Sessions in Springfield

Band

Open to all concert band instrumentalists. Students must have a working instrument and/or accessories. This is an instrumental ensemble intended to provide an opportunity for students to continue their instrumental pursuits through rehearsal/performance utilizing repertoire of the highest quality. The ensemble performs concerts several times during the semester.
August 25, 2026 to December 10, 2026, Menard Hall Room 2250

Google Cybersecurity Professional

During the nine courses in this certificate program, you will learn from cybersecurity experts at Google and gain in-demand skills. These skills will prepare you for entry-level roles such as cybersecurity analyst, security operations center (SOC) analyst and more. This certificate will assist you in preparation for the CompTIA Security+ exam, the industry leading certification for cybersecurity roles. This is an online, self-paced course estimated to take 170 hours to complete. You can register and start at any time. After registration, please allow up to 5 business days to receive your course access invitation. Once received, you'll have 6 months of access to complete the course at your own pace. 170 Contact Hours. Fee: $149. To register, email continuing.education@llcc.edu
August 28, 2026 to February 28, 2027, Online

Conversational German

For travel and fun, students will learn effective conversational skills, pronunciation, key phrases, numbers, telling time, self-introductions and basic information relative to travel. Please bring notebook and a mobile phone to install a free dictionary app. Textbook is required and may be purchased from the LLCC Bookstore.
September 15, 2026 to October 27, 2026, Menard Hall Room 1179
April 6, 2027 to May 18, 2027, Menard Hall Room 1177

Conversational Spanish 3

This course is for those who have already attended Conversational Spanish 2, or already have some knowledge of the language including the conjugation of some present-tense regular and irregular Spanish verbs, and the difference between SER & ESTAR. The class text will be the same as that for Spanish 2. In addition to using this book, we'll do web exercises related to the grammar. While attention will be paid to Spanish grammar, the primary focus of the course is conversation, as its title suggests. If you're unsure whether this is the right course for you, please contact the Community Education office. The required textbook may be purchased from the LLCC Bookstore.
September 30, 2026 to November 18, 2026, Menard Hall Room 1175
January 27, 2027 to March 24, 2027, Menard Hall Room 1175

Landscape Photography

In this class, you'll learn the exact camera settings and techniques used to capture stunning landscape photographs. Bring your camera and get hands-on experience dialing in the settings that make outdoor scenes truly shine.
October 5-26, 2026, Menard Hall Room 1177

Mah Jongg for Beginners

Learn the exciting and challenging game of Mah Jongg! ALL members who are interested in learning Mah Jongg or who would like to refresh their skills are invited. Attending all sessions is recommended.*** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
October 5-19, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

In today's always-on work environment, it's easy to stay busy without making real progress. This interactive course facilitated by a Certified 7 Habits Trainer introduces a proven framework for personal and professional effectiveness based on Stephen R. Covey's timeless principles. Participants will learn practical tools to shift from reactive habits to proactive leadership, clarify priorities through a personal mission statement, and strengthen time management using the Time Management Matrix. The session also builds relationship and teamwork skills through Win-Win thinking, empathetic communication, and collaboration while reinforcing sustainable performance through "Sharpen the Saw" strategies that help prevent burnout.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 202

Introduction to Floral Design

Learn floral design techniques in a fun, creative, hands-on course. Make DIY home decorations 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 $150 is payable to the instructor on the first day of class which covers the costs of floral foam, floral frogs, wire, clay, wreath forms, containers/vases and fresh flowers for the eight designs.
October 7, 2026 to December 2, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

Email Basics

This workshop is for beginners who are new to using email or want to build more confidence using email. The email training will be using Gmail, one of the most common email platforms. Learners will create a Gmail account. They will also learn how to perform basic email functions, such as sending, receiving, and replying to email. Also, they will learn to recognize and deal with spam, organize and delete emails, and search for messages.
Thursday, October 8, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 111
Thursday, April 1, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Ghosts and the Paranormal Level 1

An introduction to ghosts, ghost hunting and other paranormal topics. Whether you are a true believer or a skeptic with an open mind, gain a deeper insight into the world of the paranormal. Hear fascinating tales of ghost hunting and many paranormal topics as respected investigators share true stories and experiences, and cover best practices for paranormal investigation.
October 8-29, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1121
April 5-26, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1121

Retirement Planning Today

Planning for retirement is a fundamentally different experience than it was even a few years ago. Economic changes as well as changes to social security have created an environment that demands we take a more active role in planning for the financial side of retirement, and that we take action to lay out a plan for the type of life we want to have in our golden years. Retirement Planning Today® is a comprehensive educational course designed to push past what you can learn at a typical lunch or dinner seminar by providing a deep look at both the financial and lifestyle aspects of retirement and life planning. During this course you will have a chance to lay out your goals and visions for retirement. A spouse or partner may attend for no extra charge but must be indicated during checkout (workbooks to be shared).
October 13-20, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1115
October 17-24, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1115
January 19-26, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1115
January 23-30, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1115

CPR

Certification is through the American Heart Association and covers adult, child and infant CPR in addition to AED usage and choking care for all ages. No first aid or other health care treatment is addressed within the course. CPR classes are taught by LLCC Emergency Medical Services program staff.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116
Monday, December 7, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116
Thursday, January 14, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Tuesday, February 2, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Wednesday, February 17, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Monday, March 1, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Thursday, March 25, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Tuesday, April 6, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Wednesday, April 21, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Monday, May 3, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116
Thursday, May 20, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116

Fun Create Day: Card Making

Make a total of 3 cards. First, make two cute greeting cards, one for Thanksgiving and one for the winter holidays, with Julie Krehbiel & Tara McAndrew. Then with Mary-Lou Flowers and Peggy Moore, you will create a decorative greeting card by stitching a design onto paper and another using plastic wrap and a napkin. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only***
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Fun Create Day: Non-traditional Pumpkin Decorating

You will need to bring your own pumpkin. Wash your pumpkin but do not cut the top and do not clean it out. Lori Leytem will show you how to decorate a pumpkin with a variety of kitchen tools, cookie cutters and small knives.*** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only***
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

Fun Create Day: Paint Outside the Brush

Join Sandy Kennedy and discover the fun of painting without a brush! Use everyday household items to create bold textures, playful patterns, and one-of-a-kind effects that ordinary brushes just can't pull off. Then bring it all together as you create your own masterpiece! *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only***
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1114

Pinochle

Pinochle players usually meet on the second Wednesday and the fourth Thursday of each month to play and have fun. Play is 3 handed and 4 handed, single deck, auction bidding pinochle. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116
Thursday, October 22, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Chicken, Chicken, Chicken

Chicken doesn't have to be boring! Discover techniques for achieving juicy, flavorful results with balanced seasoning and perfect doneness.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Meet, Greet & Eat Lunch

An opportunity to join other Academy of Lifelong Learning members for a meal and fellowship. Meal expenses are to be paid by the participant. View each session for the specific details.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, Legacy Pointe Eatery

Around Town

Around Town travels locally to learn about businesses, non-profit or government units, and nearby historical buildings or events. Participants arrange their own travel to meet at pre-arranged sites for tours, entertainment, and information from experts on the subject. View each session for the specific details. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, Scheels Sports Park

Internet Basics

This workshop is for beginners who are new to the internet or want to build more confidence finding information online and navigating websites. Attendees will learn about web browsers and search engines, build skills to navigate the internet, and discover tips and tricks for basic and advanced searching online.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 111
Thursday, April 29, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Pedal Pushers

Pedal Pushers is our easy-going bike crew that loves fresh air, good company, and gentle rides on quiet streets. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off your wheels, come join the fun as we explore local paths at a relaxed pace. Every ride is a little adventure - and everyone's welcome to roll along.
Friday, October 16, 2026, Pedal Pushers Ride 2

Flicks on Friday (FOF)

Bring your favorite movie snack to enjoy a classic movie (most are closed caption). View each session for details.
Friday, October 16, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

Pickleball

Noncompetitive pickleball play takes place most Friday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. at the Salvation Army. Our sessions are open play. The cost is $5 per session payable to the Salvation Army, please bring exact amount, change is not available. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
Friday, October 16, 2026, Salvation Army
Friday, October 23, 2026, Salvation Army
Friday, October 30, 2026, Salvation Army

Focaccia

Focaccia (pronounced fuh-KAH-chuh) is a classic Italian yeast bread with a soft, airy interior and a crisp crust, flavored with olive oil and baked in flat sheet pans to create its signature dimpled surface. It is often topped with fresh herbs, vegetables, olives, and flaky sea salt before baking for added flavor and texture.
Saturday, October 17, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Unleashing the Power of Adobe Acrobat

Discover how much more Adobe Acrobat can do beyond opening PDFs! This beginner friendly workshop introduces you to the essential tools for creating, editing, organizing, and securing PDF documents. You'll learn how to combine files, add comments, create fillable forms, and use Acrobat's powerful review and collaboration features. Perfect for anyone looking to streamline workflows and make working with PDFs faster, easier, and more professional.
October 19-21, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 130

Power Automate: Beyond the Basics

Move beyond simple notifications and basic approvals to build resilient, high-performance business solutions. This course is designed for users who have completed Power Automate basics and are ready to tackle complex logic, multi-stage processes, and advanced data manipulation. Learn to use Trigger Conditions and OData filters to slash your flow run usage and improve performance. Master advanced expressions to scrub "dirty" data into professional reports. Implement the same "Try/Catch" logic used by pro developers to ensure your flows never fail silently again.
Monday, October 19, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Supervision Essentials: Managing People & Performance

This self-paced 8-week course equips current and aspiring supervisors with essential skills for effectively managing employees and teams. Participants will learn practical strategies for hiring, performance management, motivation, engagement, conflict resolution, and workplace safety.
October 19, 2026 to December 13, 2026, Online

Mah Jongg

Mah Jongg has a large group of regular participants, and the energy in the room is warm, social, fun and exciting. Any ALL member who knows the basics of this game is invited to join. If you have a Mah Jongg set, bring it for more play. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
Monday, October 19, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105
Monday, October 26, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

Hand and Foot

Hand & Foot is a fun and challenging card game. Want to learn to play? Contact the program chair to arrange for an instructor to meet you 30 minutes before play time. That's all it takes to be able to join the fun. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

Introduction to Power BI

Unlock the power of data with Introduction to Power BI: Jumpstart, a one-day course designed for beginners to master the essentials of Microsoft Power BI. Learn to connect, transform, and visualize data using Power BI Desktop, creating interactive reports that drive business insights. Through hands-on exercises, you'll explore real-world scenarios, such as analyzing data from Excel and SharePoint, to build compelling visualizations. This course introduces Power BI's core features, preparing you to confidently navigate the tool and understand its role in data-driven decision-making.Perfect for professionals, analysts, or anyone new to data visualization, this course offers practical skills to transform raw data into actionable insights, with a focus on Microsoft's powerful Power BI Desktop. No prior experience is required.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Mobile Devices - Android

This workshop is for beginners who have a new Android mobile device, or are considering getting one, and want to learn more about the basic functions. It will help learners get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using their device safely.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 111
Thursday, May 6, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Handling Conflict and Difficult Conversations at Work

Conflict is part of managing people. The real issue is not whether conflict happens, but how quickly and skillfully you respond when tension starts to rise. This interactive workshop helps you recognize early warning signs, stay grounded under pressure, address issues directly, and use practical communication techniques that reduce defensiveness and move conversations toward resolution. Participants will practice handling common workplace situations involving performance concerns, tone problems, frustration, resistance, and emotionally charged interactions. This workshop is grounded in de-escalation principles, conflict psychology, and communication strategies that help you protect relationships while still holding standards.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 202

Harry Potter

One thing is for sure, there are many fun and flavorful recipes to be found in Harry Potter inspired cookbooks. Sip on a cold "Butterbeer" while you join us in our kitchen, located at platform 9 ¾. Participants must be 21 to register.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Hooks and Needles

Community of crafters working on their portable projects, mostly some form of textile craft, such as quilting, embroidery, beading, knitting and crocheting.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Online Registration Workshop

Ready to sign up for programs online? We can help! Join LLCC's Community Education staff for a hands-on workshop. Learn to use the online registration system to browse programs, find activities you're interested in, and complete your registration. This workshop is designed for members who would like a little extra guidance navigating the online registration process. Computers will be available for you to use, or feel free to bring your own smartphone, tablet, or laptop - whatever device you normally use to access online registration. There are two sessions available, one in the morning and a repeat in the afternoon. You do not need to attend both.
Friday, October 23, 2026, Millennium Center Room 2105
Friday, October 23, 2026, Millennium Center Room 2105

Adapted Yoga

This is a basic gentle yoga class in which participants either sit in a chair or stand with the support of a chair. The class helps with relaxation, breathing, mobilizing, stretching, and strengthening. No experience is necessary, and no equipment is necessary; wear comfortable clothing. *** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
Friday, October 23, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116
Friday, October 30, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Moon Pies

Moon Pies are a classic American treat made with two soft cookies filled with marshmallow and coated in chocolate. Sweet, nostalgic, and satisfying, they've been a favorite for generations.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Fused Glass Snowman Scene Plate

Design a cheerful winter or holiday plate featuring your very own fused glass snowman scene to serve from or display. In this creative, hands-on class, you'll learn how to cut, layer, and arrange glass to build a charming seasonal design that's uniquely yours. A $44 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Parent and Me: Fall Cookie Decorating (Adult with Child Age 6-18)

Create special fall memories with your young chef as you roll, cut, and decorate seasonal cookies using colorful royal icing and simple decorating techniques. Each pair will share a batch of cookies to decorate and take home.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

STEAM: Think, Create, Explore - Math is an Adventure (Grades 1-3)

Get ready to create, build, explore, and imagine in STEAM & Math! We'll use cool tools, try hands on experiments, make awesome projects, and solve mystery challenges together. You might build a tower that can survive an earthquake, design your own invention, create colorful art with patterns, or crack math puzzles that unlock the next adventure!
October 24, 2026 to November 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Spooktacular Creators Club (Grades 4-6)

Get ready for a festive, hands on Halloween adventure! Spooktacular Creators Club blends creativity, problem solving, and teamwork through engaging projects and interactive activities. Students will explore the imaginative side of Halloween as they tackle collaborative challenges, participate in movement based games, and express ideas through art and storytelling. All activities are age appropriate, exciting without being scary, and thoughtfully designed to build leadership skills, cooperation, confidence, and creative thinking. Costumes are welcome but optional. Participants should come ready to think creatively, work as a team, and enjoy a fun, seasonal experience with peers. This class is perfect for students looking for a festive way to connect, create, and celebrate Halloween together!
Saturday, October 24, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

STEAM: Think, Create, Explore - Math is an Adventure (Grades 4-6)

Get ready to create, build, explore, and imagine in STEAM & Math! We'll use cool tools, try hands on experiments, make awesome projects, and solve mystery challenges together. You might build a tower that can survive an earthquake, design your own invention, create colorful art with patterns, or crack math puzzles that unlock the next adventure!
October 24, 2026 to November 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Meet, Greet & Eat Dinner

An opportunity to join other Academy of Lifelong Learning members for a meal and fellowship. Meal expenses are to be paid by the participant. View each session for the specific details.
Monday, October 26, 2026, Blue Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill

Mah Jongg League

ALL Mah Jongg League is designed for players who enjoy the game of Mah Jongg following National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules and standards, and who are ready for more competitive play in a friendly, fun environment. Players will focus on advanced strategies and skills, such as scoring, defensive play, and maintaining a faster pace. The ALL Mah Jongg League is open to current ALL members who participate in the ALL Mah Jongg Group. Players must know and understand NMJL rules and standards, play independently, and maintain a steady pace.*** This program is for Academy of Lifelong Learning members only.
October 26, 2026 to November 16, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

GameOn!

Looking for a social, lively, and all-around fun time? GameOn! is the group for you! GameOn! will feature a main game each month to bring everyone together. View each session for details.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

Conversations- Today's Topic

Spending too much time on your screens and not enough talking to real people? Then join us in our remake of a past ALL program, Today's Topic, now called Conversations.Programs will include nonpartisan conversations about local or regional topics of interest, each with an expert moderator/facilitator who will encourage audience participation. While differences of opinions are likely and encouraged so too will be civil, respectful behavior and comportment.Each 60-90-minute program will be held on-campus or at public or private spaces to accommodate speakers and/or enhance the subject matter.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Sangamon County Building, Room 223

Book Lovers

Book Lovers brings together those who share a love of reading. Different genres are read, lively discussions and opinions are shared in a respectful space. Book discussions are facilitated by a volunteer member of the group. Book Lovers' regular meeting time is the fourth Wednesday of each month. View each session for the specific details.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105

Mobile Devices - iphone

This beginners workshop is for those who have a new Apple mobile device, or are considering getting one, and want to learn more about the basic functions. It will help learners get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using their devices safely.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 111
Thursday, May 13, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Change by Design: Putting Change Management at the Decision Table

Too often, organizations treat change management as a communication plan that comes after decisions are made. The result is predictable: resistance, confusion, culture strain, and missed outcomes. Sustainable change does not happen by accident. It happens when leaders intentionally design for people, not just process. Change by Design: Putting Change Management at the Decision Table is a highly interactive workshop that reframes change management as a strategic leadership responsibility rather than a late-stage task. Participants will explore why even well-intentioned initiatives fail to gain traction and how early integration of change thinking dramatically improves adoption, engagement, and results. At the center of this session is a hands-on, real-time walkthrough of Kotter's Change Model. Participants will apply each step to a real organizational or team change scenario, moving beyond theory into practical application. This working session allows leaders to experience what effective change design actually looks like while building a repeatable process they can use in their own organizations. By the end of the workshop, participants will not only understand how to lead change more effectively, they will leave with a draft roadmap they can immediately refine and implement.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 202

Young Chefs: Halloween Treats (Ages 8-18)

Calling all ghouls, ghosts and goblins for a fun and festive day creating spooky Halloween themed sweet and savory treats. Costumes can be worn to class if children are able to work safely in the kitchen while wearing them.
Saturday, October 31, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Canva Essentials: Design Made Simple

Discover how to create professional-quality graphics with Canva's powerful, free design tools. Whether you're crafting eye-catching marketing materials, polished resumes, social media posts, flyers, brochures, or invitations, Canva makes it easy to bring your ideas to life. In this hands-on class you'll explore customizable templates, the extensive elements library, text and branding features, and built-in AI tools all accessible without a paid subscription. Learn practical tips and design techniques to confidently create visuals for personal, academic, or professional use. No design experience needed, just bring your creativity! Please bring a notebook, pen, and flash drive.
November 2-5, 2026, Sangamon Hall Room 1101

Drawing: Shading Techniques in Graphite & Charcoal

Explore the foundations of realistic shading in this hands-on drawing class designed for all skill levels. Whether you're continuing from Drawing for Beginners or starting fresh, this course will guide you through the core techniques needed to bring portraits to life. Students will learn how to transfer a line drawing from a reference photo and then build depth and dimension using both graphite and charcoal. Instruction will focus on blending each medium individually and combining them effectively to create smooth transitions, strong contrasts, and lifelike features. By the end of the class, students will have a solid understanding of shading fundamentals and the confidence to apply them to their own portrait work. Students must bring the following supplies to class: transfer paper (not tracing paper) in 8.5×11 or larger, a drawing paper pad (not sketch paper) such as Strathmore or Canson Drawing or Bristol Smooth, graphite pencils in 2H, HB, 2B, and 6B-preferably Kimberly brand-General's charcoal pencils in HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B, a kneaded eraser, a charcoal eraser, and blending stumps, all of which can be purchased at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Amazon.
November 2-30, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1123

Building Resilience, Flexibility, and Agility at Work

Workplaces change through new systems, shifting priorities, staffing changes, process updates, customer needs, and evolving expectations. This workshop helps participants build the practical skills needed to stay effective when work feels uncertain or disrupted. Participants will learn how to reset after setbacks, separate facts from assumptions, adjust priorities, ask clarifying questions, communicate needs or barriers, and choose a productive next step. Through realistic workplace scenarios, participants practice strategies they can use immediately to stay focused, adaptable, and effective through change.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 107

Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals

Discover the power of Microsoft Power Platform with this Fundamentals course, a one-day introduction designed for beginners to explore Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Microsoft Dataverse. Through hands-on exercises, you'll create a customized SharePoint list form, build automated workflows, and develop a Power BI report using a SharePoint Sales list. This course provides practical skills to automate processes, analyze data, and create simple apps, leveraging Microsoft 365 integration for real-world scenarios like sales tracking. Participants are strongly encouraged to register early-at least one week before the class start date-to secure a seat, as many classes fill quickly. Classes may be cancelled due to low enrollment, and early registration can make the difference.
Thursday, November 5, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

The Heart of Gumbo

Discover the rich flavors and traditions behind this Louisiana classic. Learn how to build a flavorful gumbo from the roux up while preparing classic side dishes that complete the meal.
Thursday, November 5, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Breakfast Round Table

Enjoy breakfast with other Academy members while hearing from a local speakers about topics of interest. View each session for the specific details.
Thursday, November 5, 2026, Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum

IL Health Care Educators Conference, Pathways to Practice: Building a Health Care Educator Network

IL Health Care Educators Conference, Pathways to Practice: Building a Health Care Educator Network
Join us at the inaugural Illinois Health Care Educators Conference - an energizing event created for secondary and post-secondary educators who are shaping the future of health care training. Whether you're just beginning your journey as an educator or bringing years of experience to the classroom, this conference offers fresh perspectives, renewed motivation and practical tools to empower you as you guide the next generation of health care professionals. CPDUs and CEUs available for select professions.
Friday, November 6, 2026, Northfield Inn Suites and Conference Center

International Appetizers and Cocktails

Learn to create appetizers that taste out of this world and are sure to become your new go-to party pleasers. The class also includes instruction on two cocktails that will elevate your hosting game and wow your guests. Participants must be 21 to register.
Friday, November 6, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Wildlife Wonders (Grades 1-3)

Join us and discover the world around you! Our state is home to an amazing variety of plants and animals that make it a truly special place to live. In this class, we'll explore our local ecosystem through hands on projects that spotlight its incredible residents. From colorful plants like Black eyed Susans and Milkweed to fascinating animals such as White tailed Deer, Beavers, and Five lined Skinks, the nature just outside your door will inspire our creativity. We'll also learn about the important benefits these plants and animals provide to people and the environment. To bring it all to life, students will create exciting 3D dioramas that show these organisms in motion within their natural habitats!
Saturday, November 7, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1114

Microsoft Excel 365 Level 3

This advanced course explores powerful Excel tools such as PivotTables, macros, data import/export, and structured references. Learners will deepen their skills in automation, data consolidation, workbook protection, and accessibility features-preparing them to manage complex workbooks and perform advanced business analysis.
Monday, November 9, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Microsoft Word 365 Level 1

This introductory course equips participants with essential Microsoft Word skills, including creating professional documents such as letters, resumes, and reports. Learners will explore text formatting, tables, columns, headers/footers, and visual elements like SmartArt and WordArt. The course also covers mail merge for letters, envelopes, and labels, laying a strong foundation for effective business communication.Participants are strongly encouraged to register early-at least one week before the class start date-to secure a seat, as many classes fill quickly. Classes may be cancelled due to low enrollment, and early registration can make the difference.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Project Management Foundations

This workshop introduces the foundations of project management and the critical activities that occur before project work begins. Learners explore the five phases of the project management lifecycle, distinguish project work from operational work, and examine how successful projects begin with a clear purpose, defined goals, stakeholder alignment, and realistic expectations. Through a case-study-based experience, participants practice identifying stakeholders, defining success criteria, recognizing project constraints, and creating a project charter that serves as the foundation for project planning and execution.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Communicating Effectively

Communication drives workplace engagement. In this session, get more strategic about communication as a professional skill. Tune into your personal communication style and compare it to that of your peers, supervisors, and customers. Learn how to customize your approach and get the best results. Understand what to get right in managing in-person, written, and digital interactions to prevent conflict and promote productivity. Leave with new methods for connecting to others at work and contributing as a high-performing employee.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 107

Savor the Soups

Join Chef 'Mama' Kim for another beloved class where she shares her secrets to crafting hearty and comforting soups that warm both the heart and soul. Don't miss the chance to learn how to prepare a variety of delicious, crowd-pleasing recipes.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Macarons

Join us for one of our most popular classes! In this session, you'll learn the secrets to mastering this classic French dessert. Whether you're a dessert enthusiast or a beginner, you'll gain the skills to impress every time.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107
Saturday, January 30, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107
Saturday, April 10, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Fused Glass Christmas Ornament Set

Design and create a festive set of four fused glass Christmas ornaments perfect for decorating your tree or gifting to someone special. This joyful, hands-on class guides you through cutting, arranging, and layering glass to craft unique holiday designs that sparkle with personality. Whether you're brand new to glasswork or already familiar with the process, you'll enjoy a relaxed, creative experience and leave with four kiln fired ornaments ready to hang. A $44 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Fall Into Thankfulness (Grades 1-3)

Fall Into Thankfulness is a fun and age appropriate fall and Thanksgiving themed class. Children will explore the sights, sounds, and traditions of the fall season while learning about gratitude, sharing, and kindness. Through hands?on crafts, simple games, storytelling, and group activities, students will create fall themed projects and practice expressing what they are thankful for in ways that are meaningful and easy to understand. Activities emphasize creativity, cooperation, and positive social skills in a warm, supportive environment.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1114

From Prompts to Agents: An Introduction to Agentic AI

This beginner-friendly workshop is designed for people who already use AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot or Claude and want to go a step further. Participants will learn what agentic AI is, how AI agents differ from standard prompt-based tools, and how agents can use goals, tools, memory, and decision-making to complete multi-step tasks. Through practical examples and guided activities participants will explore how agentic systems work, where they can add value in workplace settings, and how to begin thinking through the design of a simple AI agent. No coding or technical background is required. Participants will learn to distinguish prompt-based AI from agentic AI, explain the core components of an AI agent, identify tasks that may be suited for agent workflows, think through the structure of a simple agent for a workplace task, and recognize risks, limits, and the role of human oversight.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Advanced Project Management

This workshop builds on foundational project management concepts by guiding learners through the Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Control, Communication, and Completion phases of the project lifecycle. Through hands-on activities, project simulations, peer feedback, and case-study application, participants practice defining project scope, creating planning artifacts, assessing project status, responding to project changes and risks, communicating with stakeholders, and evaluating project outcomes. The workshop concludes with lessons learned, sustainability planning, and opportunities for learners to apply project management practices to initiatives within their own organizations. Prerequisite: Project Management Foundations or Instructor approval.
November 18-19, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

A Tuscan Night

Inspired by the flavors of Tuscany, learn how simple ingredients come together to create rich, satisfying meals rooted in tradition and seasonality. Perfect for anyone who loves rustic Italian cooking. Participants must be 21 to register.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Floral Holiday Centerpiece

Create a beautiful holiday table centerpiece perfect for displaying in your home when hosting for the holidays, or give it as a wonderful holiday gift. Bring floral clippers or garden snips. A $55 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Friday, November 20, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

Bourbon Smash

Bourbon, bacon, and brown sugar take center stage in this indulgent and popular class. Explore the art of cooking with bourbon while learning about crafting a perfectly balanced cocktail. Participants must be 21 to register.
Friday, November 20, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Basket Weaving: Bagel Basket

This basket is a great size to use for anything! It would look great on top of your fridge, dryer, coffee table - and of course for bagels! Techniques include setting up a woven, filled base, twining, triple twining with an arrow weave, the use of leather handles and an overlay. Beads and copper wire are the accent on this basket. Students will have a choice of beads and design their own during class. Accent colors are moss green and smoked. All supplies are provided. Please bring a sack lunch.
Saturday, November 21, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Thanksgiving Pies

Learn essential pie decorating techniques to take your homemade pies to the next level. From elegant lattice tops to beautifully designed edges, you'll discover ways to make your pies as stunning as they are delicious.
Saturday, November 21, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

STEAM: Pages and Projects (Grades 1-3)

Get ready for a story filled adventure! In this class, kids jump into awesome tales about artists, inventors, and creators. After reading together, students will chat about the story, share cool ideas, and imagine all the possibilities. Then it's time to get messy (in a fun way!) kids will make their very own art projects inspired by what they read. With bright colors, big imaginations, and lots of creativity, stories will come to life right on the page. In this class, you might be a scientist, an engineer, an artist, a tech whiz or math detective whenever inspiration strikes. Every day is hands on, brain boosting, and full of fun ways to create, explore, and express yourself!
November 21, 2026 to December 12, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Harvest of Gratitude (Grades 4-6)

Harvest of Gratitude is a fall and Thanksgiving themed enrichment experience. This interactive program invites participants to explore the season through creative projects, team building games, and guided group discussions focused on gratitude, empathy, and community connection. Students will reflect on what thankfulness looks like in their own lives and how it influences relationships, cooperation, and positive choices.
Saturday, November 21, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1114

STEAM: Pages and Projects (Grades 4-6)

Get ready for a story filled adventure! In this class, kids jump into awesome tales about artists, inventors, and creators. After reading together, students will chat about the story, share cool ideas, and imagine all the possibilities. Then it's time to get messy (in a fun way!) kids will make their very own art projects inspired by what they read. With bright colors, big imaginations, and lots of creativity, stories will come to life right on the page. In this class, you might be a scientist, an engineer, an artist, a tech whiz or math detective whenever inspiration strikes. Every day is hands on, brain boosting, and full of fun ways to create, explore, and express yourself!
November 21, 2026 to December 12, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

AI-Enhanced Decision Making: Critical Thinking for Today's Workplace

Artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate productivity, but it doesn't replace sound judgment. This workshop helps professionals sharpen their critical thinking skills while working with AI tools. Participants will learn how to question outputs, spot potential bias, and combine human expertise with AI insights to make smarter, more ethical decisions. Participants are strongly encouraged to register early-at least one week before the class start date-to secure a seat, as many classes fill quickly. Classes may be cancelled due to low enrollment, and early registration can make the difference.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Modern Ireland Pub Crawl

Experience unexpected modern Irish pub classics with creative twists. The dishes will be paired with delicious drinks for a lively and flavorful evening inspired by Ireland's evolving pub culture. Participants must be 21 to register.
Thursday, December 3, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Get ready to celebrate with an evening of festive baking and entertaining ideas. Prepare a selection of sweet treats while learning helpful baking techniques and simple party-hosting tricks to make gatherings easy and memorable. Participants must be 21 to register.
Friday, December 4, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Floral Holiday Wreath

Create a beautiful seasonal evergreen wreath perfect for displaying in your home when hosting for the holidays, or give it as a wonderful holiday gift. Bring floral clippers or garden snips. A $60 supply fee payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Friday, December 4, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130
Saturday, December 5, 2026, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

Parent and Me: Grinch Takeover (Adult with Child age 6-18)

In this Grinch Takeover, adults and children will work together to create festive Grinch-themed treats. Side by side, you'll practice simple baking and decorating techniques while sharing plenty of holiday fun.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Winter Wishes Workshop (Grades 1-3)

Winter Wishes Workshop is a cozy, creative class where students explore the magic of winter through imagination, making, and play. Designed for young learners, this workshop invites children to dream big as they create winter themed crafts, build imaginative projects, and take part in gentle design challenges inspired by wishes, kindness, and seasonal wonder. Students will use a variety of materials to bring their ideas to life, whether they're crafting sparkling snowflakes, designing a "wish keeper," or building something warm and wonderful for a winter world. Along the way, they'll practice sharing ideas, working together, and celebrating their creativity. Winter Wishes Workshop is all about joyful making, storytelling through art, and discovering that a little creativity can make winter feel magical.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1114

Holiday Cookie Platters

Bake a variety of delicious cookies with friends and take home a beautifully arranged platter to share and enjoy.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Bluegrass Jam hosted by Jennifer Ramm

Jennifer Ramm, a local bluegrass musician and bluegrass radio show host, invites you to an afternoon gathering of acoustic musicians playing bluegrass music together. All members of the community and all levels of musical ability are welcomed! All eras and styles of bluegrass are welcome, from Ralph Stanley to Alison Krauss to Billy Strings. So - bring a voice, bring an instrument, bring a desire to sit and listen to the wonderful comradery that is a group of bluegrass musicians playing live together.
Sunday, December 6, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1105
Sunday, February 7, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105
Sunday, April 4, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105

Microsoft Word 365 Level 2

This intermediate course builds on foundational skills to tackle long and complex documents. Topics include using styles and themes, working with templates and building blocks, creating tables of contents and indexes, and managing multi-section documents. Participants will also learn document collaboration techniques using Track Changes, comments, and document comparison tools for efficient review and revision.
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, LLCC-Medical District Room 118

Holiday Candies

Spend the evening transforming sugar and chocolate into your own handmade candy creations.
Thursday, December 10, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Yule Log

Buche de Noël or yule log cake is a Christmas tradition. We will show you step by step how to make, bake, fill, roll and decorate your very own.
Saturday, December 12, 2026, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Basket Weaving: All Hearts Come Home for Christmas

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas was designed especially for the West Tennessee Basket Guild for their Christmas Weave in 2024. This large basket starts by weaving a woven, filled base. Techniques include setting up a base, twining, paired triple twining, filling the base using the "chicken feet" method, the use of overlays and shaping! The handle is an oak 8" - 9" push in. The accent colors are Moss green and Christmas red. There will be a variety of floral embellishments to choose from during class and state of Illinois embellishments. All supplies are provided. Please bring a sack lunch.
Saturday, December 12, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1116

Winter Maker Studio (Grades 4-6)

Winter Maker Studio is a hands-on, creativity packed class where students become inventors, artists, and problem solvers, winter style! Inspired by the season, students will design, build, and experiment using a variety of materials and maker tools. From engineering cozy structures and crafting winter themed art to tackling fun design challenges and collaborative projects, kids will explore how ideas turn into creations. This class encourages curiosity, teamwork, and creative thinking in a welcoming studio environment. Whether students are sketching, building, testing, or re-imagining their designs, Winter Maker Studio is all about learning through making and having fun while staying cool and creative all winter long.
Saturday, December 12, 2026, Trutter Center Room 1114

Choir

The college choir is open to anyone with some singing ability. Emphasis is placed upon improving musicianship as well as the quality of performance. Many varied styles of choral literature are studied and performed at the end of each semester. This course may be repeated for a maximum of four semesters.
January 11, 2027 to May 7, 2027, Menard Hall Room 2250

Jazz Band

This is a select instrumental ensemble. The ensemble rehearses and performs a variety of big band arrangements, both jazz and rock. The jazz band performs several times a year at various public venues. Open to all performers on trumpet, trombone and saxophone, rhythm performers (piano, guitar, bass, drum). Students are required to have a working instrument and accessories.
January 12, 2027 to May 6, 2027, Menard Hall Room 2250

Soup's On

Join Chef "Mama" Kim for another round of comforting, flavorful soups! Explore a new collection of recipes while learning tips and techniques for building rich flavors and creating satisfying soups from scratch. Whether you're looking for a cozy weeknight meal or a new family favorite, you'll leave with recipes worth making again and again.
Thursday, January 21, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Spices 101

Unlock the secrets of your spice cabinet! In this flavorful intro class, you'll learn how to identify, blend, and cook with common spices to elevate everyday meals. We'll explore the difference between herbs and spices, how to build layers of flavor, and when to toast, bloom, or grind. Walk away with a spice-forward recipes, tasting notes, and the confidence to season like a pro.
Friday, January 22, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Basket Weaving: Straight to the Heart

"Straight to the Heart" starts by weaving a woven, filled base and tucking the filler spokes using the "chicken feet" method. Techniques include setting up a base, twining, triple twining with a step up, and the use of overlays. The accent color is Quartz Pink, and a beaded heart embellishment adorns the front of this cutie!
Saturday, January 23, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1121

Sourdough Pizza and Calzones

Put sourdough starter to delicious use with homemade pizza and calzones! Learn techniques for shaping, filling and baking to create flavorful pizza crusts and golden calzones filled with your favorite ingredients.
Saturday, January 23, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Rhythm and Groove Line Dance

Do you need something to get you moving and off the couch? Join Diane C McCreary for a fun, upbeat, class. Wanna dance? Take a chance with the Rhythm and Groove Line Dance!
January 25, 2027 to March 22, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105

Conversational Spanish 1

For people with no experience with Spanish, this course is designed to encourage you to start learning the second most spoken language in the U.S. (about 45 million speak it). Starting with the alphabet and numbers, you'll be exploring what it is like speaking and understanding Spanish from the very beginning of the class. A textbook is required and may be purchased from the LLCC Bookstore.
January 25, 2027 to March 22, 2027, Menard Hall Room 1175

Conversational Spanish 2

Designed for those with some experience with the Spanish language, class begins with a review of the basics. Using games, role-playing, reading and drills, participants are encouraged to express themselves in Spanish, utilizing structures and vocabulary needed in everyday situations. A textbook is required and may be purchased from the LLCC Bookstore.
January 26, 2027 to March 30, 2027, Menard Hall Room 1175

ASL Level 2

Level 2 ASL builds upon the foundational skills established in Level 1. This course is designed to expand students' receptive and expressive communication abilities, foster conversational confidence, and deepen understanding of ASL grammatical structures and Deaf Culture. Textbook is required and may be purchased from the LLCC Bookstore: "Learning American Sign Language" ISBN 0-205-27553-2
January 27, 2027 to April 28, 2027, Menard Hall Room 1179

ACT Test Prep (Grades 10-12)

Get ready to excel on the ACT with our comprehensive prep course - designed to equip you with everything you need to succeed. From expert strategies to targeted practice, we cover all five ACT sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. Each session includes proven test-taking techniques, in-depth content reviews, practice with authentic ACT-style questions, strategies to manage time and reduce test anxiety, andtips to improve speed and accuracy. Build your confidence by mastering essential skills in math, science, grammar, reading comprehension, and essay writing. Learn how to approach questions strategically, familiarize yourself with the test format, and strengthen your critical thinking to perform your best on test day.
January 27, 2027 to February 24, 2027, Millennium Center Room 2106
January 30, 2027 to February 27, 2027, Millennium Center Room 2106

Zumba

Diane C. McCreary has been practicing Zumba for 17 years and been teaching for 13 years. You will enjoy her upbeat attitude & the excitement she will create for this dance & fitness class. Students should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes and bring a water bottle.
January 28, 2027 to March 25, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

East Coast Favorites

From Maine to Florida, savor the coastal flavors that make East Coast cooking a favorite. Prepare regional specialties such as clam chowder, shrimp and grits with a savory cream gravy, and a fish Reuben, along with other seaside favorites.
Thursday, January 28, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Parent and Me: Soups

Warm up in the kitchen with a comforting bowl of homemade soup! Work together with your young chef to prepare flavorful soups from scratch while learning basic cooking techniques and discovering how simple ingredients can become a cozy meal the whole family can enjoy.
Saturday, January 30, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Cooking with Honey

Explore the sweet and savory possibilities of honey in this class featuring honey from LLCC's West Lake Nature Grove. Learn how to balance its natural sweetness and bring out its flavor in a variety of delicious dishes.
Thursday, February 4, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Quick Breads

Instead of requiring yeast to rise before baking, baking powder or soda is used to make these breads rise while baking. Quick breads can be made from doughs or batters and come in many varieties you see every day.
Saturday, February 6, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Photography for Beginners

Learn the history of where photography came from to where it is now, as well as the basic functions of your camera and what each symbol means. Learn the difference between JPEG, RAW and TIFF files in addition to the best ways to capture the images you are wanting. Upon completion of this course, you will leave with the knowledge and understanding of how your own personal camera functions to capture those moments. Please bring your camera with your specific manual.
February 9, 2027 to March 2, 2027, Millennium Center Room 2104

Photoshop

Review Photoshop's powerful tools and learn techniques such as basic editing, cropping, adjusting colors, converting images to black and white, layering, adding text, specialty tool usage and more! Bring your own laptop with Photoshop installed, or use a computer in our Mac lab.
February 11, 2027 to March 4, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 130

Mardi Gras

Carnival is a time to eat, drink and be merry before the rigorous fasting and sacrifice during Lent. It is filled with parades and celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras, which is French for "Fat Tuesday." Celebrate the flavors and cocktails of New Orleans. Must be 21 to register.
Thursday, February 11, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Pad Thai 101

Skip the takeout and bring the fresh flavors and satisfying noodles of Pad Thai to your own table! Build confidence preparing this classic Thai noodle dish as you work with rice noodles, balance sweet, sour and savory flavors, and bring everything together from the sauce to the final toss.
Friday, February 12, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Fused Glass Enamel Dragonfly Panel

Learn how to create a beautiful 4x6 fused glass panel, with textures and colors using different products and techniques all on one project. Can be left flat or shaped into a plate of dish. A $45 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Saturday, February 13, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105

Bread Lovers

There's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread. In this class, you'll explore a variety of classic and modern loaves while learning techniques for mixing, kneading and baking.
Saturday, February 13, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Computer Basics

This beginners workshop is for those who are new to using a PC. Participants will learn how to navigate the Windows 10 operating system, identify the main parts of the desktop, distinguish between applications, files, and folders, how to manage and resize windows, and how to save files.
Thursday, February 18, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Freezer Meals

Make busy weeknights easier with homemade freezer meals! Work in groups to prepare and sample a variety of meals, learn tips for packaging and freezing, and take home a meal to enjoy later.
Thursday, February 18, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Italian Sauce Night

Chef Teela will guide you through easy, gourmet sauce recipes to complement your favorite pasta while you enjoy a glass of Italian wine. Must be 21 to register.
Friday, February 19, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Seed Starting for Beginners

Ready to grow your dream garden from the ground up? Join us for a Seed Starting class and learn the essential techniques to successfully start your plants indoors before the growing season begins. We'll cover everything from selecting the right seeds to creating the perfect soil mix and providing the ideal light and moisture for strong, healthy seedlings. Walk away with the confidence to grow your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers, plus tips for transplanting your starts into the garden. Don't miss out-let's plant the seeds for a beautiful season ahead!
Saturday, February 20, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

Cheesecakes

Discover the methods to make the perfect cheesecake at home. Cream cheese, sour cream and even ricotta can all be used to make a variety of sweet, savory, rich and creamy cheesecakes.
Saturday, February 20, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Advanced Floral Design

Learn advanced floral design techniques in a fun, creative, hands-on course. Make designs of varying function using elements and principles of design to build on methods covered in Introduction to Floral Design and explore creative design concepts with emphasis on conceptualization and design execution. Students will create a minimum of eight different advanced designs 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 $150 is payable to the instructor on the first day of class which covers the costs of floral foam, floral frogs, wire, clay, forms, containers/vases and fresh flowers for the eight designs. Prerequisite: Introduction to Floral Design or in-depth knowledge of floral design concepts, elements and principles of design.
February 24, 2027 to April 21, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

Collage

Join local artist Carolyn Owen Sommer for a two week Collage series class. Using papers or lightweight fibers, you'll create your own composition. Please bring a canvas in the size of your choice. Bring any special items you want to include, plus reliable scissors, two empty containers about the size of a yogurt for example, any cheap brush you don't treasure, and imagination. Do not wear your favorite clothes because this is a messy class.
February 24, 2027 to March 3, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Knife Skills and Care

Make everyday meal prep easier with better knife skills. Learn proper handling and care while practicing classic cuts that help you work more confidently and efficiently in the kitchen.
Thursday, February 25, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Young Chefs: Pop-Tart Creations

Become a pastry inventor for the day! Mix, fill, crimp, bake, and decorate your own homemade Pop-Tarts while experimenting with fun flavors and colorful designs. No two Pop-Tarts have to be alike!
Saturday, February 27, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Home Improvement: Electrical Basics

New to electrical DIY? This beginner-friendly, hands-on class will help you get comfortable with the basics of home electrical work. You'll learn how to identify common electrical parts, tools, and materials, understand what's inside a breaker box, and safely explore replacing outlets using several common wiring configurations.
Saturday, February 27, 2027, Sangamon Hall Room 0011

Ceramic Painting: Serving Platter, Strawberry Design

Join in this class for step by step instructions and create a beautiful and functional ceramic platter adorned with strawberries. Perfect to use or display as strawberry season approaches! End result will be food safe! A $45 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Thursday, March 4, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116

Beyond Hummus

Explore the delicious possibilities of chickpeas beyond the familiar dip. Learn to turn this versatile ingredient into satisfying dishes with creative flavors and everyday ingredients.
Thursday, March 4, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Spring Floral Arrangements in a Vase

Bring the beauty of spring indoors with this creative floral design class! Learn how to craft a stunning flower arrangement in a vase using seasonal blooms, greenery, and professional design techniques. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, you'll explore color, balance, and texture while discovering tips for keeping your flowers fresh and long-lasting. Whether you're a beginner or a budding floral artist, you'll leave with a gorgeous arrangement to display at home and the confidence to create your own designs in the future. Bring floral clippers or garden snips. A supply fee of $60 is payable to the instructor at class and covers the cost of supplies and flowers.
Friday, March 12, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

A Modern Take on Three Southern Indian Classics

Bring the flavors of Southern India to your kitchen as you prepare three classic dishes with a modern touch. Learn approachable techniques for working with aromatic spices and balancing flavors so you can enjoy these traditional favorites at home.
Thursday, March 18, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Cybersecurity Basics

This beginners workshop is for those who are interested in safety online and want to protect themselves from fraudsters and scams. It will build participants' confidence when they are visiting websites, creating passwords, and responding to email.
Thursday, March 18, 2027, LLCC-Medical District Room 111

Basket Weaving: Matilda

Matilda starts by using a custom made "Quick Weave" handle. You just slide in the spokes, bend and weave! So much fun and great for the newer weaver. Techniques include start/stop weaving, the use of overlays and lashing with fabric. There will be a variety of embellishments and fabric to choose from at class time, just in case goats are not your thing! This is an adorable basket to hang on a wall or door.
Saturday, March 20, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105

Home Improvement: Lighting and Fixtures

Ready to learn the DIY electrical skills to replace light fixtures and more? In this beginner-friendly, hands-on class, you'll learn how to work with a variety of switches and wiring configurations. You'll also explore the basics of wiring and installing different types of lights and fixtures, giving you the confidence to tackle common lighting projects around your home.
Saturday, March 20, 2027, Sangamon Hall Room 0011

Pâte à Choux

Discover the versatility of pâte à choux, the classic French pastry dough behind favorites like cream puffs and éclairs. Learn how to mix, pipe and bake this light and airy dough, then fill and finish your pastries with delicious creams and toppings while mastering techniques you can recreate at home.
Saturday, March 20, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Small Batch, Big Flavor: Comfort Foods Edition

Enjoy the cozy flavors of your favorite comfort foods in portions made for smaller households. Learn to prepare satisfying dishes without a week's worth of leftovers, keeping all the flavor and warmth of a homemade meal.
Thursday, March 25, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Olive Me Crazy About Greek

Fall in love with the vibrant flavors of Greek food! Prepare classic dishes celebrating Mediterranean ingredients, including olives, fresh herbs and hearty grains, then sit down to enjoy your meal with wine for a memorable night out.
Friday, March 26, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Young Chefs: Pizza Party

Get ready for a pizza party! Make pizza from scratch while learning how to prepare dough, add your favorite toppings and bake it to perfection. Build kitchen skills and discover just how fun homemade pizza can be.
Saturday, March 27, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Flavors of Szechuan 

Spicy, savory, and full of bold flavor, Szechuan cuisine is one of China's most celebrated regional styles. Prepare classic dishes, including handmade pork dumplings, while exploring the ingredients and techniques that make this cuisine unforgettable.
Thursday, April 1, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Lemon Lovers

Bright, zesty and full of flavor, this class is a celebration of all things lemon! Explore a variety of sweet and savory dishes that showcase this vibrant citrus in fresh and unexpected ways.
Saturday, April 3, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Beginning French

In this introductory class you will learn the beautiful French language. Students will learn the alphabet, numbers, basic grammar, and conversational phrases and skills. Textbook is required and may be purchased from the LLCC Bookstore: "Easy French Step-by-Step" 978-0071453875.
April 5-26, 2027, Menard Hall Room 1175

Hooked on Salmon

Add something fresh to your dinner routine with creative salmon recipes and cooking methods. Learn about its nutritional value while picking up tips for preparing flavorful salmon you'll look forward to making at home.
Thursday, April 8, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Home Improvement: Drywall Repair and Painting

Learn how to tackle common wall repairs with confidence in this beginner-friendly, hands-on class. You'll explore different ways to patch drywall depending on the situation, learn about drywall compounds and essential tools, and pick up practical tips and tricks for prepping and painting walls with professional-looking results.
Saturday, April 10, 2027, Sangamon Hall Room 0011

Macro Photography

Think small. Shoot BIG. Macro Photography teaches you how to turn everyday details into stunning works of art! Bring your camera. Bring your curiosity. Leave with incredible close-up shots.
April 13, 2027 to May 4, 2027, Millennium Center Room 2104

Cooking with Cast-Iron

Learn how to create incredible dishes with this timeless kitchen tool while discovering expert tips for seasoning, cleaning, and maintaining your pans.
Thursday, April 15, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Italian Peasant Food You've Never Had

Enjoy a special night out exploring rustic regional dishes from Italy that rarely appear on American restaurant menus. Prepare recipes rooted in simple ingredients and resourceful cooking, then gather around to savor your meal with wine.
Friday, April 16, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Basket Weaving: Whimsy

Whimsy starts by weaving a woven, filled base tucking the filler spokes using the "chicken feet" method. Techniques in this basket include setting up a woven base, twining, start/stop weaving, triple twining with a step up and the use of overlays. There will be a variety of pip berries to choose from to adorn the front of the basket.
Saturday, April 17, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105

Pull-a-Part Cupcake Designs

Turn a batch of cupcakes into one creative design that's easy to share! Learn how to arrange cupcakes and use frosting and simple decorating techniques to bring your design together.
Saturday, April 17, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Candy Bar Watercolor

Join local artis Carolyn Owen Sommer in creating a candy bar watercolor. Bring watercolors, brushes, water container and watercolor paper. This is an abstract design class. We will work in any size you prefer, using the constraints of a candy bar for our pattern and study repetition with variation. Chocolate bars will be provided. Come prepared to think and laugh.
April 21-22, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1114

Tacos and Tequila

Spice up your night out with flavorful tacos and tequila! Explore creative taco combinations and pick up tips for building flavor as you cook, sip and enjoy a meal together.
Thursday, April 29, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Stained Glass: Geometric Sun Catcher

Geometric stained glass sun catcher. Assorted color choices. Learn stained glass or polish off your skills! Any level of experience welcome. All supplies and instructions are included. Approximate finished size 6x6. A $45 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the start of class.
Thursday, April 29, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116

Baking with Brown Butter

Give familiar baked favorites a rich, nutty twist with brown butter! Practice browning butter and using it in a variety of treats, with tips for bringing out its flavor and adjusting recipes.
Saturday, May 1, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Watercolor Relaxation

Watercolor Relaxation. This class for adults involves gentle stretching, breathing, imagining, and painting. Please bring watercolors, water container, brushes, and good watercolor paper. Bring a sack lunch and a beverage. Some other supplies will be available for your use. This is a good chance for a peaceful uninhibited composition. Wear comfy clothing.
Saturday, May 1, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1105

Young Chefs: Taco Takeover!

Take over the kitchen and make taco night from scratch! Young chefs will prepare flavorful fillings, fresh salsa and all the fixings while building kitchen skills and creating a taco feast to enjoy.
Saturday, May 1, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Julia Child's Kitchen

Back by popular demand, Chef David Radwine brings the spirit of Julia Child's kitchen to life! Prepare dishes inspired by her love of French cooking while enjoying practical tips, good food and the joy of cooking together.
Thursday, May 6, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Dinner at the Yellowstone Ranch

Pull up a chair and come hungry for a ranch-style dinner inspired by the rugged flavors of the American West. Gather around the table as the Dutton's often did and prepare a hearty, satisfying menu worthy of the Yellowstone Ranch. Learn techniques for creating bold flavors and comforting dishes at home.
Friday, May 7, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Lavender, Please!

Bring a little lavender to your kitchen with baked treats, a refreshing drink and more, featuring lavender from Bishop Spring Lavender Farm! Learn how to balance this fragrant herb's floral flavor as you prepare a variety of sweet creations.
Saturday, May 8, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1107

Basket Weaving: Porch Basket

"The Porch Basket" starts by weaving a woven, filled base. Techniques include setting up a woven base, tucking the spokes using the "chicken feet" method, twining, and shaping! The basket is woven with a 7" x 17" D handle. An adorable embellishment with squirrels playing on a fence adorns the front of the basket. The basket in the picture is stained. You will leave with your basket unstained, but staining techniques will be discussed in class.
Saturday, May 8, 2027, Trutter Center Room 1116

Young Chefs: Cupcake Flowers for Mom

Create a sweet bouquet just for Mom! Young chefs will arrange cupcakes into a beautiful flower design while learning basic piping and decorating techniques. Put it all together for an edible creation that is almost too pretty to eat.
Saturday, May 8, 2027, Workforce Careers Center Room 1121

Bonsai 101 - Beginner Bonsai Workshop with Tropical Trees

Join the Springfield Bonsai Society for a tropical bonsai workshop where Society members will provide hands-on guidance. Materials will be provided and you will take your bonsai tree home with you.
Saturday, May 22, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1130

Home Improvement: Plumbing How To

Get hands-on with the basics of home plumbing in this beginner-friendly, practical class. You'll learn about toilet assembly and installation, how to install a faucet, troubleshoot and repair a leaking faucet, and understand the basics of repairing common leaking or damaged pipes.
Saturday, May 22, 2027, Sangamon Hall Room 0011

Basket Weaving: Country Catch All

The Country Catch All is a great basket to learn the basics of weaving. Not only that, you will also leave with a very useful basket! The basket starts by laying out a woven, filled base and tucking the filler spokes with the "chicken feet" technique. Other techniques include start/stop weaving, using a flat locking row, using braided sea grass as a rim and the use of an overlay. The accent color is Walnut. Two buttons adorn the front. It may be called the Country Catch All but it will fit into any décor!
Saturday, June 5, 2027, Kreher Agriculture Center Room K1121