Sourdough seems like it shouldn’t be possible.  There is no yeast.  There’s a funny thing called a starter that requires watching.  It’s complicated.  Isn’t it?

Now there’s no need to fear flat bread!  Learn the tricks to making great sourdough in “Making Sourdough Bread” from the Chesapeake Forum Tues., Oct. 4th 1-2:30 PM at the Easton Family YMCA on Peachblossom.

Jonathan Burbank and Barb Jarell

Instructors Jonathan Burbank and Barb Jarell start by explaining what a sourdough starter is, then proceed to make the dough using the starter, developing the dough by kneading it and letting it rise, then baking the dough. The basic principles and jargon of the sourdough world will be explained, as well as any tools that are necessary. Participants will also get a sample of the starter to take home to begin making their own bread.  Yum!

Making Sourdough Bread will be in person at the Easton Family YMCA  on Tues., Oct. 4th from 1-2:30 PM.  $15.  To register for this, or any other Chesapeake Forum course, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing Lifelong Learning opportunities for people of all ages on the Eastern Shore.

Dr. Thomas Broussard

Join the Chesapeake Forum for “Aging with Healthy Communication Skills” on September 19th and 26th and “Stroke & Aphasia Recovery” with Dr. Thomas Broussard on September 20th.  Whether it’s the normal challenges of aging (“what’s that you say?”) or something more severe like aphasia, stroke or dysarthria,  both patients and caregivers will come away with better tools for understanding and communicating with each other.  These two courses are so important that the Chesapeake Forum has decided to offer them at no charge to the public. To register, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

On Monday,  September 19th join Speech and Language Pathologist Judith Cornette for the first of two sessions on how aging and hearing loss affect communication.  In the first session, Judi will share ideas that support and enhance communication skills for patients and their caregivers.  In the second session on September 26th, Judi follows up on Dr. Broussard’s course “Stroke & Aphasia Recovery” with more information on how neurological challenges like stroke, aphasia, and dysarthria. can also impact our ability to communicate.   “Aging with Healthy Communication Skills” is two sessions, Monday September 19th and 26th from 1-2:30 PM.  In-person at the Peachblossom YMCA, via ZOOM or by recording. Free.

Judith Cornette

In “Stroke & Aphasia Recovery” on Tuesday, September 20th.  Dr. Thomas Broussard shares his personal story of how he regained his language and processing skills following a severe stroke.  Dr. Broussard will share several methods he developed that helped him rebuild his communication skills.  “Stroke & Aphasia Recovery” is one session, Tuesday, Sept. 20th from 1-2:30 PM, via ZOOM or recording.  Free.

To register for these, or any other Chesapeake Forum classes, please visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

The Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit dedicated to providing continuing education opportunities for residents of the Eastern Shore. If you would like to receive the Chesapeake Forum’s monthly newsletter, please email to [email protected] with your name and preferred email.

Linda Schwarten Evans

It’s hard enough to get two people to make a decision together, let alone a group.  In the Chesapeake Forum’s “The Power of Teamwork”, you’ll learn how to create a team environment and get people moving in step with one another to create success.

The one-day session will focus on how to work together as professionals and families, and how to be“in step with others” and teams around the world. There will also be a discussion of one’s own self-esteem as part of the team in order to make a positive contribution. As a visual reminder of what teamwork is all about, the instructor will bring an old Ox Yoke belonging to her grandfather and used on her family’s farm.

Instructor Linda Schwarten Evans is a native of Talbot County. She was a seminar leader for the American Management Association in her early career and subsequently founded her own business, The Conference Table Seminars. She transitioned her career focus as a healthcare professional to seminar facilitator, and exhibits a commitment to excellence in training and development. Her passion for teaching social skills to adults, as well as youth and teens, is evident through her work at Peachblossom Learning Community Home School, and her voluntarism as co-facilitator of social skills for children and teens at Peace of Mind Mental Health in Easton, as well as Character Counts Coach at Easton High School.

The Power of Teamwork will be in-person at the Easton Family YMCA (no recording), one (1) session, September 27th from 10-11:30 a.m., $15. To register for this or other Chesapeake Forum classes, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.  The Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit dedicated to providing continuing education on the Eastern Shore.

Katherine Marconi

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Maryland was swept by multiple epidemics as typhus, yellow fever, flu, smallpox and other diseases spread through the state sickening or killing adults and children alike.  New immigrants with limited immunity had it the worst.  In fact, things were so bad, a 17th century advertisement warned new residents to “bring a shovel and a coffin” if they came to Maryland.

A new course from Chesapeake Forum, “Exploring the Long History of Epidemics in Maryland,” will take a look at how the current COVID epidemic fits within the context of the many epidemics that have occurred in the state.  Modern technology has kept us connected through the COVID lockdowns.  Imagine living through this without the benefit of today’s technology and science. Learn how epidemiologists described these epidemics, discuss their impact on local society and find out how Marylanders responded to them.

Instructor Katherine Marconi, Ph.D., MS, recently retired from the University of Maryland Baltimore, where she taught global health and epidemiology. She received her doctorate from George Washington University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Most of her public health career was spent in the federal and Pennsylvania State governments, where she worked in global and domestic HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care; and chronic diseases. She has published numerous articles and book chapters on public health topics. She edited, “Big Data and Health Informatics,” published by Auerbach. One of her passions is translating complex information into understandable concepts to improve public health.

“Exploring the Long History of Epidemics in Maryland” is one (1) session, September 21st from 1-2:30 PM, $15.  To register for this and other Chesapeake Forum classes, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.  The Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit dedicated to providing continuing education on the Eastern Shore. If you would like to receive the Chesapeake Forum’s monthly newsletter, please email to [email protected] with your name and preferred email.

Forest Hansen, Ph.D.

Do you have a story you want to tell but need a little help telling it?  Would you like to write about your life, your family, and its unique history?  The significance of particular events?  Chesapeake Forum’s popular class, Writing Reminiscences, led by Forest Hansen, Ph.D., will help you start your journey into the art of memoir writing.

Each week, participants write a 1-2 page piece, distribute copies, and read the piece aloud to the class, with other participants offering encouragement and suggestions for improvement.  This format requires a limited enrollment, and being in-person supports the abundant verbal exchanges and the warmly supportive spirit.

Forest Hansen earned a BA and MA in English and a Ph.D. in Philosophy. For more than 30 years he taught courses in both areas, as well as Greek Civilization and Classics in Western Thought.  He has been a discussion leader for The Great Books and was co-creator and director of a college travel program studying ancient Greek and Byzantine civilizations in Greece and Turkey.

Writing Reminiscences will be held in-person at the Peachblossom YMCA in Easton on Wednesdays, Sept. 14, 21, 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., $35. No recording.  To register for this or other Chesapeake Forum classes, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.  If you would like to receive the Chesapeake Forum’s monthly newsletter, please email to [email protected] with your name and preferred email.