Davidson Parks & Recreation will present a series of programs and new classes in the coming weeks on topics including landscape design, memoir writing and stand-up paddle boarding. Next up, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 18, Davidson College economist Fred Smith addresses the Davidson Senior Scholars on the economy and the 2012 election 2012. Read on for details and registration information.

To register for any program, visit the Davidson Parks & Rec website ^[1].

DAVIDSON SENIOR SCHOLARS

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1-2:30 p.m., Davidson Town Hall Board Room, 216 S. Main St., Davidson – Davidson Senior Scholars presents “Just the Facts? A Primer on Economic Policy and Economic Performance for Election 2012,” with Fred H. Smith, associate professor and chair of Economics, Davidson College. Prof. Smith will draw on his research in economic history and public finance to evaluate competing claims about economic policy in this election year. Free. No registration necessary.

PARKS & REC CLASSES

Practical Landscape Design and Renovation

The ideal landscape provides your family with recreation, privacy, functionality and pleasure — even as those needs change over time. What’s more, the landscape should — and will — add to your home’s value and its curb appeal in all seasons. We have just the workshops to get you started. Instructor: Michael Jones.

When: Thursdays 6:30– 8:30 p.m., September 20-October 4
Fee: $43, $48 (non-resident)
Where: Davidson Parks and Recreation office, 416 Armour St.
Instructor: Michael Jones. Mr. Jones has a BS and MS from Auburn University. His career includes more than 35 years with 4 major colleges and universities in Horticultural research, Extension, and classroom instruction. He is also a private consulting Horticulturist specializing in landscape design and employee training.

Memoir: Writing Your Story with Gilda Morina Syverson

We all have stories to tell! This six week course is about writing down your personal or family stories for yourself and future generations. Document your joys and struggles. Write the chapter(s) of your life that you don’t want forgotten. You will begin journaling with prompts given by your instructor. One or more of your entries will be lifted and expanded. You may bring a battery-run laptop, but a journal and fast-writing pen is required!

When: Thursdays 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 20 – Oct. 25
Fee: $125.00, $130.00 (non-resident)
Where: Davidson Parks and Recreation office, 416 Armour Street
Instructor: Gilda Morina Syverson has been teaching memoir writing classes and workshops at Queens University for over 12 years. She has taught in the Creative Arts for over 40 years and was a 2010 Novello Literary Award Finalist for her memoir, Finding Bottom, an Italian-American Woman’s Journey to the Old Country. Her award-winning family stories and poems have appeared in literary journals, magazines and anthologies in the United States and Canada. Her poetry books Facing the Dragon and In This Dream Everything Remains Inside were published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company.

Stand Up Paddle Board Instruction

Get out and enjoy this refreshing weather on beautiful Lake Davidson with Stand Up Paddle Boarding

When: Saturday, Sept. 29, 9-11  a.m.
Fee: $38, $43 (non-resident)
Age: 12 and up
Weight: less than 200 lbs.
Location: Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, Davidson, accessible off Jetton Street, near the Davidson Day School football field