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Spouses' Activities:
Workshops

Tuesday Workshops Thursday Workshops

Tuesday, July 15

There will be 8 workshops offered on Tuesday morning, 9 workshops offered on Tuesday afternoon, 6 workshops offered on Thursday morning, and sight-seeing on-your-own on Thursday afternoon. There are a total of 20 workshops to be offered.

The workshops offered on Tuesday and Thursday cover a wide range of interests for male and female spouses. Several of the workshops require casual attire which will be noted in the descriptions along with any additional charges for tours and workshops.  Additional fees have been kept to a minimal; however, if they are required they will be collected at registration upon your arrival. Certain activities will be limited in number of participants, so carefully consider your order of preference when making your selections.

Session I: 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Workshop 1 – Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms on a Small Scale
Deb and Randy Bettini, owner of Bettini Farms, will share their knowledge of growing mushrooms on a small scale. The Bettinis are involved in organic production, mushrooms and muscadines. Participants will find out how to use these culinary delights in meal preparation as well as their medicinal benefits.

Workshop 2 – North Carolina Lunch Basket
Many homes in North Carolina decorate with baskets of various shapes and sizes. Retired Extension Agent, Libby Simpson and Extension Secretary, Ginger McGhee will teach participants to make a colorful basket that is suitable for many practical uses. Each participant will make their own basket that they will take home as a souvenir. This workshop is limited to 16 participants. Cost: $10.

Workshop 3 – Butterfly Gardening
Butterflies are one of life’s wonders. Join in on a discussion of the life cycle of butterflies with Urban Horticulture Technician, Sarah Crawford. There will be lots of visuals including photos, live plants, examples of a butterfly net, hanging butterfly cage and a caterpillar rearing container. Participants will view live larvae culture & a painted lady chrysalis. You will also see a demonstration of how to build a waterless pond. During this hands-on workshop, you will have the opportunity of creating a butterfly habitat and make a butterfly pin. Limit of 15 participants.

Workshop 4 – Antique Road Show
Look at and evaluate antiques in this exciting workshop. Dr. Bill Vincent will be with us to share his expertise. He is an authority on the history of the Holt family and the textile business in North Carolina.  He is knowledgeable about antiques from the 1800s.  He will share antique pieces and will look at anything you might want to bring.  Discussions will extend to the textile business and Alamance plaids and how that discovery shaped the fabric business around the country.  Dr. Vincent is able to make history exciting.

Workshop 5 – War Between the States
Sit back and enjoy a historical presentation concerning the War Between the States. This civil war reenactment will provide a fun program with songs of the War that both sides would have sung and the words each would have used for the same tunes. Many are quite humorous. Actors will be in authentic uniform and dress.

Workshop 6 – Container Gardening
Beckie Berlin from New Garden Nursery and Landscaping will teach us how to create the ultimate container garden. Container gardens are perfect for those that do not have the space for a vegetable or flower garden. A patio, deck, or doorstep can provide enough space for a productive and attractive display. You will get to try your hand at these pretty gardens. If you are traveling from a far and the containers may be left behind and donated to a local nursing home. Space is limited to 25 participants.

Workshop 7 – Folded Moravian Star
Polly Caudle from Old Salem Museums and Gardens will share the traditions of Old Salem. She will lead us in a folded Moravian star craft. Each participant will make their own star. The Moravian Star is a traditional Christmas symbol that is displayed from the first Sunday in Advent until the sixth of January. The Verbeek family started producing stars as a cottage industry in the 1880s and later founded the Herrnhut Star Factory. When the war closed the Herrnhut factory, Moravians in other locales began making the stars. Space is limited to 25 participants.

Workshop 8 – Cooking Outdoors
This outdoor cooking workshop will teach individuals how to prepare food safely using minimal equipment outdoors. You will learn how to build equipment to use when cooking outdoors while thinking about food safety. You will receive recipes of the delicious foods that you prepare throughout the workshop.   Space is limited to 20 participants. Cost: $10.

Spouses’ Luncheon 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Local Artist William Mangum, author of Carolina Preserves, will be featured at the spouses’ luncheon. A presentation which depicts some of North Carolina’s most scenic locations followed by a book signing will be a part of this experience. Decorating will be some form of artistic design with paint brushes and etc.

The 2008 spouses’ gift will be Carolina Preserves by featured luncheon speaker, William Mangum. 

 
Session II: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Workshop 1 – Families Eating Smart, Moving More
Families today struggle to meet the challenge of a rush, rush society. This workshop will offer you simple solutions to help you and your family eat smart and move more. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Join us to see how easy it can be! You’ll leave with tools and recipes to help you plan and prepare quick easy meals that actually taste good and are good for you! We will finish up the session with some fun “physical activity” that you can share with your family. So…Dress comfortable and come ready for some fun!!! Limit of 40 participants.

Workshop 2 – North Carolina Lunch Basket
Many homes in North Carolina decorate with baskets of various shapes and sizes. Retired Extension Agent, Libby Simpson and Extension Secretary, Ginger McGhee will teach participants to make a colorful basket that is suitable for many practical uses. Each participant will make their own basket that they will take home as a souvenir. This workshop is limited to 16 participants. Cost: $10.

Workshop 3 – Shagging on the Boulevard
North Carolina prides itself on the popular shag dance. The shag dance is sort of a lazy jitterbug, done on beaches, often at night, with a slow shuffle at the bottom and southern soul on top. Join shagging experts as they teach you dance moves that will last with you a lifetime. You will enjoy learning dance moves to the tush push and other line dances. Wear comfortable shoes and come ready to move!

Workshop 4 – Skin Care and Beauty Tips
All girls want to feel like a princess. Join Candy West, Mary Kay Cosmetics Consultant, to experience the “royal” treatment for your hands, lips, and face. Foundation color will be matched and a few color cosmetic applications will be taught. Nail care will also be discussed.

Workshop 5 – Backyard Wine Making
Wine making may be as old as civilization but it still holds the same fascination for us today as it did for our ancestors over a thousand years ago. There is still something magical about the fermentation process that intrigues us. Anybody can make outstanding wine. You do not have to have a vineyard or fancy winery to create your own wine. Find out the secrets in this workshop to making your own wine. Participants will get the opportunity to bottle their own wine and take a small sample home with them. Limit 35 participants. Additional Cost: $10.

Workshop 6 – Painting for Fun
Discover tips to help you learn to paint. Master Gardener, Jeanne Aller, will demonstrate how painting can be fun and easy. This hands-on workshop will let you explore your artistic side. Take home your hand painted masterpiece as a conference memento. Limited to 20 participants

Workshop 7 – Folded Moravian Star
Polly Caudle from Old Salem Museums and Gardens will share the traditions of Old Salem. She will lead us in a folded Moravian star craft. Each participant will make their own star. The Moravian Star is a traditional Christmas symbol that is displayed from the first Sunday in Advent until the sixth of January. The Verbeek family started producing stars as a cottage industry in the 1880’s and later founded the Herrnhut Star Factory. When the war closed the Herrnhut factory, Moravians in other locales began making the stars. Space is limited to 25 participants.

Workshop 8 – Cooking Outdoors
This outdoor cooking workshop will teach individuals how to prepare food safely using minimal equipment outdoors. You will learn how to build equipment to use when cooking outdoors while thinking about food safety. You will receive recipes of the delicious foods that you prepare throughout the workshop.   Space is limited to 20 participants. Cost: $10.

Workshop 9 – Basic Survival –Being Personally Prepared
Learn how to plan for survival - be prepared for survival when faced with possible life threatening situations. Fred Rorrer and Wes Blair, Hunter Education Specialists with North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, will lead a discussion of basic survival rules on topics such as physical condition, first aid and CPR – First aid emergency measures, survival kits – what should you include, and much more.

Thursday, July 17

Session I: 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Workshop 1 – Cooking with Herbs
Cooking tips for the beginner on how to get to know herbs will be given at this workshop. Herbs are flavoring agents used for enriching or altering the flavor or odor of foods. Adding fresh herbs is a quick way to transform ordinary meals into extraordinary meals. You will get recipes along with samples of the tasty foods prepared.

Workshop 2 – Making Memories with Photography
Everyone wants to remember the special moments. Just when you think you have the perfect picture you discover that the picture is to dark or to light or off center or just off target. Find out tips on how to make those photo opportunities into the best memory makers. Bring your digital camera and be prepared to shoot pictures. You will be able to view your pictures and discuss how each shot could be improved.

Workshop 3 – Gifts by Nature
Calling all nature lovers! Get crafty as we make wonderful items out of natural materials for decoration and/or presents. Learn how to make neat gifts at a minimal cost. You will learn how to make a wreath and picture frame from nature. Take each item you make home as a gift for yourself or someone special.

Workshop 4 – Skin Care and Beauty Tips
All girls want to feel like a princess. Join Candy West, Mary Kay Cosmetics Consultant, to experience the “royal” treatment for your hands, lips, and face. Foundation color will be matched and a few color cosmetic applications will be taught. Nail care will also be discussed.

Workshop 5 – Basic Knitting 101
Have you always wanted to knit but you thought it was too difficult to do on your own? Come and learn how to knit simple stitches that will enable you to knit the most impressive pieces. You will learn the basics of knitting and get the opportunity to try your hand at it. You will leave with a greater knowledge of knitting, knitting needles and thread to continue your new hobby. Limited to 25 participants.

Workshop 6 – Self Defense for Men and Women
The best way to prepare yourself to fight off an attacker is to take a self-defense class. You will learn how to size up a situation and decide what you should do. Special techniques will be taught for breaking an attacker’s grasp and other things that you can do to get away. This workshop will teach you ways to surprise your attacker and catch him or her off guard. You will get the opportunity to practice the moves you learn so wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Session II: 2:00 to 4:00 pm

This time will be yours to spend as you wish. Maps of Greensboro and brochures of points of interest have been included in your registration packets. We hope you take this time to enjoy our great state of North Carolina.

Last updated April 1, 2008.

Website created and maintained by Debbie Roos,
Agricultural Extension Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension.