Have you got the right kind of point on your pencil? Do you know how to achieve the perfect point for the kind of work you need out of that pencil? Deep in New York’s Hudson River Valley, craftsman David Rees—the world’s number one #2 pencil sharpener—still practices the age-old art of manual pencil sharpening. In 2010, he began offering his artisanal service to the world, to the jubilation of artists, writers, draftsmen, and standardized test takers. David will teach you to sharpen your own pencil the old-fashioned way and SHARE HIS SECRETS. All materials provided.

Recently home from the 2012 Olympic Games in London, pentathlete Donna Vakalis will present a rare, candid look into both the Olympics and just what the pentathlon is. You'll divide into teams and competes in an abridged (but equally thrilling!) version of pentathlon followed by an awards ceremony. Finally, Vakalis will demonstrate her shiny new LASER GUN. And maybe (just maybe!) she'll give a few lucky participants the opportunity to give it a shot. She will also take time for a Q&A. Bring your workout clothes and your swimming gear!

The mid-'50s 3-D boom went far beyond that iconic photo of the audience gasping behind their cardboard glasses. At around the same time, photography buffs were embracing a new format of three-dimensional still photography in the "Stereo Realist" camera system. Introduced in 1947, the camera and its matched viewer proved an unbeatable partner for Kodachrome - the miraculously crisp, sensitive and long-lasting color slide film. To this day, 3-D purists believe the startling quality of the photos from this system is unmatched. Colbert Report writer Eric Drysdale has been collecting vintage 3-D for 15 years, and will share the story, technology and personalities behind the 1950s 3-D photography boom. You'll see a treasure-trove of one-of-a-kind images, amateur and professional, of every aspect of mid-century American life. Most importantly, you'll see them the way they were meant to be seen – as first-generation Kodachrome transparencies in backlit viewers from the 1950s with high-quality achromatic lenses. Whether some of those words mean something to you, or none of them do – don't miss a rare chance to step back in time through an amazing, and largely forgotten, technology.

Kurt Andersen, the full-time novelist and part-time essayist (and host of public radio's Studio 360), will explore the practical connections between fictional and non-fictional writing. In preparation, each participant should write a short, strictly factual account of a recent real-world experience or event. Did you meet a curious stranger on the way to work? Did you discover a new part of town on the way home? Did you read about a scientific discovery you couldn't stop thinking about? No matter the story, bring it with you and in 90 minutes or less, you will learn by doing as Andersen guides you through transmuting your own story into something both more true and untrue.

This workshop, taught by Kevin Allison (of MTV's The State sketch comedy show and the popular comedy true storytelling podcast RISK!), provides students with an encouraging, constructive environment in which to tell a true life story they never thought they'd dare to tell and receive feedback from their instructor and peers. Class will include a short lecture on classic story structuring, building suspense, eliciting emotion, recreating drama, digging deeper into a story’s meaning, and using your voice and body to add levels to your listeners’ experience, so that your story stays with them. This workshop will be limited to 10 students and will aim to get everyone up on stage to tell a 3 to 5 minute story and receive feedback from Kevin Allison and the class. Students should brainstorm their stories in advance of the workshop and aim to ensure that their stories include some of the following criteria: A) High stakes (You felt there was a lot to be lost and/or gained in the circumstances.) B) Emotional investment (You really cared about the situation and were thrilled or crushed or frightened, etc.) C) An unusual experience (Your story features subject matter we’re not likely to have covered on the podcast yet.) D) Sharing this takes guts (Normally you’d only share this with a therapist. Or perhaps this shows a side of yourself you rarely show.)

Are you an enthusiast of cocktails, cooking, or just sipping on a bitters and soda? Of course you are! If you take this class, you will learn all about bitters, what they're made of, and how to make them. Participants will make their own bitters and taste them and other kinds of bitters in cocktails. You'll go home with your own bottle and you can use it to delight all your friends at your next cocktail and/or secret sex party. All materials provided.

Internationally acclaimed musical performance artist Cynthia Hopkins writes and sings songs, records albums, and creates groundbreaking multi-media performance works that intertwine truth and fiction, blurring the lines between edification and entertainment. Her work has been honored with several awards and she is currently at work on This Clement World, a new musical performance work addressing the climate crisis (to premiere in early 2013 at St. Ann's Warehouse and the Walker Art Center); and A Living Documentary, an experimental piece exploring the challenges of earning one’s living as a theater artist in the 21st century. Ms. Hopkins will give a presentation about her work delving into the inspiration and reasoning that goes into its creation and will perform excerpts from her two new projects. Afterward, she will answer any questions you may have.

Jordan Morris isn't just the co-host of Jordan Jesse Go! -- he's also a UCB-certified improv instructor. Session B is in the afternoon and is for experienced improvisers only.

Comedian Graham Clark has a hobby. He likes to paint. He paints portraits and various things in several different styles utilizing a variety of mediums. Pretty normal, right? Well, he paints with his beard. Yeah. Each of his pieces not only captures Clark's unique artistic vision, but simultaneously becomes a time capsule reflecting the state of his facial hair at the time of composition. At MaxFunCon East, Graham will introduce the art of beard painting to a lucky group of hirsute participants. Experience this fun and meditative practice and leave with your own mini-masterpiece! Remember to wear clothes that you won't mind getting paint on. Beards will be made available for those unable to grow their own.

You've got a story. It's a great story, everybody says so. Now all you have to do is write it up and send it to a complete stranger. Easy, right? David Krasnow is one of those strangers. As the editor of public radio's arts and culture program Studio 360, he spends much of his time deciding what's worthy for the airwaves. In this workshop, Krasnow will dissect a few pitches to find out why some land and others drift off course. While geared toward journalism, the same insights can be applied toward whatever creative project you may be working on. If you're brave, you can try out your pitch and get pointers from the crowd. Krasnow began producing stories for Studio 360 in 2001, and currently serves as the program's senior editor. Prior to joining the staff, he worked in print media as an editor and writer covering music, design, American history, land use, science, and health care. Formerly the reviews editor of Artforum, he has written for the Village Voice, Jazz Times, Metropolis, The New York Observer, and The Wire, and remains a contributing editor for Bomb. He teaches radio writing to print journalists at Mediabistro and has discussed how to pitch features at the Third Coast International Audio Festival.

This class will be focused on dispelling the legend of Absinthe and its sordid past. Join MaxFunCon East's bartender Maxwell Britton to explore the true definition of the spirit itself. You'll hear about the far reaches of history where many of its ingredients dating back to ancient Rome were used medicinally; how the recipe itself was originally created in Switzerland, stolen by a traveling doctor who was known as Doctor Ordinaire and took the recipe commercial with the Pernod family; and how it became very popular among all classes of French. Legends of bad formulas and gory murders have been traced back to absinthe, but how truthful could these stories be? Did absinthe lead Van Gogh to cut his ear off? Perhaps not. Varied histories of slander campaigns and a battle against the wine industry led to bans and changes in production locations. Should absinthe be set on fire? Maxwell Britten tells all and more about absinthe, its portrayal in popular culture, in history, and how it is now currently making a comeback in the United States and beyond.

Are you an aspiring writer yearning to express yourself in your own unique voice? Storytelling with John Roderick can help! John Roderick is a musician and storyteller and has previously collaborated with such MaxFun greats as Jonathan Coulton and John Hodgman. Currently a member of the band The Long Winters, John has recently been expanding his talents into writing and storytelling. His storytelling class will help you to find your own personal voice as a writer, and show you ways to learn to write in your voice.

Always wanted to be in a sweet band but been too afraid to try? Dave Hill is willing to help by giving you that chance to bring extreme rock heat like you've always dreamed. Hill is no stranger to stage fright (He has the pills to prove it) and has built for himself a solid/sordid career in music and comedy. He hosts The Dave Hill Explosion at UCB in New York and as a musician has performed with several unstoppable acts, including Valley Lodge, Walter Schreifels Band, Cobra Verde, Diamondsnake (alongside Moby) and others. During MaxFunCon East, Dave will work with a class to write an incredible song in 90 minutes and then perform it as a group. Sound daunting? Don't worry, all skill levels are welcome (even that skill level that involves having no skill whatsoever) and Dave will be there as your helpful and aromatic guide and host. You are encouraged to bring your own (acoustic) instrument or use one of several provided.

When was the last time you cried at work? Or didn’t know how to respond when one of your colleagues broke down? Or did someone at work blow up at you – or did you yell at a co-worker? Guess what? You are not alone. Anne Kreamer has roamed the country talking to dozens of scientists and other experts and more than 200 ordinary Americans about their feelings – their positive emotions, their negative emotions, their crazy emotions — on the job. Along the way she discovered that a lot more men cry on the job than you’d think, that saleswomen make more money during the ovulation phase of their cycles, and that the cultivation of positive emotions isn’t some Pollyanna myth but a scientifically proven tool to better health and problem solving. In her talk, Kreamer briefly decodes the underlying neuroscience behind how the genders process and deal differently with emotion and will guide you through a short self-assessment tool to help you uncover your personal emotional operating style, and concludes with a few tools for how best to deal with your most difficult workplace emotions.

Take advantage of the amenities at the Pocono Manor! Play some games with your pals in the Game Room, go for a hike, even take a nap! The world is your [free time based, non-structured] oyster.