Learn to Play Canasta
Mondays
September 19, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cost: $60; Class size: 9 students
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
Requirements: Each player should bring two decks of cards (with jokers) and pen and paper for notetaking.
Canasta is a fun, social, and challenging card game. It is a partnership game that is played with two decks of cards. Instructor: Trudy Cooper
Learn to Play Mah Jongg
Thursdays
September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, November 3
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cost: $60; Class size: 9 students
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
Mah Jongg is a fun, social, and mentally stimulating tile game played with four players. Players create strategy and build hands. Both skill and luck play a part. Instructor: Trudy Cooper
Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.
If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.
Memoir Writing
Tuesdays
September 27, October 11, 25, November 8, 22, December 6
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $60; Class size: 8 students
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
What’s your story? Your life experience is the story that only you can tell. Examples of successful memoirs are discussed as well as techniques for organizing your thoughts and putting them on paper. Instructor: Jennifer Dotson
Poetry Writing
Tuesdays
October 18, November 1, 15, 29, December 13
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $50; Class size: 8 students
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
Designed for both beginning and experienced poets. In-class writing exercises will challenge your inner muse as we experiment with various poetic forms (rhymed and unrhymed) and sparks for inspiration. Instructor: Jennifer Dotson
Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.
If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.
Beginning Spanish
Tuesdays and Thursdays
September 20, 22, 29, October 6, 11, 13, 18, 20
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $80; Class size: 8 students
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
This class is designed for beginning students. Students will develop the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Learn the Spanish alphabet, basic vocabulary, greetings, personal pronouns, and identify simple sentence structure. Instructor: Cecilia Melicchio
Poetry Writing in Spanish
Wednesdays
October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $60; Class size: 8 students
Requirements: Intermediate level of Spanish.
Required text: Twentieth Century Latin American Poetry, edited by Stephen Tapscott, University of Texas Press, Austin. Available at Highland Park Public Library or Amazon.
Required text: Spanish / English Dictionary.
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
This class is designed to write poetry in Spanish and explore and engage with literary resources. Through in-class activities and analysis of poems by Spanish and Latin American poets, participants will have an opportunity to delve into those aspects that entail writing poetry, from the moment a poem is born, to its revision as a finished text. Class will be conducted in Spanish. Instructor: Olivia Maciel Edelman
Beginning Italian
Wednesdays
September 28, October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $60; Class size: 8 students
Registration opens Thursday, September 1.
This class is designed for beginning students. Students will be exposed to Italian culture, conversational skills, basic grammar, and pronunciation. Learn the Italian alphabet, vocabulary, greetings, and simple sentence structure. Instructor: Silvia Rota
Library U is a continuing adult education program made possible by the generous support of the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund. Advanced registration and online payment via ePay are required. No refunds. Registration will close when the class is filled.
If you have questions, or to suggest a class, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.
Trudy Cooper
Learn to Play Canasta and Learn to Play Mah Jongg
Trudy Cooper is a former teacher. She has taught canasta for more than 10 years in both public and private settings. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and holds degrees in education and psychology.
Silvia Rota
Beginning Italian
Silvia moved to the United States from Italy with her family in 2003. She received a Master's degree in law at Loyola University and practiced law in Chicago. Sylvia now dedicates herself to volunteering for local nonprofit organizations and the PTO. She loves to share her native Italian language with others who want to learn and practice it.
Cecilia Melicchio
Beginning Spanish
Cecilia Melicchio graduated from Buenos Aires University, Argentina, where she received a BA in Educational Sciences. She also has a BA in Elementary and Middle Education and an MA in Education & New Technologies. In her country, she worked several years in a variety of education-related roles such as Elementary and Middle School Teacher, Deputy Principal, Online Tutor and Pedagogical Designer. She relocated from Argentina to Highland Park four years ago. Cecilia enjoys walking to Rosewood Beach Park, traveling with her family, teaching, learning and meeting new people. Cecilia is also an English language learner and has many anecdotes about this process.
Olivia Maciel Edelman
Poetry Writing in Spanish
Olivia Maciel Edelman is a well-accomplished published poet and translator. She received her Ph.D. in Romance Languages from the University of Chicago and has taught Spanish and Latin American literature at universities and colleges in the Chicago area. She was recognized with the Poet’s House Award (New York), and the José Martí Award (Houston). Olivia was born in Mexico City and resides in Chicago. She enjoys taking walks by the lake, reading, listening to music, or simply drinking a cup of cappuccino with friends.
Jennifer Dotson
Memoir Writing and Poetry Writing
Jennifer Dotson has a BA in English Literature/Theater Arts from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and an MFA in Drama from the University of Virginia. Founder of Highland Park Poetry, Jennifer is the author of two poetry collections: Clever Gretel (Chicago Poetry Press, 2013) and Late Night Talk Show Fantasy & Other Poems (Kelsay Books, 2020). She has been facilitating poetry, creative writing and memoir workshops since 2007.
Highland Park Poetry