Center for Creative Retirement

Courses

• American Mah Jongg - Intermediate Level
• Come Smell the Roses
• From Horse Rail to Mobility Hub
• Know Your Car
• Learn to Play Mah Jongg
• Mrs. JJ Brown Survivor of the Titanic
• Murder at Historic Cherry Hill: Re-enactment
• Norman Rockwell Presentation
• Notorious! Shady Ladies of 19th Century America
• Parker Dunn: A Boy, His Bravery & a Bridge
• Senior Exercise Class
• Visit to Burden Iron Works Museum
• Who was Benedict Arnold?

American Mah Jongg - Intermediate Level

Learn American Mahjong strategy in this advanced beginner class. We will focus on how to choose a hand, what tiles to select during the Charleston, and when to pivot and what hand to pivot to, along with other playing strategies. We will also spend time playing Siamese (two-person) Mahjong. Students should already know the basics of how to play American Mahjong and have their own 2026 playing card.

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Julie Ann Price, Instructor

American Mah Jongg - Intermediate Level

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Fridays, 9/18 - 11/13 10:30 am - 12:30 pm	ZSPI-170 500	0 seats left	$85	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Come Smell the Roses

Instructor Michele Peters, a certified floral designer and member of AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers), brings energy and her passion for flowers to this floral design class with a seasonal spin. Join us for a holiday-themed flower arrangement demonstration and lesson, with a little hands-on project at the end. You may be one of the lucky students who carries one of her creations home! Students who need to withdraw from class must do so five business days prior to the start of class for a refund.

This course will be held at 400 Jordan Road (In the Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy NY, Room 248

Michele Peters, Instructor

Come Smell the Roses

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 10/29 9:30 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-859 500	0 seats left	$35	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

From Horse Rail to Mobility Hub

Join Rensselaer County and Troy City Historian and Director of the Hart Cluett Museum Kathy Sheehan for a journey through our county’s rich transportation history. Kathy’s illustrated discussion on the history of public transportation in Rensselaer County and the Capital Region will evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection. 

This course will be held at 400 Jordan Road (In the Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy NY, Room 248

Kathy Sheehan, Instructor 

From Horse Rail to Mobility Hub

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 11/12 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-865 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Know Your Car

Join us for a “Know Your Car” seminar designed specifically for retired adults, where you’ll gain confidence and practical knowledge about your vehicle in a friendly, low-pressure environment. This informative session covers essential topics such as understanding dashboard warning lights, checking fluids, proper tire maintenance, and basic troubleshooting tips to help keep you safe and independent on the road. Our experienced instructor will also answer common questions and can address new vehicle technologies, including hybrid/electric cars and advanced driver assist systems. Whether you drive every day or just occasionally, this seminar is a great opportunity to refresh your skills and stay road-ready.

Course will be held in Williams Hall, Room 153 

Christopher McNally, Instructor

Know Your Car

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 11/6 11:30 am - 1:30 pm	ZCCR-825 500	7 seats left	$15	Add to Cart

Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Whether you are a complete beginner or just need a refresher, join us in learning to play Mahjong. This fun mental exercise includes basic instruction and the opportunity to play with people of varying skill levels. 

Thursday class will not meet on 10/1

Friday class will not meet on 11/6

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Julie Ann Price, Instructor

Learn to Play Mah Jongg

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursdays, 9/17 - 11/12 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm	ZSPI-119 500	0 seats left	$85	Section Full Call to be added to wait list
Fridays, 9/18 - 11/13 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZSPI-119 501	0 seats left	$85	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Mrs. JJ Brown Survivor of the Titanic

Margaret Brown, or “Mrs. JJ Brown,” as she preferred to be addressed, has been described as a feisty Westerner, a rather “common” woman who survived the Titanic disaster, but there was much more to this remarkable and adventurous lady. Tales of her flamboyant lifestyle and world travels have superseded her participation in numerous public causes and in addressing social issues, including juvenile delinquency, public appreciation for the arts, and women’s suffrage. During the disaster, she remained calm and resourceful, urging others to act swiftly and remain positive. Long afterward, she chaired a Titanic Survivors Committee for the rest of her busy life. Instructor Phyllis Chapman leads the audience on an in-depth tour of the “Ship of Dreams,” its passengers and its crew as Mrs. JJ Brown in this class.

Course will meet at HVCC North, 345 Hermes Rd, Malta, NY

Phyllis Chapman, Instructor

Mrs. JJ Brown Survivor of the Titanic

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesday, 10/20 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZCCR-264 500	0 seats left	$30	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Murder at Historic Cherry Hill: Re-enactment

Historic Cherry Hill is a historic house museum in Albany, NY, and the five-generation home of the Van Rensselaer family from 1787-1963. In 1827, a murder occurred at the Cherry Hill farm, home of the well-known Van Rensselaer family. The crime aroused tremendous public interest, and the subsequent trial culminated in the last public hanging in Albany. Although it appeared to be a crime of passion, it uncovered some simmering issues of the day, including women’s roles and legal rights, social class, punishment and the law, as well as slavery in New York. Hear the words of those involved in the crime and decide who you think was guilty or innocent. 

 Please dress for the weather (rain or shine) and wear comfortable shoes. Inside, the tour will take participants up and down two flights of stairs; outside, participants will walk over some uneven ground. Course fee includes a $15 materials fee.

Course will meet at Historic Cherry Hill, 523 ½ South Pearl St. Albany; located between First and McCarty Avenues.

Cherry Hill Staff, Coordinator

Murder at Historic Cherry Hill: Re-enactment

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Friday, 10/23 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm	ZCCR-736 500	0 seats left	$30	Section Full Call to be added to wait list
Saturday, 10/24 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm	ZCCR-736 501	0 seats left	$30	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Norman Rockwell Presentation

If you remember the Saturday Evening Post, then you don’t want to miss this class. Come and learn about Norman Rockwell‘s life and art during this presentation, which will explore the background and history of the artist, his family, his schooling, his teachers, mentors and illustrators, his painting approaches, his most iconic works, his personal life, and the way his work ties into American culture, as well as the history of the Norman Rockwell Museum. We’ll also learn about the people who appeared on his famous Saturday Evening Post covers and explain how and why he chose his models. 

This course will be held at 400 Jordan Road (In the Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy NY, Room 248

Dan Carubia, Instructor

Norman Rockwell Presentation

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 11/4 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-684 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Notorious! Shady Ladies of 19th Century America

Some people would rather be infamous than famous – and 19th century American women were no different! Scandal and gossip can be so delicious, and these ladies tasted their fair share of both. Phyllis Chapman appears in costume as Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for President of the United States, to delight not only with her own scandalous escapades, but also those of other unconventional 19th century ladies. Victoria, Calamity Jane, Belle Starr, Lizzie Borden, Lydia Pinkham, and Carry A. Nation did as they pleased and didn’t worry about propriety. In the days when a lady’s name only appeared in the newspapers three times in her life, these gals were frequent headliners. If you like gun-swinging, bone-crackling, axe-whacking, free-loving women, this is a must see for you! 

This course will be held at 400 Jordan Road (In the Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy NY, Room 248

Phyllis Chapman, Instructor 

Notorious! Shady Ladies of 19th Century America

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/28 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-505 500	0 seats left	$30	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Parker Dunn: A Boy, His Bravery & a Bridge

More than 35,000 motorists drive over the Dunn Memorial Bridge each weekday, heading to their jobs in Albany or home to the suburbs beyond the City of Rensselaer. It’s a safe bet that few, if any, of the commuters who cross the bridge know anything about the person for whom it is named. Who was Parker Francis Dunn? Where was this young man from? Why is this span over the Hudson River named for him? This presentation includes many photos of Parker Dunn, from a toddler to a young man, and images of the bridge before, during and after construction. Presenter Mark Bodnar will enlighten you on local history that’s been lost to today’s world and will reveal the life and bravery of a young hero who most only know today for the bridge that bears his name.

This course will be held at 400 Jordan Road (In the Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy NY, Room 248

Mark Bodner, Instructor

Parker Dunn: A Boy, His Bravery & a Bridge

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Wednesday, 10/21 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-862 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Senior Exercise Class

Over the course of an hour, students in this class for seniors will work on 18 exercises grouped in three modalities in ascending order of difficulty. Students will be provided with a sheet listing the exercises to use at homeas part of a daily routine and will need to bring their own mat and one- or two-pound hand weights to class.

Course will be held in Brahan Hall, Room 114

Ihor Evanick, Instructor

Senior Exercise Class

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Tuesdays, 10/6 - 11/24 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm	ZREC-133 500	0 seats left	$35	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Visit to Burden Iron Works Museum

The Burden Iron Works Museum highlights the industrial heritage of the Hudson-Mohawk region. The museum features exhibits and artifacts representing major local industries such as iron, bell casting, textiles and precision instruments, among others. A stationary steam engine and several bells are the largest displays inside the museum, while a number of artifacts are arranged on the museum grounds. The museum’s executive director will begin the program with an overview of the region’s industrial history, with a special focus on the contributions of Henry Burden. Participants will then have the opportunity to experience the museum’s displays at their own pace, with docents available to answer questions. Course includes $10 materials fee. 

1 Session, Meet at Burden Iron Works Museum, 1 East Industrial Parkway, Troy, NY

Michele Doodian, Coordinator

Visit to Burden Iron Works Museum

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 11/5 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	ZCCR-530 500	0 seats left	$25	Section Full Call to be added to wait list

Who was Benedict Arnold?

Do you really know the backstory of America’s infamous traitor? Almost all of us have in one way or another heard various stories about what kind of general Benedict Arnold was in Washington’s army and how he chose to go over to the British, but did you know that there are many who feel that his country betrayed him before he betrayed America? This presentation will discuss his early family years, his foray into the military, and those individuals who had significant influence on the disastrous decision that sealed his fate. The narrative of the general’s life unfolds like a poignant tapestry, interwoven with the threads of his early family years that shaped his character and aspirations. His military journey, marked by a series of bold decisions and pivotal moments, reflects both his dedication to service and the weight of responsibility he felt towards his nation. Influential figures along the way played crucial roles in guiding his path, reinforcing his commitment to duty while simultaneously instilling a sense of loyalty that would later be tested. Ultimately, the profound feelings of betrayal he experienced serve as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in loyalty and sacrifice, illustrating how even those who serve with honor can find themselves at odds with the very ideals they once upheld. This multifaceted exploration not only deepens our understanding of one man’s journey but also invites reflection on broader themes of allegiance, trust, and the sometimes-painful realities of serving one’s country.

This course will be held at 400 Jordan Road (In the Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy NY, Room 248

Bill Remia, Instructor

Who was Benedict Arnold?

Schedule	Section	Seats Left	Cost	Register
Thursday, 11/19 9:30 am - 11:30 am	ZCCR-848 500	0 seats left	$15	Section Full Call to be added to wait list