Who Says School Can’t Be Fun?

Many sages have noted that school, and youth, are wasted on the young. As adults, out in the world, it seems to many of us that it would be an unparalleled joy to be able to take a class in something, sometime, somewhere with smart teachers, interesting classmates and a compelling topic.

To have two teachers who are exceptionally fun and funny would just be cream on top.

Such will be the case this spring as the Taconic Learning Center offers a handful of classes, in person at Geer in North Canaan, Conn., and Noble Horizons in Salisbury, Conn.and also on Zoom. Particularly enticing is a Zoom class called “Frick and Frack in the Theater,” taught by Macey Levin and Tom Gruenewald.

I first met Macey Levin many years ago when he was teaching a one-day seminar about a favorite playwright of mine, Neil Simon. Macey was a lively, funny and engaging instructor and I have remained in touch with him ever since, enjoying and admiring many of his theater productions, particularly with his Aglet Theater Company.

Tom Gruenewald has also been involved in Aglet productions, and in a gamut of other theater activities, from acting to directing, from Shakespeare to opera to musical theater.

Join the duo for what will undoubtedly include rapid-fire improvisation and a look behind the theater curtains in their new Taconic Learning Center class.

Macey explains that, “Frick and Frack are any two people who are closely linked in some way, especially through a work partnership or strong friendship. The origin is from a famous partnership of Swiss comedy ice skaters, whose stage names were Frick and Frack. Their association lasted so long, and they were at one time so well known, that their names have gone into the language as slang or a reference to two people who work well together or get along great.”

But of course a multi-week class must offer more than just gags and camaraderie. This class will also offer tips and guidance on everything from auditions to getting along with directors.

The class meets on Zoom on Mondays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. beginning April 18.

There is no individual class fee; students sign up for a $60 annual class-pass from Taconic Learning Center and can then take all the classes they want. Registration is required. To get details and find out what other classes are offered, go to www.taconiclearningcenter.org.

Latest News

Luigina A. Dzenutis

CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.

Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Francis ‘Frank’ McNally

MILLERTON — Donald Francis “Frank” McNally Jr., passed away peacefully at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2025, after a short illness. Frank was a resident of Millerton since 1996. He was born on Jan. 27, 1955, in Cold Spring, New York, at Butterfield Hospital and was raised in Garrison, New York, where he enjoyed exploring and camping in the wilderness of the Hudson Valley, participating in the Boy Scouts as a bugler, and competing as captain of his high school wrestling team.

He was a graduate of James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls class of ‘74 and SUNY Cobleskill class of ‘76 where he majored in animal husbandry, specializing in equine science. He then proudly volunteered for the United States Peace Corps where he accepted an assignment to his host country of the Philippines, where he met his wife. Frank would then pursue his lifelong passion for horses and horseback riding on several horse farms in Dutchess County. Later he would work for New York state where he would then retire, spending his time caring for animals, reading, fishing and taking photographs. Frank enjoyed a good laugh with family and friends, while also occasionally winning a game of RISK. Frank was an avid reader, often reading several books a week while in the constant company of his cat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Eugenia Cooper

NORFOLK — Florence Eugenia Cooper died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 92 at Geer Lodge in Canaan, Connecticut where she had been a resident for 2 ½ years. She also spent a couple of days a week at the home of her daughter, the artist Hilary Cooper and her husband Chris Crowley, in Lakeville.

Florence (neé Muhas) was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Greek immigrants. She went to local public schools and then to college at Barnard where she was mentored by Professor of Religion Ursula Niebuhr, wife of the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr, who urged her to go to her alma mater St Hugh’s College, Oxford University where she earned a D. Phil degree. Later, she received an M.A. in foreign policy with a specialty in China, at the London School of Economics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Frederick Ralph Scoville II

WEST CORNWALL — Frederick Ralph Scoville II, 72, of 243 Town St., died Jan. 7, 2025, at the Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Fred was the husband of 45 years to Lynn (Pollard) Scoville. Fred was born in Torrington, son of the late Ralph and Thalia (Hicock) Scoville.

Fred spent his whole life in West Cornwall. He attended Cornwall Consolidated and Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The only time he left was to attend the University of Connecticut for animal science. After school he came home to work with his father on the family farm taking over full-time in 1996 milking dairy cattle and selling hay. His life passion was the farm. He could always be found tinkering on equipment or surveying the neighborhood on his golf cart. The only thing that rivaled the farm was his love of his family. His wife, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren meant the world to Fred.

Keep ReadingShow less