Kids event popular during Butler’s ‘Free Class’ Day

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 03 April 2012 15:14

Harrison Beery of Marion was one of 123 children and parents who participated in Saturday’s “Big Trucks, Big Fun” sponsored by Butler Community College-Marion. More than 150 people attended the “Free Class Day,” sponsored by Butler County Community College in Marion.

Amy Kjellin, Flint Hills Sites director in Marion, said she was happy with the turnout.

“Enrollment was good,” she said, “and I was thrilled with the amount of registrations because this is a busy time of the year.”

Kjellin said the theme of the event, now in its third year, was “something for everyone.”

This year the youngsters were included in a “Big Trucks, Big Fun” event at the Marion stadium parking lot, she said.

“Children of all ages climbed around on big trucks, including a fire truck, combine, ambulance, 18-wheeler, dump truck and more,” Kjellin said.

New classes added

In addition to the event for children, Kjellin said some new classes were offered.

“New this year were sessions on permaculture and organic practices in your gardening, basics of laying ceramic tile, crochet and knitting, quilting, zumba and line-dancing,” she said.

Other classes in the morning ranged from learning new skills to personal improvement.

In the area of technology, Lloyd Davies helped participants learn new computer skills or Facebook.

Several people attended the “Guitar Basics and Three Chord Songs” class presented by Mike Moran.

“We had a lot of people taking that course,” she said.

Kjellin said the guitar class was a great opportunity for people to develop new skills.

Jan Davis presented an artistic session with paper crafts, teaching participants how to make a toy with moving parts.

“Children in the 1700s and 1800s didn’t buy their toys at the store,” she said, “they made them out of wood.”

For the presentation, though, Davis used paper.

Max Terman talked about Marion history and the American Civil War.

Many of the other sessions helped people with financial and life planning.

Popular presenters from previous years included Gary Schuler with flint knapping; Mary Beth Bowers with information on wildflowers and drying natural plants; Keith Collett talking about estate planning, and Carolan McFarland helping people relax, Kjellin said.

This year’s event had about 30 options to choose from, Kjellin said.

“We tried to have something that would interest everyone,” she said. “Art was displayed from BCC’s Monday art students and the building was also happy to show off a recently repainted interior and exterior.”