College for Older Adults

Warming Winter Soups – 4-week session

9:30am – 12:30pm

Instructor: Rod Perrino

Minimum: 4

Maximum: 14

Supply Fee: $25

Nothing is better than cozying up with a comforting, bowl of delicious soup. In this class, Chef Rod will teach participants a selection of his favorite soups, perfect for warming weeknight meals. By the time class wraps, participants will have new go-to comfort meals for cold nights and plenty of soup to take home.

BINGOCIZE at The Landmark Center – 10-week session

Mondays & Wednesdays (Beginning January 22 – Ending April 2) 

Time: 10:00am – 11:00am

Instructor: Melissa Puckett 

Minimum: 5

Maximum: 10

Did you know exercise can help prevent chronic diseases and falls in older adults. Bingocize combines BINGO, education and exercise to improve your health. Evidence shows social, cognitive, and physical improvements from doing Bingocize and the best part is that it’s fun!

Yoga – 4-week session

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Instructor: Cynthia Cowley

Minimum: 4

Maximum: 15

Participants will focus on level 1 poses including balance, strength, flexibility, and core.  Participants will need their own mat and blankets (beach towels) if they have them. Reynolds Homestead will provide other props such as chairs, belts, blocks, and blankets.

Hand Built Clay Soup/Noodle Bowls

Monday, January 20 & Monday, February 10

Time: 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Instructor: Rebecca Flippen

Minimum: 4

Maximum: 10

Supply Fee: $30

Using pre-cut clay pieces, participants will form soup bowls by hand. There will be several options available to personalize bowls. Once bisque fired, participants will glaze bowls and ready them for final firing. These bowls will be waterproof, food safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe. This class requires 2 sessions.

Recycling Beads to Make Your Own Exciting Designs

Monday, January 27 & Monday, February 3

Time: 2:15pm – 4:15pm 

Instructor: Andrea Morrison

Minimum: 8

Maximum: 10

Supply Fee: $8.00

Participants will create fresh necklace and bracelet designs with beads from tired jewelry that deserves a new life.  Participants are free to bring any beads, charms or used jewelry that they may have that they would like to use. Cords, scissors, pliers, and trays will be provided.

Learn to Play American Mah Jongg – 4-week session

Tuesdays – 9:30am – 12:30pm

Instructor: Shelby Rhyne

Minimum: 8

Maximum: 16

Class fee: $30 for instruction

Join experienced instructor Shelby Rhyne to learn to play American Mah Jongg following the National Mah Jongg League 2024 Rule Card. Beginners and players who want to refresh their skills are welcome to register for the class. Each 3-hour class will include instruction in the rules of the game and actually playing to learn the finer points of the game. Hand-outs will be provided. 
 
American Mah Jongg is a rummy-like game played with tiles instead of cards. The game is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with millions of dedicated players around the world and a variety of Internet and computer versions. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions if possible. After completing the class, participants should be able to play American Mah Jongg independently and confidently join a game wherever you live. "Have tiles, will travel."

Functional Fitness – 4-week session

Tuesdays – 1:00pm – 2:00pm 

Instructor: Elizabeth Stancescu

Minimum: 4

Workout with a compassionate coach who knows that everybody needs movement. Elizabeth has a history of working with people on all aspects of the fitness spectrum, from elite athletes to people recovering from stroke or necessary surgery. Each week will bring participants a fun, muscle-building workout that they can perform anywhere, so that they can grow from instruction and continue to build muscle after the sessions are over. Participants will improve their mobility and increase their self-confidence so they can keep living their best life. Participants need to bring water and a yoga mat if they have one (they can also bring a towel or blanket instead of a yoga mat).

What’s Your Story? - 3-week session

Tuesdays – January 21, January 28 & February 4

Time: 2:15pm – 4:15pm

Instructor: Diane Ross

Each one of us has a story to tell as the old adage goes. In this class participants will delve into their memory bank to begin to write a story in response to a prompt. Participants will explore their stories hidden deep within them in a nonjudgmental way. Participants will have a chance to share their story with the class if desired. No writing experience is required. Please bring a writing notebook and a pen or a pencil to class. 

Stained Glass Suncatchers

Tuesday, February 11 

Time: 2:15pm – 4:15pm

Instructor: Aleen Wilson

Minimum: 4

Maximum: 8

Supply Fee: $30

This class is perfect for beginners in stained glass and glass art. Aleen Wilson will guide participants through the basics of foiling and soldering to create a beautiful stained glass sun catcher! These skills will carry over to making a box in the Spring College for Older Adults. 

Hiking with Derek 

beginning January 22 (4 week series) 

Instructor: Derek Layman 

Fee: $20 for just hikes

Instructor: Derek Layman 

(Wednesdays) 

 Four easy to moderate hikes of 2-6 miles each located within one hour's drive or 55 miles of Stuart. Participants should carefully consider the following: sturdy/comfortable shoes, weather appropriate clothing, hiking stick, hiking backpack, bug spray, plenty of liquid for hydration (preferably water or Gatorade), and snacks as desired. Leashed pets are welcome at most hike locations. Join us as we explore the natural beauty of Southwest VA and parts of North Carolina!

Jan. 22 - Buffalo Mountain Trail

(Willis, VA) - 2.1 miles

Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 12 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Jan. 29 - Knight Brown Nature Preserve

(Stokesdale, NC) - 2.8 miles

Enjoy this 2.8-mile loop trail near Pine Hall, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 12 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

Feb. 5 - Fisher Peak Loop Trail

(Galax, VA) - 2.9 miles

The trail winds up to the side of Fisher Peak through a variety of vegetation. At the lower elevation the trail follows a stream through mixed pine and hardwoods. Azaleas, mountain laurel, and Catawba rhododendron give way to a diverse second growth forest of oak, poplar, maple and sourwood trees. Look for abundant signs of animal life.

Feb. 16 - Cascades Falls Trail

(Pembroke, VA) - 4 miles

The Cascades National Recreation Trail is a highly scenic trail that features a shaded mountain creek to a 66-foot waterfall within Jefferson National Forest. Near Pembroke, the hike up the lower trail travels along Little Stony Creek before reaching the lower falls. If hikers want, they can return to the upper trail to get a different view of the creek. The lower trail travels alongside the creek for a mile before reaching the second bridge and rejoining the upper trail. From the 2nd bridge to the lower falls is another mile. The lower falls is a turn-around point, or users can continue to the Upper Cascades and/or Barneys Wall. **$3 Parking Fee (2068 Cascade Dr, Pembroke, VA 24136)

Line Dancing – 4-week session

Thursdays – 9:30am – 10:30am

Instructor: Don Richardson

Minimum: 4

Line Dancing is a fun way to elevate your heart rate, burn calories, strengthen back and core muscles and enjoy some great music, too! Don joins us from Walnut Cove to lead this great class.  

Crafty Cupid Cards & Bookmarks

Thursday, January 23

Time: 10:45am – 12:45pm

Instructors: Carla Krietsch & Kathy Shelton

Minimum: 4

Maximum: 12

Supply Fee: $5

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Join us and make cute Valentine’s Day cards and Cupid heart bookmarks to keep for yourself or to give to a loved one. 

Start a Garden, Flower or Vegetable – 4-week session

Thursdays – 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Instructor: Ginnie Conaway

Minimum: 3

Patrick County Master Gardener Ginnie Conaway will lead a course on evaluating your site and planning a garden. Participants will learn how to prepare their site and choose flowers or vegetables to fulfill their purpose and vision. 

Diamond Art

Thursday, January 30

Time: 10:45 – 12:45

Instructor: Becky Blevins

Minimum: 4 

Maximum: 14

Supply Fee: $10

Join local maker Becky to learn how to make a vivid, shimmering work of diamond art. Kits will be provided with all materials needed. 

Smith & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, and One Bullet

Thursday, February 6 – 11:00am – 12:30pm

Instructor: Phil Archer

Minimum: 4

Join Reynolda House Deputy Director Phil Archer as he gives a single talk about the life and death of Z. Smith Reynolds, youngest child of R.J. & Katherine Reynolds. 

Understanding Your Cell Phone and Camera Functions

Thursday, February 13 – 10:45am – 12:45pm 

Instructor: Rick Dawson

Minimum: 4

Maximum: 20

This class will explore the capabilities of cell phones, catering to everyone from beginners to those who have attended the first class. Participants will learn about features ranging from panoramic to macro photography. Each person will receive an outline that covers both Apple and Android devices, which will help them understand how to locate and use various controls at home.

NOTE: All Friday Fun Trips will have a $15 transportation fee due at registration. Korner's Folly House admission and spa retreat feed are due at time of registration. Other expenses are paid by the participant on the day of the trip. 

Korner’s Folly House 

Friday, January 24

Kernersville, NC 

Körner’s Folly is the architectural wonder and home of artist and designer Jule Gilmer Körner. Built in 1880 in Kernersville, North Carolina, the house originally served to display his interior design portfolio. Visitors can now explore the 22-room house museum and its unique original furnishings and artwork, cast-plaster details, carved woodwork, and elaborate hand laid tile. Winter COA participants will enjoy a guided tour of the house. 

Minimum: 10

Maximum: 14

Admission tickets are $18 per participant. Transportation cost to ride the Reynolds Homestead bus is $15.

**Please pay the admission price and transportation cost upon registration. 

Lunch will be at the Flour Box Tea Room in Kernersville. Bring money for food.

Golden Ticket Movie Cinema

Friday, January 31

Greensboro, NC

Participants will enjoy a modern theatre experience in an upgraded theatre with luxury recliners, an expanded food and beverage menu, deliver to seat service, and modernized and upgraded sight and sound. 

Admission to the movies is $12 and does not include food/beverage. Transportation cost to ride the Reynolds Homestead bus is $15. 

**Please pay the movie admission at the cinema. Transportation cost is due upon registration. 

As the movies change weekly, participants can pick their movie choice the day we go. 

Ambleside Art Gallery

Friday, February 7

Greensboro, NC

Throughout its thirty-eight-year history Ambleside Art Gallery has maintained a reputation for the high artistic standard of its offerings and its commitment to the community it serves. The gallery beckons visitors to enter a world infused with aesthetic grace. Ambleside Gallery is privileged to represent more than thirty painters, sculptors and, on occasion, photographers from the US, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, China and Japan. Participants will enjoy a self-guided tour of the gallery. 

Admission is free. Transportation cost to ride the Reynolds Homestead bus is $15 and is due upon registration.

Lunch will be at the Village Tavern. Please bring money for lunch. We will also visit Rhyme and Reason Chocolate Factory for a tasting and tour. 

Self Love Spa Retreat

Friday, February 14

Stanburn Winery

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. morning session

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. afternoon session

Treat yourself to an indulgent escape at Stanburn Winery! Enjoy a rejuvenating fifteen minute chair massage, express manicure, and facial provided by Healing Waters Day Spa. Sip a glass of your favorite Stanburn wine, savor two decadent truffles, and let relaxation set the mood for a truly special day. Morning and afternoon sessions are available.

$50 per participant includes:

15 minute chair massage

15 minute express manicure

15 minute express facial

1 free glass of Stanburn wine

2 chocolate truffles

Minimum: 6 participants

Maximum: 18 participants

NO transportation