The Creative Living program of Continuing Education at Sandhills Community College has many fascinating and enjoyable courses scheduled for the next few months.

Creative Living, formerly called Community Enrichment and the Center for Creative Retirement, seeks to facilitate the learning and participation of adults in the region to improve their lives. These courses allow participants to strengthen proficiencies, experience cultural or academic enrichment, or investigate a new curiosity.

Arabic - Beginning Conversation

Learning Arabic isn't as challenging as you may think. The focus of this new course includes alphabet, pronunciation and conversation.

Dr. Badawy was born in Egypt and educated at the Wharton School of Business. No textbook is required.

This class begins on Sept. 6 and meets on Thursdays until Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The course code is 3016, and the cost is $50.

Creative Photography

Explore the possibilities of seeing creatively and take your photographic vision to the next level with this new class. Learn the rules and how to break them.

Join nationally published photographer Matt Smith as he shares his experiences and techniques through fun hands-on assignments and discussions. Cameras are welcome but not required.

This class begins on Sept. 18 and meets on Tuesdays until Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The course code is 3026 and the cost is $45.

Honest Eating/Honest Living

Jane McClaren, author of "Honest Eating," will teach and lead discussions in this new course on what we eat in America, from GMOs to organics, and why we eat, from emotions to marketing. She will share her own overeating issues and how she formed new habits to regain her health and a new life.

This class begins on Sept. 28 and meets on Tuesdays until Oct. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. The course code is 3013 and the cost is $35.

Fiction Writing Workshop

Using a balance of lecture, exercise and feedback on their work, students will be introduced to craft elements such as character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, setting and theme. Writers of all levels are welcome.

The instructor, Michael Combs, is a professional writer and is trained in professional acting. His class will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 3 and run through Nov. 14. The course code is 3028, and the cost is $50.

Theater Improvisation

Taught by Joy Karcher, this new short course introduces actors to a creative technique used in theater called improvisation. The ensemble of actors/students will participate in exercises or games with little or no preparation needed.

This class begins on Oct. 3 and meets on Wednesdays until Oct. 31 (no class on Oct. 17) from 3 to 4 p.m. The course code is 3004 and the cost is $20, but is free for those over 65 years of age.

Are You on the Right Path?

We are enthusiastic and energized when we follow our purpose, but not so much when we lose sight of ourselves. Jane McClaren will educate and inspire students to know themselves in this new course.

She will use methods and exercises such as journaling and meditation to help students along their way. Participants are urged to come willing to learn and share.

This class begins on Oct. 4 and meets on Thursdays until Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. The course code is 3014 and the cost is $35.

Ballroom Dancing

Join this fun and lively class and learn the basic steps to timeless dances, including the foxtrot, swing, rumba, tango, cha-cha and waltz.

Instructor Debby Hasson has been a certified dance instructor for more than 20 years and prior to teaching, she was a professional ballroom competitor.

The Level I classes will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays from Oct. 4 through Nov. 8 at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, located at 712 Broad St. in Southern Pines. The course code is 3029 and the cost is $50.

The Level II classes will meet at the same location and dates from 7 to 8 p.m. That course code is 3030 and the cost is $50.

Sign Language for Beginners

This new course is designed to help students build their Sign Language vocabulary and understand how a sign is formed.

Students will learn the language of everyday conversation, how to understand facial expressions, and how body, head and eye movement are used to convey messages.

Instructor Carol Stewart is a certified instructor of the deaf, having taught elementary grades at a deaf school. She has a certified advanced level of sign communication proficiency. This will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning on Oct. 9, and run through Dec. 4 (no class on Oct. 23). The course code is 3017, and the cost is $50.

Reader's Theater

Recommended for those who enjoy reading or acting, this new course will teach participants about acting and oral interpretation of literature skills while rehearsing for a holiday play performance held at the last class.

Taught by Joy Karcher, the class runs from Nov. 6 to Dec. 11 on Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. The course code is 3007 and the cost is $20 but is free for those over 65 years of age.

Registration

Students must register for class at least one week prior to the starting date. Class may fill and prohibit further enrollment or may be canceled if enrollment is low.

Walk-in registration is at the Continuing Education office located on the first floor of Van Dusen Hall during the scheduled hours of operation.

Phone-in registration at (910) 695-3980 requires payment with Visa, MasterCard or Discover. If textbooks are required, they are available in the Logan Bookstore, located in the Dempsey Student Center.

View the entire fall semester schedule by following the link to Continuing Education at www.sandhills.edu.