Access At CVUHS

Have you ever thought about keeping bees? This course offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about these vital and fascinating pollinators that play a crucial role in our food system. Taught by Vermont-based apiarists with over 40 years of combined experience, instructors will share not only essential beekeeping knowledge but also practical tips gained from decades of hands-on work in the field and in the beekeeping business. Across three informative sessions, students will gain a solid foundation in beekeeping, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. Whether you’re simply curious or considering starting a few hives of your own, this popular Access class provides the insight and confidence to take the next step. An optional on site class will be offered in May, with date, time, and location determined by weather and instructor availability. Deborah and Rick tending to bees at a hive.

Have you wanted to de-clutter your home, and just don't know where to start? Have you started the process, only to feel overwhelmed, and then get stuck? Ellen will share her tried-and-true methods for organizing a home, and developing systems to keep it that way. Come ready to ask her for the best approaches to purge your worst clutter spots! You'll go home with renewed motivation and a page of Timely Tips.

Do you share your life with a dog and wish you had a stronger bond built on clearer communication? This engaging two-part course is designed to help dog owners better understand how dogs communicate—and how we, as humans, can respond more effectively. Join veterinarian Dr. Viola Chu for an informative and practical presentation that explores the differences between canine and human communication. If you’ve ever felt frustrated or confused when your dog doesn’t seem to “get” what you’re asking, this class will help you see behavior and signals from a new perspective. In the first session, Dr. Chu will explain how dogs communicate through body language, behavior, and instinct, and why misunderstandings between dogs and humans are so common. Participants will learn strategies to bridge this communication gap and build mutual trust. In the second session, these concepts will be applied to real-world situations such as common behavior challenges, training frustrations, and everyday interactions at home and on walks. Ample time will be provided for questions and discussion. While the sessions complement one another, each class can be taken independently. Please bring your curiosity and questions—but kindly leave your pets at home. “There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot.” - Aldo Leopold

Are you looking to update a space in your room? A new paint color can be one of the most dramatic ways to change up the space. Color expert, Betsey Dempsey, will briefly guide you through the basic steps to consider when choosing paint colors, whether its for your home or business. Some of the topics will include intensity, value, undertones, and how light affects paint colors. We will also discuss color trends as well as many tips and tricks to make picking paint colors easier!

Just a few steps outside your door lies a world of plants waiting to be discovered! Kelley Robie, of Horsetail Herbs, will guide you on this introduction to identifying common and abundant “weeds” that make some of our very best wild foods and medicines. Here in Vermont, for at least half of the year, we can find dozens of nutritious and healing plants to incorporate into our meals! We will identify local plant species, discuss parts of the plants used, when to harvest them and even do some taste-testing. You will go home with wild food recipes and a new appreciation for Vermont’s local wild plants. Local eating at its best, both fresh and free! This class will meet inside CVU, before moving outside. In the case of extreme weather, the class may move to a rain date of June 4th. "Kelly opened my eyes to a whole new world just outside my doorstep."