Broaden your knowledge of the deaf community and deaf culture by participating in a beginner’s course in American Sign Language (ASL). In this course, participants will learn about deaf culture as well as sign language basics for conversation including appropriate greetings and introductions, the alphabet & numbers, colors, animals, foods, family members & professions, feelings, days & times, and much more! The 8-week course is a great introduction to ASL and the deaf community.

The course will be on Tuesdays staring on April 7 through May 26, 2026, from 6p-8p at the Corry Higher Education Council. Register for the entire course for $100 and can be completed at www.corryhied.org or by calling 814.664.9405. 

 *Must be 13 or older to register.

The Corry Higher Education Council has teamed up with QUINNtessential Grant Works to present an engaging, hands-on workshop for organizations pursuing grant funding. Participants will discover how artificial intelligence can streamline the grant application process, helping save time and enhance results.

Facilitated by Erin Sekerak, Founder and Grant Strategist, the session highlights practical strategies for integrating AI into every stage of grant development — from locating funding opportunities and strengthening proposal narratives to organizing and managing submissions more effectively.

This free presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:30p-7p at the Corry Higher Education Council. Registration is required by visiting www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.

Phil Kerner - The Tool & Die Guy!

With over 40 years in the manufacturing industry, Phil Kerner — affectionately known as The Tool & Die Guy — brings real-world experience, historical insight, and humor to every presentation.

Phil began his career in 1980 as a toolmaker and mold maker apprentice, eventually building his own thriving shop that employed 40 skilled craftspeople. Today, he continues his work at Industrial Sales & Mfg. and remains a passionate advocate for the trades, inspiring others through his popular YouTube channel with more than 40,000 subscribers.

Manufacturing runs deep in Phil’s bloodline — his father and grandfather were also toolmakers, a tradition documented as far back as the 1920 U.S. Census. His talks combine a century of family legacy, practical shop-floor wisdom, and a contagious enthusiasm for American manufacturing.

Speaking Topics Include:

• The Future of American Manufacturing – Why the trades matter more than ever.

• Shop Etiquette & Professionalism – Building respect, relationships, and reputation.

• Lessons from the Tool Room – What 40 years in the trade can teach about leadership.

• The Legacy of the Toolmaker – Honoring history while inspiring the next generation.

Why Audiences Love Phil: Phil’s presentations blend storytelling, humor, and hands-on experience to engage audiences of all ages — from students considering the trades to seasoned professionals reigniting their passion for the craft. Whether speaking at schools, industry conferences, or manufacturing associations, Phil’s mission is simple: To celebrate the craftsmanship, pride, and people that keep American manufacturing alive.

The presentation will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 5:30p-7p at the Corry Hi-Ed. The cost to register is $10. To register, please visit www.corryhied.org or call 814-664-9405.

Presented by PA CareerLink, the purpose of this workshop is to teach you how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, grow your network, and leverage platform tools for job searches, professional branding, and career growth.

The workshop will be held at the Corry Higher Education Council on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 1:30p-2:30p. The workshop is free to attend, but registration is required by calling the Hi-Ed at 814-664-9405 or visiting the Hi-Ed website at www.corryhied.org.

Presented by Taylor Skalos of Skalos Customs, create your own wood-burned Pennsylvania cutting board. Participants will be provided a 14.5 x 6.5 Acacia wood cutting board with a PA state outline making it accessible to even beginners. Wood burners will be provided to go over the stencil to create hand-made cutting board. All materials are included in the cost of registration.

The workshop will be held at the Corry Higher Education Council on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 5p-6:30p. The cost to register for the workshop is $40, and those interested can register at the Hi-Ed website at www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405. A signed waiver will be required at the time of check for the workshop.

Presented by the Jefferson Educational Society.

An 18th Century betting person might have predicted that North America would have become French as opposed to British, Spanish, or a brand-new, independent country: The United States. Lake Erie was a frenetic epicenter of French activities that surrounded the conflict and turmoil between political forces that shaped the region. Much of the direct influence has disappeared from collective memory, but we continue to experience dozens of historic French contributions. These include our beloved Presque Isle (French for almost an island); French Creek; Celeron, New York (home of television icon, Lucile Ball, which was named for a French explorer); and the Chicago River system, which was discovered by French expedition leaders, Marquette and Joliet.

Join us as JES Scholar-in-Residence Dr. David Frew details the primary regional French contributions and weaves them into a story that continues through modern times. His integration of French influences will spark curiosities and suggest exciting new explorations.

This event is part of the JES's USA 250 Event Series. JES Satellite Programming is sponsored by Erie Insurance.

Location: Corry Higher Education Council - 221 N Center St, Corry, PA 16407

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 12, 6-7:30PM

Admission: FREE, but registration is required by visiting www.jeserie.org/events or by calling 814-459-8000. 

In this one-time two-hour workshop, students will learn how to create, record, and publish their own podcasts. Students will be able to post videos to YouTube and other supporting video platforms. This will be a demo workshop where students will create sample podcasts and work on how to record and upload them, and how to share the content. Gain hands-on experience creating your own podcast.

Required materials: student to bring in their personal laptops, microphones and web cam (laptops with built in cameras and microphones are preferred).

This class will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 5:30p-7:30p at the Corry Higher Education Council. The fee to register is $30, and registration can be completed by visiting www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.

Presented by Fox Family Insurance and Equitable Advisors. If retirement is on your horizon, congratulations on reaching this well-deserved milestone! As you prepare for this exciting new chapter, you may have important questions about your financial preparedness, tax-efficient strategies, the optimal timing for claiming Social Security, Medicare options and enrollment, and more. Join us for an informative retirement readiness session featuring three respected local experts. They will share clear, actionable insights and personalized guidance to help you approach this transition with confidence and clarity. We invite you to attend and take meaningful steps toward a secure and fulfilling retirement. This seminar comes at no cost to you! Seats are limited, so call and reserve your spot today. We look forward to seeing you there!

The seminar will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 6p-7:30p at the Corry Higher Education Council. There is no cost to attend, but preregistration is required by visiting www.corryhied.org or by calling 814-664-9405.