NEW MSCN HEADER (With border)
Issue No. 23
January 2012
The MSCN Newsletter

Welcome to 2012!

 

photo of fireworksHappy New Year! We are pleased to bring you the first edition of the MSCN e-news for 2012. With articles from senior colleges across Maine, the January issue confirms that MSCN members have had a busy fall and are anticipating equally varied and activity filled winter months.

January's newsletter includes information about upcoming events at Lewiston-Auburn Senior College and York County Senior College as well as a profile of a St. John Valley Senior College member. The news also highlights last fall's activities at Western Mountains Senior College, Acadia Senior College, and Senior College at Bridgton. Following up on the Poet Laureate and Photography competitions, we're pleased to present photos of the winners receiving their awards, as well as to announce a new Photography competition for 2012. Ringing in the new year, we bring you a poem about the cycle of the seasons from a Western Mountains Senior College member.

We're looking forward to hearing about and sharing information about the exciting MSCN activities to come in 2012!

Sincerely, 

 

Kali Lightfoot

Executive Director

Maine Senior College Network   

Public Theatre Director
to Speak at L-A's January Lunch

Christopher Schario, Lewiston Public TheatreChristopher Schario, Executive/Artistic Director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston, will be the presenter at the USM Lewiston-Auburn Senior College "Food for Thought" 11:30 luncheon on Friday, January 13. He will speak about the birth and development of The Public Theatre and the impact that a thriving cultural life has on the growth of a community and on the local economy.

Schario received a BFA in acting from Ohio University and an MFA at Carnegie-Mellon University where he also taught. He has directed plays at Lewiston's Public Theatre, as well as in New York City and many regional theaters. He has acted off-Broadway, on national tours, and other venues Schario's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" was developed and successfully produced at theaters throughout the world.

This month the Food for Thought lunch will be held in Room 170 at USM LAC. The cost, which includes lunch, is $7 with advance reservations or $8 at the door. Advance reservations must be made by noon on January 12 by calling 753-6510.

- Submitted by Rachel Morin for Lewiston-Auburn Senior College

 

York County Senior College Presents Lecture Series

Illustration of speaker before an audienceWhether it's history, health, music, diplomacy or culture, York County Senior College has something of interest in its monthly 2012 Winter Lecture Series. The series begins Wednesday, January 18, and continues with monthly installments in February and March.

The talks feature morning and afternoon speakers for a full day of learning. Morning lectures take place from 9:30-11:30, followed by lunch and a second lecture, held from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

The series starts off with a focus on health in the Wednesday, January 18, kickoff.  Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci, Director for Geriatrics Education and Research at the University of New England's College of Osteopathic Medicine and Director of its Fitness and Wellness program for older adults, will inspire seniors with "The Aging 'Loco-Motion: You Can't be Idle on a Moving Train." Dr. Gugliucci believes that older age is associated with disease and decline because our society constructs it that way. But understanding the numerous opportunities and challenges in aging, she believes, helps us change the way we age, especially in how we perceive it.

That afternoon, Dr. Amy Davidoff, Professor and Associate Chair of Research at the Department of Pharmacology at UNE, will present "Wellness: The Role of Drugs and Supplements." Older patients often use multiple medications to treat such diseases as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Dr. Davidoff will discuss side effects that result from a drug's interactions with other drugs as well as with dietary supplements. She'll also talk about the role of drug therapy in treating chronic diseases.

Upcoming lectures include a February 15 trip into history with Dr. Draper Hunt, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Southern Maine, speaking about "Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin: The Civil War Vice-Presidency," and writer and journalist Lael Warren providing her insights into "The Good Time Girls of the Wild West."  

On March 14, Music Director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra Robert Moody shares his personal story in "The Man Behind the Music," and Dr. Matthew Perry, research biologist and fourth generation descendent of Commodore Perry, will talk about "Commodore Matthew Perry's Expedition to Japan: His Life as a Sailor and Diplomat."

All winter lectures will be given at Denis Hall on the campus of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, 133  Shaker Hill Road, Alfred (off Route 202). The fee for each day's program is $15, payable at the door by cash or check made payable to the Brothers of Christian Instruction, and includes a lunch of soup, salad, sandwiches, dessert and beverages, as well as an introductory coffee and muffin reception from 9 to 9:30. If Sanford schools cancel because of inclement weather, so will Senior College. Call 207-282-4030 for reservations by the Monday before each lecture.  

- Submitted by Ted Hargrove for York County Senior College

 

Announcing the 2012 MSCN Photo Competition!

illustration of photographerIt's a new year, and a new photo competition is under way. The theme of this year's photo contest is "Portraits: Family, Friends, and Pets." Entries will be accepted through May 31, 2012, and the winner, who will receive an Amazon Kindle, will be announced in the June 2012 MSCN newsletter.

If you are a member of a Maine Senior College you are eligible to enter. One entry per person, please, and the submitted photo must be previously unpublished. If you wish to enter a photo of a family member or friend, they must be willing to sign a photo release and agree to have their image appear in the MSCN newsletter online if your entry is the winning one.

Photos may be submitted in digital format  as .jpg files or as photo prints. If you submit a photo print and wish to have it returned to you, you must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Please email your digital entry as an attachment to [email protected] or, mail your photo print to:
Kyle Allen
Maine Senior College Network
University of Southern Maine
PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300

Be sure to tell us your name and  which Maine Senior College you belong to. We're looking forward to seeing some great photos!

WMSC Senior Thespians Perform to Much Applause
WMSC Senior Players
Senior College Players performed, "While Shakespeare Slept" by Tim Kelly, one of six fall productions.
Cast members shown above from left:
Roberta Taylor, Carole Timberlake, Ross Timberlake, Lorrie Hoeh, Tineke Ouwinga and Arita Zitoli.


Western Mountains' Senior College Players presented their sixth fall production on December 2 and 3. Many community members praised it as the best one to date. Both nights saw great audience participation, which spurred the actors to do their very best. Audiences were treated to super-polished performances and evenings of continuous laughter. Click here to view a pdf of the full article about WMSC's  first-rate group of performers.
 
- Submitted by Rosabelle Tifft for Western Mountains Senior College

 

Voices Yearning to Be Heard

photo of on air lightThe Acadia Senior College group from Tina Baker's class, "Native American Women in Literature and Myth," was featured on Donna Loring's WERU radio program, "Wabanaki Windows" on December 20, 2011. But you may listen to it now via a high-speed internet connection by going to  the WERU website for on-demand streaming of recent shows. Scroll down to the bottom left side of the page to find links for listening online or downloading a podcast.

Last winter this group presented their writing to a standing-room-only crowd at an ASC Coffee Clash. That event resulted in the book, "Voices Yearning to be Heard," some of which will be read on "Wabanaki Windows." Participants included people from the Wabanaki Writers Workshop and Mount Desert Island writers who joined the group after the Coffee Clash presentation.

You can view the wonderful book, created by Peggy Forster of Acadia Senior College from the writings and photos of class members by clicking on this link.

-Submitted by Jude Lamb for Acadia Senior College.

 

Meet an SJVSC Star Student

SJVSC star studentRella Daigle has attended close to 20 courses at St. John Valley Senior College. At first she was hesitant about going to "college," but after one class she was hooked and has been coming back ever since. She especially likes history and often follows up after a session by reading and studying the subject on her own. Her motto is "Never Stop Learning." Rella is so enthusiastic that you would never guess that she is 92 years young. She is active in community groups and loves to spend time with her 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.   

- submitted by Bill Loder for St. John Valley Senior College

 

Lakes Region History Explored in Bridgton

photo of canal boat
Senior College at Bridgton's fall session included a series about history of the Lakes Region. Here, Gerry Smith from the Harrison (Maine) Historical Society shows off his hand-built replica of a canal boat, the type of boat that was important to the development of Harrison and Bridgton. (Photo by Homer Pence)

- submitted by Dee Miller for the Senior College at Bridgton

 
Congratulations, Natalie!
2011 MSCN Poet Laureate
Clockwise from left: MSCN Poet Laureate Natalie Murray, MSCN Executive Director Kali Lightfoot,
and OLLI at USM Advisory Board members
Pat Muzzy and Joy Larrabee.



At the OLLI at USM December advisory board meeting, MSCN Executive Director Kali Lightfoot presented new MSCN Poet Laureate Natalie Murray with the competition's award of an Amazon Kindle. Natalie, a long-time OLLI member, was invited to read her winning poem, "Her Hands Were Always Busy," and she received a well-deserved round of applause from the board members.

- submitted by the OLLI at the University of Southern Maine.

Congratulations, Nancy Jane!

MSCN 2011 photo contest winner













Gail Peters, president of Sunrise Senior College, and Nancy Jane Smith, winner of the MSCN photo competition, with Nancy Jane's award of a Sony digital photo frame. Nancy is a long-time member of Sunrise Senior College, and credits her current photography skill to classes she took at SSC.

- submitted by Sunrise Senior College.
 
A Gold LEAF Invitation:
Check Out Our Website!

illustration depicting worldwide webIt isn't every day that one answer takes care of a multitude of needs, but it turns out that the website of the Gold LEAF Institute does just that. It serves as a welcome site for new members, an orientation packet for newly-elected officers or new committee chairs, a treasure trove of course and field trip ideas, and a running archive of past events.

Gold LEAF's free Wikispaces website, set up and maintained by member Myrna Vallette, is a window to everything Gold LEAF. Click here to read more about the exciting features Gold LEAF's website.

- Submitted by Eileen Kreutz and Myrna Valette for Gold LEAF Institute

The Poet's Corner
Illustration of tree in 4 seasons

Windows of the Seasons 

Could there be a more exhilarating early spring   day,
     watching crocuses peep through the waning snow cover,
     signaling daffodils and tulips to wake up?

Multitudes of hungry ants, scurrying about, enjoying the sweet
      nectar secreted on the soon to open striking peony.
    
Watching petals of multicolored summer flowers
      happily, gracefully, silently fall upon the earth.

A monarch, fluttering among the tall Joe Pye Weed    
    swaying in the breeze,
    dining with its brilliant stained glass wings closed.

Bumble bees diving into the ever closed violet gentian,
    disappearing within, savoring,  
    thence alighting head first,
    only to glide to their next adjacent succulent entree.

Stillness of the day broken by the spell binding,
   intense fluttering of the humming bird's wings,
   as they, in midair, approach and dine
   on the vibrant red lobelia cardinals - planted just for them.

Morning glories, in their imperial splendor, welcoming the day,               
    patiently waiting for the evening primrose,
    shining with yellow intensity,
    to welcome the lowering western sun.

WEEDS! Endlessly creeping and crawling to disrupt the otherwise
     manicured garden!
 
Overseeing all is the graceful weeping cherry tree
    with branches meeting the ground.
    Earlier ladened with a multitude of deep rose flowers,
    replaced with cherries to welcome hungry birds.
 
As the summer season wanes,    
    the brilliant burgundy Autumn Joy
    awaits the deep snow,
    so they may joyously stand steadfast above it.

Last, but not least, the September Ruby aster,
    standing firmly against the approaching colder nights,
    before nobly going into its winter's rest.

- by Ruth F. Barrett, Western Mountain Senior College

In This Issue
Public Theatre Director to Speak at L-A's January Lunch
York County Senior College Presents Lecture Series
Announcing the 2012 MSCN Photo Competition!
WMSC Senior Thespians Perform
Voices Yearning to Be Heard
Meet an SJVSC Star Student!
Lakes Region History Explored in Bridgton
Congratulations, Natalie!
Congratulations, Nancy Jane!
A Gold LEAF Invitation
The Poet's Corner
Don't forget to go to the Maine Senior College Network website to find out what is happening around the state!

Maine Senior College Network 
Maine Senior College Network
Links

Acadia Senior College


Augusta Senior College
 
Bridgton Senior College

Coastal Senior College

Downeast Senior College

Gold LEAF Institute

LEARN

Lewiston-Auburn Senior College

Midcoast Senior College

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Penobscot Valley Senior College

SAGE at UMPI

Senior College UMaine Hutchinson Center

St. John Valley Senior College

Sunrise Senior College 
 
Western Mountains Senior College

York County Senior College
The Maine Senior College Network Display Boards are available to any senior college that would like to borrow them. For more information, check out the link below.

 
 
Maine Senior Guide is a comprehensive web resource about all things senior that provides "one stop shopping" for Maine's seniors at the link below: 

    
About Us
Maine Senior College Network
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, Maine 04104-9300
(207)780-4128
(207)780-4317 (fax)
 
Kali Lightfoot
Executive Director
 
Anne Cardale
Director of Communication 
Director of Conferences
[email protected]

Kyle Allen
Coordinator
[email protected]
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Submissions
Please submit your articles and photographs to Kyle Allen at [email protected]




Deadline:  Third week of each month for the following month's edition