The Center for Creative Retirement (CCR) at Sandhills Community College provides programs and resources enhancing the intellectual, physical and personal well being of the active retirees in the Sandhills area.

A new course on current foreign policy topics, "Great Decisions 2010," will be held on Tuesdays, Feb. 2, Feb. 23, March 16, April 6, April 27 and May 11, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Participants will share and develop informed opinions concerning the role the United States plays in world affairs. Registration is $65 plus a required textbook.

Following DVD lectures by University of Virginia English Professor Stephen Railton, participants of "Adventures of Mark Twain - Reading His Works Today" will review the life of Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer's adventures, and Huck Finn's and Jim's journey down the Mississippi River Thursdays, Feb. 4, through March 11, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The class will chose novels to discuss beginning with "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."

Participants will look at the tragic events in Clemens' family life, his financial difficulties, his sense of humor and his dark later years. Registration is $65 (waived for those 65 or older).

"Bravo! Opera," will meet Fridays, Feb. 5 through March 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. to discuss opera from the standpoint of appreciating the words set to beautiful music.

Composers will range from Mozart to Puccini and will include the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini. Registration is $65 (waived for those 65 or older).

Preregistration is required for all CCR courses. Register up to one week prior to the first class meeting. Walk-in registration is at the Continuing Education office located on the first floor of Van Dusen Hall during the college's scheduled hours of operation. For phone-in registration, which requires payment with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, call (910) 695-3980.

View the entire Continuing Education spring semester schedule at www.sandhills.edu.