Rappahannock Institute for Lifelong Learning

We thank Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury for their continued support of the RILL program. Residents pay only $10 per class. 

Blue Ridge Bank Golden Advantage members receive a 15% discount on tuition. RCC employees receive a 50% discount.

Click here to register for fall classes. 

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Introduction to Needle Art ($45 and includes materials)
2 Rivers Arts Studio, Montross
Instructor: Anne McCahill
Fridays, September 11, 18, 25
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This course is a beginner-friendly embroidery series led by certified botanical artist Anne McCahill, perfect for those who want to learn the basics of needlework in a supportive environment. Participants will build skills step-by-step--from learning foundational stitches and techniques to completing a personalized 5" x 7" floral design. All supplies will be provided, just bring scissors.

A native of France, a country renowned for its rich artistic heritage, Anne McCahill came to the United States as a Fulbright scholar making Virginia home ever since. Following a 30-year teaching career, she found new inspiration in botanical art and earned certification in botanical illustration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, where she also taught embroidery classes centered on botanical themes. Her work celebrates the enduring tradition of needlework—an art form she believes should be preserved for its creativity, sense of accomplishment, and connection across generations. Whether working with beginners or experienced stitchers, she encourages students to explore original designs and express themselves through thoughtful, creative use of needle and thread.

The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain ($20)
RCC Warsaw campus
Instructor: Joseph Swonk
Monday, October 12
1 p.m. to 12 p.m.

Professor Joe Swonk brings Mark Twain to life in this engaging class. You'll enjoy the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain, one of America's most beloved authors, as portrayed by Professor Swonk in full costume and capturing Twain's iconic look and gravelly voice. Experience the charm and insight that make Twain's work timeless.

Joseph Swonk graduated with a major in English from Western Michigan University and completed the coursework for the doctorate at Florida State University. He taught composition and American Literature for 48 years, including at two community colleges, Indian River Community College in Florida and RCC, as well as two four-year colleges, Ferris State College in Michigan and Florida State University. 

George Orwell's Continuing Relevance ($35)
RCC Kilmarnock Center
Instructor: Gail Kenna
Thursdays, October 15, 22, 29
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This course explores the life and literature of George Orwell through lecture and discussion. Decades after the publication of 1984, Orwell remains deeply relevant. Who was he, what shaped his moral and political views, and why does his work endure? No reading is required--just an interest in this important British writer.

Gail Wilson Kenna has taught literature and writing courses for RILL since 2005.  A university and college professor of writing and literature in five countries, she is the author of six books and the recipient of many writing awards. Kenna has an editing service through Crosshill Creek Publications. Her weekly blog on literature is on her website: gailwilsonkenna.com.

Harvest Harmony: Crafting a Fall Table Design ($45 includes some materials)
RCC Warsaw campus
Instructor: Laura Anne Brooks
Wednesday, November 4
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Celebrate the beauty of the season by creating a stunning fall-inspired table landscape. In this hands-on class, participants will explore wreath and parallel bar design techniques using natural materials such as foliage, branches, fruits, and vegetables. Perfect for beginners and experienced designers alike, this class offers a creative way to bring the richness of autumn to your table.

Laura Anne Brooks is a floral designer in English and French schools as well as New Creative Design and Modern European design. Brooks has taught at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and lectures for many garden clubs and botanical groups. Her work is frequently seen at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. She is an award-winning arranger and Daffodil Judge, raising over 1,500 different varieties of spring bulb flowering plants on her farm in Middle Peninsula.

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Scourge of the Seas: Pirates in History and Today ($35)
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury
Instructor: Michael Knapp
Thursdays, September 10, 17, 24
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Students will explore sea pirates in early history and then focus on the "Golden Age of Piracy" (approximately 1650-1730 AD) before discussing the threats they still post to today's maritime commerce. Explore pirate tactics, weapons, ships, day-to-day life as a pirate, legends and lore, and famous real-life pirates (privateers). Discover the most successful pirate of all--not who you may think!

Michael Knapp is a retired researcher and intelligence analyst who worked as a civilian and US Army officer for the US Government for four decades. He has developed and taught several popular history courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at the University of Virginia (UVa), the University of William & Mary, and the University of Richmond. He also teaches these courses for RILL at RCC. Mr. Knapp holds a bachelor's degree in history from Central Michigan University and has pursued graduate studies at UVA and at National Intelligence University.

Geographic Strategies in the American Civil War ($35)
RCC Glenns Campus
Instructor: Dr. Paul Severance
Mondays, September 14, 21, 28
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This three-lesson course explores how geography shaped key campaigns of the American Civil War. Participants will examine the Peninsula Campaign, the Maryland Campaign and Battle of Antietam, and the Pennsylvania Campaign culminating in the Battle of Gettysburg, analyzing how terrain influenced strategy, planning, and outcomes.

Retired Army Colonel Dr. Paul Severance taught Military Geography at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, from 1998 to 2018. His focus in this respect was to analyze and evaluate the broadest dimensions of physical and human geography on the inception, planning, and execution of major military campaigns, operations, and battles in major wars in which the United States has engaged.

History of Menokin ($20)
Menokin, Warsaw
Instructor: Alice French
Tuesday, September 15
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Discover the history of Menokin Foundation and its innovative Glass House Project. Learn about ongoing preservation efforts, archaeological discoveries, and new perspectives on this Revolutionary-era home, followed by a guided walking tour of the property.

Alice French is the Menokin Foundation’s Director of Education and Programs. She develops and creates programs for 4th grade through lifelong learners about the historical, architectural and environmental attributes of this 500-acre conservation classroom. French has worked in the Northern Neck Museum field since 2007 and has a diverse work history in interior design, set design and art retail management.

Intergovernmental Relations ($25)
Zoom
Instructor: Scott Hancock
Tuesdays, September 22 and 22
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

This course introduces intergovernmental relations (IGR), focusing on federalism and the structure of government from federal to local levels. Participants will discuss real-world challenges and conflicts between government entities and examine a current IGR issue.  

Scott Hancock retired in 2023 after 27 years as Executive Director of the Maryland Municipal League, where he served as chief executive officer for the state’s only association of cities and towns. His career also includes roles as City/Town Manager in Centreville, Maryland; York, Maine; and Narragansett, Rhode Island. A respected leader in public administration, he is a life member of the International City/County Management Association and a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Now residing in Virginia’s Northern Neck, he enjoys teaching, contributing to a local radio station, and working on home projects. He holds a Master of Management from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology from Western Maryland College.

Argonne: A First-Hand Account of War and Survival (no cost)
RCC Warsaw campus
Instructor: John L. Arsenault, LtCol, USMC (ret.)
Wednesday, October 21
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Experience the little-known story of U.S. Marines serving with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, during intense combat operations along South Vietnam's northwest border near Laos and the Demilitarized Zone. Participants will examine the extreme challenges Marines faced in War. The course highlights the realities of combat in remote terrain and the physical and emotional endurance required of Marines. 

LtCol Arsenault served as a 0311, L/Cpl in Vietnam from 1968-1969, and discharged in 1970.  He moved to Alaska in 1971 and in 1985 he was granted an age waiver and re-enlisted in the USMCR. During Operation Brim Frost “89”, Sgt. Arsenault was awarded the Navy Marine Corps Medal for rescuing Marines in 70 degree weather. In 1990, he was Direct Commissioned as an 0302, 2nd Lt, via the Specialist Officer Program, with a specialty in Arctic Operations. Called to active duty during the GWOT he was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and retired in 2008.  

The Battle of Gettysburg ($35)
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, Irvington
Instructor: Keith Kehlbeck
Tuesdays, October 27, November 3, 10
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Explore the Battle of Gettysburg, a pivotal Civil War turning point, through this engaging three-day study of its origins, landscape, leaders and key decisions. Examine the battle from both Union and Confederate perspectives while gaining a deeper appreciation of its lasting significance.

Keith Kehlbeck is a writer, historian, and marketing consultant in the hospitality, nonprofit, and publishing sectors. At the age of 10, his family took a trip to Washington, D.C., sparking what would become a life-long interest in the Civil War. Since then, his passion for studying the Civil War led him to write the critically acclaimed Gone to God: A Civil War Family’s Ultimate Sacrifice, a nonfiction story told with diaries and letters written by soldiers and their family members.

Foundations of Our Region: Historic Brickmaking at Fairfield ($35)
Fairfield Archaeological Park
Instructors: Dr. David Brown, Thane Harpole, and Kenneth Tappan
Wednesday, October 14
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Immerse yourself in historic architecture through an immersive brickmaking experience.  Discover how bricks were made and used in 17th- and 18th-century buildings while learning about the history of this essential trade. Participants are welcome to observe and participate in the experience. 

Dr. Dave Brown and Mr. Thane Harpole are co-directors of The Fairfield Foundation and co-owners of DATA Investigations LLC, a cultural resource management firm, and founding members of Werowocomoco Research Group. Kenneth Tappan is the Fairfield Foundation's Preservation Program Coordinator. He previously worked for over 15 years in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Masonry Programs. 

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Aging Gracefully: Enjoying Life's Journey ($20)
RCC Warsaw Campus
Instructor: Dr. Robert Chapman
Tuesday, September 8
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tackle the aging process with positivity and purpose. Gain practical strategies to navigate life's changes, maintain wellness, nurture relationships, and continue personal growth. Through discussion and inspiring stories, this session empowers you to approach aging with confidence, joy, and renewed purpose.

Dr. Robert Chapman was Associate Clinical Professor and Associate Director of the Behavioral Health Counseling program (retired) at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. He is a professional counselor specializing in substance use disorders.

Introduction to Windows 11 ($45)
RCC Warsaw Campus
Instructor: Martin Bailey
Fridays, October 2, 9, 1, 23
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This hands-on course is for users with basic Windows 11 experience who want to build confidence using its features. Course covers computer fundamentals, personalization, file management, internet and email use, and other tools. Computers are provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own Windows 11 laptops.

Martin Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in computer science from Virginia Tech. Before his retirement from the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, he was involved in many aspects of computer work, including programming, algorithm development, database management systems, and computer security.

Standard First Aid, CPR, and AED ($45)
RCC Glenns Campus
Instructor: Seth Craig
Mondays, October 5, 19, 26 (no class on October 12)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This hands-on, in-person course teaches Adult, Child, and Infant CPR with AED, First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and EpiPen use. Led by an experienced RCC EMS instructor, you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond quickly and efficiently in critical situations. Participants receive a 2-year certification in CPR, First Aid, and EpiPen, leaving you ready to act.

Seth Craig, BS, MS, NREMT-P serves as the EMS Program Head in the Health Sciences division of Rappahannock Community College. A firefighter, paramedic, and educator, Seth holds a BS in Biology and Secondary Education from the University of Richmond, an MS in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida, and an endorsement in Mild/Moderate Learning Disabilities from Longwood University. He received his paramedic education as well as an Associate Degree in Business Management at RCC. A respected regional and statewide paramedic, Seth is also the founder and owner of SAFE Solutions, LLC, a company that provides CPR, first aid, and Wilderness First Aid to various businesses and organizations around the region.