ROCKPORT — Five Town CSD Adult and Community Education’s new semester begins the first week in March. This brochure features not only spring classes, but for the first time ever, according to Five Towns in a news release, it also includes classes which begin in June, July and August.

Here are some highlights for the upcoming weeks:

 QuickBooks Intro classes are being offered in both desktop and online versions for 6 weeks on Thursdays from 6:00- 8:00 PM. Desktop begins on March 12 and Online begins on April 30. Instructor Dorothy Prescott is also offering a class on Accounting Basics for 5 weeks beginning on March 9.

 Two classes featuring Microsoft Office are scheduled this spring. Intro to Word is for 6 weeks beginning March 10, with Microsoft Excel also for 6 weeks, beginning on April 27.

 Theater teacher Jon Potter is teaching a fun theater improv class on 6 Wednesdays in March. Learn theater techniques while learning how to improvise your part and character along the way. 

 Another new item this semester is Class Bundles where you can save by signing up for all three of an instructor’s one-night classes. Among the opportunities are all three of financial planner Lowrie Sargent’s investing classes; all three of Jill Parker’s professional development courses; or all three of foraging expert David Spahr’s edible plant classes.

 Qigong for Beginners and Taiji Gong classes are being offered at various times at Midcoast Recreation Center beginning March 4. Taught by Mike Shunney of Inner Works Center in Rockland, these 13-week classes are excellent for relaxation, movement and balance. Choices are Taiji Gong at 10:30 AM-12:00 PM, Taiji Gong at 3:00-4:30 PM or Qigong at 4:30-6:00 PM.

 A variety of carving classes are being offered with experts Sherwood Hilt teaching Carving Signs beginning April 27 and Carving Spoons and More beginning March 3, and Mike McCune teaching Carving the Harlequin Drake beginning March 5.

 The stars and sun are around day and night, learn more in the wonderful one-night class, A Brief History of Astronomy Plus Stars, the Speed of Light and More, on April 29.

 Dance classes this semester include East Coast Swing beginning March 2, West Coast Swing beginning March 23, and Bellydancing beginning March 5. 

 Language classes offer: beginner German starting March 26, beginner Russian starting March 23, Japanese for beginner starting March 3 followed by an intermediate class starting March 24, and a series of three levels of Spanish, with the beginner Spanish starting on March 2.

 The Middle East has been part of the almost-daily news for many decades, but how much do people really know about it? Learn about the beginnings of this ongoing conflict in the 4-week course, Origins of the Middle East Conflict, beginning on April 29.

 The new Maine Model Yacht Club is forming over 4 weeks of gatherings beginning on March 3.

Many more classes will be starting in the coming months covering topics such as art, cooking, writing, gardening, energy conservation, life challenges and more.

Most classes are held at Camden Hills Regional High School off Rt. 90 in Rockport.

Visit fivetowns.maineadulted.org to browse these classes and many others. Brochures can be picked up at area grocery stores or you can request one from the office.

You can sign up online for most classes, or call 236-7800, opt. 5.