As a volunteer at the Old Homosassa Learning Center (OHLC), I thought you might want to know about the great year 2017 was at the learning center.  So many updates were made that I can’t possibly list them all but I’m going to hit on some of the highlights.

The building was spruced up on the inside and out; a new electronic sign was added so the community would be aware of the activities; volunteers cleaned up and painted the interior; and new doors were added to the front and back.

Cindy Ersch, an artist and resident of Old Homosassa, donated her time and talent to create this beautiful scene of some of our local treasures on the outside of the building.  More murals will be added in the future–we have three more walls that need brightened up!

Concrete tables and benches were moved to the front of the building and free WI-FI was made available to the community.

The Homosassa River Alliance now holds their monthly meetings in the light and bright main room of the learning center.

During the summer of 2017, yoga classes were started.  The sessions were so popular that there are now five classes a week!  Yoga for all levels is held on Tuesday at 5:30 PM, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10 AM. Restorative yoga is held on Wednesday mornings at 9 AM. The cost for all classes is $5.00 with a 50% discount for veterans.  Tiffany Beck of Yoga at Tiffany’s is our leader.

The Sew Cool! Workshop, with coach Faith Peix, also began in the summer and continues every Thursday at 12:30 pm. There is no charge for this program for adults.  Thanks to very generous donations, there are several sewing machines available to use along with yards and yards of fabric and sewing supplies.  If you are interested in altering clothes or would like to start a new sewing project, Faith can lead you through the process.

A seven week summer camp was held for the local kids.  Jessica MacRae was the coordinator and is already working on plans for the Summer of 2018!

Ruth Toner, a retired educator, was brought on board to run the after-school program.  Both educational and fun, the program is open from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for kids in second through fifth grades.  All programs for children are at no charge!

Captain William Toney held a very popular fishing seminar in May, Fishing Homosassa 101.  Due to it’s tremendous success, OHLC is pleased to announce a new fishing seminar on January 18th. Captain Jonathan Hamilton will be the speaker at 6:30 PM on Fly Fishing Homosassa.  More on that next week!

I’m quite often asked how the OHLC can have these free and low-priced programs.  OHLC is a committee of the Homosassa Civic Club.  With the proceeds from the annual Homosassa Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival, the civic club supports the learning center along with many other community projects.

There will be more exciting and fun programs in 2018!