MECHANIC FALLS – Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult and Community Education has announced the winter-spring offerings.

The Learning Center in the Mechanic Falls Municipal Building is accepting new day and evening students for skill upgrading, high school diplomas and General Educational Development testing.

For more information, contact Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult and Community Education at 345-3217, fax 346-6223 or adulted@midmaine.com.

General interest classes being offered are as follows:

“Career Planning,” Katie Paiton: A one-on-one session will be held to review interests, values and abilities. Once they have been determined, participants will be matched with possible careers that fit strengths and preferences.

The course is free to anyone unemployed living in Mechanic Falls, Poland or Minot. It is also free for academic and vocational students enrolled in Mechanic Falls-Poland Adult Education. Learning Center; registration by appointment, day and evening times available; cost, $10/$15, Mechanic Falls and Poland resident/nonresident.

“Effective Communication,” Katie Paiton: The class will teach healthy communication and boundary setting with a focus on the four types of communication styles. Participants will have an opportunity to practice through role-playing activities. Learning Center, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8; $5/$6.

“Keyboarding”: Gain keyboarding speed and become skilled using a mouse while developing the correct technique of touch-typing using Mavis Beacon software or utilize a word processing program and learn how to type and increase knowledge of Microsoft Word. Learning Center, 9 a.m. to noon and/or 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays; other day and evening times may be arranged; $20/$25.

“Maintaining Your Computer,” Robert Libby: Learn how to speed up a computer for first-rate performance by scheduling regular maintenance. Free up hard disk space, make programs run faster and optimize hard disk performance. Learning Center, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14; $5/$6.

“Successful Interviewing,” Katie Paiton: The course will describe the different types of interview styles, questions commonly asked and appropriate responses to them. Participants will also be taught several techniques that will set them apart from other potential candidates.Call for an appointment.

“Baby Sitter Training, Red Cross,” Judy Emch: Learn the skills necessary to provide safe and responsible care for children in the absence of parents. Develop skills in leadership, professionalism, basic child care and earn child and infant CPR certification. Elm Street School, 2:45 to 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays, March 14, 21, 28, April 4 and 11; $45.

“Basket Making,” Karen Ellis: Begin with making a napkin holder, then as time allows, move on to a breadbasket and an Easter basket. Poland Community School, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27; $30/$35; lab fee, to be announced, paid to the instructor. Bring sharp scissors, utility knife, awl or sharp screwdriver, pencil, tape measure, pail, towel, spray bottle, clothes pins.

“Becoming a Notary Public,” Barbara Freeley: The class is designed to assist the person in applying for a notary public commission in Maine. Learning Center, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 21 and 28; $8/$9; cost of book, $8, paid to instructor.

“Container Gardening,” Donna McNally: Participants may make a window box or fill a container with spring and/or summer flowers. Those attending can bring a container (up to 24 inches) or they may purchase a 24-inch window box.Children are welcome. One child free working with a parent, additional children at half price. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17; $8/$9 and lab fee of $20. People should register by May 9.

“Cookies and Other Confections without an Oven,” Barbara Freeley: Make six to eight varieties of sweet treats. Ricker Memorial Library, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4; $7/$8. Children age 8 and older (half price) are welcome with an adult. Bring a container to take cookies home and an apron.

“Good Discipline, Good Kids,” Linda Tukey: Parents will learn how to engage cooperation; effectively set rules, expectations and limits; problem-solve; alternatives to punishment; accept and respect children’s feelings; and manage anger. Staff recommends parents attend both “Good Discipline, Good Kids” and “Keeping Kids Safe at Home” to receive the greatest benefit. Elm Street School, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1; $5/$6.

“Heartsaver AED,” Wayne Cotterly: Training in the performance of CPR and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on adult and child victims (no infant). In addition, the course teaches how to handle emergencies involving choking and the use of breathing barriers. Course cost includes all materials. One-week sessions at the Poland Community School, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, or Tuesday, May 15; $45/$50.

“Identity Theft and Strategies for Crime Prevention,” Mechanic Falls Police Chief Jeff Goss: The course will define identity theft and examine how identify theft occurs, what is being done and ways to protect oneself from having an identity stolen. Learning Center, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 27.

“Keeping Peace at Home,” Linda Tukey: Learn conflict management skills and strategies. Elm Street School, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15; $5/$6.

Line dancing, Tanya Whittier: No partner is necessary, and children age 8 and older are welcome with parent or guardian. Elm Street School, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3; $20/$23.

“Pearl Drop Necklace,” Karen Caouette: Create a necklace using variations of the gemstone. Poland Community School, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 26 and May 3; $20/$25; lab fee, $15, paid to instructor. Bring round nose and crimp pliers if possible.

Quilting class, Elizabeth Derenburger: Participants will make a quilt in the “Trip Around the World” or “Log Cabin” pattern. Must know how to use sewing machine. Elm Street School, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, March 29, April 5, 12, 26, May 3 and 10; $25/$30. Bring sewing machine, fabric, thread, batting.

“Quilted Postcard Craze,” Betsy Chisholm: Elm Street School, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7; $8/$9; lab fee to be paid to instructor, $3.

“Retirement Strategies,” Greg Strong: Learn about six costly mistakes retirees make and how to avoid them. Learn how to protect assets from a falling market, how to minimize federal income taxes and what is the least costly method of long-term care protection. The seminar is geared to investors over 55 who are planning to retire or have already retired. Learning Center, date and time to be announced; no fee, preregistration.

“Scrapbooking, It’s a Colorful Life,” Karen Caouette: Learn to use color, shapes, words, fabric, ribbon, layering and tearing to create pages with extra personality. Poland Community School, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, March 1, 8 and 15; $20/$25; lab fee, $14, paid to instructor. Bring a ruler, scissors, pen and pencil.

“Starting a Family Tree,” James McKinley: The first step in starting a family tree. Bring date of birth/death, place of birth/death, date/place of marriage. Learning Center, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 22; $5/$6.

“Standard First Aid,” Wayne Cotterly: Learn skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives; does not include CPR. Poland Community School, 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, or Tuesday, April 3; $50/$55.

“Swedish Weaving Place Mat,” Betsy Chisholm: Make a placemat, then go on to make an afghan. Elm Street School, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, March 14 and 21; $10/$12; lab fee, $7.

“Fitness for Life,” Deb Conway: Aerobics classes feature step aerobics and resistance exercises to tone and strengthen the entire body. Teens are welcome with an adult. Poland Community School; registration, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1; $25/$28.

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