Menu
Log in
Forgot password

Institute for Continuing Learning

Log in
Forgot password

You must become an annual member to enroll in a class.

Annual membership fees are due in January of each year.

To join just click "Join ICl" on the bar below.

Spring course registration is open.

Current Courses

  • How to Live a Good Life – The Modern Search for Happiness, Well-being and Meaning - Instructor George Owen

    • April 03, 2023
    • May 22, 2023
    • 8 sessions
    • ICL Classroom
    • 14
    Register

     

    Course Fee $25.00

    The course begins with early primary resources from ancient Greek thinking - Aristotle, the Stoics, and the Epicureans, and moves quickly to other resources from both West and East, including philosophical, religious, and psychological. Soon we are info many wonderful modern resources. Modern research in recent decades has given us vast information from the social and even biological sciences that help with the goals mentioned in the title above, ranging from the "Harvard Study of Adult Development" ongoing across over eighty years to the new modern "Positive Psychology" and its help and enhancement of life for thousands. Some criticisms of seeming obsession with happiness now in American culture (presented mainly from the NY Times column "The Stone") will be included for balance. OPTIONAL: Those in class interested may join George for lunch and an easy hike after some classes. (Oh! Instructor Owen claims to need this class himself as much or more than other students!)

    George Owen is known in ICL primarily for his courses on hiking in the Southern Appalachians. His own background for this current course originates in graduate work on masters degrees from Emory and Scarritt/Vanderbilt, with interest in religions, philosophy, and schools of psychotherapy. His career began in hospital administrative positions, and went on to years as a pastor in The United Methodist Church and the Unitarian-Universal Fellowship. During this time George particularly enjoyed taking in-service continuing education courses in counseling. He and his former wife Sandy raised two sons and have four grandchildren. George laid out and supervised over 125 miles of local U.S. National Forest trails in his outdoors avocation, served ten years part summers as a guide in the Swiss Alps in retirement, and is currently president of the Mountain High Hikers trekking club and co-chairs the large Signs Committee of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association..

     

    Show details

  • Creative Watercolor Techniques - Instructor Billie Shelburn

    • April 03, 2023
    • May 15, 2023
    • 7 sessions
    • 1942 Old Highway 64, Hayesville, NC
    • 5
    Register

    Course Fee $30.00

    Materials Fee $25.00 per week

    Join us in discovering the amazing properties of Watercolor Paint.  You will learn about the processes and properties of watercolors that can produce wonderful paintings using the elements and principles of design.  Also you will learn about techniques and perspective in your work.  You will be delighted to see how easy it is to paint with watercolors to achieve results that are so magical and fun.  So come on in...the water's fine.

    There is a charge of $25 per week for all materials provided to complete a painting or two a class.  The charge is paid directly to the instructor.

    Billie Shelburn is a contemporary studio artist and fine art instructor in painting, drawing and mixed media. Billie’s works are comprised of representational, impressionistic and mixed media styles.  Her paintings have won National, International and Regional awards.  Billie was inducted into the National Organization for Women in Arts in Washington, D.C. and has served on the Executive Boards of Georgia Watercolor Society.  Currently Ms. Shelburn is the Resident Artist at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. 

     

    Show details

  • Beginner's Party Bridge - Instructor Virginia Kern

    • April 03, 2023
    • May 22, 2023
    • 8 sessions
    • ICL Classroom
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Course Fee $25.00

    While any game can be competitive, Party Bridge, as opposed to Duplicate Bridge is the less competitive, more social game.  All the principles and normal play of the game are the same, but scoring is different and new hands are dealt and played as the game progresses.  This class will cover:  Hand valuation, Bidding and Response to bids, Play of the Hand, and Scoring.  The  goal of the class is to learn the game and have fun in the process.  Previous ICL Bridge classes have spawned Bridge groups who have continued to meet and play for years.  Come join us!

    Virginia Kern is a native of Towns County but has lived in Montana, Arizona and Washington. She returned to Towns County in 1998 and knew it was the best move she ever made.  She and her husband learned to play Bridge in the 1960s. She has played mixed couples Bridge, social Bridge and duplicate Bridge.  Virginia has also given lessons in duplicate Bridge.  She is a Life Master through the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). 



     

    Show details

  • Ukulele 101 - Instructor Cy Sineath

    • April 03, 2023
    • May 08, 2023
    • 6 sessions
    • ICL Classroom
    • 7
    Register

    Course Fee $20.00

    The ukulele has aptly been called the “funnest instrument on earth.” And that is what this class is all about… FUN.  No prior musical experience is necessary, and please, no music theory. Each week, the class will learn new chords, songs, and strumming patterns that build on the week before.  The uke is so “user friendly,” you’ll be playing songs after the first class.  By the end of the course, participants will be able to play hundreds of songs and confidently strum along with ukulele groups wherever they are found.  Singing and laughing are integral to this course!  Requirements:  A ukulele (standard tuning GCEA) and a willingness to sing and laugh with the group!  The facilitator has a limited number of ukuleles that may be loaned until participants obtain their own.

     Cy Sineath has been playing the ukulele for 8 years and has enjoyed playing socially with groups throughout the southeast as well as Dublin, Ireland and London, England.  Prior to moving to Blairsville in 2017, he played regularly with two groups in the Atlanta area.  He feels the ukulele is much like the game of Bridge; you can learn the basics in a matter of hours and then spend the rest of your life mastering it.  He now lives here in the mountains with his wife, Jo, and Otis, the wonder dog.

    Show details

  • Fundamentals of Blacksmithing - Instructor Ray Anderson

    • April 04, 2023
    • May 23, 2023
    • 8 sessions
    • 529 Qualla Terrace, Hayesville NC 28904
    • 3
    Register

    Course Fee $45.00

    One Time Materials Fee $120.00

    This course will take you from an interest in blacksmithing to using your new skills to making useful items from hot iron.  The following are techniques you will learn and understand: drawing out metal, bending metal, scrolling, splitting, and twisting.  The student will create a "story ring" to keep samples of these techniques to refer back to when you are creating projects in the future, or to tell the story of your time at the Forge.

    This Fundamentals Class is co-ed and open to students of all skill levels.  All necessary equipment will be provided:  Metal, equipment, tools, safety glasses and Hearing Protection.

    Cost for equipment and supplies is $120 payable to the instructor the first day of class.

    Raymond Anderson is the owner of The Blacksmith Experience.  Ray has been working in metal for a lifetime.  He retired from the USN as a boiler maker. His co-instructor is Elmer Rouch, a world famous Blacksmith and National treasure. We hope you enjoy this Blacksmith Experience.  Forging a lifetime of memories, and having a great time in the process. 

    Show details

  • Beginning and Continuing Crochet - Instructor Jo Sineath

    • April 04, 2023
    • May 09, 2023
    • 6 sessions
    • ICL Classroom
    • 1
    Register

    Course Fee $20.00

    This class teaches the basics of Crochet.  Participants will learn about crochet hooks and available yarns and then the creation of foundation chains and a variety of stitches, gauge, and the finishing off of a project.  As a class a simple project will be completed by learning to read a pattern and using multiple stitches.  For any other individual projects, the instructor will assist in choosing a pattern of their choice and purchasing the yarn.   Newcomers with no experience are welcome and can catch up.

    My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was in the fourth grade.  I didn’t really use the skill until my niece was born 15 years later.  Thankfully, Gram was still around to give me a refresher allowing me to complete my first baby afghan.  I have since completed dozens of projects for our home, as well as gifts for friends and family.  My husband says that he doesn’t recognize me without a crochet hook and yarn in my hand.  I have recently joined a group that knits and crochets items of clothing for World Vision, providing them for the needy, the world over.  This group started as an ICL class over 20 years ago.  I spent 47 years as a healthcare provider and have found crocheting a relaxing and fulfilling hobby.

    Show details

  • Photographing Spring’s Wildflowers - Instructor Stephan Banakas

    • April 04, 2023
    • May 02, 2023
    • 5 sessions
    • 862 Main Street, Young Harris - ICL Classroom
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Course Fee $30.00

    This class will combine basic photographic skills with Spring wildflowers as the primary subjects to be photographed.  Each week students will attend a 4-hour class that will begin in the classroom with a Power Point presentation centered on basic camera techniques, adjustments, and considerations that will aid them in photographing these wildflowers.  After the classroom portion of the class students will then be taken to specific outdoor areas where they will photograph wildflowers that are blooming at that time.  Should anyone prefer not to join in this part of the class, they will have an opportunity to go to various areas and shoot at their leisure.

    Students will then be requested to submit a few of their photos to the instructor who will include the photos along with camera settings in the Power Point for presentation and discussion by the class during the following week.  And the above-described process will be repeated.

    Should the weather be bad, the classroom portion of the class would still be held and a ‘make up day’ for the outdoor portion of the class would be scheduled at the end of the 5-session class.

    The class would be limited to 10 students and would be conducted over 5 sessions lasting 4 hours/session.

    Students must possess basic camera skills and be able to handle short hikes on uneven ground.

    May 9th and 16th are reserved as make-up days.

    Stephan Banakas is an avid fly fisherman and wildflower/landscape photographer.  He is originally from Pensacola, FL. where he worked as a police officer until he retired in 1999.  He now lives in Hayesville with his wife, Diane, and their two cats Gordon and Maggie.

    Show details

  • Beginner's Pickleball - Instructor Ron Tomczyk

    • April 04, 2023
    • May 23, 2023
    • 8 sessions
    • Pickleball Courts - 67 Chase Drive, Blairsville, GA
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Course Fee $30.00

    This class is for beginners. You will learn the rules of pickleball, proper ball handling techniques, dinking the ball, serving and returning the ball, punch block and drop block, basic strategy and drop shots. Balls and paddles are provided.

    Ron Tomczyk is a retired CPA living in Blairsville with his wife Pat, a Yoga and Tai Chi instructor.  They have lived here 17 years.  Ron has been playing pickleball approximately five years and has been a Certified IPTPA pickleball instructor for a year.  Ron enjoys the game and has been teaching beginners for over a year.

    Show details

  • Beginning Soap Making - Instructor Sheila Ruud

    • April 05, 2023
    • April 26, 2023
    • 4 sessions
    • ICL Classroom
    • 5
    Register

    Course Fee $20.00

    Materials Fee $10.00

    This class will teach the fundamentals of several different methods of soap making. We will do “hands on “soap making using the hot process, cold process, and melt and pour techniques We will also cover making soap related products for your home ex. laundry detergent, cleaning products.  The equipment and safety gear needed for making lye soap and the ingredients will be discussed and provided.  We will cover the ingredients that can be used for your soaps and the different ways these ingredients combine to give you the outcome you want.  We will explore some of the additives you may want to use in your soap such as goats’ milk, coconut milk, botanicals, coloring and scents, and how these can affect the outcome of your soap.  The different types of soap molds will be discussed, how they will give you many options for making your soap, as well as help you determine the best soap formula to use for the mold.  All you will need for this class is an apron. There is a $10 materials fee paid directly to the instructor the first day of class.

     

    Sheila lives in Young Harris with her husband, Gerald, on their mini goat farm off Crooked Creek Road.   She has been making soap for over 35 years and began to turn her hobby into a business, Crooked Creek Farm and Foxfire Blends Bath and Body™, after she retired for a second time.  Sheila makes goat milk soap, lotions, body butters and scrubs.  Sheila and her husband have been in a booth at the Farmer’s Market in Blairsville for the past 10 years, as well as working with the Art Guild shows, festivals, and Relay for Life fundraisers.  They have their store and soap kitchen on the farm and an online business as well.

    Show details

  • Basic Computer Skills for Windows Users - Instructor Marty Dellinger

    • April 05, 2023
    • May 24, 2023
    • 8 sessions
    • ICL Classroom
    • 5
    Register