Rend Lake College has a hobby class for everyone this spring with focus on building street rods, painting, cross stitching, crocheting, golfing, writing, and watching the stars. Classes begin this month and run through May.
First up this spring is the popular Principles of Street Rodding class, taught by instructor Jody Martin. In this class, participants will learn the basics of building a safe street rod by working on a 1939 Chevy Coupe. Some of the topics covered by this course will be how to select the right project, the paperwork involved, chassis and suspension options, engine and transmission choices, brake selections, and wheel-tire combinations. One portion of the class will also focus on a demonstration by RideTech featuring suspension parts.
Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All attendees should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and bring safety or welding glasses or hood. Participants may register for one or both sessions for new hands-on experiences. The class costs $90 per session. Session one meets from 6 – 9 p.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 30 through March 6. Session two will meet from March 20 through April 24. All classes will be located in the Vocational Building, Room 125, on the Ina campus.
Get the whole family involved with Stars & Constellations. During this class, instructor Greg Hollmann will facilitate hands-on activities during January’s “Super Moon” event to help attendees learn more about Earth’s closest neighbor. Topics will including the cycle of phases for the Moon and alignment for lunar and solar eclipses. Participants will have the chance to use the college’s telescope to view the Moon and other objects. Those in attendance are asked to bring a blanket and dress warmly. The class is free, and will meet from 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the RLC Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus.
Want to go from hands-on to getting your hands dirty? Check out the Fun with Acrylics class taught by instructor Sharon Corn. No painting or drawing experience is needed for participants to create their own masterpiece on a 16-by-20 stretched canvas. Students will paint birds in February, bicycles in March, and flip flops in April.
The class costs $15, plus a $10 supply fee per session, and is designed for those age 10 and older. Classes will meet on the following dates from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103, on the Ina campus: Tuesday, Feb. 13; Tuesday, March 13; and Tuesday, April 10.
Two more hands-on classes are set for February and March. Counted Cross Stitch for Beginners will teach the basics of cross stitch, including how to start and end threads and creating patterns. Instructor Tiffany Hulsey will help participants create their own cross stitch bookmark during the class, which is designed for those age 7 and older. The class costs $10, plus a $2 supply fee, and meets from 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at the RLC Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus, Room 116.
Learn to Crochet will meet the following month to teach beginners how to make their own crossbody bag. Attendees will learn to read a pattern, crochet in the round, and attach pieces of work together with instructor Jessica Wright. The class costs $45 and meets from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesdays, March 30 through April 10 – all in the Learning Resource Center on the Ina campus.
If getting active outside is on your mind, sign up for Golf for Beginners with instructor Dan Breslin. Work on several key components, such as putting, chipping, and swinging, all while learn about safety and golf rules and etiquette. The class costs $20, plus a $10 supply fee, and meets from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Mondays, April 9 through April 30 – all at Red Hawk Country Club in Tamaroa.
Spend your Saturdays perfecting your writing skills with instructor Jeremy Mays during the Fiction Writing Workshop. This hands-on class will feature challenging exercises for the writing novice and will give attendees advice on publication and formatting. At the end of the course, participants will have written their own piece for critiquing and possible publication. The class costs $90 and is designed for those age 16 and older. It will meet from 9 a.m. – noon on the following Saturdays: April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, and 26 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 354, in Mt. Vernon.
To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing[email protected].
