feel they have gone beyond the beginning stage. From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, March 1; minimum of six dancers; registration, $40/$45.

Short Short Workshop on Short Short Fiction: In the fifth in a series of writing workshops, students will use classic and contemporary stories as models for their own work. They will spend three weeks of class time writing, reading and critiquing one another’s work. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 13, 20, 27 and April 7, 14, 28; registration, $25/$30; minimum of five.

Picture Matting: Learn five or so basic matting designs. From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15; minimum of five; registration, $25/$28. Lab fee is $5 paid to instructor.

E-Mail Basics: A hands-on course will give participants the skills needed to navigate the Internet using Internet Explorer, and the ability to write, send and receive e-mail using Outlook Express. If time permits, learn how to use search engines, set up a home page and bookmark favorite places. From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, three weeks; registration: $20/25, resident/nonresident; minimum of six.

Computer Basics: Learn about computer hardware and software and do some basic word processing. If time permits, learn how to write a basic e-mail message using Outlook Express and explore the Internet. From noon to 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 20, four weeks; registration, $30/$40; minimum of six.

Dog Obedience/Beginners-Basic: Obedience for dogs will concentrate on commands of sit, stay, down, come and walking on a leash. Participants will learn how to control their pets. Dogs 10 weeks or older having had their second set of shots are welcome.

From 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 28, March 7, 14; minimum of six; children 10 and up if the child is motivated and attends with a parent; registration, $71/$76 a dog, resident/nonresident. Bring a collar, leash.

Office 2000: An overview of the basic skills needed for one to become familiar with computer applications. Participants will focus on specific skills offered in three modules, including presentation graphics, electronic spreadsheets and database management. PowerPoint from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, two weeks; registration, $15/$20; minimum of six.

Those interested should call 345-3217 for more information.