ALFA
Adult Learning
in the Fitchburg Area
SPRING 2016
LIFELONG LEARNING COURSES • SPECIAL EVENTS
FOOD FOR THOUGHT SPEAKER SERIES
SHIRLEY PICK SPRING SERIES
What is ALFA?
ALFA (Adult Learning in the
Fitchburg Area) is a lifelong
learning institute that serves adult
learners in Fitchburg and the
surrounding communities.
ALFA is sponsored by Graduate and Continuing Education at
Fitchburg State University in collaboration with volunteer members
of the community.
We offer non-credit daytime classes, trips, special events, and a free
speaker series. ALFA students are encouraged to volunteer and
participate in program leadership
and development as well as social
and recreational activities. A limited
number of scholarships are available.
OUR MISSION:
ALFA provides an opportunity for
lifelong learners to meet and share
interests in an informal setting and
pursue learning for enrichment and
personal growth.
Have you always wanted to teach?
Have a specialty that you think others would be interested in?
We’re always looking for new instructors and new subject
areas to offer our ALFA’s. Contact us at
alfa@fitchburgstate.edu for details about
becoming an ALFA instructor.
Have a question?
Call the ALFA Office at 978-665-3706, email us at
alfa@fitchburgstate.edu, or stop by the ALFA
Office at the McKay Campus School, Room C-170.
ALFA Instructors / Spring 2016
Allo, Gail...................................................................12
Ayadi, Bill..................................................................11
Barnacoat, Chris................................................ 15, 17
Bebick, Laurie...........................................................9
Choiniere, Joe......................................................4, 11
Cragin, Sally............................................................ 13
Fava Thomas, Teresa............................................. 16
Fillip, Nancy..........................................................5, 12
Flynn, Kathy....................................................... 15, 17
Goyette, Bruce.................................................. 15, 17
Harvey, Odette.................................................. 15, 17
Hens, Sally.................................................................7
Hinckley, Joyce........................................................11
Howick, Laura..........................................................4
Kondig, Walter.................................................. 15, 17
LaBollita, Ann-marie.............................................. 14
Langhart, Nick........................................................ 16
Leblanc, Amy............................................. 6, 7, 13, 16
Lindstedt, Judith........................................ 3, 9, 11, 17
Luongo Stein, Dona............................................... 17
Maguire, Jane...........................................................7
McGuirk, Barbara.....................................................5
McNall, Karen...........................................................7
Moison, Lisa..............................................................3
Morrison, Francis.....................................................8
Moser, Joseph....................................................... 15
Ness, Marjorie........................................................ 17
Norton, Emily...........................................................8
Pedigree, Carol....................................................... 14
Railton, Ben..............................................................9
Reynolds, Barbara..............................................5, 13
Sewright, Kathleen .................................................4
Skolnik, Arthur.........................................................6
Wagner, Shirley...................................................4, 12
Welch, Alice........................................................ 6, 13
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Session III / At-a-Glance
Session III
Times
Monday
Jan. 25; Feb. 1,
8, 22, 29
Tuesday
Jan. 26; Feb.
2, 9, 16, 23
Wednesday
Jan. 27; Feb.
3, 10, 17, 24
9:30am 11:00am
Rec Center
10:00am 11:30am
Rec Center
Thursday
Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11,
18, 25
Aqua Aerobics
Stretch and
Tone
Zumba
Fitness
Fusion Mix
Expanding
American
Histories
10:30am –
12:00pm
11:00am –
12:30pm
I am Malala
Book Discussion
Group
Beethoven
Astride Two Eras
12:20pm –
1:50pm
2:30pm –
4:00pm
2
Friday
Jan. 29; Feb.
5, 12, 19, 26
Winter Wildlife
Tracking
Improving Your
Bridge Skills I
Zentangle
Art
The Tragedy
of Macbeth
American
Mah Jongg
Quilting
ALFA Walk,
Snowshoe, and
Ski About
The Future...
or Not!
Aspects of the
Indust. Revolution
in England and
New England
Looking and
Listening
Environmental
Themes and Issues
Not Your Kids
Crayons:
Exploring
Today’s
Colored
Pencils
SESSION III: JANUARY – MARCH, 2016
STRETCH & TONE
Mondays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29
Limited to 11 students.
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center Dance Studio
This course offers a low-impact workout, which
combines sitting down & toning up with standing
up & stretching! We will work with light weights to
build your strength and flexibility, while increasing
your energy and firing up your muscles.
Instructor: Judith Lindstedt is a retired dancer,
choreographer, director, TV producer, Actors’
Equity performer, and holds M. Ed. & CAGS degrees from Fitchburg State.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP / I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up
for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
Come participate in ALFAs free book discussion
group! We’ll be reading, I Am Malala. When
Mondays: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in
Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29
Offered FREE of charge
Pakistan Malala Yousafzai spoke out. This is the
Limited to 30 students.
true story of one young girls struggle to fight for
Fitchburg State University
education for girls and against global terrorism.
Center for Professional Studies
Malala tells her readers, “One child, one teacher,
one book and one pen can change the world.”
This book discussion group is part of Fitchburg State University’s Community Read program.
Required book: I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stoop Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban.
Instructor: Lisa Moison, Ed.D. is the Director for Professional Studies and Extended Campus
Programs at Fitchburg State University. She has a B.S. in English/Secondary Education from
Fitchburg State University, a Master’s in English from Mercy College, and a Doctorate in Education
from Fielding University.
WINTER WILDLIFE TRACKING
From moose to mice, there are a lot of
active winter wildlife in our area. Almost
Mondays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
50 different animals leave snow tracks as
Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29
Limited to 12 students.
they go about their overnight activities,
Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary
revealing secrets about their diet, habitat,
113 Goodnow Road, Princeton
and where they take shelter. While indoors,
we will study photographs of animal tracks
and wildlife life histories. We will then head outside (weather permitting) to search
for signs of winter life. Books or materials recommended:
(continued next page)
Trackards for North American Mammals by David Brown.
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Instructor: Joe Choiniere is Mass Audubon’s Central Sanctuaries Property Manager, dividing
time between Worcester’s Broad Meadow Brook Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and
Princeton’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. He has worked for Mass Audubon since 1975
at various sites and in different capacities, serving as Property Manager at Laughing Brook in
Hampden, MA and Sanctuary Director at Wachusett Meadow. Joe is a lifelong naturalist and has
a B.S. in Natural History from UMass/Amherst.
BEETHOVEN ASTRIDE TWO ERAS
This course will introduce listeners to Ludwig
van Beethoven’s (1770-1827) music through a
survey of his most important works. In addition
to discussing the history and transformation
of music-making, this course will provide
direction for developing and improving listening skills. No previous training or skills in
music are necessary for this class.
Mondays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Kathleen Sewright currently teaches in the Humanities Department of Fitchburg
State University. She holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Historical
Musicology. Sewright specializes in early music and music of the nineteenth century.
IMPROVING YOUR BRIDGE SKILLS I
Mondays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29
Fitchburg State University
Focus on playing the hands. Using resources
from the Richmond Bridge Association which
are shared online, we will develop and hone our
skills playing bridge hands in suit and no trump
contracts. Basic understanding of bridge needed.
Instructor: Dr. Shirley Wagner is a professor emerita at Fitchburg State University. She also is a
certified American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) teacher and manager of the Twin City Bridge
Club which holds weekly duplicate bridge games on Wednesday mornings.
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FABRIC DYEING
This course is geared for individuals interested
Mondays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
in exploring simple fabric dyeing techniques in
Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29
their own home. Participants will learn how to
Limited to 15 students
mix fiber reactive dyes safely as well techniques
Fitchburg State University
for making beautiful fabric. Materials fee: $15.00
covers dye (based on 8enrolled students).
Books or materials recommended: Tray Dyeing by Leslie Morgan and Claire Benn;
Color by Accident by Ann Johnston. Participants will need 2 yards washed 100% cotton fabric.
Note: A complete list of needed materials will be available upon registration.
Instructor: Ann-marie LaBollita is an artist and former high school art teacher. She enjoys
making decorative paper, bookmaking, printmaking and fabric dyeing. For the last five years,
she has been focusing on fabric dyeing, surface design and quilting.
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ZENTANGLE ART
If you can hold a pen, you can zentangle. No
artistic experience necessary. Come learn this
new, fast growing art skill which can be used
in so many ways. Zentangle is an easy-to-learn,
relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images
by drawing structured patterns. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction
along with an increased sense of personal wellbeing. Just Google “zentangle designs” to
see hundreds of examples. Bring a pad of watercolor, calligraphy or marker paper. Anything
that will not allow the pen to leak through. Also bring a #2 pencil and a BLACK ultra-fine tip
marker. Micron pens are the best. They are sold at Michaels.
Tuesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Nancy Fillip is a retired high school and middle school science and math instructor.
She currently teaches a variety of classes at ALFA, at the Fitchburg Art Museum, and teaches
classes online for an educational company. Nancy also teaches art, piano, flute, saxophone, and
clarinet at her home studio in Pepperell. She has published six books and is a member of The
National Poetry Society.
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Tuesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23
Fitchburg State University
Macbeth is considered one of the most evil of
all Shakespearean villains, yet he is a complex
figure with more to his character than just his
malicious deeds. In addition to exploring the
nature of Macbeth, this course will also look at
Shakespeare’s life and his world.
Instructor: Barbara McGuirk is a retired teacher who taught high school English for over forty
years. She was Chair of the English Department at St. Bernards High School and a mentor teacher.
She has a Masters in Secondary Education from Fitchburg State University.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG
Mah Jongg, the fascinating game of strategy,
similar to rummy, played with tiles, originated
in China. Mah Jongg remains one of the most
popular game in Eastern and South Eastern Asia.
A certain amount of time and effort is required
to master the elementary principles of the game.
This will be repaid many times by the enjoyment derived from the game. Required materials:
National Mah Jongg League, Inc. cards, which will be provided at the first class meeting ($9
due at first class). Books or materials recommended: Mah Jongg Made Easy, National Mah
Jongg League, Inc.; How to Play Mah Jongg, National Mah Jongg League, Inc.
Tuesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23
Limited to 12 students
Fitchburg Senior Center
Instructor: Barbara Reynolds, of Lunenburg, is a retired Senior Center Director. She has been
playing Mah Jongg for over five years, and has volunteered with ALFA as the Mah Jongg
instructor since 2014.
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ZUMBA FITNESS®
Wednesdays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24
Limited to 10 Students
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center-Dance Studio
Energetic, fast-paced, cardio fitness workout
that feels like a dance party. Move to the beat
of Latin inspired music with an emphasis on
having fun. Burn calories and make some smiles!
Materials: an exercise/yoga mat for floor work
and stretching at the end of class (optional).
Instructor: Amy Leblanc is a group fitness
instructor who has been leading classes from Aqua Aerobics to Zumba Fitness® for many years.
Coaching and caring for every student’s fitness goals and abilities keeps her classes comfortable
and challenging.
QUILTING
This course is for both the beginning and more
advance quilter. We will focus on a quilting
Wednesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24
project that can be adapted to either and will
Limited to 15 students.
completed within class. Materials Fee: $10 cash
Brooks Pond Cottage
fee, collected at the first class for the quilting
200 Brooks Pond Rd., Leominster
book. Equipment needed: Sewing machine, gray
or tan cotton thread, basic sewing kit, (small
scissors, rotary cutter, seam ripper, extra needles, pins, etc.), fabric for individual project.
Instructor: Alice Welch is a retired librarian who started quilting when she retired in 2002. She
has taken many quilting classes and has made many different kinds of quilts including lap robes,
full bed quilts, jackets and bags.
THE FUTURE …OR NOT!
What is about to happen to all of us on this planet
has never occurred in all the history of life on this
planet. The exponential growth of technology
has brought us to a point that will most assuredly
present us with our replacements. This course
will discuss robotics, nanotechnology, and the infinite storage capacity of knowledge that
has developed within this century. So, come with me on a journey into our near future and
get a taste of what’s coming and what you should be prepared to accept.
Wednesday: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Arthur M. Skolnik, FAIA is an Architect, Urban Planner/Designer who has
had a varied and respected career in thinking out of the box. For the last five years, he
has read numerous books and publications. His fascination with the future has brought
him in contact with like-minded scientists, inventors, thinkers and futurists alike.
6
LOOKING AND LISTENING: ART AND MUSICAL PAIRINGS
In this course, we will examine pairings of visual
works of art with musical compositions to
Wednesdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24
identify their commonalities. They may share
Leominster Public Library
many attributes including source of inspiration,
historical and cultural backgrounds, or possibly
Sponsored by Friends of the
Leominster Library. FREE of charge. similarities in theme, style, and technique. The
selections will come from a wide range of periods
and artistic movements. We will examine two to
three pairs per class, so we will have ample time to hear sufficient excerpts of the music while
we closely study the painting.
Instructor: Jane Maguire was an educator in the Leominster School System for 37 years, serving
as an English teacher, department chair, and assistant principal.
AQUA AEROBICS
Thursdays: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center Pool
Aqua Aerobics will consist of cardio and muscle
toning with water buoys, belts or noodles
in the water. It is a gentle workout with no
impact on joints.
Instructor: Amy Leblanc is a group fitness
instructor who has been leading classes from Aqua
Aerobics to Zumba Fitness® for many years. Coaching and caring for every student’s fitness goals
and abilities keeps her classes comfortable and challenging.
ALFA WALK, SNOWSHOE, AND SKI ABOUT
Winter is a beautiful time in New England!
Spend some time exploring trails by foot, ski or
snowshoe. We will again offer at least 5 sessions
to explore local trails. Because winter in New
England is not predictable, we may not be able to
have our outings weekly. We will ask you to sign
up for session 3, but we may have meetings during the sessions 4 schedule at no additional
cost. Dogs are welcome. Participants should be able to walk several miles over uneven trails
with a possible small stream crossing. Books or materials recommended: Water, layers of
clothing, including rain gear, walking sticks.
Thursdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
Sholan Farm
1125 Pleasant St., Leominster
Instructors: Sally Hens is a retired teacher and dietician. She is currently a seasonal ranger at
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Karen McNall is a retired elementary school teacher
and a volunteer for the Leominster Recreation Department. Karen has a strong interest in the
environment and the benefits of nature’s gifts.
7
ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
In England and New England
This course will explore the beginnings of modern
technology in eighteenth and nineteenth century
England and New England using developments
in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, as representative
examples. This will include: textiles (spinning
and weaving, the introduction of the Arkwright water frame, and the power loom); and
machine building (the development of the engine lathe, David Wilkinson’s screw-cutting
engine, Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, Sylvanus and Addison Sawyer’s rattan-splitting machines,
and Charles Burleigh’s rock drill). We will also explore the use of patents to control ownership
of technology and power sources, including the developments in both water and steam.
Books or materials recommended: A bibliography will be provided.
Thursdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Francis D. Morrison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Business
Administration at Fitchburg State University; lawyer (no longer practicing); and an amateur
researcher of the history of industry.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEMES AND ISSUES
This course will include discussions of
sustainability, stewardship, sound science,
ecosystem capital, policy and politics, and
globalization. We will read excerpts from
environmental writings of Aldo Leopold, Garrett
Hardin and others. Students will determine their ecological footprints, watch An Inconvenient
Truth and Gasland 2, and discuss issues related to the proposed pipeline.
Thursdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Emily Norton is a retired high school teacher of biology and environmental science.
She is the founder of Friends of Willard Brook and recipient of the NABT Outstanding Biology
Teacher Award for MA (2000), NRWA Environmental Education Award (2006), NVCoC Lewis
Award for Service and Leadership (2009), and the River Stewardship Award from the LWV and
SuAsCo River Stewardship Council (2014).
FUSION MIX
This two-for-one body conditioning class
takes the best exercises from at least two
difference disciplines and puts them into one
effective workout. This course will include: a
sit down WARM-UP stretch, very basic ballet
BARREWORK for leg and core strength, and
mindful SCULPTING of standing Pilates to
promote postural awareness and breathing techniques with movement. You will challenge
your muscles in new ways to keep the body guessing and to exercise the mind. This mix
Fridays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26
Limited to 11 students.
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center-Dance Studio
8
(continued next page)
will keep you motivated by spicing up “been-there-done-that” routines. Recommended
Materials: Proper shoes, socks, or bare feet; tights and top.
Instructor: Judith Lindstedt is a retired dancer, choreographer, director, TV producer, and
Actors’ Equity performer, and holds M.Ed. & CAGS degrees from Fitchburg State.
EXPANDING AMERICAN HISTORIES
This course begins with histories we seem to
remember well (the Revolution and Founding;
The Civil War; the Frontier/Wild West; World
War II; the 1960s), and then examines less
familiar figures, texts, and stories from those
histories. These forgotten parts of our best-known histories are as interesting and inspiring
as they are important. Participants will read primary sources and consider them from our
contemporary perspective.
Fridays: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Ben Railton, Associate Professor of English and Coordinator of American Studies
at Fitchburg State University, is committed to producing works of public scholarship. His most
recent works include “The Chinese Exclusion Act: What It Can Teach Us about America (2013);”
a daily American Studies blog (http://americanstudier.blogspot.com); and contributions to sites
such as “We’re History” and “The Conversation.”
NOT YOUR KIDS’ CRAYONS:
Exploring Today’s Colored Pencils
Modern manufacturing systems and higher
standards have propelled the lowly colored
pencil into the realm of fine art. By the process
of layering colors and various application
techniques, students can achieve the wonderfully
rich paintings that colored pencils are known for.
We will cover areas such as materials and tools; rendering techniques for creating form,
depth, and textures; and the topics of value, color theory and composition. After completing
this course, you will have a basic understanding of how to use colored pencils and techniques
applicable to all art media. No drawing experience is needed. Materials list will be provided by
the instructor upon registration. Note: this is an introductory course for those who have little
to no experience with colored pencils.
Fridays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Jan. 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26
Limited to 15 students.
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Laurie Bebick, has a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from the Rhode Island
School of Design and has been teaching art courses since 2014. She is a realist painter, specializing
in nature based art. Her primary media is colored pencil. Her art is currently in private collections
and she has been in many shows. For more information on Laurie Bebick’s artwork, please visit
www.risingmoondesignstudio.com.
9
Session IV / At-a-Glance
Session IV At-a-Glance
Session IV
Times
Monday
March 7, 21, 28;
April 4, 11
Tuesday
March 8, 22,
29; April 5, 12
Wednesday
Thursday
March 9, 23, March 10, 24,
30; April 6, 13 31; April 7, 14
9:30 am 11:00 am
Rec Center
10:00 am 11:30 am
Rec Center
Friday
March 11, 25;
April 1, 8, 15
Aqua
Aerobics
Stretch
and Tone
Introduction
to Islam
12:20 pm –
1:50 pm
Nature
in Spring
IkebanaJapanese Flower
Arranging
2:30 pm –
4:00 pm
Zumba
Fitness
American
Mah Jongg
Quilting
How To
Improve Your
Memory
Looking
at Art
Poetry of New
England and
Beyond
Breathe Your
Way Into Life
Altering
Experiences
Historic
Architecture
in New
England
World Music
Spring Poetry
Inspired
by Malala
ItalianAmerican
Immigration
History
Cooks from
TV
Improving
Your
Bridge Skills II
Fusion Mix
Cooks from
TV
DepressionEra
Hollywood
Films
11
10
SESSION IV: MARCH – APRIL 2016
Mondays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Mar. 7, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11
Limited to 11 students.
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center-Dance Studio
STRETCH & TONE
See description and instructor bio in Session III
on Mondays, Page 3.
Instructor: Judith Lindstedt
INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
This class will provide an overview of the basic
practices and beliefs of Islam and fit them into
the Abrahamic continuum of Judaeo Christian
Islamic belief. In addition, we will look at
relevant history, the diversity of Islamic culture,
the differences between Sunni and Shiite, and possible causes for current issues. Class
is designed to allow plenty of time for questions and discussion. Book recommended:
Islam by Karen Armstrong
Mondays: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Mar. 7, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Bill Ayadi is a retired engineer born in Tunisia. He was educated in both Tunisia and
Europe. Arabic was his first language and he grew up immersed in its stories and traditions.
He is a life-long student of history, literature, and art. Joyce Hinckley is a retired psychologist
and educa­tor. She is also a life-long student of history, religion, art, and culture. She is truly
passionate about making connections across disciplines.
NATURE IN SPRING
Mondays: 12:20-1:50 p.m.
Mar. 7, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11
Limited to 15 students.
Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary
113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton
Spring begins early in the natural world. By
March 1, owls are already nesting, skunk cabbage
may be blooming, and birds are on the move
northward. Each week brings new arrivals, new
awakenings, and new sights and sounds. We will
explore the grounds of the wildlife sanctuary
looking for signs of spring’s return.
Instructor: Joe Choiniere is Mass Audubon’s Central Sanctuaries Property Manager, dividing
time between Worcester’s Broad Meadow Brook Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and
Princeton’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. He has worked for Mass Audubon since 1975
at various sites and in different capacities, serving as Property Manager at Laughing Brook in
Hampden, MA and Sanctuary Director at Wachusett Meadow. Joe is a lifelong naturalist and has
a B.S. in Natural History from UMass/Amherst.
11
IKEBANA: JAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGING
Mondays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 7, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11
Limited to 15 students.
Fitchburg State University
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. It has definite conventions that are concerned
with shape, line, and form. Learn the basics of
Ikebana in a hands-on supportive class and take
an arrangement home with you each week.
A materials fee of $25 dollars (cash) is due at the
first class. Please bring a cutting implement.
Instructor: Gail Allo owned and ran a local flower shop for twenty years before becoming a high
school English teacher.
IMPROVING YOUR BRIDGE SKILLS II
Mondays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 7, 21, 28; Apr. 4, 11
Fitchburg State University
Focus on Defensive Strategy. Using resources
from the Richmond Bridge Association which
are shared online, we will develop and hone our
skills as defensive players emphasizing opening
leads, signaling and communicating with your
partner on defense
Instructor: Dr. Shirley Wagner is a professor emerita at Fitchburg State University. She also is a
certified American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) teacher and manager of the Twin City Bridge
Club which holds weekly duplicate bridge games on Wednesday mornings.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Whether you’re getting old or not, we all have
those moments where we forget where we
Tuesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
have placed the car keys or have forgotten why
Mar. 8, 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12
Fitchburg State University
we went upstairs in the first place. So come to
class and learn tricks and skills on how to help
yourself in those situations. We will be discussing all aspects of memory loss, why it happens,
and ways to improve your memory. This class is fun and interactive. Bring a notebook for
writing things down and a folder to hold all the handouts. Don’t forget!
Instructor: Nancy Fillip is a retired high school and middle school science and math instructor.
She currently teaches a variety of classes at ALFA, at the Fitchburg Art Museum, and teaches
classes online for an educational company. Nancy also teaches art, piano, flute, saxophone, and
clarinet at her home studio in Pepperell. She has published 6 books and is a member of The
National Poetry Society.
12
Tuesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Mar. 8, 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12
Limited to 12 students.
Fitchburg Senior Center
AMERICAN MAH JONGG
See description and instructor bio in Session III
on Tuesdays, Page 5.
Instructor: Barbara Reynolds
POETRY OF NEW ENGLAND AND BEYOND
From the time the Pilgrims planted their first
garden, New England has produced poets in
Tuesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
every generation since. We will explore some
Mar. 8, 22, 29; Apr. 5, 12
amazing poetry from our earliest years to the
Leominster Public Library
present day by authors who were known in their
Sponsored by Friends of the
heyday, but all but forgotten today. Enrich your
Leominster Library. FREE of charge.
life with lively verse and classic work by some of
our best versifiers, including Dickinson, Frost,
Plath, Sexton, Emerson and others. We’ll also spend time reading contemporary poetry and
poetry from 19th century Fitchburg residents, such as Caroline Atherton Mason. Instructor: Sally Cragin is an author and artist who has published The Astrological Elements and
Astrology on the Cusp with Llewellyn Worldwide. Her books have sold widely in the US and in
many countries overseas. She serves on the Board of New England Poetry Club. More information
on Sally can be found at moonsigns.net. Wednesdays: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Mar. 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center-Dance Studio
Wednesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Mar. 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13
Limited to 15 students.
Brooks Pond Cottage
200 Brooks Pond Rd., Leominster
ZUMBA FITNESS®
See description and instructor bio in Session III
on Wednesdays, Page 6.
Instructor: Amy Leblanc
QUILTING
See description and instructor bios in Session III
on Wednesdays, Page 6.
Instructor: Alice Welch
13
LOOKING AT ART
Are you baffled when you look at some works
of art? In this course you’ll learn some tools
Wednesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
for making sense of unfamiliar artwork while
Mar. 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13
exploring the Fitchburg Art Museum’s galleries.
Limited to 12 students.
We’ll look at African, ancient Egyptian, and
Fitchburg Art Museum
contemporary art, plus photographs from
FAM’s collection. A variety of approaches for
interpreting art will be taught, from the elements of formal analysis to creative and critical
thinking skills. This class is highly participatory, so come ready to look, experiment, and
respond. Books or materials recommended: A notebook, pencil, and an open mind.
Instructor: Laura Howick, Director of Education at the Fitchburg Art Museum, has worked as an
art museum educator in four Massachusetts art museums for over twenty-five years. Her teaching
credentials include co-teaching in the Project Zero Summer Institute at Harvard Graduate School
of Education for eight years, docent and teacher workshops for various museums and schools,
and teaching the Museum Education and Interpretation course in the Tufts University Museum
Studies program for two semesters. BREATHE YOUR WAY INTO LIFE ALTERING EXPERIENCES
Are you breathing too fast? Are you a chest
breather? Do you breathe from the mouth? If so,
Wednesdays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
your body is in a continuous mode of nervous
Mar. 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13
Fitchburg State University
anxiety. This class will change your life. Your
breath is connected to your nervous system and
most importantly, the way you think. Diaphragmatic breathing is our first and primary lesson.
This exercise brings an abundance of oxygen into the cells/blood. You will learn how a calm,
slow breath nourishes your body and mind. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease,
fibromyalgia, asthma, diabetes, arthritis, migraine headaches, snoring, sleep apnea, fatigue,
sleeplessness, depression, etc. breath work may help to alleviate some of your symptoms.
Students will also experience the value of inner sound as a technique to stimulate the
fluid system as a way to relax and eliminate painful areas in the body, including back pain.
Additionally, simple yogic postures will be demonstrated. Books recommended: Freedom
from Stress by Dr. Phil Nuenberger; The Creative Power of the Voice by Laurel E. Keyes; The
Healing Power of the Breath by Richard Brown, MD and Patricia Gerbarg, MD.
Instructor: Carol Pedigree is a graduate of Smith College, Northampton, MA. After personal,
extensive experimentation and research with conscious breathing and inner sound, she has
discovered ways to access and heal physical pain, as well as change unhealthy thought patterns.
14
COOKS FROM TV
This course will feature the recipes and food
creations from a variety of TV chefs. Each
Wednesdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 9, 16, 23, 30; Apr. 6
week, one of our five enthusiastic instructors
SPECIAL SCHEDULING
will present the work of a different chef.
Limited to 17 students.
This impressive lineup includes recipes and
Fitchburg High School, Room 140
techniques from James Beard, Giada de
Laurentiis, The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten,
Lidia Bastianich, and the five chefs from ABC’s “The Chew”. Please join us for fun, instruction,
and samples. Material fee: $20 (cash only) is due at the first class.
Instructors: Bruce Goyette earned his B.S. and M.Ed. at Fitchburg State. In retirement he pursues
his passions for journalism (Editor of ALFA’s newsletter, ALFA-BITS), reading, music, gardening,
and cooking. Kathy Flynn is a retired elementary school teacher and ALFA Curriculum Committee
member. Odette Harvey has taken several cooking classes including one taught by a chef from
The Old Mill. While living in Canada, she was food service supervisor at a general hospital for
ten years. As an active ALFA, she has also completed several courses in the Cooking Classes. She
loves to organize, cook, and bake foods for cookouts and parties for close friends and family.
Walter Kondig is a 1965 graduate of Fitchburg State. He worked for 20 years for Foster Grant
(R&D) and 20 years in the human service field. He retired in 2008. He has always loved to cook
and bake. Chris Barnacoat has taught for 40 years in England, Australia, and Townsend, MA.
Along with his many other interests, retirement gives him time to stir the culinary cauldron
and learn about the art of healthy eating and the amazing role that certain foods and
nutrients play in our healthy lives.
DEPRESSION-ERA HOLLYWOOD FILMS:
Comedies, Tragedies, and a Few In Between
This course will engage with the culture of
the Great Depression through film viewings,
readings, discussions and lectures. We will focus
particularly on the genre of screwball comedy,
one of the greatest vehicles of American social
satire, and the works of exceptional directors such as George Cukor, Howard Hawks, Leo
McCarey and Preston Sturges. We will highlight the wit and whimsy of these films, as well
as their sly commentary about class differences, gender conflict, and the harsh economic
realities of the period. We will also address the evolution and influence in the 1930s of
the censorship regime known as the Hollywood Production Code. Books or materials
recommended: They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (Novella) by Horace McCoy
Wednesdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Joe Moser is a full-time English Studies instructor at Fitchburg State University.
His research interests include gender and race in film, literary and film genres, and war literature
and film. He has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas.
15
ITALIAN-AMERICAN IMMIGRATION HISTORY
Wednesdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 9, 23, 30; Apr. 6, 13
Fitchburg State University
This course will explore the story of Italian
immigration to the USA 1880-1920 and the Italian
experience in America during the 20th century.
Instructor: Teresa Fava Thomas teaches
Modern Italian History, Italian American
Immigration History and World Civilization at Fitchburg State University. She has
recently published The Reluctant Migrants: Migration from the Italian Veneto to Central
Massachusetts (Teneo Press). Her research focuses on the Northeastern region of Italy.
Thursdays: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Mar. 10, 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center Pool
AQUA AEROBICS
See description and instructor bios in Session III
on Thursdays, page 7.
Instructor: Amy Leblanc
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE IN NEW ENGLAND
The evolution of architecture in New England
will be presented in five, slide-illustrated
lectures and a field trip. 1) Charles Bulfinch
and His Legacy; 2) A.J. Davis & A.J. Downing:
Gothic Revival & Rediscovery of Nature;
3) H.H. Richardson & His Work; 4) Ralph Adams Cram and the Academic Revivals;
5) Walter Gropius and the Modernist Movement. While the topics are national,
the focus is on contributions to and examples of work built in New England.
Books or materials recommended: Alan Gowens, Images of American Living; McAlester,
Identifying American Architecture.
Thursdays: 12:20-1:50 p.m.
Mar. 10, 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14
Fitchburg State University
Instructor: Nicholas Langhart holds an MA in Historic Preservation from Cornell University. He is
currently the Director of the Forbush Library in Westminster and docent trainer for Preservation
Worcester. Nicholas has been an instructor for the Evolution of New England Architecture and
for the History of Worcester’s Architecture at Clark University and Worcester State University.
Formerly he was Property Manager for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities.
SPRING POETRY INSPIRED BY MALALA YOUSAFZAI’S BOOK:
I Am Malala
Thursdays: 12:20-1:50 p.m.
Mar. 10, 24, 31; Apr. 7, 14
Limited to 15 students.
Fitchburg State University
16
Inspired by Fitchburg State University’s Spring
2016 Community Read book, this class will read
and discuss Pashto and Urdu poems in English
translations to acquaint us with one of Pakistan’s
musical and literary arts. For example, we will
(continued next page)
explore both tapas (which are a kind of Pashto folk poetry) and the Persian ruba’i (first
introduced in the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyam). Is Spring welcomed in this culture’s poems
with the same familiar sense of new beginnings and hopes? If people wish, we can try writing
a tapa, as well as other poetry forms found in Pakistan. Books or materials recommended:
Reading I Am Malala before or concurrently with this class will enrich our understanding of
Malala’s poetic culture. Please bring a notebook and pen to our first class.
Instructor: Dona Luongo Stein, a former Stegner Fellow in Poetry at Stanford University and
graduate of Fitchburg High School, is the author of four poetry collections, most recently “Alice
in Deutschland.”
Thursdays: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 10, 17, 24, 31; Apr. 7
SPECIAL SCHEDULING
Limited to 17 students.
Fitchburg High School, Room 140
Fridays: 10:00 -11:30 a.m.
Mar. 11, 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15
Limited to 11 students.
Fitchburg State University
Recreation Center-Dance Studio
COOKS FROM TV
See description and instructor bios in Session IV
on Wednesdays, page 15.
Instructors: Bruce Goyette, Kathy Flynn, Odette
Harvey, Walter Kondig, and Chris Barnacoat
FUSION MIX
See description and instructor bios in Session III
on Fridays, page 8.
Instructor: Judith Lindstedt
WORLD MUSIC
In this course, world music cultures will be
examined to discover the sounds, dances,
costumes and traditions of five different parts
of the world. There will be some reading, as well
as a lot of listening and looking at videos. Some
sessions will include “hands on” instruments
and experiences of making sounds. Session 1: Music of the Andes; Session 2: Middle Eastern
Traditions; Session 3: Native American Traditions; Session 4: Eastern European Music;
Session 5: Asian Music Cultures.
Fridays: 12:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Mar. 11, 25; Apr. 1, 8, 15
Fitchburg State University
Conlon Fine Arts, Room 150
Instructor: Marjorie Ness holds a doctorate in music and recently retired as a full-time faculty
member in the Humanities Department at Fitchburg State University where she taught Choir,
Chamber Choir, Choral Conducting, World Music and Commonwealth of the Arts. She is affiliated
with the American Choral Directors Association, and the American Guild of Organists.
17
SPECIAL EVENTS
Group Trip:
MARK TWAIN HOUSE
AND HOT TOMATO’S RESTAURANT - HARTFORD, CT
™ƒ‹ House (10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) are
located in Nook Farm, Hartford’s most desirable
TIME: Depart 7:30 a.m.
neighborhood of the 19th century. The home of
from the Mall at Whitney Field,
one of America’s most famous authors provides
Leominster (park near Sack
a glimpse into life in the 1800’s. A stunning
Entertainment Cinemas).
example of Picturesque Gothic architecture,
Return 4:30 p.m.
Mark Twain’s 25-room home features a dramatic
COST: $65.00 per person
grand hall, a lush glass conservatory, a grand
(lunch included)
library, and the handsome billiard room where
he wrote his famous books. Guides will escort
NOTE: Limited to
groups through this remarkable edifice (*See
55 registrations. No refunds
note below about accessibility).
unless trip is canceled
Nook Farm Nook Cafe, on the property, offers a
variety of snacks and beverages for those needing
sustenance prior to our 1:00 lunch at Hot Tomato’s Restaurant, located a short bus ride away at
Union Station.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
NOTE: The first floor of the home, museums, the cafe and restaurant are easily accessible.
Must be able to negotiate three flights of stairs for the complete tour of the Twain House.
Lunch at Hot Tomato’s (1:00 - 2:30 p.m.) — please choose selection from the following
and include with payment:
•Chicken Piccata: chicken breasts with a light lemon caper sauce
•Grilled lemon pepper Tilapia: baked tilapia filet dusted with lemon pepper
•Rigatoni Bolognese: hearty meat sauce with ground beef, sweet Italian sausage,
and veal tossed with rigatoni and creamy ricotta cheese
•Pasta Fresca: light tomato sauce, garlic, basil, chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella
tossed with gemmelli pasta
All meals include: house salad with balsamic vinaigrette, dessert, coffee, tea, or soft drinks.
18
FOOD FOR THOUGHT and SHIRLEY PICK SPRING SERIES
These events are FREE and open to the public!
WINTERLUDE
Wednesday January 13, 2016
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.,
Space is limited.
Bring a brown bag lunch
McKay Campus School
Room C-159
A day of film screening and discussion exploring
Race and Social Stigma Presented by Fitchburg
State University Faculty: Dr. Joe Moser and
Dr. Eric Budd.
Lost Boundaries, Starring Mel Ferrer
The Intouchables (French) Starring Omar Sy
Special Registration Instructions: Online at
www.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa or by calling
the ALFA office at (978) 665­3706.
THE ARTWORK OF JEFF WARMOUTH
Jeff Warmouth, a faculty member in the
Communications Media Department at
Fitchburg State University, will share his amazing
creations with us. His multi-media art will engage
your mind and your sense of humor. His work
has been exhibited and screened throughout
the country, as well as internationally and locally at the Fitchburg Art Museum. If you can’t
wait for a sampling of Jeff’s unique style, check out his website, www.jeffu.tv.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
2:30 p.m.
Ellis White Lecture Hall
Hammond Building
19
AN ALFA 2015 - 2016 GRAND FINALE:
A Trio of Worldly Events
The Shirley Pick Spring Series presents:
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ellis White in Hammond Hall
SUGGESTED PARKING:
Civic Center and shuttle
to Hammond Hall
OR North Street Lots 1 & 2
Carpooling is encouraged!
World Music: Beyond Borders
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
A global voyage in music with celebrated
performing artist Randy Armstrong.
World Food and ALFA Art Show
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Luncheon cost $12.50 (reservations by April 18)
An optional luncheon, with international taste
treats and an art show, with a raffle, featuring
the talents of our ALFA artists.
The Food for Thought Program presents:
The World of Bees: To Bee or Not to Bee
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Gail Allo will explore how the current plight of
bees impacts our lives through the discussion
of the vital pollinator role of bees in nature;
bee natural history; bee-keeping practices, and
the struggling bee populations. Gail is an active
ALFA instructor who serves on both the Board
and Food for Thought committee. She holds a
passion for bees and bee-keeping.
20
Spring 2016 Registration
Please complete ONE registration
form for EACH person taking classes.
I would like to register for the following courses:
Session III: January–February
□ Stretch & Tone.................................................31802
□ Book Discussion: I am Malala (FREE).............31803
□ Winter Wildlife Tracking..................................31804
□ Beethoven Astride Two Eras...........................31858
□ Improving Your Bridge Skills I..........................31805
□ A Beginner’s Guide to Fabric Dyeing..............31806
□ Zentangle Art...................................................31807
□ The Tragedy of Macbeth.................................31808
□ ZUMBA Fitness®..............................................31810
□ American Mah Jongg......................................31809
□ Quilting / Session III........................................31811
□ The Future or Not!..........................................31815
□ Looking and Listening (FREE)..........................31818
□ Aqua Aerobics.................................................31821
□ ALFA Walk, Snowshoe & Ski About................31822
□ Aspects of the Industrial Revolution..............31823
□ Environmental Themes and Issues................31824
□ Fusion Mix.......................................................31825
□ Expanding American Histories........................31826
□ Not Your Kid’s Crayons....................................31827
Session IV: March–April
□ Stretch & Tone.............................................. 31828
□ Introduction to Islam...................................31829
□ Nature in Spring.......................................... 31830
□ Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging........ 31831
□ Improving you Bridge Skills II.....................31832
□ American Mah Jongg..................................31833
□ How to Improve Your Memory..................31834
□ Poetry of N.E. and Beyond (FREE).............31835
□ ZUMBA Fitness®......................................... 31836
□ Quilting / Session IV.....................................31837
□ Looking at Art.............................................. 31838
□ Breathing into Life Altering Experiences...31839
□ Cooks From TV (Wed)................................ 31840
□ Italian-American Immigration History.......31841
□ Depression-Era Hollywood Films...............31842
□ Aqua Aerobics..............................................31843
□ Historic Architecture in New England...... 31844
□ Spring Poetry Inspired by Malala...............31845
□ Cooks From TV (Thurs)............................... 31846
□ Fusion Mix.....................................................31847
□ World Music................................................. 31848
I would like to register for the following events:
GROUP TRIP
□ Mark Twain House,
Hot Tomato Restaurant -Hartford, CT – May 3, 2016.......................... 31849
FOOD FOR THOUGHT & SHIRLEY PICK SPRING EVENTS
□ The Artwork of Jeff Warmouth FREE – March 29, 2016..................... 31850
Grand Finale: A Trio of Events – April 26, 2016
□ World Music: Beyond Boarders / FREE
□ Luncheon World Food and Art Show / $12.50...................................... 31851
□ The World of Bees: To Bee or Not to Bee / FREE
Please see
reverse side
for payment
information.
Course payments are not refundable or transferable to other classes
unless a class is cancelled. Classes are free for those who are 90 or above.
If over 90, please send verification of age with registration form.
All registration forms and payment must be MAILED. Deadline is Jan. 18, 2016.
Academic Affairs – ALFA
Fitchburg State University, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________
E-mail: _______________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ________________________
Are you new to ALFA? □ Yes □ No
Have you ever taken a class at Fitchburg State? □ Yes □ No
I am sending payment for:
______ Course(s) @ $30/course* (Limit 6** per semester)
=$ _____________
______ Group Trip (Twain House) @ $65/pp
= $ _____________
Choose lunch options: □ Chicken Piccata □ Grilled Lemon Pepper Tilapia
□ Rigatoni Bolognese □ Pasta Fresca
______ Luncheon (World Food and Art Show) @ $12.50/pp
= $ _____________
TOTAL =$__________________
Payment Information:
□ Check (made payable to Fitchburg State) amount enclosed: $________________
Credit Card: □ MasterCard □ Visa □ Discover
Credit Card #:_______________________________________________________
Exp. Date: _______________________ CVC (3 digit code): __________________
Signature: _________________________________________________________
□ Shirley Pick Scholarship Program (call the ALFA Office for details at 978-665-3706)
*Unless indicated as FREE. Additionally, courses are free for members over 90 years of age.
If over 90, please send verification of age with registration.
**Students may initially register for up to 5 classes. After January 20, students may select additional
courses if seats are still available. Check www.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa for course availability.
Spring 2016 Registration
Please complete ONE registration
form for EACH person taking classes.
I would like to register for the following courses:
Session III: January–February
□ Stretch & Tone.................................................31802
□ Book Discussion: I am Malala (FREE).............31803
□ Winter Wildlife Tracking..................................31804
□ Beethoven Astride Two Eras...........................31858
□ Improving Your Bridge Skills I..........................31805
□ A Beginner’s Guide to Fabric Dyeing..............31806
□ Zentangle Art...................................................31807
□ The Tragedy of Macbeth.................................31808
□ ZUMBA Fitness®..............................................31810
□ American Mah Jongg......................................31809
□ Quilting / Session III........................................31811
□ The Future or Not!..........................................31815
□ Looking and Listening (FREE)..........................31818
□ Aqua Aerobics.................................................31821
□ ALFA Walk, Snowshoe & Ski About................31822
□ Aspects of the Industrial Revolution..............31823
□ Environmental Themes and Issues................31824
□ Fusion Mix.......................................................31825
□ Expanding American Histories........................31826
□ Not Your Kid’s Crayons....................................31827
Session IV: March–April
□ Stretch & Tone.............................................. 31828
□ Introduction to Islam...................................31829
□ Nature in Spring.......................................... 31830
□ Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging........ 31831
□ Improving you Bridge Skills II.....................31832
□ American Mah Jongg..................................31833
□ How to Improve Your Memory..................31834
□ Poetry of N.E. and Beyond (FREE).............31835
□ ZUMBA Fitness®......................................... 31836
□ Quilting / Session IV.....................................31837
□ Looking at Art.............................................. 31838
□ Breathing into Life Altering Experiences...31839
□ Cooks From TV (Wed)................................ 31840
□ Italian-American Immigration History.......31841
□ Depression-Era Hollywood Films...............31842
□ Aqua Aerobics..............................................31843
□ Historic Architecture in New England...... 31844
□ Spring Poetry Inspired by Malala...............31845
□ Cooks From TV (Thurs)............................... 31846
□ Fusion Mix.....................................................31847
□ World Music................................................. 31848
I would like to register for the following events:
GROUP TRIP
□ Mark Twain House,
Hot Tomato Restaurant -Hartford, CT – May 3, 2016.......................... 31849
FOOD FOR THOUGHT & SHIRLEY PICK SPRING EVENTS
□ The Artwork of Jeff Warmouth FREE – March 29, 2016..................... 31850
Grand Finale: A Trio of Events – April 26, 2016
□ World Music: Beyond Boarders / FREE
□ Luncheon World Food and Art Show / $12.50...................................... 31851
□ The World of Bees: To Bee or Not to Bee / FREE
Please see
reverse side
for payment
information.
Course payments are not refundable or transferable to other classes
unless a class is cancelled. Classes are free for those who are 90 or above.
If over 90, please send verification of age with registration form.
All registration forms and payment must be MAILED. Deadline is Jan. 18, 2016.
Academic Affairs – ALFA
Fitchburg State University, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________
E-mail: _______________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ________________________
Are you new to ALFA? □ Yes □ No
Have you ever taken a class at Fitchburg State? □ Yes □ No
I am sending payment for:
______ Course(s) @ $30/course* (Limit 6** per semester)
=$ _____________
______ Group Trip (Twain House) @ $65/pp
= $ _____________
Choose lunch options: □ Chicken Piccata □ Grilled Lemon Pepper Tilapia
□ Rigatoni Bolognese □ Pasta Fresca
______ Luncheon (World Food and Art Show) @ $12.50/pp
= $ _____________
TOTAL =$__________________
Payment Information:
□ Check (made payable to Fitchburg State) amount enclosed: $________________
Credit Card: □ MasterCard □ Visa □ Discover
Credit Card #:_______________________________________________________
Exp. Date: _______________________ CVC (3 digit code): __________________
Signature: _________________________________________________________
□ Shirley Pick Scholarship Program (call the ALFA Office for details at 978-665-3706)
*Unless indicated as FREE. Additionally, courses are free for members over 90 years of age.
If over 90, please send verification of age with registration.
**Students may initially register for up to 5 classes. After January 20, students may select additional
courses if seats are still available. Check www.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa for course availability.
ALFA REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Registration Form: Providing all contact information is helpful. It makes for easy contact
if questions come up about your registration form and may be important in the event of an
emergency.
Please complete one registration form for each person taking classes. Two forms are
included in this brochure. If you need additional registration forms, please visit our website
to download and print one (www.fitchburgstate.edu/alfa).
Registrations must be MAILED.
No phone-in or hand-delivered registrations will be accepted.
Be sure to include a check made payable to Fitchburg State, or provide your credit card
information on the registration form. ALFA classes are $30 each, although some are free and
will be marked FREE in the brochure (please note that some classes also have an additional
materials fee (cash only) and is due at the first class.
• Any incomplete component may delay the processing of the registration form.
• Course payments are not refundable or transferable to other classes
unless a class is canceled.
• Classes are free for those who are 90 or above. If over 90, please send
verification of age with your registration form.
• It is suggested that you make a copy of the completed registration form
for personal records.
• All registrations are processed in the order in which they are received.
Enrollment: Prompt return of forms will facilitate early processing and improve the chances
of getting preferred classes. Due to space limitations and instructor requests, class size
varies. It is important to list alternatives in the event that first choices are not available. If no
alternatives are listed it will be assumed that none are desired. Confirmation/Parking: Once a registration has been received and processed you will receive
a confirmation and Temporary Parking Permit Application with a parking hang-tag. Please
bring your completed permit application to your first class, and be sure to hang your tag from
your rear-view mirror facing out to avoid being ticketed by Campus Police.
ALFA Trips: Some trips include a lunch at the venue. Please be sure to indicate your lunch
choice on the registration form if lunch is included.
Food for Thought Presentations: Although Food for Thought presentations are free and
open to the public, if you are planning on attending, please be sure to check it off on the
registration form so that we know how many people to plan for.
Location of Courses: Unless otherwise specified in the course description, ALFA classes are
held in the C-Wing of the McKay Complex at Fitchburg State University, 67 Rindge Road,
Fitchburg, MA.
ALFA Inclement Weather Policy: When Fitchburg State University cancels classes or has a
two-hour delay, ALFA will not hold classes on that day.