Center for Creative Retirement

We offer more educational and fun classes, trips and workshops to keep you actively engaged.

How to Register

  • Register online by selecting "Add to Cart" on the desired course(s) and select "Cart" at the bottom of the page when you are ready to checkout.
    • The “Seats Left” information is updated every half hour and when you checkout.
  • Other registration options are available.

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Courses

Designs for the Afterlife

Designs for the Afterlife: Artists and Architects in Albany Rural Cemetery

This two-part classroom course explores the rich legacy of 19th century funerary art and architecture in Albany Rural Cemetery, focusing on works by some of America’s most distinguished artists and designers of the time. Part one focuses on the funerary art of Louis Comfort Tiffany, renowned for his stained-glass windows and decorative arts. While best known for his lamps and glasswork, Tiffany Studios also created more than 760 cemetery monuments. This session will explore the history of Tiffany and his studio, the distinctive characteristics of his gravestone designs, and how to potentially identify a Tiffany stone. We will take a virtual tour of some of the more than 30 Tiffany stones in the cemetery identified from Tiffany records, as well as stones which were likely done by Tiffany, but lack documentation.

Part two highlights the contributions of Erastus Dow Palmer, a celebrated 19th century sculptor, and Marcus T. Reynolds, prominent architect and designer, both of whom are buried in Albany Rural Cemetery and who have produced numerous stone works in this outdoor museum. We’ll explore their artistic legacies through a virtual tour of the cemetery, focusing on the monuments they designed and examining the aesthetic and stylistic features that define their work. 

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

Dr. Lynn Radlick & Dr. Michael Radlick, Instructor

Designs for the Afterlife
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Friday, 5/15
10:00 am - 12:00 pm		 ZCCR-850 600 1 seats left $25

Flip Side of History

Flip Side of History - Part I

This repeat presentation revisits some of the most incredible true stories ever told. Learn about the cyclist who tried to hit an unheard-of speed of 60 mph back in 1899; the woman who survived the disasters of the Titanic and its two sister ships; the world’s very first airplane stowaway; and more! For more than thirty years, author and retired teacher Steve Silverman – host of the delightfully odd Useless Information Podcast – has been on a mission to dig up the strange, silly, and downright unbelievable stories that history has swept under the rug. Come join Steve as he brings some of his all-time favorites to life in a talk that’s guaranteed to entertain.

This course will be held at HVCC North, 345 Hermes Rd., Malta, NY 

Steve Silverman, Instructor

Flip Side of History
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 4/29
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm		 ZCCR-745 600 5 seats left $15

German Holidays and Celebrations

Come and enjoy an authentic German meal of schnitzel, potato pancakes, applesauce, and red cabbage, as well as beverages and dessert, followed by a presentation on German holidays and celebrations such as Oktoberfest, May Day, Karneval and Spargelfest. Course fee includes $40 materials fee.

Course will meet at the German American Club, 32 Cherry St., Albany, NY

Melinda Burns, Instructor 

Jean Chenette, Coordinator

German Holidays and Celebrations
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 4/29
11:30 am - 1:30 pm		 ZCCR-846 600 0 seats left $55Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch

The Knickerbocker Historical Society will be our hosts as they tell us about the history and ghosts of the Knickerbocker Mansion, which dates from about 1770. They will arrange for historical “ghosts” to give moving firsthand accounts of their lives and experiences, and they will explain the renovations – the not-for-profit Society rescued the mansion from certain demolition and has continued to restore it. Our visit concludes with a chance to tour the mansion and a colonial lunch cooked with authentic recipes, a delicious side to the history of the mansion. Course fee includes $30 materials fee.

Course will meet at Knickerbocker Family Mansion, 132 Knickerbocker Rd., Schaghticoke, NY

Liz Haworth, Coordinator

Knickerbocker Family Mansion: Ghosts, Tour and Lunch
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Wednesday, 5/20
10:30 am - 1:30 pm		 ZCCR-137 600 0 seats left $50Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

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 3/19

Friday class will not meet on 3/20, 4/3 & 4/17

Course will be held in Daycare Center, Room B06

Julie Ann Price, Instructor

Learn to Play Mah Jongg
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Fridays, 2/20 - 5/1
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm		 ZSPI-119 600 0 seats left $79Section 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
Friday, 5/8
9:30 am - 11:30 am		 ZCCR-684 600 1 seats left $15

Rensselaer Co. Celebration of Independence 1826 - 1976

Join Rensselaer County and Troy City Historian and Director of the Hart Cluett Museum Kathy Sheehan for an illustrated discussion on how Rensselaer County celebrated our country’s independence in 1826, 1876-1926 and 1976, and how we plan to celebrate our semiquincentennial, America’s 250th anniversary, in 2026!

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

Kathryn Sheehan, Instructor

Rensselaer Co. Celebration of Independence 1826 - 1976
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Friday, 5/1
9:30 am - 11:30 am		 ZCCR-852 600 4 seats left $25

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, 3/24 - 5/5
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm		 ZREC-133 600 0 seats left $25Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

The Beauty, Design and Fragrance of Spring Flowers

Come learn from instructor Michele how to create layer upon layer of gorgeous spring arrangements. With more than 30 years of design experience, her goal is to create a masterpiece with color, texture, shape and style and teach you how to bring your own ambience to every occasion with energy, passion, and creativity. Come join us and you may be one of the lucky students who carries one of her creations home! Course fee includes a $20 materials fee.

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

Michele Peters, Instructor

The Beauty, Design and Fragrance of Spring Flowers
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursday, 4/30
9:30 am - 12:00 pm		 ZCCR-374 600 0 seats left $35Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

The Erie Canal: A Story of Building the Impossible

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal, this illustrated story describes the canal’s initial conception, challenging engineering and construction, instant success (even before it was completed!), cargo and passenger operations, local and national impact, enlargement, replacement, demise, and resurrection. Learn about its connection to the Statue of Liberty, why it was called “The Eighth Wonder of the World” and “The Mother of Cities,” and the little-known meaning behind “The Erie Canal Song” (“I’ve got an old mule and her name is Sal…”).

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

Sandy Schuman, Instructor

The Erie Canal: A Story of Building the Impossible
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursday, 5/7
9:30 am - 11:30 am		 ZCCR-612 600 0 seats left $27Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

The Saugerties Lighthouse

Join us at the Saugerties Lighthouse, an 1869 landmark on the Hudson River that now stands proudly as a living museum and a renowned bed and breakfast. Step back in time more than a hundred years to experience the charm and rustic simplicity of life in the middle of the river. The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy maintains the lighthouse and adjacent lands for the enjoyment of the public. The restored red-brick lighthouse offers overnight bed and breakfast accommodations, public tours, and special events. Furnished as it may have looked in the early 20th century, the lighthouse contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen,  keepers’ quarters, and two guest bedrooms. The operational light tower offers a panoramic view of the 

Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains. Because of its location on the river, tours must be scheduled with tide schedules in mind. The lighthouse can be reached via a half-mile nature trail of dirt and rock paths with wooden bridges and boardwalks and sandy trails. It is at the end of Lighthouse Drive in the village of Saugerties, New York. Suitable, comfortable shoes are recommended as it is a short walk to the lighthouse. Course fee includes $10 materials fee

Course will meet at the 168 Lighthouse Road, Saugerties, NY

Saugerties Lighthouse Staff, Coordinator

The Saugerties Lighthouse
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursday, 5/7
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm		 ZCCR-337 600 0 seats left $25Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Tombstones & Tales at Albany Rural Cemetery

Explore the rich history and remarkable stories of the Albany Rural Cemetery on this guided walking tour, which will cover a completely different part of the cemetery than last year’s tour, with new and interesting tales of the deceased. Over the course of approximately two hours, we will visit notable funerary monuments and learn stories about some of the cemetery’s most fascinating permanent residents. The tour will cover about one mile, primarily along relatively flat roadways and grassy areas. The ground off the roadways and around the monuments may be uneven. There will be stops at various gravesites as we move between locations. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring insect repellant and sunscreen. Please note, there are no bathroom facilities in the cemetery.

We will meet at Cypress Pond.  Check the cemetery website to access a map of the cemetery — www.albanyruralcemetery.org. There are two entrances to the cemetery: the main gate off Broadway in Menands and the south gate entrance off Rte. 378 (Menand Rd. at Van Rensselaer Blvd (Rte 377). The easiest and more direct route to Cypress Pond is from this south gate entrance. Course includes $10 materials fee.

Course will meet at Albany Rural Cemetery, Cypress Pond

Dr. Lynn Radlick and Dr. Michael Radlick, Instructors

Liz Haworth, Coordinator

Tombstones & Tales at Albany Rural Cemetery
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Tuesday, 5/12
10:00 am - 12:00 pm		 ZCCR-833 600 1 seats left $25

Tour Proctors Collaborative Scene Shop

This is a unique opportunity to learn how Broadway or off-Broadway shows are first conceived. The first step for all show producers is to create a script for the storyline and then to hire a creative staff that envision a world or setting. The setting is not just the narrative of the production, but a narrative of the space needed, which translates the storyline and point of view of the work. The production staff then bids out the work to people who will actualize the design. A scene shop’s work begins in a bid process, figuring out how to make this vision a reality. The class will be introduced to Obadiah Savage, the scene shop director, who will lecture and demonstrate his work by using plans, drafts and other methods of communication used by designers to build a set and ensure the success of a work. He will also discuss common issues like rigging, electrical concerns, flame retardancy and other potential safety problems and consequences of an accident happening in front of a live audience. Then, the tour will move into their fabrication space to look at instances of problem solving, and into their warehouse to view the prop and scenery inventory. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions and will be encouraged to continue the dialogue with the staff even after the class ends.

Course will meet at Scene Shop, 611 Rotterdam Industrial Park, Building 6, Bay 1, Schenectady, NY 12306

Marilyn Sassi, Instructor 

Tour Proctors Collaborative Scene Shop
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Thursday, 5/14
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm		 ZCCR-827 600 0 seats left $29Section Full

Call to be added to wait list

Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch

Enjoy taking a step back in time to the mid-1800s to see and experience the genteel living of the nouveau rich of Troy’s Washington Park and surrounding neighborhoods. We will see firsthand the loving care taken to rehabilitate and update many of these one-of-a-kind 19th century homes and explore their own private park. We’ll see many types of architecture, including Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne, and may even see a restoration in progress at one of the homes. We’ll start with a visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church for a presentation on their Tiffany treasures and to explore their Memorial Garden, and a light lunch will be held in the last home we visit on the tour. There will be lots of walking on mostly uneven surfaces: sidewalks, grass, roads, and some home interiors with multiple flights of stairs. Be mindful of your capabilities to keep up with the group, as we have a tight schedule to adhere to for the two-hour tour. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be on your feet for all of the tour. Dress for the outdoors, rain or shine this time of year. Course fee includes $25 materials fee.

Course will meet at 146 1st Street, Troy, in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church where the tour begins. Parking lot directly across from the church.

Lynn Kopka, Instructor

Lea Darling, Coordinator

Tour Troy's Private Washington Park with a Light Lunch
Schedule Section Seats Left Cost Register
Monday, 5/4
9:30 am - 12:30 pm		 ZCCR-329 600 1 seats left $40

Get in Touch

Office of Workforce Development and Community Education

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Fitzgibbons Health Technologies Center, Room 334
(518) 629-7339

Fax: (518) 629-8103

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding college holidays and vacations)