Sisters COCC opens new season

The small, gray building at 160 S. Oak Street is the hub of Community Education in Sisters. Staffed by Director Celeste Douville and Ronni Duff, the building buzzes with excitement as students enroll in a variety of courses this fall.

This is Central Oregon Community College's (COCC) educational gift to the Sisters area.

Fifty-eight Community Ed classes begin this week.

"We have new classes offered in Appreciation of Modern Art by Sisters favorite Mike Wonser; a delicious course 'For the Love of Chocolate' (Marda Stoliar); 'Mixed Media' with Ruth (Ingham) and 'Structural Reprogramming' with Vince Bonner, learning about body alignment and posture," Douville said.

These new classes join old time favorites like Photoshop 6.0; the Orr family's "Surprisingly Simple Seafood"; Jean Stark's "Pine Needle Baskets" and the always popular "Stretch and Flex" with Charlotte Johnson.

Two other new classes drawing student attention are "Couples Massage" by Susan Mitchell and Tom Chace's course in "Handheld Computers."

Diana Taylor's "Homemade for Healthy Pets" shows how to prepare food for your pet at home.

These examples show the wide variety of classes available in the Sisters area. But there's more. Credit classes are offered at Sisters COCC center via satellite in several different areas. Also, Distance Education classes are offered through computer/modem hookups.

The Sisters Office (549-7331) can answer questions about the above areas as well as about COCC and the new Oregon State Cascade course offerings.

Contact the office for information about using computers in the Sisters lab for writing projects, Internet connection or other use.

"We are always looking for new class ideas and instructors," Douville said.

Douville is a graduate of Redmond High School, attended COCC, the University of Oregon, and received a Bachelor's degree from Western Oregon and a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in Educational Administration. She is starting her third year as Director of the Sisters Center.

"I love it here," she said. "Student interest and enthusiasm are outstanding."