2026 Winter Programs
Between semesters, FCLIR members can enjoy a range of short seminars and workshops as well as other programs and extracurricular activities. These are the current offerings for Winter 2026.
See the link below to register. Space is limited in most programs.
Sharing Soups and Stories
Dates: Thursdays, January 15th, 22nd and 29th, 11:30-1:00
Location: the FCI Library Annex (202 Plain Rd in Hatfield)
Let’s get together and start the new year sharing a comforting lunch of soup and bread and entertaining each other with informal conversation.
If you are interested and would like to bring a soup to one of the meeting dates, that would be great! If you are interested in sipping soup but not in making it, you are still welcome!
The American Revolution ~ A Discussion of the Ken Burns PBS Documentary
Date: Wednesday, January 21st, 9:30-11:30
Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Kevin Foley
Kevin Foley, a experienced discussion leader, will lead a discussion of the Ken Burns PBS documentary American Revolution. We’ll start with a general overview and discussion of the film series, advancing to a consideration of as many specific issues as the number of participants and time allow.
Macro Photography Workshop
Date: Friday, January 23rd, 1:30 to 4:00
Location: FCI Library Annex (202 Plain Rd in Hatfield)
Facilitator: Tom Clune
Macro Photography is extreme close-up photography that reveals intricate details of small subjects, meaning the subject’s size on the camera’s sensor is the same or larger than its real-world size.
Participants should bring things you want to photograph and whatever appropriate equipment you have (tripods, lighting, macro lenses, focusing rails, macro filters, extension tubes, bellows, reversing rings, macro couplers, cable releases, etc.)
If you don’t have macro equipment, come and borrow some from other participants. There will also be demonstrations on cell phone macros, abstract macros, reverse lens macros, extreme macro (~10x), focus stacking, and more.
Writing to Remember Winter Share
Date: Friday, January 30th, 12:00 to 2:00
Location: Applewood (1 Spencer Dr, Amherst)
Facilitator: Darcy Johnson
Join us for a special winter gathering similar to our successful summer symposium. Writing to Remember has become the most popular offering at FCLIR. You’ll hear heartfelt stories written and shared by members—tales that may stir your own memories of times past. It’s an opportunity to reminisce, reconnect, and be inspired by the power of personal storytelling.
Making Art Together
Date: Tuesday, February 3rd, 1:00-4:00
Location: Applewood (1 Spencer Dr, Amherst)
Facilitator: Susan Schroeder
Join fellow artists and crafters to MAKE ART TOGETHER. Bring your own project or materials. Bring things to show or share. OR- use a variety of art tools and materials on site. People will be available to advise and assist you.
If you have never made art or are out of practice, YOU ARE WELCOME! Making art is fun together! Bring your friends! Spread the word! Questions? Call or text or email: Susan Schroeder 617-650-7825 or sooozzznnn@yahoo.com
*No toxic materials please.
Stitching and Sipping
Date: Tuesday, February 10th, 2:00 -4:00 – CANCELLED
Location: FCI Library Annex (202 Plain Rd in Hatfield)
Facilitator: Susan Baron
Join fellow knitters, crocheters, hand-quilters, embroiderers and other needlework lovers for some coffee, tea, and casual conversation together. Bring your current project and enjoy the company of others as we share what we are working on.
Member/Council Open Forum
Date: February 12th, 1:00-2:00
Location: via Zoom
Facilitator: Susan Baron, Council Co-Chair
Join an open discussion with Council to learn what is happening in FCLIR now and moving forward, and to ask any questions you have. If you want to email questions to fclir@fivecolleges.edu in advance, Council members can be more prepared with answers.
Feel free to observe the Council meeting immediately following the Forum at 2:00.
NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. A Zoom link will be sent to all FCLIR members prior to the forum.
Artist Trading Cards
Facilitators: Martha Cohen and Lorre Smith
Location: FCI Library Annex
Date: July 9 or August 7 1:00PM-4:00PM
Join Martha Cohen and Lorre Smith as we play with some fun collage and drawing techniques and make artist trading card( ATCs), a small scale art form that is part of an international movement. The cards are the same size as familiar sports trading cards (3.5”. x 2.5”) and the small size makes it easy to experiment with a variety of art materials and discover our personal styles. Anyone is welcome to participate and no art background is required! As we play and create together, we will share a bit of history about ATCs and how they are traded and collected. We’ll also have the opportunity to trade the cards we make with each other! Please bring scissors to the program. All other materials will be provided.
Ice Cream Social
Facilitator: Antonia Woods
Location: Atkins Farms Country Market, Amherst
Date: July 16 2:00PM-4:00PM
We’re inviting members to gather for a sweet and simple get-together—ice cream and good company! It’s a chance to cool off, catch up, and enjoy some light-hearted conversation over a scoop (or two) of your favorite flavor. No agenda—just a casual treat with fellow members. Look for the marked tables!
Out Loud: Sharing our favorite children’s picture books
Facilitator: Martha Cohen and Cat Batson
Location: FCI Library Annex
Date: July 21 1:00PM-3:00PM
We were read to as children, then we learned how to read and we read stories to our siblings and friends, our children and grandchildren. And we’re not done yet—this seminar will be adults reading one or two of your favorite children’s books to other adults. It can be a story, a poem, a section of a book, a song with or without rhyme. Pictures would be fun, but not required.
Pizza and Good Company
Facilitator: Nancy Clune and Suzie Metz
Location: Tree House Brewing Company, South Deerfield
Date: July 31 4:00PM-??
Join fellow FCLIR members for a relaxed gathering at Treehouse Brewery in Deerfield! We’ll supply the pizza, you bring your thirst—your choice of beverage is on you. It’s a great chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy good food and conversation in a lively setting.
Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!
a survey of this term’s major supreme court opinions
Facilitator: Jay Russell and Nina Wilder
Location: Hybrid – In person at FCI Library Annex and on Zoom
Date: August 5 and August 12 1:30PM-3:00PM
We will know by June 30 whether the Supreme Court has stepped up to defend our Constitution, democratic institutions, and civil liberties during the tumultuous months since the first Monday last October. In this program, we will give an overview of the Court’s 2024-2025 term and then highlight three or four of its most consequential decisions. There will be an opportunity for comments, questions and discussion after each presentation.
Facilitated by Jay Russell and Nina Wilder, retired lawyers who closely follow the U.S. Supreme Court.
American Foreign Policy at a crossroads
a great decisions discussion
Facilitator: Ken Furst
Location: Applewood, Amherst
Date: August 14 2:00PM-3:30PM
FCLIR member, Ken Furst, has offered to facilitate a discussion on one of this year’s topics: American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads.
Members will be asked to read a brief article provided by the Foreign Policy Association in advance of the gathering. On August 14th, participants will watch a short video on the topic and Ken will facilitate a discussion with the group.
Space is limited and registration is required.
Slam the scammers!
Facilitator: Fred Bogin
Location: Lily Library, Florence
Date: August 18 1:00PM-3:00PM
We all get frequent opportunities to be taken-in by nasty scammers who feel that they are
entitled to steal money from vulnerable people. My goal is to arm ourselves with increased
awareness of scammer schemes and to learn how we can best avoid falling prey to these
people.
Ice Cream Social
Facilitator: Martha Cohen
Location: Flayvors of Cook Farm, Hadley
Date: August 27 2:00PM-4:00PM
We’re inviting members to gather for a final sweet and simple get-together—ice cream and good company before we all meet again in September seminars! Come and share your summer activities. No other agenda—just a casual treat with fellow members. Look for the marked tables!