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Welcome to Your February 2018 Newsletter!
This month's newsletter brings you a delightful little essay from Jackie Lowe at Sunrise Senior College. The piece is titled
"
Old Dogs and New Tricks,
" a perfect byline for Maine's Senior Colleges!
Below you can read a list
of events taking place around our network. Senior Colleges are hives of activity as usual, and none of these events would happen without the dedicated hard work of Senior College volunteers.
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Maine Senior College Activity Reports
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 Sunrise Senior College
Old Dogs and New Tricks
by
Jackie Lowe
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Detail from Dogs of China and Japan in nature and art (1921)
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When I moved from New Jersey to Washington County, I knew my life here would be radically different. No more being stuck on the Garden State Parkway or the New Jersey Turnpike. No more driving aimlessly around Newark or Elizabeth searching for parking that did not require me to take out a second mortgage on my home. No more property taxes hovering pennies below $10,000 a year.
I expected cold winters and snow (perhaps not quite as much snow and certainly not as much ice). I knew how far it would be to the grocery store and my granddaughter's high school. I even knew about Sunrise Senior College and was already a member.
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Old Monkey with Cherry in Autumn by Kansetsu Hashimoto
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What I could not have imagined was that a few years after settling into life in rural Maine, I would be repelling monkeys with Joan Miller, our inexhaustible SSC chair. Yes, twice a week Joan and I, along with a few other senior college members and a couple of University of Maine at Machias (UMM) students, were learning how to repel monkeys and part the wild horse's mane. We soon could push the mountain, play the lute, and become white cranes spreading our wings. I was best at waving my hands like clouds, not as tricky as being a white crane.
All this was due to the generosity of Sue Huseman, the interim President of UMM. Sue, in addition to her planning and administrative skills, is a certified tai chi trainer. She volunteered to teach tai chi to UMM students and then extended an invitation to Sunrise Senior College members to join the class at no charge. When we seniors couldn't catch up to the younger members of the class (they had a head start in the lessons, after all), Sue offered to add another class specifically for us. We had two classes a week at 8 AM, which Sue continued after the semester ended, until she departed at the end of June.
On her own initiative, Sue also arranged for lessons to resume in the fall, with a new instructor. The class was sponsored by Healthy Acadia and was free with participants making donations, if possible. Rumor has it that a well-known local yoga instructor will be attending a training program in Ellsworth leading to certification in Tai Chi for Arthritis, the form Joan and I learned. This form is gentle and slow, making it especially suitable for our aging bodies.
Let's hope we have continuing opportunities to practice tai chi. If we do, Joan and I want your help in keeping those monkeys under control! Thank you, Sue and UMM for offering us this fun way to increase our strength and balance at Sunrise Senior College.
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Western Mountains Senior College
To Your Health Presents Program on Heart Disease in Women
February 8
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Dante Gabriel Rossetti - Regina Cordium (1860)
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Daniel van Buren, MD, Director of Cardiovascular Medicine at the New England Heart Institute at Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, NH will discuss "Heart Disease in Women" on Thursday, February 8, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at the West Parish Congregational Church, 32 Church Street, Bethel. Snow date is February 15.
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Dr. van Buren |
Dr. van Buren, a popular speaker for To Your Health for the past six years, returns during American Heart Month to help educate the community about heart disease. He has mentioned in past presentations the uniqueness of coronary artery disease as it is diagnosed in women and will present the program on this topic. He said, "Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death and disability in women in the United States, and after the age of 63, one in three women will develop some form of cardiovascular disease."
He will discuss the unique clinical features of heart disease in women; the epidemiology, prognosis and management of women with diagnosed or suspected heart disease; and the ongoing myths about heart disease in women and how these myths affect the use of certain diagnostic tests and procedures.
Dr. van Buren is board certified in internal medicine, adult echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and cardiovascular disease. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He completed his internal medicine and cardiology training in Brooklyn, NY and resides in Bethel.
The program is sponsored as a community service by To Your Health of Western Mountains Senior College with the collaboration of Bethel Family Health Center and MSAD#44/Continuing Education. The public is invited and admission is free. Light refreshments will be available.
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Acadia Senior College
Coffee Clash:
"
Income Inequity: Causes & Effects"
February 9
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| Painting by Albrecht Altdorfer - 1531 |
Bill Dohmen, subsequent to his role as professor of modern English literature, was a commercial banker in Philadelphia, lending to companies from New York to Delaware, as well as working in credit policy. He was a licensed securities dealer, helping to create and market IPO's and corporate bond issues. In the process, he became intrigued by macroeconomics, and in 2009 spoke at an ASC event on Keynesian theories for stimulating recovery from the Recession.
Over the past 50 years, economic inequity, the concentration of income and accumulated wealth among a few powerful families, both domestically and globally, has become so extreme as to threaten not only our capitalist economy, but even our democracy and our society's stability. Is America (and perhaps much of the developed world) reverting to an oligarchy, essentially a hereditary aristocracy lording over a peasant population? And is such a social structure indeed the historical norm, with the rise of a "middle class" being an aberrant blip that is now receding? How have the rise of technology, computers and robotics; globalization and international commerce; legislative and regulatory permissiveness; media and money in elections, financing a government and judiciary selected and directed by the wealthy; dramatic changes in corporate culture; restrictions on education, housing and health care for the majority (to name but a few causes) created a perfect storm that is decimating traditional American values? Let the clash begin!
Location: Sips, Southwest Harbor at 9:00 am
Please visit Acadia Senior College for more information regarding Snow delays .
Click here to sign up for this event.
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University of Maine in Augusta Senior College
"Concerts at Jewett"
The Augusta Symphony Orchestra Ensembles will Perform at UMA Jewett Auditorium, Sunday, February 11, 2018, 2PM
 The "Concerts at Jewett" Series sponsored by University of Maine at Augusta College of Arts and Sciences and UMA Senior College will feature the Augusta Symphony Orchestra Ensembles on Sunday, February 11, 2018, 2PM at UMA Jewett Auditorium. (Snow date: February 25th).
The Augusta Symphony Orchestra, a nonprofit community orchestra composed of amateur and semi-professional musicians, was founded in 1920. The orchestra includes individuals of all ages and walks of life.
Tickets are $10, students $5, 12 & under free. Tickets are available at Pat's Pizza in Augusta, Dave's Appliance in Winthrop and at the door. Call 621-3551, or
email UMA SC for more information or for mail order tickets. Visit the
Concerts at Jewett Website.
The next concert is Sunday, March 11, 2018, 2PM - Maine-ly Harmony, A Ladies a Cappella Chorus and Back Bay Four, A Male Barbershop Quartet (Snow date: Mar. 18)
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Winter Wisdom 2018
"Longfellow Days: The Charm of Reading & Rereading"
February 14
Wednesday, 12:15 - 1:45 pm
Free and Open to the Public
The Winter Wisdom lecture series is sponsored by:
For more detailed information please visit:
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The second installment of York County Senior College's 2018 Gary Sullivan Memorial Lecture Series will take place February 21 with a look at Maine through the Franco-American experience and a lens of kindness.
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James Mayall |
That morning, James Mayall will present an overview of Maine's rich snowshoeing history within the Franco-American community. The development of snowshoes, their contribution to travel and commerce, and their evolution into sport will be explored by Mayall, who, for several years ran the Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine. The lecture will include historical accounts and artifacts; attendees are encouraged to bring their own mementoes and stories to share.
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Michael Chase
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In the afternoon, Michael Chase will inspire attendees with a message of hope in "Survival of the Kindest." Founder of The Kindness Center, Chase is considered an expert on the subjects of kindness, resilience and positive behavior. A world-renowned leader in the field of personal development, Michael reveals how living from the heart plays a critical role in healing our lives and our planet.
The series concludes March 21 with Col. Jen Fullmer, head of "Boots2Roots" inspiring listeners with her work from serving as a command pilot to assisting military members make the shift from active duty to Maine, followed by Monica Grabin "Singing Songs of the 40's, 50's and 60's" in the afternoon.
Morning lectures take place from 9:30-11:30, followed by lunch and a second lecture, given from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
March 21 Lectures
The series concludes in March with Col. Jen Fullmer, head of "Boots2Roots" inspiring listeners with her work from serving as a command pilot to assisting military members make the shift from active duty to Maine in the morning, and Monica Grabin "Singing Songs of the 40's, 50's and 60's in the afternoon.
Lecture Times
Morning lectures take place from 9:30-11:30, followed by lunch and a second lecture, given from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Location
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).
Fee (lunch included!)
The fee for each day's program is $20 for York County Senior College members, $25 for non-members, payable at the door by cash or check made payable to the York County Shelter Program, and includes lunch, as well as coffee breaks.
Weather
Should classes be cancelled on account of weather, notice will be given on local TV stations and may be heard on the YCSC answering machine (207-282-4030).
Reservations
Call 207-282-4030 for reservations by the Monday before each lecture.
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Brown Bag Lunch Dates
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| Fashionable woman with a brown bag. (1886) |
The Brown Bag Series
is a program of the UMA Senior College that encourages people to attend weekly presentations in January and February at the UMA campus. The series begins on the first week of January and runs for 8 weeks.
UMASC members and guests are invited to bring their lunch to each session at 12 noon on Tuesdays, to see and hear a different presentation each week. Topics will be of various subjects and content. The length of shows should be 60-90 minutes duration. Lectures are held at the Michael Klahr Center which is connected to UMA's Katz Library.
Tuesday Lectures Noon - 1:30 pm
UMA Klahr Center
There is no admission fee.
February Talks
- February 6 Art Ray Clyde Jackie & #42 (Major League Baseball)
- February 13 Elizabeth Reinsborough Patagonia: Wild and Wonderful
- February 20 Patrick Paradis JFK at 100: Why His Presidency Still Matters
- February 27 Dick Duncan Speech: A Magical Extension of the Arms
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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.
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Images Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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The Maine Senior College Network is a program of the
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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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