STEUBENVILLE — For more than 20 years, the Academy of Lifelong Learning has been offering adults an opportunity to return to the classroom. But unlike colleges and universities, the academy’s courses are based on topics which adults say they have a particular interest in learning more about.

Community residents who are 50 years of age and older are eligible to sign up for this year’s spring semester, scheduled to begin April 7 and run through May 15. Classes will be held at the First Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at 235 N. Fourth St. in Steubenville, unless otherwise noted in the class description. Whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge or simply have the desire to learn more about one particular subject, the academy offers a variety of programs to select from.

Board President Iris Craig explained, “Our academy, which is known as ALL, offers continuing educational opportunities — minus the tests and homework — for the adult community. We are a nonprofit organization and depend on our membership to keep us presenting our classes.”

“You are welcome to attend any or all of our curriculum for these six weeks for the one-time charge of $65 for an individual or $110 for a married couple,” she remarked.

Spring classes include: John Boilegh teaching Fish in Ohio, the Ages, East Steubenville Snakes and Dinosaurs; Mike Paprocki instructing on the Market Street Bridge; Author Angela Feenerty speaking on the Cattell Family from Smithfield; historian Virginia Glenn teaching “I Walked the Footsteps of My Father;” Dr. Tony Foglio teaching on Dante’s “Devine Comedy;” teacher Michelle Fabbro will lead a class on a girls’ trip to Senoma Valley; Flora VerStraten-Merrin will lead a class on Beatty Park; Jeanne Finstein and Judi Hendrickson will lead the class Scandalous Stories That Made Headlines in Wheeling Over the Past Decades; John Kuhner, co-owner of BookMarx Bookstore, will lead a class on literature; Paul Monroe will lead a class on a tour of Spyridod Pottery; and Steve Mitch will teach on Telescopes in Space and Revisit to Mars.

Additional classes will be announced, Craig said, noting all feedback and suggestions are welcome in order to help officials learn about the interests of the older community. To enroll in a class or classes, the membership fee should be mailed by check to: ALL, 6602 state Route 213, Toronto, OH 43964, or brought to the first class you attend. Checks should include your address and phone number. For information or questions, contact Craig at (740) 544-5169 or by e-mail at iris.c213@yahoo.com.