Tudor beheadings and more in MCC retired adult program

The McHenry County College Retired Adult Program for Lifelong Learners is offering new classes this fall semester, along with some returning favorites such as "Writer Wannabees," "Book Nook" and the "Great Decisions" discussion group.

New September classes include "Invitation to a Beheading: The Tudor Dynasty" and a "Great Masters of Art" lecture on John Singer Sargent.

The annual membership fee is $25. To register, call the McHenry County College Registration Office at (815) 455-8588. For more information, call Cindy Kearns at (815) 479-7605 or visit the Web site at www.mchenry.edu/coneducation.

These RAP classes are accepting registration for fall:

Current Issues -- A Deeper Look: This discussion group will take a deeper look at some of the issues surrounding current events with an emphasis on listening to the views of others in the group, as well as expressing one's own thoughts. Participants are encouraged to research the topics and volunteer to be a discussion leader.

The schedule for fall includes: Sept. 5, Current Presidential Hopefuls vs. the Ideal President; Oct. 3, U.S. Balance of Payments, China, and Wall Street; Nov. 7, Ground Water Crisis in McHenry County and Dec. 5, Health Care/Educational Funding vs. Illinois Business Taxation.

The discussions are scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month, September through December in Room B168-B169 at MCC, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

Class ID is NRA S01 001 Cost is $10 for fall semester.

Great Decisions 2007: The September "Great Decisions" series will recap the topics discussed in the February/March sessions. Participants will view videotapes produced by the Foreign Policy Association related to the 2007 topics followed by discussions that always prove to be lively and stimulating.

The discussions will be facilitated by RAP members and two topics will be covered each week. It is not necessary to have attended in February and March to participate. The topics for discussion include: Sept. 6, Middle East and Climate Change; Sept. 13, Mexico and Migration; Sept. 20, South Africa and War Crimes; and Sept. 27, Central Asia and Children. Programs are scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 6-27 in Room B168-B169 at MCC. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S06 002 Cost is $12.

Lunch Bunch In: If you like to eat, talk and meet new people, join with other RAP members for lunch at MCC. It starts at noon in the employee dining room, Building B, behind the cafeteria to the right. After lunch, faculty and staff from the college serve as guest speakers. Registration is required one week in advance. Program is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at MCC Employee Dining Room, Building B. Entrée is roast turkey.

RAP Member Class ID is NRA S04 009. Cost is $12. Registration/cancellation deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 11

Writer Wannabees: Are you interested in writing but don't know where to start? Are you open for an honest, gentle critique?

Join with other RAP members to discuss the rewards and challenges of writing. This self-directed writing support group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The college is closed on Oct. 9 and Dec. 25.

October's meetings will take place on Oct. 2 and 23. December's meetings will take place on Dec. 11 and 18. The cost includes all meetings from September through December. Meetings are scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays, September through December. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S02 001 Location: MCC Room B168-169 Cost is $15 for fall semester.

Great Masters of Art-Fall 2007: MCC's premiere Continuing Education art instructor, Diane Wlezien, will present a series of lectures on three great masters of art. The lectures will focus on the artist's biographies, studies of their work, and discussions of how these artists changed the history of art during their lifetimes.

The September lecture will focus on John Singer Sargent. Lecture is scheduled from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 in Room B166-B167 at MCC. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S07 009. Cost is $12. Nonmember Class ID is NRA S07 010. Cost is $17.

"Invitation to a Beheading: The Tudor Dynasty": Kathleen Spaltro, Ph.D., wrote the more than 40 biographies included in "Royals of England: A Guide for Readers, Travelers, and Genealogists," which covers rulers of England in Great Britain from William the Conqueror to Victoria.

Spaltro will be teaching a two-session class on the accomplished, intelligent, and ruthless Tudor dynasty. Part I on Sept. 19 will include discussion on the Tudor beginnings; Henry VII; and Henry VIII and his six queens. Part Two on Sept. 26 will include Edward VI and Jane; Mary I; and Elizabeth I. Sessions are scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 19 and 26 in Room B168-B169 at MCC. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S31 001. Cost is $16. Nonmember Class ID is NRA S31 041. Cost is $26.

Book Nook: Book Nook meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday, except Dec. 18, and features a discussion of a different book each month. The book list for September to December includes: Sept. 25, "Forever" by Pete Hamill, fiction, 624 pages; Oct. 23, "Babylon Sisters" by Pearl Cleage, fiction, 336 pages; Nov. 27, "Stradivari's Genius: Five Violins, One Cello and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection" by Toby Faber, nonfiction, 288 pages; and Dec. 18, "Rating the First Ladies: The Women Who Influenced the Presidency" by John B. Roberts, nonfiction, 374 pages.

Nook is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. fourth Tuesdays, September through December in Room B169-B169 at MCC. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S03 001. Cost is $10 for fall semester.

American Ideals: Just which "ideals" were affirmed by the founders? What part did religion take in the entire undertaking and, in light of this, what is the nature of that famous "wall of separation" Jefferson wrote of in his correspondence? This set of a dozen videodisc lectures focuses on the Long Debate; the debate regarding human nature and the conditions right for its flourishing.

Two one-half hour videodisc lectures will be presented each week and time will be allowed for discussion. Each lecture is given by a university scholar. Discussions will be facilitated by RAP members. This enlightening series is produced by The Teaching Company.

Lectures are scheduled from :30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 4 to Nov. 8 in Room B168-B169 at MCC. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S09 001. Cost is $18.

If these old timbers could talk: Imagine sitting in an old building and wondering what the walls might say if they could talk. Join us to hear what adventures took place 100 years ago and what characters passed through back then. Farming is what started and sustained McHenry County and even today is a primary industry, though the character of farming has changed.

Relive the history of McHenry County as told by the old timbers of a grand barn with storyteller, Steve Aavang. Event is scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 in Room B168-B169 at MCC. RAP Member Class ID is NRA S33 001. Cost is $10.