Spring 2023
Beginning Beekeeping
Examine honey bee biology, basic colony management techniques and common problems. Emphasis is on the beekeeper’s first year, covering topics of equipment, colony cycles and honey crop production. Please bring a notebook and $20 to purchase the instruction booklet.
- Instructor: Fred Gerberding
- Date: Wed., Feb. 22-April 12 (no class March 8)
- Time: 6-8 p.m.
- Location: Millennium Center, Room 2203
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $49
- Course code: CEW 301-01
Introduction to Floral Design
Learn floral design techniques in a fun, creative, hands-on course. Make DIY home decor and explore basic design principles and various design methods. Students will create a minimum of eight different pieces guided by an experienced floral designer. Students should bring one pair of scissors and one pair of clippers/pruners for the purpose of cutting stems, tape, wires. A supply fee of $100 is payable to the instructor on the first day of class; the fee covers the costs of floral foam, floral frogs, wire, clay, wreath forms, containers/vases and fresh flowers for the eight designs.
- Instructor: Tabatha Land
- Date: Wed., Feb 22-April 19 (no class March 8)
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Location: Sangamon Hall, Room 2209
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $139
- Course code: CEW 103-05
How to Prepare, Stage and Sell Your Home
When selling a single family, condo or multi-family dwelling in today's fast paced market, you need to know how to get the most value out of your home. This class will outline simple steps to eliminate potential problems, give ideas about decluttering, cleaning and repairing, and explain how to stage your home for a successful offer. Whether you plan on putting your house up for sale in 30 days or six months, or whether you are just beginning to think about the selling process for a distant future date, this class can help you maximize your profit and reduce your stress!
- Instructor: Nikki Cowan
- Date: Sat., Feb. 25
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Location: Montgomery Hall, Room 1142
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $19
- Course code: CEW 109-01
Downsizing: It's Harder Than You Think
Most people acquire things over a lifetime, but when it comes time to move into a smaller home or relocate to a warmer climate, the task of deciding what to keep and what to toss can be overwhelming. In this class we will discuss how to start the downsizing process: what to keep, donate, sell or throw away. It includes our Downsizing Guide which is a resource for documenting your possessions into 24 categories ranging from Antiques to Vehicles.
- Instructor: Maureen Williams
- Date: Sat., March 25
- Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Location: Millennium Center, Room 2237
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $29
- Course code: CEW 113-03
Easy Vehicle Driveway Checkup
You don’t have to be afraid or intimidated by your vehicle. Brian Early, auto tech instructor, will demonstrate simple preventative vehicle checks to be done monthly and/or before you head out on a road trip that will keep your vehicle operating safely and running smoothly. Detailed, hands-on examples cover lights, wipers, horn, tires, fluid levels and jump-starting. You will have the opportunity to pull your vehicle into the auto tech lab and practice these skills on your own ride!
- Instructor: Brian Earley
- Date: Sat., March 25
- Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Location: Workforce Career Center, Room 1179
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $65
- Course code: CEW 112-03
First Time Home Buyer Seminar
Join in for an overview of the home buying process that includes tips on obtaining a mortgage, home inspections, house hunting and much more!
- Instructor: Nikki Cowan
- Date: Sat., March 25
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Location: Montgomery Hall, Room 1142
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $19
- Course code: CEW 109-02
Keeping Bees Sustainably
This practical-oriented class will demonstrate introduction and evaluation of queens, making and managing small colonies or nucs, and monitoring and managing varroa as well as hive examination for common diseases. The class will utilize the colonies in West Lake Nature Grove. Please bring a sack lunch.
- Instructor: Fred Gerberding
- Date: Sat., March 25
- Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Location: Millennium Center, Room 2203
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $49
- Course code: CEW 301-02
The Basics About Honeybees
Honeybees influence our lives more than we realize and their benefits often go unnoticed. In this hybrid course you will learn about seasonal changes that occur within a honeybees’ life during the online portion followed by hands-on practical application at LLCC’s new apiary. Educators will learn about common misconceptions, gain a greater appreciation and understanding of honeybees, and the essentials to care for them.
- Instructor: Dave Cox, LLCC professor of biology
- Date: Three hours of self-paced online videos available April 1-17. Onsite class on April 18 (weather date May 2).
- Time: Onsite TBD
- Location: West Lake Nature Grove Apiary, 2321 W. Lake Shore Dr., Springfield
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $60
- CPDUs available: 5
- Course code: CEW 300-01
Planting a Successful Butterfly Garden
Butterflies have specific needs for reproducing, feeding and surviving. Learn how easy it is to plan your gardens with these needs in mind and discover the wonder of butterflies for yourself. This hands-on class will introduce simple techniques and tips that even the novice gardener can implement. Students will have an opportunity to plant their own milkweed, dill and fennel seeds — all favorite food sources for butterfly larva. Instruction will also be provided for a simple butterfly garden featuring these and other butterfly favorites.
- Instructor: Penny Moore-Garner
- Date: Tue., April 18
- Time: 6-9 p.m.
- Location: Jacksonville
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $35
- Course code: CEW 106-01
Planting a Basic Herb Garden
Have you ever been curious about growing your own herbs but were overwhelmed with the possibilities? If so, this class is for you. This class will identify and outline basic growing requirements for seven common herbs: basil, mint, chives, oregano, thyme, cilantro and parsley. Students will become familiar with each herb and have a chance to experiment with planting basil seeds, chive bulbs and oregano cuttings. Designs for a basic herb garden will be provided and include the propagated herbs. Common uses for the seven herbs will also be reviewed.
- Instructor: Penny Moore-Garner
- Date: Thu., April 27
- Time: 6-9 p.m.
- Location: Jacksonville
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost: $35
- Course code: CEW 106-02
Summer 2023
Organic Gardening
Students will learn fundamental skills necessary to grow nutritious produce by understanding how environmental factors impact the garden. Each student will participate in activities that will enhance their connection to nature. The course will address the difference between organic, natural and alternative pest management and fertilizer applications. Important issues such as a lack of biodiversity, heirloom varieties and companion planting will be presented through the use of guilds. Participants will visit Emerald Gardens in Taylorville for several class periods for hands-on experience.
- Instructor: Miranda Smith
- Date: Tue., May 2-June 6
- Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Location: TBA
- Ages: 19 and over
- Cost:$79
- Course code: CEW 106-03