Non-credit courses at Pellissippi State focus on fishing, family, flora

On your way either to fly-fish or climb your family tree, you could stop off and learn about edible wild plants.

These are topics of three out-of-the-ordinary non-credit courses offered this spring at Pellissippi State.

"Flyfish 101" will be offered April 16 and May 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by Marshall Hall, a local fishing guide, custom rod maker and member of Foothills Craft Guild. He will give introductory guidance on the equipment and techniques necessary to help first-timers and those less experienced fish in freshwater lakes, rivers and streams.

The cost is $65 per person or $50 per person in family groups of two or more.

The college also is offering "Climbing Your Family Tree" on three Thursdays between April 21 and May 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., for those interested in learning how to track down ancestors, organize family records and preserve family memorabilia for future generations. The instructor is Marlene Thomas, who has more than 28 years' experience in genealogical research.

In addition to the Thursday sessions, the course includes two field trips to the Latter Day Saints' History Center and McClung Historical Collection May 7 and May 14. The cost is $85, plus a $25 materials fee.

The third course is "Exploring Wild Edible Plants," led by Beryl Lumpkin, who has taught similar courses for the past 25 years. She has written about edible plants that can be found in fields, lakes and woods, as well as along roadsides and in backyards.

This session will be offered April 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and will include a field trip to identify plants that can be used as food and as ingredients in cooking. The cost is $35.

For information on any of these non-credit courses or to register, call Marcia Lawson in the Pellissippi State Business and Community Services office at 539-7167 or mlawson@pstcc.edu.

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

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