Art Therapy

With Kelly Ott Monday, 9:30 am–11:30 am | Sunnyside Aug. 31; Sept. 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12 Cost: $50

Finding time to ground yourself and enhance your own wellbeing while supporting a loved one? Explore healing through a blend of structured therapeutic techniques and creative expressions. This class gently guides participants in processing emotions, reducing stress, and fostering self-awareness through art, writing, and guided activities, creating a safe and supportive space for personal growth, connection, and meaningful conversation.

Kelly Ott is a best-selling author and dementia expert with more than 30 years in healthcare. A former caregiver, she guides families through elder-care decisions and leads therapeutic art programs and community initiatives supporting Alzheimer's awareness, senior safety, and caregiver well-being.

Cradle to Cradle: Trees, Planning, and the Living Landscape

With Jeremy Harold and others Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 104 Aug. 31; Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5 Cost: $50

The Urban Wood Program provides training and networking opportunities for Virginia municipalities and urban wood businesses. Additionally, the program provides business development and marketing services. The session will include a take home project from Rocktown Urban Wood. Plus, a portable sawmill demonstration.

Jeremy Harold and partners show how Harrisonburg transforms EAB-damaged trees into usable urban wood. Learn canopy restoration strategies from Lemuel Hancock and statewide wood-reuse programs from Joe Lehnen. Includes a Rocktown Urban Wood project and a portable sawmill demo.

Life in the Pentagon, What Goes On Inside the Puzzle Palace?

With Christopher O'Donnell Monday, 9:30 am–11:30 am | IH 117 Aug. 31; Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5 Cost: $50

The Department of Defense is the largest organization in the federal government. Decisions are made every day on how to deter our foes, maintain capabilities and spend billions. This course covers the origins of the department, the organizations, budgeting, decision making and daily life in the largest non-high rise office building in the world.

Chris O'Donnell recently retired as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Platform and Weapon Portfolio Management and now consults for government and defense contractors. He spent 40 years in the Department of Defense in a wide range of leadership and management roles.

Family Estrangement

With William "Bill" Weech Monday, 9:30 am–11:30 am | IH 106 Sept. 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12 Cost: $45

Family estrangement affects over 20% of Americans, yet many suffer in silence. This interactive workshop offers peer support as we share experiences, coping strategies, and expert-informed reconciliation exercises. Learn from one another in a safe, stigma-free space focused on connection—not therapy.

Bill Weech, a retired leadership development professional and father of four adult children, began researching family estrangement after experiences in his own family. He looks forward to sharing his journey and learning from others. His past LLI workshops have explored happiness, life transitions, and cultural differences.

Hearing Loss and the Brain

With Kristin Quesenberry Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH Flex Space Sept. 14, 21 Cost: $30

Hearing loss and dementia. What's true and what's a scare tactic? Learn about hearing loss and how hearing loss impacts the brain and cognitive function. Learn what's true about the correlation between hearing loss and dementia. Find out what you need to know so that you can be informed and not just scared.

Kristin Quesenberry, originally from Wheeling, WV, is a graduate of West Virginia University and James Madison University. Shaped by lifelong family experiences with hearing loss, she brings deep compassion to her work as an audiologist and has spent more than 20 years educating and supporting patients with hearing needs.

Gardening Connections

With Jennifer Matthaei Cottrell Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 117 Sept. 14, 21 Cost: $30 (+$15 supply fee, collected by instructor first day, cash or check)

Discover how to multiply and cultivate the plants you already own by learning a variety of propagation methods. Participants will be provided with a wooden tray and glass jars to start rooting plants from cuttings. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a selection of cuttings and rootings to kickstart their gardening journey.

Gardening Connections is a group of six local gardeners—Chris Chrisley, Joy Coakley, Jennifer Matthaei Cottrell, Kim Landis Hamner, Diane Hirsch, and Janet Wendelken—committed to sharing their passion for gardening and horticulture.

Historical Ruminations

With David McQuilkin Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 104 Sept. 14, 21, 28 Cost: $35

Peek behind the curtain of history's scrapbook to glimpse the past and present. Then we'll examine, discuss and discover what connects these three random topics: the American Constitution, the Election of 1824, and Putin's Ukrainian perspective. Topics are offered individually or collectively during the semester - the only requirement is your curiosity.

Dr. McQuilkin taught History and Politics for more than forty years before retiring from Bridgewater College in 2009. An active community contributor, he has taught at BRCC, presented to civic groups, served as a political analyst for WHSV, and now serves on the Rockingham County Election Board.

Safe Seniors Workshop

With Kevin Fowler Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | Public Safety Building Sept. 14, 21, 28 Cost: $40

The Safe Seniors Workshop, hosted by the Harrisonburg Police Department, covers fraud and scam prevention, protecting your assets, and personal and home safety. Each week explores a new topic through engaging conversation and real-world examples of current trends, helping participants better protect themselves and others.

Kevin Fowler is Community Resource Supervisor at the Harrisonburg Police Department. He brings 13 years of experience, holds a Criminal Justice degree from Liberty University, and teaches defensive tactics at the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy.

Virginia History 1850s – 1900

TWO SESSIONS AVAILABLE — With George Gruner Monday, 9:30–11:30am OR 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 117 Oct. 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9 Cost: $45

We will look at the Pre-Civil War, Confederacy, Civil War (we will focus on battles that occurred in Virginia), Reconstruction and the late 19th century. Our look at these time periods/events will have an emphasis on the culture, governments, and life of the people of Virginia. Life on a Virginian plantation will be considered from the perspective of the enslaved African Americans. The approximate time period covered will be between 1850 and 1900.

George Gruner, a historian with 40+ years in teaching, has been a docent at the Woodrow Wilson Library, worked at Monticello, served as a Vermont State Representative, and managed political campaigns.

Mah Jongg

With Danielle Dorrian Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH Flex Space Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 Cost: $40

Mah Jongg is an ancient game of skill, strategy, and luck. In this class, you'll learn the 152 tiles, build walls, practice the Charleston, and play full games using provided sets. Participants are recommended to purchase the official 2026 National Mah Jongg League card ($15).

Danielle Dorrian has played Mah Jongg since eighth grade. She holds degrees from UC Santa Barbara and Washington State University and taught for 35 years. After moving to Virginia, she joined a welcoming group of experienced players who helped deepen her knowledge of the game.

Chess 1

With Tom Mack Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 106 Oct. 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16 Cost: $50

Want to learn or improve at chess? We'll cover the basic rules as well as key strategies and tactics. Each class will have time to play so you can practice right away. Build planning and problem-solving skills while meeting new people. Perfect for beginners and returning players.

Tom Mack, a retired elementary teacher, ran a weekly after-school chess club for 20 years and took students to VA Scholastic Chess League tournaments. He now spends his days creating, maintaining, and giving tours of Birdsong Pleasure Garden, their three-acre botanical garden near Luray.

Pilgrimage Today: Walking The Camino De Santiago and Other Pilgrimage Trails of Europe

With Russ Eanes Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 104 Oct. 12, 19 Cost: $30

Many have heard of the Camino de Santiago, Europe's most-traveled pilgrimage route. In 2018, Russ Eanes fulfilled a long-held dream by walking 500 miles over six weeks at age 61. Since then, he has completed 13 pilgrimages, written three books, and led groups in Spain, Portugal, Wales, Scotland, and Italy. Through his photographs and stories, he shows how pilgrimage travel can be deeply enriching, especially later in life.

Russ Eanes, former Executive Director of MennoMedia, is a writer and experienced international traveler. After walking the 500-mile Camino at 61, he has completed multiple pilgrimages, written bestselling books, teaches, and leads travel programs for older adults.

Intermediate iPhone Photography

With Frank Doherty Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 107 Oct. 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9 Cost: $45

This course builds on basic iPhone photography skills to help you create more intentional, polished images. Learn to improve portraits and landscapes, use light effectively, refine editing, organize your library, and share confidently through hands-on lessons, weekly assignments, and supportive group review.

Frank Doherty has more than 20 years of experience and is a longtime OASIS member and LLI instructor. He enjoys helping students gain confidence, develop their creative eye, and make the most of the camera they already own.

Resolving Disputes

With Chuck Boles Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 104 Oct. 19, 26 Cost: $30

Life isn't about avoiding arguments; it's about recognizing that while arguments are inevitable, escalation is optional. "Turning Arguments into Friendly Handshakes" is a two-session workshop teaching a six-step approach to proactively defuse conflict. Participants learn to transform potential arguments into productive conversations and, sometimes, even friendly handshakes.

Chuck Boles specializes in helping people, families, businesses, and organizations proactively prevent arguments from escalating into full-blown disputes. Chuck was a funding recipient of The JMU Adjunct Professor Professional Fund for the development of his workshop, "Turning Arguments into Friendly Handshakes!"

Stay Strong, Sharp & Healthy In Midlife And Beyond

With Dabney Vaccaro Monday, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm | IH 104 Oct. 26; Nov. 2, 9 Cost: $35

Aging well means supporting your body before issues arise. Join Dabney, a dental hygienist and holistic wellness educator, for a three-week series for women in midlife focused on hormones and energy, protecting bones and muscle, and the powerful links between oral health, inflammation, heart health, and longevity.

Dabney Vaccaro is a Registered Dental Hygienist, Clinical Herbalist, and Wellness Coach. She holds certificates in plant-based nutrition and health coaching, and completed a three-year clinical herbal program at Sacred Plant Traditions. She now maintains her own wellness practice.

Virginia History 1900 – Today

TWO SESSIONS AVAILABLE — With George Gruner Monday, 9:30 am–11:30 am OR 1:30-3:30pm | IH 117 Nov. 16, 30; Dec. 7, 14 Cost: $40

The class will explore Virginia's history from the 20th into the 21st century, focusing on significant events such as the second industrial revolution, the roaring twenties, both World Wars, the Great Depression, segregation, the Korean and Vietnam wars, Civil Rights, technological advancements, and political changes. Discussions will also encompass Virginia's future, covering the period from 1900 to 2026.

George Gruner, a historian with 40 plus years in teaching, has been a docent at the Woodrow Wilson Library, worked at Monticello, served as a Vermont State Representative, and managed political campaigns.