MECHANIC FALLS – Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult and Community Education’s fall 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.

General interest classes being offered in October include the following:

“Heartsaver AED,” instructed by Wayne Cotterly. The program provides students with training in the performance of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on adult and child victims. The course will also teach how to handle emergencies involving choking and the use of breathing barriers.

The newly re-designed program emphasizes skills practice through video-based instruction and will teach students CPR using the new standards. Students will receive a Heartsaver AED course completion card upon completing the course requirements, including skills testing.

The new course is physically demanding; students should wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to practice on mannequins placed on the floor during the three-hour course.

Those who have a medical condition that could be aggravated by performing CPR skills should consult their physician before taking this class. Cost includes materials. Cotterly is an instructor for the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

There will be two one-week sessions: 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Poland Regional High School. Cost is $45/$50 Mechanic Falls and Poland residents/nonresidents.

“Hats with Hugs” will be taught by Barbara Freeley and Pat Demers. Participants will make a hat for the Hats with Hugs program and/or a snowman hat for a youngster.

Hats with Hugs is dedicated to knitting, crocheting and donating hats to those who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other illnesses. Patterns are available for the Hats with Hugs and snowman hats. There will be a supply of yarn or participants can bring their own.

It will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 11, 18 ad 25 and Nov. 1. A minimum of six knitters is needed. Registration is $12/$14. Call for needle size.

“No Sew Blanket” will be taught by Marianne Bellefleur. Participants will learn how to make a fleece blanket without needles and thread. Classes will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 and Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Learning Center, Mechanic Falls Municipal Building.

A minimum of three participants is needed to run each class. Registration is $12/$14. Mechanic Falls and Poland resident/nonresident. For a crib or lap blanket two 1 1/2-yard pieces of fleece . Participants will need to bring scissors to class.

“Gingerbread House Candy Dish” will be instructed by Betsy Chisholm. Participants will create a gingerbread house candy dish from plastic canvas. The class will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 11 and 18, at the Elm Street School. Registration is $8/$9. A minimum of five participants is needed.

“Standard First Aid” with Wayne Cotterly will teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. This course does not include CPR.

Students will learn how to recognize and respond to emergencies, identify when and how to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number, demonstrate how to minimize the risk of disease transmission when giving care, demonstrate how to check conscious and unconscious victims for life-threatening and non-life-threatening conditions and other emergency procedures.

Students will be required to pass a written and skills test. Upon successfully completing the course, students will receive a first aid course completion card. Course length is approximately four hours. Cost includes materials needed.

Classes will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, and again on Monday, Dec. 4, at Poland Regional High School. A minimum of three people is needed. Registration is $50/$55.

“Keeping Peace at Home” will be instructed by Kristie Meisner. Participants will learn a range of conflict management skills and strategies – from problem-solving to family meetings to anger management – that are designed to promote respect, cooperation and successful communication. It will be held from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 24, at Elm Street School. A minimum of five is needed. Registration is $5/$6.

“Quilted Postcard Craze” will be taught by Betsy Chisholm from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Elm Street School. A minimum of four is needed. Registration is $8/$9. A lab fee of $3 is to be paid to Chisholm.

For more information about these classes and for classes that are offered at Minot Consolidated School contact Mechanic Falls/Poland Adult and Community Education at 345-3217, fax 346-6223 or [email protected].