Lew-Port Community Education covering all bases, offering more than 100 classes & 40 new topics

Program registration also open to out-of-district residents

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Lewiston-Porter’s Community Education program for fall 2023 is now underway. With more than 100 class offerings, including 40 new topics, residents from throughout the county and beyond are invited to partake, learn and enjoy.

In his message to the community, Lew-Port Superintendent Paul J. Casseri spoke of the number and variety of community education programs the district is offering, which ranks among the largest in Niagara County.

“From its conception, our goal was to make Lew-Port’s campus a focal point of the community,” he said. “On any given night, there are multiple classes attended by individuals from all over Niagara County and beyond. The programs’ growth year after year has exceeded our expectations.”

Checking out Lew-Port’s 20-page fall 2023 Community Education brochure, residents will find courses that cover the bases, with a potpourri of interests including arts and crafts, cooking, exercise, financial, health and wellness, learning and leisure, technology, test prep and certification courses, and “just for kids” choices available.

Anita Muzzi, who serves as coordinator for the district’s program said, the wide variety of courses offered this fall also brings a new and expanded roster of talented instructors.

“We are very pleased to have built the largest Community Education program in Niagara County,” she said. “Because of this, it has allowed us to attract an array of instructors from all over WNY, making our program truly unique to the region.”

From cooking courses, to arts and crafts and children’s offerings, Lewiston-Porter’s fall Community Education program has something for everyone. (Submitted photos)

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A sampling of the new courses this fall include art classes such as woodcarving, “Build Your Own Floral Bouquet,” Gelli Arts and “No Sew Quilted” art projects. Also, popular cooking classes like cheesecake trifle shooters, holiday Italian cookie classes, cooking with garlic, and cupcake decorating; and new exercise classes including Pilates and stability, mobility and strength training for adults. Lew-Port also added an in-person notary public preparation course and “Disaster Preparedness 101.”

And back by popular demand are the “Let’s Get Smokin’ ” class, taught at the Brickyard Pub & BBQ; basket-making; watercolor; yoga; tai chi; and line dancing offerings, along with sewing; “woman on weights”; Italian Cooking classes and a lifeguard certification class.

Muzzi said a wealth of quality instructors has enabled Lew-Port to provide more programs of interest than ever before for the community.

“We are once again teaming up with businesses and professional interests from the River Region community and beyond,” she continued. “This year we teamed up with the Brickyard Pub and Brewing Company and 3 Sisters Garlic for a variety of popular classes. There’s also fun ‘My teen-and-me’ classes with a variety of topics to choose from.”

Casseri said, “We maintain the key objective of our program is to offer an opportunity for members of our community to explore programs to enrich their lives and help them on the journey of lifelong learning,”

Muzzi said she aims to further grow Lew-Port’s instructor pool for the winter/spring 2024 community education session that is now in planning.

“I’m always amazed how many talented people there are in our area that come forward with such varied topics to instruct,” she said. “This coming winter/spring 2024 session will be no different.”

She added, “I am currently building what I hope to be the largest program yet. We encourage hobbyists, instructors and experts in varied fields to consider teaching with us. It’s a great opportunity to market your business and talents!”

Muzzi added, “We sincerely thank everyone for supporting our ever-growing program and the talented instructors who continuously share their talents with us.”

Class registration continues on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment is open for many courses, and additional course dates are being offered in many classes due to their popularity and increased enrollment.

“Come see what Lew-Port has offer!” Casseri said.

For more information on Lewiston-Porter’s fall Community Education programs, or to register, visit https://lew-port.coursestorm.com/.