Summer 2026 Workshop Descriptions

Be a Square Granny! Learn Beginner’s Crochet In Person

Grace Barry

Crochet is THE hot needlecraft lately because it is easy to do and fun to gift others our creations — but it’s tough to get started. Make a granny square with me and learn the fundamental stitches from which all other crochet projects are based.

Needed for the first meeting:

• 1 skein of acrylic #4 (worsted weight) yarn, light color preferred — no navy or black. Common brands: Red Heart, Caron, Lion.
• 1 crochet hook, US Size H (8) or I (9) — straight aluminum, plastic, or ergonomic are all fine.

These can be purchased at Walmart or Michaels or ordered online from Amazon.

How to Crochet a Simple Market Bag In Person

Anahi Walton Schafer

You will learn to crochet a simple market bag. You will need 3 skeins of mercerized cotton. You may find them at Michaels, Walmart, or your local craft store. On Amazon, 3 skeins of Caron All Day Cotton (3.52 oz each/176 yards, various colors) cost about $12.00. You also need a 5mm crochet hook, stitch markers, a darning needle, and scissors.

Introduction to Programming with Scratch® In Person

Kristin Holmes

Do you enjoy spending time with your grandchildren — and would love to surprise them with something new and exciting? This workshop is designed for people who are curious, creative, and ready to learn something fun! We’ll discuss how computer programs really work while creating simple animations, games, and interactive stories.

Scratch® is a free, easy-to-use online program that lets you create projects by snapping colorful blocks together — much like building with LEGO® bricks. Absolutely no experience is required. Whether you want to better understand the digital world, learn a new skill, or impress the kids with your new tech skills, this workshop is a wonderful place to start. Come learn, laugh, and create with us!

You will need to bring a laptop (Windows, Mac, or Chromebook). Tablets, iPads, and mobile phones won’t work.

Casual Cards and Games Open Play In Person

Mary and Scott McMullen

Casual Cards and Games Open Play will provide an opportunity for participants to choose from a variety of games that have been played in previous CCG workshops. An overview of the games offered will be provided each week. This workshop will be for new and returning Cards and Games participants.

Duplicate Bridge In Person

Arnie Fox

We will continue to enhance our bridge skills in a duplicate environment. Participants should have knowledge of conventions and techniques from previous semesters. Contact either workshop leader if you are unsure whether this workshop is appropriate for you.

History of Long Island Native Americans Zoom

John Gobler

At the beginning of this course, we will explore a brief overview of the origins of our Long Island Native Americans — where they come from and how they get here. Following that we will delve into where they settled on Long Island and explore their rich history and culture. We’ll learn about their crafts, skills, daily life, and societal traditions, and the impact of European settlement on their communities — a story of resilience, innovation, and enduring legacy. Finally, we’ll learn of their current day communities on Long Island and their activities.

Supremes Greatest Hits In Person

Tony Parlatore

An in-depth analysis and discussion of “All Things SCOTUS.” Emphasis is on the current Court, but prior decisions will be reviewed in light of current events and trends.

The Romans Say “Goodbye” on Stone Zoom

Thomas Hayes

This workshop will read and discuss inscriptions and epigraphic writing from the Roman world. This is non-literary Latin — the writing that was not published, or read, in ancient books.

We will look at the actual inscriptions, sometimes the actual stones, and learn some tricks for deciphering them, but everything will be translated. The focus will be on those personal and public messages and what they tell us about Roman life. All material will be available at olli.pbworks.com, updated each week by the Thursday following the session. Join us and discover the last farewell of a cross-section of Romans.

A Slow Read of a Big Book In Person

Joe Perlman

This summer we start out with one of our characters escaping Nazi-occupied Prague in a coffin in 1939 for Brooklyn and the burgeoning, super-hero, comic book trade in the city, and we end the class with a character escaping Long Island for the West Coast after the 1953 US Senate hearings into the indecency of comic books. Along the way, we spend a lot of time in New York City, particularly in the Empire State Building, and we also make forays to a beach house in New Jersey and a naval base in Antarctica during WWII.

The character-driven, Pulitzer Prize-winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is guaranteed to delight and entertain you, whether you read all 600 pages, listen to the audio book, or do a little of both.

Villains of Shakespeare In Person

Amy Benjamin

What makes a great villain? Shakespeare certainly knew. Let’s delve into the evil schemes of Iago, Cassius, Lady Macbeth, Claudius, Richard III, Regan & Goneril, and some debatable ones. We will not be reading whole plays, just the evil parts.

Adventures in Art and Photography Zoom

Eric Lohse

A workshop for all interested in sharing their images, whether photographs or paintings. Each session will view and discuss the images with the goal of achieving effective images. We welcome all skill levels. Look, laugh, and learn.

A Journey into the Great Divide of Human Consciousness In Person

Anthony A. Esposito

Explore the “explanatory gap” between subjective and objective consciousness, based on split-brain research and Iain McGilchrist’s work. Investigate how each hemisphere frames our experience.

Nature: The Unintelligent Designer In Person

Bob DeCostanzo

This workshop is an anthropological look at a select few aspects of human nature. We are reminded that Nature, through evolution, is more of a tinkerer than a master designer. A combination of lectures, discussion, and short videos will be used to examine our physical and cognitive design imperfections. Topics include:

• The “kluge” effect
• Physical architecture
• Cognitive architecture
• Sexual dimorphism
• Human cooperation
• Human aggression

Near Death & Spiritually Transformative Experiences Zoom

Rev. Catherine Chapey

In this workshop we will learn about Near Death Experiences (NDEs) and Near Death Like or Spiritually Transformative Experiences (STEs). We will listen to different speakers who will share their NDEs and STEs. When we have a speaker join us, there will be time for Q&A, insights, and feedback after our speaker shares.

We will come to understand how their life journeys were altered through these extraordinary life-changing events, how these experiences have changed them for the better, and how the obstacles they have faced and overcome have become a catalyst for living a more authentic and purposeful life. We will discuss the implications of such experiences in society, and how they are life-changing not only for the experiencers, but also for the many that hear their stories.