Explore the fun that awaits
2025 Class Session Details
More details will be shared as they are available!
To see all of the fun you can have, click on the v symbol for the Session Descriptions and Session Leader Biographies below.
Pub Singing
-
Join us for a vocal and social gathering of friends - new and old - who really enjoy singing. Familiar folk and popular songs will be taught quickly so we can sing our hearts out!
Unique Material Beads
-
Coming soon!
Let’s Play Pickleball
-
Don’t be fooled - this isn’t a class where you’ll play a game using pickles! Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport where players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball using paddles over a net. Whether you are new to Pickleball or just love the game, come review Pickleball basics and play with us! All levels welcome!
Next Level Zentangle
-
Join Susan to learn what Zentangle is, the benefits of doing tangles and some new patterns. Participants will learn several new patterns and use them to decorate a Tangling Journal.
-
Susan loves Rec Labs! She believes that Rec Lab folks are some of the best people you will ever meet. Susan’s professional career is working with folks with Developmental Disabilities. She has been a Certified Zentangle Teacher since 2017. She loves really good yarn, knitting, tangling and crafting in general. Susan also loves beach combing, being outdoors and spending time with people near and dear to her heart. She currently has 3 sweet dogs.
Little Hand Sewn Creations
-
Learn hand sewing basics and popular embroidery stitches by making a small stuffed creation including animals, a corner bookmark, a state of Michigan magnet. Choose from a variety of patterns ranging from beginning to intermediate. It is bound to be a stitch!
Dance
-
Get your feet ready for the beat! In this class you’ll dance a variety of folk dances, line dances, circle mixers, contras, party games and anything else we can have fun doing! These will all be beginner dances so come with a smile and expect to have fun!
-
Tom McConahay was a teacher/bus driver in Ohio, Indiana and NC. Tom recently fully retired after 43 years in education spanning three states and four school districts. He resides in Smithville, Ohio.
Tom began dancing as a teenager growing up in Smithville, Ohio. Being a singer/musician it was natural to begin calling dances in his early years. Tom has led dance workshops at BHRLL, BLW, GLRLL and Maple Leaf Recreation. Tom has called dances for home school groups, youth groups, private parties, Malabar Farm State Park and many other venues. It has been my pleasure to lead dances and bring joy to many groups of people.
Tom began to play guitar and bass guitar as a teenager. He has played and performed for a variety of audiences. He is currently in a duo that plays in North Central Ohio.
Tom went to auction school in 1980 and has held an auction license in Ohio since 1981. He will bring smiles and HUGS to all!
Create Your Own Hiking Sticks
-
Learn about the unique design of walking sticks such as the Wood Spirit, Viking, Mark Twain, and the Twisty Snake Vine design. Explore the timeless art of wood carving; decorate your walking stick with yarn and natural adornments. Experience nature in a new way!
Mahjong Mayhem
-
Join Craig to learn how to play the classic tile game, Mahjong. It's more like rummy, than the matching tiles version most people have experienced when playing an online version of it.
Our very own Beverly Larson loved this game and taught Craig how to play before she passed. Rules and instructions will be provided so that you will feel comfortable sharing and teaching others how to play.
This game is addictive and you will end up playing it for hours.
-
Craig Steven is the Manager of the Gay Lea Dairy Museum & Co-operative Education Centre in Southern Ontario. He has been attending recreation workshops since the 90's and been doing youth leadership camps since then as well. Craig likes to have fun and play games and have a laugh.
String Art: Nailed It!
-
String art or pin and thread art, is characterized by an arrangement of colored thread strung between points to form geometric patterns or representational designs. We will start out with a simple heart shape to complete during our two class sessions. Once the heart is completed, you will be able to choose another pattern or create your own to take and complete at home.
-
Tom McConahay was a teacher/bus driver in Ohio, Indiana and NC. Tom recently fully retired after 43 years in education spanning three states and four school districts. He resides in Smithville, Ohio.
Tom began dancing as a teenager growing up in Smithville, Ohio. Being a singer/musician it was natural to begin calling dances in his early years. Tom has led dance workshops at BHRLL, BLW, GLRLL and Maple Leaf Recreation. Tom has called dances for home school groups, youth groups, private parties, Malabar Farm State Park and many other venues. It has been my pleasure to lead dances and bring joy to many groups of people.
Tom began to play guitar and bass guitar as a teenager. He has played and performed for a variety of audiences. He is currently in a duo that plays in North Central Ohio.
Tom went to auction school in 1980 and has held an auction license in Ohio since 1981. He will bring smiles and HUGS to all!
How to Start a Book Club
-
From choosing the right books and setting a reading schedule to creating a welcoming atmosphere for discussion, we'll cover all the steps to help you build a vibrant community of book lovers. Whether you're gathering friends or looking to meet new people, this session will provide you with the tools to kickstart your own literary group with confidence!
Hey Bidder, Bidder! All Things Auction
-
Going… going… GONE! During this beginner auction class you’ll learn to talk fast and become an auctioneer. There will be numbers to practice and alliterations (tongue twisters) to get your mouth moving! By the end of the class you’ll be able to head home and sell items for any fundraiser in your community! Let's have some fun!
-
Tom McConahay was a teacher/bus driver in Ohio, Indiana and NC. Tom recently fully retired after 43 years in education spanning three states and four school districts. He resides in Smithville, Ohio.
Tom began dancing as a teenager growing up in Smithville, Ohio. Being a singer/musician it was natural to begin calling dances in his early years. Tom has led dance workshops at BHRLL, BLW, GLRLL and Maple Leaf Recreation. Tom has called dances for home school groups, youth groups, private parties, Malabar Farm State Park and many other venues. It has been my pleasure to lead dances and bring joy to many groups of people.
Tom began to play guitar and bass guitar as a teenager. He has played and performed for a variety of audiences. He is currently in a duo that plays in North Central Ohio.
Tom went to auction school in 1980 and has held an auction license in Ohio since 1981. He will bring smiles and HUGS to all!
Needlefelt a Gnome
-
In this hands-on class, you'll learn the art of needle felting as you create your very own charming gnome! From shaping the body to adding details like the hat, beard, and tiny accessories, you'll discover how to bring this delightful character to life using wool and a felting needle. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this session will guide you step-by-step through the process for your own personal creation!
-
Judy Thomson’s hobbies are far reaching...from football to rocks, fossils, jewelry making, drawing, podcasts, painting, yarn arts and so much more. Judy’s enjoys spending time with her family more than anything else in the world. As a Nana to four sweet and salty grands, Judy gets to share all these passions with them. She loves to travel with her best friend (and hubs) and go on adventures with him.
Letterboxing
-
Come see what Letterboxing is all about! Follow clues to find a hidden stamp, create your own treasure kit to hide and learn to set up a Letterboxing experience during these two sessions.
-
Judy Thomson’s hobbies are far reaching...from football to rocks, fossils, jewelry making, drawing, podcasts, painting, yarn arts and so much more. Judy’s enjoys spending time with her family more than anything else in the world. As a Nana to four sweet and salty grands, Judy gets to share all these passions with them. She loves to travel with her best friend (and hubs) and go on adventures with him.
And there’s more!
Mindfulness & Meditation
Wool Appliqué
Introduction to drawing
Fun Science Stuff
Books in a Box
-
What magic can you conjure with a blank sheet of paper, a forgotten tin box, a handful of Sharpies, an expired hotel key, glue, and a spark of creativity? Why, a book in a box, of course! Come to this session to learn how to turn these materials into something fun and magical!
-
Martha has been a Rec Lab member since 1974 and continues to learn more about diverse subjects each year. Her education led to a degree in Recreation & Youth Leadership, and after several years in the field, Martha morphed into the world of public assistance, eventually helping adoptive families and children to attain medical and financial assistance, and analyzing state & federal child welfare policies. Martha has always enjoyed various crafts and sewing. She was introduced to puppetry at GLRLL in the 1980's and was inspired to create puppets and use them as a form communication and entertainment.
And there’s even a BONUS class on Thursday afternoon!
Join us for our bonus session before the workshop begins! Fold your own tiny universe (origami stars), make reading a work of art (collage bookmarks), personalize your very own mini journal, and prepare to show your name off in style! It all about Playing with Paper! This self-paced class will offer a variety of projects that will challenge and kick off your Rec Lab adventure with a little creative flair!
