Flathead Valley Community College’s Senior Institute for 2011 features a mix of new classes and perennial favorites to brighten up Fridays for people 62 and over.

Now celebrating its 17th year, the annual institute attracts more seniors year after year with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and connect with new and old friends. Last year, the classes attracted a record 250 people attending the six-week program.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. Jan. 28 for classes filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Many classes close quickly so students need to register soon to secure a place in their chosen course.

At the Senior Institute, students earn a half credit for a bargain price. Seniors can enroll in one of over a dozen half-credit courses which range in cost from $31 to $56 including supplies and a free buffet lunch.

The college has set Feb. 18 as the first day of weekly Friday classes. Students start their day at noon with the lunch. Classes follow from 1 to 2:50 p.m.

New classes this spring include:

• Civil War: Roots and Echoes for Seniors: Instructor Robert Brown examines the roots of the Civil War and provides an overview.

• Poetry through the Ages for Seniors: Vilma Chemers, instructor, traces the progression of poems from the 15th century to the present.

• Beginning Yoga for Seniors: Diana Johnson teaches basic yoga to seniors for beneficial effects on the muscles, joints, internal organs, glands, nerves and the spine.

Returning favorites of the Senior Institute are:

•Around the World in Six Weeks for Seniors: Ruth Neff explores the world examining history, culture, past and present conditions in places not often covered in depth. Countries may include Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and the former Soviet Union states.

•Ceramics for Seniors: Ann Beall introduces students to making pots by hand and the potter’s wheel as well as a variety of decoration and glazing.

•Computers for Seniors: Don Nerdig provides hands-on instruction in the basics of Windows, Word and e-mail. The course accommodates beginning to intermediate levels of computer knowledge.

•Creative Writing for Seniors: Tell Your Stories: Kathy Dunnehoff helps seniors get their stories down on paper and create poems, character sketches and memoirs.

•Gardening for Seniors: Kima Traynham teaches the basics of backyard gardening and container gardening including plant selection, seed starting, soil preparation, raised bed methods, natural pest control, food preservation, composting and eating trends like raw, local and slow food.

•Glacier National Park Transcending Time for Seniors: Sharon Randolph takes seniors on an historic exploration of connections experienced crossing geographic landscapes, building of states, developing communities and creating Glacier National Park. Through discussion, students explore how these connections related to 100 years of a national park, enrich our relationships with the region and engage us in the future of the area in which we live.

•Introduction to Photography for Seniors: Peter Hertlein teaches students to make pictures rather than take pictures, including painting with light, value separation, design and composition.

•The U.S. Economy: Where Are We Going for Seniors: Garvin Smith provides a brief overview of economics looking at the business cycle, unemployment, inflation and proposed solutions such as fiscal and monetary policies.

•Line Dancing for Seniors: Roz Kristoffersen teaches seniors low-key exercise on the dance floor that are both mentally and physically stimulating. Men and women are welcome and no partners are needed.

•Philosophy and Film for Seniors: Joe Klein introduces big philosophical questions through high caliber films to reinforce primary source readings in traditional philosophy, theory of knowledge, ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of religion.

•Watercolor for Seniors: Karen Leigh helps seniors learn about materials and techniques of transparent watercolor. No experience is needed.

To register, students may go to the registration office in Blake Hall on the Kalispell campus or call 756-3851. Mail-in registration forms with course descriptions and other information are available by calling Janaya Okerland at 756-3908 or Brenda Hanson at 756-3362.