Flathead Valley Community College begins registration Monday for its 19th annual Senior Institute with a full slate of 14 credit classes. Seniors need to act quickly to grab a place in popular courses, such as watercolors taught by artist Karen Leigh.

Previous years have attracted nearly 300 people to the program that promotes lifelong learning. The institute was designed to enable seniors to learn new information, develop or enhance skills, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

To enroll this year, seniors must be 65 or older. A recent change in college policy raised the age from 62 to 65.

Classes take place on Fridays from 1 to 2:50 p.m. starting Feb. 22 and continuing through March 29. As in past years, the popular program includes a buffet lunch from 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. in the Arts and Technology Building. 

 Registration begins at 8 a.m. Monday on a first-come, first-served basis. Seniors may walk into the registration office in Blake Hall, which officials recommend as the best way to secure the class of your choice.

Other options include calling 756-3851, mailing a completed registration form with a check or credit-card information, or faxing the registration form with credit-card information to 756-3965.

People who have never attended the community college need to fill out a non-degree application for admission in addition to the Senior Institute registration form.

Classes offered in the 19th annual institute are:

• Around the World in Six Weeks for Seniors, with Ruth Neff ($36)

• Age-ing to Sage-ing: Profound New Vision of Growing Older, with Ina Albert ($36)

• Jewelry/Enameling for Seniors, with Nathanial Gilham ($56)

• Beginning Computers for Seniors, with Don Nerdig ($46)

• Watercolor for Seniors, with Karen Leigh ($46)

• Beginning Yoga for Seniors, with Diana Johnson ($36)

• The U.S. Economy: Where are we Going for Seniors, with Brad Eldredge ($36)

• The Civil War: Roots and Echoes for Seniors, with Robert Brown ($36)

• Intermediate Computers for Seniors, with Julie Stanton ($46)

• Creative Writing for Seniors: Tell Your Stories, with Kathy Dunnehoff ($36)

• Introduction to Photography for Seniors, with Pete Hertlein ($59)

• Glacier National Park: Transcending Time for Seniors, with Sharon Randolph ($36)

• Line Dancing for Seniors, with Roz Kristoffersen ($36)

• Te Ao Maori: The World of the Maori for Seniors, with Karl Leonard ($36)

Leonard, a Maori artist, was selected as a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence to teach at the community college during this academic year. Maoris are Polynesian indigenous people of New Zealand with a culture still an integral part of the country’s life today.

Prices listed above apply to in-district senior citizens. For out-of-district or out-of-state tuition and fees, call 756-3851.