Albany Area Schools Community Education

Renae Illies, Certified Heartsaver Trainer Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers is a CPR certification class for people in any healthcare field or those going into a healthcare field. This class covers recognition of cardiac arrest, use of a pocket mask and bag valve mask, and CPR with one or two rescuers for adults, children and infants. This class also covers the use of an AED and how to relieve choking.

Adam Hjelm, Sauk River Watershed District Composts and mulches are nature’s way of recycling, they keep waste out of landfills, and they fertilize without chemicals. It’s a great way to turn wood chips, vegetable and yard trimmings into a dark, crumbly fertile soil. Make your garden happy and help the environment. Learn how to use a variety of composts and the various mulches out there for all your planting and landscaping needs whether you make them yourself or buy them off the shelf. Learn about the pros, the cons, and everything in between. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Renae Illies, Certified Heartsaver Trainer This program teaches participants critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage an emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. Content includes how to help a victim with bleeding, sprains, broken bones, shock and other first aid emergencies. Offered through the American Heart Association. A certificate of completion will be given at the end of the class. If you need the official completion card, an additional $15 will be due to the instructor on the night of the class.

Renae Illies, Certified Heartsaver Instructor These courses are designed especially for parents and/or those involved in childcare. This course also meets Minnesota State requirements for daycare providers. Offered through the American Heart Association. A certificate of completion will be given at the end of the class. If you need the official completion card, an additional $15 will be due to the instructor on the night of the class.

Renae Illies, Certified Heartsaver Trainer Heartsaver AED teaches adult, child, and infant CPR and AED use as well as how to relieve choking. This course is designed for anyone who does not work in a health care setting but has a desire to be able to respond in an emergency situation. You will receive a two year certification for CPR/AED. Offered through the American Heart Association. A certificate of completion will be given at the end of the class. If you need the official completion card, an additional $15 will be due to the instructor on the night of the class.

Char Bzdok Let’s bake a bunch of cookies for the holidays! Bring your friends and family or just come and meet some new friends. After a few hours of fun, baking and conversation, you will go home with dozens and dozens of holiday goodies! All ingredients are provided, all you need is a handy container to bring your delicious assorted treats home. There is a $20 ingredient fee due to the instructor the night of the class.

Craig Coffman, Chords are Key Have you ever wanted to learn the guitar but simply find it difficult to find the time? In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Since this class is being held online via Zoom, you will be able to sit at home with your guitar and take this class without any pressure at all. And since the class includes an online book and online follow-up video lessons, you will be able to continue your practice and study on your own. An optional periodic online question and answer session is also included along with a recording of the class. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. Class topics include: How chords work in a song How to form the three main types of chords How to tune your guitar Basic strumming patterns How to buy a good guitar (things to avoid) How to play along with simple tunes

Craig Coffman, Chords are Key In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play piano the way professionals do -- using chords. Since this class is being held online via Zoom, you will be able to sit at your piano or keyboard at home and take this course with no pressure at all. And since this course includes an online book and online follow-up video lessons, you will be able to continue your practice and study on your own. An optional periodic online question and answer session is also included along with a recording of the class. The course is part lecture/demonstration and part hands-on instruction. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. Class topics include: How chords work in a song How to get more out of sheet music by reading less of it How to form the three main types of chords How to handle different keys and time signatures How to avoid “counting” How to simplify over 12,000 complex chords

Adam Hjelm, Sauk River Watershed District Landscaping near and around septic systems is a concern of many homeowners. Whether you already have an existing septic system or will be installing a new one to your residence, there are many aesthetic options. Participants will learn some tips and techniques that not only will help the looks of the system; they will also help the functioning of the system. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Adam Hjelm, Sauk River Watershed District Natural fences constructed of shrubbery, tall flowers, and clumping grasses are attractive and environmentally friendly. These living fences add an eye-catching way to define your property boundaries, while also adding pollinator plants that serve as effective privacy screens. Good fences make for good neighbors….and good habitat! Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications, and several door prizes will be given away from local plant specialists.

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Do you have an Air Fryer and want ideas about what to make in it besides fries or crisping up frozen processed foods? Does your family enjoy finger foods but all you think you have time for are frozen options? Have some fun participating in this virtual Air Fryer Demonstration and Partial Cook-Along class as we dive into the world of Air Frying and learn how to create wonderful Finger Foods from scratch! Freezing tips will also be shared. Recipes that will be demonstrated include: Air Fryer Cheesy Macaroni & Cheese Balls, Mozzarella Sticks, and Marvelous Meatballs. The Cook-Along option recipes include: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets and Stuffed Potato Skins. Date night or family night, it will be a memorable one for all that participate. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Demystify and experience the wonders of making amazing bagels from scratch while participating in this LIVE VIRTUAL class! Learn the foundations of making bagels and seasoning and dressing them during this class. Participants can choose to simply watch and follow along or Bake and Cook-Along! Make it a date night or family night as you create lasting memories in your kitchen. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Have some fun participating in this virtual class! Learn how to make your own homemade Classic Pierogi with homemade dough and filling that will make your taste buds dance for joy. We will also be learning how to cook and freeze these little dumplings that you can make ahead and store for a rainy day. No fancy equipment needed. Make lasting memories in your kitchen if you decide to have your children, your spouse or your partner join you! A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Escape to the Mediterranean with the flavors of Greece in this live cook-along class! Learn how to create a classic full flavored mouth watering Mediterranean Meal for you and your family. Or better yet, have your family or significant other join you as you create the taste of Greece in your kitchen! Items on the menu include: Greek Grilled Chicken Souvlaki (skewers), Tzatziki (traditional Greek yogurt dipping sauce), Greek Veggie Rice, homemade pita bread, drizzle dressing, and Greek Salad Dressing. Tess’ step-by-step cooking instruction is unique and flexible as she is able to support people at all levels of cooking experience. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Have some fun participating in this live virtual Family Fun Bake-Along class as you Bake & Build your own Gingerbread House together! Start a new holiday family tradition and create lifelong memories as you bring your family together to create a show-stopping edible work of art! Together, we will combine the wonderful flavors of gingerbread and use the dough to create the pieces that will be used to build breathtaking houses, and make the stiff royal Icing that will hold everything together and be used as the glue to decorate your houses with candies and delicious treats. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. Participants will also receive a template to be printed and cut out before class to be used as a pattern and additional instructions. A PDF of the recipe and template from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis! Equipment Needed: Large sheet pan, parchment paper or non-stick baking mat, rolling pin, and mixer. Additional items will be included in the instructions sent prior to class.

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Do you love the taste of homemade pasta? Do you love stuffed pasta and wonder how it’s made? Learn how to make Handmade Cheese Tortellini with Sausage in Alfredo Sauce & Fresh Italian Bread in this virtual Cook-Along class! Follow along step-by-step with our instructor as she guides you through the simple pleasure of creating homemade stuffed pasta with the simplest of ingredients and then a wonderful meal using the pasta you have made that will have your family asking for more! Increase your confidence in the kitchen with each skill that is learned. While cooking-along is a lot of fun, it is optional. Make it a date night or family night as you create lasting memories in your kitchen! A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. On the Menu: Handmade Cheese Tortellini! The tortellini will be paired with Italian sausage (or sausage of choice), a homemade Alfredo Sauce, and a loaf of wonderful homemade bread. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Homemade sweets and treats are always wonderful around the holidays and throughout the year as well. Add two wonderful treats to your holiday celebration as you learn to create freshly baked homemade Cinnamon Rolls and luscious, velvety Hot Cocoa Bombs! Make them for your family for a memorable holiday breakfast or wrap them up with bows and gift them to those you hold dear. Or better yet, create memories by starting a new holiday tradition as you learn to make these delicious treats with your children or significant others. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis! Equipment Needs: Cocoa bomb silicone mold (minimum 2 ¼” or 3”), available at most craft stores or online.

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Have you ever been to Texas and experienced the joy of having a Texan Kolache? A Texan Kolache is a wonderful fluffy extra large, mildly sweet baked doughnut, stuffed with a choice of sausage and other fillings such as cheese. Generally an oversized gourmet pig-in-a-blanket but unlike any other pig-in-a-blanket you have ever had! Sweet Kolache on the other hand, are wonderful light cookies traditionally made in European countries around the winter holidays that are filled with preserves and dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Both options will become family favorites any time of year! Have some fun participating in this virtual Bake & Cook-Along class, and build your culinary repertoire and confidence as you learn to create a yeast dough and a sweet dough while learning to create these wonderful delightful delicacies. Make it a date night or family night as you create lasting memories in your kitchen. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Start a new holiday tradition or build on one as you learn to create your own festive pierogi for the holidays and the whole year through. When registering for this fun filled virtual class you are signing up to learn how to make a variety of homemade doughs and a variety of fillings for the pierogi that will make your taste buds dance for joy. We will also be learning how to cook, and freeze these little dumplings that you can make ahead and store for a rainy day. No fancy equipment needed. Participants will be invited to cook-along and create a classic pierogi dough along with the instructor’s next-level potato and cheese filling, and her wonderful festive reuben filling as well! In addition to the cook-along, our instructor will demonstrate how she creates festive green dough and will describe how to create a bright pink one with pure natural ingredients. She will also demonstrate how she creates additional festive fillings including her mushroom filling with mouthwatering umami flavor, and her fun pizza filling as well! Create a family tradition and make lasting memories in your kitchen by including your children or significant others for this amazing class. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only.If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis!

Tess Georgakopoulos, Dish it up Good Have some fun participating in this virtual Pizza COOK-ALONG class! Learn how to make your own homemade PIZZAS with PIZZAZZ using wonderful homemade dough in a variety of ways! Experience the rave reviews from previous participants of the instructor’s pizza classes yourself as you learn how to make your own pizzas with her step-by-step instruction. On the Pizza Menu for this class: Family Fun Pizza Boats, Pizza Party Pizza Twists, the very popular DETROIT-STYLE Pan Pizza, and an Out Of This World Pizza Sauce. Make it a date night or family night as you create lasting memories in your kitchen. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class. The registration fee for this online virtual class can include participants from the same household only. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. Participants will receive a list of ingredients in advance of the class to allow enough time for shopping and preparation. A PDF of the recipes from this class will be shared, and as an added bonus, participants will be invited to a Facebook group where additional recipes are shared on a consistent basis! Equipment needs: Although optional, a Detroit style pizza pan is highly recommended, as is a pizza pan with or without holes in it. We will also be using round or square cake-pans and sheet pans as well.

Nancy Bronson, Certified Medical Qigong/Tai Chi Instructor Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese healing art that focuses on a slow relaxed pattern of movements. It has been medically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, increase flexibility, enhance energy and improve conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, stomach ailments and heart problems. It focuses on proper breathing and stretching. The pattern of movements is done standing and moving across the floor and is called, "The dance of the spirit.”