Community Calendar

"Was My William Smith in the Civil War?" with Brian Rhinehart

Over ten percent of the US population fought in the Civil War in the 1860s. Using (mostly) free resources, learn some tips on how to determine if your ancestor was in the war, and how to differentiate among those common named soldiers.

Designed for first-time memoirists working on a book-length project for public readers, this workshop explores the two-strand structure behind many successful memoirs. We'll review model memoirs, apply the ideas to your work, and share with the group. Come with an idea or draft and leave with a clearer roadmap for your story. Registration required.

Carolyn Wilson-Scott is a freelance editor and Managing Editor for the online literary magazine Oyster River Pages. She also facilitates women's writing retreats in Costa Rica and has taught and edited memoirs for students and private clients, and reviewed them for Foreword Reviews.

The Fall Women’s Retreat (rescheduled from July) will be held September 25 - 27 on Earthwork Farm. Facilitated by Lisa Franseen, Kelly Kieft and Ashley Murray, women are invited to join us as we seek to connect with one another, the Earth and our inner selves.

It is a rare gift we can give ourselves, to put aside our many roles and make space for oneself. Imagine having uninterrupted time to share your own story, knowing you will be heard and honored.

Together we will engage in “whole-body” participation - sharing our stories, listening deeply to other’s experiences, spending focused time in nature, indulging in something creative, lightly facilitated group discussions, perhaps guided meditation and movement, readings, journaling, and reflective stillness amongst the trees.

When women gather in this way, empowerment happens! With one another’s unconditional support, our authentic selves can emerge and guide us closer toward the life we are here to live, one in line with our values, our heart, and our purpose.

Join us in a exploration of the season of Autumn and the Metal element through the ancient Daoist practice of Qigong. Based on the natural rhythms of nature qigong allows us to connect with our internal energy and the energy of the natural world we are part of. Through gentle movements/flows, breath work and meditation we begin to cultivate and move energy and circulation in our bodies helping to strengthen our muscles, joints, bones and spirits.

We will learn about the Five Phases, yin and yang, the importance of intention, how to develop more balance and and health in our lives while exploring the Metal Phase within the Five Phase Daoist Practice. We will have fun as we tune into our own life energy!

We recommend eating breakfast before the workshop.

This class is very approachable for all experience and mobility levels. The class is done standing, or in a chair ,and does not require any special equipment or ability.

Lunch will be provided and will correspond with the Season of Autumn and the Element of Metal.

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center
Skill: All Skill Levels

Color isn’t just for painters—poets use it to create vivid, memorable imagery and powerful metaphors. In this workshop, we’ll read poems that showcase the art of description through color, inspiring you to see the world with fresh eyes. You’ll write to focused prompts, share your work, and receive supportive feedback. By the end, you’ll leave with one or more original poems and strategies to infuse your writing with imagination, insight, and deeper emotional resonance. This class is perfect for poets of all levels seeking to enrich their craft and spark creativity.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement
Outcome: Creation of Artwork, Inspiration and Creativity

The Fall Women’s Retreat (rescheduled from July) will be held September 25 - 27 on Earthwork Farm. Facilitated by Lisa Franseen, Kelly Kieft and Ashley Murray, women are invited to join us as we seek to connect with one another, the Earth and our inner selves.

It is a rare gift we can give ourselves, to put aside our many roles and make space for oneself. Imagine having uninterrupted time to share your own story, knowing you will be heard and honored.

Together we will engage in “whole-body” participation - sharing our stories, listening deeply to other’s experiences, spending focused time in nature, indulging in something creative, lightly facilitated group discussions, perhaps guided meditation and movement, readings, journaling, and reflective stillness amongst the trees.

When women gather in this way, empowerment happens! With one another’s unconditional support, our authentic selves can emerge and guide us closer toward the life we are here to live, one in line with our values, our heart, and our purpose.

The Fall Women’s Retreat (rescheduled from July) will be held September 25 - 27 on Earthwork Farm. Facilitated by Lisa Franseen, Kelly Kieft and Ashley Murray, women are invited to join us as we seek to connect with one another, the Earth and our inner selves.

It is a rare gift we can give ourselves, to put aside our many roles and make space for oneself. Imagine having uninterrupted time to share your own story, knowing you will be heard and honored.

Together we will engage in “whole-body” participation - sharing our stories, listening deeply to other’s experiences, spending focused time in nature, indulging in something creative, lightly facilitated group discussions, perhaps guided meditation and movement, readings, journaling, and reflective stillness amongst the trees.

When women gather in this way, empowerment happens! With one another’s unconditional support, our authentic selves can emerge and guide us closer toward the life we are here to live, one in line with our values, our heart, and our purpose.

This gentle movement practice brings peace and tranquility to your day and moves energy and circulation in the body, helping ease pain and strengthen our muscles, joints, bones and spirits.

Led by instructor Flora Biancalana, this class is very approachable for all experience and mobility levels. The class is done standing, or in a chair, and does not require any special equipment or ability.

Suggested Donation: $10/class

Date: Monday – Wednesday, September 28-30, 2026
Time: 10 am–1 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
Skill: Beginner to Intermediate

This introductory course will teach participants how to write a vignette. Each session will be interactive, as part of a roundtable format. Participants will take part in verbal warmups to create dialogue and shape the writing group, explore brainstorming techniques, craft rough drafts, and learn how to refine and write vignettes in final form.

Vignettes are snapshots of a moment in time, flashes of memories, glimpses of an episode in your life. A series of vignettes, sequenced together, can become a memoir about an important period in your life. Vignettes are not short stories – they have no plot. They are not meant to be essays.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Development of Personal Style, Inspiration and Creativity

Free, peer-led mental health support groups:

*NAMI Family Support (Mondays at 6pm. Online and in-person at HBA, 3040 Sunset Ln. See website for zoom link.)

*NAMI Connection Group (Mondays at 6pm. Online, see website for zoom link)