ICC to offer New Culinary Arts Certificate Program

A Culinary Arts Certificate Program is one of several new certificate programs being offered at Independence Community College this spring. The program is being administered by Master Chef Nowa Littlesun of Great Western Dining, ICC’s foodservice provider and popular community caterer.

The six-course certificate program is for the inexperienced cook seeking a fuller understanding of kitchen processes and food preparation, the student preparing for a professional career in the restaurant or hospitality industry, as well as the student taking their first steps towards becoming a top chef.

According to Littlesun, a double chef in Italian Cooking and Pastry and visionary behind feeding the community with Independence’s Open Arms Dining, this program is an excellent hands-on training program and successful completers will be ready for employment in high-end kitchens and professional food venues.

“The exciting thing about this type of study,” said Littlesun, “is that it fits the needs of someone who wants to improve their skills, have a better understanding of the working kitchen, cooks for large groups or needs to be able to provide superior food one plate at a time.” He continued that this is the perfect program for fans of the popular Food Network television programming and home cooks who want to excel at their craft.

Course completers will leave the 18 credit hour program with a working knowledge of restaurant management and food preparation skills suitable for immediate employment working in any restaurant, professional kitchen, cruise ship or their own business.
All six of the Culinary Arts Program courses will be offered each Spring and each Fall semester and will be taught by award winning Chef Littlesun. The program is designed to be completed in as little as one semester. A hybrid program, classes are online with the exception of the hands-on, kitchen instruction offered in the six credit hour Food Preparation class.
Designed to offer maximum time in the kitchen for hands on learning, the Food Preparation class will be taught in the kitchen classrooms of Independence High School. Class will meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, beginning January 19th.
A second experience course is the Culinary Arts Program Internship Class where students will work with area culinary partners in professional and restaurant kitchens.
In addition to Food Preparation and Culinary Arts Internship, online classes include: Safety and Sanitation; Nutrition for the Culinary Arts; Food Production; and Purchasing and Inventory Control.

A second certificate being offered at ICC this spring is the Hospitality Program Certificate, which goes hand-in-hand with the Culinary Arts Program for people wanting upper management positions in hotel/foodservice establishments. Totally online, additional courses include Hospitality and Restaurant Management; Managing the Customer; Human Resource Management and Supervision; and Controlling Food Costs. The fifth course is a Safety and Sanitation which the student would not need to retake if completed in the Culinary Arts Certificate.

Students may complete one or both certificates. If they want to complete both certificates, it is suggested they complete the Culinary Arts Certificate first and then complete the Hospitality Management Certificate.

Enrollment is limited and students are encouraged to enroll early. Financial aid is available and ICC’s tuition wavier for real estate property tax payers in the northern half of Montgomery County is in effect to help cover any remaining tuition costs after all other student aid is applied. Students receiving tuition assistance are responsible for the cost of College fees, books, and course supplies.

For more information about this opportunity, enrolling in the program, or becoming a culinary partner for internship opportunities, call Chenoa Bosch at 620-332-5621. To enroll visit the ICC Admissions Office in the lower level of the Student Union or enroll online at: www.indycc.edu.

Gingerbread House topic of December Baking Class

Following the successful completion of classes in Cake Decorating and Candy Making this fall, Patty Wolfe will be offering a special two-session community service class on Holiday Baking: The Gingerbread House. Class will meet on Thursday, December 9, and Thursday, December 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at ICC West, located at 2615 W. Main, in Independence. Class will be held in room W107.

The core instruction for the two sessions will center on techniques used to build or construct the cookie house with special lessons on decorating techniques for various visual effects of the miniature structures.

Class size is limited and students are encouraged to pre-register to guarantee placement. Cost of the two sessions is a special fee of $25, payable before or at the first session. Students will also be given a small supply list. For more information, or to register by phone, call Alberta Smith at (620) 332-5433.

Medication Aide Recertification available at ICC in Weekend Training

Medication Aide Recertification is a course featured this month at Independence Community College. Toni Barnhart will instruct the one credit-hour continuing education course with two weekend class sessions on Saturday, December 4th, and Sunday, December 5th. Class will meet from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at ICC West, located at 2615 W. Main in Independence, in room W103.

Medication Aide Recertification is a 15-hour course that provides the mandatory continuing education credits required by the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment for the CMA. Successful completion of the course meets a two-year requirement for updating Medication Aide Certification. Students enrolling in the course must have a current Kansas medication aide certification.

The class size is limited and all interested persons are encouraged to pre-register to guarantee their placement in the course. For more information about this class or any of ICC’s other Allied Health programs and opportunities, call Denise Clark, Allied Health Coordinator, at (620) 332-5498 or email her at: dclark@indycc.edu.

Copithke Scheduled to Teach One-Day CPR Class

Keith Copithke will instruct training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as part of Independence Community College’s Allied Health programming this month. The one-day class session will be held on Saturday, December 18th.

Copithke will instruct the half-credit hour course from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in room W105 at ICC West, located at 2615 W. Main in Independence. Class space is limited and pre-registration is advised.

For more information about the CPR or Instructor courses, call Denise Clark, Allied Health Coordinator, at (620) 332-5498, or email: dclark@indycc.edu.

Yoga offered as Early Morning Class at ICC

Yoga is being offered at Independence Community College beginning in January. The one-credit hour classes are now forming and are scheduled to begin January 11th and continuing through May 12th. The course is designed for everyone from people interested in learning about the benefits of yoga to practicing and advanced yoga enthusiasts.

Class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-7:50 a.m. in the Cessna Learning Center, West Classroom, on ICC’s main campus.

Hannah Joyce-Hoven, certified Yoga instructor through YogaFit®, will teach the course. YogaFit is the largest yoga school in North America and the only instructional facility for yoga that is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) partner.

According to the instructor, yoga is beneficial for all body types and people of all ages. It’s benefits include (but are not limited to) increasing flexibility, building muscle, relieving stress and tension, lowering blood pressure, strengthening bones, and increasing mental focus.

The course is designed to teach beginners and experienced yogis to develop a yoga practice that they can benefit from both in and out of class.

No experience is necessary and no books are required, simply come with an exercise/yoga mat. Yoga mats can be purchased from the ICC Bookstore. It is recommended that those people who prefer more knee support bring an extra-thick yoga mat (which can also be purchased from the ICC Bookstore). This class is recommended for everyone from beginners to experienced yoga enthusiasts.

For more information contact Joyce-Hoven at (620) 332-5491 or email hjoyce@indycc.edu.

Adult Education Center announces Classes

Independence Community College’s Adult Education Center, at ICC West, has scheduled a six-week class to begin on Monday, January 3rd. The Center is offering the preparation classes on three schedules to better serve the students and offer more flexibility. The classes assist students in preparing for the GED® tests, workforce readiness, and college readiness.

Candidates must register for orientation prior to Wednesday, December 15th and can do so by visiting or calling the center. The students are required to meet with an advisor at the Center prior to the session start date and can make an appointment for that advisor meeting when they complete their paper work.

Students have the option of choosing between three schedules. Classes meet Monday through Thursday, in the mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in the afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., or in the late afternoon and early evening from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Fridays the Center offers a college readiness class from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The classes have three purposes. They prepare students to receive a Kansas State High School Diploma, receive a WorkReady Certificate, and to improve college entrance exams scores. Students passing the GED® exam receive a Kansas State High School Diploma. Students passing the WorkKeys® test receive a Bronze, Silver, and Gold WorkReady® Certificate. Students take college entrance exams upon entering and exiting the program, so level college readiness can be explained.

The Adult Education Center is located in ICC’s newest facility, ICC West, located at 2615 W. Main, Independence. All interested candidates should contact the ICC Adult Education Center in person or by calling at (620) 332-5630.

Holiday Concert at ICC set for Friday Evening

A Holiday Concert, featuring a variety of holiday music favorites and timeless classics, will be held on Friday, December 3rd, at Independence Community College. Just in time to promote the holiday spirit and showcase the talents of ICC’s vocal music students, the concert will be presented on the stage of the William Inge Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Under the direction of Eric Rutherford, Associate Professor of Vocal and Instrumental Music at the College, the short concert will feature the talents of students in the ICC Chorale, a choir ensemble. Selected solos from ICC’s private voice students will be featured through the event.

For more information about the free Holiday Concert, or voice and music opportunities at ICC, contact Rutherford at (620) 332-5436 or by email at erutherford@indycc.edu.

Toy Drive slated for Pirate Basketball Game December 4th

Independence Community College’s Classified Personnel Association (CPA) has joined forces with the community to make Christmas a little brighter for children of Montgomery County. A holiday toy drive, sponsored by the CPA, will be part of the Pirate Basketball program on Saturday, December 4th, when the Pirates take on the Coffeyville Red Ravens. Anyone can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the game and receive a free hot dog and drink.

“The 2010 toy drive actually began earlier in the fall when we hosted a Chili and Soup Cook-Off on campus to raise money to purchase toys,” said Chenoa Bosch, CPA President, who went on to talk about the success of the student and employee event. “Saturday’s game is really important for the campaign as it marks our only opportunity to share the toy drive with community members. I just want to encourage anyone who has a heart for children to remember those children who wouldn’t have a happy Christmas without us.”

An annual event for the philanthropic employee organization, the toy drive benefits children in Montgomery County. Anyone wishing to participate can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the ICC Field House. The Lady Pirates play at 6:00 p.m. The men’s team will take the court at 8:00 p.m.

For more information about the toy drive or to contribute to the cause monetarily, contact Coy at ICC by calling (620) 332-5402.

EDUCATION COURSE FOR CURRENT NOTARIES PUBLIC

The Office of the Kansas Secretary of State will conduct a training course at 2:30 p.m. on December 1, at Independence Community College in the Lecture Hall (AC200) of the Academic Building. This two-hour course is designed for current notaries to review their duties and responsibilities, learn best practices, and discuss responses to specific situations they may encounter during the execution of their commission.

To register go to: http://www.kssos.org/business/notary_public/become_a_notary.html or to the Secretary of State’s website at http://www.kssos.org/main.html and click on “Sign up for Notary Republic Training” under the QUICK LINKS heading.

Registration is also available before class. Please arrive by 2:00 p.m.to complete your same day registration forms.

For questions, please contact Kim Ribelin, Special Programs Coordinator with the Kansas Secretary of State at (785) 296-3806 or at enotary@kssos.org.

The course fee is $25.00.

PTK Leadership announces Fall Inductees

The Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa has announced Independence Community College’s newest inductees into the honor society. In the spirit of honoring academic excellence, PTK officers Taryn Freeman and Sondra Smith welcomed the new members.

Fall 2010 PTK Inductees were announced as: Nicole Hockett, of Caney; Tonja Housel, Brandy Kessler, of Cherryvale; Tammie Burley, Abiy Ghirmay, Ryan Jackson, David Koszalka, Coral Pinon, Benjamin Roberts, of Independence; and Kristi Welch, William Cashero, of Thayer , KS.

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest, and most respected honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. Member eligibility dictates that the student must be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution offering an associate degree program. Additional requirements include having completed at least 12 credit hours of coursework and earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

For more information about ICC’s PTK chapter contact Professor Karen Roush, Beta Sigma Phi Sponsor, at (620) 332-5453 or email: kroush@indycc.edu.

Law Enforcement to host Emergency Disaster Drill at College

A mock disaster drill will be held at Independence Community College on Friday, November 19, with local and county emergency personnel. The event, which is being identified as an active intruder-shooter scenario, will affect the entire campus and all persons present on campus at the time of the drill will be participating as though it were a real terrorist threat.

“Independence Community College is very pleased to be working with these professionals,” said Dr. Daniel Bain, President. “We’ve been working to update our own emergency plan and were very pleased to learn that our work could also serve as an important training exercise for the Independence Police, the Sheriff’s Department, and local Emergency Medical Services. It’s a privilege to work with these fine people and we’re excited that they are learning more about our campus layout and facilities. We believe that everyone will benefit from the exercise.”

The drill has been scheduled for Friday, November 19th, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. The activity of the event will center on the Academic Building but the entire campus will be participating. As such, no one will be allowed to leave or enter the campus buildings during this time period.

Persons making deliveries, needing to pick up children from the Pirate Cove Academy, needing to leave campus after their afternoon class, or having an appointment off campus, will need to alter their plans as lock down will be strictly enforced from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Likewise, the cafeteria, practice fields, gym, and dorms will be locked down as they would in a real emergency.

Neighboring residents of the College, will be contacted by law enforcement who will be stressing that this is just a drill and not an actual crisis event.

Registration Open for Spring Youth Acting Classes at Inge Center

The William Inge Center for the Arts is taking registration for its Spring Youth Theatre Studio, offering acting lessons for children in grades 3 through 12.

The classes, with instructor Lisa Kramer, encourage students to think creatively while developing confidence and positive self-expression, as well as performing skills. The classes are divided into grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, and begin on Saturday, February 26th.

From 9:00-10:00 a.m. class is called Dramatic Imagination for Grades 3-5. Through theater games and improvisation, students will develop skills in creative thinking, character development, and teamwork. Students will leave with smiles on their faces and new skills learned.

From 10:15-11:15 a.m. is Act One, Scene One, for grades 6-8. Students will incorporate improvisation and scene work to develop characters and learn the structure of play making. We will share these scenes with friends and families during the last class session.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is Creating Theatre for Grades 9-12. Students further develop acting techniques while they prepare monologues and scenes based on their own experiences. Students may also work on preparing audition pieces. This material will then be put together into a final presentation, with students taking on the roles of actors, directors, and playwrights.

The classes will meet on February 26, March 5, 12, 19, and April 2, 9, 23, and 30 at Independence Community College.

Kramer greatly enjoys directing theatre for all ages and has extensively taught in school and non-school settings in the Phoenix area, Colorado, and elsewhere. Ms. Kramer holds a Ph.D. in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University, an MFA in directing from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre and English from Smith College.

“We are thrilled that Lisa has been teaching our fall Youth Theatre Studio classes, which have been a great success,” said Peter Ellenstein, artistic director of the Inge Center. “Providing top-quality theatre training to students of Southeast Kansas serves the core of our mission.”

In addition to extensive directing credits, Lisa has helped start two theatre companies, and worked as a lighting designer, stage manager, and playwright.

The fee is $100 for the eight class sessions for the third grade through fifth grade and the sixth through eighth grade levels. The fee is $160 for the high school level grades, due to extended class time.

Enrollment can be done by phone to the Inge Center office at (620) 332-5491 or through email at hjoyce@ingecenter.org. A $50 deposit is required to hold a spot in a class. Each class is limited to 15 students each. The balance is due at the first class. A limited number of reduced price needs-based scholarships are available.

The William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence community College offers quality year-round educational and artistic programming. It is best known as sponsor of the annual William Inge Theatre Festival, which is the Official State Theatre Festival of Kansas. The 30th annual Inge Festival honors Marsha Norman and runs April 13-16, 2011.

Major sponsors include the Kansas Arts Commission, the Hallmark Corporation, The National Endowment for the Arts, and The Dramatists Guild of New York.

52nd Annual Anna Plays set for Friday and Saturday

Three scenes have been announced the upcoming Annual Anna Award Plays at Independence Community College Friday, November 19th, and Saturday, November 20th, at 7:30 p.m. on the stage of the William Inge Theatre. The 52nd annual competition is named in honor of the late Anna Ingleman, long-time Independence theatre and drama instructor whose former students include William Inge, Pulitzer winning playwright, and Vivian Vance, made famous by the legendary television sitcom “I Love Lucy.”

The participating student directors and actors are part of ICC's Play Production Class and have selected cuttings from the early plays by America’s great playwright, Sam Shepard. Some songs and poetry relating to the genre and time of the plays will also be performed.

A young Sam Shepard was highly influence by New York City’s reenergized rock n roll culture of the late ‘70’s. Shepard collaborated with the likes of Punk/New Wave’s Patti Smith and Bob Dylan’ Rolling Thunder Revue. In his early plays he is developing his theme of American mythology by linking it to the anarchic zeitgeist of the punk ethos in the arts of the 1970’s. Later this exploration of American archetypes and myths would lead to the creation of American classic plays like True West, Curse of the Starving Class, and Buried Child as he adds the experiences of his mid-west upbringing. But the volatile energy he developed in his early days is still ever present.

As is the tradition, judges will jury the scene performances for honors in acting, directing, and overall play presentation. The winners will be presented their coveted Anna Awards following the Saturday night performance. The audience award for ‘People’s Choice’ will be presented that evening as well.

The three plays are: Cowboy Mouth – directed by Alysh Baros and featuring Colin Stephens as Slim, and Jessi Kebert as Cavale; 4 H Club – directed by Colin Stephens and featuring Asa Walker as Joe, Michael Ellis as John, and John Lloyd Stafford as Bob; and
Action – directed by Paige Almond and featuring Colin Stephens as Shooter, Asa Walker as Jeep, Jessi Kebert as Lupe, and Harmony Woods as Liza.

Original Student Plays to be read November 18 at Inge Center

Students of the William Inge Center for the Arts Professional Playwriting Certificate Program will explore a range of dramatic styles at public readings on Thursday, November 18th. The readings will take place at the William Inge Theatre at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The student playwrights presenting their new scripts include Paige Almond, David Maher, Colin Stephens, and Debby Sandoval. The evening will be directed by the Inge Center’s visiting Playwrights-in-Residence and will feature local student and community actors.
Some of the excerpts may explore adult themes; the evening is suggested for ages 16 and older.
The playwriting instructors are professional playwrights Lynne Kaufman and Adam Szymkowicz.

Lynn Kaufman was the Inge Festival’s Otis Guernsey New Voices in Playwriting award-winner in 2005. She is the author of fifteen full-length plays, three novels and dozens of short stories.

Her play "Daisy in the Dreamtime" premiered in New York City at The Abingdon Theatre and was published in Women Playwrights: Best New Plays of 2003 and by Dramatic Publishing in 2006. It was also presented by the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles as a recipient of a Hot Properties Grant from the L.A. Arts Council and The A.S.K. Foundation.
Kaufman's play "Fakes" premiered at Florida Studio Theatre and was optioned for film by 20th Century Fox and for television by Jean Doumanian Productions. "Shooting Simone" premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival and was published by Dramatic Publishing.
Adam Szymkowicz's plays have been produced throughout the U.S., and in Canada, England, The Netherlands and Lithuania. Several of his plays have been published by Dramatists Play Service and Samuel French.
He received a Playwright's Diploma from The Juilliard School's Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program where he studied with Inge Festival 2008 Honoree, Christopher Durang, and next year’s 2011 Honoree Marsha Norman, and was the Dean’s Fellow. He also earned an MFA from Columbia University.
The Inge Center is best known for its annual William Inge Theatre Festival. The 30th annual festival takes place April 13-16, 2011, honoring the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning dramatist Marsha Norman.

Additional major supporters of the William Inge Center for the Arts include the Kansas Humanities Council, Kansas Arts Commission, the Hallmark Corporation, the Dramatists Guild of New York, and Independence Community College.

The center is named for the late Pulitzer Prize (“Picnic”) and Oscar winning (“Splendor in the Grass”) writer William Inge, a native of Independence.

For more information on Inge Center activities, visit www.ingecenter.org or call (620) 332-5491 or (800) 842-6063 ext. 5835.

Musical Instruments Sought for Education

New and used musical instruments are being sought by the Independence Community College Music Department as part of the Give the Gift of Music Project. Community members are being encouraged to empty their closets of band instruments that are no longer being loved and used.

According to Eric Rutherford, Associate Professor of Vocal and Instrumental Music, the instruments would be welcomed additions to the department. “I don’t even want people to worry about instruments that may need repaired. We’re happy to accept any and all instruments,” said Rutherford.

He went on to explain that while top condition pieces would be wonderful but if the instruments are not in a condition that would allow them to be used by students in the department, he plans to have them repaired or trade them in for credit towards the purchase of new or used equipment. In addition, donation receipts can be issued for the charitable gift of an instrument for tax purposes.

“The goal of this important project,” he continued, “is to get the instruments in the hands of the students for education and musical success. By supporting a College musician, you’re supporting more than education in music, you’re also a part of performances in fine arts, celebrations, parades, public appearances, and the sounds of sporting events! Put music back in your instrument as you participate in the Give the Gift of Music Project!”

For more information about the musical instrument project, contact Rutherford by calling (620) 332-5436 or send an email to: erutherford@Indycc.edu.

EMT Training begins November 29th

There is a great opportunity for employment in emergency care in southeast Kansas and across the country and to help meet this need, Independence Community College’s Allied Health Department will offer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training beginning November 29th in both Independence and Cherryvale. ICC is the only institution in Southeast Kansas offering this important training.

Sue Manning, EMT I/D, is the instructor for both sessions. The two beginning EMT classes are set to offer students a choice of either afternoon or evening classes. The afternoon class will meet in W105 at ICC West, located at 2615 W. Main, in Independence, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The Cherryvale EMT session is an evening class at the Cherryvale High School and will meet from 6:00-10:00 p.m. The 13-credit hour courses will end May 12th.

The beginning EMT class teaches students the skills needed in vehicle extrication, trauma assessment and injury care, medical assessment and care as well as splinting and caring for injuries to bones and basic life support CPR in the pre-hospital setting.

Successful completion of ICC’s program qualifies the student to sit for the state boards and become certified as a Kansas State Emergency Medical Technician.

“There is a lot of need in the medical community for EMTs and this is a fairly short instructional period when you consider that it’s everything you need for a career as a professional Emergency Medical Technician,” said Manning, veteran EMT, Emergency Room Technician and instructor. “After successful completion of the training and testing a student can go directly into the workforce. It’s a wonderful way for someone wanting a career in the health care industry to begin, and it’s a great way for someone already in the health care industry to step-up their career. Independence Community College is the only institution in Southeast Kansas now offering this valued training.”

The ICC’s EMT program completers have an excellent pass rate with 100% for both First Responder and Advanced EMT and a 90% state board pass rate for the EMT B training. Call to find out more about Pell Grants and available financial aid for the courses.

To enroll in the ICC EMT Program call the Admissions Office at 620-332-5400 or Denise Clark, Allied Health Coordinator, at (620) 332-5498.

November Open Mic Night set for Monday

Monday, November 15th, will be the date of Independence Community College’s Open Mic Night this month. The ICC LitGuild event will be held at to the ICC library at 7:30 pm.

According to Matt Hoven, Independence Community College Professor of English Composition and Literature, and sponsor of the LitGuild, everyone is invited to participate with an original work or an old favorite. In the past, participants have presented in a variety of expressional forms including singing a song, reading a poem, performing a monologue, or doing some stand-up.

Free refreshments will be served. The public is encouraged to attend as participants and/or audience.

For more information about the free event, contact Hoven by email at mhoven@indycc.edu or by phone at 332-5434.

Candy Making Topic of November Class at ICC

Patty Wolfe will be returning to Independence Community College this month to teach two special interest sessions on Candy Making. Just in time for the holiday season, Candy Making – Microwave will begin Tuesday, November 9th and continue through November 23rd. Candy Making – Range is a course that will begin on Tuesday, November 30 and will continue each Tuesday through December 14th.

The three-week Candy classes will meet on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the kitchen of the Cessna Learning Center on ICC’s main campus.

“Candy making preparation will center on using the microwave and candy molds,” said Wolfe about the first course. “Students will develop the knowledge and confidence to create holiday treats for the whole family. We'll be making chocolate suckers, tootsie rolls, turtles, chocolates, peanut clusters, flavored popcorn, fancy pretzels, chocolate cherry mice, candy turkeys,” said Wolf. “We’ll also learn how to use candy molds. I’ll offer helpful hints, share recipes, and there will be samples to take home.”

The second course centers on traditional candy making on the cook top or range. As in the first session, students will enjoy hands-on instruction, new recipes and sampling of the sweet treats.

The classes are being offered for a special fee of $35. The fee must be paid on or before the first night of class. Students will need to purchase a limited number of supplies. The class size is limited and interested persons are encouraged to enroll early to guarantee placement. For more information, or to register by phone, call Alberta Smith at (620) 332-5433.

Professional Play readings November 6 at Inge Center

The William Inge Center for the Arts presents readings of new plays on Saturday November 6. The readings feature professional actors and directors as well as regional talent and ICC students and alumni.

The readings are part of the Playwrights-in-Residence program and take place at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the William Inge Theatre at Independence Community College. There will be talkbacks with the author following each performance. Admission is free.

The scripts are by Lynne Kaufman and Adam Szymkovicz, who are in the midst of a two-month residency. As part of the residency, the playwrights receive support from guest directors and artists, who work with the writers to revise and develop the scripts. The audience feedback is of enormous value to the playwrights work. The guest directors and performers come from New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Wichita and Kansas City, as well as students from ICC.

Lynn Kaufman was the Inge Festival’s Otis Guernsey New Voices in Playwriting award-winner in 2005. Kaufman’s play is titled “Acid Test” and takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 6. “Acid Test” is a one-man play about the life journey of Richard Alpert aka Ram Dass (author of “Be Here Now”). From his incredible journey through the 1960's when he was a tenured psychology professor at Harvard through the psychedelic revolution to his journey India to find his guru and his return to America as a revered spiritual teacher.

The play begins in the 1990's when he suffers a severe paralytic stroke that shakes his faith. He must yet once again reinvent himself. The reading will be directed by the Artistic Director of Los Angeles’ acclaimed Fountain Theatre, Simon Levy. It stars one of America’s leading Shakespearean actors, Jonathan McMurtry (who has appeared in every one of Shakespeare’s plays at leading theatres around the country), and is well know from recurring roles on “Cheers”, “Wings” and “Almost Perfect”. The Dramaturge will be ICC adjunct instructor, Lisa Kramer. Stage directions will be read by ICC student John Lloyd Stafford III. This reading is suitable for a “PG” audience.

Then, later that evening, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, Szymkovicz’s play “Herbie: Poet of the Wild West,” takes stage. This crazy comedy with serious undertones is a Wild West adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” with a little of Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles” thrown in for good measure.
It is directed by New York Director Joshua Vasquez and features a cast of professional and regional actors, including Independence native, ICC Alum, and Inge Center favorite Blake Robbins whose work includes TV’s “Oz” and many other stage, film, TV appearances; Los Angeles actor, David Rispoli; New York actor and Wichita resident, Tom Frye; Kansas City favorite Cynthia Hyer who was featured in the Inge Festival’s productions of “A Civil War Christmas” and “A Complex Evening”.
Also featured in the cast is the Inge Center’s own Hannah Joyce-Hoven and ICC student Colin Stephens, of Seattle, WA. Kansas City actress Sarah Prindl also performs. Stage directions will be read by ICC student Asa Walker of Cherryvale. The reading is suggested for high school age and above due to strong language.
The Inge Center is best known for its annual William Inge Theatre Festival. The 30th annual festival takes place April 13-16, honoring the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning dramatist Marsha Norman.

Additional major supporters of the William Inge Center for the Arts include the Kansas Humanities Council, Kansas Arts Commission, the Hallmark Corporation, the Dramatists Guild of New York, and Independence Community College.

The center is named for the late Pulitzer Prize (“Picnic”) and Oscar winning (“Splendor in the Grass”) writer William Inge, a native of Independence.

For more information on Inge Center activities, visit www.ingecenter.org or call (620) 332-5491 or (800) 842-6063 ext. 5835.

Home Health Aide Class offers Students Scheduling Choice

A Home Health Aide course will be offered this month as part of Independence Community College’s Allied Health course offerings. The one-credit hour Home Health Aide Class will offer students a unique opportunity to choose their meeting nights. Each student will be required to meet on either Monday or Tuesday of each week. All students will be required to meet for a second class session on Thursday of each week.

Gayle L. Barnes, RN, BSN, will teach the evening class from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at ICC West, 2615 W. Main, in room W103. The course begins the week of November 15th and continues through December 7th.

According to the Office of Instruction, offering the first session of each week on two different nights is a means to help people work around their personal schedules and obligations.

The Home Health Aide course is built upon the basics of CNA training, and acquaints the student with the home care environment. Students will perform specialized skills needed when caring for the patient living at home. This course is built upon the Kansas Certified 20-Hour Home Health Aide Curriculum Guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Prerequisite: Kansas certified nurse aide certification and successful passing of the CASAS reading test (8th grade level). Successful completion of this class will allow the student to take the Kansas State Examination to become certified by the State Department of Health and Environment.

Class sizes are limited and interested persons are encouraged to enroll now to guarantee placement.

For more information about these course offerings or any of the other Allied Health classes offered through Independence Community College, call Denise Clark, Allied Health Coordinator, at (620) 332-5498.

Renowned Shakespearean Actor Featured in Saturday Reading

There are few better examples of how a life can turn on what seems a whimsical decision than that of Jonathan McMurtry, one of the most admired Shakespearean actors in America.

McMurtry is a guest artist this week at the William Inge Center for the Arts and will perform in a one-man show, a reading of a new play, on Saturday, November 6, 2:00 p.m., at Independence Community College’s William Inge Theatre. Admission is free to the rehearsed reading, part of the Inge Center’s Playwrights-in-Residence program.

McMurtry is in his 43rd year as artistic associate at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego—one of America’s top Shakespearean companies, and much-sought actor for classical roles. But his journey to fame started as a lark while a junior college student in Los Angeles. McMurtry already held a promising job with the Disney Company as a graphic designer but an instructor persuaded him to enter a Shakespeare competition.

He won the regionals. Then, at the national finals, he tied for first place with Larry Linville, who later played Frank Burns on the TV series “MASH.”

The prize for the winners was a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. There, he roomed with Albert Finney—later to become an acclaimed actor in Great Britain. Actress Dame Judi Dench was a classmate. And he was mentored by the best instructors and actors of Shakespeare as only RADA can provide.

From there, it was stints at the Stratford, Connecticut, Shakespeare Festival, but he found his artistic home at the Old Globe, one of the most consistent producers of Shakespeare in America.

McMurtry has played virtually every major Shakespearean male role—often, several times. His career also includes stints on television with recurring roles on “Wings,” “Frasier,” and “Cheers” among others. Stage is his first love, and he often steps outside the Shakespeare canon. For example, he portrayed Dr. Lyman in William Inge’s “Bus Stop” at the Old Globe.

It is appropriate, then, for McMurtry’s path to cross Independence, Kansas. During his week’s guest artist residency, he conducted workshops for ICC drama majors and conducted a lecture for all students.

He also characteristically plunged into rehearsals for his reading, titled “Acid Test.” It is a one-man show about the life journey—with surprise ending—of Ram Dass. He was a friend and spiritual brother of iconoclast Timothy Leary, and Dass became famous as a sort of “guru” during the 1960s. The play explores Dass’ thoughts of his life and choices.

The play is written by Lynne Kaufman, current Inge Center playwright. Kauffman was the 2004 Inge Center’s “New Voices in the American Theatre” award-winner, with her play, “Magician’s Choice.” The guest director is Simon Levy, an award-winning director and a playwright himself. His adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” premiered at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis.

“Acid Test,” starring Jonathan McMurtry, is rated PG-13. Curtain time is 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, at the William Inge Theatre. Admission is free to this rehearsed reading.

At 7:30 p.m., there will be staged reading of the comedy “Herbie: Poet of the Wild West.” It features actor Blake Robbins, who recently emceed the Queen Neelah Coronation ceremonies in Independence. He will appear with an ensemble cast of guest artist professionals and ICC students.

The play is a comic mixture of the plot of “Hamlet” on the Wild West frontier. Written by current Inge House playwright-in-resident David Szymcowicz, “Herbie: Poet of the Wild West.” is recommended for ages 16 and older.