Newtown Continuing Education announced it has limited openings available in the following classes. Contact Newtown Continuing Education at 203-426-1787, 9 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday, for further information on dates, times, and location, or visit newtowncontinuinged.orgGardening Indoors For Happy Houseplants - A one-class course being offered on Monday, October 16, $39. Cooler temperatures will be here before we know it and gardening outside will have to wait. Why not some indoor gardening with houseplants? Participants will expand their knowledge and know how. The class will tackle the different challenges of indoor gardening and learn how to make growing houseplants work.Word Part 1 - A three-class course starting Monday, October 16, $99. Learn the basics to successfully use Microsoft Word, the best-selling word processing software. Learn how to create documents, editing techniques, text and paragraph formatting, document formatting, spell-check and thesaurus tools, cut, copy, and paste, as well as many other features. No prior word processing knowledge is necessary, but a basic knowledge of computers and Windows is helpful.Cardio Calorie Blast - A 12-class course being offered in three sessions, $99 per session. Increase energy with this uplifting and upbeat class that provides three workouts in one. This efficient and effective workout will include aerobics, toning exercises, and yoga stretching. Students will utilize the latest fitness principles to maximize calorie and fat burning, in addition to ways to increase the intensity of exercise. All levels of fitness are welcome. Low-impact, low-intensity exercises and modifications to exercises will be demonstrated. Students should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Bring bottled water, an exercise or yoga mat, and a pair of hand weights (3 lbs for beginners, 5 lbs plus for advanced). Classes are offered Tuesdays, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Session 1 starts on October 17; Session 2 starts on December 5; and Session 3 starts on January 23.Designing A Home Landscape - A two-class course starting on Wednesday, October 18, $59. Fall is the perfect time to evaluate and design home landscapes. During the course, students will create a sketch for home use, and they should bring photos of their landscape challenges for discussion of possible solutions. Taught by an advanced master gardener and Sierra Club of Connecticut newsletter contributor. Students should bring a pencil, a ruler, and an eraser.The Joys, Challenges, And Frustrations Of Aging And Life-Planning - A one-class course being offered on Wednesday, October 18, $29. In most cases the dilemmas around caring for an aging loved one result from a lack of focus or planning in understanding the impacts of caregiving, remote or long-distance caregiving, and more. This class is designed to equip people with tools and techniques to address these situations and is based upon years of successful work related to managing complex aging-elder issues and family dynamics.What About Risk? - A one-class course being offered on Thursday, October 19, $29. It is the 30th anniversary of the Crash of 1987, but financial turmoil has also occurred more recently. Twice in the last 17 years, the stock market has lost half of its value before recovering. This class will examine the history of financial crises, stock market bubbles, "black swan events," and the role of fear and greed in investor behavior. This class is for educational purposes only, no products or services will be offered.Totally Toned - A six-class course being offered in three sessions, $69 per session. Each class will include a warm-up, toning exercises utilizing hand held weights or the body's own resistance, and stretching. The course will help tone up and increase metabolism by increasing muscle cells. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. Students should bring bottled water, an exercise or yoga mat, and a pair of hand weights to each class (3 lbs for beginners and 5 lbs plus for advanced). Classes are offered on Tuesdays from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm. Session 1 starts on October 19; Session 2 starts on December 7; and Session 3 starts on January 25.Osteoporosis, It's Not Just About Taking Calcium - A one-class course being offered on Tuesday, October 24, $29. Discussions in this class will include how to prevent and manage the disease and the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia, who is at risk for developing the disease, how doctors measure bone density, and how diet, supplements, and exercise play a role in the disease.The Wonderful World Of Edgar Allen Poe - A one-class course being offered on Tuesday, October 24, $59. The course is an introduction for those who would love to know more about one of America's most colorful authors and find out some interesting facts about his works of poetry and tales of mystery and his life.The How-Tos Of Medicare - A two-class course starting Tuesday, October 24, $54. This is now an expanded class with two sessions, and it includes more Medicare plan analysis and discussion. It is designed for people approaching age 65 who have questions regarding Medicare and related medical, dental, vision, and long-term care insurance. It addresses the TV and media advertising, home mailers, and other information talking about Medicare Part A, B, and D Supplements and Advantage Plans, Red-White-Blue Books, and more.Excel Part 1 - A one-class course being offered on Wednesday, October 25, $39. The ability to work with rows and columns of information is a priceless tool for conquering the informational aspects of life with ease and accuracy. Learn to use the spreadsheet most used by businesses, students, and home-users. Using Microsoft Excel, learn to design and use spreadsheets, formulas, functions, number, date and text formatting, sorting, and many more features. Basic computer skills are required.Tax Free In Retirement - A one-class course being offered on Thursday, October 26, $29. Many Americans assume that their taxes in retirement will stay the same or go down. Unfortunately, for most this may not be the case. Historical federal tax rates have been as high as 91 percent in the 1950s, 70 percent in the 70s, and 50 percent in the 80s. Upon retirement, Social Security may be taxable as high as 85 percent to the recipient and required minimum distributions from retirement accounts also can create substantial taxable income. Include pensions, rental property income, capital gains, dividend, and interest income and the picture is somewhat unclear on future taxes. Join the class to learn about strategies that can help get closer to a tax free retirement.Fused Glass Holiday Ornament/Sun Catcher Workshops - Get a jump start on holiday gift-making by joining a home-based glass studio course for a festive ornament/sun catcher making workshop series. Take inspiration from a variety of patterns or use pre-cut glass bases to build unique holiday gifts or keepsakes. The instructor will provide all materials needed and will teach basic glass cutting skills. Students can expect to complete two projects. No previous experience necessary. Ornaments will be ready for pick up approximately one week following the workshop. There will be optional specialty glass available for an extra fee. Students should wear closed shoes and long pants. The course is not handicap accessible, and it is limited to ten students. Three separate workshops, $49 each, are being offered. Two classes are being offered on Saturday, October 28, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. A snowflakes only session will be offered on Tuesday, November 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.Essential Oils Class Series - An interactive and informative course series on essential oils and how to use them to promote healthy living, and improve physical and emotional health. Each class includes take-homes, including samples, items made during class, and handouts. This is a four-part series on Wednesdays, $15 per class, or $55 for all four. No discounts apply. Intro to Essential Oils is being offered on November 1; Balancing Emotional Health with Essential Oils is being offered on November 8; Hands-On Essential Oils for Caregivers is being offered on November 15; and Green Cleaning with Essential Oils is being offered on November 29.Intrepid Museum & Grand Central Station - A bus trip to the Intrepid Museum and Grand Central Station, November 5, departs NHS at 8:30 am, $104. The USS Intrepid is an important part of America's history at sea, in the air, and in space. The Intrepid's role in history spans two major wars, the space program, and rescue and recovery efforts in the days following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Explore the 900-foot USS Intrepid. This aircraft carrier fought in World War II, served in the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Visit the Space Shuttle Pavilion and see the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Climb aboard the submarine Growler, the only American guided missile submarine open to the public. Prior to visiting the USS Intrepid, the group will have a guided tour of magnificent Grand Central Station, renovated to its 1914 glory. After the tour, there will be time to eat in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Note: There is a moderate amount of walking on this tour. No discounts apply.Holiday Sparkle In The Big Apple - A bus trip to Manhattan, December 2, departs NHS at 9:30 am, $109. The city never looks more beautiful than at Christmastime and the day is planned to enjoy many wonderful highlights. The day will begin at Bryant Park for holiday shopping with more than 125 boutique-like kiosks. Then a full course lunch at Buca Di Beppo in Times Square, a popular Italian eatery served family style. The menu will be house bread, mixed salad and Caesar salad, fettucine Alfredo, spaghetti marinara, Parmigiana, dessert, soft drinks, and coffee. Lunch will be followed by a two-hour guided riding tour of Manhattan's holiday lights with a New York City guide with stops along the way. The group will see the tree at Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue windows, and more. No discounts apply.

.