As the saying goes, you’re never too old to start anything. In fact, after the age of 50, it’s a great time to try something new, especially if it’s introducing you to a new skill, hobby, or career. And within Sussex County, there are many places that can help springboard you to that next level.
If you’d like to find ways to express yourself more creatively, whether it’s through art, writing, crocheting, cooking, or some other media, there are plenty of places to immerse yourself in the arts within Sussex County.
The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council, located at 133 Spring Street in Newton, offers specialty classes throughout the year, teaching classes in Stained Glass techniques, glass jewelry making, designing Psanky Eggs, and more. They also host a weekly painting group. Visit the Arts and Heritage Council’s website here for upcoming classes details, costs, registration, and any supplies needed for classes.
Artisans through the Peters Valley School of Craft at 19 Kuhn Road in Layton teach both in-person and virtual immersive workshops year-round. Among the many adventurous workshops are Woodworking 101, Beginner Cloisonné Enameling, Quilting with Naturally Dyed Fabric, Chair Making, the Magic of Blacksmithing: Forging Joy, and Basketweaving on Bottles.
There are numerous other venues throughout the county where you can take one-time or repeating classes. Painted Grape Craft & Paint Studio at 3206B Route 94 in Franklin features regular paint and sip classes.
Many of the stores at The Shoppes at Lafayette at 75 Route 15 in Lafayette are great stops to learn something new! At Olive Lisa, you can learn to make homemade pasta, bread, and charcuterie presentations. Poured by Iazzetti Home teams up with Olive Lisa for a poured candle class plus pasta making, and they have their own regular Open Pour Night candle making classes every other Wednesday. Hangin’ By a Thread is another spot within the Shoppes where adults over 50 can learn to sew, knit, crochet, and quilt.
It isn’t all about crafting and creating in Sussex County if you’re over 50. There are chances to engage in plenty of physical activities, too.
The Sussex County YMCA at 15 Wits End Road in Hardyston can help you start or maintain a physical fitness program. They offer members sports and recreation programs, group classes like Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga, and even personal training.
There are dance studios throughout Sussex County for adults who may like to learn to dance or find a studio where they can continue if they already have the background. Trinity Studios in Sparta at 270 South Sparta Avenue (Upper Lake Plaza) offers a lineup of class types, though availability will depend on instructors and interest. However, the studio typically offers an Adult Tap Dancing Class and Adult Lyrical Dance Class. You can also learn to dance with a partner at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ location at The Shoppes at Lafayette. All levels are welcome for ballroom dance lessons, including introductory, that can be just for recreation or eventual competition-level dancing.
The 50 and up crowd may also take workshops or classes for intellectual stimulation.
Sussex County Community College at 1 College Hill Road offers two-year degree programs of all kinds, plus certificate programs. The college is a perfect way to learn something new, whether for a new career or personal enrichment. Career and Technical Programs include Automotive Service Technology, Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, Illustration, Graphic Design, Welding, and other hands-on choices. Some of the Professional Certificates offered are Web Design, Elder Law Specialist, Child Development Specialist, and Digital Journalism. The college has short-term Certificates of Achievement as well, in specialized areas like Health and Exercise Science, Personal Training, Photography, Social Media, Sustainable Gardening, Bookkeeping, and WordPress Theme Design. The college’s Center for Lifelong Learning has a lineup of programs every semester for seniors, from the open computer lab to special events. Senior citizens aged 65 and older can additionally have their tuition waived for eligible college-level courses.
The libraries in Sussex County are destinations where those aged 50 and up can find all types of classes and learning activities. The Sussex County Library System has six locations countywide for residents with regular events like Mah Jongg with Friends, the Beginner’s Yoga Club, Sussex County Library Needlers, Adult Sewing Workshops, and many other choices. The Sparta Library, open to those who live and/or work in Sparta, as well as paid members, hosts many events for adults, like cooking classes, 3D printer training and usage, French classes, Spanish classes, yoga, journaling, and more.
Members of Life In Sussex staff have contributed to this post.
