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Welcome to Your August 2016 Newsletter!
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| | August 1922 cover of Popular Science |
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine around the state. Tobogganing into the sea on a hot day in August looks like daring fun! If anyone is hurling themselves into the sea, please send pictures especially as the MSCN newsletter is looking for articles and photos for future issues!
In this month's news, you will see that Lewiston-Auburn Senior College has sent in a recent outdoor adventure report (where it appears no one got wet) visiting Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge.
This month we also have an open thank you message from the Gold LEAF Institute. They recently drew upon the collective knowledge and experience of the Maine Senior College Network's board members via "Ask MSCN." One Senior College board can ask a question of the other sixteen Senior College boards using Ask MSCN. Somehow, Board Presidents and Board Chairs find the time to either reply themselves or forward the question on to another knowledgeable board member. This allows the Senior Colleges to share their creative problem-solving approaches and provide valuable encouragement to each other.
Finally, a big thank you to all the Senior College Board members who have recently finished their board terms. And welcome to all new Board members taking up positions on behalf of your Senior Colleges. Without you, we would not have Senior Colleges in Maine!
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 Gold LEAF Institute:
This newsletter piece begins with a big THANK YOU to the many senior college representatives who responded to the Gold LEAF request for information on staffing issues. Anne Cardale was so helpful in sending along our few, but important, questions; little did the Gold LEAF Institute (GLI) Board guess that such helpful insights and info would come our way. Thanks for taking the time, and doesn't this point out the need for one of those awesome conferences at which we share these sorts of details?
Now for a progress report: The stars have shined brightly on us and five members have stepped forward to join our board, filling out positions left by those who served willingly for quite some time but need now to step back. In addition to the new board members, a few others have simply exchanged "hats" and remain on the board in different roles. They bring the added advantage of having a longer historical sense of things and also a fuller understanding of how the various committees work.
During our spell of time (most of May and half of June) with a vacancy in our office management, we took inspiration from the many of you out there who run your LLIs with only volunteer help. Thus, we managed to do the same, and this during our busiest time of the year, with membership renewals and course registrations steadily arriving at our door.
Now, with a great sigh of relief, we are happy to let the other senior colleges know that our office is once again well staffed and that somehow we didn't drive away our board in the meantime. In fact, at a July potluck meeting at the home of our president Mary Viruleg and her husband Andy, retiring board members were praised and thanked for their service. With only one board position yet to fill, we lean back to enjoy the riches of Maine's seniors, always willing to pitch in where needed.
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Lewiston-Auburn Senior College Outdoor Adventure Group at Umbagog
On Monday, July 25th, 11 members of the L-A Senior College Outdoor Adventure Club spent three hours on a Pontoon Boat Cruise through the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. According to the website, in 1972, "the Secretary of the Interior designated part of the wetlands at Harpers Meadow as a Floating Island National Natural Landmark." Then in 1992, "the refuge was officially established with the primary purpose of protecting wetlands and wetland-associated wildlife and to protect migratory birds."
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| | Lake Umbagog at Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge |
The refuge is located along the New Hampshire/Maine border. Lake Umbagog is more than seven miles in length and covers over 7,000 acres. With an average depth of only 15 feet, Pontoon Boats are able to get close to the shoreline and navigate through the bogs and marshlands. The refuge is home to many different species and provides the perfect breeding
ground for birds, and waterfowl.
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| LA Senior College Outdoor Adventure Group at the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge :
Left to Right: Joanne Sabourin, Barbara Oliver, Mary Jane Beardsley, Sue Tymoczko, Adriann Tucker, Cindy Boyd, Patricia Hall, Charlotte and Les Bosworth. Kneeling: Claire Bruno and Pat Vampatella
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A special treat was seeing the young moose swimming across the Androscoggin River right in front of the boat.
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Mother Nature provided the group with a perfect day to be out on the lake with our picnic lunches. Aside from the magnificent scenery, added treats included loon sightings, bald eagles, and a young moose swimming across the Androscoggin River right in front of the boat.
Eric, the boat's captain and guide from Northern Waters Outfitters, entertained the group with a running narrative on the history of the region, its geological features, and conservation measures for the Magalloway, Rapid and Androscoggin Rivers. All in all, a wonderful adventure!!
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The MSCN Newsletter wants your submissions!
Why submit articles to the statewide newsletter?
The MSCN Newsletter goes out to the boards of all the Senior Colleges who then make the newsletter available to their membership. This means your Senior College receives recognition from Senior College members all across the state!
Here are some suggestions for your newsletter submissions:
Are you attending a great class?
Send the title of the class and the name of the instructor with a brief description of the study topic. What is so special about this class in particular? Give readers something to think about! Perhaps your class will be the inspiration for a new class at the other end of the state!
Do you have news about a recent field trip?
Have you been on a great field trip lately? Do you recommend the location to other Senior Colleges members? Did you get some photographs you can share with the network?
Time to Cast the Spotlight?
Have you a got an inspiring story you would like to share about a fellow member? Do you want to give a big thank you to one of your board members or a super volunteer? Have you a highly regarded instructor? Let others in the network hear about the achievements of these important people.
Perhaps you have a picture worth a thousand words?
Just send a photo of a class, an activity or even some artwork and supply a simple caption.
Perhaps you are a poet?
Send in your work and receive statewide readership for your finely tuned words!
Newsletter Submissions Deadline Date: The 20th of each month! Please submit your articles and photographs to Anne Cardale.
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Resources
A special report from Next Avenue covering the power of artful aging programs to bring joy, connection, improved health and a renewed sense of purpose to older adults. Presented by Aroha Philanthropies.
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Zoom for Online MSCN Communications!
A new application called Zoom is now available for online communication. Many of us have used Skype over the years and have found it is a great way to stay in touch with family and friends. Zoom is similar to Skype but with a few more bells and whistles that facilitate group discussions. These extras not only make it possible for a group of people to chat together they can also collaborate to edit documents, view photographs, Powerpoints, and video recordings.
This application could be very useful to board members in the depths of Maine's winters! Zoom can be downloaded to your computer, tablet or smartphone and it allows you to chat for 40 minutes for free. MSCN recommends Zoom to the Senior Colleges as a tool for communicating directly with each other across the network.
Helpful Zoom Tutorials Links:
If you are a board member and would like to learn about Zoom, please contact me.
Anne Cardale Program Director, MSCN
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The MSCN newsletter is sent to each Senior College board. The boards then forward the newsletter to their membership. However, if you are not a member of a Senior College or perhaps you are, and you simply want the news "hot off the press" subscribe here!
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Newsletter Submissions Deadline Date:
The 26th of each month!
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Like MSCN on Facebook
 Now you can "like" Maine Senior College Network on Facebook. We've created an MSCN page on Facebook, so please visit it to share experiences, ideas, photos, and information about upcoming Maine Senior College happenings. We'll also post links to articles about lifelong learning and other topics relevant to senior college members. |
Images Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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The Maine Senior College Network is a program of the
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Don't forget to go to the Maine Senior College Network website to find out what is happening around the state!
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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:
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Contact Information
Maine Senior College Network
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, Maine 04104-9300
(207) 228-4128
Email:
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