Center for Creative Retirement
We offer more educational and fun classes, trips and workshops to keep you actively engaged.
How to Register
- Register online by selecting "Add to Cart" on the desired course(s) and select "Cart" at the bottom of the page when you are ready to checkout.
- The “Seats Left” information is updated every half hour and when you checkout.
- Other registration options are available.
Don’t see the course you are looking for below? Sign up to get updates and news about upcoming classes.
Courses
- Gravestone Restoration Workshop
- Jazz Diplomacy: Cold War, Civil Rights and American Culture
- The Saugerties Lighthouse
- Tour "The Joe" in Rensselaer County
- Understanding the Middle East
- World War I
Gravestone Restoration Workshop
Do you like old cemeteries and find gravestones interesting? Have you ever wondered how to properly clean them and make simple repairs? Back by popular demand, this hands-on gravestone restoration workshop will teach you how to clean stones and use appropriate mortars and epoxy to make repairs. You will learn best practices that will do no harm to gravestones that are more than a century old. All cleaning and repair materials and tools will be provided. You will need to bring a rinse bucket or dishpan. Gloves and garden seat are optional. Refreshments and bottled water will be provided. Join us in Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Avenue, Menands for a fun, informative and relaxing workshop!
Course will be held at The Living Room Art Gallery, Historic St. Agnes Cemetery, 48 Cemetery Ave, Menands.
Kelly Grimaldi, Instructor
Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
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Thursday, 5/9 10:00 am - 1:00 pm |
ZCCR-488 600 | 0 seats left | $52 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
Jazz Diplomacy: Cold War, Civil Rights and American Culture
This course looks at the use of one of America’s great cultural creations - jazz - as a diplomatic tool. Starting in the 1950s, jazz was used as a way to counter Soviet propaganda, highlighting the contribution of great musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. But how did those musicians reconcile their status as global ambassadors of American culture with the challenges of the Civil Rights movement at home? The answer is manifested in the music they played, the compositions they created in response to encountering new cultures, and the musicians they inspired around the world. The course also looks at cultural diplomacy today and the continued effectiveness of American “soft power.”
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
James Ketterer, Instructor
Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday, 6/11 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
ZCCR-751 700 | 30 seats left | $19 | Opens 5/15 |
The Saugerties Lighthouse
Join us at the Saugerties Lighthouse, an 1869 landmark on the Hudson River that now stands proudly as a living museum and a renowned bed and breakfast. The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy maintains the lighthouse and adjacent lands for the enjoyment of the public. The restored red-brick lighthouse offers overnight bed and breakfast accommodations, public tours and special events. Furnished as it may have looked in the early 20th century, the lighthouse contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen, keepers’ quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The operational light tower offers a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains. Because of its location on the river, tours must be scheduled with tide schedules in mind. The lighthouse can be reached via a half-mile nature trail of dirt and rock paths with wooden bridges and boardwalks and sandy trails. It is at the end of Lighthouse Drive in the village of Saugerties, New York. Suitable, comfortable shoes are recommended. Course fee includes a $8 materials fee.
Michele Doodian, Coordinator
Directions: Southbound on NYS Thruway/I-87 to the RT-32 exit-(Exit 20) - toward Saugerties/Woodstock. Turn left onto NY-32, turn left onto NY-212/NY-32, which becomes Ulster Ave. Continue on Ulster Ave. for 1.0 mile, bear right at Market St., go 1 block turn left at Main St., go 1 block stay straight to US-9W/Main St. Go 0.4 miles where 9W curves to the left, turn right onto Mynderse St., go 0.3 miles turn slight left onto Lighthouse Dr. Go 0.4 miles turn right into the lighthouse parking lot after the US Coast Guard station. Follow the lighthouse trail. Go 0.5 miles. Please wear comfortable shoes.
Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
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Thursday, 5/9 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm |
ZCCR-337 600 | 0 seats left | $22 | Section Full Call to be added to wait list |
Tour "The Joe" in Rensselaer County
The ValleyCats are an independent professional baseball team, set to begin their third year as members of the Frontier League. They play home games at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, or “The Joe” as some fans call it. The stadium is located on our very own Hudson Valley Community College campus. There isn’t a bad seat in the house at The Joe! The stadium holds 4,500 people and includes 10 high-end luxury suites and four picnic areas for group outings. They play 48 home games at The Joe from May through September. Get ready to celebrate the 2024 season by touring The Joe. Take a look at their great facilities, hear what’s new for the coming year and get a look at the batting cage and locker room.
Jean Chenette, Coordinator
Directions: The Joe Bruno Stadium is located on the Hudson Valley Community College’s Campus. The meeting spot will be at the ValleyCats box office.
Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
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Tuesday, 6/4 10:00 am - 11:30 am |
ZCCR-317 700 | 25 seats left | $12 | Opens 5/15 |
Understanding the Middle East
This course explores various aspects of the recent history, culture, and religions of the Middle East, seeking to put these factors into a broader context and undo many of the stereotypes and myths that pervade American views of the region. The course offers an overview of the modern Middle East and reviews populations, languages, religions, key historical events over the last several decades, and where things stand now. Course instructor James Ketterer has lived and worked across the region and recently returned from Egypt, where he held an academic appointment at the American University in Cairo.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
James Ketterer, Instructor
Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday, 6/18 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
ZCCR-752 700 | 28 seats left | $19 | Opens 5/15 |
World War I
This class provides a military overview and analysis of the strategies and methods of the way WWI was fought, as well as an analysis of major battles and decisions on both sides that ultimately determined the Allied victory and the shaping of our world today.
Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 113
Thad Gaebelein, Instructor
Schedule | Section | Seats Left | Cost | Register |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday, 6/17 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
ZCCR-770 700 | 30 seats left | $19 | Opens 5/15 |
Course Categories
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Alternative Dental Assisting Program (ADAP)
- Arts & Crafts
- Aviation and Aerial Vehicle (Drone)
- Biotech and Health Sciences
- Building Technology
- Business & Financial Planning
- Center for Creative Retirement
- Certificate Programs
- Clean Energy and Sustainability
- Communication
- Computers
Additional Resources
![Are you ready?](../../../_files/images/content-blocks/col3/are-you-ready.jpg)
Here you will find forms for all of our courses and programs, including kids on campus, related to registration, consent and release, scholarship requests and more.
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Cancellation and refund policies vary depending on the type and length of course. Find out about course cancellations, requesting a refund and more.
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The Office of Community, Professional and Workforce Development is interested in new and innovative instructors and course ideas that will be of interest to community members.
Get in Touch
Community, Professional and Workforce Development
Fax: (518) 629-8103
Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer 2024 Hours (May 20 - July 26): Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday, Closed
(excluding college holidays and vacations)