I sit here after eating the best Thanksgiving dinner, stuffed to my eyeballs with turkey and trimmings, and I am so thankful. For one thing, we have a place where the whole family can gather. Since Momma comes from a large family, there are lots of aunts, cousins, and cousin’s children. We had nearly fifty at dinner this year. Most of us live in town, but some years this is the only time we get to see each other. I am sure you know what that is like. Everyone is so busy these days.
For another thing, the year is winding down – there are only two weeks until our break. The Center offices will close for the Christmas holidays from Thursday, December 17 – Monday, January 4, 2016. Remember, the Center offices will be closed but Square Clock Coffee will be open during this time. You can still come in for coffee, lunch, or pastries.
Although the year is coming to a close, the Center is not slowing down. As soon as one event is over, we are setting up the next one. Right now we are developing the Winter Catalog of courses, hosting several birthdays and wedding receptions, (rehearsal dinners too,) and getting ready for the Committed Concert. If you don’t have your tickets to the concert, you can call 256-233-8260 to request available seats or stop by the Center at 121 South Marion Street.
On Thursday, December 10, we will have Lunch & Learn Transformational Leadership Course. This session is Conflict Resolution, a very popular topic. Class is from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Marsha Sloss, director of Athens Human Resource, is the guest speaker. The fee is $25 and includes lunch.
We seem to be growing in leaps and bounds. We are really close to having 100,000 visitors to the Center this year. They come as guests at parties, they come for a cup of coffee or lunch at Square Clock Coffee, or they come for classes. There were nearly 1000 visitors for the Christmas Open House and Merry Market on November 21-22. If you have never been to the Center, be sure to stop by. We will be happy to show you around and tell you the story of the renovation and past stores that were housed in our building.
As one year ends, another begins. In 2016 we will be offering Archery Classes for kids and adults, Hand Gun Safety Classes, and Tatting. We will also be doing Academic Traveler trips to Israel, Warm Springs, GA and Gettysburg, PA. These are just a few of the things that we have on our agenda for the next year. Winter Catalogs will be available beginning January 4. Also, watch our website for updates as soon as they happen. Our website is www.athens.edu/CLL.
By: Wanda Campbell
Center for Lifelong Learning – 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 – 256-233-8262