The Howard County
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F O C U S
VOL.13, NO.9
F O R
P E O P L E
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More than 30,000 readers throughout Howard County
Enjoy being a student again PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS
By Margaret Foster As the kids go back to school this fall, you can almost smell those new pencils and feel the excitement of learning something new. Many older adults in Howard County return to school this time of year, too. Hundreds of classes in our area are affordable or even free for older adults, and they’re available online or in person. Lifelong students say these classes introduce them to new ideas and new friends. Ask Elizabeth Fanto, 86, who has been teaching and taking classes at Renaissance Institute at Notre Dame of Maryland University for more than 20 years. “The first year I was retired, I was bored to tears. My husband and I [started taking classes], and it just opened up a whole world for us,” she said. “There’s such a wonderful social aspect. You make friends. For anyone who’s living alone, it’s just a boon.” And the best part? No tests, papers or grades — which takes the pressure off of teachers as well as students so they can get to know each other. Don and Jenny Killgallon, retired teachers who live in Cockeysville, have taught classes at Johns Hopkins’ Odyssey program for more than a decade. The two octogenarians have co-authored 22 books and teach three classes a year. “We have fun every time we teach a lesson,” Don Killgallon said. “We thoroughly enjoy the experience, and I think our students do as well. We learn a little bit about their lives and…they write some really wonderful things. It keeps us busy, and it’s fun.” Here are some continuing education programs for older adults in Howard County or nearby:
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Hundreds of free or affordable classes are available year-round throughout the region, either in person or virtually. Have a hankering to cook Mexican food or learn another new skill or sport? There are plenty of options for the over-55 crowd — fitness, studio art, technology, writing, history, birdwatching and more.
Howard Community College
Howard County Rec & Parks
HCC’s Personal Enrichment program has year-round classes in personal finance, music, art, literature, writing, gardening and many other subjects. Maryland residents 60 and older receive a tuition waiver for many classes (but fees are not waived). For more information, see bit.ly/HCCenrichment, email continuingeducation@howardcc.edu or call (443) 5181700.
In addition to fitness classes, bus tours and day hikes, the county’s Recreation & Parks department has a range of Active Adult classes for residents 55 and over. Take a class on how to use your phone and tablet; learn about astronomy at the planetarium; or make a stained-glass window. See howardcountymd.gov/rap or call (410) 313-4700 for more information.
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