Recreation   

This course is designed for students who have taken the Absolute Beginners Pickleball course or have a rudimentary knowledge of the game. It will be taught by seasoned instructors who are experienced players. They are members of the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club. Expect to build on the basic game to include advanced strategy in play. We will meet at Lithia Park pickleball courts for 1½ hours a day for five consecutive days. There will be an emphasis on safety, playing by USA pickleball rules and sportsmanship. This skill-building course will focus on serves; third-shot drops or “drop shots;” drives; lobs; partner communication; types of scoring; and understanding Bert, Ernie and Nasty Nelson. The last day will be a fun, fast-paced round-robin in which all players will rotate.  

NOTE: Please bring your favorite paddle, wear court shoes and a hat or visor, and bring a hydrating drink. Eye protection is recommended. If we have inclement weather, the class will be canceled. Liability waiver required to participate.

This introductory course, taught by four instructors at the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Library, is designed to give a solid foundation for pursuing genealogy and researching your family and ancestors. The classes will cover: conducting research online and in libraries, organizing research, the U.S. census and researching digitized newspapers as well as how to use Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. There will be two assignments: filling out an Ancestor Chart for personal use and preregistering for a free FamilySearch.org account before class 4. Instruction will be 1½ hours, including a 30-minute break, followed by a one-hour hands-on practice session. RVGS has computers available for the practice sessions, but students are encouraged to bring their personal laptop. 

NOTE: The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Library has a kitchen, and students are encouraged to bring their own lunch or snack to eat during the half-hour break.

Students taking this course will make a child’s sweater and, by doing so, will learn how to read a pattern, ensure that a sweater will fit, select appropriate yarn, increase and decrease invisibly and fix mistakes. Students will also learn about key knitting resources. This course is for advanced beginners: Students should know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off in knitting. If you want to take your knitting to the next level and learn how to make a sweater that fits, this course is for you!

NOTE: This course is designed for someone who knows how to knit but wants to learn how to knit a sweater. Students will be given a pattern and instructions for purchasing yarn and needles prior to the first class.

This fun and active course is for pickleball players who understand and play the game and want to meet players through a rotation/competitive type of play. All levels of players are welcome. There will be three classes during the term, each with 3½ hours of play. Players will learn format, partnering, stacking, hand signals, types of scoring, byes, types of pickleballs and when to utilize them. Timing and numbering of rotations will be taught with an emphasis on safety. Six games will be played in each class, with frequent rest breaks. You will be an active participant and connect with your partner in strategizing your game plan. This course is taught by experienced local players from the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club.  

NOTE: This course will be at Lithia Park pickleball courts; courts 1 to 4 have been reserved for 8 a.m. to noon. Bring your favorite paddle and a hydrating drink, and wear court shoes and a hat or visor. Eye protection is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, we will cancel. There is a $3 fee for pickleballs payable to the instructor. Class dates are 4/23, 5/14 and 5/28. Liability waiver required to participate.

Are you interested in wine and the wineries of Southern Oregon? Do you enjoy learning about the nuances of growing and winemaking? In this course, we will visit four Rogue Valley or Applegate Valley vineyards and wineries to hear talks from the staff. Topics could range from the factors contributing to vineyard loss to how prices are determined. At each venue, the talk will be followed by a directed tasting where students will be guided to sense the differences and characteristics of the wines presented. Come enjoy the bounty of Southern Oregon! 

NOTE: The first session of this course will meet from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Campbell Center, Room A. If you’ve taken this course before, some winery visits may repeat, but new topics will be covered. A $72 fee covers tastings. Students must be able to walk on uneven ground and stand for the full two-hour class. First-class attendance is mandatory. Enrollment is limited to 20 with no guests, and students provide their own transportation. Enrollment for partners isn’t guaranteed.