Horizons of Putnam County fall classes set to begin soon

Interested in an opportunity to participate in a world premiere? Would you like to design and create one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts? Or find out what kind of bird is living outside your kitchen window?

Then the Horizons of Putnam County fall classes may be for you.

Classes begin the week of Oct. 6, and are taught by Putnam County residents who bring their knowledge, perspective and enthusiasm to their "classrooms."

Founded as a non-profit in 1996 to foster "an adventure in lifelong education," Horizons offers a variety of subjects twice a year taught in non-traditional formats.

The Big Walnut Bird Club is represented this semester by noted local birder Dean Finley who will be presenting "Waterfowl, Raptors and Warblers -- Oh, My!" and he guarantees that his four-session class will be colorful, informative and enjoyable. No birding knowledge or experience is necessary -- just a love of birds.

Finley's classes will be meeting at the Putnam County Public Library on Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m.

"Finding the Right Translation for You" is the topic of popular instructor Dr. P.T. Wilson's class. Participants will explore the history of biblical translations in the Western World and, by the end of the three-session class, will be able to informatively choose a translation that is right for them.

Wilson asks that participants be prepared to learn, laugh and grow as they discover how the translation that suits them best impacts their lives today. The class will meet 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sundays at Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church.

Stretch your mind and your body with Marla Helton's "Introduction to Yoga Basics," held at Marla's Serendipity Studio four Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

The class is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of the beginning yoga student, regardless of age or body type. Individual modifications will be tailored to each student in order to help create a safe environment for learning the basics of yoga.

Helton, an accomplished artist, is also teaching "Powdered Pigments and Coiling on Gourds" at Serendipity Studio in a half-day session, Sunday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Students will experiment with different pigments to find just the right color effects for their gourd and then use weaving and cutting techniques to add special touches to their works of art.

Life-long knitter Cathy Walton has created a fun project specifically for beginners. "Knit a Felted Tote" will guide her students through the process of creating a beautiful and useful item perfect for a Christmas gift.

Knitting and felting will be on four Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church.

Also held at Greencastle Presbyterian Church but in a single session on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 6-8 p.m. will be "Just Fun Scarves."

No sewing, knitting, or crocheting skills will be needed as instructor Carolyn McKee shows her students how to make custom-designed scarves with T-shirts and novelty yarns.

Focusing on the farms, farmers, fields and heritage of Putnam County, professional photographer and popular Horizons instructor Marilyn Culler will connect her students' photography with the work of Fifth House Ensemble, a chamber music group from Chicago.

During an eight-month-long DePauw School of Music residency, the musicians will be gathering photos and stories from Putnam County residents as part of a project with DePauw. Culmination of their work, "Harvest," will feature material collected from around our community.

The world premiere concert of "Harvest" will be May 11, and Culler's students are encouraged to submit their photos to the project.

The class will meet on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media on DePauw's campus.

There is a fee of $20 for the first registered class and additional classes are $15 each. Additional materials fees may be required for some sessions.

Full scheduling information and registration forms are available in the Horizons Fall 2013 catalog which may be picked up at the Putnam County Public Library or accessed online at www.horizonscommunityeducation.wordpress.com.

Persons may register for classes in person at PCPL on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 4--8 p.m. or Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Registrations also may be mailed to Horizons of Putnam County, P.O. Box 385, Greencastle, IN 46135.

Registration must be received by Saturday, Sept. 28, although late registration will be accepted with the instructor's approval. For more information, persons may email horizonspc@gmail.com.